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Voters in Canada's oil-rich province of Alberta have rejected a proposal to begin a process toward independence, results showed early Tuesday, delivering a victory for Prime Minister Mark Carney and supporters of Canadian unity amid U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war and annexation threats. The vote was not a direct referendum on independence but would have set oil-rich Alberta on a path toward a future vote on separation from Canada. With more than 1 million votes counted, about 76% supported remaining in Canada, compared with 23% who backed beginning a process that could lead to separation. "We are a solid country that's united from coast to coast to coast," Thomas Lukaszuk, a former Alberta deputy premier who led the Forever Canadian campaign against separation, told supporters. Results were delayed after late openings forced more than 100 polling stations to extend voting hours Monday. More than 1.35 million Albertans, or 43% of eligible voters, cast advance or special ballots. Albertans were deciding whether to remain in Canada or begin a legal process that could have lead to a second vote on separation. Alberta, home to the world's fourth-largest proven oil reserves, is cowboy country and a conservative stronghold whose political culture has long had more in common with the American West than much of Canada. Resentment toward Ottawa runs deep, but has not traditionally translated into widespread support for independence. Dustin Degenhardt, a Wainwright voter, said Albertans have long been mistreated by Ottawa. "Alberta has essentially been treated as, you know, a colony," he said after voting Monday. "They want to take and take and take from us and not return anything." Taylor MacIsaac, another Wainwright voter, backed separation. "I think it'll be good for Alberta to separate personally, as a very conservative individual that grew up in rural Alberta," she said. Dave Malka, 59, of Edmonton, criticized spending money on a "referendum on a referendum" rather than health care. With Trump threatening Canada, Malka said, "It seems to be happening at the absolute worst time when we should be united; instead we're fighting among ourselves." Jake Graham, 35, of Calgary, attended a Carney rally wearing maple leaf pants and a Canada hockey jacket. He hopes the vote ends the debate. "I hope this squashes this for a long time to come and that it's clear and decisive, that these grumblings disappear for a while and we can be a united Canada," he said. Despite the proposal's apparent failure, separatist leaders have said they turned a fringe cause into a movement that will not disappear. Carney earlier urged Albertans to deliver a decisive vote for unity. "Vote like Canada's future depends on it because it does," he told a rally Friday in Edmonton, where he grew up. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called the referendum amid pressure from separatists within her governing United Conservative Party, even though she opposes independence. She cited a poll showing just 22% support for separation, a figure she said was still too high. Separatist parties traditionally attracted only 1% or 2% of the vote, former Premier Jason Kenney said. Anger over COVID-19 restrictions helped mobilize activists who later embraced the separatist movement, he said. Trump's trade war and threats to make Canada the 51st U.S. state have helped Carney rally support in Alberta, where Liberal prime ministers have historically been unpopular. Separatist advocate Jeff Rath said he would be thrilled if 30% of Albertans voted to begin the separation process. He wants Smith ousted as leader of her governing United Conservative Party and said the party could splinter, potentially creating a new pro-independence party.

