Menu

Mark Carney

Salmon swimming against river current. Norway. Europe. Stavanger region, Rogaland, Ryfylke scenic route. Salmon in these rivers is a very significant part of the worldwide stock of Atlantic salmon.

N.B. Salmon Council says funding welcomed, missed mark on priorities

, , , , , , ,

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the $81.7 million in funding, which would pay out over the following five years, to stabilize and rebuild Atlantic salmon populations.

The news further progresses Canada’s National Strategy to Ensure the Future of Atlantic Salmon, which is part of the Prime Minister’s broader A Force of Nature plan.

The funding – the largest investment in wild Atlantic salmon conservation in Canadian history – triggered an additional $25 million contribution from the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF). These funds were raised from foundations and contributions.

The New Brunswick Salmon Council, an affiliate of the ASF, represents 21 organizations across New Brunswick, including one in Maine that shares a drainage with the province.

John Bagnall, Vice President of the N.B. Salmon Council, believes the funding will mean something to their affiliates.

“There’s about $2 million for this year [available for grants], so there’s quite a bit of money for the next four years coming up, and they will be able to apply for funding,” said Bagnall.

The tens of millions will go towards habitat, research and monitoring, improving fish passage at culverts, and making possible collaborations between Indigenous groups and other affiliates.

Bagnall says that although the funding will help groups in the area, he thinks the federal government is missing key priorities.

“The $82 million could, if it was spent right, do a lot. I do not want to be greedy, it could do a lot for salmon, but I think they’re missing priorities,” he said.

The VP sees two issues that should be priorities surrounding the future of Atlantic salmon: striped bass and hatcheries.

“Striped bass are overwhelming the Miramichi River and other rivers in the Gulf region that flow into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The priority should be to control the striped bass so they’re not predating the smolts as they go out into the high seas and allow returns from the ocean so that we can get rebuilding of the Miramichi salmon stock, and they’re also affecting the Restigouche now,” said Bagnall.

He says controlling striped bass would not require funding and could be done by increasing the number of fish that can be caught annually by First Nation fisheries, which currently sits around 200,000, according to Bagnall.

“Striped bass is a wonderful commercial species and First Nations have the right to catch those fish, they’ve just got to be given the opportunity to get them every year, 300 to 350,000 would be better, so we can get striped bass down to 100,000 which would allow for the rebuilding of the Miramichi salmon stock and would keep the fish from going up into the Restigouche where they’re eating juvenile fish.”

Hatchery support, or smolt-to-adult supplementation, is when wild smolts are grown out of the hatchery (in this case, salmon) into adults and released into the wild, which allows for further spawning in waters. Bagnall says there are ways to do this without creating genetic problems and could rapidly rebuild the stocks as long as bass are controlled.

The Miramichi represents over half of the juvenile production habitat out of all the salmon rivers in the Gulf region. If striped bass are not contained, the salmon population will continue to dwindle and could reach a point of depressed population phenomena, which, according to Bagnall, could result in losing salmon in the entire region.

“It’s getting very serious, and we’d like the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to establish a new reference point way below the 547,000 bass that presently exist, like 50,000 or similar, and have a target of 100,000 spawning bass that is compatible with the sustainability of the Miramichi, and will protect other rivers too,” said Bagnall. “We’re in serious difficulty, and there’s a lot of denial out there.”

He says that fisheries could be curtailed if the number of spawning bass drops below 547,000. The spawn target is currently 730,000 striped bass, which Bagnall believes is unreasonable.

“In 2024, it was a disaster, 5,500 salmon came back to the whole Miramichi. There used to be 80,000 in the past, and there’s been over 100,000. Last year was a little better, 7000 according to my calculations,” said Bagnall. “Trouble is last year, a vast majority were grills, or males. The big game in salmon management is to get egg deposition into the gravel so you can get fry, parr and smolts. Maybe this year there’ll be more multi-sea winter fish, in other words, the big female salmon, hopefully.”

