ACTUAL NEWS: Weekly Recap 🇨🇦 Edition
- Olga Nesterova
- 10 hours ago
- 9 min read
May 17h, 2025
This week in Canadian History
May 11, 1944: Canadian tanks from the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade supported the Allied assault up Italy’s Liri Valley, marking a significant step in the campaign to liberate Rome during World War II.
May 12, 1870: The Manitoba Act received royal assent, officially creating the province of Manitoba. This act was unique as Manitoba entered Confederation under Indigenous leadership, notably that of Louis Riel.
May 13, 1607: British explorer Christopher Newport established Jamestown, the first permanent British colony in North America, marking a significant moment in colonial history.
May 14, 1914: The first major discovery of oil in Western Canada occurred at Turner Valley, Alberta, laying the foundation for the province's future as a key player in the oil industry.
May 15, 1919: The Winnipeg General Strike began, with over 30,000 workers walking off the job. It became one of the most influential strikes in Canadian history, highlighting labor rights and social justice issues.
May 16, 1944: The 1st Canadian Corps was ordered to advance on the second German defensive line across the Liri Valley in Italy, marking the first time since 1918 that a Canadian Corps attacked on a European battlefield.
May 17, 1642: Paul de Chomedey, Sieur de Maisonneuve, founded Ville-Marie, which would later become Montreal, one of Canada's major cities.
Victoria Day, observed on the Monday preceding May 25, marks the official start of summer in Canada and honors the birthday of Queen Victoria (born May 24, 1819). It is a statutory holiday in most provinces and territories and is often associated with patriotism, relaxation, and celebration.
🇨🇦 Common Ways Canadians Celebrate:
Fireworks: Many cities and towns host large public fireworks displays on the evening of Victoria Day. It's often the biggest show of the season until Canada Day.
Parades and Community Events: Some communities hold parades, particularly in Ontario, where the holiday has strong ties. Local fairs, picnics, and block parties are common.
Opening of Summer Cottages: For many Canadians, Victoria Day weekend is the traditional time to open up the cottage, clean out boats, and prepare for lake season.
Gardening: The long weekend is often seen as the green light to start planting flowers and vegetables, as the risk of frost has usually passed.
Retail Sales and Getaways: Major retailers often hold "Victoria Day sales", and many families take short road trips or go camping to kick off the warmer months.
Though it began as a celebration of Queen Victoria’s birthday, today it’s a blend of monarchy, history, and the joy of summer's arrival.
Federal Politics
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May 12, 2025: Strengthening UK-Canada Relations
Prime Minister Carney held a phone conversation with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The leaders agreed to enhance cooperation in trade, commerce, and defense, and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine. They also discussed preparations for King Charles III's upcoming visit to Canada later in the month .
May 13, 2025: Prime Minister Mark Carney Unveils New Cabinet to Drive Urgent National Transformation
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the formation of Canada’s new Ministry, outlining a Cabinet designed to deliver on an ambitious mandate for economic renewal, lower living costs, and national resilience.
Fresh off a decisive election victory, Carney emphasized that Canadians voted for urgent change—especially in how Canada navigates its economic and security relationship with the United States. “This focused team will act on this mandate for change with urgency and determination,” Carney said.
The new Cabinet will prioritize:
Building a stronger economy
Catalyzing investment and raising incomes
Collaborating with provinces, territories, and Indigenous Peoples
Positioning Canada as the strongest economy in the G7
Highlights from the New Cabinet:
François-Philippe Champagne takes on a dual role as Minister of Finance and National Revenue
Anita Anand becomes Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mélanie Joly becomes Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
Chrystia Freeland is named Minister of Transport and Internal Trade
David J. McGuinty takes over as Minister of National Defence
Dominic LeBlanc will serve as Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs
Evan Solomon joins Cabinet as Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation
In addition to 32 ministers, the Carney government includes 10 Secretaries of State, each assigned to key policy areas such as children and youth, rural development, seniors, labour, sport, and crime prevention.
This new leadership structure reflects a shift toward cross-cutting portfolios—with roles that connect regional development with digital innovation, Indigenous engagement with economic planning, and defence with procurement reform.
Prime Minister Carney’s Vision:
“Canada’s new Ministry is built to deliver the change Canadians want and deserve. Everyone is expected and empowered to show leadership – to bring new ideas, a clear focus, and decisive action to their work.”— The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
With global attention on Canada's next moves—especially in the lead-up to the G7 Summit this summer—Carney’s Cabinet is positioned to blend economic credibility with political renewal as it begins its work.
May 16–17, 2025: Attending Pope Leo XIV's Inaugural Mass in Rome
Prime Minister Carney traveled to Rome to attend the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV.
This visit provided an opportunity for Carney to engage with global leaders ahead of the upcoming G7 summit in Canada. Notable attendees included U.S. Vice President JD Vance, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
During his time in Rome, Carney met with Prime Minister Albanese to discuss trade, cultural ties, and economic cooperation between Canada and Australia. The leaders addressed concerns over U.S. tariffs affecting both nations and explored avenues for renewed trade discussions with Europe .
NEW: Zelenskyy and Carney met in Rome
Phone Conversations with Mexico and Finland
Prime Minister Carney's diplomatic engagements during this week underscore his commitment to reinforcing Canada's sovereignty, expanding international partnerships, and preparing for significant global events such as the G7 summit.
World Politics
🇺🇦 Ukraine & Russia Talks in Turkey
Since Russian President Vladimir Putin declined to attend the peace talks he had requested, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke with Turkish President Erdoğan before departing to meet with EU leaders in Albania.
In Albania, President Zelenskyy met with EU leaders and requested increased pressure on Russia and adoption of new sanctions. He discussed Ukraine's EU accession and steps taken to progress the negotiation process.
EU leaders react to Russia prolonging the peace negotiations
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas: “Everyone wants peace – except Russia. Sanctions and political isolation are essential to keep up the pressure on Russia. That’s why unity matters more than ever.”
PM of Poland Donald Tusk: "The information was clear: the Russian side did not show goodwill, the Russian side was not willing to negotiate. The Russian side set absolutely unacceptable conditions again, not only for Ukraine, but also for all of us."
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, shared details of the upcoming sanctions package targeting Russia and countries that are enabling its actions.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian delegation in Turkey shared the outcomes of negotiations with the Russian delegation, which largely lacked a mandate to make any binding decisions.
Ukraine’s Defence Minister Umerov: “Ukraine prioritizes people. We agreed with the Russian side in Istanbul to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war from each side.”
He added that the second goal of the talks was to discuss a ceasefire, noting that both teams will exchange details following the establishment of initial terms.
He then called for the high level negotiations as the next step to proceed with.
Ukrainian Ambassador to the UN, Kyslytsya: "The pressure on Russia must continue; we cannot relax now. Many issues can only be resolved if the leaders meet. Given the complexity and that Putin holds the key to every issue, we look forward to holding the summit sooner rather than later. "
The latest from Ukraine
NEW: Trump to speak with Putin
President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday at 10 a.m. Eastern (1400 GMT).
"The subjects of the call will be stopping the 'bloodbath' that is killing, on average, more than 5,000 Russian and Ukrainian soldiers a week, and trade," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
He added that he would speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and various NATO leaders following the call with Putin.
The latest US news
President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Walmart should "eat the tariffs" rather than blame the import duties imposed by his administration for the retailer’s rising prices.
The White House and congressional officials are reviewing Apple’s plan to partner with Alibaba to bring the Chinese company’s AI technology to iPhones in China, The New York Times reported on Saturday.
A federal appeals court on Friday lifted an order that had blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from stripping hundreds of thousands of federal employees of their right to unionize and collectively bargain over working conditions.
President Donald Trump’s administration agreed on Friday to allow the sale and possession of devices that enable gun owners to convert semiautomatic rifles into weapons capable of firing at a rate comparable to machine guns.
