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CBC
27-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
5 key messages in King Charles's speech from the throne
Social Sharing King Charles began and concluded the throne speech in Ottawa on Tuesday with references to his mother Queen Elizabeth's longstanding relationship with this country, while highlighting the challenges Canada faces from its southern neighbour and how the Liberal government plans to address them. The speech, which was written by Prime Minister Mark Carney's government but presented by the Sovereign, is normally a routine affair in Canada. But after the annexation threats by U.S. President Donald Trump in recent months, it took on an added political significance. The King's presence in the Senate, by itself, reminded the White House that Canada is not an American state in waiting, with an identical form of government. It highlighted Canada's distinct identity, culture, history and traditions of governance. The content of the speech, meanwhile, attempted to show that Canada is prepared to carve out its place in the Trump era. Here are five key moments from the throne speech. The Queen and Canada The speech started with Charles harking back to when Queen Elizabeth was the first monarch to read a Canadian throne speech nearly 70 years ago. "When my dear late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, opened a new Canadian Parliament in 1957, the Second World War remained a fresh, painful memory," the King read Tuesday. "The Cold War was intensifying. Freedom and democracy were under threat. Canada was emerging as a growing economic power and a force for peace in the world." Watch | Charles reflects on his mother: King Charles reflects on his mother and a changing world 3 hours ago Duration 1:06 Painting a picture of contrast between the U.S. and Canada, Charles noted that the monarchy has "for so long been a symbol of unity for Canada," saying that the Crown "represents stability and continuity from the past to the present." Once again referencing his mother, Charles said she believed that "no nation could live unto itself." "It is a source of great pride that, in the following decades, Canada has continued to set an example to the world in her conduct and values, as a force for good," he said. Threats to economy, democracy While referencing the challenges Canada has overcome since Elizabeth's 1957 visit, Charles said new hurdles were now presenting themselves. "Today, Canada faces another critical moment," The King said. "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 system of open global trade that, while not perfect, has helped to deliver prosperity for Canadians for decades, is changing," The King added. "Canada's relationships with partners are also changing." Watch | Canada is 'strong and free': 'The true north is, indeed, strong and free,' says King Charles in throne speech 2 hours ago Duration 1:32 King Charles received a long round of applause on Tuesday in the Senate as he cited Canada's national anthem, saying the song reminds us, 'the true north is, indeed, strong and free.' Trump's recent suggestions that Canada should join the U.S. — and that he is willing to wage economic war to make that happen — inspired Charles's trip to Canada. One of the last lines in the speech was clearly a reference to Trump's comments. "As the anthem reminds us: The True North is indeed strong and free," he said, garnering widespread applause. Ready to lead on trade, defence As the U.S. continues to threaten Canada's economic health and future with tariffs, the speech affirmed Carney's campaign promises that he would forge deeper trading relationships with nations that value free trade. "Canada is ready to build a coalition of nations that share these values — that believe in international co-operation and the free exchange of goods, services and ideas," Charles said. "In this new, rapidly evolving world, Canada will lead the way. This will be demonstrated as early as June, when Canada chairs the G7 summit." The speech noted that Canada and the U.S. "have begun defining a new economic and security relationship" and that Canada is committed to rearming and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces. It said Canada "will boost Canada's military industry by participating in the 'ReArm Europe' plan, thereby contributing, with European partners, to transatlantic security." Nods to Indigenous and Quebec culture The U.S. president often refers to the border with Canada as an "artificial line" that divides people who are similar enough to be as American as Canadian. The speech pushed back against that narrative, noting that "The French language and Quebec culture are at the heart of Canadian identity. They defined the country that Canadians and I love so much." The speech goes on to say that the Liberal government is committed to protecting Canadian culture by supporting CBC/Radio-Canada. The King also made a point in his opening to acknowledge Indigenous people in Canada as a founding people of the modern state. "It is my great hope that in each of your communities, and collectively as a country, a path is found toward truth and reconciliation, in both word and deed," he said. Hitting a number of campaign promises The speech from the throne usually flags the policies a government will prioritize in the coming session of Parliament and this speech from the throne was no different in that regard. Carney's election platform promises that made it into the speech included: Cutting income taxes, development fees and the GST on homes under $1 million. Introducing legislation to eliminate federal barriers to internal trade by Canada Day. Reducing natural resource project approval time from five years to two. Boosting housing by supporting prefabricated modular home construction. Increasing security at the border with additional staff and powers. Reforming the bail system to target repeat offenders. Creating new national parks and protecting marine areas. Limiting immigration and temporary foreign workers to rebalance the immigration system. WATCH | King Charles's full speech: FULL SPEECH | King Charles delivers speech from the throne 2 hours ago Duration 28:24 King Charles, speaking from the Senate chamber on Tuesday, delivered a speech from the throne that acknowledged the worry that comes with a 'drastically changing world' — including a changing relationship between Canada and the U.S. But the speech also looked forward, pointing to government plans to increase affordability, take on major projects and build a strong economy that 'serves everyone.'
