Carney and Trump hold private tariff talks
At Issue this week: Sources tell CBC/Radio-Canada that Carney and Trump have shared private calls and texts about tariffs. Premiers pitch their infrastructure projects to the prime minister. And does a new border security bill go too far?
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Ottawa Citizen
23 minutes ago
- Ottawa Citizen
Raises, retention bonuses promised for Canadian Forces personnel
Article content Pay increases for military personnel as well as retention bonuses and increased training allowances for particular Canadian Forces members are to be part of the government's spending boost for defence. Article content In addition, it is expected that around 1,400 new staff will be hired at the Department of National Defence. Article content Article content The initiatives were outlined Monday during a technical briefing that followed Prime Minister Mark Carney's announcement that defence spending was being significantly increased. The Liberal government noted that it was pumping in more funding so Canada will meet the NATO spending target of two per cent of GDP by the end of this fiscal year. Article content Article content Carney repeated his election promises to purchase new submarines and other equipment as well as improve military housing and benefits. Article content 'Members of our armed forces will get a well deserved salary increase, which will contribute to better recruitment and retention of personnel,' said Carney. Article content But defence officials at the technical briefing had few answers. Article content They did point out that not only will there be pay increases but in some cases boosts in training allowances and retention bonuses for key military personnel. They did not have information on what specific Canadian Forces jobs or trades would be eligible for bonuses. Article content More health-care workers will be hired for the Canadian Forces and the civilian workforce will be expanded so military personnel can focus on operations, government officials said at the technical briefing. Under government-imposed rules, the officials who provided the briefing cannot be identified. Article content Article content In January, the Ottawa Citizen reported that military staff were recommending retention bonuses to keep key personnel from leaving the ranks. But there were questions at the time about whether the government would fund such a plan. Article content Article content Although the Canadian Forces doesn't currently have retention bonuses, the military does offer various extra pay or allowances for those in particular jobs or handling specific duties, the Department of National Defence has noted. In addition, the military does provide extra payment to recruit individuals with particular skills. Article content Various western militaries, facing personnel shortages, have been using retention bonuses to entice individuals to continue to stay in the ranks. Article content On Nov. 22, 2024, the British government announced bonuses equivalent to $54,000 for aircraft engineers who sign up for an additional three years of military service. Privates and lance corporals who have already served four years would be eligible for a new retention bonus, which is the equivalent of $14,000.
Globe and Mail
34 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Letters to the editor, June 10: ‘AI is not only an issue in higher education, but at the grade-school level as well'
Re 'B.C.'s energy minister says Ottawa should focus on practical projects with ready investors' (Report on Business, June 9): A retired economist would like to appeal to the former economist and now Prime Minister. I hope the process for nation-building projects is the international gold standard for public decision-making: cost-benefit analysis. We economists know that broad consultation in a transparent, structured decision-making process is the best way to find projects which provide the highest net benefits to Canadians. The government should grant standing in these analyses to First Nations and affected citizens. Mark Carney should take a lead in setting the inputs to these analyses. Progressive governments make this information known when taxpayers are on the hook for infrastructure projects. Provinces can provide the projects, but the feds should transparently control the process, parameters and participants. Published shadow wage, social costs of carbon, value of life and other cost-benefit parameters would mean that fantasy and knee-jerk projects are filtered out as bad for the health and well-being of Canadians. John Parker Toronto Re 'Carney to announce Canada's defence spending will hit NATO's target of 2% of GDP this fiscal year, sources say' (June 9): With the western half of the country on fire, a massive housing and infrastructure shortage, a drug epidemic and a health care crisis, how is it at all responsible to commit to increasing Canada's NATO spending to 2 per cent of GDP? It is said that this increase can cost between $15- to $20-billion, an enormous sum of money that should be used to address the aforementioned issues, which I see as more urgent threats to our national 'security' and well-being than anything this NATO spending may address. Mark Carney makes the case that this will boost our own homegrown defence industry. And herein lies the true aim of this new direction, in