Voters in Canada's oil-rich Alberta province will decide Monday whether to launch a process that could eventually lead to independence, testing national unity as US President Donald Trump's trade war and threats to make Canada the 51st state have strengthened Canadian patriotism. Monday's vote is not a direct referendum on independence. Instead, Albertans will decide whether to remain a province or begin the legal process toward a future referendum on separation. Alberta holds most of Canada's proven oil reserves, the fourth-largest in the world. More than 1.35 million Albertans, representing 43% of eligible voters, cast advance or special ballots ahead of Monday's vote, far exceeding the 810,000 who voted early in the 2023 provincial election. Even if voters reject the proposal, separatist leaders say the movement, which has grown from a fringe cause into a significant force in provincial politics, will continue. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney urged Albertans not to take the outcome for granted, calling for a decisive result as he concluded two days of campaigning in his home province. "Vote like Canada's future depends on it because it does," Carney told a pro-Canada rally in Edmonton on Friday, where he grew up. The vote also comes as Alberta mourns four service members killed in a fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright over the weekend. Another 39 people were injured, including 19 critically, during military training. Carney described the incident as one of the worst peacetime tragedies involving Canada's military on domestic soil and ordered flags lowered to half-staff nationwide. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who called the referendum despite opposing independence, recently cited a poll showing that only 22% of Albertans supported separation, a figure she said was still too high. Carney draws cheers with calls to diversify trade Carney received his loudest cheers at rallies in Calgary and Edmonton when he spoke about reducing Canada's trade dependence on the United States. The enthusiastic response highlighted how Trump's trade war and threats of annexation have fuelled Canadian nationalism, even in traditionally conservative Alberta. Carney has emerged as an unusually popular figure in the province, where Liberal prime ministers have long faced resentment over federal energy policies. He has adopted a more energy-friendly approach, backing a proposed oil pipeline to the Pacific Coast and joining Smith in opposing Alberta's separation from Canada. Carney warned that the referendum was taking place at the "worst possible time" and urged Albertans not to use their votes simply to send a message to the federal government in Ottawa. Smith, who frequently clashed with former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, praised Carney for improving relations with Alberta. "I think what we can agree on is that we have had some real change in the last 18 months," she said Friday. Smith opposes separation despite pressure from party activists Smith called the referendum despite opposing independence, reflecting pressure from separatist activists within her governing United Conservative Party who helped bring her to power. Some of the activists also helped remove former Premier Jason Kenney in 2022. Kenney said separatism had traditionally remained a fringe movement, with independence parties typically securing only 1% or 2% of the vote. He said the COVID-19 pandemic mobilised activists angered by public health restrictions and government authority. Separatist leader Jeff Rath said federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates pushed him towards supporting independence. Tanya Clemens, co-chair of the Let Alberta Decide group, said pandemic restrictions encouraged political organising. The group's other co-chair, Keith Wilson, was a lead lawyer for the 2022 trucker convoy that paralysed downtown Ottawa for weeks in protest against vaccine mandates and other COVID-19 restrictions. Energy policies at centre of Alberta's grievances Wilson said Alberta's grievances extend beyond pandemic-era restrictions. With much of Canada's population concentrated in Ontario and Quebec, he argued that Liberal governments can win federal elections without significant support from Alberta, leaving the province vulnerable to policies opposed by its energy industry. He cited Carney's proposed Pacific Link pipeline as an example of the problem, arguing that federal restrictions have discouraged private investment and could leave taxpayers financing the project. Wilson said he opposed Alberta becoming part of the United States. "I have no interest in substituting a master, that rules over my children's future, who's in Ottawa, with a new one who's in Washington," he said. Other separatist leaders have sought contact with the Trump administration. Rath and fellow independence advocates have met US State Department officials in Washington three times to discuss Alberta's future. Chief Sheldon Sunshine of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation said Alberta could not leave Canada without the consent of First Nations, citing treaties that predate the province's creation. He said his nation would remain part of Canada even if Albertans voted for independence. Sunshine condemned separatist leaders' meetings with US officials. "It's absolutely treasonous to the people of Canada, people of Alberta," he said. Separatists see gains regardless of vote outcome Wilson said the referendum campaign had sparked unprecedented discussion about Alberta's place within Canada. "I think we've already hit success when you look at the voter turnout," he said. "People are engaged and people are talking about this topic at a level that's unprecedented historically." Rath said he would be thrilled if 30% of Albertans voted to begin the separation process, even if the proposal failed to secure a majority. He wants Smith removed as United Conservative Party leader and said the party could split, potentially paving the way for a new pro-independence political party. Separation debate may continue beyond Monday's vote Some Albertans hope Monday's vote will end the debate rather than trigger a prolonged independence struggle similar to Quebec's. Dave Malka, a 59-year-old Edmonton government employee who attended a pro-Canada rally on Sunday, criticised spending money on what he called a "referendum on a referendum" when the funds could instead be used for healthcare. With Trump threatening Canada, Malka said the vote was coming at the wrong time. "It seems to be happening at the absolute worst time when we should be united, instead we're fighting amongst ourselves," he said. Malka expects voters to reject the proposal decisively but fears separatists will continue their campaign. "This is only the start of separation Armageddon, if you will. This is their starting point," he said. Jake Graham, 35, of Calgary, attended Carney's rallies wearing maple leaf-patterned pants and a Canada hockey jacket. He said he hoped a decisive outcome would settle the issue. "I hope this squashes this for a long time to come and that it's clear and decisive, that these grumblings disappear for a while and we can be a united Canada," he said.

