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Poilievre Urges Compassion Over Condemnation in Calgary Unity Speech

Kevin Martin
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Poilievre Urges Compassion Over Condemnation in Calgary Unity Speech

Conservative Leader Calls for Federal Reform to Counter Alberta Separatism

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre delivered a keynote address in Calgary on Monday, urging Canadians not to treat Albertans drawn to separatism as enemies, but to offer them hope through concrete federal policy changes.

Speaking at a Royal Canadian Legion in downtown Calgary, Poilievre argued that Alberta’s frustration is directed at Ottawa, not Canada itself — and that federalist reform, not demonization, is the path to national unity.

A Vote on Alberta’s Future

The speech comes ahead of an October referendum in which Albertans will be asked whether the province should remain in Canada or whether the provincial government should begin the process of holding a second vote on leaving Confederation.

Separatist sentiment has grown in Alberta amid longstanding grievances over federal energy policy, equalization payments, and what many in the province view as systemic neglect by Ottawa.

‘Not Our Enemies’

“As we debate the fight for a united Canada, we must remember that those who are choosing separation from Canada are not our enemies,” Poilievre told the crowd. “They are our fellow citizens, family members, loved ones, business partners, neighbours and friends.”

He warned against inflammatory rhetoric, saying that “name-calling, fearmongering and ostracizing will only worsen and broaden the divide.”

“Demonizing people who have lost hope in Canada is no way to restore it,” he added.

Policy, Not Separation

Poilievre framed the separatist impulse as a policy failure rather than a fundamental rejection of Canada, delivering what amounted to his central argument of the evening.

“We do not need a different country, Alberta. We need different government policies in Ottawa,” he said.

He blamed the federal Liberal government for allowing separatist sentiment to fester and called on Canadians from other provinces to actively listen to Alberta’s grievances rather than dismiss them.

Building a Cross-Provincial Coalition

Poilievre pointed to Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, and Quebec as potential allies in pushing for federal reform, arguing that shared grievances could form the basis of a united front.

“Both Quebeckers and Albertans — and probably many others — agree that the provincial governments that pay for the social services and housing of newcomers must have more control over who comes in and how many enter the country,” he said.

“Locking arms with other provinces is a practical, realistic path to a stronger Alberta within a united Canada,” Poilievre added.

Personal Ties to Alberta

Poilievre, who grew up in Alberta before moving to Ottawa to pursue a career in federal politics, invoked the province’s contributions to the country — including the Albertans who served in both world wars and Calgary’s distinction as the first Canadian city to host the Olympic Winter Games.

He currently represents the Alberta riding of Battle River-Crowfoot.

He urged Canadians elsewhere to reach out directly to Albertans: “Tell them how much you appreciate and love them, really listen to them.”

Conservatives Mobilizing on Unity

Last month, Poilievre pledged to campaign across Alberta to encourage the province to “stay as part of the Canadian family,” and vowed that the effort would not be his alone. “All Conservatives will be campaigning for Canadian unity in Alberta,” he said.

On Friday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith made her own pitch for remaining in Canada to a sold-out crowd of more than 2,000 United Conservative Party supporters — a sign that even within Alberta’s governing party, the federalist case is actively being made.

Ottawa Councillor Tim Tierney Elected President of Federation of Canadian Municipalities

Emily Roy
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Ottawa Councillor Tim Tierney Elected President of Federation of Canadian Municipalities

Ottawa Councillor Tim Tierney Elected President of Federation of Canadian Municipalities

Ottawa City Councillor Tim Tierney was acclaimed president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) on Sunday at the organization’s annual conference in Edmonton, becoming the first Ottawa-based leader of the national municipal body in more than 80 years.

Tierney succeeds Vancouver Councillor Rebecca Bligh, who moves into the role of past president. His term runs until June 2027.

Priorities: Infrastructure, Housing and Community Safety

Tierney outlined three core priorities for his presidency: infrastructure investment, housing, and community safety. He pledged to press the federal government on all three fronts through what he described as the FCM’s “collaborative efforts.”

“Together, we will tackle infrastructure gaps, build more housing, address homelessness and strengthen Canada’s future,” Tierney said in a statement following his acclamation.

He emphasized the need for “stable, predictable funding” for municipalities and promised to champion what he called the “non-sexy” but essential infrastructure priorities — including sewers — that underpin housing construction.

“Let’s start digging because we need those sewers in place to be able to build all these homes that the federal government wants to achieve,” he said in an interview.

