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CTV News
an hour ago
- Business
- CTV News
Commercial traffic not included in upcoming toll cuts
Despite the cuts to bridge and ferry tolls in P.E.I., commercial traffic will not benefit from the reduction. Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual Atlantic Canadians are seeing a mix of savings and disappointment after the federal government announced cuts to bridge and ferry tolls. While Confederation Bridge tolls will drop to $20 this Friday and some ferry fares will be slashed, not everyone is benefiting. Prime Minister Mark Carney, speaking in Albany, P.E.I., yesterday said, 'We would cut the fares on the Eastern Ferries and Marine Atlantic in half, and today we're making good on those promises.' The announcement included a 50 per cent fare reduction for commercial trucks on some Maritime ferries, but Marine Atlantic, which serves Newfoundland, is not included in the discount. Chris McKee of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association expressed his disappointment, stating, 'Our understanding from Marine Atlantic Is that commercial traffic will not benefit from this 50 per cent reduction in fares which is rather disappointing.' Transportation and Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland noted the importance of Marine Atlantic for Newfoundland's supply chain, saying, 'Nearly 65 per cent of goods to and from Newfoundland are transported by Marine Atlantic. That includes fresh produce, medical supplies in home heating fuel cutting those costs means more reliable supply chain and lower prices for consumers.' McKee argues the lack of discounts on Marine Atlantic ferries will negate those benefits. 'Unfortunately, this reduction, while great for tourists and for passenger traffic, sure will likely not lead to any decreases in the price of moving freight to and from Newfoundland, which of course, is ultimately passed along to the consumer,' said McKee. Bay Ferries and Northumberland Ferries will implement the 50 per cent discount for commercial traffic. Marine Atlantic will freeze rates but offer no additional discount. In a statement to CTV, a Marine Atlantic spokesperson said, 'From Marine Atlantic's perspective, we are a federal Crown Corporation that reports to Transport Canada. We will work with them regarding funding decisions that will help offset this loss of revenue, while delivering on their commitment and maintaining an effective service for our customers.' Despite the Marine Atlantic situation, McKee believes the cuts to other ferry services will provide some relief to the trucking industry. 'This change could save a medium sized carrier on the island with, let's say 75 to 80 trucks, close to $150,000-$175,000 a year.' McKee also pointed out the $1,300 cost of sending a truck from North Sydney to Port aux Basques is significant, and discounts on that route are needed, given the high volume of exports to Newfoundland. For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
Vancouver Sun
2 hours ago
- Health
- Vancouver Sun
Opinion: The hollow quilt: Canada's overdose crisis and the fraying frontlines
Recently, I've been thinking more about quilts. How a quilt holds strongly together despite its modest makeup of cast-away parts, scraps and small squares. It holds together because there is strategy behind it. A community of hands planning the structure, methodically laying its shape, and deliberately stitching each piece. I've also been thinking about the overdose crisis here in Canada. Obviously. As CEO of the Dr. Peter Centre — a community-based health-care organization serving the sidelined two per cent of citizens with overlapping issues such as addiction, mental illness, trauma, housing insecurity, etc. — it's all I think about most days. Recently, we have seen the government tackle the problem from the border. They are getting tough on border security and all it represents: organized crime, international trafficking, and a porous flow of toxic drugs. I think that's commendable. I think it's necessary. I also think it's not enough. A daily roundup of Opinion pieces from the Sun and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Informed Opinion will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. In building a quilt, you typically reinforce the outer edges last, serging and binding only once the insides have structural integrity. Right now, the inside of this complex-care quilt is quietly collapsing. The frontline of community organizations in food, housing, health and cultural services that have held this crisis at bay — like HIV support, Indigenous wellness, harm reduction, enhanced supportive housing, etc. — are unravelling from within. Their funding is siloed and fickle — built for narrow mandates and tied to the shifting political tides. Their resources are stretched thin, with burnout at a breaking point. (One major supportive housing provider recently reported over 25 per cent of its staff on stress leave at the same time.) And, critically, they lack a coordinated backbone — doomed to reduplicate one another's efforts, build vertically without sharing cross-sector insights or burnout mitigation strategies, and compete for a shrinking funding pool. (Yes, we clocked Prime Minister Mark Carney asking ministers to 'find 7.5 per cent savings' — we know what that means.) At