The Long Weekender
The United States Pulls Out of Historic Canada-U.S. Defence Board
BREAKING
The United States Department of War announced it is pulling out of the Permanent Joint Board on Defense, a Canada-U.S. advisory body that has existed since 1940.
The board was originally created during the Second World War by former Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King and former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a way for both countries to coordinate the defence of North America against foreign threats.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of War posted on X that:
“A strong Canada that prioritizes hard power over rhetoric benefits us all. Unfortunately, Canada has failed to make credible progress on its defense commitments.”
The statement went on to say the U.S. is pausing participation in the board to reassess whether it still benefits North American defence.
Interestingly, the department also referenced Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Davos speech about the gap between rhetoric and reality in global security.
What is important to note here is that Carney never directly mentioned Donald Trump or the United States in that speech. But we know Trump reacted negatively afterward and later referred to Carney as “governor.”
This also comes as Canada significantly increases defence spending while attempting to diversify away from reliance on American defence companies. Historically, large portions of Canada’s defence spending flowed directly to U.S. corporations. Carney has openly discussed broadening Canada’s defence partnerships away from the US.
It is very possible this latest rhetoric from Washington is connected to that shift.
First Case of Andes Hantavirus Confirmed in Canada
Public health officials confirmed Canada’s first known case of Andes hantavirus this weekend after a Yukon resident became ill following exposure aboard an Antarctic cruise ship.
The individual was isolating in British Columbia after the exposure and later developed symptoms including fever and headaches before being transferred to hospital in Victoria for assessment. Health officials say the risk to the broader public remains low, but the situation is still being closely monitored.
Anita Anand Pressed on Israel and Canadian Citizen Death
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand faced a difficult interview this week with Al Jazeera regarding Canada’s position on the Middle East.
One exchange in particular stood out to me.
Anand was asked why Canada appeared comfortable allowing Israel to investigate itself after an Israeli strike in Lebanon killed a Canadian citizen.
The interviewer compared it to asking Moscow to investigate itself if a Russian strike in Ukraine had killed a Canadian.
Anand largely circled around the question without directly addressing the comparison.
Six Canadians Detained by Israel During Gaza Flotilla Mission
Another major Middle East story today involves six Canadians detained by Israeli forces after the Israeli military intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla near Cyprus.
The flotilla was attempting to challenge the blockade of Gaza.
Israeli forces boarded the vessels roughly 250 nautical miles from Gaza. One activist said the Canadians planned to begin a hunger strike if detained.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry called the mission a “provocation for the sake of provocation.”
So far, Global Affairs Canada has acknowledged media requests but has provided limited public response.
Canada’s Former New York Consul Residence Finally Sells
Remember the controversy over Canada purchasing a luxury condo on New York’s “Billionaires’ Row”?
Well, this week the former residence of Canada’s consul general in New York finally sold for roughly US$8 million after sitting on the market for nearly two years.
The government originally argued the old residence required major renovations and no longer met operational needs.
Conservatives heavily criticized the replacement purchase, accusing the government of wasting taxpayer dollars on luxury real estate while affordability concerns grow across Canada.
Governor General Revokes National Honours
Governor General Mary Simon officially stripped Peter Dalglish and Jacques Lamarre of their Order of Canada honours this week.
Dalglish lost the honour following convictions related to sexual abuse offences in Nepal.
Lamarre, the former CEO of SNC-Lavalin, lost his honour after corruption and collusion findings tied to payments involving the family of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi.
Removal from the Order of Canada is relatively rare and reflects one of the country’s most serious accountability measures for national honourees.
The Bulletproof Vest “Game” That Turned Deadly
One of the most disturbing court stories this week came out of British Columbia.
Adam Steenbergen was sentenced to four years in prison for manslaughter after fatally shooting his friend Michael Leier during what the court described as a reckless “game” involving a bulletproof vest.
According to the judge, the pair had consumed alcohol and cocaine before driving to a remote logging road where they attempted to test whether the vest could stop a bullet.
It could not.
Justice Jennifer Duncan described the incident as:
“the product of breathtaking recklessness.”
Michael Chong Defies Beijing Warning
Conservative MP Michael Chong arrived in Taiwan this week despite warnings from China’s ambassador to Canada discouraging further parliamentary visits.
Chong said he travelled using his own money in order to:
“show solidarity with a democracy at the front lines of intimidation.”
The trip comes amid rising tensions between Canada and China over Taiwan, trade, military activity, and foreign interference concerns.
China considers Taiwan a breakaway province, while Taiwan remains one of Canada’s largest trading partners in Asia. China has been outspoken about plans to take control over Taiwan in the near future.
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Please stop referring to the Department of Defense as the Department of War. Don’t lend your legitimacy to TFG’s regime. It’s Defense until congress changes it.
Thank you Cole!! Today's updates pack a punch! I hope we punch back! PM Carney, respectfully sir, we need to expedite things on the military front. Minister Anand, we cannot skirt around issues that involve Canadians safety at home and abroad. Stand up. Speak up. Be strong and keep us Free!