A National Mandate from an Ottawa Base

Tierney acknowledged that his Ottawa location places him close to federal decision-makers — a proximity he intends to use. He said he plans to raise municipal priorities with MPs, cabinet ministers and senators at every opportunity, “whether it’s testifying at a parliamentary committee, at a reception or in a restaurant, or even seeing them on the street.”

Despite his Ottawa base, Tierney stressed he would remain “focused on the needs of the entire country.”

New Board Members and Vice-Presidents Elected

Delegates at the Edmonton conference also elected three new vice-presidents to the FCM executive:

New members were also elected to the FCM’s Board of Directors, which is composed of elected municipal officials from communities of all sizes and regions across Canada.

About the FCM

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities represents the interests of member municipalities on policy and program matters within federal jurisdiction. Its board carries municipal priorities directly to the federal government on behalf of communities from coast to coast to coast.

Carney Brushes Off Trump’s ’51st State’ Taunt as CUSMA Talks Loom

amy z
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Carney Brushes Off Trump’s ’51st State’ Taunt as CUSMA Talks Loom

Prime Minister deflects annexation rhetoric as trade deal review approaches

U.S. President Donald Trump revived his “51st state” taunt against Canada on Monday night, posting the phrase on Truth Social alongside an article about Canada’s economy entering a technical recession. Prime Minister Mark Carney responded with deliberate calm — a strategic posture that one political expert links directly to upcoming trade negotiations.

“We’re not going to respond or react to everything that he posts,” Carney told reporters Tuesday, dismissing Trump as an “exceptionally active user of social media” and waving off the remark.

A calculated silence ahead of CUSMA review

Trump’s post was reshared Tuesday morning by U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra, amplifying its reach. When asked whether Canada should expel the ambassador over the move, Carney rejected the suggestion, saying Ottawa must continue working with U.S. representatives.

The more restrained tone from Carney — who ran an “elbows up” campaign against Trump’s rhetoric — reflects shifting political priorities, according to Daniel Béland, a political scientist and professor at McGill University.

“During the campaign, it was elbows up and it was politically expedient to push back against Trump’s rhetoric in a more frontal way,” Béland told Yahoo News Canada. “As this deadline in terms of the review of CUSMA is looming, I think there’s a sense that it’s better not to provoke Trump.”

The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is scheduled for review next month, a high-stakes process that will shape Canadian trade for years to come.

“I think now the focus is on getting things done, or at least not to hurt what’s happening behind closed doors with regard to CUSMA,” Béland said.

Rhetoric as leverage, not policy

Trump first floated the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state in late 2024, during a meeting with then-prime minister Justin Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago. What began as a provocative aside quickly became a recurring theme in speeches, interviews, and social media posts.

Béland argues the annexation talk serves a strategic purpose for Washington. “There is certainly something here about calling into question the sovereignty of Canada,” he said. “It’s a way to symbolically weaken Canada and say it’s not a real country, it’s not a country that could defend itself without the United States.”

While Béland considers actual annexation unrealistic, he says the rhetoric has already reshaped how many Canadians perceive their southern neighbour — transforming the United States, in his words, “from an ally to an adversary of Canada.”

He also cautioned against Ottawa engaging in a public war of words. “Trying to start an argument about Trump would just exacerbate this kind of childish behaviour and rhetoric,” he said.

Canadians push back — but opinions are divided

While Carney chose restraint, many Canadians on social media did not. Reactions ranged from fierce declarations of independence to a smaller contingent willing to entertain the idea.

The range of responses reflects the complexity of the Canada-U.S. relationship at a moment of unusual strain. As the 51st state rhetoric enters its second year, the dominant sentiment among Canadians remains a firm defence of the country’s sovereignty — even as their government opts to keep its powder dry ahead of critical trade talks.

‘Justice for Jaali’: Family Demands Accountability After Indigenous Mother Dies in Saskatoon Hospital

Kevin Martin
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‘Justice for Jaali’: Family Demands Accountability After Indigenous Mother Dies in Saskatoon Hospital

Over 100 march in Saskatoon calling for investigation into death of Jaali Sutherland-Weenie, who died hours after a pre-eclampsia diagnosis went untreated

More than 100 people took to the streets of Saskatoon on Sunday to demand accountability for the death of Jaali Sutherland-Weenie, a 24-year-old Indigenous mother from Beardy’s & Okemasis Cree Nation who died at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital on April 26 following what her family describes as hours of neglect after a serious pregnancy complication.

