A statue of former Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden stands by the Confederation Building on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press Ryan Manucha researches interprovincial trade and is a contributor to the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. He is frequently called upon to advise agencies and governments, and his book on the subject won the Donner Prize for best in Canadian public policy. Donald Trump’s “America First” bombast and promise of a 25-per-cent tariff on imports threaten to upend Canada’s economic stability. Over the coming weeks, Canada’s first ministers will rapidly assemble a playbook for how to handle the demands of the incoming U.S administration. Beyond managing Mr. Trump’s immediate wants , our leaders should consider the lessons from 19th century Canadian history, which now, more than ever, instruct us to strengthen our own economic union and dismantle trade barriers in our own backyard. Now that access to the American market is under threat, let’s remember we have a big internal market that we’ve yet to fully tap. On the eve of Confederation in 1867, Canada’s Fathers of Confederation averaged approximately 50 years old. These men had their economic worlds turned upside down twice during their adulthoods by the whims of foreign governments. In the 1840s, Britain repealed the Corn Laws, ending imperial preferences for Canadian goods. The value of Canadian flour nearly halved and a glut of timber piled up in Quebec ports with nowhere to go. Lord Elgin, the governor-general of Canada at the time, captured the destitute Canadian conditions and national frustrations with Britain in a letter to Earl Grey in Britain, explaining that Canada had been left an economic wreck and that its prosperity had been “robbed” and transplanted to England. The consequences of repeal were so grave they even gave rise to a short-lived movement to join the U.S. Hardly 20 years later in 1866, Canada suffered a second economic shock at the hands of a different foreign government. The U.S. terminated an 1854 free-trade agreement, once again shaking the economy of pre-Confederation Canada. Twice was enough for Canada’s Victorian-era leaders. Globe founder and then-opposition leader George Brown, in arguing for Confederation, advanced that “one of the best features of this union is, that if in our commercial relations with the United States we are compelled by them to meet fire with fire – it will enable us to stop this improvidence and turn the current of our own trade into our own waters.” Mr. Brown firmly believed that economic union would provide national strength and insulate against the recurring protectionism of foreign powers. The nation of Canada was forged in part as a response to the harmful trade policy changes of foreign governments. Canada must once again look within for economic resilience and prosperity. Specifically, it must renew focus on obstacles to trade within our own borders. Economists model that the patchwork nature of Canada’s regulatory landscape imposes the equivalent of a 7-per-cent tariff on goods that cross provincial and territorial boundaries. Another study suggests that the Canadian economy could grow by between 4.4 per cent and 7.9 per cent (between $110-billion and $200-billion a year) if internal trade barriers were fully eliminated by mutual recognition policies – an extremely powerful tool to improve internal trade. Complete unfettered free trade is not the answer, as provincial autonomy must be respected and unique local conditions will forever demand nuanced regulations. But the numbers suggest that there is considerable room to improve. Gone are the days of tariff officers at intercolonial frontiers. The work ahead is technical and will require extensive collaboration amongst Canadian regulators. But our internal trade community has already proven that they can accomplish great things when first ministers prioritize removing domestic trade barriers. In 2019, for the first time, Canada’s provincial and territorial governments finally aligned on a single set of construction codes that is progressively going into effect across the country, saving up to $1-billion by 2028. More recently Canada’s governments announced a mutual recognition project to tackle disharmonious trucking regulations, signalling an exciting shift toward the use of mutual recognition agreements. Trade barriers facing Canada’s truck transportation industry add approximately 8.3 per cent to freight rates, and hinder the economy by $1.6-billion a year, making mutual recognition reform efforts exceedingly worthwhile. The Canadian Free Trade Agreement’s indefatigable Regulatory Reconciliation and Cooperation Table will continue to serve as the agent of change, and the Internal Trade Data Hub released by Statistics Canada earlier this year supports a data-driven approach to trade barrier identification, measurement and resolution. But nothing replaces clear and ambitious direction from the premiers and prime minister. Given the surge in protectionist thinking globally and from our southern neighbours, now is the ideal moment for Canada’s political leaders to learn from the Fathers of Confederation and revitalize the economic union by working together to mutually recognize and harmonize underpinning regulations.Pakistan in contact with Musk's Starlink for 'uninterrupted' internet services
