Articles by Jeremy Borg

Technology

WATCH: Carney apologizes to Trump for Reagan tariff ad

U.S. President Donald Trump says Prime Minister Mark Carney apologized for an Ontario government television advertisement that criticized U.S. tariffs and derailed Canada-U.S. trade talks earlier this month.Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday after attending Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Malaysia and South Korea, Trump said Carney expressed regret for the commercial during a meeting in Asia.“I have a very good relationship. I like him a lot,” Trump said. “He apologized for what they did with the commercial, because it was a false commercial. … He did apologize, and I appreciate it. We had a great dinner with other countries, and I think we have a very good relationship. Personally, I think that what they did was wrong, but he apologized.”.Trump confirmed that negotiations with Canada remain suspended, saying “no” when asked if talks would resume.The Prime Minister’s Office has not commented on Trump’s claim. Carney told Global News earlier in the week that he had a “very good” conversation with Trump during a dinner hosted by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, attended by several world leaders. He did not elaborate on what was discussed..“A very good conversation. Always pleasant,” Carney said, describing the interaction where the two were seen exchanging words and gestures across the table.Trump halted trade negotiations with Canada last week after Ontario aired a television ad criticizing U.S. tariffs.The ad featured clips from a 1987 speech by then U.S. president Ronald Reagan warning against protectionist trade measures. Trump objected to the ad’s use of Reagan’s words, claiming it misrepresented the former president’s position on tariffs..Ontario Premier Doug Ford initially defended the ad but ultimately ordered it pulled after discussions with Carney.The ad continued to air for two additional days, including during the first two games of the World Series.Following the delay, Trump announced an additional 10 per cent tariff on Canadian goods, though no formal order has yet been signed.Carney has maintained that Canada remains prepared to return to the negotiating table but has not stated whether he supported or opposed the ad or its timing.

2 days ago

Technology

Supreme Court rules 1-year mandatory minimums for child pornography are unconstitutional

The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that the one-year mandatory minimum jail sentences for possessing or accessing child pornography are unconstitutional, upholding a Quebec Court of Appeal decision and restoring full judicial discretion in such cases.In a 5–4 decision released Friday, the court dismissed the Crown’s appeal in 2025 SCC 33 (File No. 40882). .Writing for Justices Karakatsanis, Martin, Kasirer and Jamal, Justice Michelle Moreau held that the one-year minimums in Criminal Code s. 163.1(4)(a) (possession) and s. 163.1(4.1)(a) (accessing) breach s. 12 of the Charter (cruel and unusual punishment) and are not saved by s. 1. The provisions are therefore of no force or effect under s. 52(1) of the Constitution Act, 1982.The majority reaffirmed the two-stage test for mandatory minimums: determine a fit, proportionate sentence for the offender or a reasonably foreseeable offender, then ask whether the statutory minimum would be grossly disproportionate. Three factors guide the analysis: 1) the scope of the offence, 2) the effects of the penalty on the offender, 3) the penalty’s objectives.Central to the ruling was a reasonably foreseeable scenario: an 18-year-old receives on his phone a nude image (a sext) of a 17-year-old, keeps it briefly knowing it meets the legal definition of child pornography, and looks at it. For that low-end conduct, the majority said a conditional discharge with strict probation could be fit; a mandatory one-year jail term would be grossly disproportionate. The court stressed that reasonably foreseeable hypotheticals are an essential tool for constitutional review and need not be common, so long as they are not fanciful or far-fetched.The majority also noted that possession and access offences capture a wide range of conduct and that the crimes are hybrid offences, supporting the conclusion that a fixed one-year jail floor overreaches Parliament’s objectives of denunciation and deterrence by eliminating tailored, non-custodial options in appropriate cases..The decision sparked strong political backlash from the federal Conservatives. Larry Brock, Conservative Shadow Minister for Justice and Attorney General of Canada, called the ruling “a disgusting and cruel insult to victims of these heinous crimes.”“It is especially egregious given the two cases involved,” Brock said in a statement. “One of the offenders had 317 images of children, with 90% being of girls between the ages of three and six. The other had 531 images and 274 videos for over a year, most of which involved children from five to ten years old.”“These vile predators caused unimaginable suffering and harm to hundreds of victims, some as young as three. Any normal person who reads this decision would be disgusted, and it is outrageous that child predators might walk free with less than a year in prison.”Brock said the Conservatives originally introduced the mandatory minimums to toughen sentences for child sexual abuse material and urged the federal government to act quickly in response to the court’s ruling.“The Liberals must lay out a clear plan for how they will ensure that those charged with these despicable crimes are kept behind bars,” he said. “Conservatives will always fight for the strongest laws to protect the most vulnerable in our society. We offer our full assistance to the government in Parliament to swiftly fix this travesty.”.Chief Justice Wagner and Justices Côté, Rowe and O’Bonsawin would have allowed the appeal, finding the minimums constitutional. Emphasizing the gravity and societal harm of sexual offences against minors and the guidance in R. v. Friesen (2020), the dissent said denunciation and deterrence should predominate and that the gross-disproportionality bar is demanding, requiring a sentence so excessive that it shocks the conscience.They criticized the use of hypotheticals they viewed as having only a remote connection to the cases before the courts, warning that far-fetched scenarios can undermine public confidence in sentencing for child-protection crimes..The appeal arose from two Quebec matters in which the accused pleaded guilty to child-pornography counts. At sentencing, they challenged the constitutionality of the one-year minimums. The trial judge found the minimums grossly disproportionate as applied; the Quebec Court of Appeal agreed that the provisions were unconstitutional based on their reasonably foreseeable application to other offenders. The Attorney General of Quebec and His Majesty the King appealed to the Supreme Court; the Crown did not pursue a s. 1 justification..What changes nowThe one-year mandatory minimums for possession and accessing child pornography under s. 163.1(4)(a) and (4.1)(a) are struck down nationally.Judges retain discretion to impose sentences that are proportionate to the offence and the offender, including non-custodial outcomes in exceptional, low-end cases.The court reaffirmed that while mandatory minimums are not per se unconstitutional, broad minimums that capture low-culpability conduct remain constitutionally vulnerable.

