News
Copy by Lawrence Zwer – The Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference kicked off yesterday in Toronto. Ahead of the annual event, Prince Edward County Mayor Steve Ferguson said they’ll be meeting with Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Peter Calandra to discuss road works in the County. With Minister Sarkaria, they’ll discuss a proposed roundabout at the intersection of County Road 1 and Highway 62. They’ll also chat about the portion of Main Street that abuts George Wright Boulevard in Picton, as the County would like to see that part of the road downloaded to the municipality so they can deal with issues pertaining to that part of the roadway rather than going through the provincial government process. Ferguson said the state of County Road 49 always remains a topic of discussion but they won’t be chatting much about it at the conference. The County is awaiting word on whether the province will approve a $20 million grant the County has applied for for reconstruction work, and Ferguson is optimistic they will get it.
Chrystia Freeland has warned of the “existential risk” to Canada posed by Donald Trump, casting herself as a “battle tested leader with the scars to prove it” during the formal launch yesterday of her bid to replace Justin Trudeau and become the country’s next prime minister. Speaking at her campaign launch in Toronto, Freeland warned prospective voters that “the stakes are just too damn high”, boasting that Trump disliked her because she had been “fierce, resolute and effective in defending Canada”. Freeland took the opportunity to direct a message to President Trump, saying, “We are your neighbour and most important trading partner,” “But if the fight comes to our door, just remember we love our country as much as you love yours…. Canada will not escalate. But if I’m prime minister, Canada will never back down.”
Freeland’s official campaign launch at a youth club in Toronto was delayed by pro-Palestinian protesters who repeatedly interrupted the former deputy prime minister while her supporters chanted her name in response. While speaking to reporters, Ms. Freeland said she was cautiously optimistic about the ceasefire that took effect Sunday between Israel and Hamas.
Speaking of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, the pact was slightly delayed yesterday but came into effect just after 4.30am EST. It’s understood that three Israeli hostages were released by Hamas, while over 90 Palestinian prisoners were released by the Israelis.
President Donald Trump will likely be the focus of news around the world today, as the real estate tycoon is sworn in as the 47th President of the United States just after 11 o’clock this morning. While tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the event, Trump has broken with tradition and will be sworn-in in the Capitol Rotunda rather than outside in front of his supporters – this due to sub zero temperatures in the area.
A stack of actions designed to reshape government policy will be awaiting the new president’s signature as soon as he is sworn in — a dramatic show of force meant to set the tone for the next four years. In major metropolitan areas, immigration raids could begin almost immediately as the new president follows through on campaign promises to deport undocumented migrants. Inside jail cells, January 6, 2021, defendants will await word of pardons, which Trump has promised to sign as soon as he returned to power. And nothing is stopping Trump from fulfilling other Day 1 promises, including applying steep new tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada — a step that could send shocks through the North American economy.
Finally, some eggs sold in Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba and possibly other provinces have been recalled due to salmonella contamination. The recall, issued by Burnbrae Farms, covers Compliments, Foremost, Golden Valley Eggs, IGA, No Name and Western Family eggs with expiry dates of Feb. 16, Feb. 22 and March 1. The eggs are sold at grocery stores operated by Wal-Mart, Loblaw, Sobeys and others. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued the alert Saturday after testing results triggered a class 2 recall.
Sports
Big weekend in the NFL playoffs yesterday, as we get closer to the Super Bowl on February 9th. The Philadelphia Eagles won a snowy, action-packed game 28-22 over the Los Angeles Rams, thanks to over 200 yards rushing by star running back Saquon Barkley. There was less snow in Orchard Park yesterday evening for the Baltimore Ravens versus the Buffalo Bills and the two teams put on a proper slugfest, with the Bills coming out on top 27-25 after the Ravens failed to make a 2 point conversion with less than 2 minutes left in the game.
So the Conference Championship games are set. The Washington Commanders travel to Philadelphia next Sunday to see who will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, and the Buffalo Bills will travel to Kansas City to battle for the AFC title with the Chiefs.
It was a quiet day in pro hockey yesterday. The Ottawa Senators took their 4th win of their last 5, with a 2-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils. The Montreal Canadiens welcomed the New York Rangers to Centre Bell coming back from a 4-3 deficit to win 5-4 in OT thanks to a goal by Patrik Laine.
In the PWHL, Montreal beat Ottawa 2-1 in front of over 18,000 in Quebec City, as the league is playing neutral site games to evaluate expansion locations for 2026.
In the English Premier League, Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim delivered a withering assessment of his team after its latest loss, admitting it might be the “worst” side in the club’s storied history. United fell to a 10th Premier League defeat of the season on Sunday, losing 3-1 to Brighton at Old Trafford. “We are being the worst, maybe, in the history of Manchester United,” the United head coach said. “I am saying that because we have to acknowledge and change that.” The 20-time English champion is 13th in the standings and closer to being relegated to a lower tier of English football than winning the EPL title.