AGP Executive Report

Canada-U.S. Trade Fight: Donald Trump again targeted Canada’s currency, calling the Canadian dollar “imbalance” with the U.S. “unacceptable” on Truth Social as Ottawa prepares retaliatory countertariffs on about $28B in U.S. goods. Cost of Living: A TELUS Health report says rising living costs are the top financial stressor for Canadian workers, with money worries hurting productivity for many—especially those under 40 and parents. Happiness Poll: Quebec tops Leger’s Happiness Index 2026, while overall Canadian happiness rises year over year. Cybersecurity: The FBI opened an investigation into a dark-web service allegedly selling stolen digital scans of more than 153 million driver’s licences from the U.S. and Canada. Campus Antisemitism: B’nai Brith launched a new “campus climate” report card to grade how universities respond to antisemitism. Sports: Canadian handcyclist Maarten Duif won silver at the Para road cycling world championships; Team Canada won the FISU rugby sevens title.

U.S.-Canada trade war: A new Nanos poll finds record support for Canada’s dollar-for-dollar retaliation, with about 80% backing counter-tariffs and most saying the U.S. is no longer a trustworthy ally as 50% tariffs and matching Canadian measures escalate. Critical minerals leverage: Canada is pushing back on Washington’s approach by treating critical minerals and power supply as leverage, with Energy Minister Tim Hodgson saying “I don’t get mad, I get even.” Business impact in Toronto: Some Toronto retailers and food makers say the tariff shock is creating a “sweet spot” for Canadian-made products as customers look for local alternatives. Opinion on costs: Commentary argues Canada is pricing itself out of major infrastructure projects, warning that ballooning build costs are driving investment away. Public safety and health: A Canadian woman died in a moped crash on Magnetic Island in Queensland, while another story highlights ongoing frustration with Canada’s health-care system. Sports & culture: The Canadian International Air Show returns in Toronto with the Snowbirds’ final Tutor-era performances, and Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani advanced at the U.S. Open.

U.S.-Canada trade fight: Mark Carney’s team is pushing a major investment summit while Ottawa and Washington trade tariffs and counter-tariffs, with new reporting also swirling around a U.S. Justice Department antitrust pause that Canada says was misunderstood. Immigration: IRCC clarified how long foreign students can stay on a study permit (typically program length plus 90 days) and warned that missing steps can end study status. Economy & jobs: Canada’s labour market cooled again, with August job losses reported around 41,700–42,000 and unemployment holding near 6.4%. Public services: Canada’s first permanent dyslexia centre is opening in Vancouver to help families and equip educators. Money & identity: The Bank of Canada says a redesigned $20 polymer bill with new security features will enter circulation in late February 2027. Safety & justice: RCMP says no one has been charged in connection with a major fentanyl superlab dismantled nearly two years ago. Sports: Japan routed Canada 57-12 in rugby, while Leylah Fernandez and partner Janice Tjen were eliminated at the U.S. Open doubles.

U.S.-Canada Tariff War: Canada says retaliatory duties on more than CA$27.6B of U.S. imports will kick in Sept. 8, as Washington’s 50% tariffs on Canadian goods loom and talks appear stalled. Jobs & Markets: Statistics Canada reports employment fell by 42,000 in August (unemployment steady at 6.4%), and both Canadian and U.S. stocks slid after the labour data. Trade Talks Stuck: Canada’s trade minister says there are no negotiations planned over the Labour Day long weekend, setting up a fresh round of escalation. Sovereignty Flashpoint: The dispute over renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America” continues to inflame tensions, with Canada rejecting the move as an identity insult. Food Safety Watch: Canada’s food agency is investigating reports of Indian imports with fake nutrition and expiry labels. Business Outlook: A survey finds nearly 70% of Canadian business managers expect trade with China to grow over the next two years. Travel Demand: Despite the trade fight, Canadians are boosting travel searches to Palma, with Skyscanner citing a 78% jump year over year. Immigration Backlog: Proof of Canadian citizenship certificate processing time has climbed to 33 months, with 136,000 applications pending.

