OTTAWA —
Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says the election of Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris is “good news” for Canada, expressing optimism about the future of the Canada-U.S. relationship after four years with outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump at the helm.
“I’m really hopeful, as I think all Canadians are feeling today… think about climate change, think about the COVID response, think about the economic recovery plan,” Champagne said in an interview on CTV’s Question Period.
The foreign affairs minister said the change of leadership in the United States will mean “new opportunities and possibilities” for Canada.
“Those are the words that came up in the president-elect’s speech yesterday,” Champagne said, referencing Biden’s acceptance speech in Delaware on Saturday night in which he called on Americans to set aside their differences.
“Whether it’s about climate change, whether it’s about the big challenge we have like COVID, rebuilding the economy, I am very hopeful because when you look at the challenges that the world is facing we’re certainly going to be renewing our engagement,” the foreign affairs minister said.
“This is the most important relationship I would say for Canada… Whether it’s on the international stage, whether it’s in our bilateral relationship, this is good news and we’ll be able to work very well with the administration,” Champagne said, predicting the pair will bring “more stability and predictability” to the relationship.
The election was called for Biden and Harris on Saturday, when the Democrats secured 290 electoral college votes by picking up the key battleground states of Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Arizona, with still outstanding calls in Georgia, North Carolina, and Alaska.
On Saturday, political leaders in Canada were quick to offer their congratulations to the pair, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying he is “really looking forward” to working together.
While Trump has yet to concede, and outstanding recounts and legal challenges are set to proceed, Champagne said that Canada is hoping for a “smooth transition,” but plans are in place for all scenarios over the next two months.
The Biden team has already got to work on a transition, with a top focus on a new COVID-19 task force of scientists and doctors who will help him address the still-surging pandemic as soon as he’s inaugurated in January.
“I will spare no effort, none, or any commitment to turn around this pandemic,” Biden said.
Until January, Trump remains president and will be in charge of addressing the ongoing health crisis in that country. As of Sunday there are more than 50,000 Americans currently hospitalized with COVID-19 and since election day, record numbers of new daily cases have been reported.
Asked what he thinks Biden will do differently than Trump on the COVID-19 response, Champagne said “he talked about science.”
“The more that we can do together in terms of supply chain coordinating, making sure that we have a mutual understanding of the border, I think all these things are positive… You can look also at vaccines,” said Champagne.
The Trump administration has challenged the Trudeau Liberals at times over the last four years, with personal and policy conflicts erupting periodically between the leaders of the two countries, including over the renegotiation of NAFTA.
It’s largely expected that Trudeau and the Liberals will have an easier go at cross-border collaboration under a more ideologically-aligned Biden-led administration.
Looking at Biden’s platform, there are a series of parallels to promises Trudeau has made, however one of the biggest points of difference is on the fate of the Keystone XL pipeline. The multi-billion dollar project would transfer more than 800,000 barrels per day of crude oil from Alberta to Nebraska, but Biden vowed early on that he would scrap the pipeline, despite Canada’s backing and Alberta already investing billions into the project.
Asked what Canada is going to do to fight the pipeline project from being killed, Champagne said that the federal government will “make our case.”
“We’ll remind our American partners that Canada is the best energy supplier, reliable to the United States… You have to look at the North American space and see who is the most reliable, stable, predictable energy supplier,” Champagne said, adding that Canada’s climate goals will also play a role.
EDMONTON – RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker.
Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation.
Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6.
Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck.
Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest.
RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed and dangerous.
Chief Supt. Roberta McKale, told a news conference in Edmonton that officers had received tips and information over the last few weeks.
“I don’t know of many members that when were stopped, fuelling up our vehicles, we weren’t keeping an eye out, looking for him,” she said.
But officers had been investigating other cases when they found Strawberry.
“Our investigators were in O’Chiese First Nation at a residence on another matter and the major crimes unit was there working another file and ended up locating him hiding in the residence,” McKale said.
While an investigation is still underway, RCMP say they’re confident both suspects in the case are in police custody.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
RICHMOND, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 26-year-old son of a man found dead on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with his murder.
Police say 58-year-old Henry Doyle was found badly injured on a forest service road in Egmont last September and died of his injuries.
The homicide team took over when the BC Coroners Service said the man’s death was suspicious.
It says in a statement that the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the man’s son, Jackson Doyle.
Police say the accused will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.
The homicide team says investigators remained committed to solving the case with the help of the community of Egmont, the RCMP on the Sunshine Coast and in Richmond, and the Vancouver Police Department.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.
Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. Friday and made “some progress.”
However, he says the union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.
McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”
About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.
McCann asks HandyDART users to be “patient,” since they are trying to get not only a fair contract for workers but also a better service for customers.
He says it’s unclear when the talks will resume, but he hopes next week at the latest.
The employer, Transdev, didn’t reply to an interview request before publication.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
