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Restricting Alberta energy exports to the U.S. is within Ottawa’s purview, experts say. But recent comments suggest that move may be unlikely, even if it’s not “off the table.”U.S. President Donald Trump does not appear to be backing off on imposing tariffs against Canada, set to be imposed as soon as Saturday. As the country contemplates how to respond, two federal ministers are signalling that a ban on Alberta energy exports may not be the best path to take.“I would say that anything that we do has to be done in a thoughtful way, it has to ensure regional equitability and it also has to ensure that you’re not provoking long-term unintended consequences,” Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said on Wednesday.“Any response needs to be done in a thoughtful way targeting...

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt made her debut in the briefing room on Tuesday, spending about 47 minutes answering questions from the White House press corps, promising to speak frequently with the news media and opening up the briefing room to social media influencers and podcasters. “President Trump is back, and the golden age of America has most definitely begun,” she said as Tuesday’s briefing kicked off.She took a combative tone with those covering the White House and President Donald Trump’s administration, echoing her boss’ longtime hostility toward many legacy media outlets and outlining what to expect with how the White House will handle media during Trump’s second term.Leavitt committed to “telling the truth from this podium every single day,” and said the White Hou...

U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on Canada could come within days and Ottawa is gearing up to meet the threat. With fears of an economic crisis if Trump’s measures hit this weekend, some are calling for a relief package for workers and businesses along the lines of Canada’s COVID-19 supports.Canada’s pandemic response plan included tens of billions of dollars in support of struggling businesses and workers who lost their jobs, through both direct cheques and benefits as well as industrial loans and tax deferrals.But authorizing new spending would require the approval of Parliament to push through such a package — and it is prorogued until March 24.What options does the federal government have?Trump’s threat of tariffs has raised fears of mass layoffs across sectors in Canada....

On the first day of a snap election campaign, Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Party launched a new commercial laying out how the campaign could blur the lines between political party and government. “When we know trouble is headed our way, we need a fighter — someone who protects us, our jobs and our family,” a party voiceover proclaims. “That’s Premier Doug Ford.”It’s part of a strategy from the Progressive Conservatives that will see Ford head to Washington, D.C., twice over the next month — trying to campaign as party leader while projecting the image of a working premier at the same time.While the party attempts to straddle the line, Ontario’s top civil servant has instructed Ford and cabinet ministers to avoid taking part in events that risk trampling on “conventions traditionally ...

Descrease article font size Increase article font size The Nova Scotia government says it’s making the “biggest increase” to the minimum wage in the province’s history this year. Labour minister Nolan Young made the declaration in a news release Wednesday, which revealed the rate will increase $1.30 in 2025 through two hikes on April 1 and Oct. 1.“Inflation continues to put pressure on families across the province. We need to do what we can to help,” Young said.“This year we will see the biggest increase in minimum wage ever made in our province. We’re supporting hard-working Nova Scotians while addressing the rising cost of living.” Get weekly money news Get expert insights, Q&A on markets, housing, inf...

The Bank of Canada lowered its key interest rate once again on Wednesday, cutting it by 25 basis points to stand at three per cent. The quarter-point drop is smaller than what the central bank delivered in its previous two interest rate decisions, where it cut the rate by 50 basis points each time.Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem, in his remarks following the cut, said the move was part of its effort to restore price stability.But he also cautioned that proposed tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump create “major uncertainty” going forward.Here’s what he had to say.Tiff Macklem: Good morning. I’m pleased to be here with senior deputy governor Carolyn Rogers to discuss our policy decision and the Monetary Policy Report (MPR). Story continues below advertisement ...

Bureaucrats working for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had diplomats push Denmark to speed up the appointment of former cabinet minister Carolyn Bennett as ambassador to that country — a change most embassy staff learned of through a media leak. The government has not offered a rationale for asking Denmark to expedite its approval of Bennett’s appointment, which came a week before her resignation as MP. In a major upset, the Liberals lost Bennett’s former seat of Toronto-St. Paul’s in a byelection last year.The Canadian Press obtained emails through an access-to-information request showing the Privy Council had Global Affairs push Canadian diplomats multiple times to have Bennett accepted by Denmark and installed months ahead of schedule.Bennett announced in July 2023 that she would not see...

By Kelly Geraldine Malone The Canadian Press Posted January 29, 2025 7:28 am 1 min read Descrease article font size Increase article font size Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is back in Washington, D.C., Wednesday to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as Canada faces the threat of devastating tariffs landing as early as Saturday. Joly said Monday that she still believes diplomacy can fend off President Donald Trump’s plan to slap Canada with 25 per cent across-the-board duties.Joly spoke with Rubio by phone last week and described the new secretary of state as a “good interlocutor.” ...