Prominent Canadians Condemn Antisemitism in Open Letter

A group of 66 prominent non-Jewish Canadian business, political and education leaders published an open letter in Saturday’s National Post and other Postmedia papers condemning antisemitism and calling for stricter enforcement of the country’s anti-hate laws. Among the signatories are senior executives from Telus, National Bank, Sunlife Financial, Rogers Communications, Scotiabank, former Toronto mayor John Tory, former prime minister Stephen Harper, and Postmedia CEO Andrew MacLeod.

The letter features two quotes from Prime Minister Mark Carney’s June 1 speech at Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto: “It requires all of us to raise our voices in disgust and defiance when we see the ugly face of antisemitism…. The time has come. Canadians must stand up for each other”.

“The letter speaks for itself, together with the prime minister’s speech on June 1,” the group told National Post in a statement. “This was an ad hoc effort by leaders united by their concern over a rise in antisemitism in our country”.

The public call to action includes three recommendations: “zero tolerance for hate,” “consistent enforcement of anti-hate laws,” and “discipline in public discourse”.

“Words from political leaders matter. This is not about restricting free speech,” the letter states. “No Canadian should be threatened, harassed or attacked because of their faith. In Canada, we need to treat each other equally and with respect, regardless of one’s religion, ethnicity or cultural heritage”.

Pat Johnson, an executive with Upstanders Canada, a mostly non-Jewish organization dedicated to fighting antisemitism and anti-Zionism, applauded the initiative. “It’s a powerful and necessary statement,” Johnson told the Post. “For every name on the letter, we know there are thousands of Canadians who support the sentiment”.

“This letter is a great step in the right direction, but we also need millions of ordinary Canadians,” Johnson continued. “These are business leaders; these are leading figures in society, and that is wonderful — that’s excellent. But we really need ordinary Canadians who agree with this message to stand up”.

Wildfires Force Evacuations in Manitoba and Northwest Territories

A mandatory evacuation order was issued Saturday morning for Lynn Lake, a northern Manitoba community of approximately 600 residents located more than 800 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, as a fast-moving wildfire threatens the town. The out-of-control fire south of the community has grown to 1,600 hectares since it was detected on Thursday.

Town officials said crews had to stop aerial suppression efforts because the “fire generated its own storm system, producing lightning and only limited rainfall,” with extreme fire conditions making it unsafe for ground crews. Those needing help evacuating can fly out from Lynn Lake’s airport, with buses available from the town’s office. An evacuation centre has been set up at the Victoria Inn in Brandon.

Meanwhile, in the Northwest Territories, 62 fires are currently burning, with an evacuation alert remaining in place for Fort Simpson. N.W.T. Fire information officer Thomas Bentham told CBC News that a wildfire outside Fort Simpson has moved one kilometre closer to the community based on a reassessment conducted Saturday morning.

“I can tell you with confidence that the tanker efforts last night were pretty successful,” said Bentham. “They were able to limit the growth to the north and the east of the fire perimeter and they are going to continue dropping water”.

Two groups of air tankers alongside two helicopters will continue to action the fire, with an Incident Management Team en route and more wildland firefighters expected to arrive in Fort Simpson today.

On Friday, N.W.T. Fire reported 27 new fire starts — the most in one day this season — caused by “dry lightning,” or lightning that occurs when weather is hot and dry with little or no rain.

“We saw thousands of lightning strikes throughout the territory,” said Bentham. “We are still doing our catch up”.

Bentham warned conditions are not likely to change soon. “We are looking at hot, dry conditions throughout the territory and chances of dry lightning throughout,” he said, noting relative humidity is expected to be lower than actual air temperature. “This is not good for wildfire fighting conditions. … So we’re not out of the woods yet. It’s going to be a busy weekend for everyone here at N.W.T. Fire”.

While smoke is visible from Fort Simpson, Bentham said weather forecasting predicts winds are pushing the fire away from the community in the short term. “It’s blowing in a positive direction away from the community. So it’s not terribly bad, but it’s definitely hazy,” he said. “The wind is not pushing very strongly. It’s just going in the right direction”.

Regina Mosque Puts Call to Prayer on Hold After Threats

A downtown Regina mosque has put its weekly broadcast of the adhan, or Muslim call to prayer, on hold after receiving threats following the first broadcast. Regina City Jamia Masjid obtained a permit allowing it to broadcast the three-minute call over rooftop speakers once a week on Fridays. City police have said the permit is in place until July 10, when it will be reviewed.

The call was meant to play over the speakers on Friday, but mosque director M. Anisur Rahaman said it was paused due to threats received after the first broadcast. After seeing online threats, people in the Muslim community in Regina asked that the mosque pause the broadcast.

