Canada Minute: Senate Appointments, Chinese Tariffs, and Carney Elected Leader

Saskatchewan Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Saskatchewan politics.

This Week In Canada:

• Mark Carney is the new leader of the Liberal Party of Canada after winning decisively on the first ballot with 85.9% of the vote. He defeated Chrystia Freeland, Karina Gould, and Frank Baylis in a race triggered by Justin Trudeau’s resignation earlier this year. While Carney has never held elected office, he is expected to transition into the role of Prime Minister in the coming days or weeks, though an exact date has not yet been announced. Trudeau has stated he will formally resign after speaking with Carney, at which point Governor General Mary Simon will invite Carney to form a government.As Carney prepares to take office, his focus will be on forming a government, navigating economic challenges, and potentially leading the Liberals into an early election campaign.
  
  
• Tariffs are on again, off again - maybe coming in April, but who knows? On Tuesday, the US imposed a 25% tariff on most Canadian goods, excluding energy, while Canada retaliated with tariffs on $30 billion worth of US imports. However, on Thursday, Trump paused the tariffs on goods covered under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) for 30 days. CTV News has an hour-by-hour breakdown of how the chaos unfolded.
  
  
• Newfoundland and Labrador is cautious about dismantling interprovincial trade barriers for alcohol, despite a federal push to ease restrictions. Finance Minister Siobhan Coady expressed concerns that opening up the market could negatively affect the province’s local breweries, particularly Labatt and Molson. While other provinces are moving forward with the changes, Newfoundland and Labrador remains hesitant, aiming to avoid any unintended consequences for its breweries.

Last Week In Canada:

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced five new appointments to fill the vacancies in the 105-seat Senate, completing the process just days before his departure from federal politics. The appointments include former Moncton mayor Dawn Arnold for New Brunswick, former MLA Tony Ince for Nova Scotia, and three individuals for Ontario: Katherine Hay, Farah Mohamed, and Sandra Pupatello. Since 2015, Trudeau has appointed 100 “independent senators.” Conservative MP Andrew Scheer criticized the appointments, alleging that many are former Liberals, undermining the non-partisan nature Trudeau promised.
  
  
• The Canadian Armed Forces conducted a winter warfare exercise in Chisasibi, northern Quebec, involving 175 troops preparing for operations in harsh northern conditions. The training, named "Xerus Nordique," simulates combat scenarios in extreme cold, with temperatures sometimes dropping to -40°C. The exercise is critical for asserting sovereignty in Canada's Arctic regions. It also included Indigenous Canadian Rangers, who offered tips for surviving the cold and providing protection from wildlife. The military plans to make this northern training an annual event, with larger exercises in the future.
  
  
• China has imposed new tariffs on over $2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural and food products in retaliation for Canada’s earlier levies on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum. These tariffs, which will take effect on March 20th, include a 100% duty on Canadian rapeseed oil and a 25% tariff on aquatic products and pork. While canola was excluded from the tariffs, analysts suggest this may be a signal for potential trade talks.