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Singh says NDP faces 'massive challenges' as voters look to Liberals, Conservatives to battle Trump

Singh says NDP faces 'massive challenges' as voters look to Liberals, Conservatives to battle Trump

CBC26-03-2025

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NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has admitted for the first time that his party is facing "massive challenges" as its polling numbers hover near single digits and voters look elsewhere for a champion to battle U.S. President Donald Trump.
"Let's be clear there's massive challenges, I've got no illusions about that. There's some serious challenges that we're up against," he said in Toronto on Tuesday.
Singh said in every election his party is asked about their electoral relevance in a country that has never had an NDP prime minister, but he insisted he'll continue to fight it out for the next five weeks regardless.
"Will I give up on fighting for people that need me to fight for them? No, hell no. I'm never gonna give up. I don't care what's going on. I'm always gonna be there to fight for people," he said.
Singh said Conservative Leader Pierre Poiliever and Liberal Leader Mark Carney are only interested in fighting for billionaires and corporations while he will focus on fighting for ordinary Canadians.
"I'm always gonna fight for the people that need it most," Singh said.
The NDP Leader made his remarks a day after former NDP leader Tom Mulcair penned a column for CTV in which he said the only questions Canadians have in mind is who is the best leader to do battle with Trump.
"That's why this is shaping up to be a race between the ruling Liberals and the opposition Conservatives, with little room to spare for the others," he said.
"If you can't seriously say you're going to form a government that can take on Trump, then get out of the way and let the only real contenders have at it," Mulcair added.
'One of its worst results in at least 30 years': Grenier
According to the CBC Poll Tracker, which aggregates public opinion polling, the NDP were neck-and-neck with the Liberals in mid-December with about 20 per cent support to the Liberals' 22 per cent support. The Conservatives had about 43 per cent support.
But since former prime minister Justin Trudeau stepped down, Trump began waging economic and political war on Canada, and Carney became the new Liberal leader, the polls have completely switched.
The CBC Poll Tracker now has the Conservatives down to 37 per cent support with the Liberals rising to 40 per cent support and the NDP clinging to less than 10 per cent support.
Éric Grenier, who runs CBC's Poll Tracker, said the rise in the Liberal numbers is part of the reason for the NDP slide over the past two months.
"To see how quickly the NDP vote tanked with the change of [Liberal] leadership suggests that a lot of those voters were parking their vote with the NDP. But as soon as another alternative popped up, they were ready to abandon the party," he said.
This is all taking place against a backdrop of uncertainty as Trump imposes tariffs and threatens Canada's sovereignty. That uncertainty means core NDP campaign issues such as affordability and housing are being forced to share space with concerns over the volatility that now defines the Canada/U.S. relationship.
"You probably have to go back to the 1990s to find the NDP polling so poorly," Grenier said.
"If the NDP continues to poll at this level for a steady, consistent amount of time, the NDP could be on track for one of its worst results in at least 30 years," he added.

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Ottawa will prop up youth employment in a rough summer jobs market
Ottawa will prop up youth employment in a rough summer jobs market

