Mark Carney to Attend World Economic Forum in Davos
Prime Minister Mark Carney is heading to Switzerland today to participate in the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. His agenda includes delivering speeches focused on attracting investments to Canada and engaging with global leaders from various countries, institutions, and corporations. U.S. President Donald Trump is also expected to make a speech at the gathering, stirring concerns about his unpredictable nature potentially affecting the proceedings. Political scientist Stewart Prest from the University of British Columbia suggests that Trump's ongoing trade war might create a broader acceptance of Carney's participation at the WEF, in light of Conservative critiques that often label Davos as a gathering for out-of-touch elites.
Deadline for Gun Compensation Program Approaches
Gun owners in Canada have until March 31 to express their interest in a federal compensation program aimed at those who turn in or permanently deactivate their firearms. Since May 2020, the Canadian government has banned approximately 2,500 types of firearms, including the AR-15, citing that these weapons are meant for the battlefield. Public Safety Canada has confirmed that firearm license holders will receive notifications about the declaration period and details on how to participate. Following the approval of their declarations in spring, owners will be invited to finalize claims and schedule appointments for handing over their firearms to the RCMP or local police. Any individuals found in possession of a banned firearm after the amnesty period ends on October 30 could face criminal charges.
Statistics Canada to Release December Inflation Data
Today, Statistics Canada is set to unveil inflation figures for December, with a Reuters survey of economists predicting the annual inflation rate will remain stable at 2.2%. Economists at RBC forecast that overall food inflation will surpass five percent in December, driven by the previous year's shifts in GST-exempt restaurant meals affecting the Consumer Price Index. BMO macro strategist Benjamin Reitzes expects the annual inflation rate may increase to 2.3% despite significant drops in gasoline prices. He also noted that these inflation figures are "unlikely" to prompt the Bank of Canada to alter its positions ahead of the first interest rate decision of the year, which is scheduled for January 28.
Health Care Strain Concerns in FIFA World Cup Host Cities
Doctors in the Canadian cities hosting the FIFA World Cup are voicing concerns about the potential impact on the already strained healthcare system. Emergency medicine physician Dr. Catherine Varner from Toronto highlighted these vulnerabilities in an editorial in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, emphasizing the necessity for improvements before soccer fans arrive in Toronto and Vancouver in June. Local and provincial public health officials are preparing for potential health risks and have implemented wastewater surveillance systems to detect possible infectious disease outbreaks during and post-games. Dr. Raghu Venugopal, an emergency physician, pointed out that even under normal circumstances, the emergency department struggles to accommodate patients, raising doubts about the system's readiness for any sudden influx of cases during the event.
Carney Highlights Opportunities from Chinese Electric Vehicle Deal
Prime Minister Mark Carney has described Canada’s electric vehicle deal with China as an opportunity for Ontario and its auto sector, despite facing criticism from Premier Doug Ford and the union representing Canadian autoworkers. Carney explained that discussions in Qatar revealed interest from Chinese companies in producing "affordable" electric vehicles within Canada. The recent agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping permits the import of up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles annually at a tariff rate of 6.1%. However, Premier Ford expressed concerns about the potential for an influx of inexpensive Chinese EVs, highlighting the lack of guaranteed Canadian investment. Unifor president Lana Payne labelled the deal a "self-inflicted wound" for the struggling Canadian auto industry.
Oilers Claim 5-0 Victory Over the Blues
The Edmonton Oilers kicked off an important eight-game homestand with a decisive 5-0 win against the St. Louis Blues. Zach Hyman led the charge with two goals and an assist, while Connor Ingram made 27 saves to secure a shutout. Other contributions came from Vasily Podkolzin, who had a goal and an assist, as well as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Andrew Mangiapane, who also found the net. This match marked a milestone for Nugent-Hopkins, who played in his 1,000th regular-season game, making him the first player in Oilers history to reach this milestone while playing all games with the team. The Oilers will host the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, and the Blues are set to play against the Winnipeg Jets.
This report reflects the latest updates from various important topics in Canada as of January 19, 2026.
