Catching up with the news: Heroes of the Flames, FTFG, and World Cup stories

Canada wildland fire information system map

Heroes of the flames

Some courageous people.

Chance Paavola

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Sunday Funday: Some posts about the wildfires. Plus good posts, funny posts, getting old(er), Carney hat trick, TrumpWatch, Animal Crackers and World Cup Stories

First, a few more posts about those wildfires:

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Round-up: just some political cartoons, plus some commentary about the week

Dali - Soft Construction with Boiled Beans (Premonition of Civil War)

Just some cartoons and comments on the week - and the Dali painting seemed appropriate...

Canadian wildfires 

The Toronto Star has an interactive wildfire map [gift link] showing where the smoke is expected for the next several days.

Probably more helpful to think of them not so much as “Canadian wildfires” but rather “climate change wildfires currently consuming Canada”

— Katie Mack (@astrokatie.com) July 17, 2026 at 8:23 AM

Meanwhile, people in the United States are losing their minds about the smoke, including Trump. 

Today's News: Canada battles terrible fires but we are keeping our Elbows Up! Trump speech is a Nothingburger. And some World Cup Stories

In Canadian news today, the wildfires are so terrible right now.

And we aren't the only ones fighting this battle.

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Here in Saskatoon we don't have smoke (yet) but lots of people east of us are in the soup right now.

Today's News: Saying "no" to Poilievre and Trump. Plus World Cup Stories

A recent poll that showed Poilievre had narrowed the gap between him and Carney - now he's only 6 points behind, instead of 9.

The thing is, this isn't going to stand up.
Not after Lethbridge Liberace and all the fallout this week.
And I don't know how Poilievre can read these columns and not at least consider resigning.

First is from the Public Consent substack (also reprinted in The Walrus), where public affairs consultant Dan Robertson, a Conservative, describes the crazy last few weeks in Conservative Land and tells Poilievre to grow up:

....For those spared the spectacle, a brief summary: at the Calgary Stampede, Pierre Poilievre celebrated Kerry Lynne Findlay’s victory in the British Columbia Conservative leadership race as a win over “Liberal lobbyists from out East.”
The people he described were not Liberals. They were Kory Teneycke, Nick Kouvalis, and Anthony Koch, among the most accomplished Conservative operatives in the country. What followed were days of digital crossfire involving former Poilievre communications directors, columnists, influencers, and operatives, culminating in Brian Lilley asking in print whether the leader is serious about winning and Ben Woodfinden, who gave years to Poilievre’s office, confessing he has never been more depressed about the state of conservative politics in this country.
Everyone involved believes they are right. Some probably are. Here is the thing about being right in politics: it doesn’t matter. Winning elections is the point. Not winning the argument.
Which brings me to the onus. In any organization, responsibility for cohesion rises with rank. A volunteer can hold a grudge. A staffer can nurse a grievance. A columnist can keep score. The leader cannot. The leader of a political party cannot be one combatant among many because the leader is the only person whose job includes the coalition itself. When the leader picks a fight, it is not a fight; it is a fracture. When the leader can end a fight and declines to do so, HE is the cause of the fracture.
This is the hardest lesson in our movement’s history....
There is no version of internal conservative warfare that ends well. There are only two versions: the one where the leader stops it early, and the one where it stops him....
...Every other participant in this brawl can afford to be right. The leader can only afford to win. If mending fences with Doug Ford and his team adds a single point in Ontario, the phone call costs nothing, and pride is not a reason.
Canadian voters are watching a party that trails in the polls ripping itself apart. They will draw the obvious conclusion: a party that cannot govern itself cannot govern the country....

Wednesday Wit: Clips and comments from our Bizarro World. Plus today's World Cup stories

 

Anyone who read DC Comics in their youth will likely remember their "Bizarro World" issues.

A useful concept, as it turns out -- too many people seem to be living in Bizarro World now, where up is down, monsters are electable, "socialists" are enemies, Poilievre thinks he won in 2025, Trump thinks he runs the world and so forth and so on. 

So today I'm sharing some clips and comments about our situation.

Pierre Poilievre's bizarre beliefs were the subject of discussion at a recent Curse of Politics podcast where David Herle, Scott Reid, Jordan Leichnitz, and Kory Teneycke couldn't figure out why Poilievre would go to the Stampede to complain about BC Conservative leader loser Caroline Elliott - a typically myopic gripe-fest which will do nothing to grow the base. As Teneycke said

...His entire ego and self-image is wrapped up and frozen in time in 2024, where it looked like he was going to be prime minister. Now that it is very clear to everyone in the world, except perhaps him and a handful of trolls online, that that ain't ever going to happen, he's trying to recast the decision from 'Who do you want to have be prime minister?' to 'Who should be the leader of the opposition....
...You saw professional weirdo Jamil Jivani out with more weird comments. And clearly he is under the control of no one ... The fact that he can't get along with leadership isn't a surprise. This is somebody who's essentially sued every former employer he's had or left on very bad terms. This is a guy who you're going to have problems with, and you could see that train coming 20 miles down the tracks. But, add it all together, I think you're seeing a weak leader with almost no control over his caucus and is reaping what he and his little buddy Scheer have sown in terms of the people that they've allowed into caucus...
...When you elect leaders who are completely and utterly unaccomplished prior to entering politics and who have entered politics in their 20s, you are going to be very vulnerable to running against somebody who has actually done something with their life. And why Scheer is still sitting in the caucus is the same reason why Poilievre will end up sitting in the caucus after he's done being leader, because he is unemployable in any other job...