Bagnall says the region is in trouble and needs hatcheries. Groups have an application into DFO to conduct a 4,500 smolt-to-adult supplementation program and are waiting for approval, according to the VP.

“These hatcheries are important tools and [the DFO] doesn’t seem to realize the importance of them,” he said.

Premir Susan Holt

N.B. Premier on trade mission to India with PM

, , ,

New Brunswick’s Premier will join Prime Minister Mark Carney on a trade mission to India.

The mission to the Indo-Pacific region will include stops in Mumbai and New Delhi.

Susan Holt will join the entourage in their efforts to strengthen trade, attract investment and form more partnerships in areas including technology, manufacturing, forestry and education.

India is one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies and an increasingly important partner for New Brunswick. In 2024, New Brunswick exported about $190 million in goods and services to India.

“India represents a significant opportunity for New Brunswick businesses, institutions and workers,” said Holt. “As we look at diversifying our markets in the face of President Trump’s illegal tariffs, we’re perfectly positioned to build on the relationships New Brunswick has in India. Working alongside the prime minister and our federal partners, we can diversify our markets, strengthen long-term relationships and create new opportunities for growth here at home.”

The team will be in India from February 26 to March 1.

Mark Carney Oct 23 2025

Mark Carney announces new EV strategy to support Canadian economy

, , , ,

Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Martinrea, an auto parts manufacturing facility in Vaughan, Ontario, to announce the federal government’s new automotive strategy.

The strategy aims to drive down emissions by more than doubling the strictness of Canada’s vehicle greenhouse gas emissions standards for new vehicles.

By 2035, Carney is targeting 75 percent of new cars sold in Canada to be electric. By 2040, the hope is 90 percent.

“The more stringent emissions standards focus on results that matter to Canadians, while avoiding placing undue burdens on the Canadian auto industry,” said Carney.

The federal government will dedicate $3 billion from the strategic response fund and $100 million from the regional tariff response initiative to help businesses respond to trade disruptions, help pivot operations, retool plants to increase productivity, invest in advanced manufacturing, and expand into new markets.

The Canadian government will leverage these investments to maximize opportunities for Canadian suppliers, including steel and aluminum.

“In a strong domestic market – and we have a strong domestic market – we can buy what we build,” said Carney before announcing the launch of a new $2.3 billion program that incentivizes the purchase or lease of electric vehicles.

The program offers up to $5,000 for electric vehicles and up to $2,500 for plug-in hybrids.

The vehicles will have to be priced under $50,000 and be made by countries with which Canada has free trade agreements to qualify for the incentive. This does not include a country like China, which is under a recent agreement to import and sell vehicles in Canada.

Canadian-made vehicles will not be price-capped for incentive eligibility to further support Canadian automakers.

The federal government also wants to make EV charging easier and more convenient.

“We are developing a new national charging infrastructure through $1.5 billion of investment through the Canadian infrastructure bank. So, wherever you live in Canada, charging your vehicle should become as simple as filling your gas tank.”

Carney assures that Canada continues to favour a zero-tariff regime with the United States and autos. However, if the US insists on auto tariffs during the CUSMA review, Carney says the federal government will ensure that companies selling vehicles in Canada are strongly incentivized to produce in Canada.

“To support this objective, we will explore strengthening our automotive remissions framework through a tradeable credit system that would reward companies that produce and invest in Canada.”

“We have a strong view that the most effective, strongest, resilient, competitive, affordable auto sector in North America is one where vehicles and parts continue to move across our borders tariff-free. That view is shared by the Detroit automakers as well, and we’ll be working hard to accomplish that. If that is not the case, we’re putting in place a series of measures for production in Canada for Canadians for exports to the world,” Carney said.

Canada’s recent agreement with China will allow a limited number of Chinese EVs to enter the Canadian market, fewer than 50,000 a year in a market of 1.8 million cars. This agreement provides Canadians with more affordable, energy-efficient options, according to Carney.

