Carney and premiers meet to talk fast-tracking national interest projects
SASKATOON, Sask. — Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet with premiers in Saskatoon today to discuss efforts to knock down trade barriers and fast-track projects deemed as benefiting the national interest.
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Carney had asked the 13 provincial and territorial leaders to come up with major infrastructure and energy projects that could be fast-tracked for approvals under a new federal process.
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The premiers will spend part of Monday's meeting receiving an overview of the proposed process set to be introduced through legislation by the end of June.
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Under the proposed bill, details of which were shared for consultation with First Nations groups, including the Assembly of First Nations, the federal Liberal government would establish a major projects office through which selected proposals would flow for approvals.
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The proposed legislation would allow projects to be deemed as carrying national significance to be exempt from certain steps of the existing approvals process.
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Carney has promised to shrink the timeframe for approvals of major infrastructure and energy projects to two years, down from five.
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But which projects could make the list is what the premiers are looking to hear from Carney and that will be the topic of discussion when the leaders meet behind closed doors.
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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said an oil pipeline from Alberta to British Columbia's coast 'must be on the initial list.'
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Should it not be, it would not only send a bad signal to investors, but also 'send an unwelcome signal to Albertans concerned about Ottawa's commitment to national security,' she wrote in a letter to Carney on May 16, which her office released last Saturday.
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Separatist sentiments have been rising in both Alberta and Saskatchewan.
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For his part, Carney has said he wants Canada to become an 'energy superpower.'
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As he meets with premiers, he faces calls from the CEOs of major Canadian energy companies, as well as Smith and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, to scrap policies critics say are hostile to pipeline development, such as the tanker ban off the coast of northern British Columbia and the Impact Assessment Act.
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Winnipeg Free Press
23 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
From local connections to grizzled vets
No, the 2024-25 NHL season is not finished, even if it might feel that way to many fans. The league didn't do itself any favours by going dark for five nights after the Florida Panthers and then the Edmonton Oilers punched their tickets to the Stanley Cup Final last week. But TV commitments, including stickhandling around the NBA Finals, meant an extended timeout. Good news: The waiting game is now over and the puck will finally drop on Wednesday night inside Rogers Place. It's the first championship rematch in 16 years and this series should be a dandy. These teams have plenty in common. They both finished third in their respective divisions during the regular season, essentially pacing themselves so they'd be ready when the stage got bigger. They've found another gear in the playoffs, winning three straight rounds in which they started on the road. There's no shortage of compelling storylines and reasons to tune in — even for folks around these parts who might have lost interest once the Winnipeg Jets were eliminated from contention last month. Let's dig into a few of the juiciest ones: WOE, CANADA: It has been 32 long years since the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Los Angeles Kings in five games to win the Stanley Cup for the 24th time in franchise history. Since then, the silver chalice has had a zip code rather than a postal code. Is this the year the Canadian championship drought finally ends? The Oilers (2006, 2024), Vancouver Canucks (1994, 2011), Calgary Flames (2004) and Montreal Canadiens (2021) have combined to go zero-for-six in the Final over that span, so hockey history would suggest a team from the Great White North is long overdue. Why not the one led by the game's best current player? Jason Franson / THE CANADIAN PRESS Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid raising the Stanley Cup would mimic Sidney Crosby and Wayne Gretzky's own first Cup wins — meeting the same team in back-to-back Finals and defeating them on their second try. Jason Franson / THE CANADIAN PRESS Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid raising the Stanley Cup would mimic Sidney Crosby and Wayne Gretzky's own first Cup wins — meeting the same team in back-to-back Finals and defeating them on their second try. Connor McDavid raising the trophy to the rafters would be rather fitting considering the way two other NHL mega-stars captured their first Cups. Wayne Gretzky finished as a runner-up in his inaugural bid as his Oilers were swept by the mighty Islanders in 1983. But the 'Great One' would win his first of four titles in 1984 as Edmonton found a way to end the New York dynasty (four straight championships). Sidney Crosby came up short in his first attempt back in 2008 as his Penguins were defeated by the Red Wings. However, the tables were turned the following spring as Pittsburgh downed Detroit in a thrilling seven-game series. 