Skip to main content

Featured

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...

article

Court Battle Aims to Reopen Parliament Amid Prorogation Crisis

A novel legal challenge has hit the Federal Court as opponents seek to force MPs back to work before Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s prorogation period ends. Filed by the Calgary-based Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms on February 13, 2025, the suit argues that suspending parliamentary business until late March undermines democracy by preventing legislators from addressing urgent issues—including the looming U.S. tariff threat and stalled legislation like the capital gains tax reform.

Critics claim the prorogation was a politically motivated tactic designed to delay accountability during a turbulent period. They assert that Parliament’s essential role—to debate policy and hold the government to account—is compromised when the House sits on hiatus. With the hearing scheduled for later this week, legal experts say the outcome could set an important precedent on the limits of executive power and parliamentary rights.

As Canada navigates political uncertainty amid a leadership transition, the challenge highlights growing calls for transparency and a more robust system of checks and balances.


Comments