Canada-U.S. Trade War: The U.S. Justice Department’s antitrust division was told to pause cooperation with Canada, a move reported by the Wall Street Journal as tariffs and tensions keep escalating. Economy & Jobs: Statistics Canada says Canada shed 41,700 jobs in August, with the unemployment rate holding at 6.4%—a key snapshot before new counter-tariffs begin to bite. Alberta Referendum Campaign: Federal Conservatives are launching a campaign urging Albertans to vote to stay in Canada for the Oct. 19 separation referendum, led by Parkland MP Dane Lloyd. Immigration Crackdown: An Indian student, Gurpreet Singh, says he was ordered to leave Canada after participating in a peaceful protest tied to post-graduation permit changes. Sports: Leylah Fernandez is out of the U.S. Open after a loss to Jessica Pegula, while Canadian Sarah Mitton placed second in the Diamond League shot put final. Weather: Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for the Chilcotin, warning of heavy rain and a higher landslide risk. Culture & Community: Blue Rodeo leaned into the Lake Ontario “ownership” message during a Toronto show amid the Lake Ontario renaming controversy.

Currency & Identity: The Bank of Canada unveiled the new vertical $20 banknote featuring King Charles III, with Indigenous plant motifs, provincial/territorial floral emblems, and the Vimy Memorial on the back; it enters circulation in late February 2027. Trade War Fallout: Canada’s July trade surplus shrank to $769 million as exports fell 2.3% and imports rose 2.2%, with the drop tied largely to energy; Ottawa is also preparing fresh counter-tariffs after U.S. duties escalated. Jobs Watch: Statistics Canada’s August labour force survey is due, with economists expecting 15,000 jobs added and unemployment steady at 6.4%. Health-Care Hiring: A new analysis says Alberta and Ontario health hiring has been propping up national employment, raising questions about whether patient outcomes are improving as fast as jobs. Rail Manufacturing: Alstom signed a C$4.7B deal with VIA Rail to build 313 new long-distance cars in Canada, with technical support for 15 years. Public Safety & Justice: A Federal Court order will force Ottawa to release more redacted sections of a 1986 Nazi resettlement report. Sports & Culture: Jann Arden is set for a free “Calgary Concert for Unity” ahead of Alberta’s Oct. 19 separation vote.

Canada-U.S. Trade War: A new CFIB survey says 18% of small exporters and 11% of importers are already feeling the hit, with many saying they’d stop being viable if the tariff fight lasts three months. Rail Manufacturing Push: Prime Minister Mark Carney and partners are backing VIA Rail’s biggest-ever investment—$4.7B for 313 new passenger cars—shifting long-distance rail car building back to Canada, with Alstom manufacturing in Thunder Bay and La Pocatière. VIA Rail Contract Details: Alstom’s deal also includes long-term technical support and spare parts, aiming to renew VIA’s long-distance fleet and create hundreds of skilled jobs. Banking Claim Fact-Check: A “Fact Focus” report says Trump’s claim that U.S. banks can’t operate in Canada is false, noting 15 U.S.-based banks already operate in Canada. Currency Update: The Bank of Canada unveiled a new vertical $20 bill featuring King Charles III, with added security features and Indigenous motifs, set to enter circulation in early 2027. Data Centre Rules: Ottawa released Responsible Data Centre Development Principles, setting expectations on local benefits, electricity ratepayer protection, and water use. Cybersecurity: Reports say a Russian-speaking forum listing offered access to 153M U.S. and Canadian driver’s licences, with U.S. and Canadian law enforcement investigating. Health Coverage: Canada’s drug agency recommended reimbursement for Yorvipath for eligible adults with chronic hypoparathyroidism, with final listings to be decided by public drug plans. Community Grants: Canada Post Community Foundation announced $1.3M in 2026 grants for children and youth charities, fully funded through fundraising and stamp sales.

Central Bank Reshuffle: The Dutch central bank moved 86 tonnes of gold from the U.S. and Canada to London, citing “increasing geopolitical unrest” and faster crisis readiness. Canada-U.S. Trade War: Prime Minister Mark Carney says U.S. negotiators sought terms that would have hollowed out Canadian industries, while the dispute is straining the Detroit-Windsor supply chain and pushing Ottawa to prepare dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs. Cost of Living & Policy: The Bank of Canada is set to unveil a new $20 bill featuring King Charles, as it holds rates at 2.25% amid tariff uncertainty. Manufacturing Push: Carney is expected to announce a “historic investment” in Canadian manufacturing, even as companies brace for tariff impacts. Immigration Rules: Canada published guidance on foreign worker categories that may be exempt from work permits. Health & School Season: Federal surveillance warns respiratory illnesses could surge as kids return to school. Weather Disruption: A powerful Toronto thunderstorm cut power to tens of thousands and disrupted travel. Global Ties: Canada and India reaffirm plans to conclude CEPA talks by year-end, targeting CAD 70B in trade by 2030. Tech & Culture: Reliance-Disney’s JioHotstar launches in the UK, Canada and Singapore.

