Businesses scramble to contain fallout from Trump’s tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico
By Paul Wiseman A Minnesota farmer worries about the price of fertilizer. A San Diego entrepreneur deals with an unexpected cost increase of remodeling a restaurant. A Midwestern sheet metal fabricator bemoans the prospect of higher aluminum prices. Businesses knew that Trump’s import taxes — tariffs — on America’s biggest trading partners were scheduled to take effect Tuesday. But many of them assumed they’d get a reprieve. After all, the unpredictable president had delayed the tariffs on Canada and Mexico for 30 days right before they were originally supposed to kick in on Feb. 4. No such luck this time. At midnight Tuesday, the United States imposed 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, starting a trade war with its closest neighbors and allies. Trump also doubled his 10%...
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Class is in session for community students at Doig River FirstNation
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The bell rings and it’s back to school for some members of a northeastern B.C. Indigenous community. Doig River First Nation (DRFN) has enrolled its first class of students in the community’s College and Career Prep program, launched in partnership with Northern Lights College (NLC). According to DRFN education manager Sharon MacDonald, the initiative launched in January and will initially run for three years. She adds the program has a capacity for 17 students. Currently, 10 students are at DRFN’s new Cultural Experience Centre four days a week. The building on DRFN grounds features two classrooms and a computer lab. “The idea came from chief and council, which led to collaboration with NLC,” said MacDonald. “[Their vision]...
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Language revitalization event to return to Fort St. John in April
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — After a successful inaugural year, a local First Nation will host another language revitalization event. ‘Reawakening of our Language’ will take place on April 24th and 25th at the Pomeroy Sports Centre, hosted by Doig River First Nation (DRFN) in partnership with the University of Northern British Columbia and Northern Lights College (NLC). Like last year, workshops, keynote speakers, and other sessions will be dedicated to preserving languages like the Beaver language of the Dane-zaa people. Christopher Parkin of the Salish School of Spokane, located in Washington State, will again be in attendance. The school, founded in 2010, features an Indigenous-centric education for students from Kindergarten through grade eight, ensuring a generation of Indigenous language speakers. DRFN...
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Quesnel mayor successfully challenges censure, sanction over book
By Bob Mackin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Prince George Citizen A BC Supreme Court judge has quashed three resolutions to censure and sanction the City of Quesnel’s mayor made last spring. Mayor Ron Paull successfully claimed that Quesnel city council’s April 30 decisions against him were made without procedural fairness. Councillors voted to withdraw Paull’s travel budget and remove him from city committees and the Cariboo Regional District board after his wife shared a book disputing residential school history. The book offended members of the Lhtako Dene First Nation, which signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate with the city in 2017. “I do not mean to suggest that there was any attempt in this case to misuse powers for cheap political gain,” Justice William Veenstra wrote in his March...
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Immigrant labor fuels US economy but Trump’s crackdown mostly ignores it
By Tim Sullivan And Rebecca Boone -CP-The Trump administration is touting an immigration crackdown that includes putting shackled immigrants on U.S. military planes, expanding agents’ arrests of people here illegally and abandoning programs that gave some permission to stay. One tool that’s conspicuously absent from President Donald Trump’s efforts to reduce illegal immigration: Going after the businesses that hire workers who are in the U.S. illegally. A nearly 30-year-old government system called E-Verify makes it easy to check if potential employees can legally work in the U.S. The program has had high-profile backers. Project 2025, the far-right blueprint for Trump’s second term, called for it to be mandatory. Yet it remains largely voluntary and rarely enforced. Trump’s own hotels and golf courses were slow to adopt E-Verify. The debate over...
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Here’s the latest as the U.S. imposes tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico
-CP-U.S. President Donald Trump today imposed tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico. The president’s executive order hitting Canada and Mexico with 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs, with a lower 10 per cent levy on Canadian energy, took effect at 12:01 a.m. ET. At a news conference in Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau outlined Canada’s response. He said Canada is immediately introducing 25 per cent retaliatory tariffs on $30 billion worth of American products, and will expand them to cover another $125 billion in U.S. goods in 21 days. Here’s the latest news (all times Eastern): — 4:20 p.m. Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai says the U.S. tariffs are “unjustified and short-sighted” and he hopes Alaskans will continue to visit the territory. The territory has announced that the Yukon Liquor Corporation...
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Operation Nanook-Nunalivut a ‘very positive’ experience for Inuvik Ranger
By Tom Taylor, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWT News/North Operation Nanook-Nunalivut is now well underway in the Inuvik area, and for Master Cpl. Kadin Cockney of the Canadian Rangers, it has been a fruitful experience so far. “It’s been very positive,” he said. “Pretty much every op is a new lesson and a new learning experience.” Operation Nanook-Nunalivut is one of four annual activities that the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) undertakes to secure the country’s Northern regions — collectively known as Operation Nanook. This year, the exercise is running from Feb. 23 to March 9, and will, as always, see the CAF conducting defence and sovereignty-related activities with a variety of partners and allies, including personnel from the United States. The Canadian Rangers, a reserve division of the army that...
