In the news today: Canada-China deal, Emergencies Act ruling, LA Dodgers sign Tucker

By Canadian Press on January 16, 2026.

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed…

Carney reaches ‘landmark’ tariff-quota deal with China on EVs, canola

Prime Minister Mark Carney says he has reached a deal with China to allow tens of thousands of Chinese electric vehicles into the country in exchange for lower canola duties.

Carney says Ottawa expects Beijing to drop canola seed duties to 15 per cent by March, meaning Canadian canola meal, lobsters, crabs and peas would no longer be subject to Chinese tariffs to at least the end of the year.

In return, Canada will allow up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles into the Canadian market at a 6.1 per cent tariff rate.

The pact came hours after Carney met with President Xi Jinping on a trip to Beijing, ending a multi-year trade dispute that began when the last Liberal government levied EV tariffs to protect Canada’s auto sector.

Appeal court to rule on use of Emergencies Act

The Federal Court of Appeal is set to rule today on whether it was reasonable for the Liberal government to use the Emergencies Act four years ago to quell protests in the national capital and at key border points.

For about three weeks in January and February 2022, downtown Ottawa was filled with protesters, including many in large trucks that blocked streets around Parliament Hill, who were pushing back against COVID-19 health measures.

On Feb. 14, 2022, the government invoked the Emergencies Act, which allowed for temporary measures including regulation and prohibition of public assemblies, the designation of secure places, direction to banks to freeze assets, and a ban on support for participants.

It was the first time the law had been used since it replaced the War Measures Act in 1988.

Immigrants more likely to cite ‘Canadian values’

Briefing notes prepared for Immigration Minister Lena Diab say immigrants are more likely than those born in Canada to identify things such as respect for human rights and gender equality as “shared Canadian values.”

The data, obtained by The Canadian Press through an access to information request, was pulled from a 2022 Statistics Canada report that surveyed about 34,000 people, including nearly 14,000 landed immigrants.

It says 67 per cent of the immigrants surveyed, who came to Canada aged 13 and older, said they see respect for the law as a shared Canadian value, compared with 40 per cent of people born in Canada.

The survey also suggests about 58 per cent of immigrants are satisfied with their lives, while just 44 per cent of Canadian-born respondents said the same.

Judge upholds cat custody ruling, saying parenthood and pet ownership aren’t same

An Alberta judge has divided up a group of four cats between two feuding former spouses, saying neither gets to keep all of them because — in Alberta at least — pets aren’t the same as kids and legally shouldn’t be treated as such.

In his decision, Justice Douglas Mah rejected arguments about the “best interests of the cats” and upheld a previous ruling about each person being given two cats.

Mah said while society doesn’t condone mistreatment or cruelty to animals, whether someone can demonstrate they are capable and willing to care for a pet should be — and is — a factor in determining ownership.

The ruling followed a protracted legal fight between Kishan Singh and Reba Smith, who acquired the four cats during their six years living together before separating in March 2023.

Reports: Star free agent Kyle Tucker opts to sign with Dodgers over Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays swung and missed on signing star free agent outfielder Kyle Tucker.

According to multiple reports, the four-time all-star and World Series champion has agreed to a four-year, US$240 million contract with the reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

Tucker was reportedly made a long-term offer by the Blue Jays, with the New York Mets and Dodgers both making short-term offers.

The Blue Jays have had an aggressive off-season after coming one win short of defeating the Dodgers for the World Series.

Star shortstop Bo Bichette still remains on the market for a potential deal to stay in Toronto.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 16, 2026.

The Canadian Press

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