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Special flags displayed across Barrie as Canada's premiers head to cottage country
Special flags displayed across Barrie as Canada's premiers head to cottage country

CTV News

time21-07-2025

  • Business
  • CTV News

Special flags displayed across Barrie as Canada's premiers head to cottage country

Motorists driving along Highway 400 in Barrie will notice a series of custom flags displayed on five bridges as Canada's premiers head to Huntsville for the 2025 Premiers' Meeting. Flags Unlimited, Canada's largest flag manufacturer based in Barrie, partnered with the City and the Ministry of Transportation to feature the banners, each marked with the year the province or territory joined Confederation, are visible on bridges at Harvie Road, Anne Street, Sunnidale Road, Bayfield Street, and St. Vincent Street. Ontario Premier Doug Ford is hosting the talks as this year's council chair. 'These flags tell the story of our country and the unity that makes us strong. I'm so proud this tribute was made right here in Barrie by Ontario workers,' Ford stated. 'Flags Unlimited, who will soon celebrate 60 years of business in Ontario, has been a proud partner of the City of Barrie for many years,' said Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall. 'Barrie is honoured to be such a visible supporter of this historic Premiers' Meeting.' The banners were developed in-house by Flags Unlimited. After the Premiers' Meeting, each banner will be given to the respective premier as a keepsake. 'It's an incredible honour for our team to contribute to this historic meeting of Canada's Premiers,' said Matt Skipp, Flags Unlimited co-owner. 'Moments like this remind us that our work—though sometimes behind the scenes—allows us to play a small but meaningful part in commemorating Canada's story." The three-day meeting of the country's premiers gets underway Monday at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ont., with trade and tariffs expected to be the main focus. Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to make his way to cottage country Tuesday to attend the meetings.

Anti-immigration demonstrations in more than 80 cities across Poland
Anti-immigration demonstrations in more than 80 cities across Poland

Euronews

time21-07-2025

  • Politics
  • Euronews

Anti-immigration demonstrations in more than 80 cities across Poland

Anti-immigration protests organised by the far-right Confederation Libery and Independence party took place in more than 80 cities across Poland, including in Warsaw, Krakow, Poznan, Wroclaw, and Bialystok. Demonstrators demanded the closure of the borders with Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus and Slovakia. "Enough of the years-long policy of 'let everyone in, and who they are will be determined later'," Krzysztof Bosak, one of Confederation party's leaders, wrote on X. "Polish women and men have the right to be concerned about the level of security in their own homeland," he added. In a speech at the start of the march, Bosak demanded the resignation of Donald Tusk's government, the closure of the borders with Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus and Slovakia to curb illegal immigration, and the permission for soldiers to shoot at people who cross the border illegally. "Without closing Poland to illegal immigration, without launching a deportation operation, without renouncing political correctness, without equipping the Border Guard and the forces responsible for controlling the legality of residence, and without controlling the labour market, security will gradually deteriorate," he said, calling for a change in policy. The protests come shortly after Poland introduced border controls with Germany and Lithuania, which came into effect on 7 July. On the Polish-German border, controls are in place at 52 places and on the Polish-Lithuanian border at 13. The issue of migration has been widely up for debate, and a contentious topic in Polish politics, particularly as the country has experienced a rise in immigration in recent years. In the first round of the presidential elections held in May, candidates of the far-right performed well, with Slawomir Mentzen of the Confederation Libery and Independence party and Grzegorz Braun of Confederation of the Polish Crown party coming in third and fourth, respectively. Many believe that both candidates' successes were due to their hardline stance on migration. Interior ministers agree on asylum rules On Friday, Poland and five other EU countries, agreed a set of targets for tightening asylum rules. During the meeting hosted by Germany's interior minister, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz admitted that he was "pleased that Poland is carrying out border controls." Last year, Poland saw an increase in asylum applications due to the recurring crisis on its eastern border with Belarus, which has been ongoing since 2021. As a result, the Polish parliament passed a law temporarily suspending the right to apply for asylum for those who crossed the Belarusian border. Both Polish and European leaders have long accused Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of orchestrating the influx of migrants to destabilise the EU. On Saturday morning, the Ministry of Interior and Administration published statistics on the number of approvals issued for special protection for foreigners on X. "In 2024, we issued 40 per cent fewer approvals for special protection for foreigners than in 2021. This is the result of a better managed system, our operations at the border and more efficient procedures," the post read. "The government is pursuing a responsible and well-considered migration policy, taking care of the stability and security of citizens," it added. Counter demonstrations in many cities Counter-manifestations against the Confederation marches were also held in Warsaw, Katowice, Olsztyn and other cities on Saturday. Demonstrators carried banners with the slogans: "Accept the refugees, delete the fascists," "Action Democracy" and "We defend the right to asylum." "Everyone, regardless of their skin colour and origin, should feel comfortable not only in Poland, but also in Europe," Maria Książak of the International Humanitarian Initiative Foundation said during the demonstration.

