Canadian construction and union leaders say they’re frustrated over the continued use of foreign workers for non-specialized tasks at the massive NextStar EV battery plant project in Windsor, Ont., that’s receiving billions in taxpayer support.
Author: Robert Wood
Members of the G7 condemned recent actions by Iran Friday, saying the country has been engaging in transnational repression and attacks on political opponents in other countries.
The union representing Canadian postal workers is moving to end a ban on overtime work and will instead have members stop delivering commercial flyers as it seeks to get Canada Post back to the bargaining table.
The halt to flyer deliveries is set to come into effect Monday, said Canadian Union of Postal Workers president Jan Simpson, who warned of possible escalation ahead.
“Canada Post needs to get back to the table,” she said at a press conference in Ottawa on Friday.
“If Canada Post continues to stall, postal workers will have no choice but to consider stronger actions to move negotiations ahead.”
The warning comes as CUPW says Canada Post is refusing to talk until the union significantly changes its latest offer.
The union in early August voted down what Canada Post said was its final offer, and CUPW responded with its own proposal that the postal service said was a step backwards.
Simpson said the move away from an overtime ban came as the postal service has raised concerns about its impact on operations. She said she hopes the change will help restart talks and secure a deal before the lucrative holiday rush while minimizing the impact on Canadians.
“Our goal is to get collective agreements that are ratifiable before Christmastime,” she said.
Canada Post said the latest move to halt flyer delivery was a disappointment that will affect thousands of Canadian businesses that use the service.
“This latest strike activity will only increase the uncertainty that is having a major impact on the business,” said spokesman Phil Legault in a statement.
Canada Post says the gap between the two sides remains “substantial” after the union’s latest proposal maintained or hardened its positions on many issues.
“We encourage CUPW to come back with workable solutions that reflect our current reality and get the parties closer to a resolution,” said Legault.
Business groups also expressed disappointment in the latest union move.
Canadian Federation of Independent Business president Dan Kelly said there was nothing good in the latest union action as about 20 per cent of members use Canada Post for flyers as a low-cost advertising option.
“This is bad news, but even more than the loss of flyers, this inches us closer to an overall strike or lockout, and we are very close to the critical holiday season once again.”
A strike and lockout lasted more than a month in November and December last fall, ending only after then-labour minister Steven MacKinnon declared an impasse in the talks and asked the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order an end to the work stoppage.
While many might not be bothered by the loss of flyers, the Retail Council of Canada said it was very concerned by the move, especially as seniors and those in rural or underserved communities still use them to learn about potential savings.
“Canadians should not be caught in the middle of this dispute,” said Kim Furlong, head of the Retail Council, in a statement.
The impasse between the union and postal service comes as workers demand higher wages and other work improvements, while the Crown corporation has posted cumulative losses of more than $5 billion since 2018.
Kelly at the CFIB said that at some point the government will need to push through major reforms to make what is still a vital service for many Canadians and businesses a sustainable operation.
“They need to rip the Band-Aid off and get the major reforms made, and order the workers back on the job until such time as that is over.”
Simpson at CUPW said she was worried the government would indeed step in again as it did before in the Canada Post dispute and in many other times including for Air Canada, port and rail strikes.
“I’ve never seen more people on picket lines in my life, and this is because this government is enabling these employers to know they don’t have to come to the table and bargain collective agreements.”
— With files from Craig Lord in Ottawa.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2025.
Ian Bickis, The Canadian Press
Some West Africans who were deported from the U.S. to Ghana were held in “straitjackets” for 16 hours on a flight during which all passengers were shackled and given only bread and water, according to a lawsuit filed Friday.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington on behalf of five migrants, says passengers were awoken in the middle of the night on Sept. 5 and not told where they were going until hours into the flight on a U.S. military cargo plane.
The migrants have been detained for five days in Ghana in “squalid conditions and surrounded by armed military guards in an open-air detention facility,” called Dema Camp, the complaint says. Conditions are “abysmal and deplorable,” with tents for shelter and little running water.
The migrants are not from Ghana and have been told they will be sent to other countries that have been determined to be too dangerous by U.S. immigration judges — making it the latest legal challenge to the Trump administration’s practice of sending people to countries other than their own, including El Salvador, Panama, Costa Rica and several African nations.
The complaint, filed by lawyers for Asian Americans Advancing Justice, asks a judge to immediately halt deportations to their countries of origin.
“Defendants have enlisted the government of Ghana to do their dirty work,” it says. “Despite the minimal, pass-through involvement of the Ghanaian government, Defendants’ objective is clear: deport individuals who have been granted fear-based relief from being sent to their countries of origin to those countries anyway, in contravention to the rulings of U.S. immigration judges and U.S. immigration law.”
