Justin Trudeau brings Canada’s ties with India under increasing strain
The Globe and Mail
23-09-19 21:24
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has strained relations with India by countenancing the activities of extremist Sikh groups in Canada, according to Brahma Chellaney, a professor of strategic studies at the independent Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi. Trudeau accused India of the killing of a Canadian Sikh extremist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, based on “allegations” of a “potential” India “link” to the murder. There have been no arrests or evidence presented in connection with Nijjar’s killing. Chellaney argues that Trudeau should have presented evidence of any Indian government involvement in a court of law, rather than making a statement in the House of Commons. Chellaney also points out that India has never been accused of carrying out an assassination on Western soil, despite being a target of major international terrorist attacks. The tensions have caused tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats and have put Canada-India relations at their lowest ebb.
Hardeep Nijjar met CSIS every week before killing that Trudeau links to India: son
The Toronto Star
23-09-19 20:59
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh community leader, was meeting regularly with Canadian intelligence officers in the months before he was shot dead in British Columbia, according to his son, Balraj Nijjar. Balraj Nijjar also stated that his father had attended a meeting with the RCMP last year where they were informed about threats to his life and advised him to stay at home. Hardeep Nijjar was a vocal supporter of the Khalistan movement, which advocates for a separate Sikh homeland in the Punjab. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that the killing has been credibly linked to India.
Evening Update: India expels Canadian diplomat following allegations over killing of Sikh activist in B.C.
The Globe and Mail
23-09-19 20:59
India has responded to Canada expelling a senior Indian diplomat by expelling a senior Canadian diplomat, claiming the allegations that New Delhi was involved in the killing of a Sikh activist on Canadian soil are “absurd” and “unsubstantiated”. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has called for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to provide hard evidence of the allegations, which have led to a chill in Indo-Canadian relations. The killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia, was allegedly carried out by “agents of the government of India”. Meanwhile, Canada’s annual inflation rate rose to 4% in August, up from 3.3% in July. The central bank is now under pressure to increase interest rates after announcing a pause on tightening monetary policy earlier this year. The annual rate is well above the bank’s 2% target.
Wednesday Briefing: Zelensky’s Warning at the U.N.
NY Times
23-09-19 20:52
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has told the UN General Assembly that Russia's aggression would not end at Ukraine's borders. He said the goal of the war against Ukraine was to turn it, its people, resources and land into a weapon against the international rules-based order. Zelensky added that Russia was weaponizing essentials such as food and energy "not only against our country, but against all of yours, as well." The US president, Joe Biden, also condemned Russia's "naked aggression", warning that if Ukraine was "carved up", the independence of other nations would be in danger. Meanwhile, 50 defence ministers and other top officials were meeting in Germany to discuss providing military aid to Ukraine. The US defence secretary said US-made Abrams battle tanks would shortly arrive in Ukraine.
Equinor 'more optimistic' of building Canada offshore oil project
Reuters
23-09-20 00:09
Equinor is more optimistic about proceeding with its Bay du Nord offshore project in Canada, according to Tore Løseth, the head of Canadian operations for the oil producer. The project was delayed for up to three years earlier this year due to soaring costs, but Løseth said the company was now "feeling more optimistic" about moving forward with the project. Bay du Nord, located off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, is expected to be one of Canada's biggest oil projects in years and has the support of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government.
Ottawa didn’t inform Saskatchewan of claims against key trade partner India, minister says
The Globe and Mail
23-09-19 23:58
The Canadian province of Saskatchewan has accused Ottawa of failing to inform it about alleged security concerns regarding a key trade partner, India, whose government Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested played a part in the murder of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Saskatchewan makes up around a third of Canada’s exports to India, which are valued at over CAD1bn ($800m) to the provincial economy.
