National

Canada, U.S., Finland take step forward on ICE Pact plan to build icebreakers

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Nov, 2025 11:03 AM

Canada, the United States and Finland took a step toward building new icebreakers despite the breakdown in trade talks between Ottawa and the Trump administration.

Canada's Ambassador to the United States Kirsten Hillman joined Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Finland's Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto to sign a joint statement of intent in Washington today to strengthen industrial co-operation and bolster the countries' icebreaker fleets.

The statement says U.S. President Donald Trump still has support for the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort, known as the ICE Pact, which was signed under President Joe Biden.

The bilateral relationship between Canada and the United States has been in turmoil and Trump previously dismissed Canada's role in building icebreakers.

Trump called off trade negotiations with Ottawa in October, citing an Ontario-funded advertisement quoting former president Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs.

Noem says Canada has made good progress on securing its border with the United States but she did not say whether it would be enough to lift Trump's tariffs.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. audit finds no co-ordination on the implementation of child-care promises

British Columbia's acting auditor general says seven years after promising to add capacity in regional health authorities to license, monitor, and investigate child-care facilities, the province doesn't know if it has done those things. The report, which covers from April 2022 to July 2024, says the ministry did not co-ordinate to document expectations for implementing the commitment, monitoring the implementation, or reporting progress.

B.C. audit finds no co-ordination on the implementation of child-care promises

Trump plans tariffs on Mexico and Canada for Tuesday, while doubling existing 10% tariffs on China

President Donald Trump plans to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting Tuesday, in addition to doubling the 10% universal tariff charged on imports from China. In a Truth Social post Thursday, Trump said illicit drugs such as fentanyl are being smuggled into the United States at “unacceptable levels" and that import taxes would force other countries to crack down on the trafficking.

Trump plans tariffs on Mexico and Canada for Tuesday, while doubling existing 10% tariffs on China

B.C. to require Canadian-made biofuels to meet standards for gas, diesel

British Columbia's energy minister says the province will soon require Canadian-made products to fulfil renewable fuel standards for gasoline and diesel. Adrian Dix says B.C.'s requirement of five-per-cent renewable fuel content for gasoline must be met with Canadian-made fuel starting Jan. 1, 2026.

B.C. to require Canadian-made biofuels to meet standards for gas, diesel

Six illegal ride-hailing drivers fined more than $13K in one day, says Richmond RCMP

Mounties in Richmond say a crackdown on illegal ride-hailing operators in the city has resulted in more than $13,000 in fines being issued to six drivers in one day. RCMP say officers have been working with the transport ministry to combat illegal ride-hailing operators who "pose a significant risk" to public safety.

Six illegal ride-hailing drivers fined more than $13K in one day, says Richmond RCMP

Engine failure, bucket led to deadly helicopter crash during Alberta wildfire: TSB

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada says engine failure less than a minute into a flight contributed to a deadly helicopter crash during a 2023 wildfire in northern Alberta. It says the helicopter's pilot had been tapped to help with firefighting efforts in the Peace River region and took off with an empty water bucket suspended from a 45-metre line.

Engine failure, bucket led to deadly helicopter crash during Alberta wildfire: TSB

Trudeau calls idea of banning Trump from Canada 'irresponsible'

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is rejecting NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh's call for the federal government to bar U.S. President Donald Trump from coming to Canada for the G7 summit this June. At an event in Montreal today, Trudeau said he sees the idea of banning Trump as an "irresponsible" approach to governance and dialogue with other nations.