Latest news with #CanadaSovereignty
CTV News
2 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Experts say royal visit was meant to send a message to Trump — and to London
King Charles waves to the crowd as he leaves the Senate with Queen Camilla after the throne speech in Ottawa during a royal visit on Tuesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney meant to send a message to U.S. President Donald Trump by inviting King Charles to Ottawa this week, foreign policy experts say — but Trump may not have been the only target audience. Multiple experts in foreign policy say they're convinced Carney arranged the whirlwind royal visit to reaffirm Canada's sovereignty and distinct political culture before a global audience in response to Trump's ruinous trade policy and repeated calls for Canada's annexation. Roy Norton, a fellow at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, said he also doubts Carney would have invited the King had British Prime Minister Keir Starmer not made the controversial decision to invite the president for a second state visit to the United Kingdom. That invitation was formally issued by King Charles but would have been offered on Starmer's advice. 'I think Trump isn't the only audience internationally, but I think Trump's an important one,' Norton said. 'Starmer is also on notice as he's been reminded that the King has these responsibilities beyond simply serving the interests of the United Kingdom.' Carney told Britain's SkyNews in an interview earlier this month that Canadians 'weren't impressed' by London's invitation to Trump, 'given the circumstance.' Norton said the visit also may have been intended to remind the King of his own responsibilities to Canada. While many Canadians were disappointed that the King made no direct statement pushing back on Trump's annexation talk, the throne speech he read in Ottawa emphasized Canada's sovereignty and his close personal relationship with the country. While Trump was relatively quiet about the royal visit itself — which saw the King welcomed by cheering crowds in Ottawa — he called again Tuesday for Canada to become part of the United States. In a post on social media, Trump said Canada would pay billions of dollars to take part in his unbuilt Golden Dome missile defence system if 'they remain a separate, but unequal, Nation, but will cost ZERO DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State.' Fen Hampson, a Carleton University professor and an expert on Canada-U.S. relations, said that while he thinks the royal visit was 'all about Trump,' the president remains 'immune to messaging or persuasion of any kind.' 'In extraordinary times, you have to pull out all the stops and call on friends to send a strong message that Canada is not for sale, now, tomorrow or ever,' he said. Hampson said he doesn't think the visit itself did much to unify Canadians beyond the effect Trump is having already. 'It's the threat of Trump that's unifying Canadians, not the King,' he said. This was only the third time a sitting monarch had read the speech from the throne in Canada. Queen Elizabeth II did so in 1957 and 1977. A Liberal government official, speaking on background, told The Canadian Press that the goal of the royal visit was to help Canadians reconnect with their cultural and political roots at a time when the country's sovereignty is being threatened. Daniel Béland, director of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada, said the visit served as 'a way to draw attention to the distinctiveness of our political institutions.' 'It's also about PR and about raising the profile of Canada and, in a way, of the government's policies,' he said, noting that the visit received international attention. 'It's certainly sending a message about the fact that Canada is in a way not isolated, that it has its own identity.' Asked by reporters Tuesday if he thinks the throne speech will help the federal government in its negotiations with the Trump administration, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said it's hard to tell what moves the president. 'I think it's important that the world recognize that we have those ancient traditions and the Americans recognize that we are an independent and free country that will make its own decisions,' Poilievre said. — With files from Craig Lord This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 28, 2025. Catherine Morrison, The Canadian Press
CTV News
2 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Experts say royal visit was meant to send a message to Trump — and to London
King Charles waves to the crowd as he leaves the Senate with Queen Camilla after the throne speech in Ottawa during a royal visit on Tuesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney meant to send a message to U.S. President Donald Trump by inviting King Charles to Ottawa this week, foreign policy experts say — but Trump may not have been the only target audience. Multiple experts in foreign policy say they're convinced Carney arranged the whirlwind royal visit to reaffirm Canada's sovereignty and distinct political culture before a global audience in response to Trump's ruinous trade policy and repeated calls for Canada's annexation. Roy Norton, a fellow at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, said he also doubts Carney would have invited the King had British Prime Minister Keir Starmer not made the controversial decision to invite the president for a second state visit to the United Kingdom. That invitation was formally issued by King Charles but would have been offered on Starmer's advice. 'I think Trump isn't the only audience internationally, but I think Trump's an important one,' Norton said. 'Starmer is also on notice as he's been reminded that the King has these responsibilities beyond simply serving the interests of the United Kingdom.' Carney told Britain's SkyNews in an interview earlier this month that Canadians 'weren't impressed' by London's invitation to Trump, 'given the circumstance.' Norton said the visit also may have been intended to remind the King of his own responsibilities to Canada. While many Canadians were disappointed that the King made no direct statement pushing back on Trump's annexation talk, the throne speech he read in Ottawa emphasized Canada's sovereignty and his close personal relationship with the country. While Trump was relatively quiet about the royal visit itself — which saw the King welcomed by cheering crowds in Ottawa — he called again Tuesday for Canada to become part of the United States. In a post on social media, Trump said Canada would pay billions of dollars to take part in his unbuilt Golden Dome missile defence system if 'they remain a separate, but unequal, Nation, but will cost ZERO DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State.' Fen Hampson, a Carleton University professor and an expert on Canada-U.S. relations, said that while he thinks the royal visit was 'all about Trump,' the president remains 'immune to messaging or persuasion of any kind.' 'In extraordinary times, you have to pull out all the stops and call on friends to send a strong message that Canada is not for sale, now, tomorrow or ever,' he said. Hampson said he doesn't think the visit itself did much to unify Canadians beyond the effect Trump is having already. 