Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has spoken up for the first time since his calls for Israel to show “maximum restraint” in its war against Hamas led to a rebuke from Israel’s Prime Minister.
A social media post and a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office today disclosed that Trudeau spoke yesterday with Benny Gantz, a former Israeli general and defence minister who is now a member of Israel’s war cabinet.
Trudeau’s call earlier this week for “maximum restraint” prompted Benjamin Netanyahu to tag Trudeau on X, formerly Twitter, saying the “forces of civilization must back Israel in defeating Hamas barbarism.” Leaders of the Jewish community in Canada were also critical of Trudeau’s remarks during a news conference in British Columbia.
“I reaffirmed Canada’s support for Israel and its right to defend itself, in accordance with international law, and emphasized the importance of taking all possible measures to protect civilians,” Trudeau said in today’s postingon X.
Also, he said he unequivocally condemned Hamas’ terrorist attacks, including the “atrocious use” of Palestinian civilians as human shields. Trudeau also said he noted that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people nor the legitimate aspirations they have.
Gantz referenced his discussion with Trudeau in his own posting on X, writing Trudeau conveyed his long-standing support for the state of Israel and its right to self defence.
“We discussed the war’s development in Gaza, the atrocious Hamas terror attack and the efforts to release the hostages held in Gaza immediately. I shared my concern for rising antisemitism globally and I emphasised the cynical abuse by terrorist Hamas of Palestinian citizens as human shields,” Gantz wrote.
The Prime Minister made his initial remarks during a news conference in Maple Ridge, B.C., and yesterday departed Vancouver for the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit in San Francisco, where he is today.
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TODAY’S HEADLINES
Ottawa’s focus at APEC is economic growth across Pacific Rim: International Trade Minister – Mary Ng says Canada will be especially focused on creating conditions for companies to expand their business in the region.
Rare trial of ex-RCMP intelligence director hears closing arguments – A defence lawyer for Cameron Ortis addressed the jury today, saying his client was acting to better situate the country and Five Eyes partners, through actions that he took and that he had the authority to do what he did. Story here.
Saskatchewan introduces bill on withholding carbon tax on natural gas – The bill would protect Crown corporation SaskEnergy, all of its current and former directors, officers, employees and other associates from legal consequences of not remitting the levy.
Ontario advised to abandon tuition freeze as universities and colleges face financial strain – A blue-ribbon panel commissioned by government to examine the system’s financial sustainability recommends a 5-per-cent increase in tuition in 2024-25, then raises of 2 per cent a year thereafter, or at the rate of inflation.
Off-reserve Indigenous children say they’ve been ‘forgotten’ by federal government, seek compensation over child-welfare system – The lead representative plaintiff of a class-action lawsuit says that as a result of her being taken into the child-welfare system, she suffered mentally and emotionally, owing to a loss of her culture and identity. Story here.
Alberta COVID-19 panel calls for consideration of ‘alternative scientific narratives’ for future health emergencies – The panel made more than 90 recommendations on legislation and governing processes, with suggestions that, if implemented, would strengthen individual rights and could inhibit public-health measures. Story here.
Former Manitoba premier Heather Stefanson leaves door open to exit in near future – Stefanson says she may leave the Progressive Conservative helm once the party works out the procedures for electing her successor.
The Globe and Mail wins two Jack Webster Awards for B.C. journalism – One award was for an investigation into the failure of police oversight bodies to hold officers accountable, and the other was for coverage of arts institutions challenged by cultural controversies. Story here.
Eby honours Deadpool star – B.C. Premier David Eby and provincial Liuetenant-Governor Janet Austin have honored Vancouver-born actor Ryan Reynolds with the Order of B.C. at a private ceremony. Eby comments here. The star of such films as Deadpool and its sequel spoke here about the honour, his B.C. roots and career.
THIS AND THAT
No plans to quit: Environment Minister – Steven Guilbeault has addressed speculation that he will quit if there are any further adjustments or carve-outs to carbon pricing. “I love being Environment Minister,” he said at a news conference today. “It’s a dream job for me and I have no intention of leaving the job anytime soon. Canadians may decide otherwise, obviously, in our democracy, but for the time being, I want to stay right where I am.” Speculation about an exit arose after the federal government exempted home-heating oil from carbon pricing, adjusting one of their key policies. Guilbeault said there would be no carve-outs with him as Environment Minister, in line with the government’s current position. “The Prime Minister said there would be no more carve-outs. I take my marching orders from the Prime Minister of Canada. That’s the scenario I am working with.”
