The world's tallest teen, 7-foot-9 center Olivier Rioux, gives football a try at Florida
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Vancouver Sun
an hour ago
- Vancouver Sun
'Dangerous and premature': Canada's Jewish advocacy groups decry Carney's Palestinian announcement
Jewish groups in Canada reacted swiftly and negatively to Prime Minister Mark Carney's announcement Wednesday that the country will recognize a State of Palestine at the United Nations in September. Carney told reporters that the recognition was conditional on the Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank, going forward with significant reforms including demilitarization and holding a general election in 2026. He also accused the Israeli government of failing to 'prevent the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian disaster in Gaza.' Today, the Prime Minister stated that Canada will pre-emptively recognize a Palestinian state. This is predicated on misplaced faith in vague commitments by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, notorious for his corruption, lack of democratic credibility, and funding of… Noah Shack, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, released a statement Wednesday on what the group called 'Canada's Middle East Position.' The CIJA is the advocacy agent of Jewish Federations of Canada-UIA, representing Jewish Federations across Canada. 'Today, the Prime Minister stated that Canada will pre-emptively recognize a Palestinian state,' Shack said. 'This is predicated on misplaced faith in vague commitments by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, notorious for his corruption, lack of democratic credibility, and funding of terrorists.' He continued: 'Extending recognition absent real change on the ground is a recipe for another failed Palestinian pseudo-state controlled by terrorists. It is deeply concerning that the government did not make statehood recognition contingent on the removal of Hamas from Gaza and the return of Israeli hostages. This only emboldens Hamas and condemns Palestinians and Israelis — including the hostages and their families — to more suffering. 'Our community seeks an end to this painful conflict and a better future where Israelis and Palestinians can coexist in peace. As the Prime Minister previously said, this requires a Palestinian state to be Zionist — affirming the right of a democratic, Jewish state to exist in safety. Pre-emptive recognition of a Palestinian state undermines this core principle.' The organization also has information on how to contact Carney with the message: 'Real peace = no failed terror state.' B'nai Brith Canada is deeply concerned following Prime Minister Mark Carney's announcement Wednesday evening that his Government intends to recognize a Palestinian state during the United Nations (UN) 80th General Assembly in September. "This decision is dangerously premature,'… B'nai Brith Canada echoed that sentiment, calling Carney's announcement 'dangerous and premature.' 'As the Government's intent to recognize a Palestinian state is predicated on the Palestinian Authority (PA)'s commitment to democratic reform and demilitarization, B'nai Brith Canada questions whether the PA can be trusted as a legitimate state actor and partner in the peace process,' said Richard Robertson, the organization's director of research and advocacy. 'Although Canada should play a leading role in securing an end to the Israel-Palestine conflict, recognizing Palestine as a state at this juncture would be premature and could undermine efforts to achieve a lasting peace,' he continued. 'Such a decision could also be leveraged by anti-Israel extremists as an endorsement of their vitriolic actions that have been fomenting hate across Canada.' Avi Abraham Benlolo, CEO and chair of the Abraham Global Peace Initiative and a National Post columnist, took to social media to announce that the AGPI 'D enounces Canada's Announcement to recognize a Palestinian State (and) Calls on Canadians to take Action.' AGPI Denounces Canada's Announcement to recognize a Palestinian State, Calls on Canadians to take Action. @MarkJCarney @CdnPressNews #cdnpoli @CBC 'Canada's endorsement of a Palestinian state — without a roadmap for peace or clarity on borders, leadership, or governance — is not a step toward peace; it is a reward for terrorism,' he said on the group's website . 'Prime Minister Mark Carney does not have a plan. There is no agreement between the two parties. A two-state solution cannot be imposed from abroad — it must be the outcome of direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. And yet none of that is happening.' The group is calling on supporters 'to immediately contact Members of Parliament in their ridings and across the country to express deep dissatisfaction with this dangerous and short-sighted decision.' [related_links / 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 .