my opinion: a massive corporate handout to Canadian defence contractors and firms that would send large portions of this capital to their shareholders and executives. War is a racket, and Mark Carney was a banker, but I think we should expect more from our government amidst such dire circumstances. Evan Marnoch Winnipeg Re 'Toronto wrangles with a simple question: What is a multiplex?' (Real Estate, June 6): What stands out to me is again greedy developers pushing the boundaries of proposed zoning to maximize profit. Planning is then tied up in knots trying to regulate these outlandish proposals. This then creates the outcomes referenced: a couple of hundred applications on hold. Until we give city planners final authority on design, developers will likely continue to slow development approvals, not the city. Michael Marmoreo Toronto Re 'Canada can't solve its housing crisis without the provinces' (June 6): The most depressing aspect of this analysis and conclusion is that it could have been articulated five or even 10 years ago. The same paralysis remains, the same roadblocks in place hindering meaningful progress. In my own parcel of the country, at least two plots of city-owned land, publicly designated for affordable or seniors housing, have sat for years unscathed by any signs of development. Much of the public is tired of the shell game between federal, provincial or municipal jurisdictional. Just get it built already. Terry Sherbino Penticton, B.C. Re 'The criminal justice system keeps failing sexual-assault survivors. There has to be a better way' (June 9): As a practicing criminal lawyer, I commend the recommendation that it's time for Ontario to lift the moratorium on the option of restorative justice for sexual offences. In the right case, with an accused willing to accept accountability for their actions and a complainant who would be satisfied hearing that in a supportive, structured setting, the justice system and society would benefit from the use of that process. To deny that alternative would be an unjustifiable form of paternalism. Jeffrey Manishen Hamilton Re 'Some university professors say AI is here to stay, so students should learn how to use it' (June 4): Such use of artificial intelligence, if prevalent, circumvents the purpose of a university education, which is to read primary sources, to think and to analyze information. A return to individual oral presentations as tests could help ensure that students are doing some learning at a university level. Sandra Witelson, PhD Hamilton Parent of a Grade 4 student here. Dismayed to report that artificial intelligence is not only an issue in higher education, but at the grade-school level as well. My daughter recently brought home a research assignment and advised me that her slides could be completed by copying and pasting online search results. When I asked her teacher for clarification, the response was that 'many students have utilized the AI results.' Very disappointing that students are not given the chance to learn how to write an essay. I hope we can harness the power of AI soon to develop critical thinkers. As for now, it is proving to be a bumpy ride. Sarah Timney Toronto Re 'In this economy, can we even afford dogs and cats any more?' (June 5): Ironically, we had taken our dog to our veterinarian the day before this article was published. Our healthy five-year old's bill was $550 (this included five pills for ticks, heartworm and fleas). Our vet's practice was bought out by a U.S. company. A solution to this issue would be to increase the number of vets being graduated from Canadian colleges and universities. Our dentist's practice was also bought out by a U.S. company. When calling around for a new dentist, this wasn't the only one in town. If U.S. companies can profit from this, why can't Canadians? Jo-Anne Twamley Belleville, Ont. Re 'For the love of God, can someone please help CRA fix its website?' (Report on Business, June 3): An unfortunately funny article. Instead of just getting the limited functionality of the Canada Revenue Agency website to work, how about we go for gold and get some improvements? Most Canadians tax returns are simple enough that the CRA could complete the entire return automatically, requiring only approval; Finland and others already do this. Require institutions with tax-fee savings account holdings to issue monthly, not yearly, reports. Allow sort-by date of tax slips so users don't have to scroll through dozens to find out which institution filed after April 30. Respond faster than 'if you don't hear from us in six months, try calling us at 1-800-I-GIVE-UP.' We can and should expect more from our national institutions. Barry Bortnick Calgary Letters to the Editor should be exclusive to The Globe and Mail. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. Keep letters to 150 words or fewer. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. To submit a letter by e-mail, click here: letters@
CBC
37 minutes ago
- CBC
'Come hug it out': Canadian tourism groups reassure U.S. visitors they're welcome amid political tension
