U.S.-made items with maple leaf symbols perplex pro-Canadian shopper
Want to 'Buy Canadian' at the supermarket? It might be more complicated than you think - as Windsor resident Jim Kreski found out on a recent trip to a local FreshCo store. Dalson Chen reports.
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Cision Canada
34 minutes ago
- Cision Canada
Biggest-ever aid cut by G7 members a death sentence for millions of people, says Oxfam
Aid cuts could cost millions of lives and leave girls, boys, women and men without access to enough food, water, education, health treatment G7 countries are making deliberate and deadly choices by cutting life-saving aid, enabling atrocities, and reneging on their international commitments Low and middle-income countries face reduced aid, rising debt, and trade barriers — a perfect storm that threatens development and recovery. OTTAWA, ON, June 10, 2025 /CNW/ - The Group of Seven (G7) countries, which together account for around three-quarters of all official development assistance, are set to slash their aid spending by 28 percent for 2026 compared to 2024 levels. It would be the biggest cut in aid since the G7 was established in 1975, and indeed in aid records going back to 1960, reveals a new analysis by Oxfam ahead of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada. "The G7's retreat from the world is unprecedented and couldn't come at a worse time, with hunger, poverty, and climate harm intensifying. The G7 cannot claim to build bridges on one hand while tearing them down with the other. It sends a shameful message to the Global South, that G7 ideals of collaboration mean nothing," said Oxfam International Executive Director Amitabh Behar. 2026 will mark the third consecutive year of decline in G7 aid spending – a trend not seen since the 1990s. If these cuts go ahead, G7 aid levels in 2026 will crash by $44 billion to just $112 billion. The cuts are being driven primarily by the US (down $33 billion), Germany (down $3.5 billion), the UK (down $5 billion) and France (down $3 billion). "Rather than breaking from the Trump administration's cruel dismantling of USAID and other US foreign assistance, G7 countries like the UK, Germany, and France are instead following the same path, slashing aid with brutal measures that will cost millions of lives," said Behar. "These cuts will starve the hungry, deny medicine to the sick, and block education for a generation of girls and boys. This is a catastrophic betrayal of the world's most vulnerable and crippling to the G7's credibility," said Behar. Canada allocated $10.17 billion to official development assistance in 2023/2024. Although its foreign aid budgets have been declining for the past two years, Canada is one of the few G7 countries that as not announced its intention to cut ODA. Oxfam Canada is calling on the federal government to clearly affirm its commitment to combating global inequality by maintaining its international aid budget for the coming years. "The Canadian government's recently announced intention to increase Canada's military spending to meet the NATO target of 2% of GDP makes the announcement all the more necessary. International aid makes a crucial contribution to global stability by focusing on prevention and providing essential services that strengthen social cohesion," said Lauren Ravon, Executive Director of Oxfam Canada. Economic projections show that aid cuts will mean 5.7 million more people across Africa will fall below extreme poverty levels in the coming year, a number expected to rocket to 19 million by 2030. Cuts to aid are putting vital public services at risk in some of the world's poorest countries. In countries like Liberia, Haiti, Malawi, and South Sudan, US aid had made up over 40 percent of health and education budgets, leaving them especially exposed. Combined with a growing debt crisis, this is undermining governments' ability to care for their people. Global aid for nutrition will fall by 44 percent in 2025 compared to 2022: The end of just $128 million worth of US-funded child nutrition programs for a million children will result in an extra 163,500 child deaths a year. At the same time, 2.3 million children suffering from severe acute malnutrition – the most lethal form of undernutrition – are now at risk of losing their life-saving treatments. One in five dollars of aid to poor countries' health budgets are cut or under threat: WHO reports that in almost three-quarters of its country offices are seeing serious disruptions to health services, and in about a quarter of the countries where it operates some health facilities have already been forced to shut down completely. US aid cuts could lead to up to 3 million preventable deaths every year, with 95 million people losing access to healthcare. This includes children dying from vaccine-preventable diseases, pregnant women losing access to care, and rising deaths from malaria, TB, and HIV. G7 countries are not just reneging on commitments to global aid and solidarity, they are fuelling conflicts by allowing grave violations of international law, like in Gaza where people are facing starvation. Whether in Ukraine, the occupied Palestinian territory, the Democratic Republic of the Congo or elsewhere, civilians must always be protected, and aid is often the first line of protection they get. G7 countries are