Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Invokes The Emergencies Act

[Rick Plant]

Justin Trudeau @JustinTrudeau

Today, we celebrate the diverse cultures, traditions, and languages of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and around the world, and the contributions Indigenous Peoples make to our country every day:



https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau/status/1557016101455859714

[Rick Plant]

Justin Trudeau @JustinTrudeau

One year after this agreement, more families in Manitoba are saving money, more spaces are opening, and more kids are getting a better start in life. That’s what this policy is all about.

For more on the progress being made in Manitoba, click here: https://bit.ly/3JGfTHn

https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau/status/1557127962310447104

[Rick Plant]

Toronto police spent $7.6 million dealing with potential local convoy, figures show



Idling police cruisers on quiet residential streets of Toronto and out-of-service buses parked across Avenue Road, University Avenue and College Street were a common sight throughout February, 2022.

They were visual clues of a massive Toronto Police Services operation that ran from Feb. 2 to Feb. 27 in the snow-covered city — the force working to deter and discourage the kind of live-in protest or occupation that ground downtown Ottawa to a halt.

Figures obtained by Global News through a freedom of information request show Toronto police spent $7.6 million on its local operation to deter the so-called “Freedom Convoy” from occupying the city, and a further $1.2 million sending officers and resources to assist Ottawa police in both February and April.

The Toronto Police Services budget is approved by the Toronto Police Services Board and ratified by Toronto city council. The 2022 budget sits at roughly $1.1 billion.

On Jan. 28, a convoy of protesters descended on downtown Ottawa from across Canada.

The protest’s stated aim was to have all COVID-19 mandates across Canada removed, with the federal government’s vaccine mandate for cross-border truckers becoming the shorthand explanation for the group’s protest.

The convoy that arrived in Ottawa stayed in the city for roughly three weeks, occupying the area in front of Parliament Hill and some residential streets.

Blaring truck horns, musical performances from DJs and late-night parties were a constant in the capital.

The figures obtained from Toronto police show that between Jan. 28 and Feb. 22, officers were sent from Toronto to Ottawa to assist the overwhelmed local police force. More than $112,000 was spent on regular pay for Toronto Police Services staff, with $554,962 in overtime.

Toronto paramedics also cost $41,866 assisting in Ottawa, while Toronto Fire costs came to $22,100 for the Ottawa protest.

As the reality that the so-called “Freedom Convoy” was more than a weekend of protests set in, Toronto police began work on a multi-million-dollar operation to thwart efforts to occupy the area around the provincial legislature.

Police data shows a Toronto-based operation to manage a “trucker convoy” in Toronto took place between Feb. 2 and Feb. 27 — at a total cost of $7,636,988.

“While we do not disclose our operational tactics, we can tell you that in light of what transpired in Ottawa, an extensive amount of planning and resources went into supporting our operations on those weekends in order to mitigate any impacts on critical infrastructure, businesses, residents and roadways,” a spokesperson for Toronto police told Global News.

A particularly large police presence — marked by helicopters, police cruisers and heavy-duty machinery — was seen over the weekend of Feb. 5 and 6.

University Avenue was closed between College and Queen streets, along with College Street between University Avenue and Yonge Street. Queen’s Park Crescent, and parts of Queen Street West and Bay Street, were also affected by closures.

“Additional rolling and static closures in and around the downtown core can be expected throughout the weekend,” police said at the time.

At the time, Toronto Mayor John Tory said police were making preparations “because we all want to do everything we can to avoid the situation that we’re seeing in Ottawa.”

A significant protest and rally did take place over that weekend, shutting Bloor Street at its intersection with University Avenue, but protesters cleared by the end of the weekend, without taking up a long-term presence in the city’s downtown.

“Ultimately, the actions we took in an extremely dynamic situation, in partnership with our public and private sector partners, was successful in preventing unreasonable disruption while maintaining public safety and allowing for peaceful demonstration,” the Toronto police spokesperson said.

The vast majority of the public money used to avoid an occupation of Toronto ($6.8 million) went on overtime payments to police officers, with $132,299 categorized as benefits, the freedom of information figures say.

Police also spent $174,578 on tow trucks.

Ontario Provincial Police — along with officers from Peel, Barrie, Hamilton and Waterloo — were also used in the preventative operation. The information released under freedom of information says this cost came to roughly $545,539.

“Invoices and details have not been submitted or verified yet,” the information read.

The policing operation extended throughout the month of February, with regular road closures and a visible police presence throughout the areas around the legislature and downtown Toronto.

In April, when the so-called “Rolling Thunder” protest took place in Ottawa, Toronto police spent an additional $333,550 assisting police in the national capital.