Late last year, Dan Davis of Cleveland, Ohio, began planning a motorcycle trip with friends this summer that includes several days in Ontario. But those plans became a little uncertain after U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January and imposed tariffs on Canada, sparking a trade war. That, coupled with Trump's frequent threats to make Canada the 51st state, has sparked anger among many Canadians. Davis noted that, in February, Canadians booed the U.S. national anthem at several NHL hockey games, and in March, the Canadian government ran a billboard campaign in a dozen U.S. states, including Ohio, declaring that Trump's "tariffs are a tax." "Those things just made us wonder, 'Wow, are we going to be welcome in Canada?' " said Davis, adding that the licence plates on the group's motorcycles reveal they're from Ohio — a state Trump won in the 2024 election. "On a motorcycle, you're a little more vulnerable," he said. "All it takes is one person to say, 'You know what, I'm going to show these guys a lesson,' whether it's vandalizing a bike or … throwing a beer can at you." Fewer U.S. tourists visiting Canada Since Trump took office and Canada-U.S. relations have become strained, fewer Canadians are visiting the U.S., and fewer Americans are coming to Canada. In May, the number of trips Americans took to Canada declined 10.7 per cent by car, and 5.5 per cent by air compared to the same time last year. Some tourism associations worry a number of Americans may be staying away because they fear a chilly reception, so they've launched ad campaigns which assure their neighbours they'll be warmly welcomed. It's a worthy cause considering what's at stake: The majority of Canada's tourists come from the U.S., and they spent $15.3 million in the country last year. "It was really important for us to send the message to these visitors … that they are truly welcome, not to be scared to visit us," said Isabelle Charlebois, general director of Tourism Eastern Townships, a region in southeastern Quebec near the U.S. border. The group launched a TV ad in late May, running in New England and New York state. Set in the Eastern Townships, it shows a U.S. tourist whispering sheepishly to a hotel clerk that he's American. The clerk smiles knowingly, and gives the American a big, warm hug. "Come hug it out in the Eastern Townships," says the tagline. WATCH | Quebec tourism group offers to 'hug it out': Charlebois says the ad campaign was partly inspired by the fact that local tourism operators were fielding numerous calls from concerned Americans. "They were calling … asking if they should postpone their trip, or if they will be welcome in Quebec," she said. "This relationship we have with our neighbour is really important for us. That's why we sent this message, and I hope it works." 'Perception is reality' In May, out of the 200 businesses surveyed by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, 32 per cent reported lower summer bookings by Americans compared to the same time last year. John Kinney, owner of Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours, says, so far this season, his location just outside Niagara Falls has seen 15 per cent fewer American customers compared to this time last year. "Unfortunately, perception is reality," said Kinney. "If it's perceived that there's political woes, people say, 'I hear Myrtle Beach is nice.' They just go to a completely different area." To encourage Americans to heard north, Niagara Falls Tourism has launched a page on its website just for them. Along with listing attractions, it declares, "To our friends in the U.S.A. — we can't wait to welcome you!" Back in Cleveland, Davis spotted a billboard last week on the highway and says he took it as a sign he's welcome in Canada. This time, instead of denouncing Trump's tariffs, the billboard invited Americans to visit Ontario and take advantage of the low Canadian dollar. Destination Ontario, the province's tourism organization, launched the campaign in several U.S. states last month. "It's good to see that they are encouraging visitors," said Davis, who is now looking forward to his Ontario trip. "We all just need to come together as human beings on both sides of the border and embrace each other." B.C. bear tour operators beckon Americans Over on the West Coast, British Columbia businesses that specialize in bear viewing are also rolling out the welcome mat. More than a dozen took part in a video, posted on YouTube on May 30, which promises Americans "open arms" and "warm hospitality." B.C.'s Commercial Bear Viewing Association, which put together the ad, says it will soon be launched as part of a social media campaign in select U.S. markets. WATCH | B.C. businesses welcome U.S. tourists: Marg Leehane, general manager of Great Bear Lodge in Campbell River, B.C., shouted out, "You're always welcome," in the video. It's a message she hopes will resonate, as American bookings at her lodge are down by 28 per cent so far compared to this time last year. "Americans always make up a good percentage of our visitors, and we're disappointed to not have them coming," she said. "I think they're worried the political message will get reflected on them. But of course, that's not how most Canadians feel." Leehane says she's getting more Canadian bookings this year than usual, which helps offset the decline in American customers. Still, she worries that decline could have lasting repercussions. "We don't want to lose that pipeline of American visitors," she said. "They would have come back as repeat guests. So it's not just this year that we would lose out on those visitors, it's the future years."