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Day One of “Truth With Reconciliation: Respect, Restore, Relearn” With Grandmother’s Voice
By Sydney Alexandra, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Grandmother’s Voice recently hosted a powerful two-day conference, “Truth with Reconciliation: Respect, Restore, Relearn,” bringing together Indigenous speakers, storytellers, and knowledge keepers. Discussions explored celestial teachings, prophecy, untold histories, and the wisdom of the Two-Row Wampum Belt. Day one, on Feb. 25, saw presentations by Samantha Doxtater on Indigenous astronomy and her sister’s legacy, speakers Allen Sutherland and Mike Doxtator, whose sessions shared a theme of wider and deeper education on Indigenous history, and Grandmother Renee’s reflections on the importance of wampum belts. Samantha Doxtater honours Sasha Doxtater and celestial teachings Samantha Doxtater opened the conference with a touching tribute to her late sister Sasha, explaining how she continues Sasha’s work on Indigenous astronomy. Sasha’s research explored connections between Western and Indigenous knowledge....
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Adversaries see opportunities to exploit ‘strategically valuable’ Arctic, CSIS says
By Jim Bronskill Canada’s spy agency warns that colliding global developments make the Arctic an “attractive, strategic and vulnerable destination” for foreign adversaries seeking to establish a presence in Canada. A newly released Canadian Security Intelligence Service assessment flags the environment, critical infrastructure, economic activity and geopolitics as converging factors making the region susceptible to threats from abroad. It sees resource extraction projects, increasing ship traffic, the building of ports and possible militarization of the Arctic as some of the avenues nefarious actors could use to gain a foothold in the region. Once established in the North, rivals could use these opportunities to “generate substantial influence and interference opportunities,” CSIS warns. The Canadian Press used the Access to Information Act to obtain the CSIS brief, “Issues & Vulnerabilities in Canada’s...
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Five years after COVID upended tourism, the industry’s revival is still up in the air
By Christopher Reynolds Michael Hale still recalls the moment COVID-19 upended his world. “I can feel this pit in my stomach even as I recount that day,” said the CEO of Northern Vision Development, which owns seven hotels and eight restaurants and bars in the Yukon. Hale and a half-dozen colleagues were gathered around a conference table at the company’s Whitehorse headquarters on March 7, 2020. They were discussing the Arctic Winter Games, set to draw thousands of visitors a week later. “We were trying to figure out what to do with oversold rooms,” Hale said. In the middle of the meeting, a press release was sent out. The games had been cancelled. “It was shock in the room.” Two days later, hotel bookings had plunged from 100 per cent...
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Ontario First Nations leaders urge mining industry not to consult with Métis organization
By Abdul Matin Sarfraz Local Journalism Initiative As the mining industry convenes in Toronto, some Ontario First Nation leaders are calling on the sector to engage only with legitimate First Nations rights-holders when developing projects on Indigenous lands. Speaking Monday at a Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Conventionpress conference, the leaders affirmed their willingness to collaborate with the industry but cautioned against consulting or signing any impact benefit agreements with the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO). They claimed that the MNO is not a legitimate rights-holder and even accused it of “falsely” identifying as a First Nation, describing it as a “Crown Corporation” rather than a nation with historical or ancestral ties to the land. Jason Batise, executive director of the Wabun Tribal Council, said the council has already...
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Buffy Sainte-Marie lost two jubilee medals as part of Order of Canada cancellation: Rideau Hall
By David Friend -CP-The recent termination of Buffy Sainte-Marie’s Order of Canada came with the cancellation of two additional Canadian honours. A representative for Rideau Hall says jubilee medals awarded to the singer-songwriter in 2002 and 2012 were also stripped from her since both were based on her membership to the Order of Canada. Sainte-Marie’s appointment was cancelled in an ordinance signed by Gov. Gen. Mary Simon on Jan. 3. Details about the medals were not previously shared. Rideau Hall says Sainte-Marie also lost the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the queen’s ascension to the throne, as well as the Diamond Jubilee medal presented for the 60th anniversary. This comes more than a year after a CBC investigative report questioned the musician’s Indigenous...
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Here’s the latest as the U.S. imposes tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico
U.S. President Donald Trump today imposed tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico. The president’s executive order hitting Canada and Mexico with 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs, with a lower 10 per cent levy on Canadian energy, took effect at 12:01 a.m. ET. At a news conference in Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau outlined Canada’s response. He said Canada is immediately introducing 25 per cent retaliatory tariffs on $30 billion worth of American products, and will expand them to cover another $125 billion in U.S. goods in 21 days. Here’s the latest news (all times Eastern): — 3:40 p.m. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Natan Obed says the tariffs, along with the sunsetting of a federal program to support Inuit children and an already high cost of living, will cause more...
