A roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed...
Crews continue battle against Manitoba wildfires
Firefighters in Manitoba are still working to contain unmanageable wildfires, including an incident in the east region where a couple was found dead among the remains.
On Thursday at the Manitoba Legislature, opposition Progressive Conservative MLA Rick Wowchuck identified the victims as Richard and Sue Nowell, residents of the Rural Municipality of Lac Du Bonnet.
The remains were discovered on Wednesday.
As of midnight Friday, the wildfire blazing in the municipality—a favorite cottage region located northeast of Winnipeg—had grown to cover more than 4,000 hectares.
Forest fires in eastern Manitoba have prompted the province to declare a state of emergency in Whiteshell Provincial Park, giving residents until Thursday evening to leave the area.
The Alberta government has announced that it will be providing assistance to Manitoba in their fight against wildfires, with plans to send two wildland fire response teams along with additional support personnel over the next few days.
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Hoekstra and Haley to address B7 in Ottawa
World leaders and diplomatic representatives will gather in Ottawa today in efforts to navigate through the complexities of the U.S.-initiated tariff conflict.
The B7 conference in the country's capital is a collaborative event with the G7 summit scheduled for next month in Alberta.
This year’s conference is addressing trade uncertainty as U.S. President Donald Trump tries to reshape the global trading system through his tariff policies.
In Ottawa today, speakers include U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra and Nikki Haley, the ex-governor of South Carolina who competed against Trump for the Republican presidential candidacy.
The head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said ahead of today's events that trade is the "foundation" of relationships among the G7 and urged stronger commercial ties within the group.
'Trump factor' could swing gas prices: analyst
Gasoline prices often begin to stabilize over the Victoria Day long weekend as we approach the peak demand period for summertime travel.
However, Roger McKnight, the lead petroleum analyst at En-Pro International, suggests that the "Trump effect" could upend longstanding assumptions regarding fluctuations in gasoline prices.
In January and February, McKnight explains that refineries shut down for maintenance to transition to making summer fuels, which drives up costs until they reach their highest point around mid-April.
What customers observe at the gas station currently could remain unchanged for the coming warmer season. However, according to McKnight, statements from US President Donald Trump regarding tariffs and global affairs have the potential to disrupt the market.
He states that the impact of the elimination of the federal consumer carbon tax appears to remain steady following Prime Minister Mark Carney’s decision to scrap the fee on April 1st.
Small businesses prepare for potential Canada Post strike
Small enterprises and logistics companies are gearing up for a potential Canada Post labor dispute as soon as the following week, which they fear might put pressure on supply networks and halt millions of parcels along with billions of dollars in transactions.
Local businesses and online retailers have begun exploring different ways to deliver their products directly to customers—yet many feel disheartened due to ongoing challenges.
In Cape Breton, N.S., yarn store owner Tracy Hubbard mentions that she has started calculating the impact on her profits if she must switch to using a major courier service, as these companies generally charge higher rates for packages compared to Canada Post.
Jarrett Stewart, who oversees commercial activities at delivery startup GoBolt, indicates that a strike at Canada Post would result in an increase in customer demand. However, this surge would come with additional challenges if major carriers they depend on like FedEx and UPS limit their shipping capacities.
Alternative shipping firm Stallion Express warns that a labor stoppage could halt millions of dollars in online sales income and result in delayed deliveries of crucial items for people living in remote areas.
Gull-Masty states she received the 'hardest assignment.'
As the inaugural Indigenous individual to head the federal department tasked with providing services to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, Mandy Gull-Masty understands the significant challenge that lies before her.
However, the freshly appointed Minister of Indigenous Services is well aware of what it feels like to be on different sides of the table — having served as a cabinet member currently and previously as the grand chief of the organization that represents 20,000 Cree individuals in Northern Quebec.
Gull-Masty takes over an array of significant files from departing Minister Patty Hajdu, who held the position since 2021. These responsibilities encompass revamping the First Nations child welfare system and guaranteeing that communities have access to uncontaminated drinking water along with functional infrastructure.
Although Hajdu had a positive rapport with Indigenous groups, certain Indigenous leaders—who were disheartened by the sluggish progress in improving relations between the Crown and Indigenous peoples—criticized her for not doing enough to foster agreement on these matters.
As an Indigenous individual, I found myself taking on what might be one of the most challenging assignments, since every gaze is fixed on the first member of my community to undertake this role," stated Gull-Masty. "Consequently, the expectations will undoubtedly be substantial.
The report from The Canadian Press was initially released on May 16, 2025.
The Canadian Press