Notable quotes by Jimmy CarterApple appeals Nebraska tax ruling resulting in $652K in additional taxesLondon: For all the rousing revelry and festive fizz that Christmas Day can bring, for some it only ramps up the confusion and anxiety. Older relatives may find it more of a slog to host than they are used to; if they are the guests, a lively new setting can compound the feelings of bewilderment and grumpiness. But when do signs of stress actually signify something more serious? Elizabeth Leonard, 58, recalls how a few years ago, her previously capable, cheerful mother, then aged 71, had an uncharacteristic outburst a few days before Christmas – picking a fight when normally she would do anything to avoid confrontation. On Christmas Day itself she said she couldn’t cook the turkey because there was something wrong with the oven. Elizabeth took over the cooking and found it was working perfectly. It marked the beginning of a long road to accepting that there might be something wrong, followed eventually by a diagnosis of dementia. A Christmas meal disaster could be a clue. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto “It’s a time for making memories, but it’s often during Christmas that we realise that something isn’t quite right with someone,” says Simon Wheeler, a senior knowledge officer at the Alzheimer’s Society. “At first it may seem like a momentary lapse – perhaps just a sign of getting old – but after a while you start to become concerned.” Different types of dementia can cause varying symptoms – from memory loss to difficulty with everyday tasks – that can often be picked up on in a social setting. The most common kind of dementia is Alzheimer’s (early symptoms include confusion and short-term memory problems), followed by vascular dementia (problems with planning and concentration) and Lewy bodies dementia (this includes Parkinson’s dementia, difficulty focusing and delusions). Some symptoms, such as memory loss, are common to many dementias – especially in the early stages. Here’s what to look out for and what to do if you’re worried about a relative this Christmas. Forgetfulness Forgetfulness, as a symptom of dementia, generally applies to short-term memory. “People might be able to sit there and talk about Christmas 10 years ago and remember all the details,” says Angelo Makri, also a senior knowledge officer at the Alzheimer’s Society. “But if you ask them what they did yesterday and they can’t answer, that’s where you know [there may be a problem]“, as well as forgetting people’s names, or their relationship with someone; for example a nephew or niece that they haven’t seen for a year. Of course, as we get older, it is normal to experience an element of memory lapse – so when should you worry? “It will be things that are out of character for that person. With dementia, it is progressive and so can affect daily living. “The person that forgets to put the turkey in the oven, or burns the turkey, may be forgetting to put the oven on for dinner every day.” Repeating questions “As with memory loss, this is quite consistent across all types of dementia and it can happen quite early,” says Makri. “Someone might ask a question over and over again, and it gets to a point where you realise they’re not retaining this information. It’s quite upsetting to witness.” Wheeler adds: “The first noticeable sign of Alzheimer’s disease is typically failing episodic memory. This is when a person has trouble encoding new memories of events and is caused by damage to regions of the brain called the hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex. “It’s declining episodic memory that causes the ‘saying the same thing, over and over’ symptom because the person doesn’t recall having said it previously. They never stored the memory in the first place so it doesn’t inform their future thoughts and actions.” Difficulties in carrying out old family traditions may hint at difficulties with daily tasks. Credit: Getty Images Difficulty carrying out familiar daily tasks While a complex matter like making a whole Christmas dinner would be enough to confuse a lot of us, there may be a problem if someone has difficulty carrying out one familiar job. “For example, if the same person always does the stuffing every year and then they forget to bring the ingredients, or they forget the process of how to do it. People will begin to have difficulty remembering the process of something, or planning, or concentrating.” Difficulty with tech “Confusion with technology is not, of course, specific to people living with dementia,” says Wheeler. “However, people with dementia can – and do – struggle with technology. “As their condition deteriorates over time, their brain will increasingly struggle to process information and think clearly, meaning that technologies that were once easy to use and navigate, for example a mobile phone or a laptop, may become increasingly difficult to use.” Time spent at end-of-year celebrations can bring comfort to the elderly and also a greater understanding of where they are at. Credit: Tribune Difficulty following a conversation “People can have difficulty finding the right word, or just following the thread of a conversation.” says Makri. “They might take longer to process the information they’ve heard, or they might just not be communicating very much. Sometimes they will become a bit withdrawn. They retreat slightly because, actually, they can’t follow the thread of the conversation any more.” Wheeler adds that although people with vascular dementia may not have problems with memory at first, in the context of a conversation they may easily lose the thread, either because they get distracted, they get overwhelmed by too much information, or because their working memory – the ability to keep a thought in your head for a few seconds or more – isn’t working as well as it used to. Spatial and temporal awareness This can be a symptom of all types of dementia. “Sometimes people might be confused about the time or the place,” says Makri. “They might not