Wow!

Catching up with the news about Carney and bridges and reports and Ukraine and Trump. Plus World Cup Stories and other sports

Hey, lots of news since Saturday!

Gordie Howe Bridge update
CTV reports:

Prime Minister Mark Carney is defending the deal brokered between Canada and the United States to open the delayed Gordie Howe International Bridge and insists the profits split with the Americans will be minimal.
“The word ‘net’ does a lot of work in this. We are sharing after Canada is paid back,” Carney said in an interview with CTV Calgary’s Tara Nelson at the Calgary Stampede on Sunday when asked about the agreement.
“We get the revenues. Then the servicing of the costs of the bridge and paying the debt of the bridge, and then what’s left over, there’s a split of that for 15 years,” he said.
“There’s not going to be a lot of net to split,” the prime minister later added.
According to a senior government source, Canada will get 50 per cent of the bridge’s toll profits in the first 15 years, with the other 50 per cent going into an economic development fund.
The source also tells CTV News that the U.S. will need to agree if Canada wants to increase bridge tolls by more than 10 per cent or lower them below compared regional averages....

I suspect the idea behind the bridge toll "regional average" agreement is to protect the Maroun family so the new bridge won't be allowed to charge less than they are already charging for their Ambassador Bridge.

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Sunday Funday: I'm Forswunk! So here are some good posts & funny posts, plus What an Asshole, Carney Hat Trick, TrumpWatch, Animal Crackers, World Cup stories

Cartoon by Mick O'Hara

Anyone else forswunk? [exhausted from work, heat, lack of sleep, etc.] It’s a gorgeous word from the 1300s, to which I have added my own riff with ‘foreswunk’: exhausted before you even begin.

- Susie Dent

Read on Substack

I think everyone feels forswunk now, so here is this week's collection to enjoy!

Good posts
Vancouver street art

#streetart #Giants #Vancouver #Granvilleisland

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— ilovedogs2024.bsky.social (@ilovedogs2024.bsky.social) July 5, 2026 at 10:03 PM

Wrapping up the week: Canada v Poilievre, Canada v USA, ICE Gestapo v USA, Spain v Trump, plus World Cup Stories and shout out to Gaby Dabrowski

Canada v Poilievre: laugh of the week
That white satin cowboy suit seemed to be the final blow to his credibility with Canadian media.

Robert Fife on the latest round of Conservative infighting: "This party is falling apart before our very eyes."

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— Scott Robertson (@sarobertson.bsky.social) July 10, 2026 at 6:30 PM

It would be truly hysterical if the Cons dumped Poilievre and elected a moderate as leader. One who could run to the left of Carney who is steaming further and further right. We used to call them ‘Progressive’ Conservatives. But I won’t hold my breath waiting for that to happen.

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— Scott Forbes🇨🇦 (@theecologyprof.bsky.social) July 10, 2026 at 7:38 PM

Today's News: Carney, Trudeau, Poilievre, Trump and Count Binface. Plus World Cup Stories

I have often said that I feel smarter every time I listen to Carney explain something important. I don't agree with every position he takes, but its clear that he is thoughtful and purposeful, not knee-jerk and emotional. 

Some examples from his Saudi Arabia trip:

"Lecturing countries from afar is satisfying but ineffective."

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Thursday: Just some good news and a few funny posts, plus World Cup Stories

Busy day today so a shorter blog piece tonight!
First, some good news and funny posts about Canada and Carney

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Here's how you hold an impromptu press conference. youtu.be/IMiPkgUoxDQ?...

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— anita72.bsky.social (@anita72.bsky.social) July 8, 2026 at 1:50 PM

Wednesday Wit: some good comments about Poilievre and Trump and Carney and US-Canada relations and living your dreams, plus World Cup Stories

So Poilievre went to Calgary and it didn't go very well:

The Canadian media is constantly, desperately trying to prop Poilievre up at this serious policy thinker but fortunately he regularly intervenes to make clear that he’ll never surpass his true Facebook comment section self

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— Martin Concagh (@mconcagh.bsky.social) July 7, 2026 at 6:40 AM

Today's News: World Cup stories - Everything Trump Touches Dies. Plus, Carney get Subs, and checking in on Canada's far-right

The world is laughing at Trump

And at FIFA

Canada ends its World Cup journey. Plus Sunday Funday posts, Getting Old(er), Animal Crackers