2 days ago

Technology

Valleyview animal rescue uncovers massive case of neglect

More than 290 animals have been rescued from dire conditions in Valleyview, Alberta, following a major operation led by the Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS) and the Canadian Animal Task Force (CATF). Working alongside RCMP, the groups coordinated the removal of dogs, cats, and several livestock animals from two properties that were posing as animal rescues.Officials say the animals were living in deplorable conditions and required immediate attention. Over the past several days, volunteers have been working tirelessly to stabilize and care for every rescued animal.“What these animals experienced is simply not acceptable,” said RJ Bailot, Executive Director of the Canadian Animal Task Force. “We need stronger standards and real accountability when it comes to animal welfare.”.The operation brought together more than 16 animal welfare agencies from across Alberta. The following groups took part in the four-day mission, assisting with on-site rescues and taking in animals for care and adoption: Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF), The Alice Sanctuary, Global Animal Lovers (GALS), Peace Regional SPCA, Pitbulls for Life, and Saving Grace Animal Society.Additional organizations will soon make animals from this case available for adoption, including Bandaged Paws Animal Rescue, Bear Valley Rescue, Central Alberta Humane Society, Edmonton Humane Society, Fostering Hope Animal Rescue, Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue, MEOW Foundation, Next Chapter Animal Rescue League, and Pawsitive Match Rescue Foundation.“Animal welfare organizations across the province are stretched thin, so we’re grateful so many were able to make space for even a few animals,” said Deanna Thompson, Executive Director of AARCS. “With a rescue operation of this size, it takes a village. We’d also like to thank the community of Valleyview for their support, including feeding our volunteers, providing a temporary holding space for animals, gassing up our vehicles, and much more.”.Animals still awaiting placement will be housed temporarily at a partner boarding facility.While AARCS and CATF could not comment on details of the RCMP’s ongoing investigation, they urged the public to be cautious when surrendering or adopting animals.Anyone wishing to contribute can donate at aarcs.ca/northern-rescue or through CanadaHelps. Donations, volunteer work, and fostering are also encouraged to support the organizations involved in the rescue.

2 days ago

Technology

After years of mistrust, Carney’s meeting with Xi signals a 'turning point'

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s long-delayed meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping finally happened Friday at the APEC summit in South Korea, a session Carney himself called “long overdue.” The encounter began with Xi inviting the Canadian leader to visit Beijing, a gesture Carney described as welcome. He noted the two nations share “a long history of cooperation, engagement and trade,” and reminded reporters it was the first time in eight years the leaders had met.Carney pointed to a recent thaw between Ottawa and Beijing, referencing his earlier meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in New York and renewed dialogue among ministers. .The meeting came just a day after Xi’s sit-down with U.S. President Donald Trump, where the two appeared to make progress on the global trade standoff.According to a PMO press release, Carney and Xi called their own meeting a “turning point,” agreeing to reset the relationship in a “pragmatic and constructive” manner.The Carney government has been trying to patch up ties with China, sending Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe to Beijing in recent months..No timeline has been set for Carney’s own visit, but he said he looked forward to deepening talks.“It’s through this constructive and pragmatic dialogue that we’ll address current issues, seize opportunities, and build a more sustainable and inclusive international system,” he said.Chinese state media quoted Xi as saying China was ready to work with Canada to “promote the return of bilateral relations to a healthy, stable and sustainable track as soon as possible.”.The PMO said both sides agreed to move quickly on trade disputes and “respective sensitivities” over agriculture, seafood and electric vehicles.Relations remain strained by years of bad blood, from China’s tariffs on Canadian canola and pulses, retaliation for Ottawa’s 100% levy on Chinese EVs, to accusations of Beijing’s election interference and harassment of Chinese-Canadian communities.The 2017 arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, and China’s subsequent detention of Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, froze dialogue entirely. The last formal leader-level meeting was in 2017, when Justin Trudeau’s attempt to launch free trade talks with Beijing collapsed.This week’s encounter signaled both sides want to turn the page, though after years of mistrust, few expect a quick fix.

2 days ago