Latest news with #Confederation
Winnipeg Free Press
6 hours ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
First ministers meeting produces unfamiliar but encouraging sense of optimism
Opinion What happened in Saskatoon this week hasn't been seen in Canadian politics for a long time. Other than the early days of crisis management around the COVID-19 pandemic, one probably has to go back to the 1990s to remember when a federal-provincial gathering ended on such an optimistic, even collaborative, note. No angry premiers storming out. No federal lectures about jurisdiction. And, most surprisingly, no perennial squabbling over federal transfer payments. Premier of Manitoba Wab Kinew, left to right, Prime Minister Mark Carney, Premier of Nova Scotia Tim Houston, Premier of Québec François Legault, Premier of New Brunswick Susan Holt, and Premier of the Northwest Territories R.J. Simpson during the First Minister's Meeting in Saskatoon on Monday, June 2, 2025. (Liam Richards / The Canadian Press files) Instead, what we got from Monday's first ministers meeting, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, was something bordering on unity: a clear, collective voice emerging on economic growth, diversification and reducing our overwhelming reliance on exports to the United States. The tone and substance of the meeting marked a striking departure from the norm. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, never one to sugar-coat, called it 'the best first ministers conference I've ever attended.' Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston echoed the sentiment, describing the tone as 'forward-looking and respectful.' Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said the plan has the potential to help lower-income Canadians through better access to jobs and education. He also praised Canadians for coming together to help fight the wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Even Alberta Premier Danielle Smith — often the federal government's most combative critic —expressed something bordering on praise. 'I was encouraged by Prime Minister Carney's tone and his willingness to make Canada an energy superpower again,' Smith said after the meeting, adding that Carney's openness to pipeline infrastructure could signal a thaw in one of Confederation's chilliest relationships. This first ministers meeting was not only civil, it was productive. Let's pause for a moment on that. Smith, who has floated the idea of Alberta holding a referendum on separation from Canada and spent the better part of two years verbally sparring with Ottawa, was 'encouraged.' That word doesn't get tossed around lightly in federal-Alberta relations. This first ministers meeting was not only civil, it was productive. A shared agreement was struck on a pan-Canadian approach to economic growth that includes building internal trade, exploring new international markets and improving infrastructure to support the next generation of Canadian exports — from clean energy to oil and gas. Perhaps most significantly, all of this came without the usual baggage. The premiers, often quick to complain that federal health transfers aren't sufficient, didn't dwell on the matter this time. Nor did the federal government offer any veiled constitutional reminders about jurisdictions or fiscal restraint. Instead, the agenda was refreshingly forward-looking. Canada's heavy dependence on the U.S. as a trading partner has long been a sore spot for economists and policy-makers alike. The desire to diversify is not new. But what's new is the broad agreement among provinces and the feds that now is the time to do something about it, together. The former Bank of Canada governor may be green in political years, but it's clear he's brought with him a measured, professional tone that provinces seem to appreciate. Carney, in one of his first major tests as prime minister, showed calm conviction. The former Bank of Canada governor may be green in political years, but it's clear he's brought with him a measured, professional tone that provinces seem to appreciate. Not grandstanding. Not lecturing. Just listening, and leading. Even on the thorny issue of pipelines, Carney appears to have found a middle path. While not promising specific projects, he indicated an openness to the idea that oil and gas infrastructure, if done responsibly and with environmental safeguards, could play a role in Canada's economic growth. What was missing from the conference was representation from Indigenous leaders. They still do not have a seat at the federal-provincial table, which is wrong. There are treaty and other constitutional obligations regarding Indigenous people that need to be considered when fast-tracking large-scale projects, including affected lands and waterways located on treaty territory. Indigenous leaders have a right to be at the table to discuss those issues. Still, Monday's gathering showed that when leaders stop shouting past each other, progress is possible. It helps, too, that the economic stakes are high. Canada is entering a pivotal period where global trade dynamics are shifting: wars in Europe and the Middle East, increased protectionism in the U.S. and the green transition accelerating in Asia and Europe. If Canada doesn't adapt, it risks being left behind. This was a first ministers meeting that set a new tone… and potentially a new standard… for how this country could move forward, together. There will still be battles ahead, of course. Not every premier sees eye to eye on carbon pricing, energy transition or the pace of decarbonization. Some, like Quebec's François Legault, are still wary of federal overreach. And it's unlikely Smith's rhetoric on sovereignty has been permanently shelved. But the fact that the premiers and the prime minister emerged from a daylong meeting with a shared sense of purpose — and not just a vague commitment to 'work together' — is something rare enough to celebrate. Maybe it's the Carney effect. Maybe it's the Trump threat. Or, perhaps, it's just economic pragmatism finally prevailing over political theatre. Either way, this was a first ministers meeting that set a new tone — and potentially a new standard — for how this country could move forward, together. Let's hope it lasts. Tom BrodbeckColumnist Tom Brodbeck is a columnist with the Free Press and has over 30 years experience in print media. He joined the Free Press in 2019. Born and raised in Montreal, Tom graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and commerce. Read more about Tom. Tom provides commentary and analysis on political and related issues at the municipal, provincial and federal level. His columns are built on research and coverage of local events. The Free Press's editing team reviews Tom's columns before they are posted online or published in print – part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Climate