The “Justice for Jaali” walk — held the day before what would have been Sutherland-Weenie’s 25th birthday — began at White Buffalo Youth Lodge, proceeded along 20th Street West, and ended at Kiwanis Park downtown. Speakers called for a full independent investigation into her death and for an end to what they described as systemic racism in Saskatchewan’s health-care system.

What Happened

Sutherland-Weenie was 36 weeks pregnant when she began experiencing severe back pain and vomiting on April 25. She first sought care at the Rosthern hospital before being transferred to Saskatoon, according to her family.

At approximately 9:30 p.m. that evening, she was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia — a serious, potentially life-threatening pregnancy condition requiring urgent medical attention. According to a statement from Beardy’s & Okemasis’ Cree Nation leadership, she remained in an observation room for more than 26 hours after her diagnosis before being moved to Labour and Delivery at 3:44 p.m. on April 26.

She died at 5:15 p.m. Her baby survived and is now in the care of the father.

‘Her Concerns Were Dismissed’

Family spokesperson Jaye Cameron said Sutherland-Weenie’s death reflects a broader pattern of health-care failures and systemic racism facing Indigenous women. “Jaali’s concerns were dismissed and the warning signs of pre-eclampsia were clear,” Cameron said. “A known treatable condition of pre-eclampsia was ignored and resulted in death.”

Cameron said family members — including Sutherland-Weenie’s mother, partner, and sister — all tried to advocate for her without success. “She was struggling, and she wasn’t heard,” she said. “Health care is not safe for Indigenous people until it’s free from racism.”

Cameron added that she and Jaali’s father, Wilson Sutherland, are working with the First Nations Health Ombudsperson’s Office and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations to escalate the case to the national level. “Justice for Jaali is not only about one case — it’s about ending the pattern,” she said.

At the time of her death, Sutherland-Weenie had completed all requirements for a Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work degree at First Nations University of Canada and was looking forward to her convocation, according to Cree Nation leadership.

Calls for Independent Investigation

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) has called for an independent investigation, describing Sutherland-Weenie’s death as “a stark and painful reminder of the systemic failures that continue to exist within the healthcare system — failures that disproportionately impact Indigenous women and families.”

Both the FSIN and the First Nations Health Ombudsperson Office have said her death was the result of systemic failures, ignorance, and discrimination.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority confirmed it is investigating the death as a critical incident, as it does with all maternal deaths during labour or delivery. It declined to comment on specific details, but said its clinical leadership has met with the family and that its First Nations and Métis health team has been engaged to support “culturally respectful and compassionate communication.”

The family said they have not yet received the results of an autopsy and do not know the official cause of death.

A Systemic Gap in Data

The Saskatchewan Coroners Service and eHealth Saskatchewan have both acknowledged they do not actively track maternal mortality rates in relation to Indigenous women or pre-eclampsia — a gap that advocates say makes it harder to identify and address systemic failures.

“Justice for Jaali is justice for all women and all mothers and all babies,” a family member said at Sunday’s event. Organizers emphasized that the walk was not only for Sutherland-Weenie, but for every Indigenous mother who has been dismissed or failed by a Canadian hospital.

NFG Step Forward Foundation Launches as a Quiet, Governance-First Philanthropic Model

Emily Roy
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NFG Step Forward Foundation Launches as a Quiet, Governance-First Philanthropic Model

NFG Step Forward Foundation Creates a Dedicated Framework for Long-Term Community Investment

Organizations often face a common challenge when social initiatives grow over time: how can programs that begin as individual projects be structured in a way that ensures continuity, oversight, and long-term development?

For NFG Group, the answer has taken the form of the NFG Step Forward Foundation, officially launched in 2026 as a dedicated institution responsible for overseeing a range of educational and community-focused initiatives that the organization says it has supported for several years.

According to NFG, those activities date back to at least 2017 and have included educational programs in Namibia, support for students facing financial barriers, and assistance for employees and communities during periods of hardship. While the projects themselves are not new, the foundation introduces a formal structure designed to coordinate and support them as they continue to evolve.

Building an Institution Around Existing Programs

The creation of a foundation represents more than an administrative change. It establishes a dedicated framework through which programs can be managed, developed, and expanded over time.

