Varcoe: Amid geopolitical dangers, G7 leaders wrap up Kananaskis summit touting energy security and critical minerals
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A discussion about critical minerals and energy security — taking place in the heartlands of Canada's oilpatch, as global oil prices jumped amid the escalating Iran-Israeli clash — seemed particularly relevant, given the complexities confronting the world today.
Prime Minister Mark Carney called the Tuesday afternoon session about energy security and critical minerals the most important session of the conference, as it included leaders of several non-G7 countries, such as Brazil, South Africa and India.
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CBC
44 minutes ago
- CBC
A Canada-Israel rift is widening over UN votes and sanctions
Social Sharing Israel's war with Iran has temporarily delayed a reckoning with some of its main Western allies, but seems unlikely to close what has become a yawning gap between them over its conduct in Gaza and the West Bank. "The relationship's not in great shape," said former Canadian ambassador to Israel Jon Allen. "Frankly, it shouldn't be." The gulf between the Canadian and Israeli governments widened further on June 12 as the Carney government took a firmer position against Israel's war in Gaza than its predecessor, voting for a UN motion similar to one that the Trudeau government had abstained on in September. At the time, the government explained that while it supported "the creation of the Palestinian state" and the International Court of Justice's role "in upholding the international rules-based order," it could not "support a resolution where one party, the state of Israel, is held solely responsible for the conflict." The Trudeau government also flagged concern over language that "aligns" with the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement targeting Israel. Canada's reservations appear to have fallen by the wayside. While neither UN resolution directly called for boycott or divestment of Israel, the earlier one did demand targeted sanctions on individuals engaged in "settler violence" — something Canada ultimately did last week. After initially agreeing to discuss the vote with CBC News, Global Affairs Canada rescinded approval of an interview request with Canada's permanent representative to the UN, Bob Rae. The department did not to explain its change of posture. WATCH | Netanyahu says Canada is 'emboldening Hamas': Netanyahu accuses Carney of 'emboldening Hamas' after D.C. shooting 27 days ago Duration 1:39:07 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attacked Canada, France and the U.K. in his response to the killing of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, saying that 'when mass murderers, rapists, baby killers and kidnappers thank you, you're on the wrong side of justice.' Israel's Ambassador to Canada Iddo Moed responds to the countries' joint warning of sanctions over Israel's expansion of the war in Gaza, telling Power & Politics that 'Israel has the capability of conquering Gaza in half a day.' Plus, NDP interim leader Don Davies addresses a letter from three of the party's seven MPs calling out his selection as leader. Allen said Israel's reaction to Canada's threat of sanctions in May inflamed the situation. "Bibi [Netanyahu's] response, I thought, was despicable. It was vile," he told CBC News, as the Israeli prime minister connected a joint statement from Canada, the U.K. and France to the killing of two Israeli diplomats in D.C. "It was using the worst of allegations to score political points." Tensions between Israel and Canada remain high over the sanctioning of two Israeli cabinet ministers. But under the Trump administration, there's no reason Israel would worry about the U.S. applying any such pressure. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Norway to reverse course. The U.S. ambassador to Israel invited the sanctioned ministers, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, to the U.S. embassy in a show of support. Ambassador Mike Huckabee said the sanctions against them were "a shocking decision," arguing "they have not conducted any criminal activity." But the two have long histories of racist and violent rhetoric and both have previously spent time in Israeli government custody for their words and actions. The five Western governments pointed to repeated inflammatory statements by the ministers encouraging the use of starvation and other illegal methods in Gaza, and their repeated calls for its population to be displaced and replaced with Jewish settlers, as justification for the sanctions. The U.S. also recently warned other governments not to attend a planned summit, to be hosted by France and Saudi Arabia at the UN, that aims to revive the hope for a two-state solution — an objective long held by most of the world including the U.S. outside of the two Trump administrations. Rubio sent a diplomatic cable threatening other countries with unspecified consequences if they took part, according to Reuters. An official with Global Affairs Canada told CBC News that Canada decides its own foreign policy and would not be influenced by the U.S. note. That summit has been postponed due to the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Iran. But Allen thinks it likely that Canada will ultimately attend, regardless of any pressure from Washington. 'There is no peace process' The former diplomat said Canada could likely expect blowback from the U.S. if it were to officially recognize a Palestinian state, but argues it would probably be less serious than what he experienced in Washington when the Chrétien government opted to sit out George W. Bush's invasion of Iraq. Allen was invited to testify on the topic at the Commons foreign affairs committee last year, where he said he saw "overwhelming" support for the idea — including by members of the Liberal caucus. "But obviously the government is weighing its classic relationship with Israel, and its relationship with the U.S., and its relationship with the diaspora community here on that one," Allen said. WATCH | Trump doesn't rule out bombing Iran: Trump weighing use of U.S. bunker-busters in Israel's fight with Iran 6 hours ago Duration 5:25 Spain, Ireland and Norway all recognized the state of Palestine during the course of the current Gaza war, as do 144 other countries. He expects Canada would do the same "in conjunction with the U.K., France, Australia, for example." He said the strongest argument to do so is to show Israel it doesn't have a "veto" over when Palestinian territories could become a country. "They expand settlements, they advocate the depopulation of Gaza. And then they say, oh, you know we have to have a peace process in order to recognize a Palestinian state," Allen said.
