In the news today: U.S. federal court rules against Trump tariffs

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed…

U.S. federal court rules against Trump’s fentanyl and ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs

United States President Donald Trump hit a major legal barrier for his plan to realign global trade after a federal court on Wednesday blocked both the sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs and the fentanyl-related duties against Canada and Mexico. The U.S. Court of International Trade decision said Trump does not have the authority to wield tariffs on nearly every country through the use of the International Economic Emergency Powers Act of 1977. Trump hit Canada with economywide duties in March after he declared an emergency at the northern border related to the flow of fentanyl. He partially paused levies a few days later for imports that comply with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade.

Thousands evacuated as wildfires continue burning in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says 17,000 people have been evacuated from several communities and First Nations as he placed his entire province under a state of emergency late Wednesday over crippling wildfires, mainly in the remote north. Evacuation orders include all 5,000 residents of the city of Flin Flon, 630 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, who were told just hours earlier to head south with their essentials. Kinew said when cottage owners and other nearby residents are added in, that number rises to 6,000. The premier spoke Wednesday to Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has agreed to send in the military to deploy evacuation flights to Winnipeg as soon as possible. In northern Saskatchewan, three First Nations also declared a joint state of emergency in response to escalating wildfires.

Here’s what else we’re watching…

Crews battling wildfire near Churchill Falls in Labrador

A wildfire is burning near a town in Newfoundland and Labrador that’s home to a massive power generating station. NL Hydro says a fire burning near Churchill Falls has caused power interruptions in Labrador West and Wabush. The utility says the power has been restored Wednesday night, adding that electricity generation at the plant hasn’t been affected. The provincial government says the wildfire is about one kilometre away from Churchill Falls and is moving east, away from the town. NL Hydro said crews will mobilize again in the morning as the fire continues to move away. Two water bombers have been deployed to help battle the fire.

Canada Post puts forward `final offers’ to union, posts $1.3B loss for 2024

Canada Post said it notched nearly $1.3 billion in operating losses last year as the beleaguered institution laid out its “final offers” to the union representing 55,000 workers after negotiations resumed on Wednesday. The Crown corporation has now posted seven consecutive annual losses, amounting to $3.8 billion before tax since 2018, it said. Included in its latest proposal are an end to compulsory overtime, signing bonuses of $1,000 for urban employees and $500 for rural and suburban ones, and cost-of-living payments that are triggered at a lower inflation threshold. A month-long strike last fall stemming from the same contract negotiations cost the organization $208 million, said the annual report released late Wednesday.

Ontario to more easily take over school boards

Ontario is set to give the minister of education power to more easily put school boards under supervision and require more boards to put police officers in schools. The Canadian Press has learned that Education Minister Paul Calandra will introduce broad legislation today, following weeks of warnings to boards that he would implement tougher oversight. Calandra announced in April that the province had taken control of one school board by appointing a supervisor due to financial “mismanagement” and was launching financial investigations of three others, describing his actions as putting all boards “on notice.” The legislation is set to expand the reasons for initiating an investigation or putting a board under supervision beyond just financial ones, to include matters of public interest.

Hockey players’ sex assault trial continues after court hears police interviews

The sexual assault trial of five former members of Canada’s world junior hockey team is set to continue today after court heard interviews some of the accused gave to police months after the encounter with the complainant. Det. Steve Newton’s interviews with Alex Formenton and Dillon Dube were played in court Wednesday, a day after court viewed his interview with Michael McLeod. The retired detective who led the initial investigation into the allegations also testified Wednesday that he had formed a general assessment of the case before speaking to any of the players and told some of their lawyers he did not believe he had grounds to lay charges. McLeod, Formenton, Dube, Carter Hart and Callan Foote have pleaded not guilty to sexual assault, and McLeod has also pleaded not guilty to an additional charge of being a party to the offence of sexual assault.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2025.

The Canadian Press