📝 23 Quebec business owners launch $300 million lawsuit over temporary foreign worker permits
A group of Quebec business owners have launched a $300 million lawsuit against the federal government this month, arguing they’re facing bankruptcy if Ottawa goes ahead with its plan to reduce the number of foreign workers coming into Canada.
The heads of the 23 businesses, which make everything from steel products to winter jackets and airplane parts, say temporary foreign workers are essential to stay afloat.
#Quebec #immigration
🍁 Maple Chronicles
A group of Quebec business owners have launched a $300 million lawsuit against the federal government this month, arguing they’re facing bankruptcy if Ottawa goes ahead with its plan to reduce the number of foreign workers coming into Canada.
The heads of the 23 businesses, which make everything from steel products to winter jackets and airplane parts, say temporary foreign workers are essential to stay afloat.
#Quebec #immigration
🍁 Maple Chronicles
CTVNews
23 Quebec business owners launch $300 million lawsuit over temporary foreign worker permits
A group of Quebec business owners have launched a $300 million lawsuit against the federal government this month, arguing they’re facing bankruptcy if Ottawa goes ahead with its plan to reduce the number of foreign workers coming into Canada.
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🇺🇸 U.S. commerce secretary dismisses question that free trade with Canada is dead
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is dismissing the question of whether U.S. free trade with Canada is dead, calling the notion "silly" and saying a substantial amount of Canadian goods enter the U.S. tariff-free under the current North American free trade deal.
But in the same breath, Lutnick suggested tariffs on Canada are here to stay, for now.
#US
🍁 Maple Chronicles
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is dismissing the question of whether U.S. free trade with Canada is dead, calling the notion "silly" and saying a substantial amount of Canadian goods enter the U.S. tariff-free under the current North American free trade deal.
We have a plan called [the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement], virtually 75 per cent of all goods coming from Mexico and Canada are already coming tariff-free.
But in the same breath, Lutnick suggested tariffs on Canada are here to stay, for now.
The president understands that we need to open the markets. Canada is not open to us. They need to open their market. Unless they're willing to open their market, they're going to pay a tariff.
#US
🍁 Maple Chronicles
CBC
U.S. commerce secretary dismisses question that free trade with Canada is dead | CBC News
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick dismissed the question of whether U.S. free trade with Canada is dead, calling the notion “silly” because a substantial amount of Canadian goods enter the U.S. tariff-free under the North American free trade deal. But…
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🇺🇸 Trump thinks Canadians ‘nasty’ for avoiding U.S. travel, banning booze: ambassador
Canadians avoiding travel to the United States and banning American alcohol are among the reasons U.S. President Donald Trump thinks the country is “nasty” to deal with, the U.S. ambassador to Canada said Monday.
Pete Hoekstra told a conference audience on Monday that such steps “don’t send positive signals” about Canada treating the United States well.
Hoekstra was speaking at the annual Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Foundation summit in Bellevue, Washington.
#US
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Canadians avoiding travel to the United States and banning American alcohol are among the reasons U.S. President Donald Trump thinks the country is “nasty” to deal with, the U.S. ambassador to Canada said Monday.
Pete Hoekstra told a conference audience on Monday that such steps “don’t send positive signals” about Canada treating the United States well.
Hoekstra was speaking at the annual Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Foundation summit in Bellevue, Washington.
#US
🍁 Maple Chronicles
CTVNews
Trump thinks Canadians ‘nasty’ for avoiding U.S. travel, banning booze: ambassador
Canadians avoiding travel to the United States and banning American alcohol are among the reasons U.S. President Donald Trump thinks the country is “nasty” to deal with, the U.S. ambassador to Canada said Monday.
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🎓Auditor-General plans probe of international student program
The federal Auditor-General’s office is planning an audit of the international student program, which has been mired in controversy over a rapid influx of foreign students in recent years.
The government of former prime minister Justin Trudeau was heavily criticized for the rapid increase in immigration after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, driven in part by a sharp rise in the number of international students in the country.
The increase in immigration fuelled record population growth that strained the housing market – pushing up both home prices and rents – and put pressure on other services such as health care.
#immigration
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The federal Auditor-General’s office is planning an audit of the international student program, which has been mired in controversy over a rapid influx of foreign students in recent years.
The government of former prime minister Justin Trudeau was heavily criticized for the rapid increase in immigration after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, driven in part by a sharp rise in the number of international students in the country.