“The support we provided in Ottawa, in partnership with many other police services across the country, also helped put an end to a very disruptive takeover by protesters in that city,” Toronto police said regarding $1.2 million in resources provided during February and April’s protests.

https://globalnews.ca/news/9048900/toronto-police-freedom-convoy-protest-policing-cost/

[Rick Plant]

Justin Trudeau @JustinTrudeau

Canada & the US have always benefited greatly from our integrated supply chains, and legislation passed by their House of Representatives today makes it clear that will continue. Now, we’re one step closer to Canada being included in a new US tax incentive for electric vehicles.

https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau/status/1558241922094972932

[Rick Plant]

U.S. Congress passes a climate bill that will affect all of North America: What you need to know

The bill contains measures Canadian miners and automakers have called a 'big win' for Canada

https://financialpost.com/commodities/energy/electric-vehicles/inflation-reduction-act-canada

[Rick Plant]

Justin Trudeau @JustinTrudeau

Germany and Canada are close friends, and later this month, I look forward to strengthening our partnership when Chancellor @OlafScholz visits Canada. Learn more about his upcoming visit: https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2022/08/13/chancellor-germany-olaf-scholz-visit-canada

https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau/status/1558571384204320768

[Rick Plant]

Trudeau and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to sign hydrogen deal in Newfoundland



Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are set to sign a green energy agreement later this month in Newfoundland that could prove pivotal to Canada's nascent hydrogen industry.

The German government on Friday issued a statement confirming the agreement will be signed Aug. 23 in Stephenville, where a Newfoundland-based company plans to build a zero-emission plant that will use wind energy to produce hydrogen and ammonia for export.

If approved, the project would be the first of its kind in Canada.

Germany is keen to find new sources of energy because Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to a surge in natural gas prices. As well, Russia has reduced its flow of natural gas to its European customers, prompting concerns about supply shortages.

Meanwhile, the company behind the Newfoundland project, World Energy GH2, has said the first phase of the proposal calls for building up 164 onshore wind turbines to power a hydrogen production facility at the deep-sea port at Stephenville. Long-term plans call for tripling the size of the project.

"There is a heightened urgency for Canada to step into this new market that's in such high demand," said Stephenville Mayor Tom Rose, who noted the province did not lift a moratorium on wind farm development until this year.

"We're poised now to be the green energy hub of North America."

Among the companies behind the project is CFFI Ventures Inc., led by Nova Scotia-based billionaire John Risley, who is best known as co-founder of Clearwater Seafoods.

As for Trudeau and Scholz, Rose said they will be joined in Stephenville by cabinet ministers and a delegation of German business leaders who will attend a green energy trade show before the signing ceremony.

Rose said Stephenville is an ideal place for a wind farm because the area is known for having a world-class "wind corridor." As well, the town has the means to produce the large amounts of water needed for hydrogen production because heavy-duty infrastructure remains in place from the Abitibi-Price paper mill that closed in 2005.

"It appears to be the energy of the future and the demand is very robust," said Rose, who was born and raised in the area. "We're stepping up when another country needs our resources."

The multibillion-dollar project was registered with the province in June and now requires an environmental impact statement.

In its proposal, World Energy GH2 says it is on the cutting edge of a new, green industry.

"The development of large-scale green hydrogen production facilities is just starting, providing (Newfoundland and Labrador) and Canada with the opportunity and advantages of being a first mover in the green energy sector," the proposal says.

"(Newfoundland and Labrador's unique geography, strong wind resource and proximity to large centres of demand, will make it a globally competitive green hydrogen producing region."

The company points out that the vast majority of existing hydrogen production relies on natural gas or coal for its electricity, which means it produces unwanted carbon emissions.

Meanwhile, the company says construction of its first wind farm is slated for late next year on the Port au Port Peninsula.

In Cape St. George, which is on the peninsula, Mayor Stella Cornect has said residents are worried about the project's potential impact on the area's delicate ecosystem, which includes rare and endangered plants.

On SaPersonay, the Prime Minister's Office confirmed Trudeau will accompany the chancellor on a brief Canadian visit that will include earlier stops in Montreal and Toronto, starting Aug. 21.

https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/trudeau-and-german-chancellor-olaf-scholz-to-sign-hydrogen-deal-in-newfoundland-1.6026866

[Rick Plant]

Justin Trudeau @JustinTrudeau

It’s official: @POTUS signed legislation that will include Canada in a new tax incentive for electric vehicles purchased in the US. This is good news for Canadians, for our green economy, and for our growing EV manufacturing sector.

https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau/status/1559648402408980480