Latest news with #Ginther
Politico
2 days ago
- Business
- Politico
Peacemakers
Presented by U15 CANADA – Canada's Leading Research Universities Send tips | Subscribe here | Email Canada Playbook | Follow Politico Canada Welcome to Canada Playbook. In today's edition: → A gaggle of American mayors play peacemaker north of the border. → The Liberals lose their first vote in the House of Commons. → RFK, avian flu and a British Columbia ostrich farm that won't play ball. Trade war LOVE THY NEIGHBOR — Columbus Mayor ANDREW GINTHER is on a mission to repair the Canada-U.S. relationship — but even he finds himself clashing with Canadians. The central Ohio mayor said he's hurt over Canada banning American-made goods, canceling trips to the States and booing 'The Star-Spangled Banner' at sporting events. 'I think the inflammatory rhetoric, the threats, that type of emotional language is not helpful,' Ginther told Playbook in Ottawa last week. 'Obviously those things are hurtful. If somebody boos during my national anthem, I'm going to take notice of that.' → Callback: U.S. Ambassador to Canada PETE HOEKSTRA shared similar feelings with POLITICO last month, calling it 'outrageous' that American products were banned from Canadian shelves. — They started it: Still, Ginther is trying to show outsiders that there's no bad blood between the neighbors. 'I think there are a lot of people from outside the United States and Canada who think that somehow the Canadian people and people in the United States are at odds, or there's some sort of tension and anger,' Ginther said. Canadians canceling their vacations might argue the tension is still there: Canadian resident car trips to the U.S. in April dropped year-over-year for the fourth consecutive month, Statistics Canada data shows — down significantly from pre-Trump 2.0 levels. — Feeling the pinch: Trump's tariffs have also hit American communities. Mayor BRYAN BARNETT of Rochester Hills, a suburb of Detroit, said the tariffs are driving investment out of his town. About 30 percent of companies are planning layoffs, largely in the automotive sector, and almost 60 percent of businesses are cutting off new investment in 2025, Barnett said. In Ohio, the trade war is driving housing prices by up to 10 percent, Ginther said, partly due to a rise in Canadian lumber costs. And an $8 billion transit project is in 'peril,' as many of the new vehicles the state was set to purchase come from Canada, Ginther added. — Keep 'em coming: Ginther and Barnett joined a U.S. delegation of mayors that attended the recent Federation of Canadian Municipalities annual meeting in Ottawa. It was the second delegation of U.S. politicians to land in Ottawa within a week. A bipartisan group of senators met days earlier with Prime Minister MARK CARNEY and a handful of Cabinet ministers. — Their assignment: Help repair the strained relationship between the two countries. The mayors mingled with their Canadian counterparts, roasted the Toronto Maple Leafs while on a panel with Toronto Mayor OLIVIA CHOW, and took in Carney's speech on Friday. → First impressions: Ginther described the PM as having a 'thoughtful' approach to the United States. Barnett offered a different take: 'Sneaky funny,' he said of Carney. 'I thought he had a great sense of humor, which is kind of a fun thing if you're in this business.' ON THE HILL CURVEBALL — The Liberal government narrowly lost a House of Commons vote on Monday evening that will keep parliamentary affairs experts busy this week. MPs were voting on a Conservative amendment to a Liberal motion that thanks the king for delivering the throne speech. The CPC proposal called for an economic update before MPs adjourn for the summer. — Tally it up: That amendment passed 166-164 — a margin almost as slim as it gets. A few Liberal MPs didn't manage to register their votes. On the video of proceedings, Government House Leader STEVEN MACKINNON is visible on his phone following the result. ANDREW SCHEER, the Conservative leader in the House, strolled across the aisle for a conversation with his