The increase in immigration fuelled record population growth that strained the housing market – pushing up both home prices and rents – and put pressure on other services such as health care.
#immigration
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The Globe and Mail
Auditor-General plans probe of international student program
There were more than one million international students in 2023, about three times the number of permits a decade earlier
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Fentanyl in air at Vancouver supportive housing offices
The presence of second-hand fentanyl smoke is so severe at some British Columbia supportive housing facilities that workers cannot escape “substantial exposure,” even if they stay in their offices and don’t venture into hallways or tenants’ rooms.
That is the among the findings of tests conducted at 14 British Columbia supportive housing facilities, results that contributed to the province’s decision to form a working group aimed at tackling safety issues — including second-hand fentanyl exposure.
#BritishColumbia
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The presence of second-hand fentanyl smoke is so severe at some British Columbia supportive housing facilities that workers cannot escape “substantial exposure,” even if they stay in their offices and don’t venture into hallways or tenants’ rooms.
That is the among the findings of tests conducted at 14 British Columbia supportive housing facilities, results that contributed to the province’s decision to form a working group aimed at tackling safety issues — including second-hand fentanyl exposure.
#BritishColumbia
🍁 Maple Chronicles
CTVNews
‘Grossly exceeded’: Fentanyl in air at Vancouver supportive housing offices
The presence of second-hand fentanyl smoke is so severe at some British Columbia supportive housing facilities that workers cannot escape “substantial exposure,” even if they stay in their offices and don’t venture into hallways or tenants rooms.
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🚶🏽♂️➡️'Temporary' workers account for 19% of Canada's private-sector workforce
Temporary foreign workers account for a little under 19% of Canada’s private-sector workforce. That’s according to a May 1 Immigration Ministry briefing note.
The note put the number of temporary residents at just over 3 million — a number that includes more than 129,000 individuals who illegally overstayed their visas.
#immigration
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Temporary foreign workers account for a little under 19% of Canada’s private-sector workforce. That’s according to a May 1 Immigration Ministry briefing note.
The note put the number of temporary residents at just over 3 million — a number that includes more than 129,000 individuals who illegally overstayed their visas.
#immigration
🍁 Maple Chronicles
torontosun
'Temporary' workers account for 19% of Canada's private-sector workforce
Temporary foreign workers account for a little under 19% of Canada's private-sector workforce.
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💸Average Canadian family spent 42.3% of income on taxes in 2024: study
🔹The average Canadian family spent 42.3 per cent of their income on taxes in 2024, according to a new study from the Fraser Institute.
🔹The report from the Fraser Institute showed the average Canadian family, which it estimates to have earned an income of $114,289 last year, paid about $48,306 in total taxes to the federal, provincial, and municipal governments.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
🔹The average Canadian family spent 42.3 per cent of their income on taxes in 2024, according to a new study from the Fraser Institute.
🔹The report from the Fraser Institute showed the average Canadian family, which it estimates to have earned an income of $114,289 last year, paid about $48,306 in total taxes to the federal, provincial, and municipal governments.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
BNN Bloomberg
Average Canadian family spent 42.3% of income on taxes in 2024: study
The average Canadian family spent 42.3 per cent of their income on taxes in 2024, according to a new study from the Fraser Institute.
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💸 Ottawa’s hotel bill for asylum seekers reaches $1.1-billion
The federal government says it has spent $1.1-billion to house asylum seekers in hotels since 2017, on top of $1.5-billion it has given provinces and cities to help pay for refugee claimants’ upkeep.
Asylum claims have increased dramatically from 50,365 in 2017 to 173,000 in 2024 in Canada. Most arrive in Ontario and Quebec, particularly in Montreal and Toronto.
#immigration
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The federal government says it has spent $1.1-billion to house asylum seekers in hotels since 2017, on top of $1.5-billion it has given provinces and cities to help pay for refugee claimants’ upkeep.
Asylum claims have increased dramatically from 50,365 in 2017 to 173,000 in 2024 in Canada. Most arrive in Ontario and Quebec, particularly in Montreal and Toronto.
#immigration
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The Globe and Mail
Ottawa’s hotel bill for asylum seekers reaches $1.1-billion
Federal government has also disbursed about $1.5-billion since 2017 to help provinces and cities pay for the cost of accommodating asylum seekers
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🏛💰 Calgary projects $175M budget surplus for 2025
The City of Calgary is projected to achieve a $175 million budget surplus in 2025, continuing a decade-long trend of sizeable surpluses averaging $158 million annually.
