Good morning. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly is rejecting U.S. accusations that she tried to influence American elections, saying she was simply defending Canadian interests. More on that below, along with new details about the deadly military fire in Alberta and Canada’s growing ties with Turkey.
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Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly speaks with media in Gatineau, Que., on Tuesday.Keito Newman/The Canadian Press
TOP STORIES
Joly rebuffs U.S. meddling claims
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has pushed back against accusations from the U.S. embassy in Ottawa that she sought to influence the American midterm elections, insisting she was simply defending Canadian interests.
The accusations: The U.S. embassy circulated a document this week accusing Canadian officials of attempting to influence American politics by linking retaliatory tariffs to political pressure on Washington. The document cited comments from Joly, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and other officials, warning Canadians against interfering in U.S. elections.
Canada’s response: Joly rejected the allegations, saying she would never interfere in an American election and expects the same restraint from Washington. Prime Minister Mark Carney also denied that Canada’s counter-tariffs were intended to influence the vote. Meanwhile, Canadian diplomats in the U.S. have been instructed to limit public engagements during the midterm campaign, a move Ottawa described as standard practice.
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Soldiers stationed at CFB Wainwright fly the regimental flag of the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), in Wainwright, Alta., on Wednesday.Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press
Deadly military fire began on grenade range
A wildfire that killed four Canadian Forces soldiers and injured dozens more at CFB Wainwright in Alberta began during routine training on an automatic grenade launcher range, military officials confirmed Thursday.
The investigation: Brigadier-General Vanessa Hanrahan said the fire initially remained within a designated danger area, preventing firefighters from attacking it directly. It later spread to another part of the base, overrunning soldiers’ positions. Three investigations are examining how and why the fire spread.
The toll: As of Thursday, 27 soldiers remained in hospital in serious condition, while 12 others had been discharged.
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Prime Minister Mark Carney shakes hands with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, Turkey on Thursday.Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press
Canada, Turkey strike strategic partnership
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have announced a strategic partnership to deepen co-operation on defence, energy and trade, as Ottawa seeks to reduce its reliance on the United States.
The agreement: The three-year action plan includes closer collaboration on nuclear energy, liquefied natural gas and critical minerals, along with defence technology and joint ventures. The two countries will also begin negotiations toward a free-trade agreement next month.
The bigger picture: The deal marks a thaw in relations after years of tensions over Canadian arm exports to Turkey. But it also raises questions about Carney’s approach to foreign policy, as Erdogan faces criticism over his government’s crackdown on dissent and democratic freedoms. The Prime Minister has defended his approach as “values-based realism,” arguing that engagement with other countries does not mean endorsing their conduct.
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Sarah Walker works on her farm in Jonestown, Miss., on Oct. 14. The retired schoolteacher, who now drives a school bus, is among a new generation of aspiring Black famers in the Mississippi Delta.Marcus Yam/The Globe and Mail
Black farmers fight for their land
In the Mississippi Delta, where Black farmers once worked nearly three-quarters of the region’s farms, fewer than 1,000 Black-operated farms remain. Generations of discrimination, mechanization and rising costs have pushed many off the land.
The fight to stay: Black communities are battling to preserve their agricultural heritage and build a future for the next generation. Some people are taking a program offering free farmland and training, while others are reclaiming ancestral property.
The Take
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith fed a stray cat, in hopes that it would go away. But stray cats don’t do that. They eat until their bellies swell, then saunter away to go sleep it off. The next morning, however, they’ll come back for another meal, screeching by the side door until someone appears with a plate. And then, the next day. And the next. And the next.
In her latest column, Robyn Urback argues that Smith’s efforts to appease separatists have backfired, leaving her vulnerable to a leadership challenge from within her own party.
The Shot
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Musicians march with protesters in Paris earlier this month.Siegfried Modola/The Globe and Mail
An unlikely soundtrack to France’s protests: The 400-member, all-volunteer Orchestre du Nouveau Monde has been bringing classical music and protest songs to demonstrations across Paris. On Saturday, the musicians were forced to stop playing after tear gas filled the Place de la République as police clashed with protesters. The orchestra says it remains determined to keep performing.
The Wrap
What else we’re following
At home: About 120,000 federal workers will take part in strike votes starting Nov. 16 after contract talks with Ottawa broke down over wages, job security and other issues.
Abroad: Seven oil tankers were damaged or caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz overnight on Thursday, Iran says, as tensions rise over fears of renewed all-out war with the U.S. and Israel.
Business: Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has given Stelco’s U.S. owner, Cleveland-Cliffs, 15 days to honour its job commitments or potentially face legal action, following the company’s plans to lay off up to 500 Ontario workers.
B.C. election: British Columbians head to the polls Saturday in a tight provincial election that could see Premier David Eby’s NDP lose power to a resurgent Conservative Party. Here’s what you need to know about the party leaders, their platforms and where to vote.
Food: Why pay nearly $100 for pasta? Restaurants across Canada are turning the humble dish into a fine-dining experience, with elaborate tasting menus showcasing the labour and craftsmanship behind handmade noodles.
Rugby: Canada’s women face top-ranked England in Ottawa on Friday, seeking another win after ending the Red Roses’ 41-match unbeaten streak last week.
Fashion: At 47, Toronto model Shani Feldman is making waves on the Chanel runway as luxury fashion embraces older models. After a two-decade hiatus from European catwalks, she reflects on her comeback and age inclusivity.