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Canada Faces Pressure to Provide Safe Haven for America's Trans Community Following Trump's Gender Order

  In the wake of President Donald Trump's recent executive order, which mandates the recognition of only two sexes—male and female—there is growing pressure on the Canadian government to offer refuge to America's transgender community. The order, signed on Trump's first day back in office, has sparked widespread concern and backlash, particularly among LGBTQ+ advocates. The executive order, titled "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government," effectively rolls back protections for transgender individuals by requiring government documents to recognize only male and female as sexes. This move has left many transgender Americans feeling vulnerable and uncertain about their future. In response, prominent trans activists in Canada are calling on the federal government to update travel safety guidelines for trans Canadians traveling to the U.S. and to consider offering asylum to those affected by the new polic...

Canadian Manufacturers of COVID-19 Protective Equipment Sue Ottawa for $5 Billion in Damages

 

Canadian manufacturers who produce masks and other protective equipment to combat COVID-19 are pursuing legal action against the federal government, seeking more than $5 billion in damages. Their claim alleges that Ottawa misled them regarding the purchase and promotion of their products.

In a statement of claim filed in Federal Court, the companies and their industry association assert that the government made “negligent misrepresentations” that led them to invest in personal protective equipment innovations, manufacturing, and production. These misrepresentations spanned a three-year period starting in March 2020. The companies and the Canadian Association of PPE Manufacturers contend that the government provided misleading information about markets, direct assistance, flexible procurement, and long-term support.

The Canadian government had communicated through an initiative called Canada’s Plan to Mobilize Industry to fight COVID-19 that there would be new measures to directly support businesses in rapidly scaling up production or retooling their manufacturing lines. However, despite identifying masks and respirators as vital items for an airborne pandemic, the government did not contract with the Canadian companies, invoking a national security exception for procurement. Furthermore, in June 2021, the government allegedly promised a 10-year contract with the industry association and businesses to compensate for not purchasing protective equipment from domestic firms.

The companies claim that these misrepresentations resulted in approximately $88 million in investment losses and a further $5.4 billion in projected lost market opportunities over a ten-year period. They emphasize that this promise came from the highest levels of the Canadian government and was propagated across all relevant departments.

As the court case proceeds, the federal government will have an opportunity to respond to these unproven allegations. The manufacturers’ “special relationship” with the government, born out of a duty of care to small- and medium-sized businesses, underscores the significance of this legal battle.

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