Canada column for Sunday, Aug 29/21
THE CANADIAN REPORT
By Jim Fox
Canada’s now-paused military air-lift mission has rescued about 3,700 Canadians and others from war-torn Afghanistan.
They were relocated to Canada aboard military airplanes and included citizens, interpreters and their families but many have been left behind.
Canada’s effort to airlift those fleeing Taliban rule out of Afghanistan has come to an end, “until such a time that the security situation stabilizes,” said General Wayne Eyre, acting chief of the defense staff.
Most of the Canadian personnel still in the country left Hamid Karzai International Airport early Friday while some remained behind to support allies.
In a message to those remaining, Eyre said “be mindful of the security environment and where possible, take the necessary steps to ensure your security and that of your family.”
The notice from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said that “evacuation operations are done and at this time and no further evacuation flights are being planned.”
The government of Canada “recognizes that there are a number of people in Afghanistan, including Canadian citizens, permanent residents, their families and applicants under programs for Afghans,” it said.
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The ruling Liberals seeking re-election on Sept. 20 are in a statistical tie with the Conservatives at 33 percent in polls.
They’re followed by the New Democrats with 19.9 percent, the Bloc Quebecois, 5.3 percent, the Greens, 4.6 percent, and the People’s Party of Canada, 3.1 percent.
Support for the next prime minister remains close with Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau at 32.4 percent, followed by Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole, 27.4 percent and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, 18.1 percent.
A major issue has become proof-of-vaccine passports. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a billion-dollar fund to help provinces create their own documents to show that someone has been vaccinated against COVID-19.
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News in brief:
- A re-elected Liberal government would raise corporate taxes on banks and insurance companies as a new “recovery dividend” to raise $2.5 billion a year. Taxing Canada’s largest and most-profitable financial services firms would help pay for a promised multi-billion-dollar housing program. Those companies have recovered from the pandemic better than others, Prime Minister Trudeau said.
- Documents obtained by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. show the Ontario government was warned about visibility issues with its new-and-now discontinued much-maligned blue automobile plates. Recommendations were ignored to improve the readability. The expensive rollout led to the plates being discontinued after being widely criticized by the police and drivers.
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Facts and figures:
Canada’s dollar is higher at 79 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.26 in Canadian funds before exchange fees.
The Bank of Canada key interest rate remains at 0.25 percent while the prime lending rate is 2.45 percent.
Canadian stock markets are higher, with the Toronto index at 20,638 points and the TSX Venture index 885 points.
The average price for gas in Canada is steady at $1.38 a liter (Canadian) or $5.24 for a U.S. gallon.
Lotto Max: (Aug. 24) 1, 24, 26, 29, 30, 45 and 50; bonus 5. (Aug. 20) 2, 6, 21, 31, 34, 39 and 45; bonus 33.
Lotto 6/49: (Aug. 25) 1, 6, 34, 37, 41 and 48; bonus 21. (Aug. 21) 2, 9, 15, 21, 38 and 46; bonus 36.
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Regional briefs:
- The remnants of Tropical Storm Henri brought rain and wind to Canada’s Maritime provinces. The Canadian Hurricane Center said the storm slowly made its way from Boston and the U.S. east coast. While it didn’t bring high winds, there were warnings about rip tides along Nova Scotia’s Atlantic coast.
- Beekeepers in British Columbia are on the lookout for invading Asian giant hornets. A nest of them was found and destroyed along the border with the United States. Their sting is dangerous to humans as the bees can grow to the size of a small hummingbird and destroy honeybee hives. They were first found in Canada a few years ago on Vancouver Island.
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Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com
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