To support that objective, the NFG Step Forward Foundation will operate under the oversight of an independent Board of Trustees. Dr. Kathryn Devos and Cecilia Rague-Kaisha will serve as Ambassadors, while Shaunte Stapleton has been appointed Corporate Manager and Troylin Evelyn will serve as Secretary. The organization has also indicated that additional trustees are expected to join as activities continue to grow.

By establishing independent oversight and dedicated administration, the foundation creates a structure intended to support long-term planning while maintaining a clear focus on its stated objectives.

Practical Support Through Education and Community Programs

The foundation’s activities remain focused on a defined set of priorities.

Education continues to be one of the central pillars of its work, alongside nutritional support and community assistance initiatives. Programs supported by NFG have included funding teacher salaries, helping students continue their education, and providing material assistance to children and families facing economic challenges.

Rather than pursuing a broad range of activities, the organization has concentrated its efforts on areas where sustained support can contribute to educational opportunity and community well-being.

Partnerships as a Model for Growth

Collaboration with community organizations also plays an important role in the foundation’s approach.

A recent example can be found in Kenya, where NFG SA supported a Lenivan Foundation initiative that distributed more than 300 pairs of school shoes while contributing to broader educational and community programs. The project demonstrated how partnerships can combine local knowledge with additional resources to deliver targeted support where it is needed most.

Looking ahead, NFG has stated that future growth will be supported through donations, strategic collaborations, and referrals from community organizations and external partners. This model allows the foundation to work alongside existing institutions while identifying opportunities to expand its impact across different regions.

As the NFG Step Forward Foundation enters its first years of operation, its role is clear: to provide a dedicated institutional framework for programs that have already been active for years and to support their continued development through governance, partnerships, and long-term community engagement.

Tariff Uncertainty ‘Really Hurting Investment’ in Manitoba, Trade Representative Warns

Kevin Martin
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Tariff Uncertainty ‘Really Hurting Investment’ in Manitoba, Trade Representative Warns

Tariff Uncertainty ‘Really Hurting Investment’ in Manitoba, Trade Representative Warns

Manitoba’s trade representative to the United States says ongoing uncertainty over American tariffs is damaging business investment in the province — a message driven home just one day after he led a provincial delegation to Washington to push for greater predictability at the border.

A Surprise Announcement

Richard Madan said he received no advance warning before the U.S. announced a new proposed 10 per cent additional tariff on Canada and other countries on Wednesday, citing an investigation into forced labour in supply chains.

The announcement came the day after Madan led Manitoba’s first formal delegation to meet with senior U.S. trade representatives — a six-person group that included representatives from the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, the Manitoba Pork Council, Keystone Agricultural Producers, and the Business Council of Manitoba, as well as Paul Soubry, former CEO of bus manufacturer New Flyer Industries.

Manitoba’s Message to Washington

The delegation focused on the mutual benefits of the trade relationship between Manitoba and the United States. Madan highlighted the province’s role in the continental pork supply chain, noting that much of the pork processed in Manitoba is shipped south for further processing in states like Iowa and Missouri.

“We went in there with a very positive message, essentially how Manitoba helps the United States,” Madan said.

The latest proposed tariff increase would not apply to goods compliant under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), meaning a significant portion of Manitoba’s exports to the U.S. would remain unaffected. Agriculture dominates those exports, which totalled more than $7 billion in goods between January and June of last year.

Uncertainty the Real Problem

Despite the partial exemptions, Madan warned that unpredictability itself is inflicting real economic damage. A survey his office conducted, drawing on input from more than 100 business, labour, and Indigenous groups across the province, found that stability and predictability matter just as much to Manitoba businesses as raw market access.

“The ongoing uncertainty is really hurting investment in the province,” Madan said. “That was a message that we heard from the delegation loud and clear.”

The report, released last week, identified those concerns as a central theme among stakeholders.

Kinew Calls for Pushback

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew took a more combative tone in Winnipeg on Wednesday, demanding the Trump administration reverse course.

“We want to see the Trump administration back down from trying to attack our economy. There’s no reason for it,” Kinew said. “And if the Trump administration attacks us, we have to push back.”

NFI Group: ‘Noisy and Messy, But Not Disastrous’

Soubry, who stepped down as CEO of NFI Group — the Winnipeg-based bus manufacturer formerly known as New Flyer — at the start of the year and now serves as an adviser to the company, offered a measured assessment of the tariffs’ impact on the firm.

“The impact has been noisy and messy, but not disastrous,” he said.

