Canada News | June 18, 2026 Trump Says He Would Prefer to See CUSMA "Terminated"

---

📰 Trump Says He Would Prefer CUSMA "Terminated" as Sectoral Tariffs Become Focus of Trade Talks

U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he would prefer to see the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) "terminated." The remarks came as all three countries continue trade negotiations ahead of the July 1 deadline. In response, Canada's Ambassador to the United States Mark Wiseman told a business crowd in Toronto earlier this week that "it's all going to be OK" and urged those worried about CUSMA's expiry to "take a deep breath" and "relax."

However, Wiseman also noted that the current focus of trade talks is on lowering or removing sectoral tariffs on steel, aluminum, autos, and other industries, rather than CUSMA itself. Canadian officials had previously expressed confidence that CUSMA would remain in place, but Trump's latest comments cast a shadow over that outlook. If CUSMA were terminated, North American trade would face significant uncertainty, with Canadian export businesses particularly concerned about the potential impact on automotive and manufacturing sectors.

Analysts note that while Trump's remarks have raised market concerns, the practical process of fully terminating CUSMA involves complex legal and political hurdles. Canada is currently pushing to reach a new agreement with the U.S. on sectoral tariffs in hopes of stabilizing trade relations ahead of the deadline.

— Global News

---

📰 Liberals Use Majority to Speed Up Legislation Before Summer Recess, Opposition Cries Foul

With the House of Commons expected to rise on Friday, the Liberal government is pushing ahead to pass key legislation while it can — but the legislative rush has opposition parties crying foul. In the past month, the Liberals have voted seven times to pass "time allocation" motions, which set specific deadlines for bills. By comparison, there has been only one other time allocation since the start of 2026.

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, who has been an MP since 2011, said the Liberals' use of time allocation and large omnibus bills is the "worst" she has seen during her time in the House. She told reporters Wednesday that she feels "democracy itself is disrespected. Parliament itself is disrespected," likening Ottawa to a "democracy theme park." Bloc Québécois MP Christine Normandin noted that the previous record for most use of time allocation will be "broken by the Liberals in a very short period of time."

The Liberals moved into majority territory in April and have been using their numbers to speed up legislation, raising broad concerns about the integrity of parliamentary democratic processes.

— CBC News

---

📰 Canada and Germany Deepen Critical Minerals Partnership with Joint Statement

Prime Minister Mark Carney and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met on June 17 in Évian, France, and signed a joint statement on strengthening critical minerals supply chain cooperation. The two leaders took stock of shared challenges in raw materials supply chains and agreed to cooperate closely on the issue, both bilaterally and within the G7 framework, stressing the need for industry to diversify raw materials supply chains.

Under the Joint Declaration of Intent announced in August 2025, Canada and Germany have already deepened critical minerals supply chain integration through a Canadian business mission to Munich, a high-level German critical-minerals delegation to the PDAC annual convention, and the launch of a joint supply chain mapping initiative to identify priority battery value chain opportunities. Building on this collaboration, both countries agreed to advance critical mineral supply chain resiliency, targeting capital investments by the end of 2026.

This partnership marks an elevated role for Canada in Europe's critical minerals supply chain and brings new development opportunities for Canada's mining and resource sectors.

— Prime Minister of Canada

---

📰 Gun Control Advocacy Groups Urge PM Carney to Implement Long-Awaited Protection Measure

A women's advocacy organization and several groups supporting gun control are jointly pressuring Prime Minister Mark Carney to implement a long-promised but yet-to-be-enacted firearm protection measure. The groups say the measure is critical for preventing firearm misuse in domestic violence situations and emphasize that the government already has sufficient legal and policy foundations to advance this reform.

Advocates point out that the measure has been under policy discussion for an extended period without visible action. They are calling on the Prime Minister to make a clear commitment before Parliament rises for the summer, as the legislative window could face further delays once the House dissolves. A series of firearm-related domestic violence incidents across Canada in recent years has heightened public calls for stronger gun control.

The Prime Minister's Office has not yet issued a formal response, but sources indicate that the cabinet is evaluating the possibility of passing relevant executive orders before the recess. Gun control remains a highly sensitive political issue in Canada, with urban voters broadly supporting stronger measures while rural constituencies tend to favour protecting the rights of lawful gun owners.

— The Canadian Press

---

📰 OPP Holds Police Funeral for Constable Tarun Bali, Public Invited to Observe Procession

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is holding a police funeral on Thursday, June 18, for Provincial Constable Tarun Bali at the Mississauga Sports and Entertainment Centre. The 29-year-old officer died in the line of duty. While the funeral service will not be open to the general public, the OPP says people can observe the funeral cortège as it travels west on Highway 407 from Thornhill to the venue.

The OPP is also providing a livestream of the service on YouTube beginning at 8:45 a.m. for those wishing to pay their respects remotely. The public is encouraged to gather at safe locations along the procession route to honour the fallen officer.

