Canada's premiers are meeting virtually with the prime minister today to talk about Donald Trump's early moves as president and the looming threat of tariffs. The first ministers have committed to weekly meetings now that Trump has been installed in the White House. Trump signed an executive order on Monday directing his government to study alleged unfair trade practices by Canada and Mexico and to file a report by April 1. Later that day, he mused about imposing 25 per cent tariffs on both countries by Feb. 1, calling Canada a "very bad abuser" for allowing illegal drugs and migrants to enter

B.C.’s opposition leader John Rustad has voiced support for deporting Zain Haq to Pakistan for allegedly violating his study permit. Haq is accused of participating in protests instead of focusing on his studies. In 2021, Haq was arrested along with 17 others during a demonstration on Burrard Bridge that disrupted traffic, including access to St. Paul’s Hospital. Rustad emphasized that individuals coming to B.C. to study should not break the law. Zain Haq, a prominent climate activist in B.C., was ordered deported on January 25. He and his wife Sophie are appealing to Immigration Minister

Harjit Singh Sajjan, the MP for Vancouver South and a long-time minister in Justin Trudeau’s government, has announced that he will not run in the next federal election. Sajjan stated that his goal was to represent the people of Vancouver South and address their concerns in Ottawa, a mission he feels he has accomplished. After nearly a decade in politics, he has decided to step away. He expressed gratitude to his constituents and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for their support. Sajjan was first elected in 2015 and served as the Minister of Defence before becoming the Minister of Emergency P

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose an additional 10% tariff on goods imported from China, citing concerns over the fentanyl crisis. He stated that the tariff is being considered because China sends fentanyl to Mexico and Canada. Fentanyl, a synthetic drug, is responsible for thousands of deaths annually in the US and Canada. In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said on Wednesday that China believes there are no winners in a tariff or trade war and will firmly protect its interests. Notably, during his 2024 election campaign, Trump had threatened to impose t

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has criticized Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre for receiving support from Elon Musk. Speaking at an event in Toronto, Jagmeet Singh said that Musk knows that if anyone in Canada will not challenge his tariffs, it is Poilievre. Jagmeet Singh further stated that Musk will not support him because he knows that he does not back billionaires. It is worth noting that Elon Musk recently praised Poilievre on social media, expressing his support. Musk had reposted Poilievre's tweets and commended his speech and the way he interacted with the media. Additionally, Mus

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has expressed hope for collaboration with U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking to reporters after a two-day cabinet meeting in Montebello, Quebec, Trudeau emphasized that a strong partnership between Canada and the U.S. is essential for progress on both sides of the border. Trudeau highlighted that to achieve a “golden age” for America, President Trump would need Canada’s resources, including affordable energy, steel, aluminum, and critical minerals. He also stressed the mutual benefits of cooperation, particularly in trade and economic growth. However, Tr

Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced plans to cut approximately 3,300 jobs over the next three years, representing about a quarter of its workforce. The department says the move is aimed at reducing costs to align with lower immigration levels and returning staff numbers to pre-COVID levels. On Monday, the department informed employees via email about the budget cuts and their potential impact on staff. However, it remains unclear which employees will be affected. Notifications to impacted employees are expected to begin in mid-February. IRCC also state

Canada’s annual inflation rate fell to 1.8 per cent in December, thanks in large part to the federal government’s temporary tax break. Statistics Canada’s consumer price index report on Tuesday said restaurant food purchases, and alcohol bought from stores contributed the most to the deceleration. The federal government introduced a temporary pause on taxes to those items in mid-December, along with tobacco and cannabis products, clothing, and some toys, among others. Without the tax break, Statistics Canada said the annual inflation rate would have risen to 2.3 per cent. Growth in groce

U.S. President Donald Trump suggested his administration could move ahead with with 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs on Canadian imports on Feb. 1. He delivered the deadline on Monday evening at the White House as he signed a stack of unrelated executive orders. The February date comes after Trump officials, speaking anonymously, suggested to reporters that the Republican president would only sign a memorandum telling federal agencies to study trade issues, including alleged unfair trade and currency practices by Canada, Mexico and China. An executive order from the president late Monday