National Observer

time20 minutes ago

  • National Observer

Ottawa will prop up youth employment in a rough summer jobs market

The federal government is moving to shore up a historically weak summer job market for students — even as one economist argues tough employment prospects for young people suggest broader softness in the job market. Statistics Canada shone a light on the difficult employment prospects for students heading back to school this fall in its May jobs report last Friday. Roughly one in five returning students aged 15 to 24 was unemployed in May, the agency said. The last time the jobless rate for students was this high outside the pandemic was in May 2009. Also on Friday, the federal government announced an expansion of the Canada Summer Jobs program, which offers wage subsidies to businesses hiring young people for seasonal work. Ottawa says it plans to subsidize an additional 6,000 jobs on top of the 70,000 already planned for employers participating in the annual program. Employment and Social Development Canada, which runs the Canada Summer Jobs program, will pay for the extra positions with $25 million in reallocated internal funding. Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said in a media statement that the higher target is meant "to address the urgent needs youth are experiencing in the job market." StatCan said the jobless rate for returning students has trended up annually each May since 2022, when just over 10 per cent of returning students were unemployed in a relatively tight labour market. Brendon Bernard, senior economist at the online jobs board Indeed, said the summer labour market is "pretty weak right now." 'But the weakness is wrapped up in broader economic trends," he said. "Targeted youth policies are only going to be dealing with one of the symptoms of the problem, where there are other aspects of the labour market that … we need to get in better shape for the situation to really improve." Canada's broader unemployment rate also has been rising in recent years, ticking up to seven per cent in May. A major disruption in the labour market tied to Canada's trade war with the United States could be denying young people early work experience, Bernard said. He pointed to recent job losses in sectors like manufacturing as a particular problem for border towns that rely heavily on trade between Canada and the United States. Younger Canadians who had hoped to break into the manufacturing sector in those regions are now seeing opportunities dry up, Bernard said, and they're likely being pushed to other opportunities outside their field — crowding the job market for all youth this summer. The national vacancy rate — the share of jobs left unfilled compared to all available positions in Canada — stands at three per cent, according to the latest available data from March. Such a low vacancy rate suggests reduced hiring demand among businesses, or indicates that they're having little to no trouble filling jobs. Employer demand for the Summer Jobs Program is lower this year than in previous years, data provided by ESDC shows. The department received 44,821 requests from businesses for funding to support 225,766 jobs during the application period late last year. That's roughly 2,000 fewer applications and almost 9,000 fewer jobs than in each of the previous two years. Bernard said youth unemployment is higher today than in 2019 — the last time Canada's vacancy rate was roughly this low. That suggests there's more slack building up in the younger end of the labour pool, he said. "Something has hit the youth labour market differently than the labour market for older workers," Bernard said. One explanation could be recent population growth trends that saw a surge in mostly younger workers entering Canada over the past few years, he said. But Bernard also said a lack of mobility among older Canadian workers is creating a "traffic jam" in the labour market. "Another potential factor that has impacted youth employment recently is just how slow job-switching has been," he said. The rate of job changes in May was 0.46 per cent, Bernard said — a third lower than it was in 2019. In a strong job market, Bernard said, you would normally see workers changing jobs and moving up the career ladder, leaving entry-level positions to younger workers who need the experience. He said that government efforts to support the youth workforce are likely to fall short because the plight of younger job-seekers is tied to broader conditions in the labour market. Hajdu acknowledged in her statement that governments "can't do it alone." "Programs like this open the door, but it's employers, community leaders and organizations who help young people walk through it," she said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 11, 2025.

U.S. inflation rose slightly last month as grocery prices ticked higher
U.S. inflation rose slightly last month as grocery prices ticked higher

