Despite pipeline talk, work for oil and gas drillers is slowing
The latest data shows just over 160 rigs were actively drilling for oil and gas in June, the lowest level in at least two years and down 17 per cent from 2024 levels.
The industry is facing stubbornly low prices for their fuels, while poor weather and wildfires have added to the challenges.
'Companies remain cautious ahead of the volatility that we're seeing with oil prices, (natural gas) prices and the politics in terms of trade deals that the U.S. government continues to make,' said Jeremy McCrea, an energy analyst at the Bank of Montreal.
North American oil prices have been trading for below US$70 a barrel throughout July, a sharp contrast from a year ago, when oil was going for more than US$80 a barrel.
One of the top worries overshadowing prices this year has been that U.S. tariffs could slow global economies and their demand for oil.
The tariff threat has also forced the Canadian government under Prime Minister Mark Carney to rethink its trade relationships and focus more on boosting the domestic economy with nation-building projects.
Uncertainty around pipeline project talks
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has been pushing for a new oil pipeline that would run from Alberta to B.C.'s northern coast, but her proposal faces roadblocks, including a federal ban on oil tankers along that coastline.
Carney has said it's 'highly likely' a new oil pipeline will make his government's list of nation-building projects, though a private sector company or group has yet to emerge with an actual proposal.
Against this backdrop of rising stakes in the pipeline debate, the June dip in oil and gas drilling rigs was 'most concerning,' according to Mark Scholz, the president and CEO of the Canadian Association of Energy Contractors, an industry group.
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Toronto Sun
4 minutes ago
- Toronto Sun
KINSELLA: Mark Carney's words can have real-life impacts for Jews
And sometimes pronouncements from world leaders, such as Canada's Prime Minister, can have deadly consequences Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (R), flanked by Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, speaks during a press conference after a Cabinet meeting to discuss both trade negotiations with the US and the situation in the Middle East, at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa on July 30, 2025. Photo by DAVE CHAN / AFP via Getty Images Canada, France and the United Kingdom recognize a 'state' run by terrorists. Canada's Prime Minister accuses Israel of violating international law. The International Criminal Court issues warrants for the arrest of Israel's Prime Minister. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Sometimes, such pronouncements made by governments seem completely detached from reality. None of those countries have yet set up an embassy in Gaza City, for example. Nor has Canada commenced a court action against Israel. No country, as far as we know, has attempted to place Benjamin Netanyahu under arrest. But it would be a mistake to shrug about the pronouncements of world leaders, or to dismiss their words as meaningless symbols. For Jews, these dark days, words can have real-life impacts. Sometimes, the consequences can be deadly. CyberWell is an Internet watchdog that closely tracks antisemitism on social media. When the Israel-based non-profit finds hate online, it notifies the social media platforms, and urges them to take it down. And two recent reports by CyberWell show that the words and actions of governments can, and do, result in shocking eruptions in cyber-hate. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A recent example: the twelve-day war between Israel, the United States and Iran took place in June 2025. That conflict saw Israel launch hundreds of airstrikes against the Islamic republic – and Iran firing thousands of ballistic missiles and suicide drones at Israeli military and civilian targets. Israel was largely seen as the victor. Read More Online, the abbreviated Iran-Israel war had a very different outcome. Online, Iran was the hands-down victor. During and after the conflict, CyberWell found, and 'across platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and X, users once again used digital spaces to post antisemitic rhetoric, incitement to violence, and coded hate speech – at times under the guise of political commentary or religious solidarity.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It's not a new phenomenon, CyberWell notes, and it's getting worse all the time: 'Each new flashpoint acts as a trigger for dangerous digital discourse that can quickly spill into real-world harm.' For example: during the Iran-Israel war, the words 'Khaybar, Khaybar, O Jews' were all over social media, in the Farsi and Arabic languages. The phrase refers to a long-ago battle in Khaybar, which was a Jewish town in what is now Saudi Arabia – and where Muslim forces massacred the Jewish population. The 'Khaybar, Khaybar, O Jews' slogan has been used, for centuries, to call for pogroms against Jews. On X, as the war commenced, that hateful phrase grew by more than 3,000% over the previous months. Midway through the conflict, it increased by nearly 7,000% over before. By the end of the war, those words had reached three million individual accounts. The Farsi version of the chant far outpaced the Arabic one, too. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Some of the posters were very specific. After activist Eyal Yakoby simply posted a photo of an Israeli apartment building destroyed by an Iranian missile, '@pratynachiyar' wrote: 'Kill everyone from Israel, Iran, good job buddy…let these Jew f**kers leave Earth permanently.' A June 14, 2025, post by activist Eyal Yakoby on X that included a photo of an Israeli apartment building destroyed by an Iranian missile led to a hateful post against Jews by @pratynachiyar. Photo by Posted on X And, tragically, killings were indeed happening. As the Jew hatred was growing dramatically online – as more and more governments were showing a willingness to isolate and attack the Jewish state – actual murders happened. So, just days before the war started, two young Israeli embassy staffers were assassinated outside the Capital Jewish Museum – and the alleged shooter yelled 'Free Palestine' as he was arrested by police. Days later, an elderly Jewish woman died after being set ablaze in Boulder, Colorado – again, by an alleged killer who reportedly yelled 'Free Palestine' – a phrase that was, and is, ubiquitous online. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. As CyberWell puts it: 'These are not isolated incidents. They are part of a dangerous, recurring cycle that CyberWell has repeatedly warned about: inflammatory content spreads online, fuelling real-world hate and violence. Each act of violence or hate speech online reinforces the next, creating a self-perpetuating loop.' The 'loop,' as CyberWell puts it, has recently gone like this: witless Western governments demonize Israel, which leads to antisemitic propagandists doing likewise online, which then legitimizes – and leads to – actual antisemitic crime and violence. It needs to stop. Police and prosecutors need to get better at fighting antisemitic crime. Social media platforms need to do a better job of moderating what's being posted online. And governments, like Canada's, need to recognize that what they say can sometimes result in real-life harm. Sometimes, in fact, it can result in death. Toronto Blue Jays Columnists Canada Sunshine Girls Toronto & GTA
Cision Canada
2 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Government of Canada supports International Culturefest in Saint John Français
The Honourable Wayne Long Member of Parliament (Saint John—Kennebecasis), announces funding for the Saint John Newcomers Centre's International Culturefest. SAINT JOHN, NB, Aug. 2, 2025 /CNW/ - Canadian identity and culture drive innovation, economic growth and national pride. Supporting events that celebrate Canada's cultural diversity strengthens communities by bringing people together and providing a platform to share our stories, heritage and traditions, helping build a stronger, more united Canada. To support this important work, the Government of Canada is investing $61,000 in the International Culturefest, hosted by the Saint John Multicultural and Newcomers Resource Centre. The Honourable Wayne Long, Member of Parliament (Saint John—Kennebecasis), announced the funding today on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages. The funding will support this year's celebration as well as the 2026 festival. This vibrant multicultural event will take place on August 2–3 in 2025, and August 1–2 in 2026, in Saint John. The festival brings together residents and visitors for a dynamic showcase of global cultures and traditions. The festival includes: A cultural stage featuring music, dance and theatre performances; Educational booths run by community partners; Cultural exhibits and discussions, including a living library where people share stories and traditions from their heritage; Food, craft and art vendors representing diverse cultural communities; A collaborative community street art project; and Fun and engaging family-friendly games and activities. Quotes "Events like the International Culturefest bring communities together and showcase the strength of Canada's cultural diversity. Culture is not only an expression of who we are; it's a core pillar of our sovereignty and economic strength. Our government is proud to invest in this gathering that celebrates the rich traditions and talents of both newcomers and long-time residents." —The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages "Saint John is a community that thrives on diversity. This investment in the International Culturefest reflects our commitment to supporting the cultures that make our region so special. I'm proud that our government supports this event, which brings people together through music, food, art and storytelling." — The Honourable Wayne Long, Member of Parliament (Saint John—Kennebecasis) "We are deeply grateful for the support from Canadian Heritage, whose two-year funding commitment enables us to continue growing Culturefest as a celebration of the many cultures that enrich Saint John. The festival continues to be a catalyst for social unity and economic vitality in Saint John. Culturefest brings people together, fosters understanding, and strengthens our community's social fabric, while also creating opportunities for local artists, performers, vendors and small businesses. This investment supports our shared values to celebrate diversity and inclusion, while recognizing that cultural expression plays a key role in building vibrant, resilient and prosperous communities." —Mohamed Bagha, Managing Director, Saint John Newcomers Centre Quick Facts The Saint John Multicultural and Newcomers Resource Centre, better known as the Saint John Newcomers Centre, is a non-profit organization, incorporated in 2009 and located in Saint John. The Centre aims to enhance the cultural, social and economic well-being of both residents and newcomers in Greater Saint John, while promoting equity and inclusion for all cultural communities. It provides a range of services, including settlement support, employer engagement, language training, and a legal clinic for newcomers. The Centre plans to host a smaller version of this festival in the neighbouring communities of Quispamsis and Rothesay, New Brunswick. It will be called Culture Fest in the Valley and take place in September 2025 and 2026. Saint John Newcomers Centre SOURCE Canadian Heritage
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
Trump dismisses weak jobs numbers as 'rigged' and fires labour statistics chief
U.S. President Donald Trump fired the U.S. commissioner of labour statistics after weak jobs numbers signaled tariffs weren't yet leading to his promised economic boom.