Canada-India dispute the latest blow to strained economic ties
The Globe and Mail
23-09-19 23:52
Canada's worsening diplomatic feud with India over allegations of Indian involvement in the murder of a Canadian citizen could have significant economic consequences. While India is Canada's eighth-largest trading partner, accounting for less than 19% of Canada's exports to China, the dispute could lead to the imposition of arbitrary phytosanitary measures on Canadian agricultural products, as happened in the past. Moreover, India accounted for 7.5% of Teck Resources' revenue, and is a major customer of Canpotex, an export organization owned by Nutrien and Mosaic. Furthermore, Canadian pension funds have significant investments in India, as a way of diversifying their exposure to Asia as tensions with China rose. However, Canada will not be able to rely on the support of its Western allies, which see India as a critical force to contain China's global influence. The dispute has already led to the cancellation of Canada's trade mission to India in October, as well as the suspension of talks toward a much-delayed trade agreement.
Cross-country rallies against 'gender ideology' in schools met with counter-protests
The Toronto Star
23-09-21 01:27
Thousands of people in Canada held competing protests over how schools instruct sexuality and gender identity. The demonstrations were sparked by a debate over the way schools engage with transgender and nonbinary students, which began in New Brunswick when the government changed the province's LGBTQ+ policy. The policy requires students under 16 to get parental consent before their teachers can use their preferred first names. The protests were split between those accusing schools of exposing young students to "gender ideology" and those accusing protesters of denying students important lessons about inclusion and respect for gender-diverse people. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted his condemnation of transphobia, homophobia, and biphobia, stating that they have no place in Canada. Organizers of the marches claimed to be protesting the "premature sexualization and potentially harmful indoctrination" of children, but some protesters targeted members of the LGBTQ+ community as being groomers and pedophiles. Counter-protesters emphasized the importance of inclusion and support for transgender and queer peers in schools.
India suspends visa services in Canada and rift widens between countries
The Toronto Star
23-09-21 10:23
India's visa processing centre in Canada has suspended services until further notice amid a widening rift between the two countries. The move comes after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that there were "credible allegations" of Indian involvement in the murder of a Canadian citizen. Canada has expelled an Indian diplomat, and India retaliated by expelling a Canadian diplomat. The BLS Indian Visa Application Center in Canada, which processes visa requests for India, did not give any further details for the suspension of services.
India Suspends Visas for Canadians, Escalating Clash Over Sikh’s Killing
NY Times
23-09-21 10:04
India has suspended visa applications from Canadian citizens, according to BLS International, the third-party processor used by the Indian government. The move comes after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested in a speech that Indian intelligence agents had been involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist on Canadian soil in June. India has rejected the claims and accused Canada of harbouring terrorists intent on creating a Sikh homeland in India.
Canada has accused India of assassinating a Sikh community leader in British Columbia in June, leading to a sharp deterioration in relations between the two countries. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that agents of the Indian government were responsible for the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, an advocate of an independent Sikh nation. The Indian government has strongly rejected the accusations, which could intensify tensions between Canada's Sikh and Hindu communities. The incident highlights the era of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been accused of promoting Hindu nationalism and exacerbating divisions in Indian society.
Ottawa under pressure to bet big on its own carbon pricing system as industry warns of lost investments
The Globe and Mail
23-09-21 10:00
Canada's carbon contracts for difference (CCfDs) financing tool for large clean-technology projects has been delayed, with industry arguing that the lack of a concrete financing mechanism has resulted in delayed decarbonisation projects that may fail to hit national climate targets. CCfDs would see the government guaranteeing minimum values for emissions-reduction credits earned under the industrial pricing system, creating a reliable revenue stream for decarbonisation projects. The Canadian government has committed to only providing CCfDs through the Canada Growth Fund, but industry is seeking a larger, broader CCfD programme to be implemented by the end of the year. Some companies claim that guaranteed prices required to make their projects viable are too high, prompting Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland's department to argue that the government could end up with billions of dollars in liabilities. Finance Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said that a broader CCfD programme was "critical" to investments in carbon-capture projects in Alberta.
Russia launches massive attack as Zelensky continues visit to U.S., Canada
The Globe and Mail
23-09-21 09:37
Russia has launched a significant attack on Ukrainian cities, firing two barrages of cruise missiles. The attacks reportedly resulted in two deaths and 26 injuries, while a number of buildings were damaged. The attack came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was in North America seeking support for his country. He has called for Russia to be stripped of its veto power at the UN Security Council. In a blow to Ukraine's efforts to rally support, Poland has said it will stop sending weapons to Ukraine amid a dispute between the two countries over grain exports.