CTV News

time31 minutes ago

  • CTV News

U.S. inflation rose slightly last month as grocery prices ticked higher

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. inflation picked up a bit last month as food costs rose, though overall inflation remained mostly tame. Consumer prices increased 2.4 per cent in May compared with a year ago, according to a Labor Department report released Wednesday. That is up from a 2.3 per cent yearly increase in April. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core prices rose 2.8 per cent for the third straight month. Economists pay close attention to core prices because they generally provide a better sense of where inflation is headed. The figures suggest inflation remains stubbornly above the Federal Reserve's 2 per cent target, which makes it less likely that the central bank will cut its key short-term interest rate. Trump has repeatedly urged the central bank to reduce borrowing costs. Last week, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics, which compiles the inflation data, said it is reducing the amount of data it collects for each inflation report. Economists have expressed concern about the cutback, and while it isn't clear how sharp the reduction is, most analysts say it is likely to have a minor impact. Still, any reduction in data collection could make the figures more volatile. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP's earlier story follows below. WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. inflation likely picked up a bit last month as President Donald Trump's tariffs start to bite, but lower prices for gas and possibly for air fares and used cars may limit the overall increase. The government's inflation report, to be released Wednesday, is forecast to show that consumer prices rose 2.5 per cent in May compared with a year ago, according to economists surveyed by data provider FactSet. That would be the first increase in four months and up from 2.3 per cent in April. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core prices are projected to have risen 2.9 per cent in May from a year earlier, up from 2.8 per cent in April. Trump's tariffs are expected to contribute to the uptick by raising the cost of some imports, including clothes, furniture, appliances, and possibly new cars. Many retailers and some consumer products companies have said they have plans to raise prices or have already done so to cover the cost of the import duties. On a monthly basis, prices are expected to have moved up 0.2 per cent from April to May, while core prices are forecast to have increased 0.3 per cent. At that pace, core prices would rise much faster than the Federal Reserve's 2 per cent target. Economists and the inflation-fighters at the Fed focus on core inflation because it often provides a better sense of where inflation is headed. Inflation has cooled in the past year and, excluding the impact of tariffs, economists say it would be on track to return to the Fed's target, which would allow the central bank to cut its key interest rates. Yet core prices have been more stubborn and were stuck between 3.2 per cent and 3.4 per cent for nearly a year until February, when they started to decline a bit. Last week, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics, which compiles the inflation data, said it is reducing the amount of data it collects for each inflation report. Economists have expressed concern about the cutback, and while it isn't clear how sharp the reduction is, most analysts say it is likely to have a minor impact. Still, any reduction in data collection could make the figures more volatile. Nearly all economists expect Trump's duties will make many things more expensive in the second half of this year, including cars and groceries, though by how much is still uncertain. Trump has slapped 30 per cent tariffs on all imports from China, plus a 10 per cent baseline tariff on imported goods from every other country, and 50 per cent import taxes on steel and aluminum. Given the potential for higher prices in the coming months, Fed Chair Jerome Powell and other Fed officials have made clear they will keep their key rate unchanged until they have a better sense of how tariffs will affect the economy. The full impact of the tariffs likely won't be felt until the second half of the year, analysts say, even though many tariffs have been in place, in one form or another, since March and April. There are several reasons it can take months for the duties to fully pass through into retail prices. To begin with, many companies tried to beat the clock by bringing in foreign goods before Trump's tariffs took effect, producing a flood of imports in March. As a result, they have stockpiled goods in warehouses that weren't hit by tariffs and so don't have to raise prices yet. Many companies also held off on hiking prices during the chaos of April and May, when Trump announced sweeping tariffs on imports from nearly 60 countries, only to put them on hold a week later. He also ramped up duties on China to 145 per cent, essentially cutting off trade with the United States' third-largest trading partner. Imports fell sharply in April as a result. The U.S. and China last month agreed to lower duties, with the U.S. now taxing Chinese imports 30 per cent. For many firms, it wasn't worth it to raise prices until they had a better sense of where tariffs would settle. It's possible some duties could fall further if the Trump administration is able to reach trade deals in negotiations with China, the European Union, Japan and other countries. Still, Bryan Eshelman, a partner and managing director at consulting firm AlixPartners, said higher prices 'are coming.' Eshelman expects that shoppers will start feeling the impact in July, and predicts prices for back-to-school items like clothing and backpacks could go up anywhere from 5 per cent to 15 per cent. Retailers may add surcharges tied to higher tariffs costs at the cash register starting in September, he said. 'I think that that's something that retailers are going to be loathe to pull out and do. And so I think they will wait to see how things unfold, ' he said. Most imported goods are actually parts or raw materials for larger products, such as the steel and aluminum goods now facing 50 per cent duties. It will take time for those costs to filter through the supply chain and affect prices. Some stores, however, have already said they will implement higher prices, including Best Buy, Walmart and Lululemon. It was only last month when Trump ripped into Walmart after the nation's largest retailer boldly warned that prices are already starting to go up on items like bananas. Walmart's chief financial officer John David Rainey told The Associated Press that a car seat that currently sells for $350 at Walmart will likely cost customers another $100. Rainey also told analysts at an Oppenheimer investor conference on Monday that for some items, Walmart will reduce inventory by as much as 20% because it expects higher prices will reduce demand, and it doesn't want to be stuck with leftover inventory. Christopher Rugaber And Anne D'innocenzio, The Associated Press