Our World Cup journey is over

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— Justin McElroy 🇨🇦 (@jmcelroy.bsky.social) July 4, 2026 at 1:02 PM

The boys did good

Canada’s World Cup Journey Ends in Houston. What a Ride It Has Been. 🍁 By Annie Koshy A 0-3 defeat to Morocco today in Houston in the Round of 16. A bridge too far, against one of the best teams in the world. Five matches. Two wins. One draw. Two losses. Canada’s men scored eight goals and reached the Round of 16 of a home World Cup after 40 years of waiting for a single win. Jesse Marsch built something real. Jonathan David announced himself to the world. Alphonso Davies showed what a player he has become. Stephen Eustáquio became a national hero in stoppage time in Los Angeles. This generation of Canadian footballers changed what this country believes is possible. The Men’s World Cup goes on. Canada’s done us proud . 🍁⚽❤️🙏🏽

- Annie Koshy

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on one hand getting to the round of 16 is an unqualified success but between the first half and the davies and koné injuries we’re going to have a “what if” debate for years to come but maybe that’s the beauty of sports and wait you’re all yelling at me yeah okay that’s fair

— Justin McElroy 🇨🇦 (@jmcelroy.bsky.social) July 4, 2026 at 12:53 PM

Its Cartoon Day! Plus catching up with the news, some TrumpWatch, and World Cup stories

A few good cartoons: 

Today's News: Absolutely excellent Canada Strong announcements, plus World Cup Stories

When July 1 happens on a Wednesday, Canadians usually take the Thursday and Friday off too, so we engineer a five-day weekend to kick off the summer.
This year, that break did not happen for PM Carney. 

Wow!

Canada and British Columbia Sign Cooperative Prosperity Agreement on Energy, Trade, and Infrastructure By Annie Koshy Prime Minister Mark Carney and British Columbia Premier David Eby signed the Canada-British Columbia Cooperative Prosperity Agreement in Vancouver today, one of the most consequential federal-provincial economic deals signed in British Columbia in a generation. On LNG, the federal government committed to accelerating permitting, financing, and construction of LNG Canada Phase 2, Ksi Lisims LNG, Cedar LNG, and Woodfibre LNG. These projects would substantially expand Canada’s export capacity at a moment when allied demand for reliable energy has never been higher. The G7 statement at Évian last month explicitly welcomed Canada’s potential to deliver significant additional energy capacity to global markets. This agreement is the domestic mechanism through which that potential begins to be realized. A $500 million investment will expand the Red Chris Mine, increasing Canada’s annual copper production by more than 15 percent while reducing emissions by over 70 percent once operational. The North Coast Transmission Line receives $3.9 billion, projected to create $10 billion in new economic activity, reduce emissions by up to three million tonnes annually, and serve as the backbone of a clean energy corridor connecting British Columbia, the Yukon, and potentially Alberta. On trade infrastructure, Roberts Bank Terminal upgrades will unlock over $100 billion in new trade capacity and add approximately $3 billion to Canada’s economy annually. The George Massey Tunnel replacement receives up to $3 billion for a modern eight-lane structure replacing the aging four-lane tunnel along Highway 99. The Ports of Prince Rupert and Stewart will be developed as critical minerals trade corridors in partnership with First Nations. The environmental commitments are substantive. A new National Carbon Credit Framework will be established. A $250 million Whales Initiative will reinforce Southern Resident Killer Whale habitat protections along British Columbia’s coast. The federal North Coast tanker ban will be maintained in accordance with the proposed Alberta pipeline route, threading the needle between British Columbia’s environmental priorities and Alberta’s export ambitions. All projects will be built in consultation and partnership with First Nations, with explicit commitments to co-ownership and economic benefits. The Team Canada Strong initiative will train up to 100,000 new Red Seal trades workers to build these projects. Over $630 million in affordable child care funding is also included. The ambition is considerable. Implementation will define whether this agreement delivers on its historic framing. https://www.youtube.com/live/DaJAB7ANkl8?si=Vov88U_HrQpdldVg

- Annie Koshy

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Wednesday Wit: Thanks Carney, Trudeau, Marc Miller, Bryan Adams, Tod Maffin, plus Canada Day stories, political cartoons, some comments on the passing scene, and World Cup Stories

Thanks Carney!

And this time he waited until the pancake was set before he flipped it - I think he's taken some lessons!

Heads up, Stampeded -- PM Carney now appears to have some pancake game!

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— davidakin (@davidakin.bsky.social) July 1, 2026 at 9:44 AM

A Canada Day hug between Carney and Trudeau

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— Scott Robertson (@sarobertson.bsky.social) July 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM

Kicking Back on Canada Day! Plus more Forward Guidance, World Cup stories and Pride update

This cartoon is an oldie but a goodie -- hope you are also enjoying just kicking back and swatting those annoying mosquitos!

Brittlestar explains Canada Day to Americans: