A savvy negotiating tactic? A wild fantasy? A greed for natural resources? U.S. President Donald Trump’s expansionist dream and fixation with annexing Canada is so singular as to defy any easy explanation.

“I think it’s one of those things where Trump thinks it would be nice to pull it off, but he understands that it is less than a remote possibility,” said Todd Belt, a political science professor at George Washington University.

“His rhetoric is mostly to take a tough and unpredictable bargaining stance.”

On Tuesday, the 78-year-old Republican who in recent weeks all but launched a global trade war made his expansionist desire known, once again, on his Truth Social network.

“The only thing that makes sense is for Canada to become our cherished Fifty First State,” Trump wrote, painting a bright future of lower taxes, no tariffs and security for Canadians.

33 per cent support

Citizens of Canada are appalled by Trump’s annexation talk.

“What he wants to see is a total collapse of the Canadian economy,” outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said last week shortly before leaving office, after Washington announced 25 per cent tariffs on all products from Canada, before backtracking.

Trump’s statements have fueled strong anti-Trump hostility north of the border, where the American anthem now gets regularly booed at sports competitions.

According to an opinion poll conducted by the Leger Institute this month, only 33 per cent of Canadians have a positive opinion of the United States, compared to 52 per cent in June 2024.

In the same poll, 77 per cent of respondents said they have a positive view of the European Union.

In his Truth Social post Tuesday, Trump called the U.S.-Canada border an “artificial line of separation drawn many years ago.”

Addressing Canadians, he said that when the border disappears, “we will have the safest and most beautiful Nation anywhere in the World — And your brilliant anthem, ‘O Canada,’ will continue to play, but now representing a GREAT and POWERFUL STATE within the greatest Nation that the World has ever seen!”

Trump seems to have a fondness for cartography, as manifested by his order, issued shortly after his inauguration, that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of America.

He has also publicly threatened expansionist plans onto Greenland and said he wants to take back control of the Panama Canal.

“A lot of this territorial aggrandizement [Greenland, Panama, Canada] came after the election, and I think someone put it in his head that great presidents acquire territory as a legacy,” said Belt, the political scientist.

In his speech last week, Trudeau vowed that Canada would not be annexed.

“That is never going to happen,” he said. “We will never be the 51st state.”

Water ways

According to a New York Times report, Trump used the opportunity of talks with Trudeau last month to question the validity of a 1908 treaty that established the border between the two countries.

The U.S. president, who is known to take a keen interest in water resources, also reportedly criticized the agreements regulating access to water between the two countries.

To the east, the U.S.-Canada border runs through the Great Lakes. Westward toward the Pacific coast, the border crosses the Columbia River, whose waters are regulated by a detailed international treaty.

A trade war between the United States and Canada, which are closely linked economically, would represent “an existential threat” to Canadians, Ian Lee, an economics professor at Carleton University in Ottawa, said.

“But no matter how much we scream or yell or express our anger, it doesn’t change the reality,” said Lee. “We are the mouse and they are the five-ton elephant. We must develop a compromise and deal with the demands of the United States.”

Canada’s Prime Minister designate Mark Carney does not share that fatalism.

“Let the Americans make no mistake: in trade, as in hockey, Canada will win,” he said Sunday.

Ottawa on Wednesday announced new tariffs on certain American products, in response to what it called “unjustified and unreasonable” taxes on steel and aluminum imposed by Trump.

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Measles cases doubled in Europe in 2024 to a 25-year high, the World Health Organization said on Thursday, stressing the importance of vaccinations to curb the illness’ spread.

Last year, 127,350 cases of measles and 38 deaths were registered in the WHO’s European region, which counts 53 countries and includes central Asia.

Romania and Kazakhstan were the countries most affected, reporting 30,692 and 28,147 cases respectively.

Half of the European cases required hospitalisation, the WHO said, noting that 40 per cent of cases involved children under the age of five.

“Measles is back, and it’s a wake-up call. Without high vaccination rates, there is no health security,” WHO Europe director Hans Kluge said in a statement.

He urged authorities to intensify their immunisation efforts to protect under- and unvaccinated communities.

In 2023, 500,000 children in the region did not receive their first dose of the vaccine.

“Without high vaccination rates, there is no health security,” Kluge said.

Measles is highly contagious, spreading through respiratory droplets and lingering in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.