“As we transform our auto sector into a global leader in electric vehicles, we’re working to protect workers and businesses today so they can bridge to the economy of tomorrow. We’re providing additional income support to workers and employers through a new work-sharing grant, giving them the flexibility that employers need to retain workers and prevent layoffs.”

Carney said this income support has helped prevent more than 3700 layoffs in the auto sector alone.

“We’re breaking down barriers and working together across government, industry and labour with a shared focus on delivery.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney

Ottawa to bump GST payments to help with rising grocery costs

, ,

Your GST cheque is changing.

It will now be called the ‘Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit.’

Ahead of the return of parliament, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a 50 percent payment increase for this year, followed by 25 percent the next four years.

He says a single person currently receives about $500 a year.

“With the new benefit, that person will receive about $950 this year, and around $700 the next four years,” said Carney.

The PM adds it will help those who need it most with the rising cost of groceries.

“This will deliver hundreds of dollars into the bank accounts of more than 12 million Canadians.”

The changes go into effect this July.

Carney also announced $650 million in aid for food businesses.

Prime Minister Mark Carney

‘Landmark’ Canada-China trade deal to lower tariffs, bring more EVs

, , , ,

It’s being called a ‘landmark’ trade deal.

Canada and China have a strategic partnership in place, that will see up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles enter the country.

The tariff rate on the EVs will be lowered to 6.1 percent, down from 100 percent.

Half of those vehicles are expected to cost less than $35,000 by 2030, according to a release from the federal government.

In return, China will slash tariffs on canola seeds and get rid of tariffs on lobsters, crabs and peas.

Prime Minister Mark Carney says he’s extremely pleased.

“This will not only deepen our bilateral ties to the benefit of our peoples, but in my judgement, this will help improve the multilateral system,” said the Prime Minister at a meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping.

Carney announced the deal during the first visit to China by a Canadian Prime Minister in nine years.

The tariff changes will take effect on March 1 and last until the end of the year, and will unlock nearly $3 billion in export orders, according to Carney.

The PM adds, they’re building on the best of their relationship.

“To create a new one, adapted to new global realities, that will deliver stability, security and prosperity to people on both sides of the Pacific.”

The Canola seed tariff is expected to be lowered to 15 percent, well below the current 85 percent mark.

China is Canada’s second-largest export market.

Meanwhile, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre says Carney has to explain how China went from being Canada’s ‘biggest security threat’ to this strategic partnership.

He says the agreement jeopardizes security and auto jobs.

Poilievre says there’s no guarantee that tariffs on canola and other good will be permanently eliminated, while farmers still have a 25 percent tariff on pork.

carney ukraine

PM Carney speaks with Ukrainian president in Halifax

, , ,

Prime Minister Mark Carney is meeting the President of Ukraine in Halifax

He’s talking with Volodymyr Zelenskyy Saturday afternoon.

The two world leaders spoke with reporters ahead of the meeting.

“Under president Zelenskyy’s leadership, we have the conditions, the possibility for a just and lasting peace, but that requires a willing Russia,” said Prime Minister Carney.

The attack we saw in Kyiv overnight, it shows how important it is to stand with Ukraine during this difficult time, and that we create the conditions for lasting peace and a true reconstruction.”

The two spoke on Boxing Day by phone, the Prime Minister’s office says they discussed the latest development in ongoing peace talks to end the Ukraine-Russia war, which has been on since 2022.

Carney commended Zelenskyy for his ‘continued efforts to secure a just and lasting peace for the people of Ukraine.’

Carney’s office say they remain engaged, and affirmed Canada’s commitment to Ukraine.

Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday to discuss a 20-point plan for peace.

Ford Carney DEC 18

Ontario signs agreement with federal government to speed up Ring of Fire development

, ,

Projects in Ontario will no longer require assessments from both the province and the federal government.

