Canada’s premiers, including Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, will spend a second day in Ottawa, where they will meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney, with impending negotiations to renew the Canada-U-S-Mexico trade agreement casting a shadow.  U-S President Donald Trump is already threatening new tariffs.  Ontario Premier Doug Ford and New Brunswick’s Susan Holt said they agree with Carney’s recent suggestion that “almost nothing is normal” right now with our American neighbour.

–

–

On Wednesday, the Bank of Canada left its key interest rate unchanged at 2.25 per cent as inflation remains stable and the economy adapts to U-S tariffs.

The central bank sees inflation holding broadly around its two per cent target over the horizon.

But forecasters at the bank warn the outlook is risky and that’s partly because of the upcoming review of the Canada-U-S-Mexico agreement later this year.

The central bank also expects the economy stalled in the final quarter of 2025 but is expected to recover over the next couple of years.

 

 

Canadian Blood Services in Nova Scotia says it is in desperate need of blood and plasma donations after winter weather disrupted its usual collections.  The organization believes severe winter weather and seasonal illnesses are behind many cancelled appointments.  It has also had to cancel several donation events this month.

 

 

Nova Scotia singer-songwriter, model and D-J, Goldie Boutilier, leads this year’s nominations for the 38th East Coast Music Awards.  Boutilier has seven nominations while indie folk artist Daniel James McFadyen has six.  The East Coast Music Awards Festival and Conference will take place in Sydney between May 20th and 24th, with awards gala on May 21st. Pictou County’s Andre Pettipas was also nominated for TD’s Entertainer of the year, which is a fan voted catagory.

 

 

In sports,

The Crushers are home to the Summerside Western Capitals tonight in the Maritime Junior Hockey League.  Game time is 7:00pm.