As of June 30, the surplus stands at $221 million, driven by higher investment income and lower-than-expected expenditures. Surplus funds may be allocated to infrastructure projects or reserves, sparking discussions ahead of the 2025 municipal election.
#Alberta
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The City of Calgary is projected to achieve a $175 million budget surplus in 2025, continuing a decade-long trend of sizeable surpluses averaging $158 million annually.
As of June 30, the surplus stands at $221 million, driven by higher investment income and lower-than-expected expenditures. Surplus funds may be allocated to infrastructure projects or reserves, sparking discussions ahead of the 2025 municipal election.
#Alberta
🍁 Maple Chronicles
CityNews
City of Calgary sitting with $221 million surplus
The City of Calgary has a surplus of $221 million as of June 30 thanks to higher investment income and lower-than-expected expenditures.
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Alberta concerned with federal plan to accept newcomer parents, grandparents
Alberta’s immigration minister says he’s concerned about the federal government’s plan this year to accept thousands of parents and grandparents of immigrants already in Canada.
Federal Immigration Minister Lena Diab’s office said the federal government’s actual countrywide target for approvals this year for the parent and grandparent immigration stream is at 24,500.
#Alberta #immigration
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Alberta’s immigration minister says he’s concerned about the federal government’s plan this year to accept thousands of parents and grandparents of immigrants already in Canada.
Federal Immigration Minister Lena Diab’s office said the federal government’s actual countrywide target for approvals this year for the parent and grandparent immigration stream is at 24,500.
#Alberta #immigration
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Global News
Alberta concerned with federal plan to accept newcomer parents, grandparents
Alberta's immigration minister says he understands the importance of reuniting families, but provincial health-care systems don't have the capacity and could be overwhelmed.
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📊 Most Canadians still think Canada is accepting too many immigrants, and many don't trust newcomers: poll
🔹62 per cent of people think that the country is currently admitting too many immigrants.
That’s an increase of four percentage points since pollsters last asked the question in March 2025, and more than double the number of people who felt that way six years ago. In the most recent poll, only 20 per cent disagreed and 19 per cent said they don’t know.
#immigration
🍁 Maple Chronicles
🔹62 per cent of people think that the country is currently admitting too many immigrants.
That’s an increase of four percentage points since pollsters last asked the question in March 2025, and more than double the number of people who felt that way six years ago. In the most recent poll, only 20 per cent disagreed and 19 per cent said they don’t know.
#immigration
🍁 Maple Chronicles
National Post
Most Canadians still think Canada is accepting too many immigrants, and many don't trust newcomers: poll
Most Canadians believe the country is admitting too many immigrants and many do not trust the newcomers, new polling shows.
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All 5 former Hockey Canada players found not guilty of sexual assault
An Ontario Superior Court justice today found five members of Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey team not guilty of sexual assault charges, ending an eight-week trial.
Justice Maria Carroccia said the Crown had failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the complainant in the case had not consented to the sexual activity that took place in a room on the second floor of a London, Ont., hotel in June 2018.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
An Ontario Superior Court justice today found five members of Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey team not guilty of sexual assault charges, ending an eight-week trial.
Justice Maria Carroccia said the Crown had failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the complainant in the case had not consented to the sexual activity that took place in a room on the second floor of a London, Ont., hotel in June 2018.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
CBC
RECAP | All 5 former Hockey Canada players found not guilty of sexual assault | CBC
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Number of federal public service jobs could drop by almost 60,000, report predicts
A new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says the federal public service could shed almost 60,000 jobs over the next four years as Ottawa looks to cut costs.
Earlier this month, Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne sent letters to multiple ministers asking them to identify cuts to program spending at their departments of 15 per cent by 2028-29.
The report, written by Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives senior economist David Macdonald, says the federal public service could lose up to 57,000 employees by 2028.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
A new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says the federal public service could shed almost 60,000 jobs over the next four years as Ottawa looks to cut costs.
Earlier this month, Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne sent letters to multiple ministers asking them to identify cuts to program spending at their departments of 15 per cent by 2028-29.
The report, written by Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives senior economist David Macdonald, says the federal public service could lose up to 57,000 employees by 2028.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
CTVNews
Number of federal public service jobs could drop by almost 60,000, report predicts
A new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says the federal public service could shed almost 60,000 jobs over the next four years as Ottawa looks to cut costs.
