Sophall Duch

Interest payments on the federal debt is now the fastest growing federal cost, increasing 40% over the next five years ended up at $85B a year in 2030-31 Debt that will help pay for a huge run up in defence spending, now the largest federal expense at $75B this year and growing to nearly $100B annually in five years The Liberals are paying for this in part by cutting $73B from program spending over the next five years, with no details in the budget on what is being slashed #cdnpoli

Despite the Democrat’s romp in the midterms, Canada is still stuck dealing with Donald Trump for the next two years on tariffs While five members of the PM’s US trade council told me the midterm results are a net positive for Canada thanks to new allies in key states, it comes with the caution that Democrats are the OG protectionists and Trump does lash out with more tariffs when things don’t go well politically #cdnpolj

While both Trump and Carney are publicly positive about a potential trade deal coming together, it'll happen after the midterms, with Republicans in multiple key races facing an uphill battle thanks in part to the trade war with Canada Since talks fell apart in August, sources tell Global News issues around French content on streaming services have been resolved but more movement is required from the US on auto tariffs, with automakers for operate in Canada, labour leader and the Ontario government having all told Ottawa, the Americans previous offer to cut tariffs from 25% to 15% isn’t good enough #cdnpoli

Trade talks between Canada and the U.S. are moving quickly, multiple sources have told Global News but those same sources were also skeptical a deal with the Trump administration could be reached before the midterms. The Canadian side believes the political pressure on Trump from the Senate races in Michigan and Maine, does gives Canada an opportunity to finalize a deal that alluded them in August. To get a deal Canada would agree to, the U.S. would need to conceded on previous sticking points, such as limiting what Canada could put in trade deals with other countries and detailing exactly what US auto, steel and aluminum tariffs would apply to #cdnpoli

Donald Trump has dropped nearly $2.5B worth of tariffs on Canada, at the request of GOP Senator Susan Collins, to try and help win reelection in a state where tariffs on Canada aren't popular The tariff reduction the largest concession from the US since trade talks fell apart in August, with Trump saying Friday a new deal with Canada is very close, language he has a used before, with nothing actually materializing #cdnpoli

The federal government have found potential Canadian buyers for Stelco according to the Industry Minister Melanie Joly again wrote to Cleveland-Cliffs today, warning of a potential forced sale if the the Hamilton layoffs aren’t reversed in 15 days, something the company so far has refused to do #cdnpoli

Defence Minister David McGuinty just told me there have been "fatalities and injuries as a result of an incident" at CFB Wainwright but could not give specifics on the number of causalities or on details on why a major fire broke out at the base. McGuinty says he "cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory" happening at any CFB base #cdnpoli

Donald Trump has brought back his 51st state threats against Canada, while his US ambassador in Ottawa warned Canadians to not to interfere in the midterms, despite the administrations frequent interventions into Canada politics, particularly in the Alberta referendum #cdnpoli

Layoffs have started at Stelco in Hamilton, a move that needs to be reversed by next Tuesday, to avoid Stelco facing potential major retaliation from the federal government A court order sale of Stelco the most extreme possibility, with the Prime Minister not ruling out buying Stelco if required, a move the United Steelworkers would support #cdnpoli

Stelco has been put on notice by Ottawa, giving their US parent company 5 days to halt a plan to layoff up to 500 workers or potentially force the company to sell their Canadian operations, something the United Steelworkers want if Stelco doesn't back off on layoffs #cdnpoli