Familiar face re-elected as president of the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan
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CBC
3 hours ago
- CBC
Transportation minister says Alberta is 'actively reviewing' bike lanes
Alberta's provincial government is "actively reviewing" bike lanes that draw the ire of local residents. Devin Dreeshen, provincial minister of transportation and economic corridors, said the province is reviewing bike lanes that draw concern from residents. He said the reasoning behind the move is to continue Alberta's work to build a "safe, efficient road network." "Alberta's government supports active transportation, but we're concerned when municipalities use taxpayer dollars to reduce road capacity at a time when our province is investing billions to expand it," said Dreeshen via an emailed statement. "While we fund major infrastructure projects, like the Deerfoot, to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion, some local decisions are moving in the opposite direction removing driving lanes." When asked, earlier this week, whether the province is planning to review both active and future bike lane projects, and if any current bike lanes are already under review, Dreeshen's office did not reply. The minister's statement follows a June 27 letter he addressed to Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek where Dreeshen said he was concerned about bike lanes being built at the expense of road capacity, and with how this work affects provincial road capacity. Gondek's response in a July 3 letter invited Dreeshen to a meeting on how to best support Calgary's transportation needs. Bike lanes at the expense of vehicle capacity? Alberta minister pens letter with concerns 9 days ago Duration 1:47 Alberta's transportation minister sent a letter late in June to ask for a meeting with Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek to talk about cycling infrastructure. Bike Calgary, a local cycling advocacy group, hopes Alberta won't follow suit with Ontario, where the Doug Ford government has given itself powers to remove existing bike lanes and require approvals for new projects. Calgary currently has roughly 290 kilometres of on-street bikeways and cycle tracks. City council approved $56 million for Calgary's network of pathways and bikeways in 2023, and its long-term transportation plan looks to expand the network more throughout the next 60 years, including several ongoing projects to build further bikeway connections around the city. In April, Dreeshen also voiced opposition to Edmonton's planned bike-lane expansions. He said the province supports bike lanes "when they make sense," but won't support "tax dollars being used to reduce road capacity." In the past, Calgary residents have raised concerns about some of the city's bike lane projects, arguing they add more traffic congestion. Provincial review lacks clarity, says city councillor The purpose and process behind a provincial review of bike lanes is unclear, said Ward 8 Coun. Courtney Walcott in an interview with CBC News. The infrastructure isn't under provincial jurisdiction, and within Calgary's central neighbourhoods, the lanes are far removed from the provincial road network. "The provincial networks are highways. We're not talking about the Beltline. [From] the Beltline, it takes three different roads to get to a provincial road essentially, in many cases. And none of them will have cycling tracks on them," Walcott said. When it comes to congestion, Walcott argued research has shown more lanes of traffic doesn't effectively tackle this problem. But alternative modes of transportation like bike lanes and public transit can ease congestion. Regardless, when Walcott hears complaints from his constituents about bike lanes, typically it has more to do with parking than road capacity. For example, the pathways on 11th Street and 15th Avenue S.W. have drawn complaints for removing parking spaces or interfering with loading zones. In some cases, Walcott said the city can respond to improve accessibility for all of a pathway's users. But he added that less on-street parking is sometimes a tradeoff the city makes to make space for cyclists, buses or pedestrians. "That's what it means to share the road a little bit differently," said Walcott. "These issues seem very beneath the minister." Walcott added he was frustrated to have conversations around the value of bike lanes, after the recent death of a cyclist. Calgary police said a man using an electric bike in a designated bike lane on 26th Avenue S.W. in Killarney died after colliding with a dump truck. Walcott noted the collision occurred in an unprotected, painted bike lane that's slated for construction to become a lane separated and protected from cars. "The reality is [bike lanes are] good for the city, it's good for the health of the individuals using them, it's good for reducing traffic on the road, it's good for the environment, and it's really cost-effective," Walcott said. Politicized debate Francisco Alaniz Uribe, an associate professor at the University of Calgary's school of architecture, planning and landscape, said the political nature of urban planning debates has been seen more often in Canada lately, noting a similar ongoing issue in Ontario. The Ontario government passed a bill last year that allows it to remove major bike lanes in Toronto, despite the city's objections. Under the bill, cities also must now seek provincial approval to install new bike lanes that cut into vehicle traffic. A temporary injunction in April halted Ontario's plans to remove three Toronto bike lanes until a judge rules on a Charter challenge by cycling advocates. On Wednesday, an Ontario court dismissed the province's attempt to appeal the court order. Alaniz Uribe said Calgary's approach to creating a cycling network has involved extensive consultation, but that urban planning debates are always highly political because they involve discussing how we use shared spaces in our cities. Cars have dominated streets for decades, Alaniz Uribe said, adding that urban planning now often involves carving out space for cyclists, wider sidewalks, public transit or more trees, which usually faces pushback. "We're trying to change a value set where for a long time our value set has been the private automobile. And now, we're trying to get some of that space back for something that is not the automobile," Alaniz Uribe said.