counterpart. — The words to parse: The CPC amendment called on the government to make 'a firm commitment to present to Parliament an economic update or budget this spring, before the House adjourns for the summer.' — What does it mean: MPs still haven't voted on the amended Liberal motion, and if or when they do, a handful of House watchers told iPolitics the result would likely not be binding on the government. Still, Liberals would face pressure to do something. For your radar BIRDS OF A FEATHER — It had to be a nose-to-the-grindstone Friday for officials at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. After all, lengthy end-of-week press releases — 771 words, in this case — don't write themselves. Especially when they reinforce the government's intention to enforce a cull of potentially diseased ostriches in the name of public safety. — Friends in high places: CBC News pulled together the threads of a simmering story in British Columbia, where an ostrich farm protecting its flock scored an endorsement from U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. — Origin story: Avian flu was detected last December in ostriches at a farm called Universal Ostrich in remote and rural Edgewood, B.C. The owners fought for the survival of their birds after the CFIA determined — based on longstanding policy — that the flock be offed. Or, as the federal agency puts it, 'humane depopulation with veterinary oversight at the infected premises.' — Sick birds: The infected ostriches were found to carry a 'highly pathogenic avian influenza' that could transfer to other animals, including poultry — or, on occasion, humans. The CFIA implemented a 'stamping-out' protocol to protect the spread of the disease that is recommended by the Terrestrial Animal Health Code published by the World Organisation for Animal Health. — Ostrich champs: The owners have fought for the survival of their ostriches, securing support from RFK and fellow Trump admin'er DR. MEHMET OZ, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. They argue the birds should be allowed to live because they could serve scientific research. — The official debunking: 'Universal Ostrich Farm has not substantiated their claims of scientific research. CFIA has not received any evidence of scientific research being done at the infected premises,' the agency said in its statement, referring to the May 13 Federal Court ruling upholding its right to take action against the ostriches. — Bird bust?: A spokesperson for Agriculture Minister HEATH MACDONALD told Playbook the minister is receiving regular updates on the situation. 'The CFIA's work is being done to protect human and animal health, our poultry sector, and access to our international trade markets,' said ANNIE CULLINAN. 'The agency is moving ahead with the planned cull, but operational details will not be shared with the public in advance.' — Pro tip: A lengthy federal backgrounder on the topic makes clear that an RCMP presence 'is now required for any CFIA on-farm activities.' Where the leaders are — At 6:30 p.m., Green Leader ELIZABETH MAY will attend the National Council of Canadian Muslims' reception on the organization's national advocacy day. THE ROOMS THAT MATTER — Canada-U.S. Trade Minister DOMINIC LEBLANC is meeting with Commerce Secretary HOWARD LUTNICK in Washington, D.C. — At 8:30 a.m., the Frontier Duty Free Association and Sarnia Mayor MIKE BRADLEY hold a press conference calling for federal support for border businesses. — At 12 p.m., MPs will gather for a random draw that determines the all-important private members' business order of precedence. Check back tomorrow for the winner. — U.S. Ambassador to Canada PETE HOEKSTRA will sit for a fireside chat at the Empire Club of Canada in Toronto — and host an evening reception while he's in town. Want more POLITICO? Download our mobile app to save stories, get notifications on U.S.