Canada's leading tech startup Cohere strikes alliance with BCE to sell AI tools
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On Wednesday morning, Cohere Inc. and BCE Inc. announced a partnership that will make the startup's AI offerings, including its large language models and agentic AI platform, available through Bell Canada's AI data centres and fibre network.
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Canada is one of many countries pursuing a 'sovereign AI' strategy that emphasizes the use of homegrown resources in order to protect national economic and security interests as the technology becomes a new front line in global economic competition.
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Both Cohere and Bell Canada have talked up their abilities to provide secure and sovereign AI solutions as a selling point.
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Cohere, for its part, has made major efforts to shore up its position as the country's top homegrown AI provider. The deal with Bell adds another big business to a Canadian client list that includes the Royal Bank of Canada and Toronto-Dominion Bank.
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The company has lobbied Ottawa policymakers on AI rules and regulations as it pushes to secure government contracts. Last month, it inked an agreement with the Carney government to implement its AI tools for government operations and to advance AI safety research with national organizations such as the Canadian AI Safety Institute (CAISI) and the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR).
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Cohere will also receive up to $240 million to build and access AI compute from Ottawa's Sovereign AI Compute Strategy — a plan hatched by the former Trudeau government to build more domestic computing capacity. Cohere has teamed up with New Jersey cloud computing provider CoreWeave to launch a new data centre in Cambridge, Ont., this year.
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The Province
5 hours ago
- The Province
The two ways Trump's tariffs on Canada could collapse — despite his fight to keep them
The courts are considering whether they're even legal under U.S. law, and the American economy has yet to feel the pain of higher prices Dubbing it "Liberation Day," U.S. President Donald Trump announces his plan to enact sweeping new reciprocal tariffs worldwide, on April 2, 2025. Photo by Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images/File WASHINGTON, D.C. — Time's up. On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump raised the tariff rate on Canadian goods not covered under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) from 25 to 35 per cent, saying they 'have to pay a fair rate.' The White House claims it's because of Canada's failure to curb the 'ongoing flood of fentanyl and other illicit drugs.' U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data, however, show that fentanyl seizures from Canada make up less than 0.1 per cent of total U.S. seizures of the drug; most smuggling comes across the Mexican border. 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. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, 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 But the future of Trump's policy also rests on shaky ground, and the tariffs could come crashing down even if Canada can't reach a deal at some point. Imposed through a controversially declared 'national emergency' under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the tariffs come with essentially three paths for relief to Canadian exporters and their American customers: the courts and the economy. And there's always the wildcard: that the president changes his mind. Without relying on that, National Post looks at two very possible ways out of all this: The courts: There is a big question hanging over whether Trump's tariffs are even legal under the U.S. Constitution, which gives Congress powers over trade. Trump has bypassed that by claiming he's using presidential IEEPA emergency powers. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. On Thursday, the Washington, D.C.-based Federal Circuit Court of Appeals convened an en banc hearing for oral arguments in challenges to Trump's use of IEEPA. The 11 judges questioned whether the law meant for sanctioning adversaries or freezing assets during emergencies grants Trump the power to impose tariffs, with one judge noting, 'IEEPA doesn't even mention the word 'tariffs.'' The White House, meanwhile, says the law grants the president 'broad and flexible' emergency powers, including the ability to regulate imports. 'Based on the tenor and questions of the arguments, it appears that the challengers have the better odds of prevailing,' Thomas Berry, the CATO Institute's director of the Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies, said in a statement. 'Several judges peppered the government's attorney with skeptical questions about why a broad term in IEEPA like 'regulate importation' should be read to allow the president to unilaterally impose tariffs.' Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. 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. Trump's lawyers claim his executive order provides the justifications for the tariffs — in Canada's case, fentanyl. But Berry said 'those justifications would not matter if IEEPA simply does not authorize tariffs in the first place. That is the cleanest and simplest way to resolve this case, and it appears that the Federal Circuit may be leaning toward that result.' A decision is expected this month, and if it's a resounding push back from the judges' panel, said Andrew Hale, a senior policy analyst at Heritage Foundation, the Supreme Court may not even take up the case. If so, he says, 'these Liberation Day tariffs and everything that's been imposed under emergency legislation, IEEPA, that all evaporates.' At that point, the White House would not be able to declare across-the-board tariffs against countries. Instead, it would have to rely on laws allowing tariffs to be imposed on specific products that are found to threaten U.S. national security, like those currently imposed on Canadian steel and lumber. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The economy: The other path to tariff relief is through economic pressure. If Americans start to see higher prices and economic uncertainty, and push back at the ballot box — or threaten to do so — it could force Trump to reverse course. The most recent figures show that U.S. inflation, based on the Consumer Price Index, hit around 2.7 per cent in July. That's a slight rise, fuelled by rising prices for food, transportation and used cars. But it's still close to the Federal Reserve target of two per cent. U.S. unemployment rose slightly to 4.2 per cent in July, while far fewer jobs were created than expected, and consumer confidence rose two points but is still several points lower than it was in January. Overall, most economists agree that risks of a U.S. recession over the next 12 months are relatively low, but skepticism over growth remains high. 