NATIONAL STORIES

Carney’s Exit From U.S. Trade Talks Leaves Canadian Exporters Facing 50% Duties

U.S. tariffs of 50% hit $28B in Canadian exports as Prime Minister Mark Carney suspends trade negotiations, impacting electronics, wood, and plastics.

Published

2 months ago

August 22, 2026

Current News Room

Canadian Exporters Face Fresh Economic Blow

A new wave of American tariffs reached enforcement status just after midnight Saturday, impacting more than $28 billion worth of Canadian products with a severe 50 per cent tax rate. The duties kick in after the collapse of bilateral negotiations, placing significant strain on the national economy and multiple commercial sectors.

Canadian electronics exporters are positioned to take the hardest hit, with over $4 billion US in electronic equipment—such as electrical boards and controllers—subject to the levies. Furthermore, Canada’s plastics industry faces new duties on roughly $3 billion US worth of goods, including bottles, floor coverings, and household items. Products such as cement, plywood, wine, and hockey sticks are also listed under the broad measures.

Provincial Economies to Absorb Disproportionate Impacts

Regional economies will feel the consequences unevenly across the country. British Columbia stands out as the most exposed province, with affected items—predominantly paper and wood—accounting for over 13 per cent of its total exports to the United States. Quebec is similarly vulnerable, with approximately 10 per cent of its export goods facing exposure on top of pre-existing 50 per cent tariffs targeting its steel and aluminum sectors.

Addressing the fallout, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce characterized the levies as non-absorbable and unsustainable for commercial operations, describing the escalation as a body blow to North American competitiveness.

Carney Directs Negotiators to Leave Washington

Prime Minister Mark Carney halted discussions and ordered Canadian representatives home from Washington, D.C., following a week of talks between Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Carney, who previously campaigned on securing optimal outcomes for Canadians, now oversees a situation where domestic products confront steep tariff hurdles.

“I have decided to suspend trade negotiations with the U.S. and have directed Canada’s negotiators to return to Ottawa,” Carney announced in an official statement. He stated that while negotiators worked hard until the final moments, last-minute changes proposed by the American side were unfair, uneconomic, and undermined trust in a potential deal. He affirmed that Ottawa intends to retaliate “dollar for dollar.”

U.S. Cites Retaliation and Terms Disagreement

Giving the administration’s perspective, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that talks broke down because Canadian officials declined to finalize the terms on the table. Greer asserted that the offered deal provided Canada the best treatment of any major exporter, but claimed Canadian demands and walk-backs upended the balance while Canada maintained its own retaliatory measures against U.S. goods and services.

Sources indicated that U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had raised objections to the proposed terms earlier in the week. Prior to the walkout, tentative terms under discussion involved lowering sectoral tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and automobiles in exchange for Canadian premiers considering an end to provincial bans on American alcohol.

Tariffs Implemented Under Great Depression-Era Law

The White House enacted the 50 per cent duties using Section 338 of the U.S. Tariff Act, also known as the Smoot-Hawley Act. The Great Depression-era legislation permits the U.S. president to apply tariffs up to 50 per cent on nations deemed to discriminate against the American economy. Products that previously enjoyed exemptions under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) are no longer exempt from these latest measures.

Asked how the two nations might resolve the tit-for-tat dispute, a senior Trump administration official remarked that escalation remained Canada’s choice, noting that additional options could be presented to the U.S. president if Canada follows through on counter-tariffs.

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LOCAL

Where Provincial Jobless Rates Stood in September

Canada’s national unemployment rate reached 6.5 per cent in September. Explore the full provincial breakdown and regional employment figures from Statistics Canada.

Published

2 days ago

October 9, 2026

Current Editor

National and Provincial Jobless Figures

Canada recorded a national unemployment rate of 6.5 per cent in September, according to data released by Statistics Canada on Oct. 9, 2026.

Across Western Canada, British Columbia’s jobless rate shifted to 6.4 per cent from 6.5 per cent in August. Alberta recorded a rate of 6.4 per cent, down from 6.8 per cent the previous month, while Saskatchewan dropped to 5.4 per cent from 6.0 per cent. Manitoba’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.0 per cent.

In Central Canada, Ontario’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 7.0 per cent from 6.9 per cent in August, while Quebec’s rate reached 6.0 per cent, up from 5.6 per cent.

