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Toronto Sun
an hour ago
- Business
- Toronto Sun
LILLEY: Draft trade deal with U.S. hammered out amid 'intensive discussions'
Deal in principle in the works with Trump administration; now it's all down to finer points Get the latest from Brian Lilley straight to your inbox U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Prime Minister Mark Carney in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on May 6, 2025. Photo by JIM WATSON / AFP via Getty Images There is a draft, high-level proposal on a new trade deal between Ottawa and Washington, according to multiple sources. The question now is whether political leaders in both countries can get it over the finish line. 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 The hope, especially in Ottawa, is to have an agreement of some sort in place before the G7 meetings begin in Kananaskis, Alta., on June 15. The proposal would see both countries agree in broad strokes on ways to move forward in the trade relationship. According to sources, highly contentious issues like Canada's supply management system for dairy and the digital services tax that is opposed by all sides in Washington would be put off into the future. Prime Minister Mark Carney was clear in denouncing the increased tariffs on steel and aluminum, calling them illegal and unjustified. But he, like his cabinet ministers on Wednesday, didn't ramp up the rhetoric against the Americans. Carney even spoke about the ongoing discussions on the trade front. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We are in intensive discussions right now with the Americans on the trading relationship,' Carney told reporters ahead of his cabinet meeting. 'Those discussions are progressing.' Read More During question period on Wednesday afternoon, Carney repeated his comments under questioning from the opposition Conservatives. 'We are in intensive negotiations with the Americans and, in parallel, preparing reprisals if those negotiations do not succeed,' Carney said. Let me translate that for you: Carney isn't slapping a 50% counter-tariff on U.S. steel and aluminum imports because a deal is within reach. As Carney noted, the increase in steel and aluminum tariffs from 25% to 50% was applied globally; it wasn't just aimed at Canada, so to respond with counter-tariffs now could jeopardize those talks. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In response to a question from the Bloc Quebecois, Carney said the talks were at a delicate point. Dominic LeBlanc, Carney's minister of intergovernmental affairs and point man on the talks with the Donald Trump administration, was in Washington Tuesday meeting with his U.S. counterparts. The discussions have been ongoing since Trump was sworn into office and have recently intensified with the hope of announcing a deal within the next week to 10 days. What we can expect is an announcement that Canada will increase its defence spending, including potential participation in the Golden Dome missile defence system. We should expect the government to show that border security will be a priority and there will be action on fentanyl. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. All of those are things that Carney has spoken about to some degree in the past. What will be interesting to see is whether the 'projects of national interest' that he has been speaking to premiers about are part of the deal. Will Ontario's Ring of Fire, a source of critical minerals, work its way into a deal that sees the Americans as a preferred customer? We already know that the Americans are anxious for us to see projects like Grays Bay Port in Nunavut developed. Giving that project a green light as part of a trade negotiation could be part of the package. What we know for sure is this high-level proposal is not a full-scale renegotiation of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement. That would come at a later date and while the Canadian side is pushing for a deal, the Americans want something short and simple for now with full negotiations to come later. According to multiple sources, that doesn't sit well with Canada's top diplomat in Washington, Kristen Hillman, who is 'getting into the weeds' and trying to solve everything at once. If the Americans are willing to come to an agreement of sorts at a high level and lift the tariffs while a full renegotiation of CUSMA happens, the Carney government should take it. It's true that Trump can be erratic and could change his mind at a later date, but if a deal is on the table, we should take it. Celebrity Columnists Canada Toronto & GTA Canada
Toronto Sun
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Tim Dolighan cartoon, June 5, 2025
Tim Dolighan cartoon for June 5, 2025. Photo by Tim Dolighan / Special to Postmedia Network Tim Dolighan cartoon for June 5, 2025. Tim Dolighan cartoon for June 5, 2025. Photo by Tim Dolighan / Special to Postmedia Network 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 Celebrity Canada Columnists Canada Toronto & GTA
Toronto Sun