'The Kid' would go on to win two more times, in 2016 and 2017. Look, we get that Canadian hockey fans aren't exactly a united bunch. The majority of Jets supporters, for example, would rather walk on hot coals than cheer for the Oilers. You'll find similar sentiments in every market. But we say it's high time to have a little patriotic puck pride and tell Uncle Sam he can sit this one out for a change. THE LOCAL CONNECTIONS: This series is loaded with local angles, from those with strong Manitoba roots to former members of the Jets, both on the ice and behind the bench. Last spring, former Jets bench boss Paul Maurice finally got his name engraved on Lord Stanley's mug after an exciting Game 7 triumph. Having former Jets associate coach Jamie Kompon beside him for the ride enhanced the experience. There's also some Manitoba flavour on Maurice's coaching staff with video coach Myles Fee, who hails from Dauphin and was once a defenceman on the Dauphin Kings in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. The Panthers' blue line features Nate Schmidt, who has done an excellent job on the third pairing after the final season of his contract was bought out by the Jets last summer. Schmidt has three goals and seven points and has appeared in all 17 games during the playoffs. Schmidt's most frequent defence partner has been former Jet Dmitry Kulikov, who was on the Jets' third pairing during the run to the Western Conference final in 2018. As for the Oilers, they wouldn't have reached this point without the strong play between the pipes from Winnipegger Calvin Pickard during the first two rounds. Matt Krohn / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Oilers goaltender and Winnipeg product Calvin Pickard propelled Edmonton's run past the first round after standing tall against the Los Angeles Kings. Matt Krohn / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Oilers goaltender and Winnipeg product Calvin Pickard propelled Edmonton's run past the first round after standing tall against the Los Angeles Kings. Pickard got the call from Kris Knoblach for Game 3 in the first round and quickly rattled off six victories before suffering a lower-body injury. He returned to the backup role in Game 4 against the Dallas Stars and is on call if his services are required. Former Jets left-winger Evander Kane is having an incredible impact for someone who sat out the entire regular season. With six goals and 11 points in 15 games, Kane sits fifth in team scoring, just behind defenceman Evan Bouchard, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Leon Draisaitl and McDavid. That's impressive stuff and Kane's ability to crash the crease and play a physical game will be essential against Mathew Tkachuk and the Panthers. Former Jets D-man Mark Stuart is an assistant coach with the Oilers and is in charge of a penalty killing unit that's encountered some ups-and-downs, but will be relied on heavily against a Panthers power play that is operating at 23.2 per cent through 17 games. THE GRIZZLED VETERANS: Two of the oldest players in the NHL are four wins away from the second Stanley Cup of their respective careers — and both are playing an important role. Acquiring Brad Marchand from the Boston Bruins just under the wire at the NHL trade deadline was a stroke of genius by Panthers general manager Bill Zito. Marchand, 37, has been a perfect fit for the bruising, yet skilled game the Panthers like to play. Used on the so-called third line with Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen, Marchand has been at his agitating best while chipping in at nearly a point per game pace (with four goals and 14 points in 17 playoff games). He's looking for his first title since winning it all with the Bruins in 2011 in what was his first full season and has been back only once since — losing to the St. Louis Blues in seven games in 2019. John Locher / THE CANADIAN PRESS Edmonton Oilers right wing Corey Perry scores against Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series. The 40-year-old winger has seven goals and 10 points in 16 playoff games this spring. John Locher / THE CANADIAN PRESS Edmonton Oilers right wing Corey Perry scores against Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series. The 40-year-old winger has seven goals and 10 points in 16 playoff games this spring. For the Oilers, Corey Perry continues to hold off Father Time with his blend of sandpaper and skill. Although his game has evolved from his days as a Hart Trophy and Rocket Richard Trophy winner back in 2011, the 40-year-old winger has seven goals and 10 points in 16 playoff games this spring. That's outstanding production on an Oilers team that's had a number of players step up in the secondary scoring department. Perry, who suited up for Team Canada at the memorable World Junior Hockey Championship in Grand Forks, N.D., back in 2005, is about to play in his sixth Stanley Cup final — and fifth in the past six years. But he hasn't won it all since his first trip with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007. One of these grizzled veterans is going to be a multiple Stanley Cup champion at some point during the next couple of weeks. And don't be surprised if they spend some time in this series getting under one another's skin in between providing important goals for their respective teams. THE GOALIE BATTLE: This will be one of the most fascinating stories of this series. On paper, the Panthers figure to have a decisive edge, since Sergei Bobrovsky is playing even better than he did last spring when he led the Panthers to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. There's