The Homeland Security Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The lawsuit was filed a day after Ghana’s president confirmed the arrival of the 14 deportees. Ghana joined Eswatini, Rwanda and South Sudan as African countries that have received migrants from third countries who were deported from the U.S., an approach whose legality has been questioned by lawyers and human rights organizations.
President Donald Trump has been aggressively cracking down on immigrants he describes as criminals and “aliens” from countries whose nationals have overstayed their visas in the U.S.
Lawyers and activists have said the Trump administration appears to be making such requests to the nations most affected by his policies on trade, migration and aid.
None of the 14 deportees were originally from Ghana and the five West-Africans who filed the lawsuit did not have ties with the country or designate it as a potential country of removal, according to the complaint.
Plaintiffs are identified only by initials in the complaint. Four are “in immediate danger of being sent on, within hours, to their countries.” One has already been removed to The Gambia and is in hiding, despite having “repeatedly stated his fear” of returning to his country.
Three plaintiffs are from Nigeria and two from The Gambia. The lawsuit says 14 West Africans were taken from their cells at an ICE detention center in Alexandria, Louisiana.
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Gisela Salomon, The Associated Press
By Tom Lawson and Stephen Saideman
Since 1992, the Vimy Award has honoured Canadians who have made outstanding contributions to the defence and security of our nation and the preservation of its democratic values. Named in tribute to the bravery of Canadian soldiers at Vimy Ridge in 1917, the award has traditionally recognized generals, colonels, diplomats and public servants whose careers were forged in the crucible of military command and strategic leadership.
This year, the Conference of Defence Associations Institute is presenting the Vimy Award to Michelle Douglas — a woman whose battlefield was not one of combat, but of conscience.
Douglas’s name may not evoke the same associations as past recipients like General John de Chastelain or Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire. Her career did not follow the conventional arc of military service in part because she was pushed out. Yet her impact on Canada’s defence institutions is profound, enduring and transformative.
In 1986, Douglas joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a promising young officer. She excelled in her training, earned her commission, and was poised for a distinguished career. But in 1989, she was dismissed — not for misconduct or failure, but for being a lesbian. Her termination was part of a broader, systemic purge of 2SLGBT+ individuals from Canada’s military, intelligence and security services.
Rather than retreat, Douglas fought back. Her landmark lawsuit against the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) led to the end of formal discrimination against 2SLGBT+ service members. Thousands of lives were changed. Careers were restored. And the military began a long journey toward becoming a more inclusive institution.
Douglas’s courage didn’t stop at the courtroom door. For more than three decades, she has worked tirelessly to support survivors of the LGBT Purge, advocate for human rights and help reshape the culture of Canada’s defence establishment. As the founding executive director of the LGBT Purge Fund, she has led efforts to memorialize this painful chapter and ensure it is never repeated. Her appointment as the first honourary colonel to the Chief Professional Conduct and Culture organization within the CAF is a testament to her continued influence.
Some may ask: does this align with the Vimy Award’s legacy?
We believe it does — resoundingly.
Defence and security are not static concepts. They evolve with our understanding of justice, inclusion and national identity. Douglas has defended the dignity of those who serve. She has secured the rights of Canadians who were once excluded. And she has helped build a military that better reflects the values we claim to uphold.
Douglas’s story reminds us that courage is not always found in combat — it is found in conviction. In standing up when others are silent. In challenging institutions not to destroy them, but to make them better. Her legacy is one of transformation. She has made Canada stronger through principle, and in doing so, she has redefined what it means to serve.
The Vimy Award has always celebrated leadership, sacrifice and vision. This year, it celebrates a woman who exemplifies all three of these traits. Douglas led the way to end the purge. By being true to herself, she had to sacrifice her military career. She has always had a very clear view of what the Canadian Armed Forces should be, and she has done so much to make that imagined future a reality. Her bravery changed the course of Canadian history, opening the doors to so many who wanted to serve Canada but could not.
We are proud to honour Douglas. And we are proud to expand the definition of national service to include those who fight for justice, equality and the right to belong.
National Post
Tom Lawson is a retired Royal Canadian Air Force general and the board chair of the Conference of Defence Associations Institute. Stephen Saideman is a professor at Carleton University’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs.
OTTAWA — Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson says The federal government is in discussions with Alberta and oil companies on the federal emissions cap for the oil and gas industry.
At a news conference in Winnipeg, Hodgson says both the province and industry agree with the government there needs to be a “fundamental change in the emissions intensity of the oilsands.”
He says they are in “productive” discussions on how they get to results, but will not “negotiate through the media” how that will be done.
He did not say whether the federal emissions cap would be cut.
The federal government last year announced it would impose an emissions cap on oil and gas production to lower emissions by 35 per cent compared with 2019 levels but it has not yet been implemented.
Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin says the government is still focused on the issue of climate change, and that they are reviewing feedback on the emission cap regulations.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2025.