a time when we need a strong, stitched-together quilt of care to stem the overdose crisis, we have a hollow quilt. A quilt with strong borders, frayed interiors. But if there's one thing my decades-long journey in this line of work has taught me: These scraps of fabric are scrappy. Frontline organizations don't give up hope easily. And we don't sit idly to the side, scratching our heads and waiting out a solution. We know the solutions. Coordination. Speed. Support. We need a national coordination initiative that reinforces what already works. We need to de-silo and stabilize the 700-plus frontline organizations committed to solutions. We need to train the workforce for current realities: trauma-informed, peer-led, culturally grounded care. And we need to build organizational resilience so people stay in the work. We need speed. We need to spread tools, knowledge, and evidence faster than the crisis moves. And we need to work faster than the official data that illustrates the crisis. Historically, governments have waited to bear out the data before taking action. But by the time we act on the data, the problem has evolved to evade our action. That's why innovation must move faster than the speed of data. Lastly, we need support. We need the government to see the problem holistically: that the congestion of hospital beds, the bottlenecked ER lines, the tents lining our civic spaces, the business closures in 'problem neighbourhoods,' the erosion of public trust in our institutions, and the people on the streets who are either sleeping, dying or dead — they are symptoms of a continuous system in disorder. We need the government to step up and support a coordinated frontline sector. With money, sure. But with commitment too. And the best way to accomplish that is with the support of ordinary Canadians. The best quilts I've seen are community projects. People coming together to create something that wraps around an individual, warms them against the harsh winds, consoles them. Even if you bring a single thread to this project — a letter to your representative, a donation to a frontline organization, a conversation with someone who just 'wishes these people would go away' — you are helping. Scott Elliott is the CEO of the Dr. Peter Centre, a frontline health-care organization in Vancouver.
CBC
3 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
Businesses owners in P.E.I. and N.B. say cuts to bridge tolls, ferry fees will give them a boost
Business leaders around the Maritimes are feeling optimistic over the news that the cost of crossing the Confederation Bridge and using the Northumberland ferry service is being reduced. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Monday that the toll to use the bridge, which connects Prince Edward Island with New Brunswick, will be reduced to $20 as of this Friday. The rates to travel by ferry between Wood Islands, P.E.I., and Caribou, N.S., are also going down by 50 per cent on Aug. 1. The move fulfilled an election campaign promise from Carney, who pledged to reduce the cost of travelling between provinces and barriers to interprovincial trade. Marc Pelletier, director of membership and business support at the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton, said the announcement is good news for New Brunswick and P.E.I. "The high bridge tolls have really acted as an interprovincial tariff, so to speak, between the two provinces, increasing the cost of transport and final costs of goods on both sides," he said. "You just have to scan the parking lot of Costco and other retailers in Moncton on a weekend to see how many Islanders make the trek across the bridge to shop." 'It will drive more business' Ben Murphy, CEO of P.E.I.-based Murphy Hospitality Group and Whitecap Entertainment, agrees. His companies have business interests on both sides of the bridge that include retaurants, breweries and hotels. "Anytime anything's cheaper, it will drive more business," Murphy said. "It's tremendous news for Islanders because obviously we're back and forth all the time." Whitecap Entertainment also produces the Sommo Festival held in September in Cavendish, P.E.I., which draws concertgoers from around the Maritimes. Murphy said he's already seen people who are set to attend the festival commenting on social media about the savings the toll reductions will bring. "It's cheaper than it was to come to P.E.I., and hopefully that will continue to drive tourism," he said. "I think there will be big crowds at Sommo either way, but I'm expecting a few more people because of this announcement." WATCH | Islanders and tourists excited about reduced price to leave P.E.I.: Islanders and tourists excited about reduced price to leave P.E.I. 1 day ago Starting Aug. 1, Islanders and visitors will save some money when they leave Prince Edward Island. The toll for the Confederation Bridge is being reduced to $20, while the cost to take ferries is being cut by half. CBC's Tony Davis spoke with people in Charlottetown about what it means for their travel plans. Murphy said the changes will cut costs for Islanders travelling to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and will also put money into the pockets of P.E.I. consumers. "There's no question that... the price of food at grocery stores or at restaurants [has] gone up a lot over the last five years," he said.
