Roundup: Tariff threats still inbound

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There were a few bits of Canada-US relations over the weekend, starting with the re-opening of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, where François Legault secured an invite, and managed to get a few minutes with Donald Trump as a result, and allegedly spoke about the border issues and tariffs. (Incidentally, all of the people who complain about Justin Trudeau’s foreign travel also complained he didn’t attend this event, because of course they did). Trump then went on Meet the Press and extolled the virtues of tariffs, claimed that the trade imbalance somehow means that America is “subsidising” Canada (what?!) and he’s still talking about annexing Canada and maybe turning it into two states (huh?!), because of course he is.

My favourite thing that happened all week was when the premier of Quebec said he wanted to ban public prayer and then flew across the ocean to attend the re-opening of a church.

— Paul Wells (@inklesspw.bsky.social) 2024-12-09T03:21:45.529Z

Meanwhile, several Conservatives including Jamil Jivani went to the IDU conference in Washington DC, and Jivani had dinner with his old friend JD Vance, as well as UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch. Poilievre insists that every Conservative is telling Americans that tariffs are a bad idea…yet they are also saying that Trump is right about the border and fentanyl, so do they not make Trump’s case for him? Again, does anyone think about anything they say these days?

And senior public servants are warning Trudeau that the size of America’s debt and deficit are going to have knock-on effects to our economy because they are so closely tied, particularly when it comes to interest rates on the bond market—higher interest on US treasury bonds also drives up the rates on Canadian government bonds. Take that for what it’s worth.

Ukraine Dispatch

Ukrainians shot down 28 out of 74 drones Sunday night, with a further 46 “lost” likely from electronic warfare. No word yet on damage or casualties. Following a meeting with President Zelenskyy at the Notre Dame re-opening, Trump called for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict, along with usual schtick about making a deal, which meant that Russia has sent along their conditions. (Why does this give me a sinking feeling?)

Good reads:

  • Steven Guilbeault pledged close to $1 billion on clean energy projects in New Brunswick that are largely Indigenous-led.
  • CSIS will use what ability they have to disclose “some information” to Pierre Poilievre without his security clearance,
  • Here is a look at LGBTQ+ refugees surviving in safe houses in Nairobi as the Kenyan government refuses to process their refugee claims for resettlement.
  • As well, here is a look at a few affirming churches in Kenya trying to help those LGBTQ+ people being stigmatized and attacked by fundamentalist churches.
  • Two LGBTQ+ groups have launched legal challenges of Alberta’s recently passed anti-trans legislation.
  • Kevin Carmichael recommends a pair of books that help to understand why our economy is in such a fragile and mediocre state.
  • Anne Applebaum writes about the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, and how that might play out in the future in other autocratic countries.
  • Catherine McKenna describes being duped as environment minister by the oil and gas sector, which had no intention of reducing emissions while claiming otherwise.
  • Susan Delacourt and Matt Gurney debate the wisdom of holding a federal election as soon as possible.
  • My weekend column looks forward to the Fall Economic Statement, which increasingly looks like will be delivered on Thursday this week.

Odds and ends:

For National Magazine, I take a deeper dive into Friday’s Supreme Court of Canada decision, and why there are concerns it could invite further police mischief.

Need a copy of my book “The Unbroken Machine,” or “Royal Progress,” which I contributed to? Want to give a copy as a gift? Dundurn Press is having a 25% off site wide sale!

— Dale Smith (@journodale.bsky.social) 2024-11-18T23:53:05.945Z

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