Four service members were killed and dozens of others seriously injured in a fire at a military base in Canada's Alberta province, Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Sunday, describing the incident as one of the country's worst peacetime military tragedies on home soil. Firefighters rushed to the scene late Saturday as strong winds drove flames beyond Canadian Forces Base Wainwright into nearby rural areas. The Canadian military said there was no indication that the fire was linked to terrorism, though its cause remained under investigation. In a televised address, Carney said the families of the four deceased service members had been notified and the situation was still developing. The personnel were taking part in military training when the fire broke out on Saturday. Carney said flags on federal buildings across the country would be flown at half-mast in honour of those affected. The casualties included reservists and soldiers from Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, one of Canada's most renowned military regiments. They had travelled from bases across the country to participate in training at Wainwright. The exact number of injured personnel was not immediately known. Carney said the wounded were receiving treatment in Wainwright, Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary. Cathy Keane, a mayoral candidate in Ontario, said her eldest son was among those critically injured and that she was travelling to Alberta to be with him and her family. Dr Warren Thirsk, an emergency department physician at Edmonton's Royal Alexandra Hospital, told CBC News that hospitals around the base had been overwhelmed by the number of patients requiring treatment. Acute Care Alberta said several hospitals across the province had activated a “Code Orange”, an emergency designation for incidents involving multiple seriously injured patients requiring coordinated care. Emergency medical resources were stretched so thin that very few ambulances remained available in the Edmonton area. The agency urged people to avoid the University of Alberta Hospital emergency department if possible. Wainwright Mayor Bruce Pugh said the town's small hospital was not equipped to handle a mass-casualty incident but praised local medical workers for their response. Helicopters and aircraft were transporting patients to other facilities for treatment. Defence Minister David McGuinty said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were involved in the investigation and described the situation as “very, very active and delicate”. He was travelling to Edmonton on Sunday to receive a briefing on the latest developments. The RCMP said officers were called shortly after 4pm on Saturday following reports of a fire in a training area at the base. Firefighters faced challenging conditions as a windstorm battered large parts of Alberta, with gusts reaching 100 kilometres per hour. The strong winds toppled trees, sent signs flying and pushed rubbish bins along streets. By 11pm, the Municipal District of Wainwright said the fire was being contained and that property and critical infrastructure were protected. No evacuation order had been issued for local residents. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith described the fire as “significant and tragic”, while Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said his province was sending assistance to Alberta. Carney praised emergency crews who battled the blaze overnight, adding that STARS air ambulance helicopters had flown in from Edmonton and Saskatoon. Canadian Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre said he had spoken with Carney and the defence minister to offer support to those affected. He also urged residents to follow emergency instructions and keep roads clear for first responders. The fire also disrupted advance voting ahead of Monday's referendum on whether Alberta should begin a process that could eventually lead to independence from Canada. Elections Alberta said the advance polling station at Wainwright Communiplex closed early on Saturday, with ballots and election materials transported securely. Polling stations in Lloydminster and Vermilion were identified as alternatives. CFB Wainwright is one of Canada's busiest military training facilities, hosting realistic battlefield exercises and training programmes for soldiers preparing for combat operations.

