First Nations are mired in 'soft communism.' This leader has the fix
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Stephen Buffalo is a very constructive guy. He's a man who seeks solutions, and he's open to Prime Minister Mark Carney's ambitious nation-building campaign. He also wants Carney and all Canadians to understand, though: Indigenous consent to these projects has a price tag.
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'Give us a chance to make our own wealth,' says Stephen, long-time advocate for First Nations' economic development and member of the Samson Cree Nation from Maskwacis, Alta.
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'To be part of the mainstream and part of the economy and at the end of the day, everyone benefits: the proponent benefits, the government benefits, and we benefit, you know, First Nations that are participating.'
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The 'new' Liberal government has pledged — in the recently tabled 'One Canadian Economy Act' — to speed up approvals for major energy and infrastructure projects that strengthen Canada's autonomy, resilience and security, have undeniable national benefits, are likely to be successfully executed, drive Canada's clean grown potential and reflect priorities of Indigenous leaders.
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Carney assured that fast-tracking major projects won't shortcut meaningful consultation with Indigenous peoples whose Charter or treaty rights may be affected. A Major Projects Office, created to assist project proponents through the assessment and consultation process, will lean on an Indigenous advisory council for advice.
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And in an effort to reinforce Indigenous voice in governance, Carney's cabinet includes three Indigenous ministers: Rebecca Chartrand, as minister of northern and Arctic affairs; Mandy Gull-Masty, as minister of Indigenous services; and Buckley Belanger, as secretary of state for rural development.
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I ask Stephen: Do Carney's announcements signal real change in the federal government's paternalistic relationship with Indigenous communities? After watching the undermining of Jody Wilson-Raybould's leadership by the previous Liberal administration, I'm wary.
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This isn't the first time I've sat down with Stephen for a no-holds-barred conversation about how Indigenous leaders perceive what's going on in the world. As CEO of the Indian Resource Council, Stephen speaks on behalf of 130 First Nations across Canada that have oil and gas production on their land, or the potential for production. He also speaks forcefully — as a 53-year-old father who wants to see his kids have the opportunity to thrive in mainstream society.
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Vancouver Sun
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Carney, Starmer to agree to renew Canada-U.K. trade talks, 'deepen' relationship
The U.K. will seek to restart trade negotiations with Canada, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, as he strives to strengthen commercial ties around the world to better insulate Britain's economy from the fallout of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff war. 'The world is changing on trade and the economy,' Starmer told reporters on Saturday on his way to meet Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. 'That means we need to do more securing our base at home and turbo-charging what we are doing on the cost of living and at the same time reducing trade barriers with other countries.' Starmer and Carney agreed to establish a new working group to 'deepen our existing trading relationship,' with a deadline to report back in six months, according to a joint statement by the leaders Sunday. The group will be asked to deal with market access questions, and explore ways to cooperate on critical minerals and artificial intelligence. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. While the two nations reached a trade continuity deal in the wake of the U.K.'s departure from the European Union, talks for a bespoke deal to cover bilateral trade worth an annual £27.5 billion (CAD$37 billion) stalled last year after a dispute over beef, when neither Starmer nor Carney was yet in office. Both nations are also members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, known as CPTPP. Carney agreed his government will aim to introduce legislation this year to ratify the U.K.'s accession into that trade deal — a move that would lower tariffs between the countries. Starmer will use the G-7 summit to argue that in a shifting global economy, the U.K. must retain its proud status as a free and open trading nation by strengthening existing alliances while reducing barriers to trade with other countries, his office said. A trade deal with Canada was not listed as a priority for the U.K. government last year, when Trade Minister Douglas Alexander named agreements with the Gulf Cooperation Council, India, Israel, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, and Turkey as the areas his department was focusing on. But Trump's return to the White House and his ratcheting up of tariffs against countries around the world has forced UK negotiators to recalibrate — seeking exemptions from the U.S. levies while also casting a wider net in their search for new deals. Canada was the 13th biggest destination for U.K. exports in 2024, taking in £16.9 billion ($31.3 billion) of British goods and services, according to U.K. statistics. It was the 17th biggest source of imports into Britain, with goods and services worth £10.6 billion ($19.6 billion) crossing the Atlantic. Since Starmer took office last July, his Labour government has struck a free trade deal with India and also smaller deals with the U.S. and EU on trade and defence. Under the U.S. deal, which has yet to be implemented, the Americans would scrap tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the U.K. and cut levies on cars to 10% from 27.5%. Starmer said in an interview with Bloomberg News on Friday that he's 'hoping that we will complete it pretty soon,' and that there are no 'hiccups or obstacles.' The British prime minister is trying to strike a delicate balance between his friendly relationship with Trump — the U.K. is the only country so far to agree to a slimmed-down trade agreement amid his threats of tariffs — while also standing up for British allies with whom Trump has been more confrontational. When asked for a response on Trump's continued threats to make Canada a 51st state of the US, Starmer said he was 'absolutely clear' that Canada is 'an independent, sovereign country and a much-valued member of the Commonwealth' — his strongest public defence of the country yet. Canada's head of state is King Charles III, who recently visited Ottawa to help open a new session of Parliament following a national election that returned Carney's Liberal Party to power for another term. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Canada Standard