Bali's death has once again drawn attention to the safety and risks faced by front-line law enforcement officers. Police associations across Canada have been calling for enhanced protections and support for officers in recent years.

— The Canadian Press

---

📰 Davies Cleared to Play as Canada Chases First World Cup Win Against Qatar in Vancouver

Canadian men's soccer team captain Alphonso Davies has received the green light to play in today's World Cup match against Qatar in Vancouver. The match is a crucial fixture for Canada in this World Cup campaign, with the team pushing hard to secure the nation's first-ever World Cup victory.

Davies' fitness had been uncertain leading up to the match. His presence on the field will provide a massive boost to Canada's performance on both ends. As one of the world's top left-backs, Davies' stellar performances with Bayern Munich have made him the undisputed core of the Canadian squad. Vancouver, as one of the host cities for this World Cup, has seen tremendous fan enthusiasm, with match tickets sold out well in advance.

This marks Canada's return to the World Cup stage after many years. The team has shown impressive progress under its head coach, with multiple players in the young squad having accumulated extensive experience in top European leagues.

— CTV News

---

📰 B.C. Water Park Incident: Initial Probe Finds Multiple Electrical Non-Compliances

A preliminary investigation by Technical Safety BC (TSBC) into the electrical incident at Cultus Lake Waterpark has found multiple "electrical non-compliances" at the site. On Monday, twelve children aged 12 to 13 were sent to hospital after receiving electrical shocks while in a water slide queuing area — two of them were transported by air ambulance.

TSBC says the victims suffered "electrical shock and burn injuries." The preliminary information indicates that multiple guests made contact with an electrified metal railing in the slide waiting area. The water park remains closed indefinitely pending further investigation. Parents of several injured children have spoken to media about the frightening experience, with one father saying he "feared the worst" when he received the call.

The incident has sparked widespread public discussion about amusement park safety regulation. TSBC says a comprehensive investigation is underway to determine the exact cause and assign accountability.

— CBC News

---

📰 B.C. Becomes First Province to Allow Retail Sales of Non-Prescription Hearing Aids

British Columbia has become the first province in Canada to allow retail and online sales of non-prescription hearing aids, following approval by Health Canada. The move aims to improve accessibility and affordability of hearing devices for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.

Previously, Canadians were required to purchase hearing aids through licensed audiologists or hearing instrument specialists, which increased costs and limited access for residents in remote areas. The new policy allows pharmacies, electronics retailers, and e-commerce platforms to directly sell Health Canada-certified non-prescription hearing aids, expected to significantly lower consumer costs while expanding market reach.

Hearing health advocates have welcomed the move, saying it will help millions of Canadians who suffer from mild hearing loss but have delayed seeking treatment. With Canada's aging population, the number of people with hearing loss continues to grow, making over-the-counter hearing aid sales a significant public health advancement.

— St. Catharines Standard

---

📰 B.C. Faces "Near Certainty" of Hotter Summer with Aggressive Wildfire Season

B.C. officials are warning that a "near certainty" of a hotter than normal summer, combined with ongoing drought conditions, could lead to an aggressive wildfire season, particularly in the southern Interior and South Coast regions. Neal McLoughlin, superintendent of B.C. Wildfire Service's predictive services unit, said current drought conditions are worse than they were heading into the "historic" wildfire years of 2017, 2018, and 2021.

Above-average drought conditions currently affect the Chilcotin, Lower Thompson, Okanagan, Vancouver Island, and northeast regions of B.C. McLoughlin said the amount of rain needed to mitigate drought conditions is unlikely this summer and recommended residents prepare for a busy wildfire season. He also warned that large-scale lightning events could "quickly overwhelm" initial attack crews.

The provincial government has urged residents to remain vigilant, prepare evacuation plans, and assemble emergency kits. At the same time, calls are growing for the federal government to establish a dedicated emergency management agency, a discussion reinforced by a recent Senate report on forest fires.

— CBC News

---

📰 Alberta Tests AI-Powered Cameras for Early Wildfire Detection

Alberta utility company AltaLink is testing AI-powered wildfire detection cameras in the Kananaskis area — technology that can automatically detect smoke and alert staff to potential fire starts. Two AI cameras have been installed north of Kananaskis Village and just west of Canmore, two locations considered among the highest wildfire risk areas along the utility's existing camera network.

AltaLink operates 17 cameras along its power infrastructure across the province, which staff previously had to manually monitor for wildfire hazards. The new AI system automatically scans camera feeds for possible wildfire signs before sending alerts to staff for review. According to AltaLink, roughly 10 per cent of wildfires in Alberta are linked to utility infrastructure.

As Alberta's wildfire seasons become increasingly destructive, utilities are actively exploring ways to reduce wildfire risk around power infrastructure. AI-powered wildfire detection cameras are being increasingly deployed across western North America, becoming a new tool for communities facing growing wildfire threats.

— CBC News