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
PM Carney says trade talks with U.S. may not end by Aug. 1 deadline
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens on the 'difficult six months' the city has faced with steel and auto tariffs impacting the local economy. Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Wednesday that Canada's negotiations with the United States might not conclude by Donald Trump's Aug. 1 deadline as the president added new trade measures that could further hinder some Canadian businesses. Carney said talks have been complex, comprehensive and constructive. He also said they are ongoing and cover 'a broad variety of topics.' 'There are many areas for co-operation between Canada and the United States, including defence spending, security spending, investments, which is one of the reasons why we're having these broader discussions,' Carney said at a news conference in Ottawa. Trump sent a letter to Carney threatening to impose 35 per cent tariffs if Canada doesn't make a trade deal by Friday. The White House has said those duties would not apply to goods compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade, better known as CUSMA. The Canadian economy is also being slammed by Trump's Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles. Trump on Wednesday signed executive orders for 50 per cent tariffs on semi-finished copper products starting Friday. The president, however, didn't include imports of the refined metal in his order, leaving many in the Canadian copper industry feeling relieved. In a separate order, Trump suspended de minimis exemptions — which had allowed packages worth $800 or less to ship to the United States to avoid tariffs. As part of his reasoning for the change, Trump cited the flow of fentanyl into the United States. Canadian Federation of Independent Business President and CEO Dan Kelly said suspending the de minimis exemption 'is bad news for many Canadian small businesses.' The federation's data shows about one-third of small Canadian exporters used the exemption to ship to U.S. consumers duty free, Kelly said in a post on social media. Pascal Chan, the vice-president of strategic policy and supply chains at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, said it adds 'another layer of uncertainty for Canadian businesses exporting to the U.S.,' particularly small- and medium-sized businesses. 'Any increase in compliance costs and delivery delays will only serve to compound the pressure on the cross-border supply chains that have long fuelled our shared economic prosperity,' Chan said in a statement. The latest trade changes comes as countries around the world are set to face staggering tariffs when Trump's deadline to make deals passes. Trump announced a deal with South Korea Wednesday which will see the country slapped with a 15 per cent tariff. The president said South Korea 'will give to the United States $350 Billion Dollars for Investments owned and controlled by the United States, and selected by myself, as President. In apost on social media Trump said South Korea will also 'purchase $100 Billion Dollars of LNG, or other Energy products.' In a separate post the president also said he 'concluded a Deal with the Country of Pakistan, whereby Pakistan and the United States will work together on developing their massive Oil Reserves' but Trump didn't provide details of a tariff rate. Frameworks of deals have previously been announced for the European Union, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and the United Kingdom — with all nations facing some level of baseline tariff. Not all the details of the deals are clear but Trump has said countries can 'buy down' the tariff rate and most agreements have come with announcements of billion-dollar investments. Trump on Wednesday also escalated his threats against Brazil — which will be hit a 50 per cent duty — and India — which will face a 25 per cent tariff, plus an additional import tax because of India purchases Russian oil. Trump has been dismissive of conversations with Canada, saying it is not a priority for his administration. The president said Wednesday that America's northern neighbour is a high-tariff nation, misrepresenting Canadian duties for agriculture imports. 'They've been charging our farmers 200 per cent, 300 per cent, 400 per cent for years and nobody did anything about it,' Trump told reporters. Carney met virtually with his cabinet earlier Wednesday for a meeting focused largely on the situation in the Middle East. Carney said Canada is seeking the best deal for Canadians and that negotiations will continue until that is achieved. He said Dominic LeBlanc, the minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade, will remain in Washington with senior officials 'in pursuit of that goal.' By Kelly Geraldine Malone With files from Catherine Morrison This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2025.
2 hours ago
Trump slams Canada's plan to recognize Palestinian state amid trade talks
U.S. President Donald Trump took to his social media platform just after midnight on Thursday to say he is not pleased with Canada announcing it will recognize a Palestinian state (new window) in September if the West Bank's governing body agrees to make certain commitments. Wow! Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine, Trump posted on Truth Social (new window) . That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them. Oh' Canada!!! Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed earlier on Wednesday that trade negotiations have not been finalized just two days ahead of the deadline. It is possible that [negotiations] may not conclude by the first of August, Carney said at a news conference on Wednesday. But we'll see with the teams there. We're working hard. WATCH | Trade deadline nears: Trump set an Aug. 1 deadline for Canada to reach a trade deal and has threatened to impose a 35 per cent tariff (new window) on goods that don't comply with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). That rate would apply to Canadian exports currently being tariffed at 25 per cent, under Trump's emergency powers, citing what he says is a national security threat from fentanyl trafficking. The president has been very clear … that there are certain sectors that are strategic, in their judgment, to the United States' economy: aluminum steel, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and lumber, Carney said. The prime minister previously hinted that the Canadian government is in no rush to finalize a deal by Friday, saying last week that his objective is "not to reach a deal whatever it costs (new window) ." On Monday, Carney said in P.E.I. that trade negotiations with the United States are at an "intense phase (new window) ." Tariffs ordered on some copper products On Wednesday, Trump announced that the U.S. would levy a 50 per cent tariff (new window) on copper products such as pipes and wiring, starting Friday. The White House said it would apply only to semi-finished copper products and other products that heavily use copper when being manufactured. Trump suggested last Friday that the U.S. might not reach an agreement (new window) with Canada and that more tariffs could be in store for the country. I think Canada could be one where there's just a tariff, not really a negotiation, Trump told reporters. Canada's top trade negotiators — Kirsten Hillman, Canada's ambassador to the U.S., and Dominic LeBlanc, minister responsible for Canada-U.S trade — have also downplayed (new window) the likelihood of the two countries reaching a deal by Aug. 1. It's important for us to recognize that there is a time when the deal is the right deal, and it's important for us to be in a position to continue negotiating until we get to that point, Hillman said last week. With files from Darren Major, David Thurton and Reuters
