Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed...

Trump Comments on Trade Talks with Canada

U.S. President Donald Trump indicated uncertainty regarding the resumption of trade talks with Canada, responding with "we'll see" when questioned about the matter on Sunday. His remarks came during a conversation with reporters outside a gala event for the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors. Trump emphasized his amicable relationship with Prime Minister Mark Carney but criticized Canada for producing items that the U.S. also manufactures, stating, "Canada makes a lot of things we don’t need because we make them also." The trade discussions have been on pause since October, a hiatus initiated by Trump following an advertisement sponsored by Ontario that featured former President Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs.

Air Transat on Verge of Flight Suspensions Amid Strike Threat

Air Transat is preparing to start suspending flights today as a looming strike deadline approaches. The parent company, Transat A.T. Inc., has announced that flight cancellations will begin on Monday and will increase over the next two days in light of a potential pilots' work stoppage scheduled for Wednesday. The Air Line Pilots Association, representing around 750 pilots at Air Transat, issued a 72-hour strike notice over the weekend. Negotiations between the two sides have been ongoing in Montreal, with the aim of preventing a shutdown during the crucial holiday travel season.

Montreal Hosts G7 Ministers for Talks on AI and Quantum Technologies

This week, industry, digital, and technology ministers from the G7 nations are convening in Montreal to discuss pressing matters related to artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technologies. The two-day meeting is part of a series of ministerial gatherings as Canada assumes the presidency of the G7 nations this year, a position that also included hosting the G7 leaders’ summit in June in Kananaskis, Alberta. Evan Solomon, Canada’s Artificial Intelligence Minister, expressed optimism about the discussions, predicting a "productive" meeting. Paul Samson from the Centre for International Governance Innovation noted that topics surrounding digital technology will likely dominate the agenda, given their relevance to broader issues such as economic competitiveness and resilience.

Bank of Canada Expected to Maintain Key Interest Rate

Economists are widely predicting that the Bank of Canada will keep its benchmark interest rate steady in the upcoming meeting, concluding a year marked by trade and economic uncertainty. As of last Friday, financial markets indicated a nearly 93 percent probability of a rate hold at this week’s meeting, according to LSEG Data & Analytics. Positive economic indicators, including a series of unexpectedly robust job reports and a 2.6 percent annualized increase in real GDP for the third quarter, have bolstered expectations for the central bank's decision. The Bank had previously enacted rate reductions in January and March before pausing mid-year, with further cuts in September and October.

Ottawa's Budget Bill Proposes Changes Affecting Free Postage for the Visually Impaired

Controversy has arisen over the federal Liberals’ budget bill, currently navigating through Parliament, which includes provisions that could end the essential service of free postage for individuals who are blind. Embedded within Bill C-15, the budget implementation act, are clauses suggesting the repeal of certain sections of the Canada Post Corporation Act, lacking further clarification on their implications. These legislative changes are critical to organizations like the Centre for Equitable Library Access, led by Executive Director Laurie Davidson, which provides accessible reading materials for the blind and others with disabilities, distributing around 6,500 accessible books and 500 audiobook players to clients nationwide each year.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on December 8, 2025.