realise whose house they’re in, or not remember where the loo is. They might know it’s Christmas because they’re sitting at a Christmas table with a turkey in front of them, but they might not remember what year it is.” Difficulty controlling emotions The key is whether their behaviour is out of character. “If this is someone who’s always got really angry or anxious about politics, then you might not worry. But if this is someone who doesn’t normally react this way at that point, if they’re suddenly having mood swings and having difficulty controlling their emotions, then this might be an early sign [of some forms of dementia].” People with vascular dementia in particular tend to be more prone to mood problems as well as fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Inappropriate behaviour This is more of a problem with frontotemporal dementia, a less common type of dementia that involves degeneration in the frontal or temporal lobes of the brain. Early symptoms include changes in personality and behaviour, and/or language difficulties. “You may find a person becomes less inhibited; they might suddenly start saying or doing inappropriate things,” says Makri. Being suddenly suspicious Although this isn’t present with Alzheimer’s, vascular or many other types of dementia, Lewy body dementia – a broad term which includes ‘dementia with Lewy bodies’ and Parkinson’s dementia – can cause delusional beliefs or hallucinations. “Having incorrect beliefs could potentially be an early symptom,” Makri explains. “At that point it’s generally quite mild, but certainly saying something like ‘the neighbours keep having a go at me’, or having a suspicion that the neighbours are talking about them,” could be a sign that something is amiss. What should you do next? Firstly, how much should you worry? “Many of the early symptoms can be caused by other things,” says Makri. “We always say you can’t make a diagnosis at the dinner table. But if someone is presenting with a lot of these symptoms it is a good idea for them to speak to the GP.” The GP will generally carry out tests to rule out other causes, including thyroid deficiencies, urinary tract infection (UTIs) and vitamin B12 deficiency, which can all cause confusion. But how to broach the topic sensitively? Makri suggests that, after speaking to other people who were present, to nominate one close family member to bring this up with the person in question. It’s also helpful to keep notes of the symptoms. MRI brain scans showing different dementia types. Credit: Boston University Ideally, the person themselves will go to the GP, who may then follow up with a referral to a memory clinic and possibly a brain scan. If the person is in denial – which can itself be a part of dementia – a family member can ring the GP and pass on their concerns, and while the GP won’t be able to comment because of patient confidentiality, they may be able to follow up with the patient. The Telegraph, London"The Bond Markets Are Revolting" - Ed Dowd Exposes Biden Admin's "Incompetence... Or Fraud"
NoneEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Snapping a franchise-record 10-game losing streak, winning for the first time at home this season and ending the Indianapolis Colts' slim playoff hopes Sunday didn't salvage the season for the New York Giants. The main positive in the 45-33 win that Drew Lock led with four touchdown passes and a late TD run was the Giants (3-13) got to walk off the field with smiles for the first time in months after a season of misery that will could lead to major changes. Another factor from the win: New York no longer has control of the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Giants coach Brian Daboll, who has had two straight losing seasons following a playoff berth in 2022 in his first year, said that he was happy the team got a chance to celebrate after losing eight straight at MetLife Stadium. “Those guys put a lot into it. They come out, they grind every day. They have good attitudes,” Daboll said. “It’s never easy when you when are losing. But I’m proud of the character and all the people in the building, and I’m mostly happy for them.” Lock, who threw two pick-6s in the loss to Atlanta a week ago, sandwiched touchdown passes of 31 and 59 yards to Malik Nabers around TD passes of 32 yards to Darius Slayton and 5 yards to Wan'Dale Robinson in leading the Giants (3-13) to their first win since beating Seattle on Oct. 6. “I've won a lot in my life,” Slayton said. "I wouldn’t say I ever forget the feeling of winning, but, you know, obviously it’s nice to get that feeling back today.” Ihmir Smith-Marsette had a 100-yard return on the second-half kickoff on a day the league's worst offense set a season high for points. Jonathan Taylor scored on runs of 3 and 26 yards for Indianapolis (7-9), while Joe Flacco, subbing for the injured Anthony Richardson, threw touchdown passes of 13 yards to Alec Pierce and 7 yards to Michael Pittman, the last bringing the Colts within 35-33 with 6:38 left in the fourth quarter. Lock, who finished 17 of 23 for 309 yards, clinched the game by leading a nine-play, 70-yard drive that he capped with a 5-yard run. “It’s kudos to him,” said Nabers, who now has 104 catches for 1,140 yards and six touchdowns. “He looked over the film, found some things that he could get better on and did all that through the week, and it showed how good he can be.” The 45 points were the most for New York since putting up 49 in a 52-49 loss to the Saints in 2015. It’s the Giants most in a win since a 45-14 rout against Washington in 2014 and most at home since a 52-27 win against the Saints in 2012. The No. 6 overall pick in the draft, Nabers finished with seven catches for a