illuminating a double standard that risks more global instability, conflict and atrocities. While G7 countries cut aid, their citizen billionaires continue to see their wealth surge. Since the beginning of 2025, the G7 ultra-rich have made $126 billion, almost the same amount as the group's 2025 aid commitment of $132 billion. At this pace, it would take the world's billionaires less than a month to generate the equivalent of the G7's 2025 aid budget. By taxing the super-rich, the G7 could easily meet their financial commitments to end poverty and climate breakdown, whilst also having billions in new revenue to fight inequality in their own countries. "The world is not short of money. The problem is that it is in the hands of the super-rich instead of the public. Rather than fairly taxing billionaires to feed the hungry, we see billionaires joining government to slash aid to the poorest in order to fund tax cuts for themselves," said Behar. Oxfam is calling on the G7 to urgently reverse aid cuts and restore funding to address today's global challenges. More than 50 years after the United Nations set the target of 0.7 percent for aid spending, most G7 countries remain well below this. Oxfam is also urging the G7 to support global efforts led by Brazil and Spain to raise taxes on the super-rich, and to back the call from the African Union and The Vatican for a new UN body to help manage countries' debt problems. NOTES TO EDITORS According to OECD Data Explorer, the combined annual aid expenditure of the G7 in 2024 was $156.694 billion. Canada spent $7.323 billion, the United States $61.821 billion, Japan $17.583 billion, France $15.047 billion, Germany $31.382 billion, Italy $6.534 billion, and the United Kingdom $17.005 billion. Donor Tracker estimates that the decline in combined annual aid spending of the G7 countries for the period 2024 to 2026 will be -$44,488 billion. In 2024, aid from G7 countries declined by 8 percent, and projections for 2025 point to a sharper drop of 19 percent. Modelling using finds that 5.7 million more Africans would fall below the US$2.15 extreme poverty income level in the next year if Trump's administration succeeds in its aid-reduction ambition. This assumes a 20 percent reduction of aid to Africa, considering that some US aid would be maintained as the US alone accounted for 26 percent of aid to Africa before the cuts. The dismantling of USAID and major aid reductions announced by Western donors threaten to undo decades of progress on malnutrition. A 44 percent drop in funding from 2022 levels could lead to widespread hardship and death. Up to 2.3 million children with severe acute malnutrition risk losing life-saving treatment, warns the Standing Together for Nutrition Consortium. There are 2,968 billionaires in the world, and 1,346 live in G7 countries (45 percent). For real-time updates, follow us on X and Bluesky, and join our WhatsApp channel tailored specifically for journalists and media professionals.
Vancouver Sun
an hour ago
- Vancouver Sun
Updated: Minister raises concerns over B.C. Ferries' deal with Chinese shipyard
B.C.'s transportation minister has raised concerns with B.C. Ferries about its decision to have a Chinese shipyard build four new large ferries for its passenger fleet during a trade conflict between Canada and China. The winning bidder on the contract announced Tuesday is Chinese state-owned China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards. Mike Farnworth said in a statement he was worried about procuring services from 'any country that is actively harming Canada's economy' with tariffs and protectionism. 'B.C. Ferries is an independent company responsible for its own operational decisions. While B.C. Ferries has made its decision to purchase new vessels offshore, I am disappointed more involvement from Canadian shipyards was not part of the contract,' he said. Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. 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 Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Farnworth's remarks came hours after the announcement by B.C. Ferries CEO Nicolas Jimenez that the Chinese shipyard had been chosen to build its vessels, with the first expected to come into service in 2029 and the others following in six-month intervals. Jimenez said he wasn't worried about geopolitical tensions between Canada and China, adding his primary focus was getting the province a good deal. 'Customers expect us to go source the best possible deal, (the) highest quality, a yard that provides safety, a yard that provides the highest in standards when it comes to oversight (and) labour, and to get the best cost,' he said at a news conference Tuesday. 'When it comes to things like trade policy, industrial policy, geopolitics, I think we would really defer that to the federal and provincial governments and expect them to manage and work those issues.' He said in a news release that the shipyard was 'the clear choice based on the overall strength of its bid.' It said Weihai Shipyards has built vessels for Canada's Marine Atlantic ferry company and other operators such as Corsica Linea and Brittany Ferries of France. Canada and China are engaged in a trade dispute, with Beijing imposing retaliatory tariffs on Canadian canola and meal, peas and seafood after Ottawa slapped levies on Chinese-made electric vehicles, steel and aluminum. Jimenez said Tuesday that there are currently no tariffs associated with the import of vessels of this type into Canada and tariff disputes didn't factor into the decision. B.C. Ferries is not releasing the value of the contract other than Jimenez saying it fits within the budget approved by the B.C. Ferries Commissioner earlier this year. He said releasing the deal before the project is complete could put future procurements at risk. The corporation has said it expects to spend up to about $5 billion replacing both major and smaller vessels by 2034. 