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Jun 3 2025

The Roundup: First Ministers. Tariff toll. Canuck smoke.

TUE JUN 3 2024
David Akin's Roundup
First Ministers. Tariff toll. Canuck smoke.
Canada
The takeaways from Carney's first ministers meeting
Prime Minister Mark Carney has met with Canada's premiers to talk about the infrastructure projects they want fast-tracked or funded. Mackenzie Gray reports on the hopes of some provinces, and the cautious optimism among at least one premier. 

Are pipelines a realistic part of Carney's 'nation-building' projects?
Prime Minister Mark Carney says he wants to quickly approve "nation-building" resource projects in an effort to boost Canada's economy. David Akin explains whether it's realistic to see new pipelines built anytime soon, and sizes up some potential hurdles in the Crown-Indigenous relationship. [Global National]
In the world of oil pipelines, there’s political rhetoric and then there’s the reality of dollars and cents. Jacques Poitras wrote this in January but it was among the pieces I re-read in preparation for my contribution to Monday's Global National. [CBC]
Bob Halliday: Recent enthusiasm for new Canadian oil pipelines amid a trade war with the United States neglects the reality of funding their construction. An op-ed from March I ran across yesterday. [Saskatoon Star-Phoenix]

In a letter to Carney dated May 30, AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak wrote that the proposed bill, in its current form, “suggests a serious threat to First Nations exercise of Treaty rights, inherent rights, title and jurisdiction.” [National Post]
Chief Billy Morin, of the Enoch Cree Nation, is a leader with a passion for entrepreneurship and business and has been at the forefront of creating opportunity for the Enoch Cree community. On this episode, Chief Morin shares his passion for business and economic development, along with his story to becoming Chief, and practical ways to advance reconciliation in Canada. Morin is the just-elected Conservative MP for Edmonton Northwest. [Business Council of Alberta]
The federal government's latest fiscal monitor report shows revenues from customs import duties topped $1 billion in March, more than double the figure from a year earlier. Conservative MPs in Question Period were beating up the government demanding to know how much had been collected in counter-tariffs. Well, here's the answer. [Global]

A display in Calgary showed some of the security being deployed for G7, including tactical units, protective gear, armoured police and military vehicles, and officers on horseback. [Global]
The recent throne speech promised legislation to bolster security at Canada's borders and new tools for police and intelligence agencies to help them stop the flow of deadly fentanyl and its precursors. The government also said the Canada Border Services Agency will be given new powers to examine goods destined for export to prevent the movement of illegal and stolen products, including cars. [CP]
The arrest is the first under the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA), which placed export controls on Moscow in 2014 in response to Russian military intervention in Ukraine. “We can confirm that this is the first prosecution under SEMA based on the Russia regulations,” said Nathalie Houle, a Public Prosecution Service of Canada spokesperson. [Global]
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The Provinces
Ontario PCs to limit debate on controversial Bill 5, among other legislation
Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government is moving to shut down debate on its most controversial piece of legislation this legislative session. [Global]
The province moved to shut down debate on a mining law known as Bill 5 that would give the government power to suspend provincial and municipal laws for chosen projects in areas deemed to have economic importance – and remove some endangered species protections. [CP]
Could a new pipeline send oil through Quebec? There is more openness to the idea in La Belle Province than there has been in a long time. [Global]
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she is "encouraged" by the federal government's change of tone when discussing energy. [Edmonton Journal]

The trade bill, based on a deal with Ontario, would remove trade and labour barriers for some goods and services between Manitoba and other jurisdictions that pass similar laws. Other provinces have recently joined the effort, as part of a national plan to boost the economy and respond to tariffs imposed by the United States. [CP]

Last week, legislation to increase the base salary for an MPP at Queen's Park from $116,550 to $157,250 passed all three readings and became law within minutes of being tabled. [Global]
Premier says they could have - and still can - negotiate with government to find better solutions. [Telegraph-Journal]

The Nova Scotia Liberal Party has announced  chairpersons, a timeline and rules for the 2026 leadership race. [Chronicle Herald]
Aurora
Elsewhere
Where smoke from Canadian wildfires has spread into the U.S.
As dozens of wildfires continue to burn across Canada, flames are sending far-reaching plumes of smoke into the sky and unhealthy air to distant places. Some of the more gigantic blazes have been delivering thick smoke that spread southward into the United States over recent days. Sorry, America! [WaPo] (🎁 link)
Far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders has pulled his party out of the ruling four-party Dutch coalition in dispute over a crackdown on migration. [AP]
Pre-election surveys suggest liberal Lee Jae-myung appears headed for an easy win, riding on deep public frustration over the conservatives in the wake of Yoon’s martial law debacle. [AP]

The largest prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine returned thousands -- but none were fighters from the Azov Brigade, one of Ukraine’s most symbolic military units, known for defending Mariupol’s last stronghold, the Azovstal steel plant.
Media
[Podcast] From Kyiv: Kate McKenna on the Frontlines of the Information War
Kate McKenna offers rare insight into how disinformation distorts global policy and weakens democratic alliances. As an authorized representative for Ukraine’s defence, Kate negotiates advanced technologies and funding across continents. But beyond logistics, she is witnessing—and countering—a digital war designed to fracture resolve and rewrite truth. Drawing on experience across Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America, she outlines how narrative manipulation has become one of the Kremlin’s most potent weapons. [Get Fact First]
Science and Technology

The plaintiffs in the case have reached a settlement with Google parent company Alphabet, which will spend a boatload of cash on "comprehensive" reforms. The goal is to steer Google away from the kind of anticompetitive practices that got it in hot water. [Ars Technica]
The Calendar
  • 0830 : 135B West Block, - Border Mayors speak to reporters.
  • 1000 : West Block, - PM Carney will meet with his cabinet.
  • 1130 : HoC Foyer, - Public Safety Min Gary Anandasangaree announces new measures on border security.
Issued this day ...
… in 1999: Sc 1799. Quebec Bar Association. Design: Pierre Fontaine. 

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