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4 ways to support victims
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Cision Canada
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VANCOUVER, BC, June 15, 2025 /CNW/ -- To strengthen its presence in the global tourism market and tap into the robust outbound travel demand from North America, the Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA) launched its first Taiwan Tourism Information Center (TTIC) in Vancouver, Canada, on October 2, 2024. Building on this momentum, TTA further expanded its North American network by establishing the United States' first TTIC in Seattle on June 13, 2025, adding a key promotional hub in the Americas. Seizing this opportunity, TTA, in collaboration with multiple airlines and travel agencies, hosted a series of B2B tourism workshops and the opening ceremony of the Seattle TTIC from June 9 to 13, spanning Toronto, Vancouver, and Seattle. Led by Mr. Ben Huang, Director of TTA's International Affairs Division, the delegation showcased Taiwan's latest tourism themes and diverse travel offerings. Through immersive cultural experiences—including vibrant Indigenous dance performances and authentic Taiwanese cuisine—TTA aimed to enhance Taiwan's brand presence in the North American market and bring the spirit of Taiwan directly to local audiences. Outbound travel from the United States and Canada exceeded 127 million trips in 2024, underscoring the region's enormous market potential. According to TTA, visitor arrivals to Taiwan from the U.S. and Canada surpassed 760,000 in 2024, not only recovering to pre-pandemic (2019) levels but also marking a 22.7% increase over 2023. In 2025, nearly 190 direct flights per week connect Taiwan with major cities across North America, reflecting continued market momentum. Among these routes, Seattle has experienced the most significant growth. In addition to EVA Air's steady operations, China Airlines resumed service in 2024, while STARLUX Airlines and Delta Air Lines also launched new routes. Within just one year, weekly flights between Seattle and Taiwan have quadrupled, solidifying Seattle's position as a key gateway to the U.S. Pacific Northwest. This dense flight network is expected to further boost visitor traffic from the Seattle region to Taiwan. Throughout the event series, TTA invited leading North American tour operators, travel media, and key influencers to participate in networking sessions aimed at strengthening product development and expanding distribution partnerships. The events featured a dynamic performance by 'Etolan Style, an acclaimed indigenous Amis tribe operated entity, which also acts as a tribe-owned enterprise from Taitung, alongside iconic symbols of Taiwanese lifestyle and hospitality—such as globally popular bubble tea and Taiwan Beer. To encourage North American partners to promote travel to Taiwan, exciting giveaways included roundtrip flight tickets to Taiwan sponsored by airlines, as well as tour package vouchers provided by travel agencies. TTA emphasized that the United States and Canada combined have become Taiwan's third-largest source of inbound tourists, highlighting the region's strong growth potential. The promotional campaign, paired with the grand opening of the Seattle TTIC, is designed to provide up-to-date travel information and real-time consultation services, while also acting as a key liaison platform for industry collaboration and brand promotion. Through this initiative and the establishment of the Seattle TTIC, TTA aims to strengthen Taiwan's tourism brand presence in North America via integrated digital and on-the-ground marketing, attracting more travelers to explore Taiwan's rich natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and culinary diversity, and ultimately driving the sustainable development of Taiwan's tourism industry. Taiwan Tourism Event Information: Taiwan Tourism Workshop in Toronto Date: Monday, June 9, 2025 Time: 10:00 a.m. - 01:30 p.m. Venue: Four Seasons Toronto (60 Yorkville Ave, Toronto, ON) Taiwan Tourism Workshop in Vancouver Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 Time: 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Venue: Paradox Vancouver (1161 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC) Taiwan Tourism Information Center Grand Opening & Trade Show in Seattle Date: Friday, June 13, 2025 Time: 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Venue: Four Seasons Seattle (99 Union St, Seattle, WA) For related photos and files, please click here. For more information, please contact: Taiwan Tourism Administration, San Francisco Office Director Sylvia S.H. Lee Phone: +1 (415) 989-8677 Email: [email protected] Tourism Division, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York Director Jin Juang Phone: 1-212-867-1632 Email: [email protected] ABOUT TAIWAN TOURISM ADMINISTRATION The Taiwan Tourism Administration is the official government agency of Taiwan (R.O.C.) responsible for domestic and international tourism policy development and execution. The western Canada market is managed by the San Francisco Office of TTA, while the eastern Canada market is managed by the New York branch of TTA. The new marketing slogan introduced in 2024 is "Waves of Wonder." Media Contact: Taiwan Tourism Information Center in Vancouver [email protected] +1 (672) 202-8988 SOURCE Taiwan Tourism Administration
