Collaboration and Crisis: Manitoba and Ontario Unite Amid Wildfires

The Prime Minister meets with his new cabinet, and announces the government’s first order of business – a middle class tax cut by Canada Day. Mark Carney laid out a number of other priorities for his team. However, a federal budget by year’s-end won’t be among them.

Also: Hot, dry weather is fuelling ‘dangerous’ wildfires in parts of Manitoba. One of the largest is spreading near the municipality of Lac du Bonnet, about a 90 minute drive northeast of Winnipeg, where encroaching flames have killed at least two people, and forced hundreds of people from their homes. Local officials say the fire has also burned down some buildings, causing ‘significant loss.’

And: Bad grades. A new global report card on the well-being of Canadian children suggests our kids are struggling socially and mentally compared to youths from other rich nations.

Plus: The U.S. President continues his tour of the Middle East, amid the controversy surrounding his potential new gift from Qatar; the aftermath of more airstrikes in Gaza; Canada’s plan for Arctic defence, and more.