Canadian auto industry executives are supporting the commitment by Canada and the United States to work together on vehicle-emission rules and electric-vehicle battery production to combat climate change.

A campaign by Canadians calls to start reinforcing existing relationships and confronting some long-standing irritants. Key areas include the border and critical minerals used in EV batteries.

Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau says Ottawa is looking at expanding the categories of essential workers allowed to travel across the Canada-U.S. border.

Automakers and suppliers expect their supply chains to be impacted after the canal's closure halted the flow of goods through the shortest sea link between Europe and Asia.