Monday Night Brief

TACO, CANADIAN NAVY, BILL C-61, WEST PIPELINE?

🌮 Trump Chickens Out… Again

Trump’s much-hyped “90 deals in 90 days OR ELSE” trade deadline? (Remember all the reciprocal tariffs. Canada not included ) Delayed again. His reciprocal tariff pause, which was set to expire Wednesday, has now been pushed to August 1. This is the third extension. At this point, maybe Trump just likes texting prime ministers. We know he and Carney have been messaging.

Meanwhile, the U.S. ambassador to Canada confirmed last week that a Canada-U.S. trade deal will not be reached by the July 21 deadline agreed upon at the G7. So much for the handshake diplomacy.

Trump has taken to writing letters he will post to Truth Social to threaten countries with the August first deadline……or else!?

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🌏 Anita Anand Heads to Asia

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is off to Japan and Malaysia this week. In Kuala Lumpur, she’ll represent Canada at the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference, strengthening trade and security ties with Southeast Asian nations. According to Global Affairs, it’s about finding new ways to grow our economic and defence relationships across the Indo-Pacific.

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⚓ HMCS Edmonton & Yellowknife Join NATO Mission

Canada is sending two navy ships, HMCS Edmonton and HMCS Yellowknife, to join Operation REASSURANCE. From now until October, they’ll be sailing through European waters, the Baltic, North Sea, and Mediterranean, helping detect and deactivate naval mines. Thousands of mines remain from WWII, and NATO suspects Russia and China may be laying new ones in strategic areas. The mission keeps international shipping lanes safe, especially as global tensions escalate.

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🚛 Doug Ford + Danielle Smith Sign... a Vibe

Ontario and Alberta signed a memorandum of understanding today, not legally binding, but symbolic, on studying new ports, rail lines, and pipelines connecting the provinces. The idea is to boost interprovincial trade and access to global markets.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney told the Calgary Herald that a pipeline to B.C.'s west coast is “highly likely,” but the private sector needs to make the first move before the federal government will act.

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🍫 Goodbye, Jersey Milk

Bad news for chocolate lovers: Mondelez Canada is discontinuing Jersey Milk, the classic chocolate bar made only in Canada. Mondelez says consumer tastes have shifted to other Cadbury bars, which they also produce domestically. R.I.P. to a sweet, simple staple.

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📉 Conference Board Forecast: Fewer Immigrants = Higher Wages?

The Conference Board of Canada released its latest economic forecast. Here’s the summary:

• Falling immigration rates could lead to higher wages as employers compete for talent.

• Unemployment rose to 7%, but the overall employment rate is still up 0.3% year-over-year.

• Canada’s GDP is expected to grow by 1.5% in 2025.

• The economy has weathered Trump’s trade war better than expected in Q1.

• Unemployment could fall to 5.8% by 2027, the report says.

This was reported by the Globe and Mail. The full report is behind a paywall.

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💧 The First Nations Clean Water Act Returns

The Liberal government has confirmed it will reintroduce Bill C-61, the First Nations Clean Water Act, this fall. The bill was first introduced under Justin Trudeau but died when Parliament was prorogued.

Here’s what it would do:

• Affirms the human right to clean drinking water on First Nations lands

• Recognizes First Nations jurisdiction over water and wastewater infrastructure under Section 35 of the Constitution

• Sets federal minimum standards for water quality and treatment

• Legally binds the federal government to fund those services comparably to non-Indigenous communities

• Allows for protection zones around vital water sources like rivers and lakes

• Includes a regular review mechanism to make sure federal commitments are being met

Right now, 37 long-term boil water advisories remain in effect across 35 First Nations communities, some for over 30 years.

Alberta and Ontario’s governments oppose the bill. Their environment ministers wrote a letter saying it would “undermine competitiveness” and “delay projects.” But legal experts say the courts are very unlikely to rule against the right to clean water, especially when tied to Indigenous self-governance.

Read their letter here

First Nations leaders are urging Parliament to pass the bill as quickly as possible. The Liberal government says it’s moving ahead and is calling on all provinces, territories, and MPs to support it.

Read Bill C-61 here

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That’s your Monday. The world’s still messy, but we keep showing up.

Sleep well, and stay loud.
Cole