The Canadian Press provides an overview of significant recent events occurring in Canada. One of the major stories is the Liberal Party's ongoing search for a new leader following Justin Trudeau's decision to step down. The party is currently holding meetings on Parliament Hill, with the urgency heightened as candidates must finalize their registration and gather new memberships by Monday. The deadline for submitting registration papers passed on Thursday, allowing no further entrants into the race. Leadership hopefuls, including former central banker Mark Carney, Liberal MPs Chrystia Freeland, Karina Gould, Jaime Battiste, and Chandra Arya, as well as former MPs Frank Baylis and Ruby Dhalla, must still pay an entry fee of $350,000 by February 17 to officially participate.
In another significant development, Ontario Premier Doug Ford is reportedly planning to call a snap election next Wednesday, with the aim to send voters to the polls on February 27. This decision comes after months of consideration and contrasts with the previously scheduled election date set for June 2026. Ford believes that a new mandate is necessary, especially in light of the challenges posed by the upcoming four years under a Donald Trump presidency in the United States. In preparation for the election, Ford's Progressive Conservative party intends to hold a “super caucus” event on Saturday to discuss topical issues such as tariffs and the current situation in Ontario.
Another noteworthy story involves the rise of a viral hat manufactured by Ottawa-based marketers Liam Mooney and Emma Cochrane. Their “Canada is not for sale” hats gained popularity following a mention by Premier Doug Ford. Despite their initial ambitions to produce the hats entirely in Canada, Mooney and Cochrane encountered challenges in sourcing local manufacturing due to high costs and limited demand. Currently, they have found some hats made entirely in Canada but are also relying on imports from countries like Vietnam, Bangladesh, and China, with toques sourced from the U.S. The duo's experience highlights the broader decline of Canada’s textile industry, which once thrived due to advancements like the sewing machine.
Additionally, a remarkable dog named Poppy has gained attention for her groundbreaking work in environmental protection. This six-year-old springer spaniel has participated in a pioneering study, successfully locating an oil spill hidden underwater and beneath ice. While dogs have been used in oil spill detection for over a decade, Poppy’s capabilities demonstrate potential that has yet to be scientifically validated. Efforts like Poppy’s aim to enhance clean-up operations for oil spills, contributing significantly to protecting Canada’s ecosystems.
In the film industry, Ontario creatives Traci Loader, Linda Muir, and Craig Lathrop received Oscar nominations for their contributions to Robert Eggers’ gothic horror film “Nosferatu.” Loader, a makeup artist from Newmarket, expressed her joy at receiving her first Oscar nomination for best makeup and hairstyling alongside her colleagues from the film. Meanwhile, Muir and Lathrop, both from Toronto, secured nominations in categories for best costume design and best production design, respectively. Their nominations showcase the rising talent and recognition of Canadian artists on an international stage.
