Carney downplays Washington’s decision to pause bilateral defence board

Carney downplays Washington's decision to pause bilateral defence board OTTAWA — Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland on Friday downplayed the significance of a U.S. decision to pause meetings between Canada and the United States on defence matters, saying Ottawa remains confident in its relationship with Washington. In a statement issued in response to media inquiries, Freeland’s office said the bilateral Defence Board had been put on hold due to budget negotiations between the two countries but that the broader partnership was “robust” and would continue. The Defence Board is an int…