Anti-immigrantion demonstrations in more than 80 cities across Poland
Anti-immigrantion demonstrations in more than 80 cities across Poland

Euronews

time19-07-2025

  • Politics
  • Euronews

Anti-immigrantion demonstrations in more than 80 cities across Poland

Anti-immigration protests organised by the far-right Confederation Libery and Independence party took place in more than 80 cities across Poland, including in Warsaw, Krakow, Poznan, Wroclaw, and Bialystok. Demonstrators demanded the closure of the borders with Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus and Slovakia. "Enough of the years-long policy of 'let everyone in, and who they are will be determined later'," Krzysztof Bosak, one of Confederation party's leaders, wrote on X. "Polish women and men have the right to be concerned about the level of security in their own homeland," he added. In a speech at the start of the march, Bosak demanded the resignation of Donald Tusk's government, the closure of the borders with Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus and Slovakia to curb illegal immigration, and the permission for soldiers to shoot at people who cross the border illegally. "Without closing Poland to illegal immigration, without launching a deportation operation, without renouncing political correctness, without equipping the Border Guard and the forces responsible for controlling the legality of residence, and without controlling the labour market, security will gradually deteriorate," he said, calling for a change in policy. The protests come shortly after Poland introduced border controls with Germany and Lithuania, which came into effect on 7 July. On the Polish-German border, controls are in place at 52 places and on the Polish-Lithuanian border at 13. The issue of migration has been widely up for debate, and a contentious topic in Polish politics, particularly as the country has experienced a rise in immigration in recent years. In the first round of the presidential elections held in May, candidates of the far-right performed well, with Slawomir Mentzen of the Confederation Libery and Independence party and Grzegorz Braun of Confederation of the Polish Crown party coming in third and fourth, respectively. Many believe that both candidates' successes were due to their hardline stance on migration. Interior ministers agree on asylum rules On Friday, Poland and five other EU countries, agreed a set of targets for tightening asylum rules. During the meeting hosted by Germany's interior minister, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz admitted that he was "pleased that Poland is carrying out border controls." Last year, Poland saw an increase in asylum applications due to the recurring crisis on its eastern border with Belarus, which has been ongoing since 2021. As a result, the Polish parliament passed a law temporarily suspending the right to apply for asylum for those who crossed the Belarusian border. Both Polish and European leaders have long accused Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of orchestrating the influx of migrants to destabilise the EU. On Saturday morning, the Ministry of Interior and Administration published statistics on the number of approvals issued for special protection for foreigners on X. "In 2024, we issued 40 per cent fewer approvals for special protection for foreigners than in 2021. This is the result of a better managed system, our operations at the border and more efficient procedures," the post read. "The government is pursuing a responsible and well-considered migration policy, taking care of the stability and security of citizens," it added. Counter demonstrations in many cities Counter-manifestations against the Confederation marches were also held in Warsaw, Katowice, Olsztyn and other cities on Saturday. Demonstrators carried banners with the slogans: "Accept the refugees, delete the fascists," "Action Democracy" and "We defend the right to asylum." "Everyone, regardless of their skin colour and origin, should feel comfortable not only in Poland, but also in Europe," Maria Książak of the International Humanitarian Initiative Foundation said during the demonstration.

Two Weeks To Go: East Africa Primed for Historic TotalEneriges CHAN 2024
Two Weeks To Go: East Africa Primed for Historic TotalEneriges CHAN 2024

CAF

time19-07-2025

  • Sport
  • CAF

Two Weeks To Go: East Africa Primed for Historic TotalEneriges CHAN 2024

Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania enter final stretch to host historic TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2024 finals Final Countdown in full motion in East Africa Tournament to be staged between 02 – 30 August 2025 With just two weeks remaining until kick-off, the countdown to the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 is reaching fever pitch, as host nations Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania enter the final stages of readiness for Africa's premier national competition for locally-based players. This year's eighth edition will be remembered as a watershed moment in African football history—the first time three countries will co-host a CAF competition of this scale. Each host nation will play a distinct and integral role in delivering a world-class football spectacle that showcases the best of Africa's domestic talent. The tournament, running from 2–30 August 2025, will unite East Africa through football, delivering a vibrant showcase of local talent, passionate supporters, and pan-African unity. The opening match will ignite the tournament at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. From there, the journey will wind through Kampala, Uganda for the third-place playoff, and climax in Nairobi, Kenya, where the final match will crown the new champions of Africa's most celebrated home-based competition. As excitement builds across the region, CAF General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba reiterated the Confederation's pride and confidence ahead of kick-off: 'We are now just two weeks away from writing a new chapter in African football. The TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2024 is more than a tournament—it's a powerful statement of African excellence, unity, and belief in local talent. East Africa is ready to welcome the continent.' The final draw has already been conducted, with 19 teams, including defending champions Senegal, now placed in their respective groups. Every match promises to deliver drama, national pride, and a platform for emerging stars to shine. With the final phase of preparations underway, CAF and the Local Organising Committees are working around the clock to finalise logistics, fine-tune stadiums, and roll out fan engagement campaigns across the host cities. The ticket sales and other competition marketing initiatives are expected to be unveiled shortly, bringing fans closer to the action. East Africa's moment on the continental stage is near. The energy, anticipation, and unity surrounding the TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2024 signal not only a festival of football—but a historic celebration of African resilience, identity, and homegrown brilliance. For more on the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship, visit -ENDS- Further Enquiries: communications@ CAF | Communication Department