“What they are saying is they are not feeling safe as a minority … they’re thinking that we need more dialogue to understand what exactly are the problems that can happen in the future. Because the social media and negative comments we have received … are not like very positive as a Muslim,” Rahaman said at a news conference.

Rahaman said he will put out surveys to local businesses and organizations around the mosque. “If we see that for the greater community, like this is like not bringing a positive impact for the Muslim community, then we would also prefer not to continue this because we also would respect the greater Muslim community as well as we also respect the non-Muslims”.

Canada has freedom of religion, he noted. “We are not here like to dominate anything, right … We are here to follow our religion. So there are other religions also, right? And we have a religion of freedom in Canada, right? We are free to follow our own religion”.

The mosque is assessing the volume of the speakers and how far the sound reaches. “We are thinking that it should be less than one kilometer because there in that direction, I think there are offices in that direction. There are residential areas. So we also will visit and check to see what they are thinking because our priority is the neighbors”.

He would like to engage in conversation with those who are unsure and may be following hatred blindly. “The door is open, right? Anytime, anybody, they want to come, you know, and meet and greet and talk, right? So we can find out what exactly is the problem, what do we need to do to resolve this problem, right? I think that is important”.

Mike Sinclair, a priest at St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, delivered a message of support directly across the street. “I’m your neighbor directly across the street. We’re the oldest place of worship downtown. You’ll now be the newest. And so I just wanted to say welcome and thank you,” he told Rahaman. “We’re glad that you’re here and we’re here to work together and we support fully your presence here, your expression here and look forward to getting to know you. So thanks for being here”.

Regina police issued a statement saying they are “aware of threats being made in relation to [the call to prayer] and, in response, an enhanced police presence will be visible around Muslim places of gathering. Threats will be taken seriously and investigated under recently enhanced Canadian hate crimes legislation”.

Two Teens Charged with Second-Degree Murder in Winnipeg

Two teenagers have been charged with second-degree murder after a 16-year-old boy was found dead in a parking lot near the Winnipeg airport on Thursday morning. Just after 8 a.m. on Thursday, officers responded to a well-being call in a parking lot on Wellington Avenue, between Century and Berry Streets. When they arrived, police found a 16-year-old boy dead with significant injuries.

Police identified the boy as Bruno Delmar Young, a member of Bloodvein River First Nation who was living in the city. Homicide investigators later arrested two teenagers — a 17-year-old boy and a 17-year-old girl — on King Edward Street. They have both been charged with second-degree murder and were detained in custody.

Canada’s Foreign Minister Outlines NATO Summit Priorities

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said Friday that the NATO summit in Ankara is “highly anticipated,” and that Canada and Türkiye will use it to deepen their ties and cooperation on defense and security.

“This summit, in particular, is highly anticipated because of the focus on the defense industry, and in particular the way in which NATO allies will and must work together from an industrial standpoint in order to integrate supply chains and ensure interoperability, as well as the accruing economic benefits that will result from that activity,” Anand said at a news conference in Ottawa alongside her Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan.

“We will be together not only to grow our bilateral relationship but our relationship on defense and security matters as well,” she said.

Anand and Fidan met in Ottawa to advance what she described as “four strategic pillars” of the Canada-Türkiye relationship: trade and investment, energy and critical minerals, defense and security, and people-to-people ties. On trade, she said technical discussions toward a possible Canada-Türkiye free trade agreement are underway, noting two-way trade reached $4.3 billion last year.

She said the two sides expanded their air transport agreement, with Turkish Airlines set to add flights to Toronto and Montreal this summer, and Air Transat launching direct service between Montreal and Istanbul in the fall.

On energy, Anand said she and Fidan visited the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station on Thursday, and she delivered a letter from Canada’s energy minister expressing interest in expanding nuclear cooperation with Türkiye.

“Canada is a global leader in nuclear technology, and we see significant opportunities to work together to advance not only energy security but also economic growth and clean energy development,” she said.

On Canada’s diplomatic presence in Iran and Venezuela, Anand said there are no plans to open embassies in either country, pushing back on suggestions that Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent remarks signaled a policy shift.

“We do not have plans to open an embassy in Iran or Venezuela at the current time,” she said. “In short, the friendship between Canada and Türkiye is growing in the right direction”.

Alberta Pipeline Proposal on Track for July 1 Deadline

Alberta’s government is finalizing a proposal for a one million barrel per day pipeline to Canada’s west coast for submission to the Major Projects Office by July 1.

“Alberta’s government is finalizing our proposal for a one million barrel per day pipeline to Canada’s west coast for submission to the Major Projects Office by July 1,” said Sam Blackett, the Alberta premier’s press secretary, via email.