Atlantic Canada and Regional City Data

In Atlantic Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador reported the highest provincial figure at 9.1 per cent, up from 8.6 per cent in August. New Brunswick saw a minor increase to 7.4 per cent from 7.3 per cent, and Nova Scotia rose to 6.3 per cent from 6.1 per cent. Prince Edward Island experienced a decline, moving to 7.3 per cent from 7.9 per cent.

Statistics Canada also tracked seasonally adjusted, three-month moving average rates for major urban areas. However, the agency cautioned that these municipal figures are subject to wide fluctuations due to smaller statistical sample sizes.

NATIONAL STORIES

What New Brunswick’s Latest Unemployment Figures Mean for Your Community

Statistics Canada reports New Brunswick’s unemployment rate reached 7.4% in September, as Canada lost 68,000 jobs nationally, raising the national rate to 6.5%.

Published

2 days ago

October 9, 2026

Current Editor

Provincial Labor Market Holds Steady Overall

New Brunswick’s unemployment rate stood at 7.4 per cent in September, up slightly from 7.3 per cent in August, according to the latest figures from Statistics Canada. The provincial labor pool decreased by 200 people during the month, while overall employment dropped by 700 positions, including a loss of 400 full-time jobs. These monthly shifts remain within the agency’s margin of error.

On a year-over-year basis, the province’s economy continues to tread water. Although the current unemployment rate is lower than the 7.9 per cent reported last September, the total labor force remains virtually unchanged. Year-over-year employment shows a modest gain of 2,100 jobs, driven by an addition of 3,900 positions that was partially offset by a decline of 1,800 part-time roles.

National Employment Drops for Second Straight Month

Across Canada, the national economy shed 68,000 jobs in September, pushing the countrywide unemployment rate up to 6.5 per cent from 6.4 per cent in August. The contraction included declines of 35,000 full-time positions and 33,000 part-time jobs. September marked the second consecutive month of national employment losses, following a decrease of 42,000 jobs in August. These downturns come after a stretch of net growth from April to July, which had added 181,000 positions. Over the past year, national employment remains up by 95,000 jobs.

Regional Trends and Sector Shifts

Job losses across the country were led by Quebec, which lost 49,000 jobs, alongside British Columbia, down 20,000, and Manitoba, down 4,400. Conversely, gains were recorded in Alberta, up 23,000, Newfoundland and Labrador, up 1,800, and Prince Edward Island, up 1,000 positions.

Nationally, job declines were concentrated in educational services, manufacturing, as well as health care and social assistance. Growth was observed in repair and maintenance alongside personal or household services. Across the provinces, September unemployment rates ranged from a low of 5.0 per cent in Manitoba to a high of 9.1 per cent in Newfoundland and Labrador.

NATIONAL STORIES

Search Continues After Ontario-Based Medical Flight Vanishes Near Massachusetts Coast

U.S. Coast Guard crews are searching near Nantucket for a missing Latitude Air Ambulance jet carrying four Canadians and two passengers from Bermuda.

Published

6 days ago

October 5, 2026

Current Editor

Emergency Search Underway Off Nantucket

Air and ground search teams are scanning waters approximately 150 kilometres southeast of Boston after a medical transport aircraft vanished early Saturday morning. Contact with the Gulfstream G100 jet was lost around 1:30 a.m. as it made its approach toward Boston from Bermuda, prompting a response from the U.S. Coast Guard following notification by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Flight Carrying Crew and Patients

The aircraft is operated by Hamilton-based Latitude Air Ambulance. According to Clarence Togeretz, operations manager for the company, six individuals were aboard the flight. The crew consists of two Canadian pilots and two Canadian medical staff members. They were transporting two Bermuda nationals, identified as a patient and a family member.

Response and Ongoing Inquiries

Togeretz confirmed that the company contacted American authorities after the plane failed to land on the tarmac as scheduled. He noted that this marks the first instance where the operator has lost contact with one of its aircraft, adding that the team is holding onto optimism while praying for a safe resolution. Latitude Air Ambulance has reached out to Transport Canada regarding the incident. Meanwhile, provincial air ambulance provider Ornge expressed support via social media, stating it hopes the aircraft and everyone on board are located safely and quickly.