ACTUAL NEWS: Weekly Recap 🇨🇦 Edition

Olga Nesterova
Jun 21
5 min read

June 21st, 2025

This week in Canadian History

June 13, 1898 – Yukon Territory is officially created Carved out of the Northwest Territories during the Klondike Gold Rush, Yukon became Canada's third territory.

June 14, 1822 – Charles Tupper is born Tupper would become one of the Fathers of Confederation and briefly serve as Canada’s sixth Prime Minister in 1896.

June 15, 2001 – Canada's largest bank merger blocked The federal government officially blocks the merger of the Royal Bank of Canada and Bank of Montreal, citing public interest.

June 16, 1903 – Canada–U.S. boundary dispute decision In a major step in defining the Canada–U.S. border, the Alaska boundary dispute is submitted to an international tribunal.

June 17, 1987 – Canada signs free trade agreement with U.S. Negotiations between Canada and the U.S. take a major step forward, leading to the 1988 Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the precursor to NAFTA.

June 18, 1812 – War of 1812 begins The United States declares war on Britain. Canada, then a British colony, becomes the primary battleground for much of the conflict.

June 19, 1951 – First CBC television broadcast tests begin Testing begins in Montreal for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's first TV station, launching Canadian public television.

June 20, 1945 – Canada joins the United Nations Canada becomes one of the founding members of the UN, reinforcing its role in post-war peacebuilding and diplomacy.

June 21, 1996 – National Indigenous Peoples Day established First proclaimed by Governor General Roméo LeBlanc, June 21 is set aside to celebrate the heritage, cultures, and achievements of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in Canada.

This Week in the News

June 15: Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand held a virtual media briefing ahead of the G7 summit to outline Canada’s diplomatic priorities.
June 15: Prime Minister Carney met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Ottawa. They discussed Middle East de-escalation, UK‑Canada trade, and the CPTPP agreement .
June 16–17: Carney hosted the 51st G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, successfully navigating host duties, meeting Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy and NATO’s Secretary-General, and announcing major initiatives on critical minerals, AI, quantum tech, wildfires, and transnational repression.

I have covered the Summit in person live from Kananaskis. Here are the detailed reports: Day Zero

Day One
Day One News Briefing: https://www.onestnetwork.com/post/actual-news-briefing-g7-day-one Day Two
Day Two News Briefing: https://www.onestnetwork.com/post/actual-news-briefing-june-20th-2025
June 17: Canada and India restored diplomatic relations by agreeing to appoint new high commissioners, a key step toward easing tensions since 2023.
June 18: Political analysts commended Carney’s diplomatic performance, noting his skill in balancing U.S. dynamics and avoiding major disruptions at the G7.
June 20: Carney chaired a virtual First Ministers’ Meeting. He updated provincial and territorial premiers on the G7 outcomes—including the Canada‑U.S. 30‑day trade negotiation mandate—and emphasized unity on fast-tracking trade, infrastructure, and tariffs protections.
June 20: The House of Commons approved Bill C‑5, the “One Canadian Economy Act,” to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers and fast-track infrastructure projects. The bill now advances to the Senate.
June 21: A rockslide in Banff National Park tragically killed two people and injured three. While primarily a public safety incident, it touched on provincial-federal coordination in Canada’s mountain parks.

The Latest World News

On Iran

Israel and Iran exchanged fire for the ninth consecutive day, following a European diplomatic effort—dismissed by President Trump—that failed to make immediate progress in preventing the conflict from escalating into a broader war.
According to The New York Times, a day of talks between the European Union and Iran yielded no breakthroughs. An Iranian official stated there would be “no room for talking” until Israel halted its attacks.
At a tense U.N. Security Council meeting, both Israel and Iran blamed each other for the conflict, while their respective allies took predictable positions.
In a potential show of force, multiple U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bombers were observed departing Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri on June 21. Flight tracking data and voice communications confirmed that several bombers flew west overnight. The B-2 is the only aircraft capable of deploying the Massive Ordnance Penetrator, which is designed to strike deeply buried targets.
Meanwhile, the U.S. “Doomsday plane” was spotted flying over Washington, D.C. Read more here
Reuters reported that Israeli officials have informed the Trump administration they are unwilling to wait two more weeks for Iran to reach a deal to dismantle key parts of its nuclear program. According to two sources, Israel could act unilaterally before the deadline, amid an ongoing debate within Trump’s team about whether the U.S. should intervene.

On Ukraine

NATO abruptly canceled a planned Ukraine session at the upcoming Hague summit, reportedly due to changes in President Trump’s schedule (Politico). The agenda has been shortened, and there will be no formal communiqué—only brief statements outlining new commitments. It remains unclear whether President Zelenskyy will attend; so far, he has only been invited to the opening dinner on Tuesday.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte outlined new defense demands ahead of the summit, including:
- A fivefold increase in air and missile defense systems (proposed at 5% of GDP)
- Millions of artillery shells
- Thousands of tanks, drones, and ships
- Scaled battlefield medical and transport infrastructure

Spain has already vetoed the proposed 5% GDP spending target.

President Zelenskyy also revealed that during the exchange of fallen servicemembers' remains, Russia handed over bodies that included not only Russian passport holders but also a citizen of another country.

Other Headlines

Pakistan said it will recommend U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, praising his role in mediating the recent India-Pakistan conflict. India, however, denies that Trump resolved the crisis.
Microsoft suspended a European official’s email account at the direction of the Trump administration, prompting global concern over whether Trump could weaponize American tech dominance.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov announced he would leave his fortune to his children—over 100 of them, most reportedly conceived via sperm donation.
A self-described white nationalist and Nazi law student at the University of Florida, authored a paper claiming the U.S. Constitution only applies to white people. The Trump-appointed federal judge teaching the class gave him the highest grade and awarded him a prize. The university defended the decision.

Please find the detailed news summary in the News Briefing.

Canada Kind

Banff Community Responds with Compassion

Local volunteers mobilized quickly after the rockslide claimed two lives and injured three others. Nearby residents, including trail guides and hikers, assisted in alerting emergency crews and ensuring prompt response.

Parks Canada and RCMP conducted aerial and ground searches, supported by thermal imaging teams. Banff and Lake Louise communities provided logistical help, offering shelter, food, and coordination support.

First responders and community members gathered near the trailhead, laying flowers and providing quiet spaces for reflection. Many visitors were unaware of the tragedy until Banff locals welcomed them into this shared moment of mourning.

PM Carney extended official condolences, thanking Parks Canada staff and local volunteers for their relentless rescue efforts. This acknowledgment highlighted the critical role of local volunteers during crises.

Did You Know?

Canada Has Its Own Desert

When most people think of Canada, they picture snow-capped mountains, icy lakes, and endless forests. But did you know Canada is also home to a desert?

Located in British Columbia’s southern Okanagan Valley, the Nk’Mip Desert (pronounced in-ka-meep) is one of the northernmost deserts in the world. It receives as little as 10 inches of rain per year and features unique wildlife, rare plant species, and stunning sand dunes.

The desert is part of the traditional territory of the Osoyoos Indian Band, who have created a cultural centre to protect and share the land’s rich Indigenous and ecological history. It’s a place where rattlesnakes, prickly pear cactus, and sagebrush thrive—yes, in Canada!

So next time you think of Canada as just cold and snowy—remember the desert that proves otherwise.

Excited to experience Canada this summer?

Prime Minister Carney just shared some very good news.