Canada opposes U.S. suggestion to post troops along the Canadian border to intercept immigrants

   Canada column for Sunday, March 29/20

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Canadian leaders reacted with anger over a suggestion the United States was considering sending troops to the Canada-U.S. border to intercept illegal migrants.

   The idea – said to be no longer considered and in response to the coronavirus pandemic – was to track down migrants before they crossed the border into the U.S. at unofficial crossings.

   It’s now a policy for Canada to return the migrants, mostly from Mexico, to the last country where they were before arriving to seek asylum at non-regular crossings.

   “Canada and the U.S. have the longest unmilitarized border in the world – it is very much in both of our interests for it to remain that way,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.

   “This is an entirely unnecessary step, which we would view as damaging to our relationship," said Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland.

   The two countries have a mutual ban in place on non-essential travel across the border, which includes trips for recreational purposes.

   Canadian health officials have reported more than 4,700 confirmed and presumptive cases, with 55 deaths.

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   The Bank of Canada has made its second 0.5-percent emergency cut in its trendsetting bank rate to boost the faltering economy.

   Bank governor Stephen Poloz said the new rate at 0.25 percent due to the virus impact will make lending cheaper, encourage people to spend, borrow and invest to help the economy.

   “The pandemic-driven contraction has prompted decisive fiscal policy action in Canada to support individuals and businesses and to minimize any permanent damage to the structure of the economy,” the bank said.

   Prior to the latest cut, Canada had the highest central bank rate in the developed world at 0.75 percent.

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   News in brief:

   - The Canadian government is offering numerous financial aid packages to laid-off workers and businesses coping with the virus outbreak. The emergency benefits program provides income support payments amounting to $2,000 a month for four months and changes to unemployment income benefits. The Child Benefit is being raised along with the Goods and Services Tax rebates and income support for up to 16 weeks to those who lose pay because of the pandemic. Details at canada.ca

   - Canada’s airlines are purging staff and services to cope with coronavirus-related impact and foreign travel restrictions. Air Canada has laid off 5,200 workers as it grounded hundreds of international and domestic flights. WestJet canceled flights and furloughed 6,900 workers while

travel carrier Transat AT laid off 3,600 staff. In the interim, the airlines have been retuning Canadians stranded overseas.

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   Facts and figures:

   The Canadian dollar has advanced to 71.49 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returned $1.398 Canadian before exchange fees.

   The Toronto Stock Exchange capped its first winning week since mid-February on Friday, closing at 12,687 points while the TSX Venture index was up at 388 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is lower at 77.4 cents a liter (Canadian) or $2.94 for a U.S. gallon, and hit 57.9 cents at Costco in Greater Toronto.

   Lotto Max: (March 24) 2, 11, 16, 18, 19, 20 and 25; bonus 5. (March 20) 9, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22 and 27; bonus 31.

   Lotto 6/49: (March 25) 3, 19, 31, 38, 45 and 47; bonus 48. (March 21) 6, 11, 22, 36, 37 and 45; bonus 10.

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   Regional briefs:

   - There are reports the acclaimed Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is on the verge of bankruptcy and exploring debt restructuring options. The family Montreal-based circus performance company has been forced to cancel shows because of the coronavirus outbreak. It regularly performed in Las Vegas and is said to be about $650 million U.S. in debt.

   - Atlantic Canada’s largest newspaper chain is temporarily laying off 40 percent of its staff or 240 workers due to fewer ads. SaltWire Network will also close its weekly publications and enact a reduced work week. It has 35 weeklies and dailies in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland\Labrador, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, including the Halifax Chronicle Herald and the St. John’s Telegram.

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Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com