*Louise Penny’s New Mystery Spotlights Border Library”*

*Louise Penny’s New Mystery Spotlights Border Library”*

Iconic Canadian author Louise Penny features the Haskell Free Library—straddling the US–Canada border—in her upcoming novel, where it’s used to foil an imagined U.S. plot to annex Canada. This real-life library recently came under scrutiny as U.S. customs tightened access, prompting Canadians to use passports or the official crossing. In response, locals and authors (including Penny herself) are raising funds to reconfigure entrances and preserve its symbolic role

2. Canisia Lubrin Wins 2025 Carol Shields Prize

Canisia Lubrin has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Carol Shields Prize for Fiction, claiming the $150,000 top prize for her debut fiction collection Code Noir, alongside a stay at Fogo Island Inn. The award, which supports women and nonbinary authors in the U.S. and Canada, also names finalists who each receive $12,500

3. Amazon Canada First Novel Award Goes to Subterrane

Valérie Bah’s debut novel Subterrane has won the 2025 Amazon Canada First Novel Award, a major milestone in Canadian debut fiction. The award and its shortlist were announced in early May

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🔍 Developments in Canada
• Animated Documentary ‘Endless Cookie’: Directed by Indigenous filmmakers Seth and Peter Scriver, this Canadian animated doc explores brotherhood and Cree heritage. It premiered at Sundance and will screen at Hot Docs and imagineNATIVE this year
•— Late Bloomer: The Crave original comedy-drama Late Bloomer, starring and created by comedian Jasmeet Singh Raina, launched its second season in April 2025. It tells the story of a turban-wearing millennial navigating identity and culture
• Debut Authors on the Rise:
• Benjamin Hertwig’s novel Juiceboxers (2024) was named a finalist for the Amazon First Novel Award 2025
• Loghan Paylor’s historical The Cure for Drowning made the 2024 Giller Prize longlist

🌐 Top National News

1. G7 Summit Kicks Off in Alberta

The 51st G7 leaders summit is underway in Kananaskis (June 15–17), hosted by Canada. Tensions are high due to trade disputes and US President Trump’s past comments, including referring to Canada as the “51st US state.” Leaders will forgo a traditional joint communiqué, instead issuing brief “chair summaries” to prevent potential rifts

2. Canada & India Resume Counter-Terror Cooperation

Canada and India are set to resume intelligence-sharing on terrorism and transnational crime, despite ongoing strain over the 2023 killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The agreement is expected to be announced during the G7 summit

3. Heiltsuk Nation Ratifies Historic Constitution

In B.C., the Heiltsuk First Nation has ratified its own constitution, affirming traditional governance, land stewardship, language rights, and legal systems. The move, while not yet legally binding under Canadian law, signifies a strong step toward Indigenous sovereignty

4. Hockey Canada Sexual Assault Trial Nears Verdict

A high-profile trial in London, Ontario, involving five former 2018 World Junior players has concluded. Judge Maria Carroccia will announce her verdict on July 24 in a case that has shaken Canadians and tested the responsibility of sporting institutions

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🛡️ Defence & Security

Canada to Meet NATO Spending Target Early

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Canada will hit NATO’s 2% GDP spending target by early 2026—five years ahead—funding new submarines, fighter jets, ships, and surveillance systems. The move aims to modernize military capabilities and reduce dependence on the U.S., timed just ahead of the G7 summit

Major Drug & Extremism Bust

“Project Pelican,” led by Peel Regional Police, dismantled a major narco-terror operation in Canada linked to anti-India extremist funding. Authorities seized 479 kg of cocaine (valued at about $47.9 million), arresting nine individuals

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👑 Royal Visit & Political Context

King Charles III’s Speech from the Throne

In late May, King Charles III and Queen Camilla visited Ottawa for opening ceremonies of Parliament—King Charles’s first throne speech as monarch of Canada—including an Indigenous land acknowledgment. The visit was seen as a show of solidarity during the ongoing trade tensions with the U.S.

Leadership Shift: Carney Takes Office

In early 2025, Mark Carney replaced Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister after a Liberal Party crisis. Trudeau resigned in January; Carney won the leadership in March and leads a Liberal minority government. This backdrop fuels Canada’s new defence and foreign policy direction .