Toronto Sun
4 hours ago
- Business
- Toronto Sun
EDITORIAL: Carney must downsize federal government
Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks as he attends a tour of the Fort York Armoury in Toronto on June 9, 2025. Photo by Cole Burston / Getty Images Prime Minister Mark Carney's pledge to streamline the federal government so that it 'spends less and invests more' will never happen if he relies on the bloated bureaucracy he inherited from his predecessor 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 From 2015 to 2024, the civil service under Justin Trudeau grew from 257,034 employees to 367,772, a 43% increase — far surpassing the 15% hike in Canada's population during that period, the 18.5% real growth rate of the economy and the 15.5% increase in total employment, including the private sector. Despite this rapid increase the Trudeau government by 2023 was also spending, according to parliamentary budget officer Yves Giroux, $21.4 billion annually hiring outside consultants — 106% more than the $10.4 billion spent in 2015. Meanwhile, 'total personnel spending increased by 15.7% to $65.3 billion in 2023-24, from $56.5 billion in 2022-23.' A recent policy paper by former senior public servant and business executive Peter Nicholson for the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Saskatchewan — 'Is the federal public service too big? An analysis of public service employment trends: 2015-24' — zeroed in on the problem. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He cited a letter to the clerk of the privy council, written by then outgoing chief information officer Catherine Luelo in 2023, noting that federal departments 'have not met an idea they don't like,' and are always creating new standalone programs … to implement about 700 commitments in ministers' mandate letters. 'Meanwhile, the incentives to kill existing programs are much weaker … every program develops a constituency of beneficiaries, including the bureaucrats who manage the program and … the external consultants … called on periodically to evaluate it! Thus there is an inbuilt tendency for the program … and its public service cadre, to grow cumulatively and become more and more complex and fragmented … More generally, the labour relations environment in the heavily-unionized public service, and the quasi-tenured position of more senior members, also serve to promote cumulative headcount growth — i.e., easier to hire than to fire.' In March, the government reported the civil service had been reduced by 9,807 positions compared to last year, marking the first annual decrease in a decade. Carney has instructed most federal departments to cut program spending by 15% by the 2028-29 fiscal year, but whether it will happen remains an open question. MLB Canada Canada Toronto Blue Jays Celebrity
Middle East Eye
4 hours ago
- Business
- Middle East Eye
Canada never stopped arming Israel despite pledge to halt new permits, report says
The Canadian government misled the public when it said it was pausing all new weapons export permits to Israel last year, a new report published on Tuesday says. Commercially available data has shown shipments not only continued but were actually fast-tracked - and sometimes via indirect routes such as through the US. The findings, compiled by an all-volunteer team from the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM) and the groups World Beyond War and Arms Embargo Now, point to efforts by Ottawa to placate an electorate that has expressed growing dissatisfaction with how the Liberal Party has responded to Israel's war on Gaza - but without actually reversing its policy of unconditional support for Israel, as it publicly pledged. "Shipments of arms to Israel were allowed to proceed under hundreds of previously approved permits. This communications ploy allowed Canadian companies to continue to profit from Israel's genocide while the Federal government misled Canadians into believing they were no longer arming the Israeli occupation forces in Gaza," the authors wrote in the report. The 58-page document entitled "Exposing Canadian Military Exports to Israel" cites more than 390 shipments from 21 Canadian manufacturers in six cities that included more than 420,000 bullets, 735 cartridge parts (ammunition sets for firearms), F-35 jet parts such as navigation sensors, radar systems, and dual-use items like GPS antennas. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The deadliest weapons and military support systems came from General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Stelia Aerospace North America, and Pratt & Whitney, among others, which delivered support systems such as surveillance and tracking technology, as well as landing gear for aircraft. The authors say they used two complementary methodologies for the first time to track Canadian arms exports: commercial shipping data crosschecked with Israeli Tax Authority import data from October 2023 to May 2025. "[The report] exposes a vastly different reality than government claims: a continuous, massive pipeline of Canadian weapons flowing directly to Israel," the authors said. Canada's Mark Carney derided online for