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Edmonton Oilers send Florida Panthers loud and clear message in Game 1
Edmonton Oilers' Leon Draisaitl (29), Evan Bouchard (2) and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) celebrate Draisaitl's game winning overtime goal against the Florida Panthers during NHL Stanley Cup playoff action at Rogers Place, in Edmonton Wednesday June 4, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia When somebody shows you who they are, believe them. 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 It's an age-old truth that must be chilling the Florida Panthers to their core right now. The Panthers discovered Wednesday night in the 110-decibel circus at Rogers Place that what the Edmonton Oilers have been saying all along is true — this is a very different team than the one they beat last year. They're bigger, stronger, deeper, more mature and more determined. And this time they weren't going to be spooked by the enormity of the situation when the puck dropped in Game 1. This time the Oilers delivered a loud and clear message, showing their playoff mettle by overcoming a 3-1 deficit to force overtime and then winning it on Leon Draisaitl's goal at 19:29 to draw first blood in the Stanley Cup Final. 'We've done it all post-season,' Draisaitl said of the comeback win. 'We stick with it and we're never going to quit. It was a pretty evenly-played game but we got it done when it mattered most.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It's the first time an Oilers team held a series lead in the Final since 1990. They fell behind 3-0 last year and then 2-0 and 3-1 in 2006. This time they're in the driver's seat, three wins away from a championship. 'It's huge,' said Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner. 'When you look back at it (last year), if we get one win right away it's a completely different story. The way that we showed up right from the get go, and continued to keep going even though we were down by two, it shows a lot of character by us.' The Panthers, making their third-straight appearance in a Stanley Cup Final, are trying to win their way into a dynasty conversation but the Oilers have their own idea of how history is going to remember this season and they got right to it. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Oilers couldn't have asked for a better start, with Leon Draisaitl making it 1-0 just 66 seconds after the opening faceoff. From there, Edmonton controlled the rest of the period, hemming Florida in its own zone and outshooting them 14-7, with Florida's sixth and seventh shots coming in the final five seconds. Unfortunately for the Oilers, Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky gave them nothing else and Florida came out of the period with a 2-1 lead on a controversial goal from Carter Verhaeghe at 10:49 and a power-play goal, made possible by Edmonton's unsuccessful goaltender interference challenge, from Brad Marchand at 12:30. Sam Bennett clearly interfered with Skinner on the first goal, but the referees ruled that he was tripped into the Oilers goaltender by defenceman Brett Kulak. A close call that could have gone either way went Florida's and resulted in a quick two-goal swing for the visitors. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I'd challenge that any day,' said head coach Kris Knoblauch. 'I saw him fall into (Skinner) and I didn't think he was tripped. From what I've seen from the NHL this year, I had a lot of confidence in challenging that.' After both teams scored early in the second period — Bennett giving Florida a 3-1 lead at 2:00 and Viktor Arvidsson closing it to 3-2 at 3:17 — Florida took over. They were outshooting Edmonton 17-4 late in the frame until an Oilers power play made it 17-8, and it was Skinner's turn to frustrate the shooters. Which he did. 'Great again,' Connor McDavid said of his goalie. 'He gave us a chance to win and that's all you can ask from your goaltender.' With the Panthers up 3-2 at the second intermission, Game 1 came down to 20 minutes. The Oilers, now 4-3 in the playoffs when trailing after two periods, needed just 3:33 to tie things up on Mattias Ekholm's goal. And then Game 1 came down to one shot. Draisaitl took it for his third overtime winner of the playoffs and the Oilers are up 1-0. 'I know these guys have it in them to come back like that,' Skinner said of his veteran teammates. 'The timing of it, too, a minute left. I've seen them do it many times. Hopefully I see them do it a lot more.' E-mail: rtychkowski@ Celebrity Canada Columnists Canada Toronto & GTA
Toronto Sun
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
3 TAKEAWAYS: These Stanley Cup Finals could go the distance again