However, Soubry noted that a combination of older buy-American procurement rules and the new tariffs has pushed NFI Group to expand its manufacturing footprint in the United States rather than in Canada.

“As a Manitoban, it’s kind of a frustrating story,” Soubry said. “A Manitoba business that now has more people employed in the U.S. than we do in Canada.”

Soubry said the Washington meetings were nonetheless productive, both in educating U.S. officials about Manitoba’s economic role and in giving provincial business leaders a clearer sense of how American negotiators intend to approach trade talks. His takeaway was blunt: “The Americans are going to be tough.”

AI Data Centre Boom Sends Construction Stocks Surging, With Sterling Infrastructure Leading the Way

Emily Roy
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AI Data Centre Boom Sends Construction Stocks Surging, With Sterling Infrastructure Leading the Way

Construction and Engineering Stocks Ride AI Infrastructure Wave

Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) surged 9.7% to a record high of $960 on Wednesday, leading a broad rally across construction and engineering stocks as demand for AI data centres and power-grid upgrades continues to accelerate. The stock has now gained more than 64% over the past month and is up 167% over the past six months.

The rally extended gains across the sector despite a softer session for broader markets, underscoring how AI-driven infrastructure spending has become one of the most powerful themes in industrial investing.

Wide-Ranging Gains Across the Sector

Several other construction and engineering firms posted significant advances on the day:

Many of these companies have more than doubled in value over the past year, transforming the construction and engineering sector into one of the market’s top-performing industrial groups.

Why These Companies Are Benefiting

Firms such as Sterling Infrastructure, Comfort Systems, Emcor, Quanta Services and IES Holdings have emerged as key beneficiaries because they supply the electrical, mechanical and engineering services required to build and connect large-scale data centres.

At the same time, utilities and developers are pouring investment into transmission lines, substations and power generation projects to meet the enormous electricity demands created by AI workloads — providing a second major revenue stream for many of these contractors.

Comfort Systems: A Data Centre Cooling Play

Comfort Systems has become a particular favourite among investors for its exposure to data centre cooling, ventilation and mechanical systems. The stock has climbed more than 100% over the past six months.

IES Holdings: Electrical Infrastructure in Demand

IES Holdings, which provides electrical and communications infrastructure services, hit a new record high on Wednesday. The company has gained nearly 70% over the past six months as demand for its services grows alongside data centre construction activity.

Quanta Services: A Sector Bellwether

Quanta Services, one of the largest contractors serving electric utilities and energy infrastructure, added 3.4% and remains one of the most widely held names in the sector. The company’s broad exposure to grid upgrades and power generation positions it as a key long-term beneficiary of the AI buildout.

Record Highs as Investors Bet on Sustained Demand

Sterling Infrastructure, IES Holdings and several peers are now trading at or near their 52-week peaks, reflecting investor confidence that AI-related infrastructure spending will remain elevated for the foreseeable future.

The scale of investment required — spanning data centre construction, power generation and grid modernization — suggests the tailwind for construction and engineering firms could persist well beyond the current cycle.

Canada to Strengthen Forced Labour Laws After Trump Threatens New Tariffs

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Canada to Strengthen Forced Labour Laws After Trump Threatens New Tariffs

Canada to Strengthen Forced Labour Laws After Trump Threatens New Tariffs

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Wednesday that his government will introduce new legislation targeting forced labour in supply chains, hours after the Trump administration proposed an additional 10 per cent tariff on Canadian goods over concerns that Ottawa is not doing enough to enforce existing bans.

The Tariff Threat

The Office of the United States Trade Representative, led by Jamieson Greer, released a report Tuesday identifying Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom and several other countries as insufficiently enforcing forced labour import prohibitions. A steeper 12.5 per cent duty is proposed for dozens of countries with partial or no bans on forced labour in supply chains.

The report was produced under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, a legal mechanism the Trump administration began using in March to build a more durable foundation for its tariff agenda after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the president’s preferred tool — the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) — which had underpinned his “Liberation Day” tariffs and fentanyl-related duties on Canada, Mexico and China.

In response to that ruling, Trump imposed a 10 per cent worldwide tariff under Section 122 of the same 1974 act, but those duties expire after 150 days unless Congress votes to extend them. Section 301 tariffs could prove more lasting, though they require a period of public consultation before taking effect — with hearings scheduled to begin in July.