The Canadian Press
A national CBC host who resigned this past summer, accusing Canada’s public broadcaster of “performative diversity, tokenism,” and of putting up resistance when he booked conservative voices on his show, has filed a human rights complaint against the Crown corporation alleging it discriminated against him on the basis of race, colour and disability.
Travis Dhanraj, the 43-year-old former host of Canada Tonight, who is of Caribbean heritage, alleges in a complaint filed with the Canadian Human Rights Commission that he was harassed and bullied out of his job.
“Mr. Dhanraj took on the role of host of Canada Tonight because, based on representations made by CBC, he would be the driving force of the show, booking guests, and reflecting the range of opinions, lived experiences and interests of contemporary Canada. He believed he would be able to shape the editorial direction and vision of the program,” says his complaint.
Instead, Dhanraj “quickly realized that diversity was not a true practice of the CBC and would never be a part of their agenda. Throughout his employment, Mr. Dhanraj attempted to push for diversity (particularly related to political voices on the show) and racial equality. However, Mr. Dhanraj was consistently met with resistance at every point, and a toxic work environment in which harassment, bullying, and retaliation went unchecked
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leading to his constructive dismissal,” the complaint alleges.
Dhanraj alleges that when he “attempted to book guests, particularly conservatives; he was met with resistance. After having the Deputy CPC leader on his show, he was threatened with discipline, including being pulled off the air,” according to his complaint.
“When the network aired an interview with the federal housing minister on Power and Politics, highlighting government talking points, Mr. Dhanraj’s attempt to book the conservative housing critic to present balance on the network was blocked.”
A CBC spokesperson said Friday that the public broadcaster has yet to receive independent confirmation that Dhanraj’s complaint has been filed.
“At this time, we can only reiterate in the strongest terms possible that CBC rejects his version of events,” Kerry Kelly said in an email.
“We are dismayed by these attacks on our hosts and newsroom leaders. We will vigorously defend against false claims, including allegations of political bias in guest selection.”
Dhanraj’s complaint alleges that it was apparent “that the CBC had systemic inequities, diversity issues, and unequal access to resources. Mr. Dhanraj quickly realized he had been chosen to host Canada Tonight because the CBC expected him to be the ‘token’ brown man. As such, Mr. Dhanraj requested a (diversity, equity and inclusion) investigation on February 20, 2024, but no such investigation took place. When Mr. Dhanraj met with CBC management in February 2024, he was sidelined. Management accused him of putting up a ‘crusade’ and he was told to ‘work within the system’ rather than challenge it. In other words, he was expected to put his head down and be compliant.”
After Dhanraj took to the social media platform X on April 19, 2024, writing that CBC President Catherine Tait declined an invitation to be on his show, he alleges “CBC began an intense investigation against Mr. Dhanraj to explore possible violations of its policies and journalistic standards and temporarily removed Mr. Dhanraj from the air.”
That removal and its associated “humiliation,” along with pressure to sign a non-disclosure agreement, “all took a drastic toll on Mr. Dhanraj’s mental health,” his complaint alleges.
“As a result of the CBC’s actions and refusal to address his toxic discriminatory and harassing workplace, Mr. Dhanraj had to take a medical leave in July 2024.”
That December he “returned to full-time hours after requiring months of treatment. Within the first week of his return, he was immediately retaliated against for not signing the NDA that CBC had tried to force him to sign before his medical leave. CBC permanently removed Mr. Dhanraj as the host of Canada Tonight and decreased his remuneration without the 30-day written notice stated in his contract, derailing his career,” his complaint alleges, which notes the Canada Tonight job paid Dhanraj “an annual base salary of $92,945.36,” plus a $43,000 top up, an overtime buyout of $10,000, and up to $10,000 in wardrobe allowance.
This past spring, his complaint alleges, “CBC once again attempted to coerce Mr. Dhanraj into signing an NDA. They erroneously claimed that Mr. Dhanraj ‘owed them’ $30,000 in ‘overpayments’ and attempted to weaponize this by trying to get him to sign an NDA and resign under duress while on medical leave by claiming that they would then waive ‘coming after him’ for the $30,000.”
According to Dhanraj, “he had no choice but to involuntarily resign.”
He’s seeking “damages for past and future wage loss as a result of discrimination and retaliation, in addition to damages for his pain and suffering.”
He also wants the CHRC to order CBC to “undergo a comprehensive investigation and review of its (diversity, equity and inclusion) and workplace harassment policies,” and ” implement a robust whistleblower policy to protect CBC employees … like Mr. Dhanraj who have blown the whistle on systemic issues of harassment, abuse, tokenism and intimidation.”
Dhanraj’s lawyer, Kathryn Marshall, said Friday she hopes to see a response from the CBC this fall.
She hasn’t put a dollar figure yet on what Dhanraj hopes to see out of the human rights case.