Edmonton Oilers' Leon Draisaitl (29) scores on the Florida Panthers' goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during first period NHL Stanley Cup playoff action at Rogers Place, in Edmonton Wednesday June 4, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia It's underway. 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 Finally. After much pomp and ceremony around Rogers Place this week, not to mention the shortest off-season in franchise history followed by what had to feel like the longest journey down the road to redemption, the Edmonton Oilers opened Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against the same Florida Panthers foe that beat them 2-1 in Game 7 last year. Bad blood? Plenty of it. Love lost? Absolutely none. But will it end in long-awaited destiny for the former dynasty? Only time will tell. After all, one game solves nothing in this best-of-seven, winner-take-all rematch that could just easily go the distance once again. Here are three takeaways from the Oilers' 4-3 overtime win at Rogers Place on Wednesday: 1. HOME-ICE ADVANTAGE Finishing with 101 points on the season in the Western Conference didn't mean a whole heck of a lot to the Oilers, who gave up home-ice advantage in all three previous rounds. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. But it's three points more than the Panthers ended up with, and that made all the difference when it came to the series opening inside the friendly confines of Rogers Place, as opposed to Amerant Bank Arena in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 4,100 kilometres south. The Panthers used every ounce of the opening advantage last year to propel themselves to two straight home wins, which they followed up by going ahead 3-0 in the series after it switched to Edmonton for Game 3, meaning the Oilers would have had to win four straight to claim the ultimate prize. They got three of them. But the fourth eluded them, with Game 7 going back to Florida, where you have to imagine the home crowd and last change played a role in a one-goal decision. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. At the same time, the NHL's own data shows teams that win Game 1 in a best-of-7 Stanley Cup Final hold an all-time series record of 65-20 (.765), including a 52-10 (.839) mark when starting at home, compared to a 13-10 (.565) clip when starting on the road. At the same time, the winner of Game 1 has gone on to capture the Stanley Cup in each of the last four finals (Florida in 2024, the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023, the Colorado Avalanche in 2022 and the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021). But that only came after a streak of three straight years where the eventual champions rallied back from a 1-0 series deficit (the Lightning in 2020, the St. Louis Blues in 2019 and the Washington Capitals in 2018). In other words, stay tuned. 2. HIT PARADE Forget about a no-holds-barred competition, the officials weren't putting their whistles away for this one. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. With five penalties called in the first 20 minutes alone, the crew in stripes sent a clear message this one one was going to go by the books. Or, at least, the series will start this way. But both teams really only had themselves to blame for the strict officiating. They each came out of the gates flying, with the target locked squarely on anything in another-coloured sweater. The Panthers received a warm welcome to Alberta's capital with the Oilers dishing out 17 first-period hits, and gave it right back to their hosts with 14 of their own. Hits were 32-31 in Edmonton's favour by the end of the second, and 43-37 by the end of regulation. But it wasn't necessarily the quantity that left the biggest impact. Edmonton wrote more big bodychecks than Florida could cash, reminding the visitors last year wasn't exactly a distant memory. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. But all signs point to the fans getting their money's worth (yes, even with ticket prices in Edmonton) in this series. And that's never a bad thing. P.S. As far as extra-curriculars go, Evander Kane showed up to do exactly what the team brought him back in the mix to do, take a stand post-whistle, after having sat out the entire regular-season due to injury. 3. DRAI'S THE GUY The NHL's goal-scoring leader, who scored 52 of them in 71 regular-season games, followed up his Maurice 'Rocket' Richard trophy season by earning his first goal in the Stanley Cup Finals, and following up with his second to clinch victory in overtime. That's two more than he had a year ago in this series. A hand injury, along with abdominal issues, held him goal-less through all seven games of the 2023-24 Stanley Cup Finals against Florida. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. But he wasted no time getting one in this time around, putting a rebound past Sergei Bobrovsky just 66 seconds after the opening puck drop. While Draisaitl began the game centering his own line flanked by Evander Kane and Kasperi Kapanen, it didn't last long before he was reunited with Connor McDavid on the top line, as the Oilers found themeslves down by two just two minutes into the second period. Either way, it was a big-time performance from the one who's been the Oilers' hands-down leader on the ice all season, who steered them in the right direction early on Wednesday. And it's something they could use considerably more of the rest of the way. 'It's a good start for us, but we've got to regroup and get ready for Game 2,' Draisaitl said. E-mail: gmoddejonge@ On Twitter: @GerryModdejonge Celebrity Canada Columnists Canada Toronto & GTA
