Latest news with #FDFA
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Canadian border mayors push feds for financial aid for slumping duty free stores
Social Sharing Border mayors in Canada are pleading with the federal government to offer financial assistance to struggling independently owned duty free stores amidst ongoing political and economic trade war tension. An open letter penned on behalf of the Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA) has been signed by 15 mayors whose communities overlook the United States, and who have seen a steep decline in cross-border trips. On Tuesday, it was sent to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne. The association represents 32 stores across the country. The letter outlines what's referred to as a disproportionate impact the stores, and their work forces, are facing from tariffs and continued cross-border travel disruptions. WATCH | Duty free shops fear Trump's trade war will force them out of business: Duty free shops fear Trump's trade war will force them out of business 29 days ago Duration 6:25 Barbara Barrett, the executive director for FDFA, says "immediate action" is needed from Ottawa. "When travel slows or stops, our stores — all independently owned, family run and often the main employer in their towns — are the first to feel it and often the hardest hit," she told reporters during a Tuesday morning news conference on Parliament Hill. "Our communities can't afford to lose these businesses. That's why today's letter is so urgent and why we're calling on the government to step in before the damage becomes permanent." Association president Tania Lee says some stores are seeing as much as 80 per cent in revenue losses. She says if that trend continues, one third of all duty free stores will close. FDFA is looking for things such as liquidity support for its hardest hit stores, and clarity on export rules. "Our ask is modest, but the need is urgent," Lee said. Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley says duty free stores are struggling. "This is not a fat cat industry," he said. "The people we've spoken to who have these particular operations across this country are ordinary working people who live in their community, employ people in their community and give back to their community. Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens also signed the letter to the federal government. "We believe that those things can actually make a significant and impactful difference while we navigate these choppy waters together with their friends in the United States," he said. "While this matter [trade war] is being settled, let's make sure that we keep people working."
Gulf Today
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Swiss mulls probe into US-backed Gaza aid group
Swiss authorities said on Sunday they were exploring whether to open a legal investigation into the activities of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US-backed organisation that plans to oversee aid distribution in the Palestinian enclave. The move comes after a Swiss NGO submitted a request for a probe into GHF's aid plan, which the United Nations has opposed, saying it is not impartial or neutral and forces further displacement and exposes thousands of people to harm. The GHF, which has said it hopes to start work in Gaza by the end of May, told Reuters it 'strictly adheres' to humanitarian principles, and that it would not support any form of forced relocation of civilians. Israel has allowed limited aid deliveries to resume this week after having stopped all aid deliveries to Gaza on March 2. TRIAL International, a Switzerland-based NGO, on Friday said it had filed two legal submissions asking Swiss authorities to investigate whether the Swiss-registered GHF complies with Swiss law and international humanitarian law. The submissions were made to the Swiss Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) on May 20 and 21. The FDFA on Sunday confirmed to Reuters that both authorities had received the submissions. TRIAL International said it asked the Swiss FDFA to explain if the GHF had submitted a declaration, in accordance with Swiss law, to use private security companies to distribute aid, and if it had been approved by Swiss authorities. MALAYSIA SLAMS ATROCITIES: Malaysia's foreign minister on Sunday condemned 'atrocities' in Gaza, saying they reflected 'indifference and double standards' on the plight of the Palestinian people. 'They are a direct result of the erosion of the sanctity of international law,' Mohamad Hasan told his counterparts from the regional ASEAN bloc. Mohamad's comments ahead of an ASEAN summit Monday in Kuala Lumpur come as Israel has stepped up its campaign this month in war-torn Gaza. The bombardment has drawn international criticism, alongside calls to allow in more aid after Israel only partially eased a total blockade imposed on March 2. 'The atrocities committed against the Palestinian people continue to reflect indifference and double standards,' Mohamad said. Agencies
Arab News
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Swiss authorities exploring probe into Gaza aid group
GENEVA: Swiss authorities said on Sunday they were exploring whether to open a legal investigation into the activities of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization that plans to oversee aid distribution in the Palestinian enclave. The move comes after a Swiss NGO submitted a request for a probe into GHF's aid plan, which the UN has opposed, saying it is not impartial or neutral and forces further displacement and exposes thousands of people to harm. The GHF, which has said it hopes to start work in Gaza by the end of May, said it 'strictly adheres' to humanitarian principles, and that it would not support any form of forced relocation of civilians. Israel has allowed limited aid deliveries to resume this week after having stopped all aid deliveries to Gaza on March 2. TRIAL International, a Switzerland-based NGO, on Friday said it had filed two legal submissions asking Swiss authorities to investigate whether the Swiss-registered GHF complies with Swiss law and international humanitarian law. The submissions were made to the Swiss Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, or FDFA, on May 20 and 21. The FDFA on Sunday confirmed that both authorities had received the submissions. TRIAL International said it asked the Swiss FDFA to explain if the GHF had submitted a declaration, in accordance with Swiss law, to use private security companies to distribute aid, and if Swiss authorities had approved it. The FDFA said it was investigating whether such a declaration would be required for the foundation. It said that the Federal Supervisory Board for Foundations cannot review whether foundations comply with their statutes until they start their activities. The GHF said that though using private security firms represents a change from prior aid delivery frameworks, it would ensure aid is not diverted to Hamas or criminal organizations.
