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Ottawa Backs Down on Digital Tax Dispute Amid Pressure from Trump White House

Canada has reportedly agreed to delay its planned digital services tax (DST) following pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, according to a recent statement from the White House. The tax, which was originally slated to target tech giants like Amazon, Meta, and Google, had been a major sticking point in U.S.-Canada trade discussions. The White House claimed Canada “caved” to U.S. demands after months of negotiations, with Trump’s team arguing the tax unfairly targeted American firms. The Canadian government, however, framed the delay as a strategic move to preserve economic stability and avoid retaliatory tariffs. Critics within Canada argue that the government’s decision reflects a growing trend of yielding to U.S. economic influence, while others say the delay is pragmatic given ongoing global talks about a coordinated approach to taxing digital revenues. The issue remains contentious, and observers are watching closely to see whether Canada will revive th...

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Hogue Inquiry Reveals 'Problematic' Conduct Among Parliamentarians

 

The Hogue inquiry has concluded that while some parliamentarians exhibited "problematic" conduct, none were found to have committed treason. The inquiry, led by Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue, was established to investigate allegations of foreign interference in Canadian elections. The final report, released today, provides recommendations on how federal agencies can better protect against such meddling.

The inquiry's findings come amid a federal Liberal leadership race and the possibility of a national election in the near future. The report highlights the need for improved information sharing among federal agencies and better protection for vulnerable communities from transnational repression.

In an interim report issued last May, Hogue stated that interference by foreign entities did not affect the overall results of the last two general elections. However, the final report acknowledges that some parliamentarians were "semi-witting or witting" participants in foreign interference efforts.

The inquiry's recommendations aim to bolster election integrity and ensure that Canadian democratic processes remain robust and secure. Commissioner Hogue emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in addressing these issues, while also noting that some information cannot be disclosed publicly due to national security concerns.

The release of the Hogue inquiry's final report marks a significant step in addressing foreign interference in Canadian politics and safeguarding the nation's democratic institutions.


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