ALMONTY INDUSTRIES - The hot phase begins now — The planned Nasdaq listing is igniting the rocket boosters
ALMONTY INDUSTRIES - The hot phase begins now — The planned Nasdaq listing is igniting the rocket boosters

The Market Online

time35 minutes ago

  • The Market Online

ALMONTY INDUSTRIES - The hot phase begins now — The planned Nasdaq listing is igniting the rocket boosters

Tariff gestures and delivery restrictions on critical metals have become the daily bread of long-suffering investors. The Western industrial world is facing enormous challenges, as the pace is increasing daily in segments such as high-tech and defense. NATO-related orders alone have increased fivefold in recent weeks compared to 2024 – and there is no end in sight. Today's industry managers need to have a clear understanding of where they can source manpower, raw materials, and especially critical metals – and which non-sanctioned markets they can then supply. The pressure is mounting as availability declines and verbal threats escalate on both sides of the Atlantic. Almonty Industries (TSX:AII) (WKN: A1JSSD | ISIN: CA0203981034 | Ticker symbol: ALI) has positioned itself uniquely, demonstrating remarkable foresight. The tungsten producer already operates mines in Spain and Portugal, and a major deposit in South Korea will be added within a few months. In addition, the Company is planning a US expansion and a Nasdaq listing to signal that the time for a revaluation has come. The research firm GBC has responded to the current scenarios and adjusted its price target upward. Here is a summary of the current facts. When it comes to tungsten, Almonty looks like a changing of the guard for China The Western world is facing a raw materials crisis with geopolitical implications. Around 70% of the most important critical metals are found in China. China has now drastically tightened its export controls on critical minerals, with strategically important metals such as gallium, germanium, antimony, and, most recently, tungsten being particularly affected. These raw materials are indispensable for the defense industry, semiconductor production, and high-tech manufacturing. China dominates the entire supply chain for many of these raw materials, from mining to processing and refining. For some metals, like gallium and graphite, China's share of the global market is over 80–90%. Countries such as the US, Germany, Japan, and South Korea are particularly affected, as they need these metals for semiconductors, batteries, chips, lasers, fibre optics, wind turbines, and electric vehicles. Relying on hope is a risky strategy – the final implementation of China's export policies may depend on upcoming talks between Trump and Xi Jinping in Beijing. There is still hope that the interests of the West will not be sidelined entirely and that there will not yet be any rationing. Almonty Industries (WKN: A1JSSD | ISIN: CA0203981034 | Ticker symbol: ALI) is already positioned to fill the emerging gap in 2025. Almonty is in a position to cover 80% of US tungsten demand – a conflict-free and reliable supply chain. Source: Almonty Industries The US Congress applauds It was a good day for CEO Lewis Black. On June 9, Almonty Industries received an official letter from the chairman and ranking member of the US House of Representatives Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. The letter highlights Almonty's strategic importance to the United States, which seeks to secure its supply chains for critical minerals in the face of growing geopolitical tensions. The committee particularly recognized the importance of Almonty's Sangdong mine in South Korea, which is expected to become the largest tungsten producer outside of China. It is equally pleased about the planned relocation of the Company's headquarters to the US, which will make Almonty the only US company producing tungsten concentrates on a commercial scale. The Committee also expressed interest in further cooperation with Almonty, with a focus on potential collaboration to support the US defense industry, including supply chain integration with US defense companies and potential additions to national defense stockpiles. The regional distribution of the various mining properties facilitates access to Western industrial locations. In South Korea, Almonty will become a strategic player for local industry. Source: Almonty Industries CEO and President Lewis Black commented: ' This recognition by leading members of the US Congress confirms that Almonty's Sangdong project is far more than a commercial venture – it is a strategic infrastructure asset that is critical to the security and resilience of the supply chains of the US and its allies. As we prepare to relocate our corporate headquarters to the United States, we aim to be more than just a supplier. We are positioning Almonty as a trusted partner for the reshoring and relocation of critical mineral capacity at a time when geopolitical constraints require greater transparency, reliability, and control by