Here and Pierre
Temur Durrani and Photography by Amir Salehi
Calgary
The Globe and Mail
Updated 46 minutes ago
Pierre Poilievre grew up in Southwest Calgary, where Henry Wise Wood High School has the yearbook photos to prove its connections to the future Conservative Leader.
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National Observer
an hour ago
- National Observer
Freeland tells MPs she is 'dismayed' by BC Ferries' decision buy Chinese ships
Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland told MPs Friday she was "dismayed" by BC Ferries' decision to purchase four new electric-diesel ships from a Chinese shipbuilder using a $1 billion federal loan — but did not call for the loan's cancellation. The House of Commons transport committee launched a study of the Canada Infrastructure Bank loan on Friday. BC Ferries announced in June that it had hired China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards to build the new ships after a five-year procurement process that did not include a Canadian bid. The Canada Infrastructure Bank contributed a $1 billion loan to the deal and said in June that the new ferries "wouldn't likely be purchased" without this financing. In her opening remarks before the committee Friday, Freeland said she was troubled by the planned purchase and she believes in supporting Canadian jobs. She said she has sent 71 letters directing all organizations under the Transport Canada umbrella to prioritize Canadian content in their major procurements where feasible — particularly Canadian steel, aluminum, and lumber. When Canadian options aren't available, she said, the preferred option is to buy from countries with trade deals that include reciprocal procurement agreements. Dan Albas, Conservative transport critic and committee co-chair, requested the committee study of the purchase and has asked why $1 billion in public funds was earmarked to finance overseas shipbuilding in the middle of a trade war with the U.S. Freeland said Transport Canada will soon be convening a meeting with provinces and territories, ferry owners and operators, shipyards, labour representatives and the steel industry. She said she's also assembling a second meeting with major rail operators. Freeland did not directly respond when MPs asked her whether the government would push for the cancellation of the loan. She said she agrees that this is a moment of crisis for the steel and aluminum sectors and they need the government's support. The Canada Infrastructure Bank is accountable to Parliament through Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson, who also testified at the meeting. In his opening remarks, Robertson told committee members that the shipbuilder was chosen by BC Ferries, not the federal government or the Canada Infrastructure Bank. He said BC Ferries conducted its own global procurement process that didn't yield bids from Canadian shipyards. Robertson said he's disappointed by BC Ferries' decision and wants to see more Canadian-built vessels and more opportunities for domestic industry to participate in major infrastructure projects. He also called the purchase a "critical" investment and said that "these ferries need to get built." Robertson assured MPs that there will be Canadian jobs associated with the maintenance of the ferries and at terminals. Robertson said the government is looking closely at how it can better align its industrial policy, procurement tools and investment incentives to "support and scale up Canadian capacity in important sectors like shipbuilding." He said the Canada Infrastructure Bank is independent of government and that most of the projects it has funded involve Canadian infrastructure and businesses. BC Ferries CEO Nicolas Jimenez told the committee that it received six compliant bids to replace its four oldest ships, all from foreign countries. While two Canadian shipyards pre-qualified for the competition, he said, neither chose to formally submit a proposal. The organization chose the proposal that offered the best combination of value, quality, delivery, speed and protections for customers, Jimenez said. "This was a choice between a foreign bid or no new ferries," Jimenez said, adding that BC Ferries spoke with officials from the federal transportation department in April about the fact that the procurement was coming to a close. Jimenez said that if the company had gone with another foreign proposal, it would have cost up to an extra $1.2 billion. Even if there had been a Canadian bid, he said, "it too would have cost more and those ships would have taken up to a decade longer." "British Columbians desperately need safe, affordable, reliable new ships to keep them and our economy moving. Our decisions have saved our customers and British Columbians from unaffordable, unnecessary fare increases," he said. Throughout the build, Jimenez said, BC Ferries will have a team of Canadian experts on site in China to ensure high standards of quality and security. Ehren Cory, CEO of the Canada Infrastructure Bank, told MPs that the Crown corporation played no role in BC Ferries' procurement decision. He said it's not the bank's role to tell project partners where they should buy their components. Cory said that regardless of where BC Ferries gets its vessels, the benefits of the Canada Infrastructure Bank's financing go directly to service users "by keeping fares more affordable and ensuring new, reliable, cleaner ships are in service as soon as possible." Jeff Groot, executive director of communications for BC Ferries, has said the company signed the loan with the bank before the contract with the Chinese shipyard was finalized. Freeland sent her B.C. counterpart, Mike Farnworth, a letter in June saying she was disappointed that BC Ferries would choose a Chinese state-owned shipyard "in the current geopolitical context," and asking him to confirm that no federal funding would be diverted to purchase the ferries. Before Friday's meeting began, Bloc MP Xavier Barsalou-Duval said he'd like to see an apology from the government and from the Canada Infrastructure Bank. He said it's "unacceptable" and "problematic" that the government plans to invest in foreign infrastructure when Canada's steel industry is facing tariffs from the United States. The new vessels are expected to join the BC Ferries fleet between 2029 and 2031. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 1, 2025.