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🏒 Sports Update

Canada Defeats USA in OT Title Match

Canada edged the USA 3–2 in overtime during a “best-on-best” hockey championship game—its first such win since the 2010 Olympic gold medal game

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📰 In Brief
• Times Network expands in Canada, launching ET NOW and Times Now Navbharat to reach the South Asian diaspora via Rogers Xfinity TV
• Formula 1 weekend drama at the Canadian GP: Tsunoda penalized, Russell takes pole, McLaren struggles—all unfolding live in Montreal

 

🛡️ Defence & Security

• NATO Spending Boost: Canada will meet NATO’s 2 % GDP defense spending target in the 2025 fiscal year—five years ahead of schedule. This will fund modern assets like submarines, fighter jets, naval vessels, and surveillance systems, aiming to reduce reliance on U.S. defense procurement  .
• F‑35 Fighter Jets Procurement: The government is advancing its purchase of 88 Lockheed Martin F‑35 jets to replace aging CF‑18s. However, delivery is delayed till between 2026–2032, and projected costs have surged from C$19 billion to up to C$33.2 billion  .
• Arctic Helicopter Acquisition: The Royal Canadian Air Force plans to acquire new helicopters—at an expected CAD 18 billion spend—to support Arctic operations and replace aging CH‑146 Griffons  .

⚙️ Economic & Trade Initiatives

• Ring of Fire Mining: Canada aims to fast-track mining of critical minerals in Northern Ontario’s “Ring of Fire” area. The federal and provincial governments are committing C$1 billion+ for road infrastructure and simplifying approvals, despite First Nations’ objections over consultation and environmental issues  .
• Tariff Relief Program: Over C$6.5 billion has been earmarked to help Canadian exporters weather U.S. tariffs. This includes loans, diversification efforts, and support for agriculture, totaling C$5B for exporters, C$1B for food/agriculture, and C$500M in low-interest loans  .
• High-Speed Rail (“Alto” Project): A multi‑billion-dollar high-speed rail line, Alto, is underway to connect Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City—targeting travel speeds of up to 186 mph and reducing Toronto–Montreal travel to ~3 hours, with C$3.9 billion in federal funding  .

🏙️ Infrastructure, Housing & Transportation

• Infrastructure Budget Expansion: Through Infrastructure Canada (soon renamed Housing, Infrastructure & Communities Canada), there’s a concerted push to link affordable housing, public transit, and climate resilience—backed by permanent funding and collaboration with municipalities and provinces  .
• Urban Rail Projects: Numerous light rail expansions and new lines are in progress across Canadian cities (Toronto, Edmonton, Ottawa, Gatineau, Hamilton, Montreal, Peel Region), with many scheduled for completion between 2025–2029 .

🌱 Climate & Innovation

• Carbon Tax Removal: PM Mark Carney abolished the consumer carbon tax effective April 1, 2025, though industrial carbon levies remain in place  .
• Net-Zero Accountability: Under the Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, Canada must set and report interim emissions targets for 2035 and maintain a clear plan toward its 2050 net-zero goal  .
• Green Economic Stimulus: Over CAD 12.4 billion in federal green funding over five years will support EV incentives, carbon capture tax credits, clean energy infrastructure, grid modernization, and environmental protection measures  .
• AI & Digital Innovation: Budget 2024 allocates CAD 2.4 billion over five years to AI initiatives (including compute infrastructure, startup support, and an AI Safety Institute), along with tax incentives to spur data infrastructure, IP, and clean tech investments  .
• Digital Adoption Support: The Canada Digital Adoption Program (C$1.4 billion) and other support initiatives help small and rural businesses, rural broadband expansion, cyber‑security, and digital skills training  .

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Immigration & Population Policy

• Immigration Targets (2025+):
  • Permanent resident admissions reduced to ~395,000 in 2025 (from 485,000 in 2024), then stabilizing at ~365,000 by 2027.
  • Focus areas: economic class (~232k), family reunification (~95k), refugees/humanitarian (~68k).
  • Temporary resident targets (e.g. study/work permits) also capped, including a 10 % cut in study permits  .
  • A separate plan reaffirmed an ambitious goal of 500k permanent residents annually post-2025  .