Skip to Main content

16.12°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Feb 7, 2025 5:27 PM - Connect Newsroom

Canada to Appoint Fentanyl Czar Amid Trade Talks with US

Share On

canada-to-appoint-fentanyl-czar-amid-trade-talks-with-us

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the decision during last-minute negotiations with former US President Donald Trump on Monday, aimed at averting a trade war. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

Canada will appoint a fentanyl czar before the March 4 deadline for the Trump administration’s tariff freeze, Public Safety Minister David McGuinty has confirmed.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the decision during last-minute negotiations with former US President Donald Trump on Monday, aimed at averting a trade war. Trump agreed to delay imposing tariffs on Canada, contingent on progress in border security measures.

In addition to appointing the fentanyl czar, Canada has committed $200 million to classify Mexican drug lords as terrorists and to create a joint Canada-US strike force targeting organized crime and money laundering.

McGuinty assured that the appointment will be finalized before the deadline. Sources suggest the government is considering current or former police officers for the role.

Latest news

canada-us-trade-talks-collapse-as-ottawa-vows-dollar-for-dollar-tariff-response

CanadaAug 22, 2026

Canada-US trade talks collapse as Ottawa vows dollar-for-dollar tariff response

Canada has ended its latest round of trade negotiations with the United States after Ottawa said Washington changed key conditions near the deadline, prompting Prime Minister Mark Carney to recall Canadian negotiators from the talks. Carney said the revised U.S. terms were unreasonable and harmful to Canada’s interests. He said the government would move quickly to support Canadian workers and businesses affected by the trade measures and would respond to U.S. tariffs on a dollar-for-dollar basis. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, meanwhile, said Canada rejected an opportunity for a d

18-year-old-shooting-suspect-turns-himself-in-to-burnaby-rcmp

18-year-old shooting suspect turns himself in to Burnaby RCMP

A suspect wanted in connection with a December 2025 shooting in North Burnaby has turned himself in to authorities. Burnaby RCMP said officers responded on Dec. 19, 2025, to a report of a shooting near Phillips Avenue and Woodbrook Place. A man was found suffering from gunshot wounds and was taken to hospital for treatment. The RCMP’s Investigative Support Team took over the investigation. On Dec. 25, charges were laid and an arrest warrant was issued for 18-year-old Ronin Tajali. Tajali has since surrendered to police and remains in custody awaiting a bail hearing. Police thanked the public

leaders-condemn-nanaksar-gurdwara-attack-call-for-action-against-anti-sikh-hate

AlbertaAug 21, 2026

Leaders Condemn Nanaksar Gurdwara Attack, Call for Action Against Anti-Sikh Hate

Federal NDP MP for Edmonton Strathcona Heather McPherson, along with leaders from across the country, has strongly condemned the attack at Nanaksar Gurdwara Sahib and expressed solidarity with the Sikh community. They called for a full investigation into the incident, urging authorities to take the growing anti-Sikh hatred in Canada seriously and implement stronger measures to protect places of worship. McPherson said everyone has the right to practise their religion freely and that such violent attacks are unacceptable under any circumstances. Meanwhile, Surrey-Newton MP Sukh Dhaliwal express

poilievre-warns-accepting-u-s-tariffs-could-devastate-canadas-industrial-sector

Poilievre Warns Accepting U.S. Tariffs Could Devastate Canada’s Industrial Sector

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre has lashed out at the Liberal government during ongoing Canada-U.S. trade talks in Washington, warning that accepting unilateral U.S. tariffs could devastate Canada’s industrial sector. Speaking to reporters in Kitchener, Ontario, Poilievre strongly criticized the proposed 25 per cent U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum. He said that if Canada accepts such discriminatory terms, major Canadian businesses and factories could leave the country, causing long-term damage to the Canadian economy. Taking aim at Prime Minister Mark Carney, Poilievre said Car

AlbertaAug 21, 2026

Edmonton Nanaksar Gurdwara Stabbing Leaves Two Injured, Suspect Arrested

A stabbing incident at Nanaksar Gurdwara Sahib in Edmonton early Friday morning left two people injured. Police have arrested a suspect at the scene. According to police, the incident occurred at around 5:08 a.m. at the gurdwara located near 14 Street and Horsehills Road. The two injured individuals were treated at the scene, and their injuries were considered non-life-threatening. Police are questioning the arrested suspect, while officers continue their investigation in and around the gurdwara to ensure the safety of the congregation. Meanwhile, the World Sikh Organization of Canada said in

Related News

Canada-US trade talks collapse as Ottawa vows dollar-for-dollar tariff response

Canada-US trade talks collapse as Ottawa vows dollar-for-dollar tariff response

Canada has ended its latest round of trade negotiations with the United States after Ottawa said Washington changed key conditions near the deadline, prompting Prime Minister Mark Carney to recall Canadian negotiators from the talks. Carney said the revised U.S. terms were unreasonable and harmful to Canada’s interests. He said the government would move quickly to support Canadian workers and businesses affected by the trade measures and would respond to U.S. tariffs on a dollar-for-dollar basis. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, meanwhile, said Canada rejected an opportunity for a d

42-Year-Old Man Charged in Immigration Fraud Case, Arrest Warrant Issued

42-Year-Old Man Charged in Immigration Fraud Case, Arrest Warrant Issued

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has laid five charges against 42-year-old Abul Qasim for allegedly helping people enter Canada illegally and committing immigration fraud. An arrest warrant has also been issued for him. According to the CBSA, Qasim previously lived in Montreal but left Canada in June 2025 and is believed to be currently outside the country. The arrest warrant was issued after he failed to appear in response to a summons issued by a Montreal court. The CBSA began investigating the alleged scheme in 2024 after receiving confidential information from Immigration, Refugees

Canada-U.S. trade talks continue as tariff deadline approaches

Canada-U.S. trade talks continue as tariff deadline approaches

A deadline for a potential 50 per cent U.S. tariff on about $28 billion worth of Canadian exports is set to expire at midnight, as Canadian and U.S. officials work to finalize a trade agreement. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said the two countries are close to reaching a deal. Canada’s chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette, is also meeting with U.S. officials in what is being described as a final effort to reach an agreement. According to sources cited in the supplied report, the proposed deal could reduce tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum from 50 per cent to 25 per cent. Tariffs on

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital