Carney government tables $486B spending plan
Prime Minister Mark Carney has previously said his government will not present a federal budget until the fall, but it's already spending money. David Akin looks at how the Liberals have tabled $468 billion in spending plans, and what's missing from the proposal.
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Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
It's time to act on foreign interference, attacks on dissidents, say opposition MPs
Opposition parties are calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney's government to quickly implement key provisions of the law adopted last year to counter foreign interference following new revelations that attacks on Chinese dissidents living in Canada and around the world are on the rise. Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong said the "brazen" attacks by the Chinese government constitute a threat to Canadian democracy. "We've had more than enough reports, public inquiries, commissions that have highlighted this transnational repression and foreign interference," Chong said in an interview with CBC News. "It's now time for action." Chong's comments come in the wake of an investigation by CBC News, in conjunction with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), which found attacks by the Chinese government on dissidents living in Canada — and around the world — are on the rise. Questioning of family members in China. Surveillance. Threatening phone calls. Online attacks. Spamouflage — which in one case led to fake, sexually explicit photos of one Quebec woman being spread online. In many cases, dissidents are targeted for expressing opinions contrary to the Chinese government's positions on what it calls "the five poisons": democracy in Hong Kong, treatment of Uyghurs, Tibetan freedom, the Falun Gong and Taiwanese independence. The Chinese embassy has yet to respond to questions from CBC News. It's a trend that worries experts on China, who say the attacks damage democracy and national security in Canada. Last June, Parliament adopted Bill C-70, which set out to counter foreign influence in elections and transnational repression of dissidents living in Canada. The legislation called for the establishment of a foreign agent registry and a foreign influence commissioner's office. Nearly a year later, those measures have not yet been put in place. NDP MP Jenny Kwan says it's time. "In light of the CBC investigation and the reports that have now come out, you would think that this would be a priority for the government. But so far, I have yet to hear the prime minister say foreign interference, transnational repression is a top priority for them." Kwan said people who are targeted by China are often told to go to the police, however she said that has often resulted in no action being taken. "All of that only just reinforces for them that there is no avenue for them to seek protection, that the Canadian government is not there with them in the face of such threats," she said. Bloc Québécois MP Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe said the government will be sending China a message if it doesn't act. "You can do whatever you want, we won't move. That's what the message will be. This is very dangerous," he said. Brunelle Duceppe said the Bloc has called for transnational repression to be added to Canada's Criminal Code. Chong said implementing Bill C-70 doesn't appear to be a priority for Carney's government. "The early signs are troubling," Chong said. "There's no mention in the speech from the throne. There's been no update on the establishment of this registry, and we've heard little from the government about protecting Canadians from these national security threats." The Public Safety Department says it is working on drafting the regulations to enact Bill C-70, setting up the commissioner's office and the IT infrastructure for the registry. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree's office has yet to respond to an interview request from CBC News.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Resurrecting Hudson's Bay, in a Limited Way
Hudson's Bay is liquidating all of its stores but won't completely disappear from the Canadian retail landscape. The Canadian Tire Corp. has entered into a definitive agreement to buy the intellectual properties of Hudson's Bay, including the time-honored HBC stripes and various company names, logos, designs, coat of arms and brand trademarks, for 30 million Canadian dollars. More from WWD Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney's Wife Has Her Own Global Career Experience Paris Jewellers Canada Inks Deal With Professional Women's Hockey League Hudson's Bay Extends Liquidation to Entire Fleet Hudson's Bay this year started liquidating all 80 of its stores, which are situated throughout Canada, but the deal with Canadian Tire means the signature Hudson's Bay merchandise, most notably the blankets and accessories bearing the familiar Hudson's Bay stripes, will survive. Canadian Tire is also bidding for a handful of Hudson's Bay leases, most likely to be converted into Canadian Tire retail formats, and less likely for reviving any Hudson's Bay stores. The locations being pursued were not disclosed, nor did Canadian Tire indicate what any Hudson's Bay leases would be used for. Among Hudson's Bay's key locations are those in downtown Toronto on Queen Street; the Yorkdale Shopping Center in Toronto; the Hillcrest Mall in Richmond Hill, Ontario; in downtown Montreal; in Laval and in Pointe-Claire, both cities in Quebec. The venerable Hudson's Bay chain was brought down by stronger competition, younger generations opting to shop new formats such as Aritzia, a lack of investment, too much debt and a string of management changes and repositionings over the last two decades as it tried to find its way. Recent talks to secure financing fell apart. Hudson's Bay was part of the same retail group led by Richard Baker that owned Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks Off 5th, but when Saks purchased the Neiman Marcus Group in December in a $2.7 billion deal forming Saks Global, Hudson's Bay was separated from the operation. Baker's NRDC Equity Partners bought Hudson's Bay in 2008 for around $1 billion from the widow of South Carolina industrialist Jerry Zucker, who bought Hudson's Bay two years before for $1.1 billion. 'It's disheartening to witness the final days of another great Canadian retailer, and while the circumstances are unfortunate, we're proud to step in for customers,' Greg Hicks, the president and chief executive officer of Canadian Tire, said in a statement. 'Ultimately, customers are at the core of all we do, and by Canadians' reaction to recent rumors of this news, it is clear they see us as a great home for HBC's heritage. 'Canadian Tire and the Hudson's Bay Company are among the nation's longest-standing companies, with a combined Canadian heritage measured in centuries,' Hicks added. 'Some things are just meant to stay Canadian.' Hudson's Bay is 355 years old. Canadian Tire is 103 years old. The deal to sustain Hudson's Bay, albeit in a limited way, 'feels as strategic as it feels patriotic,' Hicks added. 'It builds on our generational connection to life in Canada and it fits our new True North strategy. The stripes will add beautifully to our portfolio of owned brands alongside other Canadian favorites that we have fostered and grown, and The Bay and its brands have long been known for their strength in categories that our customers will seek in our stores and online.' The agreement is subject to court approval and other customary terms and conditions. Canadian Tire expects the transaction to close later this summer. There are approximately 500 Canadian Tire retail locations, selling a vast array of merchandise including automotive products, pipes, party products, tools, repair products, lawn equipment, sports and outdoor equipment. The Toronto-based Canadian Tire also operates SportChek, Mark's, and Party City stores in Canada. Best of WWD Macy's Is Closing 66 Stores in 2025 — Here's the List, Live Updates Inside the Demise of Lord & Taylor COVID-19 Spikes Elevate Retail Concerns Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Top priority': Carney stresses Canada's need for new relations with U.S.
Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada needs a new relationship with the U.S. regardless of how President Donald Trump's trade war plays out. Mackenzie Gray looks at how the federal government is re-evaluating Canada-U.S. relations.
