(Globe & Mail, Toronto, 13 March 2012) Worried that credit markets remain fragile and underserved, the Harper government is poised to extend Export Development Canada’s emergency domestic lending powers for another year. The decision, expected Tuesday, means EDC, a Crown export credit agency, will continue to be able to provide loans and insurance to companies for their Canadian operations… The extension has raised concerns that EDC may be crowding out private lenders and causing some confusion with the activities of its sister agency, the Business Development Bank of Canada. Experts said there could eventually be trade implications because the EDC has used the powers to help Montreal-based Bombardier Inc. sell aircraft to domestic carriers, such as Toronto-based Porter Airlines Inc.