allies. We are fully aligned with US national security priorities and remain focused on delivering long-term value to our shareholders .' Ramp-up at Sangdong sets tungsten capital machine in motion Almonty is nearing completion of its processing facilities at the Sangdong Mine, with initial production planned for 2025. With no commercial tungsten production in the United States since 2015, the upcoming market entry is expected to significantly strengthen the resilience of the US supply chain for a mineral that is critical to ammunition, aerospace, and other high-performance defense applications. With the Sangdong mine in South Korea soon to begin production, the Company is in a unique position: once operational, it will be one of the largest sources of tungsten outside China and will be able to cover up to 40% of non-Chinese global production. The mine has a life span of over 90 years, and the rock has an exceptionally high tungsten content. doubling production from 2,300 to 4,600 tons 'Almonty will start with an initial production of 2,300 tons and aim for an output of 4,600 tons after 12 months.' This is good news, and not just for the US. It dispels any doubts about the effectiveness and mood within NATO, as sourcing European companies via a US-based raw materials company is feasible even with strict customs agreements. In addition, Almonty already has a purchase agreement with the Austrian Plansee Group and, with its strong shareholder Deutsche Rohstoff AG, has enough EU clout to secure supplies from South Korea. One example illustrates the pressure on trade: According to Martin Hotwagner of Steel & Metals Market Research in Austria, every vehicle contains an average of around 300 grams of tungsten – most of which is lost during recycling. The result: declining stocks, rising prices, and increasing pressure to act in the US, Europe, and Japan. As stocks dwindle, he expects Western companies to run out of tungsten over the summer. Governments are alarmed and are urgently seeking alternatives – and have now come across Almonty Industries. New price target from GBC Research On June 10, 2025, GBC published an update to its analysis. Analysts Matthias Greiffenberger and Cosmin Filker now estimate revenues for the coming year 2026 at CAD 153.8 million instead of CAD 123.5 million. By 2027, this figure is expected to grow to CAD 314.9 million, up from the previous CAD 252.9 million. This means the current market capitalization of just under CAD 930 million corresponds to only 3.3 times the revenues projected for 2027. Comparable raw material suppliers are valued significantly higher (see MP Materials in the following chapter). The analysts conclude with a new 12-month price target of CAD 5.50, representing a potential upside of 66%. The enterprise value/sales ratio (EV/Sales) of 3.45 in 2027 also appears remarkably low. Corresponding earnings forecasts bring the P/E ratio down to below 5. All of this is still within the tangible horizon of 48 months, making value generation over a short time frame particularly transparent. Click here for the original study from April and the latest update. Sphene Capital analyst Peter Thilo Hasler already updated his calculations in April and sees considerable potential: He raised his price target for Almonty from CAD 3.21 to CAD 5.20. The Munich-based expert expects significant revenues of over CAD 192 million and EBIT of CAD 69.4 million as soon as operations start in 2026. The bottom line is that net income of CAD 46.8 million or CAD 0.19 per share should be achievable. Based on today's price of CAD 3.25, the share would currently be valued at a 2026 P/E ratio of 17. Given the high market momentum, this ratio could even exceed 30. The metrics speak for themselves. Mining using giant machines. A drilling rig is moved toward the mineralization. Source: Almonty Industries Valuation multiples are growing in line with expectations Tungsten, molybdenum, and rare earths are among the most critical materials. The example of MP Materials Corp in the US shows how the global shortage can affect company valuations. With the Mountain Pass project in California, the Company owns the largest rare earth property in the Western world. Revenue is estimated at around USD 265 million for last year, up from USD 73 million in 2019. Analysts on the LSEG platform believe that revenues could rise to around USD 796 million by 2028. MP Materials is valued at just under USD 4.6 billion, around seven times the current value of Almonty Industries. Of course, the companies' revenues will develop differently, as the availability of metals is determined by the global market. However, Almonty Industries' starting position shows a significantly lower valuation compared to its US competitor. Its listing on the NASDAQ offers a perfect set-up for upcoming peer group comparisons. Almonty can score big here! Conclusion: A significant revaluation is imminent Western security of supply is colliding with the powerhouse that is China. Anyone still wasting time reminiscing