India suspends visa services for citizens of Canada, tells it to cut its diplomats
The Toronto Star
23-09-21 13:58
India has halted all visa services for Canadian citizens and called for a reduction in Canadian diplomatic staffing in India. The move comes after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested that India may have been involved in the killing of a Canadian Sikh independence activist. Canada has yet to provide any evidence to support its claims. The two countries have expelled diplomats in response to the diplomatic row.
Canada reduces diplomatic staff in India, citing threats to safety
The Globe and Mail
23-09-21 12:16
The Canadian government is reducing staff levels at its diplomatic missions in India, citing concerns for the safety of its employees. The move comes as tensions between the two countries remain high over allegations that the Indian government was behind the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada. The Department of Global Affairs has said that it expects the Indian government to continue to protect its diplomatic staff from harm. It has also called for India to reduce the number of its own diplomats in Canada, as there is a discrepancy in staffing levels between the two countries.
Canada has supporting role to help Haiti, but 'there is no solution from outside': PM
The Toronto Star
23-09-21 18:52
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not confirm whether Canada will participate in a Kenya-led multinational security mission in Haiti. The United Nations is under increasing pressure from the US to authorize the mission. Trudeau stated that Canada has been taking significant action to support the Haitian people, including providing additional funding and imposing sanctions. He emphasized that lasting solutions will come from working with the Haitian people themselves. Kenya has offered to send 1,000 police officers to train their Haitian counterparts. Trudeau stated that there is no solution to the situation from outside and that more dialogue and consensus-building within Haiti is necessary.
What price would India pay if involved in killing a Canadian citizen? Precious little
The Globe and Mail
23-09-21 18:00
It may be difficult for Ottawa to carry out a thorough investigation into the murder of Canadian Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, as it is believed that India may have played a role. The relationship between the two countries is strained, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dismissed the allegations as "absurd." There is unlikely to be a severe response from the Canadian government, as middle powers such as Canada depend on countries like India for trade and economic prosperity. The case of the Two Michaels, Canadians imprisoned by China, shows that there are often no consequences for heinous actions committed by other countries.
Trudeau dodges questions on whether he'll match India's move to suspend visa processing
CBC
23-09-21 17:53
India's visa processing centre in Canada has suspended services as part of an escalating row between the two countries. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had suggested that India's government may have been involved in the killing of a Canadian Sikh leader. Trudeau has called on the Indian government to take the allegations seriously and allow justice to follow its course. Canada's High Commission in India has adjusted its staff presence due to threats received on social media. Trudeau insisted that Canada is standing up for the rule of law and the international rules-based order. The prime minister also stated that there are credible reasons to believe that agents of the Indian government were involved in the killing of a Canadian on Canadian soil.
Freeland introduces bill to remove GST from rental developments, amend competition law
CBC
23-09-21 17:28
Canada's Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has introduced legislation aimed at addressing the country's housing crisis and affordability crunch. The legislation would remove GST charges from new rental developments, providing tax relief of $25,000 for a two-bedroom apartment valued at $500,000. The bill would also update Canada's competition law, strengthening the Competition Bureau's power to conduct market studies and block collaborations that stifle competition. It would eliminate the "efficiencies defence" used to approve anti-competitive mergers. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called on opposition leaders to support the legislation.
With authoritarianism on the rise, Canada should expect more foreign interference
The Globe and Mail
23-09-21 17:14
Recent events in Canada, including the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh nationalist, by foreign agents, highlight the growing risk of transnational repression in the country. Authoritarian regimes are becoming more emboldened in their efforts to silence opposition at home and abroad, disregarding international law. Canada is seen as a target due to its open society and policy of providing refuge to the persecuted. Activists-in-exile are increasingly using technology and social media to continue their activities, while regimes are using hybrid warfare tactics to push back. Canada must invest in means to protect itself and maintain alliances to secure its freedom and protect its citizens. The case of Hardeep Singh Nijjar serves as a reminder that geopolitical tensions are increasing worldwide, making incidents of political assassinations more likely. Canadian leaders must take steps to safeguard their citizens and ensure that freedom of speech and human rights are protected.
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