John Mercury commented on Canada’s economic competitiveness in the National Post. He appeared before the Senate of Canada’s Banking, Trade and Commerce Committee as it studied issues for Canadian importers and exporters in North American and global markets. The National Post wrote:
John Mercury, a partner and vice chair of Bennett Jones LLP, said a recent setback on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion following a Federal Court of Appeal decision has badly undermined investor confidence in Canada. Ottawa purchased the pipeline at the end of August for $4.5 billion, effectively nationalizing the project in a bid to sidestep mounting delays.
“We really need to double down on providing the world with clear, crisp, objective criteria and guidance on regulatory approvals,” Mercury said. “It’s unambiguous in my mind that this is one of the leading problems in this country today.”