“His damages are still crystallizing,” Marshall said. “He actually is still being paid by the CBC because they haven’t accepted his resignation.”
Dhanraj “remains a unionized employee, currently on leave,” Kelly, the CBC spokesperson, said. “His lawyer has been aware for many weeks of what is required for CBC to process his resignation, however, CBC to this date has received no response on the matter.”
Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.
A judge on Friday released a heavily redacted document used to justify a recent search of the home of John Bolton, who was national security adviser during the first Trump administration, saying that revealing more could harm a criminal investigation.
The FBI’s search warrant affidavit said there was probable cause to believe classified information and national defense information were being illegally kept at Bolton’s Maryland home. Bolton has not been charged with a crime.
A coalition of news organizations had urged a judge in Maryland to unseal records related to the Aug. 22 search, citing a “tremendous public interest” that outweighed the need for continued secrecy. U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy Sullivan, however, said limits were necessary.
“The investigation involves matters of national security and highly classified materials to which the public has no right of access,” Sullivan said.
More than a dozen pages in the affidavit have partial or full redactions. The FBI seized phones, computer equipment and typed documents.
Bolton served for 17 months as national security adviser during President Donald Trump’s first term, clashing with him over Iran, Afghanistan and North Korea before being fired in 2019. He has subsequently criticized Trump’s approach to foreign policy and government, including in a 2020 book, “The Room Where it Happened,” that portrayed the president as ill-informed.
The search warrant affidavit says a National Security Council official had reviewed the book manuscript and told Bolton in 2020 that it appeared to contain “significant amounts” of classified information, some at top secret level.
When Bolton left government, “he stated that he did not have any notes or other records from his government service,” Ellen Knight, senior director for NSC records, told Bolton’s lawyer in another letter, according to the FBI affidavit.
There’s a line elsewhere in the affidavit titled, “Hack of Bolton AOL Account by Foreign Entity,” followed by multiple pages of redactions and no other details.
Bolton’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, has said Bolton had ordinary records reflecting a 40-year career in government and said the Justice Department was “under pressure to satisfy a president out for political revenge.”
Ed White, The Associated Press
QUÉBEC — A few dozen pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in Quebec City to denounce the presence of the Israel-Premier Tech (IPT) team at the city’s cycling Grand Prix event.
They are calling for people not to vote for incumbent Mayor Bruno Marchand in the fall municipal election, accusing him of failing to strongly condemn what experts and international organizations have described as genocide in the Gaza Strip.
The protesters said they did not intend to disrupt Friday’s race, unlike other groups who have blocked roads at European events.
Protester Marjorie Laclotte-Shehyn said Marchand should have refused to let the team participate.
She said allowing the team to participate is a form of “complicity” and “normalization” of Israel’s actions.
The IPT team is not funded by the State of Israel, but rather by Quebec-born billionaire Sylvan Adams.
The team changed its name and jersey to display only the abbreviation IPT and remove any reference to Israel to avoid incidents such as those that occurred at the Spanish Vuelta, where protesters blocked roads and caused safety concerns for riders.
On Friday, Laclotte-Shehyn was one of about 30 protesters who gathered along the Quebec City race route to protest the team.
“Why are Russians being banned following the illegal invasion of Ukraine, but you are allowing Israel to compete?” the doctoral student asked.
In a letter sent to Marchand, the protesters argued that IPT is a propaganda tool used to polish Israel’s image.
“I think cyclists are being used as a political showcase to whitewash a state that is committing genocide,” Laclotte-Shehyn said.
“We are aware that athletes are not politicians, but they still make a conscious choice to represent a state.”
Protesters also want to make their voices heard at the Montreal Cycling Grand Prix on Sunday.
Israel-Premier Tech has seven riders entered in the two races, including Canadians Hugo Houle and Guillaume Boivin.
Bikers4Palestine, Palestinian and Jewish Unity (PAJU), and the Divest for Palestine Collective have announced that they will demonstrate at the foot of Mount Royal, near the route the athletes will take.
The groups argue that the IPT team acts as a tool for “sportswashing,” a term used when an organization uses a sporting event to improve its reputation and cover up misdeeds.
Sylvan Adams is an Israeli of Quebec origin whose fortune is estimated at over $1 billion. A cycling enthusiast, he lives in Israel and is one of the team’s main sponsors.
Earlier this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his support for Adams because he refused to withdraw his team from sporting events despite protests from opponents.
The team’s other main sponsor is Premier Tech, a Quebec company headquartered in Rivière-du-Loup.
It designs a wide range of products, including automated systems for the manufacturing industry, products used in water management and sanitation, and agricultural products such as fertilizers.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2025.
Patrice Bergeron, The Canadian Press
Ottawa is bringing back its program to help Canadians make retrofits to their homes — this time with a focus on those who can’t afford them, it says.