Asharq Al-Awsat
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Swiss Authorities Exploring Probe into US-backed Gaza Aid Group
Swiss authorities said on Sunday they were exploring whether to open a legal investigation into the activities of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organisation that plans to oversee aid distribution in the Palestinian enclave. The move comes after a Swiss NGO submitted a request for a probe into GHF's aid plan, which the United Nations has opposed, saying it is not impartial or neutral and forces further displacement and exposes thousands of people to harm. The GHF, which has said it hopes to start work in Gaza by the end of May, told Reuters it "strictly adheres" to humanitarian principles, and that it would not support any form of forced relocation of civilians. Israel has allowed limited aid deliveries to resume this week after having stopped all aid deliveries to Gaza on March 2. TRIAL International, a Switzerland-based NGO, on Friday said it had filed two legal submissions asking Swiss authorities to investigate whether the Swiss-registered GHF complies with Swiss law and international humanitarian law. The submissions were made to the Swiss Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) on May 20 and 21. The FDFA on Sunday confirmed to Reuters that both authorities had received the submissions. TRIAL International said it asked the Swiss FDFA to explain if the GHF had submitted a declaration, in accordance with Swiss law, to use private security companies to distribute aid, and if it had been approved by Swiss authorities. The FDFA told Reuters it is investigating whether such a declaration would be required for the foundation. It said that the Federal Supervisory Board for Foundations cannot review whether foundations comply with their statutes until they start their activities. The GHF told Reuters that though using private security firms represents a change from prior aid delivery frameworks, it would ensure aid is not diverted to Hamas or criminal organizations.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Swiss authorities exploring probe into US-backed Gaza aid group
By Olivia Le Poidevin GENEVA (Reuters) -Swiss authorities said on Sunday they were exploring whether to open a legal investigation into the activities of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-backed organisation that plans to oversee aid distribution in the Palestinian enclave. The move comes after a Swiss NGO submitted a request for a probe into GHF's aid plan, which the United Nations has opposed, saying it is not impartial or neutral and forces further displacement and exposes thousands of people to harm. The GHF, which has said it hopes to start work in Gaza by the end of May, told Reuters it "strictly adheres" to humanitarian principles, and that it would not support any form of forced relocation of civilians. Israel has allowed limited aid deliveries to resume this week after having stopped all aid deliveries to Gaza on March 2. TRIAL International, a Switzerland-based NGO, on Friday said it had filed two legal submissions asking Swiss authorities to investigate whether the Swiss-registered GHF complies with Swiss law and international humanitarian law. The submissions were made to the Swiss Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) on May 20 and 21. The FDFA on Sunday confirmed to Reuters that both authorities had received the submissions. TRIAL International said it asked the Swiss FDFA to explain if the GHF had submitted a declaration, in accordance with Swiss law, to use private security companies to distribute aid, and if it had been approved by Swiss authorities. The FDFA told Reuters it is investigating whether such a declaration would be required for the foundation. It said that the Federal Supervisory Board for Foundations cannot review whether foundations comply with their statutes until they start their activities. The GHF told Reuters that though using private security firms represents a change from prior aid delivery frameworks, it would ensure aid is not diverted to Hamas or criminal organizations.