The U.S. Justice Department is moving forward with plans to merge the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), pending congressional approval, Reuters reports. Officials from both agencies were informed the merger could take effect as early as October. The White House is expected to propose a consolidated budget for the two agencies in its fiscal year 2026 spending plan. However, current federal law prohibits transferring ATF funds to other agencies without explicit approval from Congress.
Moody’s downgraded the U.S. sovereign credit rating on Friday, citing concerns over the country’s ballooning $36 trillion national debt. The decision could pose challenges for President Donald Trump’s tax-cut agenda and may send ripples through global financial markets.
The U.S. Department of Energy issued emergency orders on Friday to address “critical grid security issues and improve grid resiliency” in Puerto Rico. The DOE also announced a review of $365 million in funding from the Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund to ensure the money supports practical, inclusive fixes to the island’s power grid. The orders will activate emergency protocols to tackle urgent infrastructure problems.
A Republican proposal to block states from regulating artificial intelligence for 10 years faced bipartisan pushback on Friday from attorneys general in California, New York, Ohio, and other states. The opposition comes from states that have already implemented or proposed regulations on high-risk AI applications.
Please find the detailed news summary in the Daily Briefing
Canada Kind
💖 Community Kindness in the Pembina Valley
In the Pembina Valley region of Manitoba, residents are embracing "Pay It Forward May," a month-long initiative encouraging acts of kindness. Community members have been participating by performing simple yet meaningful gestures, such as paying for someone's coffee, helping neighbors with chores, and leaving uplifting notes for strangers. This collective effort aims to foster a sense of community and spread positivity throughout the area.
🇨🇦 Community Kindness in Clearwater, British Columbia
In Clearwater, British Columbia, residents are participating in the "Random Act of Kindness Challenge" on May 19, 2025. This community event encourages individuals to perform unexpected acts of kindness, fostering a spirit of generosity and connection among neighbors. Whether it's helping a stranger, sharing a kind word, or volunteering time, the challenge aims to make kindness a daily habit.
Watch Now: "Made in Canada" – Celebrating Innovation and Craftsmanship
Dive into the stories of two remarkable Canadian businesses in this exclusive recorded interview series by ONEST Network.
Founded by Miriam Pearl, a dedicated mother and entrepreneur, this Montreal-based company crafts allergen-friendly, gluten-free baked goods that don't compromise on taste. With a commitment to quality and safety, their products are non-GMO, kosher, and free from common allergens, ensuring everyone can enjoy delicious treats.
With trade uncertainty impacting Miriam’s business, how will she pivot? Watch to find out!
Led by Sherrie and Dale Kearney from Amherst, Nova Scotia, this artisan business specializes in handmade tartan products, from scarves and blankets to clothing and accessories. With over 40 years of sewing experience, Sherrie combines tradition with craftsmanship to create items that are loved by many.
What are the latest additions to the collection, and what role does Scotland play in it? Don’t miss it!
Don't miss these inspiring conversations that showcase the passion and dedication driving Canadian innovation. Tune in now to learn more about these exceptional companies and their journey to success.
Did You Know?
Canada Has a Desert
When people think of Canada, they often picture snow-covered mountains, endless forests, and chilly winters.
But did you know that Canada is also home to a desert?
Nestled in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, near the town of Osoyoos, lies the Osoyoos Desert—Canada’s only desert ecosystem. Though it may not resemble the vast sand dunes of the Sahara, this region is part of the northernmost tip of the Great Basin Desert and boasts an arid climate, unique plant life, and rare animal species.
Temperatures in the summer often soar above 38°C (100°F), and the area receives very little rainfall. It’s home to rattlesnakes, prickly pear cactus, and other desert-adapted wildlife.
The Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre, operated by the Osoyoos Indian Band, offers visitors a chance to explore this unexpected landscape and learn about its ecological and Indigenous significance.
CARTOONS OF THE WEEK
TWEETS THIS WEEK
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