In the news today: Canadian Chamber sends warning about Trump tariffs

By The Canadian Press on October 8, 2024.

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

Canadian Chamber sends warning about Trump tariffs

A new report from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce is sending a stark warning ahead of the U.S. presidential election, saying protectionist policies like Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs could damage economies on both sides of the border.

The report authored by Trevor Tombe, an economics professor at the University of Calgary, said while most Canadians recognize the importance of trade with the U.S., Americans don’t have the same understanding about how intricately the two countries are connected particularly at a time of geopolitical uncertainty.

Canadian officials and business groups have been meeting with Democratic and Republican counterparts across the U.S., making sure Canada is prepared for any outcome of the November election.

Both presidential candidates have campaigned on protectionist policies that could cause uncertainty for Canadian trade.

Whoever takes the White House will be in charge during the review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico agreement in 2026.

Here’s what else we’re watching…

Public Safety officials to appear at inquiry

A federal inquiry into foreign interference is slated to hear today from current and former officials of Public Safety Canada.

The department’s deputy minister, Shawn Tupper, and a predecessor in the role, Rob Stewart, are expected to testify.

On Wednesday, national security and intelligence adviser Nathalie Drouin is scheduled to appear.

Several Liberal cabinet members, including Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, are also set to testify this week.

A final report from the inquiry is due by the end of the year.

B.C. party leaders set to make their case on TV

The leaders of British Columbia’s three major political parties are set to debate the key issues of this provincial election campaign to be broadcast tonight on all major TV networks.

The only televised debate of the election campaign will gives viewers a chance to size up the leaders and their policies with less than two weeks to go before election day on Oct. 19.

NDP Leader David Eby, B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad and Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau will make their case from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the event that is being moderated by Angus Reid Institute president Shachi Kurl.

Rustad said at an event in Vancouver Monday that he was expecting “more of the same” from Eby at the debate, accusing him of attacking the Conservatives as individuals, rather than over their policies.

David Eby says his message will be straight forward for an NDP vote for those concerned about affordability, health care, and safer communities, unlike Rustad’s proposals that side with the billionaires in the province.

Beware fake Amazon Prime deals: cybersecurity firm

As online shoppers hunt for bargains offered by Amazon during its annual fall sale this week, cybersecurity researchers are warning Canadians to beware of an influx of scammers posing as the tech giant.

In the 30 days leading up to Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days, taking place Tuesday and Wednesday, there were more than 1,000 newly registered Amazon-related web domains, according to Check Point Software Technologies, a company that offers cybersecurity solutions.

The company said it deemed 88 per cent of those domains malicious or suspicious, suggesting they could have been set up by scammers to prey on vulnerable consumers.

One in every 54 newly created Amazon-related domain included the phrase “Amazon Prime.”

Scams often come in the form of phishing emails, which are deceptive messages that appear to be from a reputable source in attempt to steal sensitive information.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 8, 2024.

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