
Kinew says cabinet minister who complained about sign-language interpreter will stay
Kinew says Nahanni Fontaine has apologized and is working to serve the deaf community.
Fontaine hosted a celebration for Indigenous women graduates last week in Winnipeg and a sign-language interpreter was on stage during the minister's speech.
Get daily National news
Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
While preparing to speak to reporters after, Fontaine told one of her staff that she was thrown off by the interpreter's presence and that the woman should not have been on stage.
The comments were met with widespread criticism and the Opposition Progressive Conservatives called for Fontaine to be removed from her role.
Fontaine issued two apologies in the days after the event and said she had been worried about not being able to see everyone in the room on the small crowded stage.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Global News
17 minutes ago
- Global News
Carney says Trump's multiple objectives demand ‘nimble' trade talk strategy
Prime Minister Mark Carney says as he continues to negotiate a new security and trade deal with the U.S., he's staying 'nimble,' as he says Canada's southern neighbour has 'multiple' objectives for its talks with various countries, including what could benefit its revenue and budget. 'When the person you're dealing with, the country you're dealing with has multiple objectives, jumps around a bit and you've got to be nimble,' Carney told Global News' Joel Senick in a one-on-one interview at the Calgary Stampede. Carney said from his perspective, U.S. President Donald Trump is juggling several factors, ranging from China to trade to the country's overall finances. 'Some of it's strategic competition with China. Sometimes it's just whether or not they can have a trade balance,' he said. 'Some of it's about revenue, for their budget, and of course it's jobs for workers, (and) also issues around the border.' Story continues below advertisement The prime minister's comments come only a few days after trade talks restarted between the two countries following Trump's brief termination over Canada's digital services tax, which the federal government announced last Sunday it had been rescinded. On Monday, Carney told reporters rescinding the tax was part of a 'bigger negotiation,' though he did not elaborate or say if Canada had received anything in exchange. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the tax would have been a 'deal breaker' for any trade deal and that he appreciated the removal by Canada. 5:12 How close is Mark Carney to striking a deal on tariffs with U.S. President Donald Trump? Questioned on the removal of the tax on Saturday, Carney said it also happened at 'basically the same time' as a series of other taxes being taken off the table by other countries as part of a broader G7 plan. Story continues below advertisement He did not specify what taxes, but following the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alta., Canada's Department of Finance announced the G7 had agreed the U.S. would be exempt from applying a 15 per cent minimum corporate tax rate. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The move appeared to be a counter to U.S. plans to apply a so-called 'revenge' tax on other countries that would impose taxes on companies with foreign owners, as well as investors from countries judged as charging 'unfair foreign taxes' on U.S. companies. Pressed further on how Carney is approaching negotiations with Trump, the prime minister said the 'best thing in a negotiation' is that people know what the other party is trying to achieve. 'We're looking out for the jobs of Canadians not just today, but in the longer term and making it clear to the president, but also Americans that there's tremendous opportunity for us working together,' Carney said. The two countries set a goal at the end of the G7 to reach a deal within 30 days, specifically July 21, a date that remained in place even after the brief disruption earlier this week. 2:13 Canada making progress on lifting interprovincial trade barriers: report But as negotiations continue, it also provides a 'tremendous opportunity' for Canadians to build together — a sentiment Carney has repeated multiple times, including during the federal election campaign. Story continues below advertisement 'Whether it's building conventional energy, pipelines to tidewater, whether it's building SMR (small modular) reactors, building artificial intelligence, life sciences, all these things, we can give ourselves far more than any trading relationship, even a trading relationship with the United States,' he said. Building has been a key element for the federal government, with its major projects bill becoming law last week. Bill C-5, which gives Ottawa the power to fast-track projects intended to boost the national economy by sidestepping environmental protections and other legislation, also includes efforts to reduce federal barriers to internal trade. The goal under the bill is to approve such projects within two years. Trump and Carney's goal of reaching a deal by July 21 is swiftly approaching, and while he spoke about the objectives Trump has with his trade talks, the prime minister said they're looking at two things to help Canadian workers and the economy in those discussions. 'The first is, of course, access to the U.S. market, access we have as closely as possible as we do have today under current trading arrangements. It won't be exactly the same but as close as possible,' he said. 'But also stability; stability and greater certainty. That's worth a lot, because that anchor will help us decide which projects we're going to do as a country and how we're going to move forward.' Story continues below advertisement —with files from Global News' Joel Senick


Global News
44 minutes ago
- Global News
Elon Musk says he's formed new ‘America Party.' What to know
A day after asking his followers on X whether a new U.S. political party should be created, Elon Musk said on Saturday that the 'America Party is formed.' 'By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!' he said in a post on X. 'Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.' The announcement from Musk comes after President Donald Trump signed a tax-cut and spending bill into law on Friday, which the billionaire chief executive officer of Tesla fiercely opposed. 0:50 Elon Musk regrets Trump posts on X: 'I went too far' Musk spent hundreds of millions on Trump's re-election and led the Department of Government Efficiency under the Trump administration aimed at slashing government spending, but the two have since fallen out over disagreements about the bill. Story continues below advertisement Trump earlier this week threatened to cut off the billions of dollars in subsidies that Musk's companies receive from the federal government. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Musk said previously that he would start a new political party and spend money to unseat lawmakers who supported the bill. Republicans have expressed concern that Musk's on-again, off-again feud with Trump could hurt their chances to protect their majority in the 2026 midterm congressional elections. (Reporting by Bhargav Acharya; Editing by David Gregorio and Diane Craft)


Global News
2 hours ago
- Global News
Iran's Supreme Leader attends ceremony in first public appearance since Iran-Israel war started
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attended a mourning ceremony on the eve of Ashoura on Saturday in his first public appearance since the Iran-Israel war started. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The absence of Khamenei suggested heavy security status for the Iranian leader, who has final say on all state matters, before possible strikes by Israel. More to come.