Canadian party leaders react
'Conservatives share Canadians' disappointment that a deal with the United States was not reached by the August 1st deadline,' Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre
said in a post on X
, calling Trump's tariffs 'deeply misguided policies (that) will hurt families and businesses on both sides of the border.'
Poilievre called on Carney's government to cut taxes on energy and home-building and repeal what the Conservative Leader called 'anti-development laws.'
Carney 'gave in on key issues' amid tariff talks but still could not achieve a deal in time, NDP Leader Don Davies chided
in a statement
, pointing to the scrapped digital services tax and the controversial Bill C-2. 'Mr. Carney knew his strategy was failing. He hinted at a missed deadline days ago - and now it's happened.'
Davies urged the Liberals to invest in domestic manufacturing and union jobs, stop cuts to Canadian public services and speed up trade diversification with Europe and Asia, among other demands.
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Time Magazine
an hour ago
- Time Magazine
Republicans to Roll Out ‘America First' Test For Teachers Arriving From Blue States
Oklahoma's education department has announced plans to introduce an 'America First' certification test to ensure that teachers moving from liberal states align with its values. "One of the things that we wanted to do is, first of all, make sure that they're great teachers, right? And No. 2, make sure we're not getting these woke, indoctrinating social justice warriors in the classroom," the state's Superintendent Ryan Walters said in an interview with Fox Digital. Walters said that every teacher moving to work in Oklahoma must pass the test in order to begin teaching, and that Conservative think-tank PragerU will assist in the development of the test. 'We put the Bible back in our history standards," Walters said, adding that the 'America First' test would include questions based on American history and 'common sense.' Walters said the teaching of gender identity in other states was one motivation for the test, which will roll out in time for the upcoming school year. 'We started seeing states like California, New York, Maine as well, that are putting out directives… saying 'In this state you've got to teach your 27 genders',' he said. California state law requires students to be taught about 'gender, gender expression, gender identity, and explore the harm of negative gender stereotypes… schools must teach about all sexual orientations and what being LGBTQ means,' the state's Department of Education says. None of the Education Departments in California, New York, and Maine make reference to teaching students about 27 genders. Maine has pushed back against President Donald Trump's directive to ban transgender athletes from competing in girls' sports. At the start of his second term in office, Trump issued an executive order saying that there are only two recognized genders. 'We love President Trump in Oklahoma,' Walters said, adding that the MAGA agenda is 'saving education.' Walter also claimed teachers coming into Oklahoma were "fleeing the teachers unions, the grip that they've had on them in these blue states.' In 2023, Walters announced a maximum $50,000 bonus for teachers moving to the state with more than 5 years of experience, and for those in the top ten percentile in the United States. Smaller bonuses were offered depending on length of experience and what districts teachers had previously worked in. A spokesperson for PragerU said: 'We fully understand why superintendents of education, like Ryan Walters, feel compelled to protect their students from the extreme left-wing ideologies being promoted in schools through teachers who often do not even realize the damage caused.'
Hamilton Spectator
2 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
St. Stephen looks to save the International Homecoming Parade
St. Stephen's portion of the International Homecoming Festival parade remains in limbo as the municipality seeks more entries as a last ditch effort to save it. According to Kevin Sumner, the Municipal District of St. Stephen's (MDSS) community services director, the registration date had passed for floats. 'We've seen, as [we did] last year, a significant decrease in the number even from last year,' he said to the council. 'We had some comments last year. There was a lot of positives about, but there were a lot of negatives about it.' The festival brings together St. Stephen and Calais – celebrating the area's unique connection between Canada and the United States, with events taking place on both sides of the border. It has gone on since 1974. 'The downside is if this doesn't happen, it's unlikely that it will be able to come back. Its almost been grandfathered in, quite a unique situation,' he said. Sumner said Michelle Vest – the town's events coordinator – and Patti Anderson have been making calls, sending out emails and posts on social media, but haven't been successful in getting the numbers needed to run the parade. 'It's completely opposite [of] the Santa parade in December,' he said. 'We're seeing 55-plus floats coming out. In summer time, people are busy.' 'It needs something and we're not seeing that right now,' he said. The council was asked to consider cancelling the parade last week at a regular council meeting ahead of an Alertable posted Saturday, asking for more entries. It said it was investigating the possibility of allowing the parade to move forward. Deputy Mayor Ghislane Wheaton said some people have felt crossing the border is too complicated and they are choosing not to be apart of the parade. 'This has happened both on the American side and this side,' she said. 'It's very sad to see it go but I think it would be very small this year.' Coun. Wade Greenlaw asked whether the request was to cancel for this year only. But Sumner said it is only for this year, but U.S. customs has told them it likely will not be allowed again if it is stopped. The Courier has reached out to the U.S. Customs and Border Agency for comment and is awaiting a response. Coun. Emily Rodas said Calais and St. Stephen have both wanted to maintain a close friendship despite the greater exterior political climate. Canada and the U.S. are ensnared in a trade-war, which continues to escalate under Donald Trump's administration. It has meant tensions between the two countries and a high numbers of Canadians choosing not to cross the border. 'For me, I think it speaks to just a larger desire to maintain a strong connection between two countries even in the face of all the hardship happening around it,' Rodas said. She said the decision feels like a devastating one, having grown up in St. Stephen. Coun. Brian Cornish said he felt he didn't want to push the button on this too soon, saying his half a century in the area has him wanting to keep all options open. 'Keep the gates open,' he said. 