Canada’s Response

Carney told reporters in Ottawa that Canada already has a “very strong legislative regime” against forced labour. “We don’t want any element of forced labour coming in goods and services, and we want to use our influence to eliminate this practice of forced labour and child labour,” he said, adding that new legislation is expected within weeks.

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc met with Greer in Washington earlier Wednesday, ahead of a scheduled review of the continental trade pact. LeBlanc said the two officials discussed Canada’s commitment to fighting forced labour, and he acknowledged the tariff threat was not unexpected. “This does not come as a surprise, as the United States has stated its intention to replace existing baseline global tariffs imposed under Section 122 when they expire in July,” LeBlanc wrote on X.

The Enforcement Gap

The U.S. report levelled pointed criticism at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), noting that although Canada’s import prohibition on forced labour goods has been in effect for nearly six years, “the number of enforcement actions Canada has taken to prevent the entry of forced labour goods is minimal.” It also accused Canada of being a “dumping ground” for goods barred from entering the United States.

The CBSA does not publicly publish statistics or information on its enforcement efforts — a gap the report highlighted and that Canadian critics have echoed. Conservative MP Adam Chambers said the information parliamentarians receive from the federal government on enforcement has been “completely underwhelming.” He added: “If you look at the number of shipments that have been stopped in Canada for forced labour versus the United States as an example, clearly the current laws are not working in the way that they should.”

What Is Already on the Books

Canada updated its customs law on forced labour rules in 2020, during the last renegotiation of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). In 2023, Parliament passed legislation requiring Canadian companies to report annually on efforts to prevent child and forced labour from entering their supply chains.

The Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE), created under the previous Trudeau government to investigate abuses by Canadian corporations abroad — including the use of forced labour — has been without a permanent ombudsperson for nearly a year.

Limited Immediate Impact on Trade

The proposed tariffs would apply only to goods that do not comply with CUSMA rules of origin, meaning nearly 90 per cent of Canada’s exports to the United States would be exempt. The measures cannot be imposed immediately and must go through public comment and formal review before taking effect.

Carney Unveils National Council to Combat Antisemitism, Admits Canada Is Failing Jewish Citizens

Kevin Martin
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Carney Unveils National Council to Combat Antisemitism, Admits Canada Is Failing Jewish Citizens

Carney Unveils National Council to Combat Antisemitism, Admits Canada Is Failing Jewish Citizens

Prime Minister Mark Carney declared Monday that Canada is failing its Jewish citizens, acknowledging a dangerous “scourge” of antisemitism and unveiling new details about a national advisory council designed to confront hate in all its forms.

Speaking before more than 150 people at Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto’s Jewish community, Carney said the pain facing Jewish Canadians must stop. “The pain, threats and fears can appear relentless,” he said, adding that addressing hate requires “clearly admitting that Canada’s civic compact is failing Jewish Canadians.”

A Pattern of Violence

Carney cited a troubling catalogue of incidents: schools struck by gunfire, business owners and hospital patients harassed, synagogues firebombed, and students driven from public spaces.

His remarks came as Toronto police announced charges against five more individuals, aged 19 to 48, for allegedly promoting hatred against the Jewish community during a March protest near the temple.

Antisemitic incidents have surged across Canada following Hamas’s deadly October 2023 attack on Israel, which triggered Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Israel has faced widespread international condemnation over the death toll, restrictions on humanitarian aid, and the destruction of civilian infrastructure.

The New Advisory Council

Carney received a standing ovation after revealing expanded details about the Ministerial Advisory Council on Rights, Equality, and Inclusion, chaired by Marc Miller, the minister of identity and inclusion.

The council’s mandate includes reassessing the “nature, scale, and drivers of antisemitism” — on campuses, in workplaces, and in online spaces — as well as reviewing federal policies and public safety programs to ensure they protect Jewish Canadians and other targeted communities.

The council will also improve data collection on hate incidents and measure the impact of federal investments in education and community safety.

Newly announced council member Marc Gold — a retired senator, law professor, and former chair of the Canada-Israel Committee — will join a roster that includes:

The Liberal government first announced the council in February, at the same time it eliminated stand-alone federal envoys dedicated to combatting Islamophobia and antisemitism. A Senate committee studying antisemitism called in April for Carney to restore the antisemitism envoy.

Pointed Words From the Pulpit

Holy Blossom’s senior rabbi, Yael Splansky, welcomed Carney in videotaped remarks recorded from Massachusetts, where her father is receiving medical treatment. Her words were polite but direct.