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3 drillers freed from northern B.C. mine after being trapped for days, says company
Newmont Corp. says the three miners who have been trapped for days in the Red Chris mine in northern B.C. were successfully brought to the surface safely on Thursday night.
#BritishColumbia
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Newmont Corp. says the three miners who have been trapped for days in the Red Chris mine in northern B.C. were successfully brought to the surface safely on Thursday night.
#BritishColumbia
🍁 Maple Chronicles
CBC
Rescued workers being reunited with families after 60 hours trapped in B.C. mine | CBC News
The three workers who were trapped for more than 60 hours in the Red Chris mine in northern B.C. are being reunited with their families Friday morning following a successful rescue operation.
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❌ Immigration to Canada not a right, Saskatchewan court rules
Immigrating to Canada is not a right, a Saskatchewan court has ruled. The case stems from a lab technician from India whose decision to use a sketchy immigration broker resulted in her work permit being revoked.
Wrote Justice Andrew Davis, of the province’s Court of King’s Bench.
The technician was granted a work permit under the “occupation in demand” category of Saskatchewan’s Immigrant Nominee Program, which was revoked due to her decision to employ Travel Jockey Immigration & Holidays of Surat, India.
Evidence entered during the hearing included allegations that Travel Jockey offered fake job offer letters and fake college degrees for $1,000 a piece, and the would-be technician’s permit was revoked despite her denials and explanations of irregularities in her application.
#immigration
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Immigrating to Canada is not a right, a Saskatchewan court has ruled. The case stems from a lab technician from India whose decision to use a sketchy immigration broker resulted in her work permit being revoked.
Foreign nationals do not have a right to immigrate to Canada. Neither is there any right to a privileged immigration process.
Wrote Justice Andrew Davis, of the province’s Court of King’s Bench.
The technician was granted a work permit under the “occupation in demand” category of Saskatchewan’s Immigrant Nominee Program, which was revoked due to her decision to employ Travel Jockey Immigration & Holidays of Surat, India.
Evidence entered during the hearing included allegations that Travel Jockey offered fake job offer letters and fake college degrees for $1,000 a piece, and the would-be technician’s permit was revoked despite her denials and explanations of irregularities in her application.
#immigration
🍁 Maple Chronicles
torontosun
Immigration to Canada not a right, Saskatchewan court rules
Decision stems from applicant's ties to India-based travel broker allegedly offering bogus degrees and job offer letters
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🇺🇸 Trump says trade deal with Canada may not be reached
U.S. President Donald Trump says he may not reach a new trade deal with Canada and is suggesting he might instead impose more tariffs on the country unilaterally.
#US
🍁 Maple Chronicles
U.S. President Donald Trump says he may not reach a new trade deal with Canada and is suggesting he might instead impose more tariffs on the country unilaterally.
We haven’t really had a lot of luck with Canada. I think Canada could be one where there’s just a tariff, not really a negotiation. We don’t have a deal with Canada.
#US
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The Globe and Mail
Trump says trade deal with Canada may not be reached
His warning follows signals from Prime Minister Mark Carney that the two sides may not be able to reach an agreement by a self-imposed deadline of Aug. 1
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🏦📈 Ontario mortgage delinquencies on the rise and could climb higher still, experts warn
Mortgage delinquencies rose to 0.22 per cent in Ontario for the first quarter of this year. That’s up from 0.15 per cent in the first quarter of 2024 and 0.09 per cent in the first quarter of 2023.
In Toronto, the mortgage delinquency rate hit 0.23 per cent for the first quarter of 2025. That compares to 0.14 per cent for the first quarter of 2024 and 0.08 per cent for the first quarter of 2023.
Mortgage delinquencies haven’t been that high in Toronto since early 2013 and Ontario hasn’t seen levels this high since 2016.
#housing #Ontario
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Mortgage delinquencies rose to 0.22 per cent in Ontario for the first quarter of this year. That’s up from 0.15 per cent in the first quarter of 2024 and 0.09 per cent in the first quarter of 2023.
In Toronto, the mortgage delinquency rate hit 0.23 per cent for the first quarter of 2025. That compares to 0.14 per cent for the first quarter of 2024 and 0.08 per cent for the first quarter of 2023.
Mortgage delinquencies haven’t been that high in Toronto since early 2013 and Ontario hasn’t seen levels this high since 2016.
