By Canadian Press

In the news today: Canada’s premiers in Washington, metals tariffs spark can concerns

Feb 12, 2025 | 3:15 AM

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

Premiers descend on Washington amid tariff threat

Canada’s premiers are in Washington today to meet with lawmakers, business groups and lobbyists in a joint effort to push back on U.S. President Donald Trump’s plans for devastating duties.

It is the first time all 13 premiers have travelled to the American capital together.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, chair of the Council of the Federation, appealed to members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Tuesday to send a message to Trump that tariffs would hurt both the American and Canadian economies.

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Since his return to the White House last month, Trump has taken rapid actions to reshape global trade and American foreign policy through tariffs.

The president signed executive orders Monday to impose 25 per cent levies on all steel and aluminum imports into the United States, including Canadian products, starting March 12.

Metal tariff threats shake up the can industry

U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose sweeping metals tariffs is creating worry and opportunity in can manufacturing and packaging, an industry that relies heavily on the raw materials.

The 25 per cent tax on aluminum and steel coming into the United States starting March 12, and the possibility of retaliation tariffs, is expected to have cost ripples for buyers of beer, soup and everything else producers seal up in metal.

“It’s just another hit that the industry can’t take,” said CJ Hélie, president of Beer Canada.

“The magnitude and the timing, you know, couldn’t be worse.”

While almost 90 per cent of beer consumed in Canada is brewed here, most of the cans are imported, including the popular 473-millilitre size popular among craft breweries, he said.

Multinational food firms push Canadian-made items

Amid a “buy Canadian” push inspired by trade tensions with the U.S., some multinational food and beverage companies are working hard to highlight their Canadian-made products.

Canadian viewers of the Super Bowl over the weekend may have noticed a new ad from Kraft Heinz. The ad, set in the company’s Montreal factory, was put together in less than a week, said Simon Laroche, president of Kraft Heinz Canada.

The factory employs more than a thousand people and has 42 production lines, he said.

“Brands like Philadelphia cream cheese … Kraft peanut butter, Heinz ketchup, Kraft salad dressing or Kraft singles, even Classico pasta sauce. All of those brands are made in Canada by Canadians, and people didn’t know that,” said Laroche.

Trudeau heads to Brussels amid security pact talks

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is off to Brussels today as Canada works to deepen its trade and defence ties with Europe.

The prime minister’s one-day visit to the Belgian capital includes a meeting with NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte and the European Union’s two most senior leaders.

Ursula von der Leyen has been president of the European Commission since 2019, and her job involves directing the EU’s policy agenda and legislation.

Former Portuguese prime minister Antonio Costa has been president of the European Council since last December, and his role sets overall priorities for the bloc.

Ontario votes: Ford still in D.C. amid campaign

As Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford spends another day in Washington, D.C., in his capacity as Ontario premier, his opponents will continue courting votes ahead of the provincial election.

Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie is expected to make another health-care announcement in Toronto, and Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner will also be in the city.

The Greens are set to become the first party to release a full election platform.

NDP Leader Marit Stiles has no public events scheduled today.

Ford is in Washington with other premiers on a joint mission to stave off U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats.

Local news can help battle disinformation: report

A new report that surveyed residents of small towns across Canada says a lack of local news outlets weakens community ties and affects people’s understanding of how government, schools and hospitals function.

The report comes from the Public Policy Forum think-tank and says years of cuts to local news outlets have whittled down a critical pillar of democracy.

“The Lost Estate: How to put the local back in local news” paints a dire portrait of small-town journalism and links its decline to increased alienation and distrust.

The study included an Ipsos poll of 1,001 Canadians in communities with populations below 100,000 – with half coming from communities of fewer than 10,000.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 12, 2025

The Canadian Press