probably nobody who benefited more from the lengthy break than Bobrovsky, who is 12-5 with a 2.11 goals-against average and .912 save percentage this spring (compared to going 16-8 with a 2.32 goals-against average and .906 save percentage in the 2024 playoffs). But that's part of the beauty of hockey. Many numbers can be informative, but the unpredictable nature of the goalie position makes it difficult to discern why certain things are happening on any given night. Karl DeBlaker / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is 12-5 with a 2.11 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage during this season's playoff run. Karl DeBlaker / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is 12-5 with a 2.11 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage during this season's playoff run. That's what makes the journey of Oilers netminder Stuart Skinner so interesting. For the second consecutive spring, Stuart lost the net to Pickard — this time after consecutive losses to the Los Angeles Kings in the opening round. When the opportunity to return to the crease came, Skinner showed he was ready and he's racked up six wins of his own since that time. For the second consecutive spring, Skinner outplayed Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference final and he's ready for his second taste of the Stanley Cup final. MIKE SAYS: Take the following with a massive grain of salt considering I'm just 7-7 so far in my predictions this spring. Truth be told, the Oilers have surprised me every step of the way — I had them losing to Los Angeles, then Vegas, then Dallas. I'm not going to make the same mistake a fourth time. Although I love how the Panthers play and feel foolish picking against them, I think the Oilers find a way to get the job done in what should be another epic battle. Just like last year, this one is going the distance, but McDavid stands tall at the end and is named playoff MVP. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. KEN SAYS: Things have gone a bit sideways in the predictions game since a 6-2 start to the post-season in the opening round. After going 1-3 in the second, I correctly had the Panthers but didn't have the Oilers advancing, so that leaves me at 8-6 going into this Stanley Cup final. The Oilers are virtually clicking on all cylinders and their improved defensive play has many predicting the Canadian team drought is about to end. Getting Mattias Ekholm back is a huge boost on the back end for the Oilers, but the loss of energetic winger Zach Hyman is a massive blow — even with so many others doing their part at both ends of the ice. For me, not having Hyman tips the scales in what looks like a pick-'em series and that's why I'm taking the Panthers in six, with Bobrosvky getting the nod as the Conn Smythe winner. X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld Mike McIntyreReporter Mike McIntyre grew up wanting to be a professional wrestler. But when that dream fizzled, he put all his brawn into becoming a professional writer. Read full biography Ken WiebeReporter Raised in the booming metropolis of Altona, Man., Ken Wiebe grew up wanting to play in the NHL, but after realizing his hands were more adept at typing than scoring, he shifted his attention to cover his favourite sport as a writer. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Calgary Herald
24 minutes ago
- Calgary Herald
Oxford Properties takes over seven office towers in Calgary and Vancouver business districts
Article content Oxford Properties, a Canadian investor in real estate and property management, has bought out seven downtown office towers in Calgary and Vancouver's business districts. Article content In a news release shared Tuesday, the Toronto-based company announced that it had bought out Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board's 50 per cent interest in the office properties for $730 million, leaving it with full ownership of the $1.5-billion portfolio. Article content Article content In Calgary, that includes the 25-storey Eau Claire Tower (611,000 sq. ft), Centennial Place (1.3 million sq. ft), 400 Third (820,000 sq. ft) and The Stack (558,000 sq. ft). In Vancouver, the company would own the Guinness Tower (262,000 sq. ft), Marine building (177,000 sq. ft) and the MNP Tower (277,000 sq. ft), amounting to a four million square foot portfolio. Article content Article content Five of the seven properties were built after 2010, with only 400 Third and Centennial Place built in 1988 and 2010, respectively. Article content The move is a reversal of the company's longtime previous practices to dispose of office assets. Article content 'Oxford has been a net seller of office for over a decade to achieve portfolio diversification. We believe now is an opportune time to rotate capital back into this asset class, and this portfolio ticks all the right boxes,' said Tyler Seaman, the company's executive vice-president. Article content 'As the asset and property manager of this portfolio, this transaction represents a compelling opportunity for us to further invest in markets that we not only understand intimately, but in buildings where our teams have built great relationships with our customers and where we consistently use this advantage to outperform the market.' Article content
CBC
29 minutes ago
- CBC
Quebec's proposed forest management plan sparks tensions with Indigenous communities
Consultations are underway on Bill 97 at the National Assembly, and there's lots of anger. The legislation aims to modernize the way forests are managed in Quebec. But the Assembly of First Nations thinks the bond of trust with the natural resources minister is broken, and blockades of forest roads is probably the tip of the iceberg.