Toronto Sun
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
'DIPLOMACY ENDS TODAY:' First Nations warn of protests over mining law
Published Jun 04, 2025 • 3 minute read Protesters and community members chant and wave signs as they listen to speakers during a demonstration opposing Bill 5, outside the Ontario Legislature at Queen's Park in Toronto, Monday, June 2, 2025. Photo by Cole Burston / THE CANADIAN PRESS Premier Doug Ford's government has given itself the power to suspend provincial and municipal laws for chosen projects in areas it deems to have economic importance, citing the need to speed up development of mines, but First Nations warn confrontation is brewing. 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 Known as Bill 5, the legislation sparked a firestorm of anger among First Nations communities, who say it tramples their rights and ignores their concerns. It may have passed in the legislature Wednesday, but Indigenous leaders say the fight is just beginning. 'Our diplomacy ends today,' said NDP deputy leader Sol Mamakwa, who represents the northern Ontario riding of Kiiwetinoong that is home to many First Nations and the mineral-rich Ring of Fire region. 'You cannot trample on the rights of the people that live on these homelands and get away with it.' Ford has said the bill is needed to speed up large projects, particularly mines, in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war. Jeers from dozens of First Nations members echoed in the legislature as the bill was passed into law. Ford was not there for the final vote. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler called the premier a 'coward. 'This fight is not over, but we will meet you on the ground,' Fiddler said. 'He did not even have the guts to show up for the vote.' Ford was on a call with a Republican congressman during the vote, his office said. Lake Huron Regional Chief Scott McLeod said that shows where the premier's priorities lie. 'His priorities are not with the Indigenous people in this province,' he said. 'They're with business people, and he wants the resources that are in our territories. He's selling our minerals and our resources to Americans, to the world, without our permission and that is what we're not going to stand for.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The government had tried to amend the bill to explicitly include duty to consult provisions, but delay tactics at the committee stage by the Liberals meant that the Progressive Conservatives passed the legislation without that. Ford said earlier in the day that they would consult with First Nations over the summer, but that may now be in question. From now on, Fiddler said, Nishnawbe Aski Nation will not take him or his government seriously, nor will they engage with Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford. Fiddler called for his resignation. 'He is supposed to be representing Indigenous affairs for our nation, but he failed at every turn, and we will not work with him,' Fiddler said. 'We will not engage with him at all moving forward.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The legislation will create so-called 'special economic zones,' where the province could suspend laws to speed up projects such as mines, and the government has said the Ring of Fire would be the first such zone. Chris Moonias, the former chief of Neskantaga First Nation, suggested action will begin by preventing mining companies and others' access to their lands. 'We're going to shut down the Ring of Fire,' he said. 'Whatever that means, whatever we can do, we're going to shut it down. I promise you that.' Earlier in the day, Ford said blockades wouldn't be 'very wise. 'You can't break the law,' Ford said. 'Simple as that. … They need to move on or they'll be dealt with appropriately.' When asked to clarify his comments, Ford said he doesn't direct the police and any enforcement would be up to the Ontario Provincial Police or local police services. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The premier wouldn't say if he would use the notwithstanding clause to save Bill 5 if it ends up being challenged and found unconstitutional in court. But he said that he would 'cross that bridge' when he comes to it. Civil liberty groups are livid at the prospect of effectively lawless zones, and unions have warned that labour laws would be under threat. The measure is part of an omnibus bill that makes a slew of other changes, including stripping protections for endangered and threatened species. Environmental groups and the Toronto Zoo have warned this will lead to extinctions. Farmers, who largely support the Progressive Conservative government, have also spoken out against the bill. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture said the broad powers 'could override vital protections for farmland and agricultural systems.' Celebrity Canada Columnists Canada Toronto & GTA