Rae term extended – Bob Rae, Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations, sayshis term representing Canada has been extended until the summer of 2025.
Commons and Senate on a break – The House of Commons is on a break until Monday. The Senate sits again on Tuesday.
Deputy Prime Minister’s day – At a news conference with Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, Chrystia Freeland announced $2-million in federal support for a former industrial brick factory that’s been turned into a community environmental centre.
Ministers on the road – Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier, in the town of Chandler, Que., announced federal support for 16 businesses and organizations in the tourism sector in Gaspésie and Îles‑de‑la‑Madeleine. Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan, also minister for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, was in Vancouver to announce funding to help Vancouver-based tech businesses. Later, in Burnaby, Sajjan attended the Burnaby Business Excellence Awards to announce funding for an innovative Burnaby-based clean energy development business.
PRIME MINISTER’S DAY
Justin Trudeau, in San Francisco for theAsia-Pacific Economic Co-operation leaders’ summit, held a series of meetings with Pacific leaders. He met individually with Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, and Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. He participated in a family photo of leaders attending the gathering, and the APEC leaders’ working lunch. Trudeau later met with Vietnam President Vo Van Thuong, then Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Trudeau attended the opening session of the APEC leaders’ dialogue with the APEC Business Advisory Council. His day is to end by attending the APEC leaders’ dinner.
LEADERS
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves François Blanchet is in Quebec on a tour of Rimouski and the Gaspé Peninsula.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre held an evening rally in London, Ont.
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, on Vancouver Island, attended a monthly breakfast meeting of the Sidney by the Sea Rotary.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh was scheduled to attend the Broadbent Institute’s 2023 Progress Gala in Toronto where Mayor Olivia Chow is keynote speaker.
THE DECIBEL
On today’s edition of The Globe and Mail podcast, The Globe’s Janice Dickson talks about Afghans who are waiting to be resettled in Canada and have taken refuge in Pakistan since fleeing their homes when the Taliban took control in 2021. Some have been deported already. She explains the dangerous limbo they’re in, and why it’s taking so long to get help from the Canadian government. The Decibel is here.
TRIBUTE
Karl Tremblay – Quebec Premier François Legault, in a posting on X, paid tribute to “a big star, a beautiful star. A shooting star” – Karl Tremblay, singer for Les Cowboys Fringants, an award-winning Quebec band. Tremblay, 47, died of prostate cancer, band members announced yesterday. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also honoured the singer, calling him an icon. “Karl Tremblay’s impact on Quebec and its culture is unmatched. With his music, he entertained millions across the province – and with his voice, he inspired countless others,” Trudeau wrote on X.
PUBLIC OPINION
Carbon pricing – The Angus Reid Institute has new polling research out that suggests a majority of Canadians want federal carbon pricing scrapped or waived for the next three years. Details here.
OPINION
The Globe and Mail Editorial Boardon how, with a flawed labour bill, the Liberals are striking a blow for the Liberals: “The Trudeau government’s new bill banning temporary replacement workers during strikes and lockouts in federally regulated workplaces is bad in so many ways. It is unnecessary, given that the gains made in the past year by workers in the auto industry, in the federal public service, in grocery stores and elsewhere are evidence there is a balance in labour-employer relations. The ban’s implementation would unjustifiably tip the scales in favour of unions. There is also plenty of research showing that a ban on replacement workers could result in more frequent strikes that last longer – evidence the government has chosen to ignore but which contradicts one of its main reasons for implementing the ban.”
Andrew Coyne (The Globe and Mail)on what should be – but won’t be – in Canada’s federal mini-budget:“The polls have been taken, the focus groups have been convened, the stakeholders have been consulted: Next week it all comes to a head in the Finance Minister’s fall economic statement, an annual ritual that in recent years has taken on the trappings of a mini-budget. For myself, I have a short list of “asks,” none of which I expect to see in the statement.”