vision of 'Zionist Palestinian state' Read More » "By continuing to send arms transfers to Israel, Canada is violating both domestic law and its commitments under international law," they continued. Middle East Eye reached out to Global Affairs Canada, the foreign ministry, but was not given a response by the time of publication. Israel has killed over 60,000 Palestinians in Gaza since the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on 7 October 2023. And since March, it has imposed a crippling siege on the enclave that has led to a declaration of famine by the world's top food and aid bodies. "Canada must urgently impose a full two-way arms embargo on Israel. This requires canceling all active arms export permits, closing loopholes for US transfers, banning surveillance and dual-use technology, and canceling all contracts and planned purchases of military goods from Israel," the report urged. The F-35 programme A key finding in the report is that parts made in Canada by three main companies routinely make up at least $2.1m of every F-35 fighter jet - the most sophisticated and highly sought-after fifth-generation fighter jet, designed in the US by Lockheed Martin. Beyond its Nato and G7 partners and Australia, no other country in the world has access to these stealth aircraft except Israel. "Canadian components, we've known for a long time, are critical in constructing the F-35," Yara Shoufani, a PYM organiser, told MEE. The three named manufacturers in Canada are Stelia, which makes composite panels and precision structural parts for the jets; CMC, which makes Doppler Velocity Sensors for target precision; and Nexeya, which supplies Modular Product Testers to ensure jets are combat-ready, the report showed. Almost all these parts ended up at Elbit Systems. 'Elbit, as a weapons manufacturer, has really come to be seen across the world as synonymous with genocide' - Yara Shoufani, Palestinian Youth Movement "This is really concerning when you think about the fact that Elbit, as a weapons manufacturer, has really come to be seen across the world as synonymous with genocide," Shoufani said. "For the Canadian government to be allowing for these manufacturers based in Canada to be sending weapon components to Israel's largest weapon manufacturer is something that should really raise alarms." On 13 July 2024, Israel deployed an F-35 fighter jet to drop three 2,000-pound bombs on al-Mawasi in Khan Younis, an area of southern Gaza it had explicitly designated a 'safe zone'. At least 90 Palestinians were killed, and another 300 were wounded in the attack. The report cited the bombing as an example of the damage only this particular fighter jet is capable of doing. While the F-35's "ongoing operability relies on a complex international supply chain," the report said, "the F-35 cannot conduct air strikes without Canadian parts". How do the weapons get to Israel? Canadian weapons exports were traced by the authors to major Israeli firms such as Elta Systems and Snunit Aviation, in addition to the main recipient, Elbit Systems. The Canadian minister of foreign affairs is ultimately responsible for signing off on the export permits to any foreign entity, and they are typically valid for at least two to three years from the date of approval, the report showed. The authors of the report wrote that the flow of military goods between Canada and Israel operates in two ways: direct commercial exports from Canadian companies to Israel, and indirect exports where Canadian arms are shipped to Israel through transfers via the United States. The latter allows Canada to exploit a loophole that exempts it from its permitting requirements, which stipulate that no military support can be provided to countries potentially involved in war crimes. Palestine Action 'shut down' Elbit Systems HQ and subcontractor Read More » Shoufani added that out of the 100 direct shipments that they were able to identify, there were 67 times where military cargo was loaded onto passenger planes. "So here we're talking about major airlines like Lufthansa, Air France, Air Canada, Air Transat, where essentially components are being loaded onto planes that have passengers headed to holiday destinations," Shoufani said. Among the airlines involved in carrying Canadian-made weapons and support parts to Israel since 7 October 2023 is Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi. The report identified at least four such flights by Etihad. Canada also imports Israeli military technology and hardware, the report pointed out, including weapons that have been deployed against Palestinians and are in turn marketed to the government of Canada as 'battle-tested' and 'combat-proven". A survey commissioned by the National Council of Canadian Muslims in March, a year and a half into the war on Gaza that scholars and human rights groups have now termed a genocide, showed that 55 percent of respondents want to see arms transfers to Israel suspended. There was a similar amount of support for backing the International Criminal Court and arresting officials with outstanding warrants if they come to Canada, namely Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant.