- Hamilton Spectator
Hotel spaces freed up in Winnipeg for wildfire evacuees, Alberta dealing with winds
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says hotels in Winnipeg are opening up to thousands of evacuees who have fled their homes due to raging wildfires. More than 17,000 people have been displaced in the past week, including all 5,000 residents of Flin Flon. People are seeking shelter in Brandon, The Pas and the province's capital. Manitoba is currently under a state of emergency due to the fires. Emergency centres have been set up to provide additional space as hotel rooms in cities have become scarce, but First Nations leaders have called on provincial and federal leaders to direct hotels to prioritize evacuees. Speaking ahead of the First Ministers' conference, Kinew said Monday some 1,000 hotel rooms would be made available for evacuees. 'Nobody wants to sleep on a cot for more than a day or two, even in an emergency situation,' Kinew told a news conference in Saskatoon. 'So we're connecting folks who need those enhanced accessibility supports first, and then broadening it out to everybody else who needs help, too.' Some residents from Pimicikamak Cree Nation were sent Sunday to a hotel in Niagara Falls, Ont. Higher courts in Manitoba and Saskatchewan were to meet this week in Winnipeg for a conference, but it was cancelled to make hotel spaces available for evacuees. Manitoba had 25 active wildfires as of Sunday, including eight considered out of control. Cooler temperatures and possible rain are expected to aid firefighters in battling wildfires, including the blaze burning quite close to Flin Flon. Fire crews have said the fire has been contained to outside its perimeter highway. City officials said Monday that the area experienced strong winds overnight, but there have been no structure losses. Kinew said the support Manitoba has received from other jurisdictions is appreciated, but noted Canada needs to scale up its firefighting capabilities as wildfire seasons look increasingly different each year. 'As a nation, we're going to have to contend will future fire seasons being more and more like this, which means scaling up our firefighting capability,' he said. 'We could use every water bomber we can get our hands on. We're going to need more water bombers in the future.' The Manitoba government has ordered new water bombers, but Kinew said it will be another five years before the province can get them. Thousands of others have been affected by wildfires in Saskatchewan and Alberta, ignited by hot, dry weather that has allowed some fires to grow and threaten communities. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said all of Confederation has come together to help out the three Prairie provinces. 'Many others around this table are consistently reaching out to the three of us to offer resources,' he said. 'And for that, we're very grateful.' As of Monday, 18 fires are actively burning in Saskatchewan. Evacuation orders have been issued for many areas in the north, including Pelican Narrows, East Trout Lake and the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. Moe has said there will likely be many more evacuation orders over the next week. Meanwhile, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said her province is experiencing shifting wind conditions — similar to Saskatchewan and Manitoba — and that some Alberta fire crews sent to other provinces have been called back home. Smith said her province has seen nearly 5,000 people evacuated. There are 26 out-of-control fires in Alberta. 'We are about to restart our emergency management committee of cabinet, because this is an indicator with so many communities facing evacuation that we've got to be able to respond in a way that is going to be rapid,' she said. Smith also pointed to her government's awareness campaign aimed at reducing human-caused wildfires, saying it brought them down to 57 per cent of fires from 67 per cent last year. She said she hopes the federal government will help other provinces to follow suit. — With files from Lisa Johnson and Aaron Sousa in Edmonton. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 2, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Zelenskyy expects fruitful cooperation with Poland's newly elected president
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has congratulated Poland's newly elected leader, Karol Nawrocki, on his victory in the country's presidential election. Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Zelenskyy extended his congratulations to Nawrocki on Monday 2 June, following the results of the presidential election. He stated that Poland, which preserves the "strength of its national spirit and its faith in justice", has been and remains a pillar of both regional and broader European security, as well as a strong voice "defending freedom and dignity for every nation". The Ukrainian president said he expects "continued fruitful cooperation" with Poland and personally with the country's new president. "By reinforcing one another on our continent, we give greater strength to Europe in global competition and bring the achievement of real and lasting peace closer," he added. Background: In the end of May Nawrocki officially accepted the demands of Sławomir Mentzen, leader of the anti-Ukrainian Confederation party, including the pledge to block Ukraine's NATO accession, in exchange for support in the second round. Nawrocki's opponent, Rafał Trzaskowski, refused to sign such a declaration. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Sundowns unable to scale Pyramids, as Egyptian club crowned kings of Africa