CBC
3 hours ago
- CBC
Canadian canola dodges Trump tariff threat, but still faces economic uncertainty
Canadian canola producers appear to have dodged U.S. President Donald Trump's latest tariff threat, which reports indicate would exclude goods covered by the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, but economic uncertainty remains for many. The latest round of tariffs threatened by Trump would impose a 35 per cent levy on Canadian imports currently subjected to 25 per cent tariffs, effective Aug. 1. Canadian-grown canola enjoys duty-free status when it travels across the border, but economic uncertainties associated with the ongoing trade dispute create what southern Alberta farmer John McKee calls "an air of anxiety" looming over the industry. McKee, who grows oilseed crops southeast of Lethbridge, said while the tariffs don't directly hurt his canola exports, they're taking a toll on producers in other ways, including forcing farmers to deal with duties when ordering equipment from across the border. McKee said when he looked at ordering "a very small insignificant piece" of equipment from the U.S., he was faced with "extra handling, the extra brokerage fees" and "several extra charges that went along with tracking the appropriate tariff." He said buying a $20 part from the U.S. would have wound up costing him $100 had he not found a near-identical option locally. Andre Harpe, chair of the Alberta Canola Producers Commission, said the U.S. tariffs are only one of several issues Canadian farmers are dealing with. "I think we're almost starting to get used to it now," he said of Trump's recurring tariff threats. Harpe, who grows canola and barley in northern Alberta, said he and many other producers are dealing with more pressing issues like dry growing conditions. "We're looking at making sure we can get the best crop that we can get, so we can actually sell them," he said, pointing to diseases affecting crops across Canada, and a need for more rain. He also said 100 per cent tariffs on Canadian canola oil and canola meal imposed by China in March has been more significant to producers than the country's trade dispute with the U.S. While those duties do not apply to unprocessed canola seeds exported to China, which made up the bulk of Canada's $4.9 billion in canola exports to China in 2024, Harpe called them "probably the biggest concern right now," in terms of tariffs. 'A lot of uncertainty for canola growers' The Canadian canola industry annually contributes an average of $43.7 billion to the national economy, according to the Canola Council of Canada. The council's figures indicate there are approximately 40,000 canola farms nationwide, primarily located throughout Alberta and in southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, as well as scattered locations in Ontario and British Columbia. "The canola industry is a very significant contributor to economic activity in Alberta," said J.P. Gervais, chief economist with Farm Credit Canada. The U.S. is Canada's largest market for canola exports, making any tariff talk problematic for producers and investors, Gervais said. "This entire situation with the United States … creates a lot of uncertainty for canola growers that are looking to invest, to grow, and grow exports, generate economic activity across the country, across the province," he said. "I do think that we have to wait and see, but recognizing as well that the unknowns, the uncertainty that is in the market right now … really has an impact on the ability of operations to actually invest in their bottom line." He said canola prices took a hit when China first announced its tariffs, but that they have "rebounded quite a bit" this year. "We thrive in an environment where borders remain open and we have free-flowing products between the United States and Canada, between Canada and China," Gervais said. Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to meet with his cabinet on Tuesday and with Canada's premiers on July 22 to discuss the latest developments in the U.S. trade dispute.
National Post
5 hours ago
- National Post
Mexico seeks deal to dodge U.S. tariffs after Trump's latest threats over drug cartels
Mexico is working to avoid new 30 per cent U.S. tariffs threatened by U.S. President Donald Trump, with President Claudia Sheinbaum expressing confidence. Photo by YURI CORTEZ / AFP via Getty Images Mexico is projecting confidence that it will fend off a new set of 30 per cent tariffs that President Donald Trump threatened Saturday to impose next month, with talks already underway to avert the worst. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLES Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. 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 After Trump went public with his plan by posting on social media, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum noted in speeches near the northern border that every country has been getting a letter from Trump as he implements global protectionist policies. Her team had already begun discussions with the U.S. on Friday and she was confident Mexico would get a deal. 'We've had some experience with these things for several months now,' Sheinbaum said at a clinic opening in Ensenada, Baja California. 'And I think we're going to reach an agreement with the United States government.' Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again Mexico-U.S. relations have taken a bumpy turn since June, with increasing roundups of migrants by U.S. agents, the border shuttered to livestock due to a screwworm infestation in Mexico, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi's reference to the neighbouring country as an adversary, and the financial strike by the U.S. Treasury on three Mexican financial firms accused of aiding fentanyl traffickers. Trump's letter threatened new tariffs on Mexico due to a lack of progress in challenging the country's drug cartels. But behind the scenes, work has been advancing between the Sheinbaum and Trump administrations. Mexico is still in a favourable position relative to the rest of the world and it's poised to benefit from protectionist U.S. policies over the medium term, according to Bloomberg Economic's Felipe Hernandez. That outlook assumes the U.S. doesn't apply the 30 per cent rate to goods that are compliant with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement. That exception is part of the plan, but the situation remains fluid, a U.S. official cautioned. Continuing the exclusion for both Mexico and Canada narrows the scope of Trump's continental tariffs and would be a lifeline to sectors like the auto industry that rely heavily on the USMCA pact, which was renegotiated under Trump's first term. Mexico and the U.S. established a new binational working group on Friday to address security, migration and economic issues, according to a statement posted on Saturday by Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard on X. The first major task of the group will be to find an alternative to the tariffs and 'protect jobs on both sides of the border,' the statement read. 'We told the group that this treatment is unfair and that we're not in agreement,' read the statement, jointly signed by the Economy and the Foreign Affairs ministries.