The disease causes fever, respiratory symptoms, and a rash — but can also lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, brain inflammation, and death.

Europe accounted for a third of the world’s measles cases in 2024.

After 216,000 cases were reported in 1997, measles sharply declined in Europe, reaching a low of 4,440 cases in 2016.

But the illness resurged in 2018 and 2019 and has exploded since 2023, after a backsliding of vaccinations during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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An American dog owner was shot by his pet after it jumped on his bed and set off a loaded gun, police said Wednesday.

The man, from Memphis, Tennessee, was asleep beside his female partner when he was shot early Monday morning, escaping with a graze to his left thigh that was treated in hospital.

The dog — a year-old pit bull named Oreo — “got his paw stuck in the trigger guard and ended up hitting the trigger,” a police incident report said.

It did not specify the type of weapon fired, and recorded the incident as “accidental injury.”

While gun violence is prolific in the U.S., cases of animals shooting humans are rare.

Two years ago, a German shepherd dog shot and killed a 30-year-old man in Kansas after it stepped on a hunting rifle.

In 2018, a 51-year-old man from Iowa was shot in the leg by his pit bull-Labrador mix.

Local news station Fox 13 Memphis cited the Tennessee victim’s girlfriend, who was not named, as saying she was sleeping when the gun went off.

“The dog is a playful dog, and he likes to jump around and stuff like that, and it just went off,” she reportedly said.

Her lesson from the incident: “Keep the safety on or use a trigger lock.”

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Canada launched a complaint with the World Trade Organization on Thursday over U.S. President Donald Trump’s across-the-board imposition of 25 per cent steel and aluminum tariffs.

The steep levies, which came into force on Wednesday, contained no exemptions despite countries’ efforts to avert them.

“Canada has requested WTO dispute consultations with the United States regarding the imposition by the United States of import duties on certain steel and aluminium products from Canada,” the WTO said.

“Canada claims that the measures, which terminate Canada’s exemption from additional duties on certain steel and aluminium products and increase duties on aluminium articles, and which took effect on March 12, are inconsistent with U.S. obligations,” the global trade body said.

Canada is the leading supplier of steel to the U.S., followed by Brazil and then the European Union.

The United States imports around half the steel and aluminium used in the country to make items ranging from cars and aeroplanes to soft drink cans.

Trump’s goal with the steel and aluminum tariffs is to protect the declining U.S. steel industry as it faces growing competition, especially from Asia.

Canada’s request for consultations formally initiates a dispute in the Geneva-based WTO.

Consultations give the parties an opportunity to discuss the matter and to find a satisfactory solution without proceeding further with litigation.

After 60 days, if consultations have failed to resolve the dispute, the complainant may request adjudication by a panel.

Canada launched a separate WTO complaint on March 4 over Trump’s previous tariff manoeuvres.

Shortly after Trump returned to office on Jan. 20, he announced — and then paused — blanket 25 per cent tariffs on imports from major trading partners Canada and Mexico, accusing them of failing to stop illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

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Canada called Thursday on the Group of Seven (G7) powers to back Ukraine against Russia’s “aggression” as U.S. President Donald Trump’s more conciliatory approach toward Moscow split the club of wealthy democracies.

Canada, the current G7 president, is gathering foreign ministers for three days of talks inside a rustic hotel in snow-dusted Charlevoix, on the banks of the St. Lawrence River in Quebec.

Once broadly unified, the G7 — Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States — has been rattled since the return of Trump, who has reached out to Russia and slapped punishing trade tariffs on close allies and competitors alike.

Before the full talks, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly sat down with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the highest-level U.S. official to visit since the inauguration of Trump who has taunted the United States’ northern neighbour as the “51st state.”

Canada put its maple-leaf flag next to the U.S. Stars and Stripes in a meeting room where Joly and Rubio exchanged French-style pecks on the cheek and shook hands. They did not respond to questions.

Joly, opening the formal session of the G7, said she hoped to find ways to “continue to support Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal aggression.”

“We all want to see just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” she said.

Rubio has called for the G7 to avoid “antagonistic” language toward Russia, saying it would hinder U.S. diplomacy that could end the war that has killed tens of thousands of people.

Since Trump took over from Joe Biden, U.S. statements have largely ended once-routine references to Russia’s “invasion” or “aggression” against its neighbour since 2022, instead speaking of the “Russia-Ukraine conflict.”

