Canada summons Israel’s ambassador over handling of activists on Gaza aid flotilla

Canada summons Israel’s ambassador over handling of activists on Gaza aid flotilla

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says she’s summoned Israel’s ambassador over the Middle East country’s treatment of a flotilla of activists, including Canadians, bound for Gaza.

The flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters on Tuesday and later taken to an Israeli port.

Ms. Anand said Canadians were among those on the flotilla.

h/t Patti Jo

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KAPLAN: Alberta’s carbon tax shock — why Carney-Smith’s net zero pact may backfire on the oil sands

KAPLAN: Alberta’s carbon tax shock — why Carney-Smith’s net zero pact may backfire on the oil sands

The misguided decision by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to accept Ottawa’s demands to increase the province’s effective industrial carbon tax to $130 per tonne by 2040 will impose an estimated additional $33 billion in cumulative carbon costs (an average of $1.26 per barrel across all oil sands production) on the oil sands sector between 2030 and 2040.

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John Ivison: Canada’s military isn’t buying into Carney’s ‘buy Canadian’ plan

John Ivison: Canada’s military isn’t buying into Carney’s ‘buy Canadian’ plan

The decision by the Trump administration to “reassess” the value of the Second World War-era Permanent Joint Board of Defence (PJBD) points to a confusion of ideas.

In his January speech in Davos, Prime Minister Mark Carney claimed that “hegemons (like the U.S.) cannot continually monetize their relationships,” as he announced a plan to double defence spending and partner with the European Union to diversify procurement.

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Why is the U.S. blaming Canada for the suspension of the Permanent Joint Board on Defence?

Why is the U.S. blaming Canada for the suspension of the Permanent Joint Board on Defence?

The United States says it is “pausing” its participation in the U.S.-Canada Permanent Joint Board on Defence “to reassess how this forum benefits shared North American defence.” Here’s what to know.

The Permanent Joint Board on Defence (PJBD) is the senior advisory body on continental defence. Composed of military and diplomatic representatives from both nations, it meets twice a year with locations alternating between Canada and the U.S.

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Danielle Smith’s support for separation threatens proposed oil pipeline

Danielle Smith’s support for separation threatens proposed oil pipeline

Is Alberta premier Danielle Smith’s strategy for getting a bitumen pipeline to B.C.’s northwest coast about to reach its breaking point?

Sure, she’s got two Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with Prime Minister Mark Carney that pave the way for the pipeline but there’s still a lot of terrain to cover before it becomes a reality. And the thing that could hold it up is her persistent support for a separation referendum that will likely be held in October.

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CRTC looks set to kill off trade talks with U.S.

CRTC looks set to kill off trade talks with U.S.

On Thursday, Canada’s broadcast regulator appears ready to throw a grenade into the already fraught world of Canada-US trade talks. The CRTC is set to unveil new rules on Canadian content and discoverability for streaming platforms.

That would include everything from Canadian-based Crave or CBC’s Gem, but also American services from Apple Music to Netflix, Prime to Disney+.

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Canada taps Cry Baby Carignan for NATO’s top military chair

Canada taps Cry Baby Carignan for NATO’s top military chair

The Liberal government is nominating Canada’s top military commander to be the next chair of the NATO military committee when the post becomes vacant next year.

Defence Minister David McGuinty announced the candidacy of Gen. Jennie Carignan on Wednesday and said she’ll continue in her current role until next year.

An election for the post will be held in September.

A golden parachute jump?

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Carney plays down U.S. suspension of North America defence board

Carney plays down U.S. suspension of North America defence board

Prime Minister Mark Carney played down the Trump administration’s suspension of a United States-Canada defence co-operation body and rejected its suggestion Ottawa has not boosted defence spending.

Elbridge Colby, the U.S. undersecretary of defence for policy, announced Monday that Washington was putting the 86-year-old Permanent Joint Board on Defense on hold and accused Canada of failing to live up to its military responsibilities, despite Ottawa boosting defence spending over the past year.

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Snowbirds to be grounded following 2026 season until new aircraft arrive

Snowbirds to be grounded following 2026 season until new aircraft arrive

Canada’s iconic Snowbirds demonstration squadron will be grounded following the 2026 flying season until new aircraft arrive, the country’s defence minister said Tuesday.

In a statement, David McGuinty did not say how long it will take to replace the outdated CT-114 Tutor jets, which have been part of the air force inventory since the 1960s.

The turbo-prop Swiss-made CT-157 Siskin II has been chosen as the replacement for the Snowbird squadron. The aircraft is already on order and being delivered for use in the air force’s initial pilot training aircraft.


Update First production test flight of a RCAF CT-157 Siskin II (Pilatus PC-21)

h/t Mauser

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Hamas memos show Canadian-funded charities worked with terror group, NGO says

Hamas memos show Canadian-funded charities worked with terror group, NGO says

According to a report by an Israeli NGO, Hamas’s own internal memos show it has been working in tandem with Canadian government‑funded charities and non‑governmental organizations.

The documents, which the Israeli army says it seized during its Gaza counteroffensive, detail how the terror organization allegedly infiltrated and exploited international NGOs operating in the Strip.

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Western civilization is under siege in Canada, activist warns

Western civilization is under siege in Canada, activist warns

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Canada is grappling with debates over national identity and security as well as international trade. Ottawa is navigating U.S. tariffs and Donald Trump’s threats of higher trade duties ahead of this July’s review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, while also managing populist and separatist movements, hate crimes, and broader pressures on national cohesion.

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Immigration levels linked to housing demand as Canada adds more than 80,000 homes for new arrivals

Immigration levels linked to housing demand as Canada adds more than 80,000 homes for new arrivals

New federal figures show Canada required tens of thousands of housing units last year to accommodate newly arrived permanent residents, adding further pressure to an already strained housing market.

Blacklock’s Reporter says a report from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada estimates that the 395,000 people granted permanent residency in 2025 required roughly 81,560 housing units — equivalent to just over one-third of all urban housing starts recorded that year.

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