Good morning. While fires burned in northwestern Ontario, smoke drifted into southern parts of the province. More on that below, along with interest rate updates and WestJet’s strike vote.
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Canadian National Railway workers in a train are surrounded by an out-of-control wildfire near Armstrong, Ont., in this screen grab from a video on social media on July 15.X Sol Mamakwa/The Canadian Press
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Fires across northwestern Ontario force evacuations
Several communities in northwestern Ontario are evacuating as wildfires devastate homes, camps and infrastructure, with more communities on standby as the province says the wildfire situation is only going to get worse.
On the ground: The Ministry of Natural Resources says recent lightning events have caused the high-to-extreme hazard levels and increased fire activity, with 135 active fires as of Wednesday afternoon. Tausha Esquega is a member of Gull Bay First Nation living in Thunder Bay where many evacuees fled to, without a plan, she told The Globe and Mail.
The context: Ontario opposition MPPs accused Premier Doug Ford’s government of underfunding the province’s emergency forest firefighting service. Patty Hajdu, the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, said Ottawa is ready to support the province but a request for assistance hasn’t been made yet.
The smoke: Smoke from the fires drifted south, choking the air over Toronto and southern regions of Ontario, turning skylines an eerie shade of orange. Smoke plumes stretched across the U.S.-Canada border, prompting health warnings in New York state.
The suspensions: Canadian National Railway halted freight rail operations in areas hit by fires after a video was posted online showing a CN locomotive surrounded by flames in Northern Ontario. The video was shot near Armstrong, Ont., around Lake Nipigon. It was posted to social media by Sol Mamakwa, MPP for Kiiwetinoong.
Your protection: Here are some things to help you understand what poor air quality means for your body, and how to stay safe from the smoke. If you notice persistent shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness or worsening respiratory symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
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A woman crosses Tehran’s Enghelab Square on July 15, past a giant billboard featuring U.S. President Donald Trump in a coffin with text in Persian reading ‘We Kill Trump.’-/AFP/Getty Images
U.S. launches new wave of strikes against Iran
The U.S. struck Iran’s coastal defences and missile sites yesterday after reimposing a naval blockade of its ports. It continued its strikes into Thursday, hitting targets further north. Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had struck U.S. military targets in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan.
The statements: Tehran threatened to launch widespread attacks on regional infrastructure if the U.S. hits Iranian bridges and power plants. Iran has been trying to assert permanent control over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at an event at a defence summit, Donald Trump claimed the Iranians want to “settle so badly.”
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Argentina’s Lionel Messi and teammates celebrate after the match.NATHAN RAY SEEBECK/Reuters
Argentina will return to World Cup final
In one of the biggest rivalries in international soccer, defending champion Argentina rallied to beat England 2-1 yesterday and reach the World Cup final once again. Lionel Messi assisted Lautaro Martinez and Enzo Fernandez with two goals near the end of the game.
The take: Cathal Kelly asks: What’s the lesson learned for England this time around? Don’t get pulled into your opponent’s style of game. Don’t celebrate early wins. Don’t hang back when you have the lead.
Up next: Argentina will play Spain in the final on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J., one victory away from becoming back-to-back World Cup winners.
Canada to join Global Combat Air Programme
Next week Canada will announce it is taking an observer role in the Global Combat Air Programme, a joint initiative by Britain, Japan and Italy to develop a next-generation fighter aircraft, according to a senior Canadian government official.
The background: The source told The Globe that Canada will be admitted as an observer, but that it could one day participate more fully in the program. The move is part of Ottawa’s efforts to diversify its defence and economic relations beyond the U.S.
BoC holds interest rate on uncertain outlook
The Bank of Canada held its interest rate in the face of volatile energy markets and optimistic domestic data. It was widely expected the bank would keep the policy rate at 2.25 per cent for the sixth consecutive time.
The forecast: The bank also lowered its estimate for 2026 GDP growth to 0.7 per cent from 1.2 per cent in the April Monetary Policy Report. However, it increased its forward-looking GDP projections, with expectations for GDP to grow 1.8 per cent in both 2027 and 2028.
The Take
Canadians deserve to know not only that the government is buying submarines, but why it believes this design is the most capable war-fighting submarine available – and whether Canada has waited so long that even the best submarine may arrive too late.
— Rob Huebert, professor of political science at the University of Calgary
Canada’s conversation about new submarines is failing to ask the most important question, writes Rob Huebert.
The Shot
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Tango enthusiasts dance during a milonga evening session at La Cumparsita in Istanbul.Francisco Seco/The Associated Press
Far from tango’s birthplace in South America, enthusiasts in Istanbul have built a vibrant community to keep the dance alive.
The Wrap
What else we’re following
At home: WestJet flight attendants voted in favour of a strike over ground pay negotiations, setting up potential flight interruptions during the August long weekend.
Abroad: An Israeli air strike killed four in Gaza, including a six-year-old girl, one day after Hamas leaders wrapped up another round of truce talks in Cairo.
No pause: Hamilton city councillors have rejected a temporary pause on new data centres in a 10-6 vote.
Un-pause: Trump said federal ICE will actually not end vehicle stops, one day after officials announced a temporary pause.
Unpopular: A new survey by the Pew Research Center across 20 countries shows the United States is now less popular than China.
Playmate: If you want to experience life beyond the narrow confines of your immediate time and place, get an older friend.