FRI JUN 27 2025
David Akin's Roundup
Nation building. Alberta separatism. Leaving Iran.
Canada
Bill C-5: Carney's “nation-building” projects legislation passes Senate
Senators have passed Prime Minister Mark Carney's sweeping "nation-building" legislation, giving the federal government sweeping powers to fast-track major infrastructure projects.
The Liberals previously got the bill passed through the House of Commons with support from the Conservatives. David Akin explains how Bill C-5 passed despite pushback from some senators and what happens next with the provinces' wish lists of big projects. [Global National]
Canada has built few large projects over the past decade. That has led Conservatives, some provinces and some industry groups to argue that Ottawa's regulatory burdens are holding back growth. [CP]
A report by a battery metals mining group highlights the potential for economic growth and job creation in Western Canada for mining critical minerals like lithium and copper. [Global]
Thursday's statement from the Canadian Steel Producers Association takes particular issue with Ottawa's immediate measures like a tariff rate quota on foreign steel products. [Global]
Relying on a Chinese shipyard at a time when Canadian political leaders are vowing to boost support for Canadian manufacturers has generated considerable controversy since the contract was first announced by BC Ferries on June 10. Ms. Freeland’s letter says: “China has imposed unjustified tariffs on Canada, including 100-per-cent tariffs on canola oil, meal, and pea imports.” She later added: “There have also been ongoing concerns regarding threats to security, including cybersecurity, from China.”  [A BC cabinet minister] distanced the B.C. government from the decision within hours of the announcement, saying he was worried about procuring ships from any country that is actively harming the Canadian economy with tariffs. He also said BC Ferries, which provides passenger and vehicle ferry services for provincial coast and island communities, is an independent company that makes its own operational decisions. What a mess! [Globe and Mail]

With Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre ratcheting up his efforts in demanding that the mandate be scrapped, arguing it removes “choice” from consumers, Breton, a former Quebec environment minister, says the risk of not making short-term adjustments at the federal level is that, “this is going to become a political hot potato.” [National Post]

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The Provinces
Premier Danielle Smith says Albertans’ desire to leave Canada has never been higher
Smith made the comments Thursday at an unrelated news conference in Calgary alongside federal Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland. [Global]

Elections Nova Scotia says the Tories raised $1,157,677, the Opposition NDP collected $839,465, and the Liberal party received $633,163.

Aurora
Elsewhere
More than 800 Canadians have left Iran, Israel amid conflict: officials
Global Affairs Canada said the agency is also aware of many Canadians across the Middle East region who have reached safety independently. [Global]
ICE said Noviello had been a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. since 1991, after entering the country through legal visa status in 1988. However, it also said he was facing removal for being convicted of drug charges “as a non-immigrant overstay.” [Global]
Media
Pete Hegseth attacks old Fox News colleague's reporting on Iran strikes
Less than a year ago, Pete Hegseth and Jennifer Griffin were colleagues at Fox News Channel. But on Thursday, as defense secretary, Hegseth attacked Pentagon reporter Griffin at a news conference. [AP]
Last week, the University of Canberra released its annual survey of trust in the media, which made fascinating reading. Among its results, it found Australians' concern about misinformation was the highest globally. It said Australia "urgently needed" a national media and digital literacy campaign to help news consumers feel confident about their ability to spot misinformation. But what would that campaign look like? [Australia Broadcasting Corp]
Science and Technology
Anthropic destroyed millions of print books to build its AI models
Company hired Google’s book-scanning chief to cut up and digitize “all the books in the world." [Ars Technica]

As countries around the world race to leverage artificial intelligence (AI), a recent study found that Canada is falling behind, although it’s not due to a lack of innovation, but growing uncertainty and a gap in public understanding, one expert says. [CTV]

The Calendar
  • 0800 : Torbay, NL - Fisheries Min Joanne Thompson makes a funding announcement
  • 1000 : 135B West Block, - Former MP Charlie Angus speaks about US-Canada relations.
  • 1300 : West Block, - PM Carney chairs a meeting of the Prime Minister’s Council on Canada-U.S. Relations
Issued this day ...
… in 1986: Sc 1102a se-tenant block of 4. Canada Day Science and Technology — I. Design: Roger Hill
Issued to honour Canadian innovations in transportation, from top left, Sc 1099 Rotary snowplow; Sc 1100 Canadarm; Sc 1102 Variable pitch propeller; SC 1101 Anti-Gravity flight suit.