Ukraine, under heavy pressure from Trump who briefly cut off aid, agreed with Rubio in talks Tuesday in Saudi Arabia to a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday voiced broad support for a ceasefire but suggested he wanted to speak to Trump about it.

Disagreement on statement

Diplomats said the G7 statement may paper over broader differences on Ukraine by focusing on backing the ceasefire plan.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned that “peace in Europe will only come through strength.”

“What good is a ceasefire that would then lead to even more suffering, destruction and war in Europe after two or four years?” she said on the sidelines of the G7 talks.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, speaking to CNN from the talks, said: “I want to stress that, really, if Russia wants to end this war, they can stop bombing Ukraine and this war is over. They withdraw their troops.”

Kallas joked that she and Baerbock wore red and white outfits respectively in solidarity with Canada.

Just as Rubio was meeting in Quebec, Trump doubled down in his rhetoric by saying that Canada “only works as a state” of the United States.

“This would be the most incredible country visually. If you look at a map, they drew an artificial line right through it between Canada and the U.S.,” Trump said to reporters in Washington.

Trade war

The G7 meeting came just as Trump’s sweeping 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports came into effect Wednesday, prompting immediate retaliation from major U.S. trading partners.

The European Union and Canada swiftly unveiled billions of dollars in counter-tariffs.

France on Thursday warned of measures after Trump, in a social media post in which he again berated the European Union, made a new threat of a 200 per cent tariff on wine, champagne and other alcoholic drinks.

Joly said she intends to raise the issue of tariffs in “every single meeting” at the G7.

Kallas said that China — identified by Trump as the top competitor to the United States — gained from the trade war Washington was waging on its allies.

“Laughing at the side is China. It’s definitely benefiting from this. So there are no winners. Eventually, the consumers end up paying more,” she said in the CNN interview.

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After 9 years and 130 days, Justin Trudeau cedes the job as Prime Minister of Canada today to new Liberal leader Mark Carney.

As Carney is sworn in as Prime Minister, the MP for Cypress Hills-Grasslands doesn't expect much to change.

"It doesn't necessarily change too much," said Jeremy Patzer. "Mark Carney's been Justin Trudeau's advisor for five years. He's been the one who has been advising all the disastrous policies that have led Canada to be in the position it is in."

Patzer says even in the face of tariffs from the United-States, Canadians are still concerned with domestic issues like cost of living.

"The focus for us is still on Canada-made issues," Patzer said. "While shifting focus a little bit to how we will deal with the tariff threat."

He feels that Carney won't do enough to market Canada's natural resources.

"We have the most abundant natural resources in the world," Patzer said "We've done very little to capitalize on that. The current government has done everything it can to keep those resources in the ground. Mr. Carney himself before he ran for politics was doing everything he could to keep Canada's minerals in the ground while he was investing in these same kinds of developments around the world.

"We know that he has been trying to work against Canada for his own personal financial gain. I find it very difficult to see somebody like that become the Prime Minister."

The change of leadership and trade dispute with the United States seems to have improved Liberal polling numbers. Patzer remains focused on one specific poll.

"There's only one poll that matters and that's the one on election day," Patzer said. "We're focused on working hard to make sure we're positioned to do well in the election and that's by listening to Canadians and find out the issues that matter to them."

Carney will be sworn in as prime minister this morning at Rideau Hall, where he will also reveal his new cabinet.

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Both the RCMP and the RNC are receiving transferred 911 calls for service that do not require an emergency response.

Operators at the 911 call centres regularly receive 911 calls where they are unable to confirm with a caller if an emergency service is needed, such as a hang-up or a call with no voice on the other end.  In these circumstances, 911 Call Takers are required to notify police of the call received by 911.

These calls for service are unnecessarily utilizing police resources and may prevent those who are dealing with an actual emergency from receiving the immediate assistance they require.

Calls involving background noises are immediately transferred to the appropriate police service for further action.  In cases of a hang-up, 911 Call Takers will call the number back.  If the call back is unanswered, police will be notified for further action.

If you initiate an accidental call to 911, do not hang up.  Stay on the line and report that the call was placed accidentally. If you’ve hung up, answer a returned call so the matter can be resolved. If police or other emergency responders attend your home, answer your door.