-Canada relations, and more. In iOS or Android . TALK OF THE TOWN TRIVIA NIGHT — LIMITED HOSPITALITY squeaked out the victory in Playbook's first post-election trivia showdown at the Métropolitain. The winners scored 26 points out of 30. — Runner-up: LPC OF THE 80s (25) — Third place: LET'S CIRCLE BACK TO THAT (24) MORNING MUST-CLICKS — From CBC's KATE MCKENNA: 'A caller raising money for the Conservative Party cast doubt on the validity of the recount process in the recent federal election, according to a recording obtained by CBC News.' — CP's JIM BRONSKILL tees up a government bill expected today that would 'further tighten' the Canada-U.S. border. — CBC News captured broad takeaways from the First Ministers' Meeting in Saskatoon: Premiers express optimism after pitching major projects to Carney — A different take in the Toronto Star: Mark Carney, premiers agree on 'nation-building priorities,' but First Nations raise alarms over lack of consultation — Nunatsiaq News checks in on a major infrastructure project in Nunavut: The Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link's estimated cost rises to C$3.2B — North Poll Strategies' ALEX KOHUT interviews former Hill comms guy ALEX WELLSTEAD about dealing with journalists: 'It's their job to really push on you to get something.' PLAYBOOKERS Birthdays: HBD to Conservative Party Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE, retired Sen. HOWARD WETSTON, and CUPE senior comms officer HUGH POULIOT. HBD + 1 to Health Minister MARJORIE MICHEL and Rogers' CHERYL FOUGERE. Spotted: Liberal MP SHERRY ROMANADO, celebrating Christmas come early (aka fresh printed versions of the House of Commons standing orders). Noted: The Hunter Prize for Public Policy is open for applications. This year's award — worth up to C$50,000 — will focus on 'the best ideas to strengthen Canada's economy and raise living standards,' SEAN SPEER and TAYLOR JACKSON write at The Hub. Movers and shakers: Former Cabmin OMAR ALGHABRA joins Bechtel as their vice president of public infrastructure for Canada … Longtime PMO staffer KATE VANGERVEN is taking a break from Parliament Hill … KATE SAUSER is now policy manager at the Grain Growers of Canada … DAVE CAREY is now president and CEO of the Canadian Coatings Association. The official updated list of ministerial chiefs of staff circulated yesterday. These are the newest names: → ANSON DURAN: Artificial Intelligence Minister EVAN SOLOMON → VASKEN VOSGUIAN: Transport Minister CHRYSTIA FREELAND → CORY PIKE: National Defense Minister DAVID MCGUINTY → ANN-CLARA VAILLANCOURT: Quebec Lieutenant STEVEN GUILBEAULT → ALLIE CHALKE: Procurement Minister JOËL LIGHTBOUND → TANIA MONAGHAN: Indigenous Services Minister MANDY GULL-MASTY → ALEX JAGRIC: Secstate for children and youth ANNA GAINEY → KEVIN COLLINS: Secstate for CRA and financial institutions WAYNE LONG Lobby watch: Porter O'Brien's JORDAN O'BRIEN posted recent meetings on behalf of Horizon Naval Engineering, which wants Ottawa to lease or purchase its icebreakers. O'Brien made contact with CYNDI JENKINS in the Prime Minister's Office and NEIL MACISAAC, chief of staff to Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson. Got a document to share? A birthday coming up? Send it all our way. PROZONE Our latest policy newsletter for Pro subscribers: Tilting at building big — and fast The latest headlines for our paid subscribers: — Energy Department budget guts clean energy programs, boosts nuclear — Interior Department to rescind conservation protections in Alaska oil reserve — USDA's delayed report raises forecast ag trade deficit to record $49.5 billion — Chaos at FEMA, NOAA as hurricane season starts — Florida insurers turn a profit after losing billions TRIVIA Monday's answer: The Bank of Canada most recently left its target rate unchanged at two consecutive announcements in March and April 2024. Props to ANDREW BALFOUR, ROBERT MCDOUGALL and MALCOLM MCKAY. Today's question: Which mass protest movement set its sights on the nation's capital on this day in 1935? Answers to canadaplaybook@ . Wednesday's Playbook will be written by MICKEY DJURIC and NICK TAYLOR-VAISEY. Canada Playbook would not happen without: Canada Editor Sue Allan, editor Willa Plank and POLITICO's Grace Maalouf.
