Canada
India weaponizing travel visas to silence critics, Sikh community says
A Global News investigation has uncovered evidence that India is using visas to conduct foreign interference. Travel visas are allegedly being withheld to coerce Indian Canadians who want to visit India. The RCMP says the tactic is part of a broader campaign by the government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which includes orchestrating violence and intimidation on Canadian soil.
Trump trolls Trudeau as ‘governor' of ‘Great State of Canada’
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump is leaning further into his apparent joke of annexing Canada, as he trolled Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by calling him the "governor" of the "Great State of Canada." Mackenzie Gray looks at how Trudeau's cabinet ministers are shrugging it off -- "sounds like we're living in an episode of South Park" Immigration Minister Marc Miller said -- but they aren't laughing at Trump's threat to slap tariffs on Canadian imports.
Trudeau set to speak with premiers to tackle Trump's tariff plan
The premiers will virtually discuss a joint plan to tackle the threat of 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports by incoming U.S. president Donald Trump. The meeting is the first time Trudeau will address the premiers following his dinner with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
How U.S. tariffs might affect Canada’s agriculture industry
Producers would have to plug the gaps left by restricted access to the country’s largest trading partner and consumers could be left paying higher prices. “When you have a new administration coming into your No. 1 market and they’re talking about their interest or intention to impose tariffs, that’s certainly not something to be ignored,” said Chris Davison, president and CEO of the Canola Council of Canada.
“At the same time … we don’t want to overreact.”
Freeland won’t say if deficit set to rise but will meet debt-to-GDP anchor
When Freeland was asked on Monday about her pledge to cap the annual deficit at $40.1 billion in the previous fiscal year, she would not answer directly and said she “chose (her) words with care.” Instead, she touted the federal debt-to-GDP ratio as the marker of sustainability.
MPs approve $21.6B in supplementary spending; Conservatives vote against
On the final day the money could be voted on, MPs rushed through the supplementary funding to the 2024 budget, including money for various programs such as First Nations child services, dental care and compensation to Quebec for services to asylum seekers.
Dustin Hiles seeks Conservative nomination in Abbotsford-South Langley
White became the fifth person to announce he was seeking the nomination for the riding. No date has yet been announced for the nomination vote. The next federal election is slated for Oct. 20, 2025. *This nomination race almost certainly will result in the selection of the riding's next MP. Even in a fallow year for the Conservatives, such as 2015, this is a solid blue riding where the Conservatives can expect to win with whoever is chosen."
Federal Court head laments 'unwelcome informality' in virtual hearings
From attendees in T-shirts to cameras pointed at unmade beds, Federal Court Chief Justice Paul Crampton says he’s noticed an increase in “unwelcome informality” during virtual hearings, particularly among young lawyers, since COVID-19.
The Provinces
Trump tariffs: B.C. premier calls for more interprovincial trade
“I certainly think it’s a good idea to be talking as much about how we trade with Ontario and Alberta and Manitoba as well as trade with the Philippines and Vietnam and India, and there’s certainly opportunities for us to do that,” said Eby.
Zach Churchill stepping down as leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party
Churchill made the announcement at the Liberal caucus office in Halifax, saying he will be immediately replaced on an interim basis by Derek Mombourquette, while the other member of the caucus, Iain Rankin, will share in the leadership responsibilities while serving as house leader in the legislature. Meanwhile in Ottawa, Central Nova MP and federal Housing and Infrastructure Minister Sean Fraser was asked about his interest in switching to provincial politics and contesting the NS Liberal leadership. "I’ve got a job to do that I’m trying to give it my all for right now," he said. "I am not organizing right now. There was a bunch of Liberal volunteers in town who — who plant the seed." I'd say: Stay tuned.
4 incumbent councillors launch new political party in Calgary’s next election
Under the banner Communities First, the party became the third to launch so far ahead of Calgary's next municipal election in October 2025.
Elsewhere
Negotiations over the war in Ukraine could start 'in the winter,' Poland's leader Tusk says
“Our presidency will have, among others, joint responsibility for the shape of the political landscape, for what the situation will look like probably during the negotiations that, perhaps — there are still question marks here — will begin in the winter of this year,” Prime Minister Donald Tusk told his Cabinet.
Media
TikTok files legal challenge of federal government's shutdown order
The company filed documents in Federal Court in Vancouver on Dec. 5, seeking to set aside the order to wind-up and cease business in Canada. The government ordered the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business in November after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform.
Weakened US public broadcasters will fight for their lives in 2025
This time could be different. Republicans’ focus on the media has never been remotely this intense. While PBS has found some success on YouTube, NPR’s incomplete digital transformation, declining radio listenership, and high-profile political stumbles have left it weaker than ever. Now there’s greater concern among public radio figures than there has been in years about the future of NPR and public radio broadly.
Science and tech
AI Firm's 'Stop Hiring Humans' Billboard Campaign Sparks Outrage
The company’s CEO, Jaspar Carmichael-Jack, defended his company’s decision to advertise its product by promoting the end of the human labor force. “They are somewhat dystopian, but so is AI,” the CEO told the outlet, of the ads. “The way the world works is changing.” He added: “We wanted something that would draw eyes — you don’t draw eyes with boring messaging.”
B.C. oil refinery produces Canada's first test of low-carbon jet fuel
Parkland has experimented with refining non-petroleum oils in the past, and this run saw their Burnaby facility produce 101,000 litres of jet fuel from mostly canola oil and animal tallow
The Calendar
- 0930 ET: 125B West Block - The NDP national caucus will meet.
- 0930 ET: 025B West Block - The CPC national caucus will meet.
- 1000 ET: 225A West Block - The LPC national caucus will meet.
- 1045 ET: 349 Confederation -GPC MP Elizabeth May meets with Canadians for Tax Fairness.
- 1300 ET: Ottawa -Health Min Mark Holland speaks about the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
- 1345 ET: HoC foyer -NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh speaks to reporters.
- 1630 ET: 425 Wellington -Environment and Sustainable Development (ENVI) | Meeting 139 - C-73
- 1630 ET: 315 Wellington -Fisheries and Oceans (FOPO) | Meeting 135 - Review of the Fisheries Act
- 1630 ET: 035-B West Block -International Trade (CIIT) | Meeting 133 - Trade Impacts of Canada's Leadership in Reducing Emissions
- 1630 ET: 025-B West Block -Natural Resources (RNNR) | Meeting 120 - Drafting report
- 1630 ET: 410 Wellington -Public Accounts (PACP) | Meeting 158 - Drafting report
- 1630 ET: 330 Wellington -the Status of Women (FEWO) | Meeting 138 - Hate Motivated Violence Targeting the 2SLGBTQI+ Community
- 1700 ET: Ottawa -PM Trudeau attends a virtual meeting with provincial and territorial premiers
