Canada in the Global Context

Please review each article prior to use: grade-level applicability and curricular alignment might not be obvious from the headline alone.

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Churchill’s future has looked bright in the past, then politics dimmed the lights

Dan Lett 5 minute read Preview
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Churchill’s future has looked bright in the past, then politics dimmed the lights

Dan Lett 5 minute read Monday, Nov. 24, 2025

The future of the often-troubled and chronically overlooked Port of Churchill and Hudson Bay railway looks exceedingly bright.

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Monday, Nov. 24, 2025

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A more comprehensive strategy for the Port of Churchill is expected to be unveiled next spring.

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                                A more comprehensive strategy for the Port of Churchill is expected to be unveiled next spring.
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The road not taken: lowest number of Manitobans in three decades cross border at Pembina in July, August

Chris Kitching 5 minute read Preview
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The road not taken: lowest number of Manitobans in three decades cross border at Pembina in July, August

Chris Kitching 5 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025

Many Manitobans appeared to skip U.S. road trips over the summer as the number of southbound travellers hit at least a 30-year low — excluding COVID-19 pandemic years — at a major border crossing south of Winnipeg.

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Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES

Fewer Canadians are driving across the border into the U.S.

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES
                                Fewer Canadians are driving across the border into the U.S.
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The benefits of national service

David McLaughlin 5 minute read Preview
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The benefits of national service

David McLaughlin 5 minute read Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025

“Build, baby, build” is the new mantra of governments across the country.

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Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025

Spencer Colby / The Canadian Press Files

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada is at a hinge point in history. A robust national service program could help boost involvement in and passion for the country’s affairs, David McLaughlin writes.

Spencer Colby / The Canadian Press Files
                                Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada is at a hinge point in history. A robust national service program could help boost involvement in and passion for the country’s affairs, David McLaughlin writes.
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‘We cannot waste any time’: Anand promises ‘action’ and reform in foreign affairs

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Preview
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‘We cannot waste any time’: Anand promises ‘action’ and reform in foreign affairs

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025

OTTAWA - Faced with escalating conflict in the Middle East, a collapsing global trade system and a department struggling to reform itself, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says she relishes the job of helping Canada navigate a turbulent world.

In a wide-ranging interview Thursday with The Canadian Press, Anand said her experiences in both politics and academia can help her streamline Canada's approach to global issues, allowing it to pursue its interests without losing sight of its values.

"How do you ensure, when you have these large departments, that you're actually able to execute? That is the heart of government. It's the hardest thing to do," Anand said.

"I enjoy difficult responsibilities."

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Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025

Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand arrives for a caucus meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand arrives for a caucus meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
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Peacemaking and Canada’s international reputation

John Longhurst 5 minute read Preview
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Peacemaking and Canada’s international reputation

John Longhurst 5 minute read Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024

For many years, Canada had a much-lauded and highly respected reputation for peacekeeping — it helped define our national identity.

It started back in 1956. That’s when Lester Pearson, then minister of external affairs, proposed the creation of a United Nations peacekeeping force to resolve a crisis in Egypt when Great Britain, France and Israel attacked that country after it nationalized the Suez Canal.

The introduction of peacekeeping troops, including from Canada, stabilized the situation and allowed the belligerents to work out an agreement to end the fighting. For his efforts, Pearson was awarded the 1957 Nobel Peace Prize.

For decades after that crisis, Canada remained at the forefront of international peacekeeping operations. Altogether, the country sent about 125,000 trained peacekeepers on over 50 peacekeeping missions around the globe.

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Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024

JOHN LONGHURST / FREE PRESS

The Peace Train stopped in Winnipeg on Nov. 17.

JOHN LONGHURST / FREE PRESS
                                The Peace Train stopped in Winnipeg on Nov. 17.

Winnipeg-based organization injects federal funds into innovative, women-powered business in Bolivia

Melissa Martin 13 minute read Preview

Winnipeg-based organization injects federal funds into innovative, women-powered business in Bolivia

Melissa Martin 13 minute read Friday, Oct. 10, 2025

With practised grace, Antonia Olpo slides down the bank of the long, shallow pond and plunges fully clothed into the muddy water. On the grass above, other women and their male helpers unfurl the net, stretching it across the pond from edge to edge, and let it sink below the surface.

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Friday, Oct. 10, 2025

Local leader Antonia Olpo (centre), along with aquaculture expert Álvaro Céspedes and fish farmer Marisabel Avendaño, helps pull in a catch from Avendaño’s pond. (Melissa Martin / Free Press)

Local leader Antonia Olpo (centre), along with aquaculture expert Álvaro Céspedes and fish farmer Marisabel Avendaño, helps pull in a catch from Avendaño’s pond. (Melissa Martin / Free Press)

Sweeping tariffs could be 3% hit to Canadian economy, even with carve-outs: report

Sammy Hudes, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Sweeping tariffs could be 3% hit to Canadian economy, even with carve-outs: report

Sammy Hudes, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025

TORONTO - A CIBC report says sweeping tariffs imposed by the U.S. could cost the Canadian economy as much as 3.25 per cent, even factoring in possible exemptions for the oil and gas sector.

An analysis published Tuesday examined four potential scenarios in which U.S. President Donald Trump slaps new taxes on goods imported from Canada, ranging from 10 to 20 per cent and with possible carve-outs for key industries.

Speaking with reporters on Monday evening, Trump said he's thinking about hitting Canada and Mexico with 25 per cent tariffs on Feb. 1.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said Canada would respond and that "everything is on the table."

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Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025

A CIBC report says sweeping tariffs imposed by the U.S. could cost the Canadian economy as much as 3.25 per cent, even factoring in possible exemptions to the oil and gas sector. President Donald Trump attends the national prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Evan Vucci

A CIBC report says sweeping tariffs imposed by the U.S. could cost the Canadian economy as much as 3.25 per cent, even factoring in possible exemptions to the oil and gas sector. President Donald Trump attends the national prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Evan Vucci

Canadian judokas Gauthier-Drapeau, Reyes win bronze at Tokyo Grand Slam

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Canadian judokas Gauthier-Drapeau, Reyes win bronze at Tokyo Grand Slam

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025

TOKYO - Canadian judokas François Gauthier-Drapeau and Kyle Reyes earned bronze medals Sunday at the Tokyo Grand Slam judo event.

Gauthier-Drapeau, form Alma, Que., finished with a bronze in the men's under-81 kg category when opponent David Karapetyan failed to show up for the medal bout.

“My opponent hurt his shoulder in the match before ours. To be honest, I’m very glad to accept the medal, but I would have liked to fight for it," Gauthier-Drapeau said.

"It always feels a bit weird when you take your bows and then it’s suddenly all over. There’s something missing."

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Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025

Canada's Francois Gauthier Drapeau, top, competes against Matthias Casse of Belgium in the repechage men's -81 kg judo match at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Canada's Francois Gauthier Drapeau, top, competes against Matthias Casse of Belgium in the repechage men's -81 kg judo match at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi