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Ontario Halts U.S. Electricity Surcharge Amid Trade Tensions

  Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced the suspension of a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to three U.S. states—Michigan, New York, and Minnesota—following a diplomatic overture from the White House. The surcharge, introduced just a day earlier, was Ontario's response to U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum to 50%. The decision to pause the surcharge came after U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick extended an "olive branch" by inviting Ford and Canadian Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc to Washington for discussions on trade. The meeting, scheduled for Thursday, aims to address the escalating trade tensions and explore a renewal of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Ford emphasized the importance of diplomacy, stating, "When someone's putting out an olive branch, we sit back, we accept it—graciously, by the way—and let's start moving." While the U.S. has yet to retract its ta...

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Toronto Transit Strike Looms: What You Need to Know


Toronto commuters are bracing for a potential transit strike as negotiations between the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 113 reach a critical juncture. With the deadline fast approaching, here’s a concise overview of the situation.

Key Points:

  1. Strike Threat: ATU Local 113, representing around 12,000 TTC workers, has warned that they are prepared to strike if their demands are not met. The union cites issues related to wages, pensions, job security, and agency contracts.
  2. Midnight Deadline: The TTC and ATU Local 113 have until midnight to broker a new deal. Failure to reach an agreement would disrupt travel plans for the 1.3 million daily riders who rely on the transit system.
  3. Service Impact: Buses and streetcars are expected to finish service around 2 a.m. on Friday, while subway service will wind down between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. Wheel-Trans service for people with disabilities will continue to operate.
  4. Support and Accountability: Other unions and advocates stand in solidarity with ATU Local 113, emphasizing the importance of protecting TTC service and ensuring job security.
  5. Underfunding Concerns: Advocates highlight decades of underfunding as a root cause, emphasizing the need for accountability and sustainable transit services.

As the clock ticks down, Toronto residents are urged to prepare backup travel plans for Friday and beyond. Whether a strike occurs or not, the impact on the city’s transportation system remains a critical concern. 

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