A new agreement is promising to eliminate duplicative processes in situations where a project might have, for example, required an environmental assessment at both the provincial and federal levels.

The agreement was announced by Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Mark Carney in a joint press conference in Ottawa on Thursday.

Prime Minister Carney says the agreement will allow approvals to be more flexible and efficient, “while maintaining both federal and provincial standards.”

Premier Doug Ford is framing the agreement as the final piece of the province’s new “One Project, One Process” framework, adding “One Decision” as an addition to the new concept.

“It’s time for Canada to build big things again,” Ford says.

The premier also characterizes the new agreement as the last step in unlocking the Ring of Fire for development, having now made agreements with the Aroland, Webequie, and Marten Falls First Nations.

The Ring of Fire is a region to the northeast of Thunder Bay, rich in critical minerals that are needed in modern technologies such as computers and electric vehicles.

The Premier states that opening the Ring of Fire to development could grow the Ontario economy by $22 billion and create 70,000 jobs.

Critically, the Premier is promising that with this agreement in place, shovels could be in the ground in the Ring of Fire in June.

The premier’s agreement with Carney could also see developments sped up in other parts of the province for projects such as roads and bridges.

The news is being greeted positively by the Northern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA): “Reducing duplication between federal and provincial processes is a common-sense step that provides certainty, improves timelines, and helps move nation-building projects forward,” says NOMA president Rick Dumas. “The Ring of Fire represents a generational opportunity for Northern Ontario, Ontario, and Canada—and this agreement helps unlock that potential.”

Mark Carney_CPAC_UK Reporter Meet

Major test for Carney government: final budget vote happens Monday night

, , , , , , , , ,

In just a few hours, the government will decide the fate of Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberals.

The minority government needs some opposition support to pass their proposed federal budget—and to avoid another federal election.

Recently a Conservative MP resigned his seat and another joined the Liberals.

That means they only need two opposition members to abstain or vote in favour.

Green leader Elizabeth May will vote yes to avoid an election, according to reports. However, it is unclear what the NDP will do.

If the budget does not pass, it will likely send us back to the polls.

The vote happens this evening.

Prime Minister Mark Carney

Feds, N.B. working on major project to be revealed Thursday

, , ,

The feds will reveal a major new project coming to New Brunswick later this week, according to the Premier.

In Fredericton Monday, the Prime Minister announced a list of major nation-building projects would be revealed Thursday, and Premier Susan Holt says one of those projects is coming to New Brunswick.

However, she would not give any more details ahead of time.

Holt and Carney sat down for a focused and productive meeting earlier Monday, she told reporters.

She says they covered a lot of topics, including defense, mining, energy, and more.

“We talked quite a bit about energy and how important energy is to growing our economy here in New Brunswick and beyond, and the various opportunities that present themselves in the energy space,” said Holt.

She added that the conversation touched on nuclear energy, exploring for critical minerals and developing renewable energy, including the large wind projects the province has put forward.

Earlier, in the day, the Prime Minister visited the Maple Leaf Homes building company, where he reiterated the federal “Buy Canadian” policy.

It includes $186 million dollars to purchase building materials in our own country.

Carney says it will put more of tax dollars back into our economy.

“[It] will put more of every public dollar back into our economy, creating good Canadian jobs, Canadian careers, using Canadian resources and benefiting Canadian communities. It’ll make a big difference for workers here in New Brunswick,” the Prime Minister said.

The Buy Canadian policy was previously announced in September.

Canadian Parliament

Liberals survive second confidence vote in House of Commons

, , , , , , , ,

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s budget survived another vote of confidence in the House of Commons.

This time, the Conservatives assisted the minority Liberals.

The motion came from the Bloc Quebecois to reject the budget, it was defeated 307-30 this afternoon.

Yesterday, the NDP, Bloc and Green Party helped the Liberals through a Conservative motion of non-confidence on Thursday.

A vote on the budget is expected to be held November 17.

Load More