Canada-U.S. Trade War: Canada’s retaliatory tariffs are set to start Sept. 8, with economists warning the biggest hit could land in targeted sectors like automotive and agriculture as Washington and Ottawa trade barbs and deadlines loom. Central Banking: The Bank of Canada kept its policy rate at 2.25%, saying tariffs and Middle East risks are among the “multiple risks in play,” while inflation pressure from oil remains a concern. Politics & Diplomacy: Prime Minister Mark Carney said trade talks can resume only when the U.S. stops “doing memes” and “throwing shade,” as U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claimed a Canadian minister wouldn’t deny attempts to “blow up” negotiations. Culture & Law: SOCAN has sued U.S. AI music maker Suno in Federal Court, alleging it copied Canadian songs without paying creators. Environment: Environment Canada reports August was much wetter than normal in the Ottawa Valley, with rainfall at roughly 175% to 200% of average. Sports: Bombardier is set to acquire Toronto-area wing maker MHI Canada, adding jobs, while Canadian under-19 lacrosse players earned roster spots for upcoming national development events.

Banking & Rates: The Bank of Canada is set for its sixth rate decision of the year, with most economists expecting another hold at 2.25% as tariff uncertainty and inflation pressures collide. Canada-U.S. Trade Fight: Prime Minister Mark Carney is urging Washington to “stop doing memes” and get serious, after Trump escalated the dispute with threats and the “Lake America” move; a Reuters-Ipsos poll finds most Americans oppose the tariffs and the renaming. Immigration Pressure: A C.D. Howe Institute panel says Ottawa still lacks solid data on how many temporary residents actually leave after permits expire, as the federal government tightens student and work-permit rules. Disaster Response: Families in Toronto are still waiting for answers a week after Nepal’s deadly flash floods, with rescue efforts strained by destroyed roads and landslides. Energy & Industry: Axens was selected to supply technology for Expander Energy’s Canadian SAF and renewable diesel projects, including sites near Calgary and in northern B.C. Business & Culture: JioHotstar launches in the UK, Canada and Singapore, replacing Hotstar in those markets with 160,000+ hours of South Asian entertainment and interactive “Bigg Boss” features.

Canada-U.S. Trade War: Prime Minister Mark Carney told Washington to “stop doing memes, stop throwing shade and stop trying to be tough,” warning U.S. demands could leave Canadian industries “gradually wound down” as talks stall; Canada is set to impose retaliatory tariffs starting Sept. 8 after Trump’s 50% duties on about $20B of Canadian exports, with counter-tariffs hitting hundreds of U.S. product lines. Local Impact & Business Response: Canadian-made food and household goods firms say demand is surging as shoppers buy local, but some retailers are slow to react—pushing more direct-to-consumer sales. Politics: Carney’s Liberals swept three byelections, boosting his position as the trade fight escalates. Wildlife & Parks: Parks Canada killed a wolf in Kluane National Park after reports of unnatural, human-approaching behaviour. Culture & Community: Parks Canada marked the 50th anniversary of the Bethune Memorial House; the Ukrainian Museum of Canada earned a ŽIVA Award nomination for preserving Slavic heritage. Sports & Entertainment: Stratford swimmer Amiera Black won five medals at Special Olympics Canada; Amazing Race Canada heads to Digby, Nova Scotia. Aerospace: Bombardier will bring MHI Canada Aerospace operations in-house by buying the Mississauga supplier’s assets.

Canada–U.S. Trade War: Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals swept three federal byelections as voters backed his stand against Donald Trump’s tariff push, with the Quebec seat Chicoutimi-Le Fjord flipping from Conservatives and wins also in Toronto and North Vancouver. Tariffs & Cost of Living: The U.S. moved to impose 50% tariffs on Canadian goods after talks collapsed, and Canada is preparing retaliatory measures while businesses brace for higher costs. Local “Buy Canadian” Push: Companies say demand for Canadian-made food and household goods is rising, even as retailers feel the squeeze from tariff-linked supply shocks. Immigration & Students: Canada increased the proof-of-funds requirement for study permit applicants from Sept. 1, including higher living-expense amounts for international students. Health Care: Canada’s drug agency issued a final positive recommendation for public reimbursement of Leqembi (lecanemab) for early Alzheimer’s. Culture & Community: A floating forest raft appeared and vanished in B.C.’s Williston Reservoir, while Canada’s women’s volleyball team qualified for the Olympics for the first time since 1996.

