In the news today: Federal rivals campaign in GTA, tariffs targeting Canada unchanged

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This article was published 10/04/2025 (212 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed…

Carney, Poilievre campaigning in the GTA today

The Liberals and Conservatives will be campaigning in the Greater Toronto Area today. 

Liberal Leader Mark Carney is set to make an announcement in Brampton, Ont., in the morning and meet with supporters and volunteers in Hamilton, Ont., in the afternoon. 

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre will hold a press conference in Milton, Ont., in the morning and a rally in Woolwich, Ont., in the evening. 

As of 2021, the population of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area was over seven million, representing almost 20 per cent of Canada’s population.

Trump’s tariffs on Canada unchanged

The United States is still imposing tariffs on Canada after President Donald Trump on Wednesday partially pulled back some of the most devastating duties against countries around the world.

Trump paused his so-called “reciprocal” tariffs for 90 days but kept in place a 10 per cent levy on nearly all global imports.

The president also increased tariffs on Chinese imports to 125 per cent. 

Trump’s change in course triggered a surge in U.S. markets following days of massive losses — but it’s not clear how the ongoing uncertainty will play out. 

A White House official has said duties against Canada were unchanged.

Canadian companies cope with tariff ‘whiplash’

Todd Rutter calls himself the “most non-tech person you’ve ever met” but he’s turning to technology and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic to help weather the dizzying tariff policies of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The Edmonton-based co-owner of A Cappella Catering Co. said inflated food costs as pandemic restrictions started lifting years ago nearly killed his 35-year-old company, and he has to do everything he can to prevent the roller-coaster of changing U.S. tariff threats from doing it this time.

The company has created a spreadsheet to track the cost of the 100 most common ingredients they use in case there’s a need to implement a “tariff surcharge” on customers to keep the business afloat, he said. 

Rutter said for his business, and many like it, margins are so thin that it doesn’t take much of a cost increase to spell the end.

Trade war means no Manischewitz wine for Passover

A syrupy sweet Passover staple will be absent across much of Canada this year thanks to restrictions on the sale of American booze, bringing the trade war to the Seder table. 

Manischewitz wine is a mainstay of Jewish celebrations and ceremonies, but it’s manufactured in New York so many provinces have pulled it from the shelves in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on some Canadian goods. 

As a knock-on effect, Manischewitz will be missing from many Canadian Passover Seders, which Rabbi Aaron Flanzraich said “seems to be becoming a symbol of the wider suffering and hurt that Canada is going through” because of the division between the two countries.

Four cups of wine are traditionally drunk throughout the Seders, the ceremonial meal on the first and second night of Passover, which begins on Saturday. Flanzraich said he’s “fielded a number of calls from congregants” asking him what they should use instead of Manischewitz.

Why Simons, Holt Renfrew won’t replace the Bay

When Hudson’s Bay revealed it was liquidating almost the entirety of its empire, some thought the selloff would be an opportunity for two of Canada’s last standing department stores: La Maison Simons and Holt Renfrew.

Because their size and product mix resemble the Bay’s at first glance, the rivals might have seemed like the most logical fit for the millions of square feet the Bay and its sister businesses Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks Off 5th will leave behind, but neither appears to want to take up the ailing retailer’s full mantle.

Holt Renfrew spokesperson Adam Grachnik said in a statement that the luxury retailer was “not considering” making a play for the Bay’s leases but “is committed to helping our colleagues with any opportunities we can provide.”

Simons CEO Bernard Leblanc similarly said his company has “no new announcements planned” but “is always up for a challenge and is carefully analyzing all potential opportunities across Canadian markets.“

Some Canadian schools suspend U.S. field trips

There are disappointed students, anxious parents and cautious school officials in at least two Canadian school districts that have suspended or cancelled trips over political uncertainty in the United States. 

British Columbia’s largest school district in Surrey has put all its field trips down south on hold to prevent any “negative experiences at the border,” while New Brunswick’s largest French school district abruptly cancelled a high school band trip as a “precautionary decision.” 

Mark Pearmain, Surrey’s district superintendent, said the city is “diverse,” with many students from different backgrounds, including some who may not be Canadian citizens. 

Pearmain said they’re suggesting teachers look for opportunities to explore “our amazing country,” Canada, including “beautiful British Columbia.”

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 10, 2025