Mamelodi Sundowns were a goal from the glory of being crowned African champions again, but Pyramids FC hung on through a gut-clenching final 15 minutes of the final on Sunday night to lift the trophy as winners of the 2024-25 Caf Champions League trophy. The Egyptian outfit clinched their first Champions League title winning the second leg at Cairo's June 30 Air Defence Stadium 2-1 after earning a last-gasp 1-1 draw at Loftus Versfeld last week. Coach Miguel Cardoso's brave Sundowns, playing their first final since winning their first Champions League in 2016, were left to rue the fractional moments that decide matches at this level. Downs have to rue how agonisingly close they came. In Pretoria two Saturday's ago Walid El Karti's equaliser came seconds from the end. In Cairo, Downs had chances — particularly two saves from the legs of Pyramids goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy — that could have won it. It was not to be. The chances that did find the back of the net settled 180 minutes and some added time of a spectacularly closely-contested final where the 3-2 aggregate scoreline to Pyramids said a lot of how tight the proceedings were. Fiston Mayele — Pyramids' excellent Democratic Republic of Congo striker, who looks set to be among the favourites for the Confederation of African Football's local-based player of the year award this year — has played a major part in them being such a force in the Champions League. Croatian coach Krunoslav Jurčić has had his side superbly drilled and Mayele as a huge presence as the spearhead. They had been particularly strong at home, scoring 32 goals and conceding six in seven matches at June 30 Stadium, so Downs were up against it. Mayele opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, profiting from Grant Kekana's defensive error. 🏆 ℂ𝔸𝔽 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕞𝕡𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤 𝕃𝕖𝕒𝕘𝕦𝕖 𝔽𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝 🏆 ⚽️ ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: The hosts have doubled their lead! 𝐏𝐲𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐬 2⃣➖0⃣ 𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐝𝐢 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬 (𝗔𝗚𝗚: 3⃣➖1⃣) 📺 SABC Sport | SABC 3 🌐 📱 SABC+ #SABCSportFootball #TotalEnergiesCAFCL — SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) June 1, 2025 From there, it was Sundowns' task to aim for an unanswered goal to take the tie to extra time and penalties, or two to win. They had an outstanding chance for that spurned by Tashreeq Matthews seconds before the break. Ahmed Samy made it 3-1 heading in a free-kick in the 56th, and Downs needed two unanswered goals to win. Iqraam Rayners pulled one back in the 75th. Downs could not find another, despite substitute Peter Shalulile coming excruciatingly close. In the opening half, Sundowns paid for being that minute margin loose that can be so costly at the rarefied level of a continental final and went behind from a defensive error. Had the bounce of the ball gone their way, the Brazilians could also have gone to the break level. A cleverly-worked free-kick from the middle by Downs saw Aubrey Modiba chip the ball short into the path of Rayners, who took the ball over his shoulder and volleyed high. At the other end a half-clearance fell to Ahmed Atef on the edge of the box to strike well, but too close to Williams, who took easily. 🏆 ℂ𝔸𝔽 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕞𝕡𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤 𝕃𝕖𝕒𝕘𝕦𝕖 𝔽𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝 🏆 ⚽️ ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: Masandawana have reduced the margin! 𝐏𝐲𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐬 2⃣➖1⃣ 𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐝𝐢 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬 (𝗔𝗚𝗚: 3⃣➖2⃣) 🚨 LIVE 🥇 2nd Leg 📺 SABC Sport | SABC 3 📱 SABC+ #SABCSportFootball #TotalEnergiesCAFCL — SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) June 1, 2025 Pyramids were flexing their muscle and Downs a margin stretched when the Pretoria team conceded. A ball upfield found Mayele on the right, who fed Atef to make ground and cross. Kekana's volley was mis-hit and straight into the path of the grateful Congolese, who needs no second invitation in such situations and picked his spot past Ronwen Williams. Six minutes into added time Lucas Ribeiro took a chip on his chest, turned and expertly fed the sharp run through of Matthews to be one-on-one with El Shenawy, somehow finding the keeper's legs. Sundowns pushed for an equaliser back from the change rooms. They had a decent video assistant referee check — looking to overturn Somalian referee Omar Artan's rejection of a penalty appeal for a push on Iqraam Rayners — overturned in the 51st. When those two good opportunities on either side of the break did not materialise in a goal, the situation seemed ripe for Pyramids to get a second. They did when, after Divine Lunga conceded a free-kick on Downs' left side, right-back Mohamed Chibi's delivery found centreback Samy free of marker Jayden Adams in the box to head past Williams at close range. As Downs sought two goals, Teboho Mokoena's free-kick tested El Shenawy. The Brazilians got one goal when Samy's headed clearance could only go as far as Rayners on the left of the box to volley past El Shenawy. With Sundowns piling on the pressure Ribeiro fed Shaluile who forced a superb stop off the legs of El Shenawy from point blank. Two minutes into a frenetic 10 minutes of added time, Mayele spooned over from in front of the goalmouth. The Egyptian club regained their composure to shut out the last eight minutes.
Montreal Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- Montreal Gazette
Freed: The King, the Donald and the future of Quebec
The big surprise about our visit from the 'King of Canada' was that Quebecers didn't care. Sure, the usual nationalist suspects went on about the 'insult to democracy.' But most Quebecers yawned and shrugged. In short, they acted like Canadians, 83 per cent of whom said they 'didn't care' about King Charles's visit (while Quebecers polled 90 per cent). In fact, most Canadians would like to dump the monarchy. But for that we'd have to reopen the dreaded Constitution: a Pandora's box that would quickly have every province demanding something in exchange. Alberta would want a pipeline in every home, Quebec the exclusive world rights to the words 'distinct' and 'special.' Ontario would demand recognition as the official 'centre of the universe' and B.C. a guarantee it can keep complaining about housing prices, while sipping $8 lattes. Negotiations would continue until shortly after the death of the universe. So instead of going there, we all just shrugged at the King's visit. But the francophone shrug seems part of a larger recent shrug about Quebec nationalism in general. How? Let's connect some dots. First dot: In the recent election, Quebecers single-handedly saved the Liberals. They saw the only election issue as TrumpAmerica, with a Carney-united strong Canada as their best defence. That's why Quebec originally joined Canada. As Father-of-Confederation George-Étienne Cartier put it, 'Quebec must join' Confederation 'or be absorbed' by America. For proof Cartier was right, visit New England, where you'll see names like Lavoy (formerly Lavoie), Wallet (Ouellet) and Packet (Paquette). Their owners often don't know their names were once French. As Quebecers grow closer to Canada, it's a bad time to promise a Quebec referendum, as PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon keeps doing. In a recent poll, even one-third of PQ voters said they were 'not in favour' of Quebec sovereignty. Let alone young Quebecers. In another recent poll, 80 per cent of francophones under 35 were 'proud to live in Canada,' while young people in English Canada polled 74 per cent. Young Quebecers are now bigger Canadian nationalists than young English Canadians. The only place separatism is rising is Alberta. Will young Québécois someday fly en masse to Calgary, waving maple leafs and begging Albertans to stay in Canada? So what's behind these changes? Second dot: Recent generations of Quebecers have lived different experiences than their nationalist elders. Their parents and grandparents felt kept down by English Canada and some may still hold a grudge, including our premier. But younger Quebecers have grown up with francophones running Quebec (while we anglos feel like a threatened minority). These young francophones have no personal resentment pushing them toward independence. They don't even have any interest in it. Many travel and work in Canada, especially out West, and feel as comfortable there as I did at their age. Like young people everywhere, they also love the English-dominated internet, video games and Taylor Swift, but they also love popular French Quebec shows like La Voix. You can see how older nationalists might worry about this dual attachment. As a woman at a French book launch told me: 'I'm much less nationalist than when I was young, but my three kids — forget it! If I even say the word independence, they think I'm a fossil.' I sometimes wonder if the urgency some older nationalists feel for sovereignty is because they don't trust their kids to follow. It's easier for cabinet ministers to beat up on English guitar-string labels than tell their kids to stop speaking English. Like kids everywhere, they'd probably just do the opposite. Third dot: Recent generations of francophones have gone to school with the whole planet. When I grew up, most immigrants went to English schools because they couldn't get into French Catholic ones. So francophones were rarely exposed to them. But today's post-Bill 101 francophones have shared classes with the world — including students in turbans and hijabs — and you see them all socializing together on The Main at night. Quebec will always have periodic waves of nationalism to protect its language, but currently French is doing well, despite its doomsayers. So younger francophones seem confident about themselves and their language, within Canada. Last dot: All of the above is partly why Quebec Liberals are neck-and-neck with the PQ in polls and way ahead of Legault's CAQ. Quebec sometimes moves in giant swerves, or quiet revolutions — and we may be on the cusp of one, set off bizarrely by, yes, Donald Trump. Still, you can never predict long-term politics (see America), so I'm not making promises. Perhaps an unpopular Legault will quit and be replaced by someone more appealing? Or the PQ will drop its referendum pledge and risk a sovereignist hardliner rebellion? Maybe Trump will suddenly outlaw french fries, french toast and french kisses in America, provoking a new wave of French Quebec nationalism. Who can say, but for now the ground is ripe for another Quebec swerve, perhaps away from independence. Trump has already changed the arc of current Canadian history. He may yet do the same for Quebec, ending an era of 'Le Québec aux Québécois!' and starting one of 'Le Québec pour un Canada Uni!'
