Carney backs massive Vancouver port expansion to diversify away from U.S. trade
Plus: WestJet flight attendants serve 72-hour strike notice, premiers push for RCMP contract talks, and Via Rail gets $2 billion for new locomotives.
TL;DR
- Carney backs $10B Port of Vancouver expansion to increase annual trade capacity by $100B and shift exports from U.S.
- WestJet's 4,400 flight attendants issued 72-hour strike notice, threatening walkout by August 2 if negotiations stall.
- Premiers demand federal government begin RCMP contract negotiations ahead of 2032 expiry on policing agreements.
- Federal government to invest $2 billion in 45 new hybrid battery-diesel locomotives for Via Rail passenger service.
Politics and policy
Carney charts course away from U.S. trade dependence
Port expansion, transit modernization, and looming RCMP contract talks dominate federal agenda.
Prime Minister Mark Carney toured the Port of Vancouver's Roberts Bank facility on Thursday, backing a three-berth expansion that would increase container capacity by 50 per cent and enable $100 billion in new annual trade. The federal government is prepared to invest over $10 billion to accelerate the project, with Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon saying the expansion would create over 17,000 construction jobs and another 17,000 permanent positions. Carney said the expansion is essential to make Canada "stronger, more independent, more diversified" by increasing trade with Asia while reducing export reliance on the United States (via CTV News).
Via Rail secures $2 billion for locomotive fleet modernization. The federal government announced nearly $2 billion in funding to purchase 45 new hybrid battery-diesel passenger locomotives built by Swiss manufacturer Stadler, with 36 of the 45 assembled in Canada. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon made the announcement in Montreal on Wednesday, highlighting the project as part of efforts to modernize Via Rail's aging fleet (via CBC News).
Premiers push Ottawa to begin RCMP contract negotiations. Eight provinces, three territories, and roughly 150 municipalities across Canada have policing agreements with the RCMP, with contracts set to expire in 2032. Premiers told the federal government Thursday they need negotiations to begin urgently given the complexity of renegotiating such large agreements. British Columbia, the largest RCMP contract jurisdiction, warned that "all parties require the necessary time to plan, engage and fully participate in meaningful negotiations." The current deals split costs 70-30 between provinces and Ottawa (via CBC News).
Business and economy
WestJet braces for strike as labor standoff enters final days
Flight attendants' 72-hour notice sets stage for disruption; air carrier issues lockout notice in response.
The 4,400 flight attendants represented by their union served WestJet with a 72-hour strike notice Wednesday evening, setting August 2 at midnight mountain time as the deadline for reaching a new contract. If negotiations fail, the unionized crew could walk off the job, disrupting travel during the height of summer vacation season. Unpaid work is the main sticking point in talks. WestJet responded by issuing its own 72-hour lockout notice, though the airline said it remains "actively negotiating" to reach a deal. The carrier is allowing passengers booked for July 30 through August 4 to make one free flight change or cancel with no fee (via CBC News).
Sports
Prime Video to carry Wednesday NHL games in new streaming era
Amazon's service gains exclusive rights to weeknight national games as traditionnal broadcast model shifts.
Amazon's Prime Video has secured exclusive broadcasting rights to Wednesday night NHL regular-season games in Canada beginning next season under a new 12-year sub-licensing deal with Rogers Communications. The streaming service will also carry select Stanley Cup playoff matchups, including two first-round series and one second-round series annually, in both English and French. The deal marks a seismic shift away from Canada's traditional broadcast model: Rogers and CBC ended their Hockey Night in Canada partnership, bringing an end to the public broadcaster's 60-year NHL history. Citytv, the Rogers-owned free-to-air channel, will also no longer carry national games, eliminating another pathway for cord-cutters to watch hockey (via CBC News).