Vancouver Sun
2 hours ago
- Vancouver Sun
Freeland tells MPs she is dismayed by B.C. Ferries' decision to buy Chinese ships
Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland told MPs Friday she was dismaye' by BC Ferries' decision to purchase four new electric-diesel ships from a Chinese shipbuilder using a $1 billion federal loan — but did not call for the loan's cancellation. The House of Commons transport committee launched a study of the Canada Infrastructure Bank loan on Friday. BC Ferries announced in June that it had hired China Merchants Industry's Weihai Shipyards to build the new ships after a five-year procurement process that did not include a Canadian bid. The Canada Infrastructure Bank contributed a $1 billion loan and said in June that the new ferries 'wouldn't likely be purchased' without this financing. Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. In her opening remarks before the committee Friday, Freeland said she was troubled by the planned purchase and she believes in supporting Canadian jobs. She said she has sent 71 letters directing all organizations under the Transport Canada umbrella to prioritize Canadian content in their major procurements where feasible — particularly Canadian steel, aluminum, and lumber. When Canadian options aren't available, she said, the preferred option is to buy from countries with trade deals that include reciprocal procurement agreements. Dan Albas, Conservative transport critic and committee co-chair, requested the committee study of the purchase and has asked why $1 billion in public funds was earmarked to finance overseas shipbuilding in the middle of a trade war with the U.S. Freeland said Transport Canada will be convening a meeting with provinces and territories, ferry owners and operators, shipyards, labour representatives and the steel industry. She said she's also assembling a second meeting with major rail operators. Freeland did not directly respond when MPs asked her whether the government would push for the cancellation of the loan. She said she agrees that this is a moment of crisis for the steel and aluminum sectors and they need the government's support. The Canada Infrastructure Bank is accountable to Parliament through Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson, who also testified. Robertson told committee members that the shipbuilder was chosen by BC Ferries, not the federal government or the Canada Infrastructure Bank. Robertson said he's disappointed by BC Ferries' decision and wants more Canadian-built vessels and more opportunities for domestic industry to participate in major infrastructure projects. He also called the purchase a 'critical' investment and said that 'these ferries need to get built.' Robertson said the government is looking closely at how it can better align its industrial policy, procurement tools and investment incentives to 'support and scale up Canadian capacity in important sectors like shipbuilding.' He said the Canada Infrastructure Bank is independent of government and that most of the projects it has funded involve Canadian infrastructure and businesses. BC Ferries CEO Nicolas Jimenez told the committee that it received six compliant bids to replace its four oldest ships, all from foreign countries. While two Canadian shipyards pre-qualified for the competition, he said, neither chose to submit a proposal. The organization chose the proposal that offered the best combination of value, quality, delivery, speed and protections for customers, Jimenez said. 'This was a choice between a foreign bid or no new ferries,' Jimenez said, adding that BC Ferries spoke with officials from the federal Transportation Department in April about the fact that the procurement was coming to a close. Jimenez said that if the company had gone with another foreign proposal, it would have cost up to an extra $1.2 billion. If there had been a Canadian bid, he said, 'it too would have cost more and those ships would have taken up to a decade longer.' 