'Our outlook is for slower growth in the U.S., but no recession,' said Gus Faucher, chief economist of The PNC Financial Services Group. He notes that the 'tariffs are going to be a drag' because they are a tax increase on imports. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Economists have said price inflation from tariffs is not yet being felt in the U.S. but believe it's inevitable. 'Trump's tariff madness adds a great deal to the risks of a recession,' said Steven Hanke, professor of applied economics at Johns Hopkins University who served on President Ronald Reagan's Council of Economic Advisors. 'With tariffs, Americans are going to be paying a big new beautiful sales tax on goods and services imported into the U.S., and taxes slow things down. Taxes don't stimulate.' It is surprising that higher U.S. prices haven't happened yet, said Jonathan Gruber, chairman of the economics department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. But he explained that it's likely a reflection of the duration of contracts and the fact that import sellers haven't yet put up prices — 'because they were hoping it wouldn't be real, like they'd wake up from this nightmare.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I think we start to see the effect on prices by the end of the year,' said Gruber. The trouble for Canada, however, is that the Canadian economy is starting from a much weaker position, with higher unemployment, lower consumer confidence, and a slowing GDP, on top of the trade tensions. So, trying to wait things out for the U.S. to feel the pinch will be even more painful for Canadians. And any American downturn will also reverberate north. 'As Uncle Sam goes, so goes Canada,' said Hanke. Gruber agrees with that, but with a caveat. 'It's all bad in the short run and good in the long run,' he says. He believes the U.S. is 'weak and getting weaker' and that Canada should start taking advantage of how the U.S. is making opportunities for other countries to invest in themselves. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We're not investing in our future. We're killing our education. We're killing our research. We're not allowing in immigrants,' he said, explaining the weakening of the U.S. economy. 'We're basically setting the stage for long-run economic slower growth.' Meanwhile, China is doubling down on investment, research and other longer-term policies. 'Canada and other countries need to do the same,' Gruber said. And as for when a backlash could lead to a reversal in the U.S., Gruber points to two factors. 'It's got to be high inflation, and Trump's opponents need to make sure that the voters understand that's Trump's fault.' National Post tmoran@ Read More Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here. News News Tennis Columnists Vancouver Canucks
Winnipeg Free Press
6 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Hilary Weston, fashion mogul and former Ontario lieutenant-governor, dead at 83
Hilary Weston, an Irish-Canadian fashion mogul and former lieutenant-governor of Ontario who devoted time to issues tied to women, volunteerism and youth, has died at 83. In a statement Sunday, her family said the philanthropist and writer was shaped by an 'enduring generosity and a deep commitment to helping others.' 'Our mother lived with unwavering devotion to her family and a belief in the power and importance of community and service,' said Galen Weston Jr., who is her son and chairman and former president of Loblaw Companies Ltd. 'Brilliant, brave, companionate, and beautiful, she brought a touch of magic to everything she did — in her decades of public service, philanthropy and her remarkable business career. Her greatest joy was the life she created for her family and friends — filled with warmth, love and fun.' Born in Ireland on Jan. 12, 1942, Weston was the eldest of five children. She spent her early years as a fashion model to support her widowed mother and younger siblings. She married W. Galen Weston, known as Galen Weston Sr., in 1966 and moved to Toronto in the 1970s. She spent 10 years, beginning in 1986, working with luxury clothing brands Holt Renfrew and Brown Thomas & Co., as well as department store company Selfridges Group. Her charitable works include the Weston Family Foundation and the Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation following her husband's death in April 2021 at the age of 80. They were married for 55 years. Known for their connection to the Loblaw grocery store chain, the Westons are one of Canada's wealthiest families. She also co-authored two books on homes and gardens. In 1997, Weston became Ontario's lieutenant-governor and held the role until 2002, during which time she looked to highlight the contributions of volunteers, women and youth. She was given the Order of Canada in 2003 for outstanding achievement, dedication to community and service. At the time, she was the second woman to receive the award. In the family's statement, daughter Alannah Weston Cochrane said her mother loved a challenge. She also said Weston had elegance and high standards that 'were matched by her warmth and sense of humour.' 'But it was her vision, coupled with her enormous capacity for hard work, that made her a great female leader,' she said. 'Her insight, wisdom and strength as well as her belief in individuals made almost anything possible.' Irish Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris said in a statement he was 'deeply saddened' by Weston's death. 'Hilary was a very proud Irish-Canadian who served both Ireland and Canada with distinction and generosity,' he said. 'She made a lasting contribution to Irish-Canadian relations. 'I extend sincere condolences to her children, Alannah and Galen, and the entire Weston family.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 3, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
7 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Prime Minister Mark Carney attends Vancouver Pride parade after meeting with premier
VANCOUVER – Prime Minister Mark Carney surprised attendees at Vancouver's Pride parade Sunday after meeting with Premier David Eby and officials from the Vancouver port. Carney met with Vancouver Fraser Port Authority president and CEO Peter Xotta and DP World Canada chief operating officer Joel Werner in the morning, briefly appearing at a photo op with the two executives after pacing the port facility as a large container ship loomed above. The prime minister was then scheduled for a meeting with B.C. Premier David Eby that was closed to media as the province grapples with U.S. tariffs and renewed animosity in the long running softwood lumber dispute. Carney later surprised attendees at the Vancouver Pride parade, marching for about a kilometre along the route beginning outside B.C. Place Stadium. He says the Pride parade represents the 'essence of Canada,' celebrating diversity in a 'very positive way.' Carney was greeted by loud cheers from parade-goers lining the sidewalks along the route, and he zigzagged across the street several times to meet and greet supporters as his security detail followed closely. The prime minister at one point was handed a microphone by a drag queen who thanked him for coming, and Carney said the parade was 'the best of Canada.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 3, 2025.
