Here is a roundup of stories designed to bring you up to speed on recent developments in Canada and its relationship with the United States, along with domestic issues affecting Canadians.
Ministers and Ontario Premier to Meet in Washington, D.C.
Canadian officials are scheduled to meet with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick today in Washington. This meeting comes on the heels of heightened tensions between Canada and the U.S., particularly following a recent confrontation with U.S. President Donald Trump. Ontario has paused a surcharge on electricity exports to the U.S. as part of attempts to stabilize relations and gain clarity on U.S. tariff plans.
Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman will join Ontario Premier Doug Ford in the discussions. The backdrop of this meeting involves Trump’s expansion of a global trade war, which now includes a 25 percent tariff on steel and aluminum from all countries, including Canada. Ford hopes to achieve a coherent understanding of the Trump administration's tariff strategy moving forward.
G7 Foreign Ministers Gather for Key Summit in Quebec
A significant foreign-policy summit has commenced in the Charlevoix region of Quebec, where foreign ministers from the United States, Europe, and Japan have gathered. This conference is particularly timely as Canada seeks diplomatic support against the backdrop of damaging American tariffs. A range of topics will be discussed, including the functionality of the G7 and geopolitical challenges spanning from Haiti to Sudan. Notably, Ukraine is expected to dominate discussions, especially as Kyiv has expressed openness to a ceasefire contingent upon specific conditions from Russia.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly conducted formal meetings with her counterparts from the European Union, France, and the United Kingdom prior to the summit, setting the stage for high-stakes discussions.
Concerns About Job Security Amid Trade War
A newly released Leger poll indicates that 40 percent of Canadians are anxious about potential job losses due to businesses scaling back hiring in the wake of the ongoing trade war with the United States. Conducted on March 7-10, the poll revealed that job security worries are particularly pronounced in Ontario, where more than half of workers expressed concerns, the highest figure in the country. In contrast, roughly 25 percent of individuals in Atlantic Canada reported similar fears.
Meanwhile, 39 percent of respondents from British Columbia, as well as those from Manitoba and Saskatchewan, voiced worries about job stability, alongside 35 percent from Alberta and 26 percent from Quebec.
Volunteers Step Up Trail Work Amid Increased Popularity
The pandemic led to a surge in outdoor activity across British Columbia, with many individuals flocking to local trail networks for biking, hiking, running, and walking. Trail advocates, however, are raising alarm bells, arguing that the growing popularity of trails isn’t matched by adequate support for their maintenance and development. Deanne Cote, executive director of the North Shore Mountain Bike Association, remarked on the unprecedented increase in trail use, highlighting the need for expanded capacity to cope with the demands placed on these natural resources.
Martin Littlejohn, executive director of Mountain Biking BC, emphasized that local trail networks hold significant potential for attracting tourists and enhancing community well-being. However, volunteer-driven groups like Cote’s face challenges as they strive to maintain trails effectively and safely for an increasing number of users.
The Unlikely Origin of the Trump Family Fortune
In a curious twist of fate, it has been revealed that the fortune of Donald Trump’s family traces back to a remote brothel and restaurant in Canada. Located near the Yukon boundary in British Columbia, Friedrich Trump established the Arctic Restaurant & Hotel in Bennett during the Klondike Gold Rush, which later played a crucial role in launching the Trump family’s wealth over a century ago. Parks Canada has confirmed the existence of a replica of the original establishment at the Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site, constructed in 2017.