'British Columbians desperately need safe, affordable, reliable new ships to keep them and our economy moving. Our decisions have saved our customers and British Columbians from unaffordable, unnecessary fare increases,' he said. Ehren Cory, CEO of the Canada Infrastructure Bank, told MPs that the Crown corporation played no role in BC Ferries' procurement decision. He said it's not the bank's role to tell project partners where they should buy their components. Cory said that regardless of where BC Ferries gets its vessels, the benefits of the Canada Infrastructure Bank's financing go directly to service users 'by keeping fares more affordable and ensuring new, reliable, cleaner ships are in service as soon as possible.' Jeff Groot, executive director of communications for BC Ferries, has said the company signed the loan with the bank before the contract with the Chinese shipyard was finalized. Before Friday's meeting began, Bloc MP Xavier Barsalou-Duval said he'd like to see an apology from the government and from the Canada Infrastructure Bank. He said it's 'unacceptable' and 'problematic' that the government plans to invest in foreign infrastructure when Canada's steel industry is facing tariffs from the United States. The new vessels are expected to join the BC Ferries fleet between 2029 and 2031. With files from David Baxter
Winnipeg Free Press
3 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Quick quotes: Reaction to Trump's 35 per cent tariffs on Canada
OTTAWA – U.S. President Donald Trump has followed through on his earlier threat to increase tariffs on Canada to 35 per cent. Trump signed an executive order Thursday night to hit Canada with higher duties, after the two countries did not reach a trade deal by Aug. 1. Here's a sample of what political and business figures are saying: — 'While the Canadian government is disappointed by this action, we remain committed to CUSMA, which is the world's second-largest free trade agreement by trading volume … While we will continue to negotiate with the United States on our trading relationship, the Canadian government is laser focused on what we can control: building Canada strong.' — Prime Minister Mark Carney 'Conservatives share Canadians' disappointment that a deal with the United States was not reached by the August 1st deadline. Canada faces more U.S. tariffs than ever before, and we stand united with all workers facing devastation from unjustified tariffs on steel, aluminum, softwood, auto and agriculture. These deeply misguided policies will hurt families and businesses on both sides of the border.' — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre 'Mr. Carney gave in on key issues, including scrapping the digital services tax on multi-billionaire tech giants, committing to NATO's excessive 5 per cent target, and violating Canadians' privacy rights by signing up to Trump's ominous ICE security state with Bill C-2. But none of this worked. Instead, Trump has slapped Canada with a 35 per cent tariff and continued his attack on our country and workers.' — Interim NDP Leader Don Davies 'Canada shouldn't settle for anything less than the right deal. Now is not the time to roll over. We need to stand our ground. The increase in U.S. tariffs to 35 per cent is concerning, especially with tariffs still in place on steel, aluminum, autos, forestry and now copper.' — Ontario Premier Doug Ford 'We are pleased to see that CUSMA-compliant goods remain tariff-free, including the vast majority of goods Alberta sells to the U.S. such as all oil and gas and agricultural products. That said, it's also disappointing to see tariffs on other Canadian goods increase to 35 per cent. These tariffs hurt both Canadian and American businesses and workers, and they weaken one of the most important trade and security alliances in the world.' — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith 'While Saskatchewan is disappointed in the Trump administration's decision to increase tariffs on non-CUSMA compliant Canadian goods to 35 per cent, Canada's efforts to ensure CUSMA remains in effect means that 95 per cent of Saskatchewan exports to the U.S. will remain tariff-free.' — Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe 'The White House fact sheet should be called a fact-less sheet when it comes to basing trade decisions about Canada on the fentanyl emergency … The Carney government is right to prioritize a strong, future-focused deal over a rushed one. A little more time now can deliver lasting benefits for an integrated North American economy — and that's well worth the wait.' — Canadian Chamber of Commerce president Candace Laing 'The hike in U.S. tariffs to 35 per cent will harm small businesses on both sides of the border. The fentanyl rationale is even more ridiculous than the decision itself. While it is good news that most Canadian exports will remain tariff-free due to the CUSMA/USMCA exemption, the uncertainty alone will continue to take a toll on Canada's small businesses.' — Canadian Federation of Independent Business president and CEO Dan Kelly This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 1, 2024.