#housing #Ontario
🍁 Maple Chronicles
CTVNews
Ontario mortgage delinquencies on the rise and could climb higher still, experts warn
Mortgage delinquencies appear to be on the rise in both Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area and the numbers could get worse as Canada navigates choppy economic waters, experts say.
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🇺🇸 U.S. slaps 20.56% anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood lumber
The U.S. Commerce Department has decided to hike anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood to 20.56 per cent, with B.C. lumber organizations calling them unjustified, punitive and protectionist.
B.C. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar described the long-awaited rate hike as a "gut punch" for B.C.'s forestry industry which has seen thousands of workers laid off over the last few years.
#US
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The U.S. Commerce Department has decided to hike anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood to 20.56 per cent, with B.C. lumber organizations calling them unjustified, punitive and protectionist.
B.C. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar described the long-awaited rate hike as a "gut punch" for B.C.'s forestry industry which has seen thousands of workers laid off over the last few years.
#US
🍁 Maple Chronicles
CBC
U.S. slaps 20.56% anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood lumber, majorly impacting B.C. | CBC News
The U.S. Commerce Department has decided to raise anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood to 20.56 per cent, with B.C. lumber organizations calling them unjustified, punitive and protectionist.
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🗳Over 200 candidates sign up for Poilievre's byelection — doubling previous record
More than 200 candidates, mostly associated with a group of electoral reform advocates, have signed up to run in an upcoming federal byelection next month. The number more than doubles the previous record on a single ballot.
Former Alberta MP Damien Kurek vacated his seat in Battle River-Crowfoot to give Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre a chance to rejoin the House of Commons. Poilievre lost his longtime Carleton riding in April's general election.
#Poilievre #Alberta #election
🍁 Maple Chronicles
More than 200 candidates, mostly associated with a group of electoral reform advocates, have signed up to run in an upcoming federal byelection next month. The number more than doubles the previous record on a single ballot.
Former Alberta MP Damien Kurek vacated his seat in Battle River-Crowfoot to give Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre a chance to rejoin the House of Commons. Poilievre lost his longtime Carleton riding in April's general election.
#Poilievre #Alberta #election
🍁 Maple Chronicles
CBC
Over 200 candidates sign up for Poilievre's byelection — doubling previous record | CBC News
More than 200 candidates, mostly associated with a group of electoral reform advocates, have signed up to run in a federal byelection next month. The number more than doubles the previous record on a single ballot.
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❌💰Federal government to stop funding hotel rooms for asylum seekers, IRCC says
Asylum seekers staying in federally-funded hotels will soon have to check out as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says that funding will end in September.
A spokesperson for IRCC said that as of Thursday, the federal government was housing 485 asylum seekers in five hotels in Ontario and Quebec, noting it has spent approximately $1.1 billion on temporary hotel housing for asylum seekers since 2020.
#immigration
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Asylum seekers staying in federally-funded hotels will soon have to check out as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says that funding will end in September.
A spokesperson for IRCC said that as of Thursday, the federal government was housing 485 asylum seekers in five hotels in Ontario and Quebec, noting it has spent approximately $1.1 billion on temporary hotel housing for asylum seekers since 2020.
#immigration
🍁 Maple Chronicles
CBC
Federal funding to house asylum seekers in hotels will end in September, IRCC says | CBC News
Asylum seekers staying in federally-funded hotels will soon have to check out as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada says that funding will end on Sept. 30. The department says it will help people staying in hotels find housing, but experts say that…
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Canada slashes Confederation Bridge toll to $20 starting Friday
Starting Friday, the federal government will cut Confederation Bridge tolls from just over $50 to $20 for all vehicles. Fares on ferry routes connecting Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick will also be reduced by 50 per cent, with fuel surcharges eliminated.
Additionally, Ottawa is funding Marine Atlantic Inc. to halve fares between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, and to freeze freight rates.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Starting Friday, the federal government will cut Confederation Bridge tolls from just over $50 to $20 for all vehicles. Fares on ferry routes connecting Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick will also be reduced by 50 per cent, with fuel surcharges eliminated.
Additionally, Ottawa is funding Marine Atlantic Inc. to halve fares between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, and to freeze freight rates.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
CTVNews
Canada slashes Confederation Bridge toll to $20 starting Friday
The federal government is cutting tolls on the Confederation Bridge – the only road connection between Prince Edward Island and the rest of Canada – from just over $50 to $20 beginning this Friday, Aug. 1.
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