The provincial government has confirmed that the original owners of the former Comfort Inn, now Horizons 106, have sold the building.

The province announced in January 2024 that it would be leasing the former hotel for three years, at a total cost of $21-million, to provide transitional housing supports for those who need it in partnership with End Homelessness St. John’s.

In a statement to VOCM News, the housing department says the new owners have indicated that they “intend to maintain the facility for its existing purpose,” and note that Horizons 106 remains a temporary measure while more permanent solutions are put in place.

Fuel prices in Nova Scotia are lower this morning after the provincial regulator made its weekly adjustment at midnight.

The Nova Scotia Utilities and Review Board (NSUARB) dropped the price for self-serve regular gas by 1.8 cents to a new minimum price of 155.3.

A much larger drop in the price for diesel—fuel prices falling 5.9 cents to 179.1.

Twelve months ago, we were paying 1.79 for gasoline and 1.88 for diesel.

Mark Carney will officially become Canada’s 24th prime minister today.

Carney, who secured the Liberal leadership by a landslide victory this past Sunday, will be sworn in at Rideau Hall at 12:30 NST.

The question now is who will make up Carney’s cabinet, which is expected to be smaller than Justin Trudeau’s cabinet—which consists of 37 members, including himself.

That means several ministers are expected to be doing double-duty with more than one portfolio to carry.

An election call is expected before the House of Commons returns from prorogation on March 24.

Michelle Lidstone says a Japanese friend taught her how to make sushi. She’s been serving up meals at her gas station in Roddickton-Bide Arm, along with cold plates and coffee.

A week of long days and almost around the clock negotiations has left the Fish, Food and Allied Workers union and the Association of Seafood Producers optimistic that a snow crab harvest will happen this year.

The Town of Gander in mourning the death of a Grade 9 student who was killed in an ATV crash on Monday.

The federal government has announced more than 11 million dollars aimed at improving the energy efficiency of nearly 500 homes here in the Halifax area.

On Thursday, Ottawa announced 11.7 million dollars for repairs and renovations to improve the energy efficiency and longevity of 490 homes in Halifax.

That funding is part of the Canada Greener Affordable Housing Program and Affordable Housing Fund.

“Everyone deserves a place to call their own, and the Affordable Housing Fund is one way we’re helping make that a reality for Canadians. We will keep investing in housing projects like the ones announced today in Halifax, and working with partners across the country, to end the housing crisis.” said Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.

The money will go toward renovations at multi-unit residential buildings across the municipality.

“The Government of Canada is committed to working with communities to meet the challenge of building more housing across Nova Scotia. Through the Affordable Housing Fund and the Canada Greener Affordable Housing Fund, our government is investing more than $11 million in the repair or retrofitting of 491 homes in the HRM, benefiting those who need it most.” said Lena Metledge Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West.

The government says the funding gives priority to projects that help people who need it most, including women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous peoples, people living with disabilities, those with mental health or addiction issues, veterans, and young adults.

Here is a list of the properties receiving money:

Table provided by CMHC

A group of major energy users have signed a pledge to support tripling global nuclear power capacity by 2050. Nuclear power is seeing a resurgence in popularity thanks in part to significant growth in power demand due to AI.

Florenceville-Bristol Garden Club continues tradition

Seedy Saturday will happen on Saturday, March 15, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the R.G. ‘Bun’ Veysey Active Living Centre’s community room at 40 McCain Street in Florenceville-Bristol.

This is a seed-sharing event hosted by the Florenceville-Bristol Garden Club. People are asked to bring seeds they have collected or would like to share.

Please note—LABEL ALL SEEDS (veggies/flowers, etc.) with the plant name, variety, whether it’s an annual or perennial/biennial, the colour, plant height, and sunlight needed. Garden Club members ask that you NOT SHARE invasive species.

NO SEEDS? NO PROBLEM! Come and share and learn!

The club also accepts new members (beginners and experts welcome) and has an annual membership of $2.

For more information, contact Michelle Corcoran at [email protected]

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People from P.E.I.'s seafood industry will be at the Seafood Expo North America in Boston from March 16 to 18, hoping to land some new markets for their products. Buyers from around the world will be there and Island companies are hoping to replace the American business that they may lose because of tariffs. Nancy Russell spoke to James Power of Raspberry Point Oysters and Bethany McCarthy and Charlotte Campbell from Lobster P.E.I.