Ahmed Khalifa and Karen Mock (Contributed to The Globe and Mail)on how conflict in the Middle East has affected efforts to build peace between Israeli and Palestinian teens: “We are deeply disappointed in Canadian adults who enjoy all the rights and freedoms of this great country and choose to use those freedoms to promote anger and hatred. In all of our years of assisting young people from the Middle East, we didn’t think we’d need to address the heightened displays of vitriol and hate put on by adults in our own neighbourhoods here in Canada.”
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OTTAWA – The federal agency that investigates election infractions found insufficient evidence to support suggestions Beijing wielded undue influence against the Conservatives in the Vancouver area during the 2021 general election.
The Commissioner of Canada Elections’ recently completed review of the lingering issue was tabled Tuesday at a federal inquiry into foreign interference.
The review focused on the unsuccessful campaign of Conservative candidate Kenny Chiu in the riding of Steveston-Richmond East and the party’s larger efforts in the Vancouver area.
It says the evidence uncovered did not trigger the threshold to initiate a formal investigation under the Canada Elections Act.
Investigators therefore recommended that the review be concluded.
A summary of the review results was shared with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the RCMP. The review says both agencies indicated the election commissioner’s findings were consistent with their own understanding of the situation.
During the exercise, the commissioner’s investigators met with Chinese Canadian residents of Chiu’s riding and surrounding ones.
They were told of an extensive network of Chinese Canadian associations, businesses and media organizations that offers the diaspora a lifestyle that mirrors that of China in many ways.
“Further, this diaspora has continuing and extensive commercial, social and familial relations with China,” the review says.
Some interviewees reported that this “has created aspects of a parallel society involving many Chinese Canadians in the Lower Mainland area, which includes concerted support, direction and control by individuals from or involved with China’s Vancouver consulate and the United Front Work Department (UFWD) in China.”
Investigators were also made aware of members of three Chinese Canadian associations, as well as others, who were alleged to have used their positions to influence the choice of Chinese Canadian voters during the 2021 election in a direction favourable to the interests of Beijing, the review says.
These efforts were sparked by elements of the Conservative party’s election platform and by actions and statements by Chiu “that were leveraged to bolster claims that both the platform and Chiu were anti-China and were encouraging anti-Chinese discrimination and racism.”
These messages were amplified through repetition in social media, chat groups and posts, as well as in Chinese in online, print and radio media throughout the Vancouver area.
Upon examination, the messages “were found to not be in contravention” of the Canada Elections Act, says the review, citing the Supreme Court of Canada’s position that the concept of uninhibited speech permeates all truly democratic societies and institutions.
The review says the effectiveness of the anti-Conservative, anti-Chiu campaigns was enhanced by circumstances “unique to the Chinese diaspora and the assertive nature of Chinese government interests.”
It notes the election was prefaced by statements from China’s ambassador to Canada and the Vancouver consul general as well as articles published or broadcast in Beijing-controlled Chinese Canadian media entities.
“According to Chinese Canadian interview subjects, this invoked a widespread fear amongst electors, described as a fear of retributive measures from Chinese authorities should a (Conservative) government be elected.”
This included the possibility that Chinese authorities could interfere with travel to and from China, as well as measures being taken against family members or business interests in China, the review says.
“Several Chinese Canadian interview subjects were of the view that Chinese authorities could exercise such retributive measures, and that this fear was most acute with Chinese Canadian electors from mainland China. One said ‘everybody understands’ the need to only say nice things about China.”
However, no interview subject was willing to name electors who were directly affected by the anti-Tory campaign, nor community leaders who claimed to speak on a voter’s behalf.
Several weeks of public inquiry hearings will focus on the capacity of federal agencies to detect, deter and counter foreign meddling.
In other testimony Tuesday, Conservative MP Garnett Genuis told the inquiry that parliamentarians who were targeted by Chinese hackers could have taken immediate protective steps if they had been informed sooner.
It emerged earlier this year that in 2021 some MPs and senators faced cyberattacks from the hackers because of their involvement with the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, which pushes for accountability from Beijing.
In 2022, U.S. authorities apparently informed the Canadian government of the attacks, and it in turn advised parliamentary IT officials — but not individual MPs.
Genuis, a Canadian co-chair of the inter-parliamentary alliance, told the inquiry Tuesday that it remains mysterious to him why he wasn’t informed about the attacks sooner.
