This report from The Canadian Press summarizes key developments in Canadian and international affairs as of January 7, 2026.
Foreign Affairs Minister Comments on Venezuela
Anita Anand, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, recently stated that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasizes the necessity for Venezuelans to have the opportunity to elect their leader following the ousting of President Nicolás Maduro. During a conversation with G7 allies, Rubio highlighted the significance of democracy in Venezuela and advocated for the release of political prisoners. This perspective contrasts with U.S. President Donald Trump's focus on economic interests and drug trafficking intervention, which has been cited as a justification for the U.S. capturing Maduro. Additionally, Trump has replaced Maduro with his vice-president as the country’s leader while disregarding the advice from nations like Spain and Colombia, which supported the opposition that emerged victorious in the 2018 electoral process in Venezuela.
Royal Canadian Air Force Growth
Commander Lt.-Gen. Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, who has been at the helm of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) for six months, addressed the significant changes underway within the military organization. In a recent interview, she outlined that while the RCAF is on a path of growth, the transformation is gradual due to limited resources. Speiser-Blanchet assured that despite the incremental nature of these changes, a dramatic overhaul of the force is anticipated within the coming decade. She emphasized the importance of maintaining a realistic vision of what the RCAF can achieve during this transitional period.
AI Integration in Canadian Security Agencies
The National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) is currently reviewing how artificial intelligence (AI) is utilized by Canada's security organizations. As part of this initiative, NSIRA has communicated with key federal ministers and organizations regarding the integration of AI tools in supporting national security and intelligence. For instance, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) plans to kick off a pilot project aimed at assessing AI tools for various tasks, such as audio transcription, language translation, and document analysis. Additionally, CSIS will explore the use of a chatbot tool designed to assist in drafting, editing, and summarizing documents for analysts.
Nova Scotia Power Rate Increase Proposal Hearings
The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board is holding hearings regarding Nova Scotia Power’s application for a rate increase on residential electricity charges. The utility company has proposed hikes of 3.8 percent for the current year and an additional 4.1 percent beginning January 1, 2027. Political leaders, including Premier Tim Houston, have criticized the privately owned utility for its proposals, especially following a significant data breach that may have compromised the information of all 550,000 customers. Houston has urged Nova Scotia Power to significantly reduce or withdraw its proposed increases, describing the utility’s request as “out of touch.”
Visit to Manitoba First Nation Affected by Power Outage
A delegation of federal, provincial, and Indigenous leaders is set to visit a Manitoba First Nation dealing with the repercussions of a prolonged power outage that has disrupted the community’s water system. Premier Wab Kinew of Manitoba, alongside Rebecca Chartrand, the federal Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs, and Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, are slated to survey the damage sustained by the Pimicikamak Cree Nation. The community, located approximately 530 kilometers north of Winnipeg, has declared a state of emergency due to the extensive damage to its infrastructure, leading to the displacement of thousands.
Novo Nordisk’s Strategy for Ozempic and Wegovy
Novo Nordisk Canada is exploring the introduction of renamed, lower-priced versions of its well-known diabetes and weight-loss medications, Ozempic and Wegovy, in a bid to compete with generic alternatives. Health Canada approved the names Plosbrio and Poviztra for these drugs on December 22, 2025. Health Canada spokesperson Mark Johnson stated that the new products are essentially identical to Ozempic and Wegovy, featuring only changes in naming and packaging, without any alterations to their formulas or efficacy.