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On a cold northern island, a mantra rises: ‘Greenland is not for sale’
By Luis Andres Henao NUUK, Greenland (AP) — On a boat, surrounded by snow-covered mountains and icebergs in shades of blue, Qooqu Berthelsen points to the breaking sea ice as a worrisome sign. Now, though, something is worrying him and many Greenlanders as much as the retreating ice that endangers their livelihood. “My concern,” says the 23-year-old hunter, fisher and tour company owner, “is that Trump will come and take Greenland.” He then repeats what has become a mantra for Greenlanders in the weeks since U.S. President Donald Trump pushed their Arctic homeland into the spotlight by threatening to take it over. That has ignited unprecedented interest in full independence from Denmark — a key issue in a parliamentary election on March 11. “Greenlanders don’t want to be Danish. Greenlanders...
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Fort Resolution RCMP seek witnesses after apparent arson, gunfire
By Aastha Sethi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cabin Radio RCMP in Fort Resolution say they are investigating an incident involving an attempt to set a home on fire. During the early hours of Monday, police said, officers received a report of shots being fired near a home on the Northwest Territories community’s Rental Road. “Police attended the scene to find an attempt had also been made to set the residence on fire,” RCMP stated. RCMP said the fire was “extinguished quickly with minimal damage” and no injuries were reported. While no suspects have been identified, RCMP said they believe witnesses who know what took place have not come forward. Anyone with information that could help is asked to contact the Fort Resolution detachment at 867-394-1111 or leave a tip via...
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Fort McKay Métis Nation formally leaves the Alberta Metis Federation
By Jeremy Appel, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter (ANN) One of the Alberta Métis Federation’s (AMF) founding nations has opted to leave the organization. Fort McKay Métis Nation (FMMN) formally announced on Feb. 27 that it was withdrawing from the AMF effective Sept. 25, 2024. An FMMN news release said the decision to cut ties was reached after “extensive consultation” with its membership and leadership to reach “a path that best aligns with its interests, priorities, and right to self-determination.” “We respect the work of the Alberta Métis Federation; however, our Nation must move forward in a direction that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of our community,” FMMN president Loretta Waquan said in the release. “Our priority is ensuring our members’ well-being and that our rights and interests are properly...
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Ontario rips up Starlink deal, plans to add energy surcharge in response to tariffs
By Allison Jones and Liam Casey Ontario will ban American companies from $30 billion worth of procurement contracts, rip up a $100-million Starlink deal and eradicate U.S. booze in its first wave of retaliations against U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, Premier Doug Ford said Tuesday. Ford said he will also soon impose a 25 per cent surcharge on electricity that the province sends to 1.5 million Americans in several states, and has threatened to cut off power altogether if U.S. tariffs remain place into April. He also threatened to surcharge or cut off critical mineral exports to the U.S. should the trade war linger. “We also need to be ready to dig in for a long fight,” Ford said. “We need to be ready to escalate using every tool in...
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‘All bets are off’: B.C. pulls liquor, changes procurement after U.S. tariffs
By Ashley Joannou -CP-British Columbia Premier David Eby says the province and the country is strong enough to weather the storm in the threat to Canada’s sovereignty coming from a former friend. Eby took the unusual step of interrupting B.C.’s budget lockup to address how the province will respond after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian goods. He says B.C. will again be pulling liquor off store shelves from “red” Republican states and that the government will prioritize purchasing Canadian products first, with a focus on provincial products. Eby says that change to procurement policy would normally be considered a trade violation, but after Trump’s move “all bets are off.” He says they’ll be working closely with Indigenous, business and labour leaders to accelerate major projects in the...
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Ontario rips up Starlink deal, plans to add energy surcharge in response to tariffs
By Allison Jones and Liam Casey Ontario Premier Doug Ford confirmed Tuesday the province will ban American companies from procurement contracts and rip up a $100-million Starlink deal after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian goods. That comes after the Liquor Control Board of Ontario said it will stop buying and selling U.S. alcohol. Ford said he will soon impose a 25 per cent surcharge on electricity that the province sends to 1.5 million Americans in several different states, and has threatened to cut off power altogether if U.S. tariffs remain place into April. He also threatened to surcharge or cut off critical mineral exports to the U.S. should the trade war linger. “We also need to be ready to dig in for a long fight,” Ford said....
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Buffy Sainte-Marie says she never denied having American citizenship, has returned her Order of Canada
By David Friend Buffy Sainte-Marie says she has returned her Order of Canada “with a good heart” and reasserts that she never lied about her identity. In her first statement since she was stripped of the award, the singer-songwriter says that she’s an American citizen and holds a U.S. passport but was adopted as a young adult by a Cree family in Saskatchewan. She tells The Canadian Press that she “made it completely clear” she was not Canadian to Rideau Hall, as well as to former prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau when he invited her to perform for Queen Elizabeth in 1977. Rideau Hall has not given a reason for terminating her Order of Canada earlier this year. The Governor General’s website says non-Canadians are eligible “if their contributions have...
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