News

North American Trade War

It certainly has been a dark weekend in the history of Canadian/American relations.

President Trump slapped 25% tariffs on virtually all Canadian goods over the weekend.

The only exception was oil, which received a 10% tariff.

Trump claims the tariffs are in response to the state of our border. Specifically, the amount of fentanyl and illegal immigrants that are allowed to enter the USA from Canada.

When you look at the numbers closer, however, it doesn’t add up. Only 1.5% of nationwide U.S. Border Patrol apprehensions came from the Canada-U.S. border.

In 2024, the amount of fentanyl seized at the Canada-U.S. border amounted to 43 pounds. The southern border, by contrast, seized 21,148 pounds.

Prime Minister Trudeau has responded in kind by levying 25% tariffs on around $30 billion worth of American goods coming into Canada as of tomorrow.

Within the next three weeks, Canada will apply tariffs to an additional $125 billion worth of American goods.

Specific products being targetted include:

• Liquor, beer, wine & spirits

• Vegetables

• Clothing

• Shoes

• Perfume

• Household appliances

• Furniture

• Sports equipment

Further action could see Canadian energy sources be restricted or stopped, along with critical minerals the U.S. needs for manufacturing. Canada could also block American companies from bidding on government contracts.

Currently, Canada supplies about 60% of the crude oil that America imports which amounts to about 6.5 million barrels a day.

We also export enough electricity to power more than 6 million U.S. homes.

Provincially, the Premiers are also taking steps to retaliate:

• Ontario is pulling all American liquor and beer from the shelves

• Alberta Premier Danielle Smith supports Canadian tariffs on U.S. goods

• Nova Scotia is increasing toll costs for American transport trucks along with removing all American liquor and beer

What. A. Mess.

Daily Poll

Will you stop buying American?

Friday’s poll saw 82% of you saying we should be building more homes in Thunder Bay.

Today’s question:

Weather

Groundhogs Have Spoken

Canada’s two famous groundhogs have given conflicting reviews of what the winter is going to be doing.

Starting out east, Nova Scotia’s Shubenacadie Sam and Lucy the lobster saw their shadows, predicting six more weeks of winter.

In our neck of the woods, Wiarton Willie did not see his shadow, predicting a possible early spring.

Although based on the weather had Saturday into Sunday I call into question his expertise at this predicting game!

The next seven days here are showing slight snowfalls on Wednesday, Thursday and possibly Saturday.

It took a bit, but winter is firmly here, and quite frankly, it’s much better than a grey/brown winter!

Police

Two Charged in Hwy 61 Crash

The OPP is asking for assistance as it investigates a recent collision.

The accident occurred on Highway 61 South, near Loch Lomond Rd.

The police have charged two individuals in the crash.

A 19-year-old man has been charged with stunt driving and a 31-year-old man was charged with the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

If anyone has any more information, please contact either the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-222-8477 and reference incident # E250123791.

Farming

Increased Insurance for Farmers

The provincial government has boosted an insurance program that helps farmers survive unforeseen financial hiccups like price plunges for livestock or craps.

The boost is $100 million and is to be phased in over three years.

Participating farmers pay premiums based on their production and the amount of coverage they would like.

Could be good timing given the state of everything as of Saturday!

Forestry

Industry Bracing for Tariffs

The already shaky lumber industry in North Western Ontario is bracing for catastrophic outcomes from increased tariffs.

Softwood lumber currently faces a 14% tariff on lumber going to the U.S. An additional 25% would put them over 30%.

Sadly it gets worse.

Tariffs on softwood lumber are expected to rise upwards of 60%.

If that were to happen the assumption is it would wipe out most shipments to the U.S.

Ontario currently exports $7.9 billion of forestry products every year, with 97% of that going to the U.S.

The industry is looking for alternatives, such as selling forest biomass for creating heating fuel. But it can’t offset the entirety of the annual sales.

Indigenous News

Indigenous People’s Economic Impact

Numbers for the economic impact that Indigenous people have on Thunder Bay have been released, and they are sizeable.

The most recent data, which is from 2020, shows a $1.55-billion economic impact for Thunder Bay.

Broken down, the numbers include:

• $376 million - public administration

• $234 million - unidentified industries

• $232 million - construction & manufacturing

• $101 million - finance, insurance and real estate

• $86 million - education

• $76 million - retail trade

• $76 million - agriculture & mining

• $75 million - accommodation, food, arts, and entertainment

• $25 million - wholesale trade

The CEDC believes that in the four years since the numbers have probably increased.

Which they, and Indigenous groups, hope will begin to change the narrative from a negative to a positive regarding our Indigenous population.

They bring sizeable spending and support to local businesses.

Things to do This Week

Events In and Around the City

Name That Tune
Music trivia & beer!
Sleeping Giant Brewing Co.
Feb 5 @ 7pm-9pm
$ FREE

Young Frankenstein
Live theatre
Paramount Theatre
Feb 5-8 @ 7:30pm
$28

Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar
Live music
Shooter’s Tavern
Feb 5 @ 8pm
$ FREE

The Colourless Chronicles
Children’s theatre event
Magnus Theatre
Feb 6-8 @ 1:30pm; 2pm; 7pm (check with theatre)
$15

Sports Trivia Night
Trivia contest with prizes
The Outpost
Feb 6 @ 6pm
$5

Karaoke
Live music
Feb 6

• Royal Canadian Legion - Branch 5

• Howl at the Moon (Sober Karaoke)

• Norteños Cantina

• Polis Combatant’s Association - Branch 1

• The Waterhouse

• The Alley

Poetry Night featuring Musicians
Live poetry readings and music
Sleeping Giant Brewing Co.
Feb 7 @ 6:30pm
$ FREE

Follies: Time After Time
Musical theatre
Confederation College
Feb 7-8 @ 7:30pm
$10-$20

Live@Loch Featuring Cole Myronuk
Live music and skiing
Loch Lomond Ski Area
Feb 7 @ 8pm-10pm
$ FREE

Karaoke
Live music
Feb 7

• The Hodder

• The Social

• The Bar

• The Waterhouse

Black and Gold Party
Dance lessons and dancing
Norteños Taqueria
Feb 7 @ 10pm
$10-$15

TBSO Family - Saint-George’s Sword and Bow
Live musical performance
St. Patrick High School
Feb 8 @ 2pm
$13-$25

Karaoke
Live music
Feb 8

• Westfort Prosvita

• Howl at the Moon (sober karaoke)

• The Hodder

• Norteños Taqueria

• The Social

• The Bar

Home of the Day

165 Market St.

(Realtors if you want your home featured - send us an email: [email protected])

2 bedrooms
1 bathrooms
940 sq ft

$349,900

Cute little starter home with nice upgrades on a large lot.