Opinion: Alberta's strength isn't a grievance — it's a privilege
Opinion: Alberta's strength isn't a grievance — it's a privilege

Edmonton Journal

time17-07-2025

  • Business
  • Edmonton Journal

Opinion: Alberta's strength isn't a grievance — it's a privilege

Whenever the debate over Alberta's place in Canada heats up — usually when oil prices fall or equalization cheques make headlines — one familiar grievance always returns: 'Why should we pay more than we get back?' It's a fair question. Alberta is, by any accounting method, a net contributor to Confederation. We send $44 billion to $47 billion more to Ottawa each year than we receive in services and transfers. That's real money. And, yes, it's frustrating when it feels like we're paying for programs we didn't ask for, or when provinces that block pipelines benefit from our prosperity. But here's another take: maybe Alberta's overcontribution is something to be proud of. Not a grievance. Not a problem to fix. A sign of strength. A friend put it well in a recent conversation: 'At the very least,' he said, 'it would be nice if the rest of Canada just said thank you.' And I understood where he was coming from. There's a quiet resentment among some Albertans that we're taken for granted — that we build and others benefit. But then I asked him something that stopped us both: 'Thank us for what, exactly?' Should the rest of Canada thank us for being lucky enough to live above a massive, hydrocarbon-rich sedimentary basin? For the geology that blessed us with oilsands, gas reservoirs and bitumen the world happened to want — and still does? Because let's be honest: that's the root of Alberta's fiscal power. Geology. Not just policy. Not virtue. Not some uniquely Alberta work ethic. We didn't earn our resource base. We were born — or more accurately, drawn — into it. I wasn't born in Alberta. Neither was my friend. Like so many others, we came here for opportunity. For the jobs. For the boom. We came because Alberta had something the rest of the country — and the world — wanted. If that same energy wealth had been discovered under northern Ontario or the Northwest Territories, we'd have gone there. If the Athabasca Basin had never existed, Alberta would be a very different place. Smaller. Quieter. Probably poorer. Still beautiful. Still agricultural. But not the engine of national growth it is today. Without oil, our story would likely resemble Saskatchewan in the 1990s — a province with flat population growth, high debt and few levers to pull in Ottawa. Saskatchewan spent much of that decade wrestling with budget crises, closing rural hospitals and relying heavily on equalization. It's an incredibly beautiful place, and the people are hard-working and hearty — but those were tough years in the Land of Living Skies. Their young people — like so many from across Canada — moved to Alberta in search of opportunity. Let's not rewrite history: if the resource map had been drawn differently, it might have been us looking east instead of others looking west. And so, when I hear people say Alberta deserves thanks for its federal overpayments, I wonder: Do we really want applause for having hit the resource lottery? Do we want to pretend we'd still be donating billions to the rest of Canada if the geology had broken another way? This isn't about undermining our success. It's about contextualizing it. Because when we recognize how contingent our prosperity is, it should make us more thoughtful, not more bitter. Yes, we've built strong institutions. Yes, we've taken risks, attracted talent and grown our economy. That matters. But none of that erases the role of luck, or of Canada. We grew within a national framework that provided capital, infrastructure, labour mobility and rule of law. It was Alberta's energy, but it was also Canada's scaffolding. And that's what grievance politics forgets: we didn't do it alone. Grievance demands repayment. Pride demands stewardship. If Alberta truly wants to lead — not just complain — then we need to reframe our role. We are not Confederation's victim. We are its engine. And sometimes engines run hotter, carry more weight and burn more fuel than the trailers they pull. That's not a burden. That's leadership. We have the chance to show the rest of the country what prosperity used wisely looks like. That means investing in future industries. Supporting national resilience. Being a fair partner, even when we could take more than we give. There's power in saying, 'Yes, we contribute more. Because we can. Because that's what leadership looks like.' Let others shout about fairness. Let Alberta show what strength really is.

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