Mint
6 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Northern US Mayors Call for End to ‘Irrational' Trade War With Canada
Mayors in states that border Canada are calling for an end to President Donald Trump's trade war with the country, saying it has harmed businesses and workers in their communities and upended one of the world's most successful economic relationships. Andrew Ginther, mayor of Columbus, Ohio, and Bryan Barnett, mayor of Rochester Hills, Michigan, said in an interview Friday that the countries should continue to build things together and trade with each other because the partnership has been working for decades. 'We don't think that growth and prosperity for American cities comes through a prolonged, unstable, irrational and emotionally charged trade war,' said Ginther, a Democrat who is also president of the US Conference of Mayors. 'Our metro economies are based on trade and being able to export what we produce in the United States.' The two mayors were in Ottawa for a meeting of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the counterpart to Ginther's group. The politicians said cooperation among Canadian, American and Mexican mayors has never been stronger and at a municipal level, leaders are broadly united against tariffs. Canada and Mexico were among the first countries targeted by Trump — he imposed levies on goods that don't comply with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, as well as sectoral duties on steel, aluminum and automobiles, prompting Canada to retaliate with levies of its own. Both mayors' communities are hubs for auto manufacturing, which sees parts zip back and forth across the Canada-US border as vehicles are assembled. Barnett, a Republican, said the interconnected sector has been effective in driving growth for all involved. 'We have two of the strongest economies in the world because we work together,' he said. 'We're a capitalistic society that has succeeded because innovative people find great ways to make important things. And they do that with partnerships, they do that with collaborations. I want to harness that. I don't want to block it.' There is value in the president's overall goal of repatriating jobs to the US, the mayors said, and there are industries where a domestic supply chain is essential, such as computer chips. But the uncertainty caused by the chaotic tariff rollout is damaging businesses' ability to make investment and hiring decisions, they said. A recent survey of businesses in Rochester Hills found that nearly 60% have ruled out capital investment in 2025, with 30% planning to lay people off this year, Barnett said. Given that the top issue in their communities — and the issue that helped elect the president — is the cost of living, the tariffs are a misguided policy, the mayors argued. 'The uncertainty is deadly,' Ginther said. 'The cost of living's probably tough enough when you have a job. When you lose that job, that's when you have families spiral into a real desperate place.' This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Columbus to review minority, LGBTQ+ business programs amid DEI crackdown
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Columbus programs benefiting businesses owned by minorities, women, and the LGBTQ+ community are under review after federal efforts rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The city's Office of Diversity and Inclusion has long offered free business certifications that open doors to a slew of opportunities, from increased participation in city procurement and contracting to training, networking, outreach, and engagement programs. Certification also adds businesses to the city's online vendor directory, enhancing their digital presence and allowing them to market to internal buyers, public partners in other municipalities, the private sector and residents. Along with minorities, women, and the LGBTQ+ community, the office certifies businesses owned by veterans along with small and emerging companies. But recent Trump administration executive orders calling for the end of DEI have prompted a review of these programs to ensure compliance with all federal laws, a spokesperson from the office of Mayor Andrew Ginther said. Watch a previous NBC4 report on the LGBTQ+ business certification in the video player above. 'While we strongly disagree with this federal directive, we are working closely with the city attorney's office to evaluate and, if necessary, revise our policies to ensure compliance with federal law,' the spokesperson said in a statement. World's largest rubber duck to waddle into Ohio this weekend Ginther's office said, under his leadership, the programs have yielded results. Minority business participation in city of Columbus contracts has grown from 8.4% in 2016 to 19.1% in 2024, representing more than $600 million in economic impact, the spokesperson said, noting that the mayor's office takes 'pride in the fact that city investments have not only supported essential public services but have also helped minority-owned businesses grow and thrive.' The review comes after Columbus and several other central Ohio cities reaffirmed to NBC4 in February their commitment to diversity programs. A spokesperson said city council's dedication to equity and inclusion remains 'unwavering' and touted the city's Office of Diversity of Inclusion as a means to shape Columbus into 'America's Equal Opportunity City.' 'While we are continuing to study all the federal policy changes, council's priority is a Columbus where every resident feels safe and has the opportunity to thrive,' a Columbus City Council spokesperson said. 