This roundup highlights key stories reported by The Canadian Press, focusing on significant developments in Canadian politics, the economy, and international relations.
Carney's Foreign Policy Shift to Trade and Security
Prime Minister Mark Carney's recent pivot in Canada's foreign policy has placed trade and security at its forefront, raising questions about the implications for human rights advocacy. Critics argue that this shift has diluted Canada's commitment to a feminist foreign policy, a stance previously championed by the government. Following Carney's announcement in November that the explicitly feminist angle has been abandoned, controversy has emerged, particularly concerning Canada's attempts to engage economically with nations such as the United Arab Emirates, which has been accused of exacerbating ethnic violence in Sudan.
Experts like Stephen Nagy from International Christian University in Tokyo note that promoting values such as feminism may not resonate with the majority of Asian governments. However, they suggest that Canada could successfully contribute to social progress by investing in economic initiatives aimed at securing well-paying jobs for women.
Wab Kinew's Continued Popularity in Manitoba
Manitoba's Premier Wab Kinew remains a popular figure in provincial politics more than two years into his NDP government mandate. Despite ongoing challenges in healthcare, justice, and fiscal management, Kinew's leadership has retained robust support among the electorate. Recent Angus Reid polls indicate a slip in his approval ratings by 10 points from earlier this year, but he still remains at the top.
Political analysts, including Christopher Adams from the University of Manitoba, attribute Kinew's sustained popularity to incremental progress in tackling critical issues, particularly in healthcare. However, Kinew faces a daunting task ahead as he commits to balancing the province's budget by the 2027 election, a target he acknowledges will require significant financial restraint.
Canada's Coffee Industry Faces Rising Costs
The coffee market in Canada is grappling with a new financial reality, marked by a steep increase in the price of unroasted coffee beans over the past three years. Statistics Canada reveals that consumers paid nearly 28 percent more for coffee at grocery stores in November compared to the previous year. Adam Pesce from Reunion Coffee Roasters explains that while some of the rising costs have been absorbed by the business, others have inevitably been passed on to consumers.
Contributing factors such as climate change, droughts, and crop diseases have severely impacted the global coffee supply, placing additional burdens on small farmers and causing noticeable price increases for consumers—trends experts predict will persist in the near future.
P.E.I. Researchers Explore Cow Manure's Benefits for Soil and Emissions
On Prince Edward Island, researchers are investigating the multifaceted benefits of cow manure in strengthening soil health while concurrently reducing carbon emissions. The Living Labs P.E.I. initiative, led by Dr. Judith Nyiraneza, collaborates with local farmers to empirically test and validate the effectiveness of these sustainable practices on a larger scale.
Nick Green, a local cattle farmer, expresses his satisfaction in seeing his cattle contribute positively to discussions around climate change. Nyiraneza emphasizes the quality of P.E.I.'s soil for food production, while recognizing its vulnerability. The use of manure as a traditional fertilizer has decreased in recent years, and revitalizing this practice could enhance both soil health and environmental sustainability.
Trump Discusses Peace Between Ukraine and Russia
U.S. President Donald Trump asserts that Ukraine and Russia are "closer than ever" to reaching a peace agreement to end their prolonged conflict, following discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida. Despite this optimism, Trump cautions that existing negotiations could still falter, noting significant unresolved issues relating to occupied territories and security assurances for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy acknowledges his country's readiness for peace, revealing active work on a draft agreement that U.S. officials report is approximately 90 percent complete.
