Can RFK Jr. save B.C.'s death row ostriches?
They all want to save a herd of more than 400 ostriches on a small farm in rural British Columbia.
Earlier this year, Universal Ostrich Farms was ordered to cull their remaining birds after an outbreak of avian flu killed dozens of them. But the farm has been fighting the government's order in court, claiming the ostriches' antibodies are crucial for research into alternatives to traditional vaccines.
Marc Fawcett-Atkinson, a reporter with Canada's National Observer, explains why the farm's story has spread so widely through the right-wing media ecosystem, finding so much synergy with vaccine skepticism, climate denial, and other conspiracy theories about shadowy bids for global control.
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Globe and Mail
18 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Canada's recognition of Palestinian state will likely have minimal impact without U.S. support, analysts say
The Canadian government's plan to recognize a Palestinian state in September reflects Ottawa's deep frustration with the Israeli government and sends a strong message that it supports a two-state solution, but analysts say it likely will have little impact without U.S. support. Prime Minister Mark Carney made the announcement on Wednesday, saying that Canada intends to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly. He said this is predicated on the Palestinian Authority's commitment to important reforms, including president Mahmoud Abbas's promise to hold general elections in 2026, in which Hamas could not take part, and the demilitarization of the Palestinian state. The announcement marks a change for Canada, which has long supported a two-state solution, but has maintained, like many of its allies, that such recognition would follow peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine. Explainer: What does Canada's recognition of a Palestinian state mean in practice? Carney's policy shift on Palestinian statehood met with cautious hope, criticism by Canadians Fen Hampson, a professor of international affairs at Carleton University, called it a 'major decision' and said it marks a significant shift in Canadian foreign policy. 'I think it obviously reflects frustration with the Netanyahu government and it's very much being driven by the humanitarian situation on the ground in Gaza,' he said, adding that other countries have expressed similar frustration. With the prospect of peace talks seemingly distant, Canada has joined France, which has said it will also recognize a Palestinian state, and Britain, which will also recognize Palestine if Israel does not agree to a ceasefire. Prof. Hampson said Canada's intention is 'part of a pressure tactic on Israel' that is shared with a new political axis between Ottawa, London and Paris. He said that while Israel has responded to international pressure in some ways – such as deploying air drops of aid and relaxing some restrictions on food entering Gaza – 'as far as Mr. Netanyahu is concerned, there's only one key ally that matters, and that's the United States.' Thomas Juneau, a professor at the University of Ottawa and a Middle East expert, said he supports Canada's decision to recognize Palestinian statehood, but he was surprised by the timing given the trade negotiations with the United States. Trade deal aside, Prof. Juneau said Mr. Carney's decision comes at a time when there's 'growing frustration in the international community with Israel's continuation of the war in the Gaza Strip.' 'On its own, Canada has no influence on this conflict, and this is not criticism of this or any other government. We're too far and we're too small. France on its own has no influence, or the U.K. on its own. Where other members of the international community, i.e. pretty much anybody except the U.S., can have some impact, limited but real impact, is if they act all together.' He said that if more states recognize Palestine, it will have a limited but cumulative impact. On Thursday, Portugal signalled it is also considering the recognition of a Palestinian state. Prof. Juneau said with France, Britain and Canada making such announcements, they are creating an opening for other countries to follow suit. However, like Prof. Hampson, he stressed the importance of the U.S. 'One thing that we've known for years, but that has been very clear since October, 2023, is that there's only one country that can have influence on Israel and it's the U.S.' However, Prof. Juneau said that if there is progress to be made on a peace process – and while very few are optimistic about that happening in the near future – then collective action by Western countries and others in the region does matter. 'On its own, this has no impact. The reason why it is a positive step is that as part of a broader strategy to move toward peace, to create the conditions to be able to relaunch a peace process, it is one useful step among many others.' On Tuesday, ahead of Mr. Carney's announcement, nearly 200 former ambassadors and senior diplomats signed a letter urging him to recognize a Palestinian state. Among the signatories was Jon Allen, who served as ambassador to Israel from 2006 to 2010. Mr. Allen said Mr. Carney's intention to recognize the state of Palestine is 'symbolically and historically and substantively important,' saying that one significant message it sends is to Palestinians that the West continues to support a two-state solution. 'Now, is recognition going to do something on its own? No, it's not, but it's sending an important signal.' He said what's most troubling is that Israel's actions in the West Bank and Gaza risk making the two-state solution impossible – and that's why the recognition is important now. 'And even without the United States, sending a signal, recognizing Palestine, is sending a signal to Israel, to the United States, to the world, and to Palestinians, most importantly, that the two-state solution is important. We believe in it and we're going to keep trying to work toward it.' 'I am one that continues to strongly believe that it's possible, but if Israel were to continue to act as it is, it would disappear. And so countries are saying to Israel and Palestine, 'we still believe in that.'' Mr. Allen said he doesn't see it as a significant shift in Canadian foreign policy because Ottawa has long supported a two-state solution. 'This is, one could say, one more step in an effort to try and preserve what we want and hope for these two peoples, which is two states.'
CBC
19 minutes ago
- CBC
Trump increases tariff on Canada to 35%, White House says
U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order increasing tariffs on Canadian goods that don't meet the terms of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement to 35 per cent.
CTV News
37 minutes ago
- CTV News
Meet the candidates on the ballot to be Winnipeg's next city councillor
Four candidates have now thrown their hats into the proverbial ring to fill Jason Schreyer's former city council seat. The byelection is set for Oct. 25 to fill the Elmwood-East Kildonan ward's city councillor position, the seat left vacant after Schreyer's sudden death last spring. There are currently four candidates registered, according to the City of Winnipeg's website. Abel Josè Gutierrez Abel Josè Gutierrez is the latest candidate confirmed in the race. Gutierrez was born in Mexico and raised in Elmwood, where he's lived most of his life. He has been in the construction industry for 20 years, telling CTV News he currently works as a senior project manager. He is also the vice president of the East Side Eagles Football Club where he leads youth programming. He said he is running to give voters strong, local representation from someone who understands the community. Addressing crime, improving infrastructure, enhancing recreational opportunities, and expanding social supports are his top priorities, he said. Abel Josè Gutierrez Abel Josè Gutierrez is shown in a supplied headshot. Emma Durand-Wood Emma Durand-Wood has lived in Elmwood since 2008. She has been deeply involved in the community, she said, leading the re-establishment of the Glenelm Neighbourhood Association and serving as vice-chair of the Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation. She is also the co-founder of the Trees Please Winnipeg Coalition. Her vision for Elmwood-East Kildonan includes a financially sustainable, safe, healthy and inclusive community that is neighbourhood-focused, she said. Emma Durand-Wood A supplied headshot of Emma Durand-Wood. Carmen Prefontaine Carmen Prefontaine is a former vice president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) but has stepped down from all union roles after registering as a candidate, she said. She also spent 15 years working for the city, an experience she said gives her a deep understanding of how municipal services function and how they can be improved. Prefontaine told CTV News she is running for council because of issues like rising crime, persistent poverty, aging infrastructure, and a lack of affordable housing. Carmen Prefontaine Carmen Prefontaine is shown in a supplied headshot. Zekaria Selahadin Zekaria Selahadin has lived in Elmwood for the past 13 years, having graduated from Elmwood High School. He is a recent graduate of the University of Winnipeg with a degree in international development studies. He has also volunteered in the community. He said he is running for city council because he has seen firsthand how slow and disconnected city responses can be. Zekaria Selahadin Zekaria Selahadin is pictured in a supplied headshot. • With files from CTV's William Reimer
