This week brought significant news stories, including the WHO declaring Mpox a global public health emergency, Canada preparing for extreme weather events, and Ukrainian troops entering Russia. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s pledge to raise tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, calling it ‘baloney’ and accusing him of seeking political gain. Canada’s police chiefs warned of the strain on police forces due to increasing protests across the country.
Following the declaration of a global public health emergency for Mpox by the WHO, Canada assured that the risk of the virus within the country remained low. There was speculation about the potential use of a nasal spray for allergies to replace EpiPen injectors as early as next year. Additionally, Canadians were experiencing economic challenges despite the country not technically being in a recession, leading to more caution in spending.
The Canadian housing market saw a subdued summer despite interest rate cuts by the Bank of Canada, with experts predicting that lower borrowing costs would attract more buyers in the fall. There were changes in capital gains taxation for farmers that some felt did not go far enough to address issues with previous increases. Ford and Mazda issued warnings advising over 200,000 Canadian vehicle owners to stop driving due to faulty airbags, while the Canadian Taxi Association issued warnings about scams involving fake taxis.
Amid ongoing negotiations between Air Canada pilots and the airline, concerns about a potential strike loomed. The Canadian food industry faced the threat of strikes among employees of major railways, which could disrupt supply chains. Scientists warned Canadians to brace for more extreme weather events this fall, including wildfires and named storms. Residents returning to communities impacted by disasters like wildfires may need to dispose of spoiled food left unattended during evacuation.
In international news, Ukrainian forces crossed into Russia, a move that raised questions about the end goal of the operation and its potential impact on the conflict. Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden announced his decision not to run for re-election in 2024, citing a commitment to defeating Republican candidate Donald Trump. Biden expressed concerns about the risks posed by Trump to American security and democracy and vowed to support Vice-President Kamala Harris in her campaign, despite concerns about his age and health.