'To protect B.C. Ferries and our customers, we've structured the contract in a way that reduces our risk while increasing shipyard accountability. Most of the payment is tied to delivery, and that means the shipyard doesn't get fully paid until the vessels are delivered and meet the rigorous standards that we've laid out in the contract,' he said. 'There are also measures like refund guarantees and fixed price terms that will further protect B.C. Ferries and our customers.' B.C. Ferries' head of fleet renewal, Ed Hooper, said no Canadian companies bid on the ships that will carry about 52 per cent more passengers and 24 per cent more vehicles than the ferries they are replacing. Jimenez said 60 per cent of the world's ships are built in China, and B.C. Ferries did due diligence to make sure it understood the 'technical and delivery and country risks associated with making this decision.' B.C. Ferries said it will have its own team of experts at the shipyard throughout construction to provide oversight and quality assurance. In a statement, the Opposition B.C. Conservatives accused Premier David Eby of 'abandoning Canadian workers' by awarding a 'multibillion-dollar' contract to a Chinese state-owned enterprise. The oldest ferry being replaced is the Queen of New Westminster, built in 1964, while the Queen of Cowichan, Queen of Alberni and Queen of Coquitlam all turn 50 next year. B.C. Ferries had hoped to buy five new vessels and bring its fleet size from 10 to 11 but earlier this year the provincial regulator rejected the pitch, saying a fifth ferry 'is not in the public interest' as it is 'not essential for safe and reliable service and is not fiscally prudent.' The parent company of China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards is China Merchants Industry Holdings. The conglomerate's website describes it as a 'centrally administrated state-owned' enterprise with more than a 100 years of history, making it one of the oldest 'Chinese-funded enterprises' in existence. The website says the company is based in Hong Kong and operates nine major shipyards across the Chinese coast as well as overseas subsidiaries and agencies in countries such as Finland and Germany.
Global News
2 hours ago
- Global News
US depends on Canadian oil, despite Trump's comments, Cenovus CEO says
The U.S. relies on Canadian oil imports, despite comments to the contrary by U.S. President Donald Trump, the CEO of Cenovus Energy told the Global Energy Conference in Calgary on Tuesday. Trump has threatened on-again, off-again tariffs on Canada's oil, of which nearly 4 million barrels per day are exported to the United States. Canada is the world's fourth-largest oil producer, and fifth-largest natural gas producer. Trump has previously said the U.S. does not need to import goods, including oil and gas, from Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney, who won a minority government in April on a wave of anti-Trump voter sentiment, has said the country's old relationship with the U.S. based on steadily increasing economic integration is over. 1:59 Alberta's energy sector responds to lower tariff Jon McKenzie, who heads oil sands company Cenovus and chairs the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers industry group, said trade tensions between the two nations have highlighted the need for Canada to diversify its exports. Story continues below advertisement But he said that need does not take away from the fact the two countries' energy systems are inextricably linked. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'What hasn't changed is energy economics and energy physics,' said McKenzie. 'The reality is we are hardwired into the U.S. system.' Canada depends on U.S. refiners to buy the vast majority of its exported oil, while landlocked U.S. refineries in the Midwest are configured to process the grade of crude that Canada produces. McKenzie said Canada has the opportunity to grow its oil output in the coming decades, and added the country's new government needs to recognize Canada's co-dependence with the U.S. and seek to improve that relationship. 'We need to make sure that we don't act viscerally when we're threatened, and that we act intelligently in our long-term interest,' he said. As part of its response to the U.S. tariff threat, Carney has pledged to identify and fast-track projects of national interest aimed at helping Canada become what he calls a conventional and clean energy superpower. McKenzie said the oil and gas sector does not want the federal government to pick winners and losers by deciding which projects to fast-track. He said the industry instead wants to see broad regulatory reform that will remove barriers to investing in oil and gas projects. Story continues below advertisement
