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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global supply and production chains has registered across the country and certainly in Western Canada. As business and policymakers look for information and analysis on how to respond to new phases of this pandemic, and potentially plan for future pandemics, new analysis by the Border Policy Research Institute at Western Washington University provides some initial insights into how COVID has impacted the Canada-U.S. border and what work is being done by academics, sub-federal governments and business organizations to address these impacts.  To ensure the vitality of cross-border networks and regions, new tools and collaborative mechanisms are needed going forward.

Canada West Foundation hosts Dr. Laurie Trautman, Director of the Border Policy Research Institute at Western Washington University to share insights from the institute’s July 2021 Border Barometer Report. The report examines how COVID-19 border restrictions enacted bilaterally by the US and Canada have impacted integrated supply chains, businesses that serve cross-border markets, the social fabric along borders.

Moderator

Carlo Dade, Director Trade and Investment Centre, Canada West Foundation

Speaker

Dr. Laurie Trautman, Director, Border Policy Research Institute, Western Washington University. Dr. Trautman co-chairs the Border Issues working group of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region and is on the steering committee for the Cascadia Innovation Corridor. She is also a Global Fellow with the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Canada Institute.

Prairie-specific commentary

Dr. Geoffrey Hale, the Prairie contributor to the Border Barometer report, had an extensive background in public policy and business-government relations before joining the U of L faculty in 1999. A native of Montreal, he is author or co-editor of seven books: and numerous articles on various aspects of Canadian political economy, federalism, Canada-US relations and North American integration.

Supply chain commentary

John Law is a recognized leader in Canada’s transportation and infrastructure sector having played a significant role in the development of national and interprovincial transportation policy. During his career he has served a number of senior positions in industry and government including President of the Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) and Chair of the Canadian Council of Deputy Ministers responsible for Transportation and Infrastructure. He was the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Saskatchewan’s Global Transportation Hub as well as the Deputy Minister of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure. He is currently the President of Lawmark International, which he founded in 2012 to provide integrated business development, logistics, and regulatory support services to his clients in Western Canada.

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Canada West Foundation Virtual Event
Monday, September 27, 2021
1:30-2:30 PM (MDT) / 12:30-1:30 PM (PDT)

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