Canada
Trudeau, premiers meet to tackle Trump's tariff threat
"This is coming," Ontario Premier Doug Ford said after he and other premiers met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Wednesday afternoon. "It's not if it is, it's coming. And we need to be prepared. We need to stand as a country."
[Poll] Canada as the 51st State
- 13% of Canadians say that they would like Canada to become the 51st state of the United States. 82% say they would not like the idea.
- Conservative (21%) and People’s Party (25%) voters are more likely to be in favour of Canada joining the United States.
Which economy did best in 2024?
Yet, as ever, the rosy global picture conceals wide variation between countries. To assess these differences, we have compiled data on five economic and financial indicators—GDP, stockmarket performance, core inflation, unemployment and government deficits—for 37 mostly rich countries. We then ranked each economy based on its performance on these measures to create a combined score. Who are the winners? (Spain, Ireland, and Denmark top the way this newspaper ranks countries but Canada is 12th. Only Italy ranked higher among G7 countries and Canada is ranked higher than Mexico, the U.S., Japan or France.
Governing for Growth in a Time of Polycrisis
Kevin Page with Ali Ghadbawi: s this the time for elected, Western governments to shift the focus from affordability to growth and productivity (inclusive and sustainable)? Yes. Canada is losing significant economic space to our competitors, namely the US. There is urgency.
Liberals express concern about blowing past $40 billion deficit
With the fall economic statement coming on Monday, Freeland has so far refused to confirm that she will be able to keep the deficit at or below $40.1B, as promised in April.
The Provinces
Premiers’ Performance: Re-election rebounds for Moe and Houston, Legault finishes year on downward trend
The year ends with some big bounces in approval for a couple of post-election premiers, and the continuation of a troubling trend for Quebec’s François Legault.
Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador ready to sign Churchill Falls deal
Quebec Premier François Legault and Newfoundland Premier Andrew Furey will sign an agreement Thursday ending a long-running dispute over the Churchill Falls hydroelectric complex.
Alberta premier to announce border security plan in response to Trump tariff threat
It comes after incoming U.S. president Donald Trump pledged to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian and Mexican imports on his first day back in office in January.
Elsewhere
Russia tells citizens not to travel to United States
Russians should also avoid heading to Canada and most EU states, warns Moscow’s Foreign Ministry.
Media
How consolidation is changing local [US] TV news
... the broadcast news landscape is changing as ownership of the U.S. television market consolidates. In the past decade alone, there have been $23 billion in broadcast TV ownership deals, further concentrating an industry in which the three largest owners control 40% of all local news stations and are present in over 80% of media markets. This trend has fed concerns that the quality of local news is suffering.
What's That Emoji? How to Decipher Smileys, Fruit and More
Here's a hint: That peach emoji isn't about fruit.
Science and tech
Google introduces Gemini 2.0: A new AI model for the agentic era
And here's the summary of the content at the link embedded here, a summary produced by -- you guessed it -- Gemini.
- Google DeepMind introduces Gemini 2.0, a new AI model designed for the "agentic era."
- Gemini 2.0 is more capable than previous versions, with native image and audio output and tool use.
- Gemini 2.0 Flash is available to developers and trusted testers, with wider availability planned for early next year.
- Google is exploring agentic experiences with Gemini 2.0, including Project Astra, Project Mariner, and Jules.
- Google is committed to building AI responsibly, with safety and security as key priorities.
Ranking the 25 coolest things in space so far during the 21st century
Taking stock of spaceflight one-quarter of the way through the 2000s.
The Calendar
- Ottawa -PM Trudeau travels to the Greater Vancouver Area but no public events are scheduled.
- 0815 ET: 330 Wellington -Industry and Technology (INDU) | Meeting 152 - Order of the House Referring Back the Twentieth Report of the Committee entitled “Potential Anti-Competitive Behaviour in Canada’s E-Transfer Ecosystem”
- 0900 ET: Ottawa -LPC MP Yvan Baker inaugurates the Memorial to the Victims of Communism.
- 0900 ET: NPT - Senators Brian Francies, David Arnot and Michèle Audettte speak about the Canadian Human Rights Framework.
- 1100 ET: 125-B West Block -Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) | Meeting 160 - FY25 Supp Bs. Public Services and Procurement Min Jean-Yves Duclos to testify.
- 1100 ET: 430 Wellington -Justice and Human Rights (JUST) | Meeting 127 - Pre-Study on Bill C-63
- 1200 ET: Ottawa -NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh joins a CUPW picket line.
- 1230 ET: New Glasgow, NS - Housing and Infrastructure Min Sean Fraser makes an infrastructure funding announcement.
- 1530 ET: 420 Wellington -Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE) | Meeting 134 - Priorities and Mandates of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Development / FY25 Supp Bs. Foreign Affairs Min Melanie Joly and International Development Min Ahmed Hussen testify.
- 1530 ET: 425 Wellington -Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (ETHI) | Meeting 145 - Privacy Breaches at the Canada Revenue Agency; Wind Up of TikTok Technology Canada, Inc.
- 1530 ET: 035-B West Block -Finance (FINA) | Meeting 171 - Tax Debt Write-Offs, the Carousel Tax Fraud Scheme and Other Issues Involving Claims. Revenue Min Marie-Claude Bibeau to appear.
- 1530 ET: 420 Wellington -Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE) | Meeting 134 - Priorities and Mandates of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Development; Subject Matter of Supplementary Estimates (B), 2024-25: Votes 1b, 5b and 10b under the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, and Vote 1b under the International Joint Commission (Canadian Section)
- 1530 ET: 225-A, West Block -Health (HESA) | Meeting 146 - FY25 Supp Bs. Health Min Mark Holland to testify.
- 1530 ET: 125-B West Block -Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN) | Meeting 144 - Community Safety and Emergency Preparedness: Transport of Dangerous Goods by Rail
- 1900 ET: Montreal -NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh attends the Hochelega--Rosemont-Est nomination meeting
