Alberta Separatist Group Estimates Independence Transition at $5B
The Alberta Transition Council says the money would fund the systems, equipment, institutions, and infrastructure needed to become a sovereign state.
Documents Reveal Canadian Government Using More Than 1,500 Drones Built in China
The Canadian government owns at least 1,600 Chinese-manufactured drones across more than 20 ministries and public service departments, according to documents tabled in Parliament this week. The RCMP is the largest drone user with a fleet of 1,027 as of May, far surpassing any other government organization, according to documents filed on Sept. 21 in response to an inquiry from Conservative MP Eric Melillo. The question sought to determine which government agencies operate Chinese-manufactured drones and what security measures they implement during deployment. The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service declined to release the information, citing “national and operational security considerations.”
Competition Bureau to Publish a Call for Information on Grocery Pricing Policies
Canada’s competition bureau will move next week to begin gathering information on retail grocery pricing policies. The agency is tasked with protecting and promoting competition for the benefit for Canadian consumers and businesses. In June, the bureau launched an investigation of competition in the grocery sector, including potential problems in production, processing, transportation, distribution and pricing. The bureau is also investigating how items are priced on store shelves and how consumers buy them using tools such as loyalty programs. The bureau is examining algorithmic pricing, shrinkflation, and skimpflation, which refers to selling a lower quality product for the same price....
US Trade Rep Says ‘No Urgency’ on American Side to Reach Deal With Canada
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says Canada periodically contacts Washington about trade negotiations, but there is “no urgency” on the U.S. side to reach a deal. Greer made the remarks during a Sept. 25 interview on CNBC when asked about progress in trade negotiations with Canada and Canada’s efforts to expand trade with other countries.
Lukashenko Frees 15 More Prisoners Following Round of US-Belarusian Talks
The releases were agreed to in exchange for pledges to secure the return of tens of millions of dollars in frozen Belarusian assets from U.S. banks.
AI Minister Not Aware of Specifics of Tumbler Ridge Shooter’s ChatGPT Interactions
The federal artificial intelligence minister says he was not aware of the extent of the interactions the Tumbler Ridge shooter had with ChatGPT. U.S.-based magazine Mother Jones reported details of the alleged interactions, including that the AI chatbot vividly described the effectiveness of a shotgun in a classroom. AI Minister Evan Solomon’s office says Solomon was not previously aware of the specific conversations. The statement says the report raises serious questions about OpenAI’s response to warning signs. The minister’s office says while OpenAI has taken measures since the shooting, including strengthening its threat-assessment processes, it would be premature to say the actions are sufficient.
France’s Top Literary Prize Drops Novel Over AI and Plagiarism Claims
Thélyson Orélien’s debut 'C’était ça ou mourir' was a hit in France until an AI detector allegedly flagged passages as machine-written.
Quebec City Man Charged With Making Death Threats Against PM Carney, Promoting Hatred
Ousmane Bah, 45, allegedly made the remarks on his Facebook account.
Mecca Defense Pact Not Aimed at Iran: Erdogan
Any military support under the trilateral pact would be decided case by case, Erdogan said.
Canadian Charged With Fraud for Allegedly Voting in 3 US Elections
A Canadian who U.S. authorities allege is residing illegally in Florida has been charged with three counts of voter fraud for allegedly casting ballots in three U.S. federal elections, according to the Department of Justice. The Department of Justice (DOJ) says Canadian national Christiane Vinette Young, 75, has been charged with three counts of voting by an alien after casting ballots in the 2022 and 2024 U.S. general elections, as well as the 2022 primary. “If convicted on all counts, she faces a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison,” the DOJ noted in a Sept. 23 release. U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra posted about the case Sept. 25 on X, stating, “A reminder: only U.S. citizens are eligible to vote in U.S. federal elections.”
Zelenskyy Says Trump Made ‘Final Decision’ to Allow Ukraine to Make Patriot Missiles
The Ukrainian leader said the U.S. president made the comment in a recent U.N. meeting.
Russia Likely to Escalate Hybrid Warfare Against NATO Countries: Danish Intelligence
The Russian Embassy in Denmark rejected the intelligence agency’s assessment, saying it is not supported by credible evidence.
Italy Adopts School Burqa Ban, 30 Percent Cap on Foreign Students With Limited Italian
The package also provides language support for students and requires some foreign parents to attend free Italian courses or face fines.
Ottawa Signs Tentative Deal With Swedish Firm Saab for Six Surveillance Jets
Ottawa has announced a preliminary agreement to purchase six advanced radar planes that would be manufactured in Canada through a partnership between Swedish firm Saab and Canadian aerospace company Bombardier. The non-binding deal with Saab establishes a foundation for final negotiations in the purchase of GlobalEye detection aircraft as well as determining a manufacturing timeline, the […].
Iranian President Says Washington Must Decide Whether to End Conflict, Denies Iran Seeks Nuclear Bomb
The Iranian leader said Tehran is willing to dilute its stockpile of uranium that is enriched to 60 percent.
Defence Minister Downplays Carney’s Comments on Preparing for US Military Action
A day after Prime Minister Mark Carney told an American media outlet his government has examined potential scenarios involving U.S.-led military action in Canada, Defence Minister David McGuinty is saying it is simply due diligence. McGuinty downplayed the significance of Carney’s comments published in the New York Times this week, in which the prime minister [...]
Ex-RCMP Intelligence Official Convicted in Secrets Case Has Been Granted Day Parole
A former RCMP intelligence official convicted of breaching Canada’s secrets law has been granted day parole to help him prepare for his full return to society, including possible employment as an electrical worker. Records show the Parole Board of Canada approved day parole, with specific conditions, for Cameron Jay Ortis, who was found guilty in November 2023 of violating the Security of Information Act.
Anarchy in the Streets: How Arthur Meighen Defeated the 1919 Winnipeg Strike
Commentary Winnipeg in the summer of 1919 was a scene of tragic anarchy. On May 15, labour activists declared a General Strike and took over the city, bringing it to a standstill. Workers had genuine grievances, but the strike leaders got carried away. In a nutshell, they were inspired by the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, [...]
DOJ Seeks to Join X Lawsuit Over $140 Million EU Penalty
The Trump administration has hinted at a showdown with Europe over big tech regulation.
Hungarian Money Stops Flowing to Brussels’ Last Conservative Think Tank
Hungary’s new government is dismantling conservative institutions built under Orbán, under new leader Peter Magyar's 'Operation Purgatory.'