She urged the prime minister to halt what she described as the normalization of antisemitism, warning that some Torontonians are considering “fleeing Canada altogether, as Jews and as lovers of Israel.” She added: “When Canadian leaders publicly condemn Israel, Canadian Jews pay the price.”

Carney recently summoned Israel’s ambassador to Canada to express that Israel’s treatment of detained Gaza flotilla activists was “abominable.”

Holy Blossom’s cantor, David Rosen, told the Toronto Star after the speech that attendees appreciated hearing Carney “name the things that have been deeply disturbing the Jewish people,” but said he wants more details about the council before judging whether it will make Jews safer.

Political Pressure Mounts

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre used the occasion to demand accountability from the governing Liberals. “Mark Carney should lay out an apology to the Jewish community for the violence, the terror and the fear that his party and his government have allowed to happen over the last decade,” Poilievre told reporters Monday.

The Liberal government has introduced Bill C-9, known as the hate crime bill, to address rising hate crimes targeting Jewish and Muslim Canadians. The bill passed the House of Commons in March and is currently before the Senate’s human rights committee.

Noah Shack, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, said the government must go further — tackling radicalization, the promotion of terrorism, and what he described as terrorist entities operating in Canada. “The prime minister has an opportunity to set the tone from the highest office,” Shack said in a statement Sunday, “to make clear that nothing can justify the hatred, intimidation, and violence Jewish Canadians are experiencing.”

Trump Signs Executive Order for Voluntary Government Review of AI Models Before Release

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Trump Signs Executive Order for Voluntary Government Review of AI Models Before Release

Trump Signs Executive Order for Voluntary Government Review of AI Models Before Release

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday establishing a voluntary framework allowing the federal government to review powerful new artificial intelligence models up to 30 days before they are publicly released — a move that balances national security concerns against pressure from the tech industry to avoid heavy regulation.

What the Order Does

Under the new guidelines, AI developers may voluntarily submit their models to federal review for a period of up to 30 days prior to public release. Companies would first engage the government to assess how risky their model may be and whether it would benefit from the review process.

The National Security Agency and the Department of Defense will help determine which AI models require government scrutiny, while the Treasury Department will play a key role in identifying vulnerabilities. The order also directs the government to hire more cybersecurity and AI professionals and strengthen cybersecurity systems at critical institutions, including rural hospitals, community banks and local utilities.

What the Order Does Not Do

Crucially, the order stops well short of imposing mandatory review requirements on tech companies. The text explicitly states that nothing in the order “shall be construed to authorize the creation of a mandatory governmental licensing, preclearance, or permitting requirement” for developing or releasing new AI models.

The order also declares that the United States “refuses to stifle this innovation with overly burdensome regulation” — language that signals Trump is prioritizing growth over oversight, consistent with his broader deregulatory posture toward the tech sector.

A Scaled-Back Version of an Earlier Plan

The signed order is considerably weaker than earlier drafts. An initial version of the order reportedly required companies to submit models 90 days before release and included mandatory review provisions — features that drew fierce opposition from Silicon Valley.

Trump postponed the original order in late May, citing concerns that it was too restrictive. Reports from multiple news outlets indicated that tech billionaires including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and former White House “AI czar” David Sacks personally lobbied the president by phone to reverse course.

“I didn’t like certain aspects of it, I postponed it,” Trump said in the Oval Office on May 21. “We’re leading China, we’re leading everybody, and I don’t want to do anything that’s gonna get in the way of that lead.”

Existing Agreements Already in Place

The executive order formalizes and expands arrangements already underway. Last month, the Trump administration reached agreements with Microsoft, Google DeepMind and xAI to review early versions of their AI models before release, though the federal government recently removed details of that agreement from its website without explanation.

The Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI), part of the Department of Commerce, already holds similar agreements with OpenAI and Anthropic. Officials describe such information-sharing arrangements as standard practice and essential to national security, though some free speech advocates have warned that expanded government access could create conditions for censorship.

The Security Backdrop

The order comes amid growing concern about the potential dangers of cutting-edge AI systems. Anthropic’s Mythos, a model with advanced cybersecurity capabilities, has alarmed AI safety experts, governments and tech companies alike for its reported ability to exploit vulnerabilities in widely used software at unprecedented scale.

Trump signed a separate AI-focused executive order in December aimed at preventing individual states from regulating AI, establishing a federal task force to challenge state-level AI laws — a move that has drawn scrutiny from those who argue it undermines legitimate regional governance.

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