Canada–U.S. trade war: The Lake Ontario “Lake America” naming spat is back in the spotlight after some major Canadian sites briefly showed the U.S. label, with Google saying the fix can be handled by web developers; Hydro One apologized for an outage-map mix-up. Immigration & cost of living: Canada is raising the proof-of-funds requirement for study permits starting Sept. 1, adding up to $1,465 more for larger families. Child safety online: B.C.’s attorney general is urging Meta to apply the same child protections in Canada that Meta agreed to in a large U.S. settlement. Food & jobs: Canadian grocers are leaning harder into “buy Canadian” signage and country-of-origin labels as tariffs escalate. Public safety: The Canadian Red Cross warns emergencies don’t end with summer and urges Canadians to plan and build a 3-day kit. Environment: Canada’s last captive belugas from Marineland are set to leave for U.S. aquariums today. Health: Regina General Hospital’s NICU is expanding by three beds to boost care for premature and medically fragile newborns.

US-Canada Trade War: Trump escalated his tariff fight with Canada, calling Ottawa “one of the worst abusers,” saying he “doesn’t want Canadian cars” and urging Canadian firms to move operations to the U.S. “immediately,” while Canada prepares retaliatory counter-tariffs starting Sept. 8 and faces a threatened jump to 50% on autos and parts from Jan. 1, 2027. Banking & Prices: The Bank of Canada is set to weigh renewed trade-war pressure at its rate decision, with economists expecting it to hold while uncertainty grows. Auto Industry Pressure: Analysts warn Toyota and Honda could take the biggest hit because they dominate Canadian vehicle production, potentially forcing production line changes. Lake Ontario Name Spat: The feud also spilled into culture and maps, with Canada installing a giant “Lake Ontario. Now and Always” sign as Trump pushes “Lake America,” including Google Maps changes for U.S. users. Immigration Updates: IRCC quietly removed a grandparents’ marriage-detail requirement from citizenship forms, and raised minimum proof-of-funds for international students effective Sept. 1. Humanitarian Aid: Canada joined the U.S. and EU pledges for Nepal flood relief, including $5M from Ottawa.

Canada-U.S. Trade War Escalates: Donald Trump doubled down on his feud with Canada, calling Canadian leaders “one of the worst” and urging Canadian companies to move to the U.S. “immediately,” claiming there will be “no tariffs” if they relocate. Great Lakes Name Fight: Google Maps has started showing “Lake America” for U.S. users after Trump’s executive order, while Canadians will still see “Lake Ontario,” adding another flashpoint to the tariff dispute. Ontario Pushback: Ontario Premier Doug Ford mocked the move and unveiled a giant shoreline sign reading “Lake Ontario. Now and Always.” Maine’s Warning: Maine Gov. Janet Mills urged Canadians to pressure Washington to de-escalate, warning the tariff fight is already hurting border businesses and jobs. Sports (Canada in the Spotlight): Leylah Fernandez advanced to the U.S. Open second round with a straight-sets win over Shuai Zhang.

Canada-U.S. Trade War: Ontario Premier Doug Ford unveiled a giant “Lake Ontario. Now and Always” billboard after Donald Trump’s executive order to rename the lake “Lake America,” as tariffs and retaliatory levies keep escalating. Retaliatory Tariffs Impact: Canadian firms and nonprofits are bracing for higher costs and uncertainty as the U.S. moves ahead with 50% tariffs and Canada counters with measures starting Sept. 8. Auto Sector: GM is reportedly planning a C$1.1B Ontario investment tied to a tentative Unifor deal, including Oshawa heavy-duty pickup work, amid tariff pressure. Immigration & Health: IRCC says doctors can pursue permanent residence through five pathways (Express Entry, PNP, Atlantic, Rural Community, and Francophone pilots). Humanitarian Aid: Canada pledged $5M for Nepal flood relief as search continues for 32 Canadians and permanent residents missing. Sports: Canada booked an LA28 women’s volleyball berth with a 3-1 win over the Dominican Republic; Aurélie Rivard won bronze in the women’s 400m freestyle at the Para Pan Pacific Championships. Local News: Trans-Canada Highway closed near Revelstoke after a crash left one dead and one injured.