Toronto Sun
an hour ago
- Toronto Sun
EDITORIAL: Pro tip for activists: Check your facts first
Protesters carry Palestinian flags and shout slogans during a demonstration march on April 21, 2024, in Toronto. Protesters demanded a ceasefire in the current conflict in the Gaza Strip. Photo by Maryam Majd / Getty Images It is utterly mystifying why so many activists on the left demonstrate such naivete and blinkered judgment when it comes to events in the Middle East. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The latest two examples are CUPE Ontario, which announced earlier this week that it was promoting and supporting a 'Stand with Iran' protest at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto, to be held Sunday. That comes on the heels of a bizarre and failed 'March for Gaza,' in which an estimated 40 Canadians joined protesters from 80 other countries, intending to hold a three-day march to Egypt's Rafah border with Gaza to join a peaceful demonstration. What could possibly go wrong? Well, quite a lot since Egypt made it clear the marchers weren't wanted there. One of the co-ordinators, Tatiana Harker of Palestine Vivra Montreal, was quoted by CBC complaining about the way they were being treated by Egyptian authorities. 'A lot of people are being detained, left in the (heat) without any answers, for two to three hours,' Harker said last week. Egyptian authorities confiscated their passports at a checkpoint without giving a reason. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. She complained that Canadian embassy officials in Cairo had not answered their calls. 'Our government is completely ignoring us,' she said. RECOMMENDED VIDEO When you choose to visit a country that neighbours a dangerous, war-torn region, intending to stage a political demonstration, you do so at your own risk. According to the London Daily Telegraph , protesters were recorded shouting, 'F— you, Egypt,' which is a peaceful protest in a way, but vulgar and ungrateful, given that Egypt was hosting these people against its will. One South African demonstrator posted a map purporting to show their route. Sadly, it misplaced Rafah, Cairo and the Suez Canal. Try Google Maps next time. As for CUPE Ontario, in a later post it said its earlier statement about the demonstration was a 'draft. 'The approved flyer for this event will be shared shortly and it will clearly identify Sunday's event as an antiwar rally.' That's a relief. We'd hate to believe any Canadian union would support a regime that hangs gay and lesbian people, murders women for not wearing hijabs and cruelly violates the human rights of their citizens — including union members. Read More NHL Canada Soccer Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto & GTA
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Average family to save $280 per year from Liberal tax cut: PBO
Prime Minister Mark Carney answers a question during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick OTTAWA — The parliamentary budget officer estimates the average Canadian family will save $280 on their taxes next year thanks to the Liberal government's planned income tax cut. A one-percentage-point cut to the bottom income tax bracket was a pillar of the Liberal campaign during the spring federal election. Prime Minister Mark Carney's plan pitched annual savings of up to $825 per dual-income family. But the parliamentary budget officer says in a new analysis that the average family likely won't get that much back. A couple with a child who are both earning in the second income bracket would get closest, with $750 in average savings, but most single Canadians and seniors are expected to save less. The Liberals tabled a ways and means motion last month that puts the tax cut in place starting July 1, but legislation to enact the change is still making its way through Parliament. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 18, 2025 Craig Lord, The Canadian Press