'Equity will continue to be a commitment to our residents.' The city's LGBTQ+ business certification is one of the newer programs and was launched in 2022 in collaboration with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Ginther said in a statement then that 'by expanding equity in our programs and practices, we do the right thing by becoming a more inclusive city while driving competition, generating potential savings and improving the quality of services for our residents.' Damita Brown, Columbus' former chief diversity officer, told NBC4 in 2022 the partnership had been on the city's radar before the COVID-19 pandemic. For Columbus to grow as an attractive city for businesses to relocate and for individuals to want to raise their families, Brown said they needed these initiatives to reflect the diverse population. Brown cited a National LGBT Chamber of Commerce study that found LGBTQ-owned businesses have generated $1.7 trillion for the U.S. economy, created 33,000 jobs, and increased $2 million in annual revenue. '[Columbus] is not capturing a tremendous growth opportunity for our community,' Brown said at the time. 'So, we want to be able to say, 'We see you, we value you, and we want to partner with you to continue to make our city great.' That's why it's important.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther will seek a fourth term in 2027, campaign says
Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther intends to run for a fourth term in 2027, according to his campaign. Ginther is hosting a campaign fundraiser with a minimum suggested contribution of $2,500 on June 5 at The Citizen Trust, a cocktail lounge inside an historic bank building on Gay Street. Gen Murphy, the finance director for Ginther's campaign, told The Dispatch on May 27 that Ginther intends to run again. He typically holds a couple of fundraisers a year, and the forthcoming event is nothing unusual, she said. If Ginther wins reelection and completes a fourth four-year term, he will be tied with his predecessor, Mayor Michael B. Coleman, for the longest-serving Columbus mayor. In 2023, Ginther won reelection handily against a low-budget challenge from local activist Joe Motil. Ginther won about 64% of the vote to Motil's 36%. Some of Ginther's fellow Democrats are waiting for Ginther to vacate the city's top leadership role so they can run. Some may not wait. City Attorney Zach Klein has been outspoken in recent years, and he's aggressively fundraised, leading to speculation he's setting himself up for a mayoral run in 2027. Klein has raised about $870,000 to run unopposed this November for reelection to city attorney, according to his most recent campaign finance report. Ginther's campaign had about $300,000 in April, according to his most recent campaign finance report. Ginther will soon also be campaigning for his $1.9-billion bond package that he's asking voters to approve in November to fund more affordable housing, police and fire stations, roads, parks and other infrastructure. Government and politics reporter Jordan Laird can be reached at jlaird@ Follow her on X, Instagram and Bluesky at @LairdWrites. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther to seek fourth term in 2027
Axios
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Axios
5 years later: Columbus' response to George Floyd's murder
Five years ago, the country took to the streets to protest the murder of George Floyd — but most feel the summer of 2020 did not result in changes that improved the lives of Black Americans, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. Why it matters: Despite the Black Lives Matter movement's visibility and protestors' calls for spending cuts, the Columbus Division of Police has more funding than ever. Fatal police shootings have continued, and Columbus continues to pay millions of dollars in police misconduct settlements. By the numbers: Pew finds 72% of Americans say the increased focus on racial inequality didn't lead to significant changes that helped Black people, Axios' Russell Contreras and Delano Massey report. Now, 52% of Americans express support for the Black Lives Matter movement, a 15 percentage point drop from June 2020. Flashback: That month, Mayor Andrew Ginther walked with protesters (and police), saying he felt"a sense of urgency for action" due to the demonstrations. "People are tired of talking, they're tired of studies, they're tired of recommendations, they want change and they want action and I think this movement can really help us make a ton of progress in a very short period of time." Ginther promised"significant, substantial and swift" change, prohibiting tear gas and limiting pepper spray for crowd control, instituting third-party investigations for police-involved deaths and creating a police civilian review board and police chief advisory panel. Voters approved the creation of the civilian review board that November. In May 2021, a federal judge ordered CPD to stop using tear gas, pepper spray, batons and rubber bullets against nonviolent protesters, writing that the case was a "sad tale of police officers, clothed with the awesome power of the state, run amok." Last year, a Ginther-requested U.S. Department of Justice report found that CPD doesn't track use of force data well enough to determine racial bias. The report concludes CPD "cannot definitively state that it is doing things very well, nor can it identify any underlying problems that may exist." What they're saying: CPD declined an interview request about the board and panel, instead issuing a statement that the board "plays a critical role in independently reviewing internal investigations, conducting its own inquiries, and offering recommendations regarding officer discipline and departmental policies." Asked for examples of the board's impact, CPD spokesperson Caitlyn McIntosh pointed to a new requirement this year for special duty officers to wear body cameras. A statement from Ginther's office said he's "proud of the progress" made by the board, adding that the city has "taken significant steps toward building a modern, community-centered approach to policing." Members of the review board were not made available for comment. The bottom line: For longtime activists and community organizers like Aramis Sundiata, executive director of the Ohio People's Justice Project, the events of 2020 were "a critical moment" but now represent an inflection point in shifting their focus to education and organization.