A major fire at a Canadian military base in Alberta left people dead and injured on Saturday, with hospitals reportedly struggling to cope with a large influx of casualties. Firefighters battled the blaze late into the night as strong winds pushed flames beyond Canadian Forces Base Wainwright into nearby rural areas. The number of people killed or injured was not immediately known. Dr Warren Thirsk, an emergency department physician at Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, told CBC News that hospitals across the city were receiving patients as healthcare facilities near the base became overwhelmed. “It’s a disaster. It’s a one in every 15- to 25-year disaster,” Thirsk said, describing the scale of the emergency. Canadian Defence Minister David McGuinty confirmed the casualties but said authorities were still trying to establish what had happened. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, he described the situation as “very, very active and delicate.” The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said officers were called shortly after 4pm on Saturday following reports of a fire in a training area at the base. Police were involved in the investigation, while members of the Canadian Armed Forces were also at the scene. McGuinty said he could not recall a similar incident in recent memory and that authorities would provide further details in the coming hours and days. Firefighters faced difficult conditions as a windstorm swept across large parts of Alberta, with gusts reaching 100 kilometres per hour. The winds toppled trees, blew signs over and sent garbage cans rolling through streets. By 11pm, the Municipal District of Wainwright said the fire was being contained and that property and critical infrastructure had been protected. No evacuation order had been issued for residents. The town of Wainwright, near the base, has a population of about 7,000. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said his province was sending assistance to Alberta but did not specify what resources would be provided. “Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a social media post. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith described the fire as “significant and tragic,” saying it had affected many military personnel. Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre said he had spoken with Carney and the defence minister to offer support to those affected. He also urged people in the area to follow emergency instructions and keep roads clear for first responders. Canadian Forces Base Wainwright is one of the country's busiest military training facilities. It houses the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre, which conducts realistic battlefield exercises, and the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre, which provides military training. The fire also disrupted advance voting ahead of Monday's referendum on whether Alberta should begin a process that could lead to independence from Canada. Elections Alberta said two polling stations, in Lloydminster and Vermilion, closed early on Saturday, with the ballots transported securely.

Three people were killed and 19 injured Thursday in a fiery, mid-day chain reaction crash on a busy street in Calgary that left two transit buses on fire, authorities said. Police Staff Sgt. Andy Woodward said the tragedy appears to have begun after a transit bus slammed into a car that then hit other vehicles. He said the bus then bounced from that crash, through the intersection and hit a transit bus parked at a bus stop, setting off a fire and sending the second bus across the road to collide with three more vehicles. He said the second bus was powered by natural gas, which is believed to have caused the fire. Video and photos circulating online showed the second bus with its roof completely on fire as thick smoke billowed skyward. The front end of the bus that set off the chain reaction crash appeared crumpled and smashed, its steering wheel hanging out below a tuft of flames. “I’ve been a police officer for 36 years and I think this is probably the biggest scene I’ve worked on in relation to the collision we’ve got here,” Woodward said. Nineteen people were injured in all, including 10 who were taken to hospital via ambulance, as well as the three deceased. A police officer was also injured and sent to hospital. “It was a very busy scene,” Loria said. Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas said on social media that there will be a full investigation. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith shared condolences online. “My sincere thoughts are with the families of those who died and with everyone injured,” she said.

US-Canada relations are likely to face further strain after the United States early Tuesday implemented a ban on nearly $1 billion worth of Canadian imports, including alcoholic beverages, dairy products and motorcycles. The ban represents only a small portion of the nearly $880 billion in annual two-way trade between the neighboring countries. However, it marks another escalation in President Donald Trump's second-term trade war with a longtime US ally and trading partner. The latest measure took effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time Tuesday and follows Trump's decision to impose 50% tariffs on about $20 billion worth of Canadian imports over allegations that Canada discriminates against US dairy, auto and alcoholic beverage producers. Canada responded with tariffs ranging from 15% to 50% on US imports. To punish Canada for retaliating against the US tariffs, Trump ordered the ban on a list of Canadian products. Trade attorney Patrick Childress, a partner at Holland & Knight and former US trade official, said the move would not help ease trade tensions between the two countries. Jacob Jensen, director of trade policy at the center-right American Action Forum think tank, estimates that the ban covers about $967 million worth of Canadian imports based on 2025 figures. About 87% of the affected goods are alcoholic beverages, which were targeted after some Canadian provinces responded to Trump's measures by removing US alcohol from store shelves. The ban also covers some dairy products, including whey, as well as motorcycles. The two countries have long disagreed over Canada's protection of its dairy industry through high tariffs once imports exceed established quotas. Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), based in Quebec, confirmed that its three-wheel Can-Am Spyder and Canyon motorcycles would be excluded from the US market. However, the company said the impact may not be felt until next year as most production and shipments for the current season have already been completed. Jensen said the latest measure marked another escalation in the trade war and could prompt further retaliation from Canada. He said affected Canadian exporters and US importers would likely push trade officials on both sides to find a resolution. The standoff also threatens efforts to renew the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the North American trade pact negotiated during Trump's first term that allows most goods to move across the region's borders duty free. Since returning to the White House last year, Trump has announced a series of tariffs, creating uncertainty over the future of regional trade. He has particularly targeted Canada and has repeatedly suggested that the country could become the 51st US state. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who came to power last year promising to stand up to Trump, has retaliated against US tariffs while seeking to reduce Canada's dependence on the US market. The United States accounted for more than 70% of Canadian exports last year. “There is now a price to be paid for access to the United States market,” Carney said earlier this month, as he pledged to double Canada's non-US trade over the next decade. Carney has also backed the possibility of Canada becoming the European Union's first associate member and said trade negotiations with India were making “good progress,” with the two countries aiming to conclude talks by the G20 summit in mid-December. Canada also struck a deal with China earlier this year allowing a limited number of Chinese electric vehicles into the Canadian market at a reduced tariff in exchange for China lowering tariffs on Canadian canola. Gabriel Brunet, a spokesman for Canada's Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc, said the government’s priority remained protecting Canadian workers, farmers, families and businesses from what it called unjustified US measures. Trump, meanwhile, expressed confidence that Canada would eventually agree to a deal. “I think a deal will be made but it's gonna be fair,” he told reporters Monday. Trade attorney Childress said the standoff could continue for months rather than weeks, noting that the bans and tariffs imposed so far may not cause enough economic disruption to force either side back to the negotiating table.

Four people were killed when a helicopter crashed southeast of Montreal in Canada's Quebec province on Saturday, provincial police said. The helicopter reportedly experienced difficulties before crashing around 2:30pm in Sainte-Brigide-d’Iberville, about 50 kilometres southeast of Montreal, said Audrey-Anne Bilodeau, a spokesperson for the Sûreté du Québec. Firefighters brought the blaze under control within an hour, but all four people aboard the helicopter were pronounced dead at the scene, she said. Police have not yet identified the victims or determined the cause of the crash. Bilodeau said the helicopter appeared to be a private aircraft. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has sent investigators to the crash site to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham made a positive first impression on U.S. President Donald Trump at their first meeting on Tuesday, with Trump playing down differences over the Middle East and describing the new British leader as “a natural business person.” The two leaders met for more than the scheduled 30 minutes on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, where Burnham, in his first address to the global gathering, warned about the dangers posed by unchecked artificial intelligence and socially damaging disinformation. It was a baptism of fire for Burnham, who went from serving as mayor of Manchester in northwest England to leading a G7 country within weeks. Despite British concerns about how the meeting would unfold, Trump said, as the two leaders sat before U.K. and U.S. flags, that trans-Atlantic relations were “more up than they were with your last prime minister.” “Based on our relationship with the prime minister, Andy, I think we're doing very well,” Trump said. British officials are aware that Trump can be unpredictable. He initially developed a warm relationship with Burnham's predecessor, Keir Starmer, before tensions emerged over Britain's refusal to join the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. There was therefore relief among British officials that Burnham emerged largely unscathed from his first meeting with a president who had once dismissed him as “the mayor of a town.” “We don't hold it against you,” Burnham said. Burnham acknowledged differences between the U.S. and U.K., saying Trump had been “good enough to listen to us” on issues including trade and the Falkland Islands. Trump has recently raised questions about the future of the British-controlled South Atlantic archipelago, which is also claimed by Argentina, where it is known as the Malvinas. Britain and Argentina fought a brief war over the islands in 1982. On another potential source of tension, Britain's decision to ban trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank, Trump said he was unaware of the issue. Chagos Islands remain a point of contention Trump's strongest criticism was directed at Britain's plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean to Mauritius. The U.K. says the agreement would safeguard the future of the strategic U.S. military base on Diego Garcia, one of the islands. However, ratification of the deal has stalled after the Trump administration withdrew its support, and British officials acknowledge that the agreement is now in limbo. Trump described it as “a terrible deal” involving “a very important piece of real estate, militarily and strategically.” “I think the prime minister is going to be looking at it,” he said. Burnham said Britain was working to reach an agreement and expressed confidence that it could do so with its U.S. partners. Before the meeting, Burnham said he would discuss with Trump ways to end the on-and-off war between the U.S. and Iran, which has disrupted oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and pushed global fuel prices higher. Houthi attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure are adding to the problem, making Burnham's pledge to ease cost-of-living pressures for British voters more difficult. As he traveled to New York for the annual gathering of world leaders, Burnham announced that he had authorized limited military support for Saudi Arabia to help repel attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. He said a Royal Air Force plane would refuel Saudi jets involved in “defensive” operations to shoot down Houthi missiles. Burnham also said he would urge Trump to increase U.S. support for Ukraine by providing air-defense missiles ahead of another winter of Russian attacks. It remained unclear whether he made progress on that issue. Burnham focuses on AI in UN speech In his address to the General Assembly, Burnham argued that Britain could play both a leading and cautionary role in the rapid development of artificial intelligence. He said world leaders must heed warnings about AI and establish global standards to oversee the technology, because “fundamental decisions on this technology are too important to be left to chance.” Burnham said AI has enormous potential but could also be “a source of disruption to the way we live and work – and a multiplier of risk.” “We've all heard the warnings – which we must heed,” he said. Burnham said the U.K. would seek to persuade other countries to adopt rules on transparency and access to AI models, while also pushing technology companies to sign up to such standards. That could become another point of tension with Trump, who told the U.N. on Tuesday that the U.S. “totally rejects any attempt to construct a globalist scheme” to regulate AI. Burnham also said Britain would “draw a line under the last decade” since the U.K.'s 2016 decision to leave the European Union. He suggested that Brexit was a point when the country took a wrong turn, partly driven by misinformation. Burnham said Russia and other states were using AI-enhanced misinformation and disinformation to undermine democracy. He said he had asked British security chiefs to establish a National Center for Information Defense to counter the threat. “Over the last decade we have given too much ground to those who want to run a negative, corrosive narrative about life in Britain, which bears no resemblance to reality,” Burnham said. “Well, no more.”

U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking to bring factories and investment into the United States, while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is working to attract billions of dollars in capital to Canada. Around 300 CEOs and senior executives from some of the world's largest investment firms are expected to gather this week at the Four Seasons hotel in Yorkville, an upscale Toronto neighborhood known for its luxury restaurants and designer boutiques, for Carney's Canada Investment Summit. The investors collectively oversee more than $120 trillion in assets, highlighting the enormous pool of capital Carney hopes to attract as Canada seeks billions of dollars in fresh investment and attempts to reduce its economic reliance on the United States. "Canada is about so much more than being next to the United States," Carney said at a news conference last week in Banff, Alberta. "We have what the world wants." Carney highlighted Canada's abundant energy and critical mineral resources, highly educated workforce and trade agreements that provide businesses based in the country access to about 1.5 billion consumers globally. He said the strong participation in the summit demonstrated that investors were interested in Canada for its own strengths. "They are coming because of Canada," he said. "If they wanted to go to the United States, they would go to the United States." Carney is particularly familiar with the investment community. He previously headed the central banks of Canada and England, spent 13 years at Goldman Sachs and later served as chairman of the boards of Bloomberg L.P. and Brookfield Asset Management. On Monday, Carney is scheduled to meet separately with the CEOs of Sydney-based Macquarie Group, whose asset-management division is the world's largest infrastructure investment manager, and Singapore's state-owned Temasek Holdings, a major global investment firm. A Canadian official described the summit as the largest gathering of investment decision-makers ever held in Canada, alongside Canadian CEOs presenting projects at different stages of development. However, the official cautioned that the event is unlikely to result in a surge of deals during the summit itself, with the most significant outcomes expected over the next 12 to 18 months. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Trade war raises stakes The summit comes at a crucial time for Canada. Trade negotiations broke down on Aug. 21, after which Trump imposed 50% tariffs on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods, prompting retaliatory measures from Canada. Washington subsequently escalated the dispute by announcing restrictions on some Canadian imports and moving to exclude Canadian products from major long-term U.S. government contracts. Trump's tariffs and efforts to shift manufacturing to the United States are weakening one of Canada's longstanding attractions for foreign investors: dependable access to the huge U.S. market under continental free trade. Carney and Canadian business leaders will seek to persuade global investors to look beyond the trade dispute and increase their investments in Canada. Carney is also drawing a clear contrast between Canada and Trump's United States, presenting his country as a stable, rules-based alternative to an increasingly unpredictable U.S. market. Investors coming to Canada will find "a country that respects rule of law and a country that is reliable," Carney said. "That combination is pretty rare in the world," he said. "And it's an attractive combination." Carney reinforced that message Sunday, telling Canadian business leaders that the country's greatest strength was something "that cannot be found on any balance sheet: trust." John Graham, CEO of CPP Investments, one of the world's largest institutional investors and manager of Canada Pension Plan assets, is helping host the summit. He said the fund evaluates investment opportunities in Canada alongside opportunities elsewhere in the world. "The conversation about Canada is changing," Graham said. Summit seeks to channel global capital into Canadian projects The summit is intended to connect global investors, including Canada's major pension funds, with large-scale projects in critical minerals, technology, defense, advanced manufacturing and energy. According to a Canadian official, Carney's private meetings with investors will be tailored to their portfolios and the types of projects they are considering financing. BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and Blackstone President Jon Gray are scheduled to lead a public discussion on global capital, while former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper is expected to deliver the closing address. Carney will then travel to Europe, where he is scheduled to address the European Parliament later this week as Canada seeks to develop a broader strategic partnership with the European Union.

The United States has widened its trade confrontation with Canada, banning imports of some Canadian dairy products, motorcycles and most alcoholic beverages after Ottawa imposed retaliatory tariffs on about $20 billion worth of US goods. US President Donald Trump also moved to exclude Canadian products from major, long-term US government contracts, taking the dispute beyond tariffs as relations between the two longtime allies continue to deteriorate. The latest US restrictions, due to take effect Sept 29, cover various Canadian wines and spirits, some motorcycles and mopeds, dairy products including whey, and certain types of molasses. Canada's new tariffs took effect early Tuesday and cover hundreds of US products, including steel, aluminum, cheese, appliances, clothing, cosmetics and farm equipment. The rates range from 15% to 50%. Canada says the measures match US tariffs on a dollar-for-dollar and rate-for-rate basis and affect about 6% of the $333.6 billion worth of goods the United States exported to Canada last year. Eight of Canada's 10 provinces have also maintained restrictions or bans on US alcohol. The Distilled Spirits Council said US spirits exports to Canada have fallen more than 70% year over year following those measures. Trump directed the US General Services Administration to bar Canadian products from large federal contracts until Canada provides what he called “full and fair reciprocity” for American goods. The latest escalation follows the collapse of Canada-US trade talks on Aug 21. Since then, Trump and his administration have stepped up tariffs and threats against Ottawa. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has warned that US demands could weaken key Canadian industries and undermine the country's economic independence. Trump's repeated comments about making Canada the 51st US state have instead fueled nationalist sentiment and strengthened support for Carney. Carney said Canada's response is increasingly focused on reducing its dependence on the United States. “It’s about ensuring that no country can hold us hostage,” he said. The dispute is particularly significant because the two countries have deeply integrated economies and long-standing defense and security ties. Before relations deteriorated, around 400,000 people crossed their shared border each day. Carney is also seeking closer economic ties with the European Union as Canada looks to diversify its trade relationships. He is scheduled to address the European Parliament next week. Trump's trade pressure has also raised concerns about Canada's auto and steel industries. He has threatened 50% tariffs on Canadian vehicles, auto parts and steel next year if Ottawa does not comply with US demands. Canadian officials warn such tariffs could severely disrupt North American manufacturing supply chains, where parts and finished vehicles cross the border multiple times during production. Despite Canada's economic dependence on the US market, Ottawa has some leverage. US refineries rely on about 4 million barrels of oil a day from Canada, while American farmers depend heavily on Canadian potash fertilizer. Canada's economy grew at an annualized rate of 3.2% in the second quarter, compared with 1.5% growth in the United States. Canadian Industry Minister Mélanie Joly expressed confidence that Ottawa could prevail. “I’m convinced that we will be able to show the world that Canada will win this trade war,” she said.