Deadlines to request Spring 2026 Convocation approach — Simcoe Hall

Junia Alsinawi, Deputy News Editor

Students wishing to graduate this spring must request convocation this week. UTSG Faculty of Arts & Science, UTSC, and Daniels students have until January 31 to do so, while UTM students must request convocation by Monday, January 26. Students who miss the deadline but wish to graduate this spring should reach out to their college registrar immediately, but should understand that a place at convocation cannot be guaranteed. 

“The old order is not coming back,” says Carney — Davos, Switzerland

Ella MacCormack, News Editor

In a January 20 speech at the World Economic Forum, Prime Minister Mark Carney said that the powerful were using economic intimidation to get what they want, stating, “We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition.” 

Carney said instead of waiting for the “old order” to return, nations need to build strong domestic economies and international diversification to reduce the powerful’s leverage. The speech received a standing ovation. 

After, Trump revoked the invitation for Carney to join his “Board of Peace,” which was initially aimed to oversee the ceasefire in Gaza, but now aspires to be an “international peace-building body” for any global conflict. 

Canadian Government to strengthen trade partnerships with China — Ottawa

Arunveer Sidhu, UTM Bureau Chief

The Government of Canada announced a “preliminary agreement-in-principle” with China that reduces Canada’s tariff on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) from 100 per cent to 6.1 per cent and establishes an initial quota of 49,000 EVs arriving in Canada per year. By comparison, Tesla delivered between 18,300–20,000 vehicles to Canada in 2025, a 63–67 per cent decline from the previous year. 

The proportion of the quota reserved for EVs with an import price of $35,000 or less is planned to reach 50 per cent by 2030. The Canadian government expects this deal to protect and create new auto manufacturing jobs for Canadian workers while expanding the availability of more affordable EVs in Canada.

By March 1, 2026, China is also expected to lower tariffs on Canadian canola seeds from the current combined rate of 84 per cent to 15 per cent. Canada is the top global exporter of canola, and China is the second-largest market, so this deal will improve market access for approximately $4 billion of annual Canadian canola seed exports to China.

Another US Citizen shot dead by federal agents in Minneapolis — Minnesota

Junia Alsinawi, Deputy News Editor

On January 24, American citizen Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, was shot dead in a confrontation with federal agents in Minneapolis. Videos show at least six masked, armed agents wrestling with Pretti for a few moments before a Border Patrol agent fires multiple shots, killing him. Pretti was an intensive care unit nurse, born in Illinois.

This comes just two weeks after ICE agent Jonathan Ross shot and killed US citizen Renee Good, also in the streets of Minneapolis. 

Federal agents claim that Pretti had a handgun and that the killing was in self-defence. Videos taken by witnesses show that Pretti had already been disarmed by federal agents at the time of the killing. Police have confirmed that Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit to conceal carry. 

Rents due for Toys ‘R’ Us — Concord

Ella MacCormack, News Editor

Toys ‘R’ Us landlords have filed at least seven lawsuits, claiming the toy retailer owes a collective $31.3 million in unpaid rent and damages from 2024–2025. Toys ‘R’ Us only has about 22 locations left in Canada, down from 81 in 2021.