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.

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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‘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
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

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
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

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
JOHN LONGHURST / FREE PRESS The Peace Train stopped in Winnipeg on Nov. 17.
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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
Claire Hutchings, co-owner of the independent Dilly Dally Kids toy store in Vancouver, is shown in this undated handout image. Hutching said nearly every supplier increased their price list this summer some for the second time in a year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Dilly Dally Kids-Jay Gough*MANDATORY CREDIT*
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Toy industry grapples with supply chain issues ahead of busy holiday shopping season

Brett Bundale, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview
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Toy industry grapples with supply chain issues ahead of busy holiday shopping season

Brett Bundale, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Saturday, May. 23, 2026

Ahead of the release of the Paw Patrol movie this summer, Toys “R” Us Canada and toy maker Spin Master Corp. did something rarely seen before in the toy industry.

They air freighted Liberty toys — the latest member of the animated search and rescue team — from China to Canada to get the new pup on store shelves in time for the film’s premiere.

“We really wanted to have Liberty available for our customers when the movie came out,” said Katrina Fyfle, Toys “R” Us Canada brand manager. "She was one that we put on an airplane in partnership with the vendor.”

The unusual step underscores the enduring difficulty of operating amid a pandemic and its related labour shortages, escalating material prices, rising shipping costs and lengthy delays.

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Saturday, May. 23, 2026