Key Takeaways
- Canada’s premiers are meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss the renewal of North America’s trilateral free trade agreement, among other issues.
- The culling of 314 ostriches in British Columbia due to an outbreak of avian influenza has sparked a movement, with many people still mourning the loss of the birds.
- New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt is set to deliver her second State of the Province address, outlining the priorities and challenges facing her government in the year ahead.
- A British Columbia company has been pulled into a controversy in Virginia over the conversion of a warehouse into a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding facility.
- A new Netflix series has sparked outrage among families of the Humboldt Broncos, who were killed in a bus crash in 2018.
Introduction to Current Events
The Canadian Press has compiled a roundup of stories that highlight the current state of affairs in Canada and its relations with the United States. The meeting between Canada’s premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney is a significant event, as it comes at a time when the renewal of North America’s trilateral free trade agreement is underway. The United States, under the leadership of President Donald Trump, is threatening new tariffs, which could have a significant impact on Canada’s economy. Ontario Premier Doug Ford and New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt have both expressed their concerns about the current state of relations with the United States, with Holt stating that "almost nothing is normal" right now.
The Ostrich Movement
In British Columbia, a movement has emerged in response to the culling of 314 ostriches due to an outbreak of avian influenza. The birds were shot by marksmen on a night of cold, drenching rain, and many people are still mourning their loss. Melody Leinweber, a mother of four from West Kelowna, has gotten a tattoo of an ostrich in memory of the birds. She said that she still hasn’t been able to tell her kids that the ostriches are no longer alive. The culling of the ostriches has sparked a wave of emotions, with many people expressing their sadness and outrage on social media.
New Brunswick’s State of the Province Address
New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt is set to deliver her second State of the Province address, outlining the priorities and challenges facing her government in the year ahead. Holt has stated that her government has made significant progress in building a foundation for healthcare in 2025, and patients can expect to see results from new investments in 2026. She has also spoken about the challenges faced by the government, including the impact of U.S. tariffs on the forestry sector. Holt has kept her campaign promise to open 10 collaborative care clinics and has reached a new $270-million agreement that offers incentives for doctors to work in team-based clinics.
Controversy in Virginia
A British Columbia company has been pulled into a controversy in Virginia over the conversion of a warehouse into a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding facility. The Jim Pattison Group, a Vancouver-based company, has stated that it did not know the warehouse was intended to become an ICE holding facility at the time it agreed to sell the site. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, is set to purchase the facility, and local residents have expressed their opposition to the plan. Hundreds of people gathered at the Hanover County Administration building to protest the conversion of the warehouse, with the Hanover Board of Supervisors Chair Sean Davis stating that the board opposes the purchase of the property.
Netflix Series Sparks Outrage
A new Netflix series has sparked outrage among families of the Humboldt Broncos, who were killed in a bus crash in 2018. The series, which takes place in a small working-class town in Minnesota, tells the story of a high school hockey team that is reeling after a bus crash kills several of its players. The show’s creators have stated that the series has nothing to do with the Humboldt Broncos, but the similarities between the two stories have sparked anger and sadness among the families of the victims. The truck driver who caused the crash, Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, was sentenced to eight years in prison for dangerous driving offenses and was recently ordered to be deported to India.
Heated Rivalry Creators in Ottawa
The creators of the hit TV show "Heated Rivalry" will address a Canadian media production industry conference in Ottawa today. Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady co-created the show, which has become a global phenomenon in recent weeks. They will speak about what the success of the show says about the potential for the Canadian media sector. The show was developed for Bell Media’s Crave streaming platform but was then picked up by HBO Max, leading its main actors to appear on stage at the Golden Globes, on the runway at Milan Fashion week, and carrying the torch for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The success of "Heated Rivalry" is a significant milestone for the Canadian media industry, and its creators will likely have valuable insights to share about the show’s success and what it means for the future of Canadian media production.