about the good old days is barking up the wrong tree! International interests require geographical diversification and security. The EU knows all too well what happens to prices when 60% of energy supplies are cut off overnight due to sanctions. For Almonty, this means a new strategic positioning and a clear claim to a revaluation. This is already impressively reflected in the 12-month chart. The US listing appears to be a done deal, opening the door to a whole new universe of investors and a shift in perspective. The 12-month view shows how impressively the share price has risen. A year ago, the price was still well below CAD 1. Source: LSEG, as of June 10, 2025 The price development offers a rare opportunity. What seems to have gone unnoticed for years must now happen in a relatively short period of time. China's restrictions on metal exports, the US initiative to secure critical metals, and the consistent delivery of the predicted steps make CEO Lewis Black a rock star on the trading floor. With large trading volumes of more than 3 million shares in Canada and Germany, the price is constantly rising. Yesterday's high of CAD 3.43 confirms our analysis of the last few months. There are currently no reasons to believe that there will be any significant consolidation. Therefore, those who have not invested will have to accept the increased valuation if they want to participate in the story. The commodity remains in short supply! The necessary steps have now been completed. The current outlook should inspire investors. Source: Almonty Industries This update is based on our initial report report 12/2021. Conflict of interest Pursuant to §85 of the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG), we point out that Apaton Finance GmbH as well as partners, authors or employees of Apaton Finance GmbH (hereinafter referred to as 'Relevant Persons') currently hold or hold shares or other financial instruments of the aforementioned companies and speculate on their price developments. In this respect, they intend to sell or acquire shares or other financial instruments of the companies (hereinafter each referred to as a 'Transaction'). Transactions may thereby influence the respective price of the shares or other financial instruments of the Company. In this respect, there is a concrete conflict of interest in the reporting on the companies. In addition, Apaton Finance GmbH is active in the context of the preparation and publication of the reporting in paid contractual this reason, there is also a concrete conflict of interest. The above information on existing conflicts of interest applies to all types and forms of publication used by Apaton Finance GmbH for publications on companies. Risk notice Apaton Finance GmbH offers editors, agencies and companies the opportunity to publish commentaries, interviews, summaries, news and the like on These contents are exclusively for the information of the readers and do not represent any call to action or recommendations, neither explicitly nor implicitly they are to be understood as an assurance of possible price developments. The contents do not replace individual expert investment advice and do not constitute an offer to sell the discussed share(s) or other financial instruments, nor an invitation to buy or sell such. The content is expressly not a financial analysis, but a journalistic or advertising text. Readers or users who make investment decisions or carry out transactions on the basis of the information provided here do so entirely at their own risk. No contractual relationship is established between Apaton Finance GmbH and its readers or the users of its offers, as our information only refers to the company and not to the investment decision of the reader or user. The acquisition of financial instruments involves high risks, which can lead to the total loss of the invested capital. The information published by Apaton Finance GmbH and its authors is based on careful research. Nevertheless, no liability is assumed for financial losses or a content-related guarantee for the topicality, correctness, appropriateness and completeness of the content provided here. Please also note our Terms of use. Source: Almonty Industries Keyfacts ISIN: CA0203981034 WKN / Symbol / Frankfurt A1JSSD / AII / ALI Last price 3,25 CAD / 2.08 EUR Number of shares 285.924 million Market capitalization 929 million CAD Industry sector Mining / Strategic metals Geographic focus Asia, Europe, US Year of foundation 2011 Website CEO Lewis Black Author André Will-Laudien Born in Munich, he first studied economics and graduated in business administration at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University in 1995. As he was involved with the stock market at a very early stage, he now has more than 30 years of experience in the capital about the author Further analyses This is third-party provided content issued on behalf of Almonty Industries Inc., please see full disclaimer here.

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