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“The Canadian government is defending itself against accusations from U.S. President Donald Trump that Canada is falling short on defence spending, saying there are big military expenditure increases planned in future years and that this country always contributes to NATO deployments.
This rejoinder from Canada comes as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau heads to the Baltic country of Latvia to showcase a Canadian military deployment aimed at deterring Russian aggression.
One military analyst, however, says Canada is dodging, rather than answering, justified criticism by changing the subject to deployments from funding levels.
The Prime Minister will visit Latvia for two days, starting on July 9, before proceeding to a NATO meeting of heads of state and government in Belgium on July 11 and 12 – a gathering that promises to be fraught with tension over Russia.”
“U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy to Canada told guests at her cosier-than-usual Fourth of July party in Ottawa on Wednesday night that the countries’ strained relationship will overcome the tough times.
Ambassador Kelly Craft delivered the message with the U.S. and Canada locked in an unprecedented trade dispute.
She made the acknowledgment to hundreds of partygoers, who listened as they sipped cocktails and ate shrimp on the sweeping front lawn of her official residence.
“Canada and the United States have an enduring partnership that I am confident will stand the test of time — and believe me, these are testing times,” Craft told the crowd, which experienced attendees of the annual gathering described as far smaller than past years.”
Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/july-4th-ottawa-craft-1.4732984.
“Let me be clear — I’m not against any particular government, I’m just not in favour of dumb. This week, newly elected Ontario Premier Doug Ford began to deliver on some of his campaign promises to reduce “big government,” as he likes to put it.
Ford is right inasmuch as government is big, probably much too big. But that’s not really the issue.
The issue, simply put, is what does Ford intend to eliminate or reduce in his battle against big government? And, more importantly, does he understand the implications of his cuts?
The answers to both of these questions, it seems, is “we shall see.” Or, as I would put it, perhaps more honestly: “I haven’t got a clue, but that didn’t stop me during the election and it won’t stop me now.””
“Apparently there’s no such thing as a ceasefire in a trade war, even on Canada Day.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made sure to weave in a mention of Canada’s steel and aluminum industries along with the usual Canada Day pleasantries during his annual statement to Canadians.
Beyond marking our country’s 151st birthday, Sunday is the day that Canada’s $16.6 billion worth of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products came into effect.
A number of U.S. steel products now face a tariff of 25 per cent, while a vast array of aluminum products will now cost Canadian importers 10 per cent more.
Canada’s measures come a month after the Trump administration imposed its own tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, citing national security concerns.”
Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-tariffs-canada-day-1.4730323.
“OTTAWA (Reuters) – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a supporter of feminist causes, on Thursday conceded for the first time that he had apologized in 2000 to a woman who accused him of groping her but insisted he did not feel he had done anything wrong.
Trudeau, whose government is working on new legislation against workplace harassment, has faced Canadian media scrutiny in recent weeks about what happened at a charity fundraiser in Creston, British Columbia nearly 20 years ago.
In his first direct comments on the incident on Canada Day last Sunday, the prime minister said he “didn’t remember any negative interactions that day at all”, but on Thursday he said “I apologized in the moment” without giving details.
According to an unsigned editorial in 2000 in the local newspaper, the Creston Valley Advance, Trudeau apologized to a local female reporter for inappropriately “handling” her.”
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Scott Douglas Jacobsen is the Founder of In-Sight: Independent Interview-Based Journal and In-Sight Publishing. He authored/co-authored some e-books, free or low-cost. If you want to contact Scott: Scott.D.Jacobsen@Gmail.com.
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