Liberal MP John McKay, also a Canadian co-chair of the alliance, said there should be a clear protocol for advising parliamentarians of cyberthreats.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2024.
WINNIPEG – The federal New Democrats have kept a longtime stronghold in the Elmwood-Transcona riding in Winnipeg.
The NDP’s Leila Dance won a close battle over Conservative candidate Colin Reynolds, and says the community has spoken in favour of priorities such as health care and the cost of living.
Elmwood-Transcona has elected a New Democrat in every election except one since the riding was formed in 1988.
The seat became open after three-term member of Parliament Daniel Blaikie resigned in March to take a job with the Manitoba government.
A political analyst the NDP is likely relieved to have kept the seat in what has been one of their strongest urban areas.
Christopher Adams, an adjunct professor of political studies at the University of Manitoba, says NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh worked hard to keep the seat in a tight race.
“He made a number of visits to Winnipeg, so if they had lost this riding it would have been disastrous for the NDP,” Adams said.
The strong Conservative showing should put wind in that party’s sails, Adams added, as their percentage of the popular vote in Elmwood-Transcona jumped sharply from the 2021 election.
“Even though the Conservatives lost this (byelection), they should walk away from it feeling pretty good.”
Dance told reporters Monday night she wants to focus on issues such as the cost of living while working in Ottawa.
“We used to be able to buy a cart of groceries for a hundred dollars and now it’s two small bags. That is something that will affect everyone in this riding,” Dance said.
Liberal candidate Ian MacIntyre placed a distant third,
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2024
OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau say the Liberals have “all sorts of reflections” to make after losing a second stronghold in a byelection in Montreal Monday night.
His comments come as the Liberal cabinet gathers for its first regularly scheduled meeting of the fall sitting of Parliament, which began Monday.
Trudeau’s Liberals were hopeful they could retain the Montreal riding of LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, but those hopes were dashed after the Bloc Québécois won it in an extremely tight three-way race with the NDP.
Louis-Philippe Sauvé, an administrator at the Institute for Research in Contemporary Economics, beat Liberal candidate Laura Palestini by less than 250 votes. The NDP finished about 600 votes back of the winner.
It is the second time in three months that Trudeau’s party lost a stronghold in a byelection. In June, the Conservatives defeated the Liberals narrowly in Toronto-St. Paul’s.
The Liberals won every seat in Toronto and almost every seat on the Island of Montreal in the last election, and losing a seat in both places has laid bare just how low the party has fallen in the polls.
“Obviously, it would have been nicer to be able to win and hold (the Montreal riding), but there’s more work to do and we’re going to stay focused on doing it,” Trudeau told reporters ahead of this morning’s cabinet meeting.
When asked what went wrong for his party, Trudeau responded “I think there’s all sorts of reflections to take on that.”
In French, he would not say if this result puts his leadership in question, instead saying his team has lots of work to do.
Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet will hold a press conference this morning, but has already said the results are significant for his party.
“The victory is historic and all of Quebec will speak with a stronger voice in Ottawa,” Blanchet wrote on X, shortly after the winner was declared.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and his party had hoped to ride to a win in Montreal on the popularity of their candidate, city councillor Craig Sauvé, and use it to further their goal of replacing the Liberals as the chief alternative to the Conservatives.
The NDP did hold on to a seat in Winnipeg in a tight race with the Conservatives, but the results in Elmwood-Transcona Monday were far tighter than in the last several elections. NDP candidate Leila Dance defeated Conservative Colin Reynolds by about 1,200 votes.
Singh called it a “big victory.”
“Our movement is growing — and we’re going to keep working for Canadians and building that movement to stop Conservative cuts before they start,” he said on social media.
“Big corporations have had their governments. It’s the people’s time.”
New Democrats recently pulled out of their political pact with the government in a bid to distance themselves from the Liberals, making the prospects of a snap election far more likely.
Trudeau attempted to calm his caucus at their fall retreat in Nanaimo, B.C, last week, and brought former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney on as an economic adviser in a bid to shore up some credibility with voters.
The latest byelection loss will put more pressure on him as leader, with many polls suggesting voter anger is more directed at Trudeau himself than at Liberal policies.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2024.