'It's the threat of Trump that's unifying Canadians, not the King,' he said. This was only the third time a sitting monarch had read the speech from the throne in Canada. Queen Elizabeth II did so in 1957 and 1977. A Liberal government official, speaking on background, told The Canadian Press that the goal of the royal visit was to help Canadians reconnect with their cultural and political roots at a time when the country's sovereignty is being threatened. Daniel Béland, director of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada, said the visit served as 'a way to draw attention to the distinctiveness of our political institutions.' 'It's also about PR and about raising the profile of Canada and, in a way, of the government's policies,' he said, noting that the visit received international attention. 'It's certainly sending a message about the fact that Canada is in a way not isolated, that it has its own identity.' Asked by reporters Tuesday if he thinks the throne speech will help the federal government in its negotiations with the Trump administration, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said it's hard to tell what moves the president. 'I think it's important that the world recognize that we have those ancient traditions and the Americans recognize that we are an independent and free country that will make its own decisions,' Poilievre said. — With files from Craig Lord This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 28, 2025. Catherine Morrison, The Canadian Press
Globe and Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Morning Update: Takeaways from the Throne Speech
Good morning. King Charles III asserted Canada's sovereignty in a transformative time – more on the Throne Speech below, along with aid deliveries in Gaza and an arrest in Liverpool. But first: Written by the Prime Minister's Office in consultation with the King's office, the Throne Speech set out the government's priorities for the current session of Parliament. Carney invited the King to read the speech after he won the Liberal Party leadership – and in the midst of U.S. President Donald Trump's comments about making Canada a 51st state. Here are some of the highlights from the day. 'The True North is indeed strong and free' It was sprinkled throughout the speech, and said in different ways, but this quote from King Charles plainly displays one of the day's major talking points: reasserting Canada's sovereignty. 'I have always had the greatest admiration for Canada's unique identity, which is recognized across the world,' he said. The King offered promises of a better future, less dependent on the U.S. He spoke to the importance of the monarchy to Canadian history, as a symbol of unity. His visit also reaffirmed support for Indigenous rights and truth and reconciliation. He started off with a land acknowledgement and made several references to Canada's Indigenous history. We're shifting to big-picture economics The speech kept coming back to economics. Breaking down trade barriers between provinces. Making life affordable. Building more of everything. And building it all faster. We are in the 'largest transformation in the Canadian economy since the Second World War,' the King said. He touted Liberal government promises, such as a middle-class tax cut and fast approvals of major infrastructure projects. Canada also committed to joining the ReArm Europe plan. The King said the government's 'core mission' will be building the strongest economy in the G7. Economics reporter Nojoud Al Mallees has a full analysis on the broad aspirations. The momentous occasion and who attended Usually the King's representative in Canada, the governor-general, delivers the Throne Speech. But this year we got the King himself to do it. It has only been read twice before by the reigning monarch. Queen Elizabeth II did it in 1957 and 1977, making it one of the few times a Prime Minister gets to put words in the mouth of a monarch. Feature writer Shannon Proudfoot was fortunate to get one of the 16 allotted media seats in the Senate, privy to unparalleled political people watching. She saw everyone mill about on the scarlet, leaf-flecked carpet. To name a few: former prime ministers Justin Trudeau, Stephen Harper and Kim Campbell; former governors-general; premiers Wab Kinew and Ranj Pillai and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Natan Obed. Among all the pageantry thousands came to greet the royal couple this week, many of them new to the country, some new even to the idea of a monarchy. There was more symbolism than you realized A visit to National War Memorial, for example, underlined Canada's resiliency to outside threats. Red wool uniforms, pith helmets of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment – every part of the ceremony was designed to emphasize Canada's heritage, writes Royal family expert Patricia Treble. Then there's fashion. The royal couple dressed in matching deep blue, presenting a calm and unified front. They kept it low-key: The King pinned his Canadian medals onto a pin-striped suit rather than military dress. Camilla went for a hat rather than a tiara. Trudeau kept it casual too, sporting blue and orange Adidas sneakers to the function. Read more Coming up next Thousands of Palestinians crowded sites where aid was being distributed by a foundation backed by the U.S. and Israel. Desperation for food overcame any concern about biometric and other checks, as Gaza has been pushed toward famine, with some families being forced to search through garbage for food. At home: Canadians are missing more payments, according to Equifax analysis. Abroad: The driver in the Liverpool car ramming was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. The birds: Dr. Oz offers to save B.C. ostriches facing cull by relocating them to his ranch in Florida. The Boys: An oral history of the 1980s documentary that captured Edmonton Oilers at their peak. Callout: On Thursday, film editor Barry Hertz will answer your questions about the Cannes Film Festival.
CBC
2 days ago
- Business
- CBC
King hails ‘strong and free' Canada in historic throne speech
King Charles opened Canada's 45th Parliament with a throne speech that celebrated Canada's 'unique identity' and sovereignty. Nodding to Canada-U.S. tensions, the speech urged Canadians to 'build new alliances' and a new economy that works for all.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
US politics live: King Charles' move against Trump
Welcome to our live coverage of US politics. King Charles has delivered a historic speech at the opening of Canada's parliament, stressing Canada's sovereignty amid US President Donald Trump's repeated threats to take over his northern neighbour. 'Today, Canada faces another critical moment. Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination, and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear, and ones which the Government is determined to protect,' the Kind said on his two-day trip in Canada. Meanwhile, the White House has paused new student visa appointments. Follow on for more updates.
