Prime Minister announced a C$4.7 billion contract with Alstom Canada to build 313 VIA Rail passenger cars in Thunder Bay and La Pocatière, with design in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, marking the first domestic production of VIA Rail passenger cars in four decades.

The project is expected to sustain nearly 700 jobs in Ontario and Quebec and generate over $1.6 billion in economic benefits.

This investment helps modernize VIA Rail as its current fleet ages, some cars being more than 70 years old, and complements a separate C$1.95 billion investment in 45 new locomotives and a Montreal assembly/maintenance facility, bringing VIA Rail investments to over C$6.6 billion.

Carney criticized U.S. trade-talk claims and underscored that a mutually beneficial deal with the United States remains possible.

The backdrop includes U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods and Canada’s retaliatory measures, with Ottawa arguing the U.S. terms are unfair and would reduce Canadian firms to subsidiaries.

Tensions rose after last month’s talks broke down, with the U.S. imposing 50% tariffs on various Canadian goods and Canada planning retaliation.

In international coverage, the EU faces challenges meeting its defense-readiness goals by 2030 due to fragmented systems, and a long-time Fox News anchor exited the network.

Canada’s message to Putin, should he attend the G20, is a firm demand for Russia’s withdrawal from Ukraine, with the host country deciding Putin’s attendance.

Canada signals a strong international stance, centering on telling Russia to leave Ukraine and leaving Putin’s G20 attendance up to the host country.

Canada aims to diversify exports away from the U.S. and double non-U.S. exports by 2035, supported by growth in non-U.S. markets, though manufacturing gains remain uneven outside certain sectors.

Under Buy Canadian Policy, Alstom will use a network of more than 900 Canadian suppliers and maximize Canadian steel in structural components.