The federal and Alberta governments agreed last month to set a Canada Day deadline for the province to submit a proposal for a new pipeline, with Ottawa then having until October to respond.

B.C. Premier Embarks on Trade Mission to China

British Columbia Premier David Eby left Saturday on his first trade mission to China, focusing on pitching the province’s forestry products and energy sector around LNG development.

Eby told The Canadian Press he is approaching the mission with both excitement and caution. The trip comes as part of the province’s continued effort to diversify trade relationships.

Canada’s First Offshore Wind Farms Move Closer to Reality

Development of Canada’s first offshore wind farms took a significant step forward late Friday when Nova Scotia’s offshore energy regulator released the names of companies qualified to bid on seabed licences.

The regulator has cleared bidders to compete for building Canada’s first offshore wind farms, bringing the projects closer to reality.

Maple Leafs Trade Carlo, Draft McKenna at NHL Draft

The Toronto Maple Leafs dealt defenceman Brandon Carlo to the St. Louis Blues for a pair of third-round picks at the 2026 NHL draft on Saturday in Buffalo. Carlo, 29, was originally acquired from the Boston Bruins ahead of last season’s trade deadline and combined to put up 10 assists in 75 regular-season games with Toronto. The Maple Leafs acquired the 73rd and 76th picks as part of the swap.

Toronto made its big splash Friday night when the Original Six franchise took star winger Gavin McKenna at No. 1 overall. McKenna, an 18-year-old Yukon hockey phenom, showed up to the first night of the draft wearing two custom pins that paid homage to his Indigenous heritage.

Canada Prepares for World Cup Knockout Match Against South Africa

Head coach Jesse Marsch says Canada captain Alphonso Davies is ready to play in the FIFA World Cup. Marsch spoke to reporters at a press conference Saturday ahead of Canada’s round-of-32 knockout game against South Africa in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Canada advanced as runner-up in Group B with four points — one win, one draw and one loss. The team controlled the entire match in a 6-0 win over Qatar for the country’s first-ever World Cup victory.

Questions continue to surround how Canada has handled the Alphonso Davies will-he-or-won’t-he-play saga. Rather than rely on Canada Soccer’s medical staff, Davies has continued his recovery under the watchful eye of Matthias Blankenburg, a personal trainer he’s imported from Germany.

Toronto Police Arrest Man in East End Stabbing

Toronto police have arrested a 34-year-old man and charged him with assault causing bodily harm and two counts of failing to comply with probation after a stabbing in the city’s east end.

Police originally responded to the Kennedy Road and Eglinton Avenue East area after 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 21, for reports of a stabbing. Investigators said a man in his 30s was wounded following a verbal altercation and transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect, described as a male with long hair wearing black pants, a grey or black hoodie and carrying a blue or black duffle bag, fled before police arrived. He appeared in bail court early Saturday morning.

Winnipeg Police Launch Crackdown on Open Drug Use

Winnipeg police announced a 10-day crackdown on open drug use in response to “overwhelming community concerns” about open drug use in neighbourhoods adversely affected. On the same day as the announcement, outreach workers were seen administering CPR to a person overdosing outside a Main Street convenience store.

Cyclist Killed in Niagara-on-the-Lake Hit-and-Run

Police say a cyclist died in Niagara-on-the-Lake after being struck by a vehicle whose driver allegedly fled the scene and did not report the collision.

Economists Lower Canadian Growth Forecast to 0.7%

Economists have lowered their growth forecasts for the Canadian economy in 2026 to 0.7%, following weak performance recorded in the first quarter of the year, in one of the largest downward revisions of forecasts in recent months.

Canada and Japan Forge Critical Mineral Partnership

Canada and Japan are exploring joint initiatives in critical mineral projects and a potential shared stockpile of key metals, according to Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu.

Immigration Policy Change Takes Effect June 27

A temporary public policy that has allowed certain work permit holders to study in Canada without a separate study permit expired on June 27. After this date, workers who wish to continue studying in Canada must hold a valid study permit.

Heat Dome to Bring Hot, Muggy Air to Ontario

A major heat wave building south of the border will extend its influence to Canada heading into Canada Day festivities. Downtown Toronto should surpass 30°C by a degree or two on Canada Day, but communities away from the lake will see considerable heating.

Canadian Multiculturalism Day Celebrated Across the Country

June 27 marks Canadian Multiculturalism Day, an opportunity to honour the diversity of Canada. “Since 2002, June 27 has marked Canadian Multiculturalism Day, an opportunity to honour the diversity of Canada. It is a day to celebrate our commitment to inclusion, shared respect and the advantages this brings us in a divided world,” read a statement from B.C. Premier David Eby’s office.