career-high 171 yards. “That’s why we drafted him, where we drafted him,” Daboll said. “I’ve been asked about it since training camp and I think the response has been, ‘He’s a pretty good football player.’” Flacco was 26 of 38 for 330 yards with two interceptions, the second by rookie Dru Phillips shortly after Lock's TD run. Taylor, who rushed for 218 yards in a win over Tennessee last week, finished with 125 yards on 32 carries. Pierce had six catches for 122 yards. The Colts came into the game needing to win their final two games and also get help to make the playoffs. “We had something to play for today and obviously we didn’t get it done," Flacco said. The Colts haven't made the playoffs since posting an 11-5 record in 2020. “It's hard to explain,” said Colts coach Shane Steichen, who led the team to a 9-8 record in his first season in 2023. “We had to play a complete game. We haven’t done it all year. We have to be on the same page, and to go out there like that is obviously not good enough.” Nabers and running back Tyrone Tracy become the third pair of rookies to have more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage in the same season. The previous duo was running back Reggie Bush and receiver Marques Colston of the Saints in 2006. Colts: Richardson was inactive with foot and back injuries sustained against Tennessee. Giants: DL Armon Watts (knee) was ruled out in the first half. Colts: Finish the regular season by hosting Jacksonville. Giants: At Philadelphia to face Saquon Barkley and the Eagles. AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Thomas Brown insists he's focused on the job at hand and not the one he might have down the line. His immediate task as the interim coach of the Chicago Bears is helping the team finish strong over the final five games, starting this weekend at San Francisco. The rest of his life can wait. “I think about just the moment. ... I obviously understand the role that I'm in, understand what might come with it," he said Wednesday. "But I also understand that we make most situations bigger than what it has to be because of the outside noise, what everybody else puts a value on it.” The Bears are in a moment unlike any other in the history of the founding NFL franchise. They fired a head coach for the first time during a season when they let Matt Eberflus go on Friday with a 4-8 record and the team in a six-game losing streak marked by head-scratching decisions. They promoted Brown, who in a span of three weeks went from passing game coordinator to offensive coordinator and now the person in charge. The tipping point was a 23-20 loss at Detroit on Thanksgiving, when the Bears let the clock run down rather than call a timeout following a sack. It led to Caleb Williams throwing an incomplete pass from the Lions 41 as time expired when Chicago should have been able to run more than one play. Star cornerback Jaylon Johnson interrupted Eberflus' postgame speech and made his feelings clear. Other players had gone public in recent weeks with their frustrations over the coaching decisions, and they didn't exactly hide their emotions following the Detroit game. On Wednesday, defensive end DeMarcus Walker said he sensed a change was coming after the loss to the Lions. “You guys just look at the whole turnaround, how everything had been going, we just knew some changes were going to be made,” he said. The 38-year-old Brown now has a huge opportunity. He spent last season as Carolina's offensive coordinator and the previous three on Sean McVay's staff with the Los Angeles Rams — the final two as assistant head coach. Prior to that, he spent nine years as a college assistant, including stops at Wisconsin, Georgia, Miami and South Carolina. It's his job to help right a team that came into the season thinking a playoff spot was in reach. Williams' development obviously will be front and center. To that end, the No. 1 overall draft pick has looked more comfortable in the three games since Brown took over for the fired Shane Waldron as offensive coordinator, completing 75 of 117 passes for 827 yards with five touchdowns, no interceptions and a rating of 99.2. Though Brown will continue to call plays, the Bears have another new offensive coordinator in wide receivers coach Chris Beatty. “I think it is a stepping stone actually with my development because I think down the line I’ll have different OCs or different head coaches or whatever the case may be,” Williams said. “And so being able to handle it my first year, handle a new playbook, handle all these different changes, handle all of this I think it definitely will help the development instead of hurting it or anything like that.” Beyond the development of the prized quarterback, Brown also will be judged during his audition for the regular job on his preparation, decisions during games and command of the locker room. He said he reached out to each player individually on Friday and Saturday and tried to set a tone when the team met on Monday. “I want them to be excellent,” Brown said. “I can nitpick at every single play and tell a guy how he wasn’t perfect. And, so, perfection’s not the goal. It’s to excel at your craft.” Notes: The Bears had a lengthy injury report on Wednesday. WRs Keenan Allen (ankle) and DJ Moore (quad), RBs D'Andre Swift (quad) and Roschon Johnson (concussion), DB Elijah Hicks (ankle) and OL Ryan Bates (concussion) all missed practice. S Kevin Byard (shoulder) and OLs Darnnell Wright (knee) and Coleman Shelton (knee) were limited. AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Global Linux Software Market Set For 17.8% Growth, Reaching $10.69 Billion By 2028Oyo: Resist attempt to cause division through religion, Makinde urges Muslims