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Comey waves off bullying by Trump; mocks Patel for struggling with 'reality based world'
Former FBI director James Comey talks with Jen Psaki about the importance of standing up to Donald Trump, how to deal with Trump's bullying, and how the FBI is enduring the Trump era.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Our superpower': Trump confronted by diverse, robust pushback on 'a million' different fronts
Rachel Maddow considers how the history of the Trump era will be written and how the defense of democracy and resistance to Trump authoritarianism will be seen as having a wide range of motivations, reflecting the breadth of Trump's catastrophe but also the consistency of America's defenders across demographics and interests.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Youngkin's signature sets stage for Virginia health insurance to cover IVF treatment in the future
In vitro fertilization process. (Stock photo by Antonio) A bill that can help people start and grow their families through fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization will become law, after Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed it along with several other measures he initially tried to amend. Youngkin carves out $900 million as Virginia prepares for Trump-era uncertainty House Bill 1609 by Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, will require the Health Insurance Reform Commission (HIRC) to consider coverage for diagnosis and treatment of infertility and procedures like IVF in its 2025 review of essential health benefits covered by health insurance. 'The timing is actually really critical in that HIRC is about to do the essential health benefits plan,' Helmer said, adding that now the state will 'have to look seriously' at whether to include infertility care in the health insurance coverage it offers Virginians. When the legislature concluded the bulk of its work this past February, Youngkin then reviewed the bills that passed and weighed whether to sign, veto or seek amendments on them. Before signing Helmer's bill, he tried to tweak it by including a provision for nongovernmental health insurance plan sponsors to opt out of potential coverage requirements for religious or ethical purposes. The legislature rejected this idea, punting it back to Youngkin, who recently approved it in its original form. In his signature explanation, Youngkin called Helmer's bill a 'balanced approach' to expanding fertility care in the state because it didn't outright mandate immediate coverage for the treatment. Calling it an 'interim step,' Youngkin commended the bill and said HIRC's review of how infertility care coverage could be implemented can 'ensure the General Assembly has the data, analysis and necessary input to make an informed decision in the future.' Like his previous attempt to amend Helmer's bill, Youngkin added that he believes it's 'essential' for his exemption idea to be taken up if Virginia does eventually cover fertility treatments like IVF. 'The conscience clause that my amendment would have added is critical to ensure the expansion of fertility care does not come at the cost of religious liberty,' Youngkin said. While some states have passed laws to protect IVF access, members of Congress have sparred over the issue and failed to agree on federal protections. The reproductive healthcare treatment, which was less controversial in past years, has come under scrutiny after Alabama's state supreme court ruled last year that embryos are people — prompting fertility clinics to suspend the procedure for risk of lawsuits. The state recently passed a law to protect IVF in the state, though questions remain about future challenges. Virginia-born Elizabeth Carr, the first person born of the procedure in the U.S., has emphasized that IVF is not 'just (to treat) infertility.' 'There are implications for if you need a surrogate, if you are a same-sex couple, if you want to screen for a genetic disease,' she told the Richmond Times-Dispatch in 2024. 'Or, if you are going through cancer treatment and want to preserve your eggs so that after you're done and you want to conceive, you can use IVF.' The use of IVF after a cancer diagnosis hit close to home for Helmer, whose close family member had to leave Virginia because health insurance didn't cover the treatments in the state. For the past several years, he's carried some version of House Bill 1609 to bring the state closer to realizing coverage. 'Nobody should face the choice of having to leave to start a family. I'm grateful that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle were able to unite' on the measure, Helmer said. 'I think the signing of this bill should give a lot of hope to a lot of people that we are going to be there for them, and this is exactly the kind of legislating that we should be doing.'SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Wall Street Journal's insult towards first American Pope
The Wall Street Journal claimed the first American Pope was being held back from leading the Catholic church by his US passport in the Trump era. 'A US passport is a disadvantage, especially in the Trump era,' the newspaper said of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, the Chicago-born prefect of the Vatican's powerful dicastery for bishops elected as Pope Leo XIV on Thursday. Some took issue with the Journal's analysis, mocking the idea that a US passport is a disadvantage. 'Spare me with the us passport during the Trump era. Oh whoops this is woke liberal WSJ,' said one comment. 'A US Passport is a disadvantage,' read another comment, alongside laughing emojis. 'Some would say a US passport is the greatest privilege on earth.' Prevost, 69, is in charge of vetting nominations for bishops around the world. He has extensive experience in Peru, first as a missionary and then archbishop. The late Pope Francis had an eye on him for years, sending him to run the diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, in 2014. Prevost held that position until 2023, when Francis brought him to Rome for his current role. White smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel chimney Thursday at 6:07 p.m. local time, signaling that a pontiff had been elected to lead the Catholic Church. Provost's election as Pope has shocked the world, as there has long been a taboo against a U.S. pope, given the geopolitical power already wielded by the United States in the secular sphere. But Prevost is also a Peruvian citizen and lived for years in Peru, first as a missionary and then as an archbishop. Prevost was also twice elected prior general, or top leader, of the Augustinian religious order, the 13th century order founded by St. Augustine. Pope Francis clearly had an eye on him for years, moving him from the Augustinian leadership back to Peru in 2014 to serve as the administrator and later archbishop of Chiclayo. Chants of 'Leon, Leon' ran through the crowd who still appeared to be shocked with many mouthing 'An American?'. The first American born Pope, Cardinal Prevost emerged in recent days as a contender for the papacy. The tennis loving cardinal – who is also known as Father Bob – is seen as the 'least American of the Americans' and is seen as a silent reformer who would carry on the work of Pope Francis. He has worked for many years in Peru and was a popular choice with the Latin American and North American cardinals, although he has kept his views on topics such as women clergy and same [sexual] unions noticeably quiet.