'Because I feel real bad about what's going on on both sides of the border.' Mayor Allan MacEachern said this might seem like it is connected to what is happening between the two neighbouring countries, but the parade has been dying out for years. 'The only way to liven it up is talk about it here tonight,' he said. 'Maybe that'll kick start some people and understand the importance of how our communities are as one. 'We don't want to lose [something] unique.' The parade is only one aspect of the International Homecoming Festival, Wheaton explained, saying the festival will be great without the parade. The Alertable message shared on Saturday comes after a vote six-to-one to reallocate resources to a street festival. 'After hearing from numerous businesses and organizations who've expressed their willingness to step up and contribute a float, the Municipal District of St. Stephen is now prepared to investigate whether municipal resources can be dedicated to moving forward with this year's parade,' it read. The parade has 12 confirmed entries with 3 floats and nine groups made up of cars, ATVs, trucks and walkers. 'Notably, half of these entries are from our friends across the border who are excited to join us in celebration,' it read. The municipality needs 12 to 15 more entries and it is encouraging business to work together in the event that putting something together in the summer season is challenging. The deadline to submit is Wednesday, Aug. 6 at noon. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
5 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
As Canada Post workers reject Crown corporation's final offer, next steps are unclear with both sides urged to return to bargaining
Canada Post workers have voted down the Crown corporation's 'final' contract offer, and labour experts say it's unclear exactly what will happen next in the already bitter dispute. Members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers' urban unit voted the offer down 68.5 per cent to 31.5, while members of their suburban and rural unit turned it down 69.4 per cent to 30.6. Just under 81 per cent of the 53,000 eligible CUPW members cast their ballot. The voting, ordered by the federal government and monitored by the Canada Industrial Relations Board, opened on July 21 and wrapped up Friday at 5 p.m. In an emailed statement, CUPW urged Canada Post to come back to the bargaining table, and said the federal government should encourage bargaining to continue. 'The Government has stated its support for unions and fair bargaining. It needs to back its words with action by supporting a return to the bargaining table by both parties for meaningful negotiations. The best collective agreements are negotiated at the bargaining table,' CUPW said. 'CUPW is committed to staying at the bargaining table and expects Canada Post to do the same. CUPW's Negotiating Committees stand ready to negotiate good, ratifiable agreements.' The Crown corporation, which has said it lost $10 million per day during June, said it's considering its next steps. 'This result does not lessen the urgent need to modernize and protect this vital national service,' Canada Post said. 'However, it does mean the uncertainty that has been significantly impacting our business — and the many Canadians and Canadian businesses who depend on Canada Post — will continue. We are evaluating our next steps.' Those next steps, said labour relations experts, could include layoffs. But it all depends, said U of T professor Rafael Gomez, on whether the government gives a clear signal of whether it wants the Crown corporation to implement the restructuring recommended by veteran mediator William Kaplan in May. 'The government really needs to signal to both sides what it wants to do with the Kaplan report,' said Gomez, director of U of T's Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources. Kaplan's report, combined with rejection of the 'final' offer, means Canada Post management has a more free hand to cut costs than it did, said Gomez. 'What actions can Canada Post take on their own that don't require the government changing its official mandate? They probably now have a mandate to do it if they want to,' said Gomez. The 'final' offer vote, argued Brock University labour studies professor Larry Savage, prolonged the dispute without bringing it any closer to a resolution. 'The vote turned out to be major distraction. It didn't bring the parties any closer to concluding an agreement. And arguably, it only drew them further apart,' said Savage. 'The path to a negotiated settlement is as muddy as ever.' Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu urged the two sides to return to the bargaining table. 'It is now up to the parties to return to the table and come to an agreement that works for both of them,' Hajdu said in a post on X. 'The Government is monitoring this situation closely and expects the parties to reach a resolution as soon as possible.' On May 28, Canada Post made what it called its 'final' contract offer, which included a 13 per cent wage hike spread over four years, as well as a $1,000 signing bonus. Two days later, it asked Hajdu to order a vote on the offer. On June 12, Hajdu ordered the CIRB to organize a vote. The order came roughly a month after a key report from Kaplan, who said the Crown corporation was effectively insolvent. The union has repeatedly criticized the Crown corporation, saying it was trying to avoid a negotiated settlement . The report was done as part of an Industrial Inquiry Commission ordered in December by then-labour minister Steven MacKinnon, ending a month-long strike which began last November. Kaplan also said there's an impasse in bargaining, suggested arbitration wouldn't be a good choice to deal with Canada Post's need for restructuring, and said a 'final' offer would be the third option for an end to the dispute. Kaplan's May 15 report suggested the use of community mailboxes, the elimination of home delivery except for parcels, and getting rid of some post office locations and replacing them with franchises. Kaplan also suggested expanding parcel delivery to seven days a week, with the use of part-time and temporary employees. CUPW members have been in a legal strike position since May 23, but their strike action has so far been limited to a ban on overtime work. CUPW actively encouraged its members to vote against the offer. The Crown corporation has repeatedly insisted that it needs substantial restructuring, and has said it lost $10 million per day in June, calling those losses 'unsustainable.' The association representing Canada's small businesses pleaded with the federal government to extend CUPW's previous contract to avoid another work stoppage. According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, small businesses lost between $75 million and $100 million per day during last year's strike. 'This just brings more uncertainty at a time when small businesses are already struggling to plan ahead. We can't keep doing this,' said CFIB president Dan Kelly. A member survey by CFIB last month found that another strike could lead up to two thirds of businesses to ditch Canada Post for good.
