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Manitoba’s mushroom industry is bracing for economic fallout after the United States moved ahead with new tariffs and trade investigations targeting Canadian mushroom imports. The additional 2.84 per cent tariffs were announced on May 25 on the United States official trade registry. Producers in Manitoba say the measures could threaten jobs, disrupt exports and increase uncertainty across an industry heavily dependent on access to American markets.

The dispute centers on allegations from US mushroom growers that Canadian producers are unfairly subsidized and selling mushrooms below fair market value in the United States. Canadian growers strongly deny those accusations and argue the tariffs are politically motivated protectionism designed to shield struggling American competitors.

Details of the tariffs

Two separate Canadian companies were slapped with different tariffs on May 25. Champ’s Fresh Farms Inc. was hit with a tariff rate of 1.62 per cent and Farmers’ Fresh Mushrooms Inc. was hit with a tariff rate of 4.97 per cent. According to Giorgio Mushroom CEO Mark Currie, the tariffs are a necessary step to cull Canada’s domination of the US mushroom market. Despite trade experts warning that tariffs will not help the US consumer, US mushroom distributors do stand to benefit financially from the newly imposed tariffs.

« For years, American mushroom growers have faced enormous pressure from unfairly subsidized mushroom imports that distorted competition and threatened domestic production, »

-Mark Currie

Petition filed by US companies

The investigations were launched following a petition filed by the Fresh Mushroom Fair Trade Coalition, a group representing six American mushroom growers and distributors. The U.S. Department of Commerce is investigating whether Canadian mushroom producers benefited from unfair government subsidies and whether mushrooms exported into the United States were sold below fair market prices. According to U.S. trade data cited in reporting on the investigations, Canada accounted for roughly 97.5 per cent of all fresh mushroom imports entering the American market during the investigation period. U.S. officials argue the surge in imports harmed domestic mushroom producers financially and threatened American jobs within the sector.

Manitoba producers say the dispute threatens an industry deeply integrated into cross-border trade networks built over decades. Canadian mushroom farms export hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of mushrooms into the United States each year, with Manitoba serving as one of the country’s major agricultural production hubs. Growers argue the North American mushroom market has historically functioned as a highly interconnected supply chain where Canadian and American companies rely heavily on one another. Industry representatives warned that tariffs could increase prices, disrupt distribution and ultimately hurt consumers and businesses on both sides of the border.

Mushroom growers in Canada insist the accusations regarding unfair subsidies misrepresent normal agricultural tax policies available broadly across several provinces. Industry representatives argue American producers are targeting ordinary tax exemptions and energy programs available to many Canadian farmers rather than unique subsidies benefiting mushroom operations specifically. Online reaction to the dispute has also been sharply critical of the U.S. investigation, with some Canadian commentators accusing Washington of weaponizing trade law to protect politically connected agricultural interests. Others pointed out that American agriculture itself receives billions of dollars in government support annually through federal farm programs and subsidies.

Canada-US trade war

The trade action arrives amidst serious instability in Canada-US economic relations following multiple rounds of tariffs introduced during Donald Trump’s second presidency. Since early 2025, both countries have imposed tariffs and countermeasures targeting sectors including steel, aluminum, automobiles and agricultural products. Canadian businesses across multiple industries have warned that the increasingly unpredictable trade environment is creating major uncertainty for exporters dependent on American markets. According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, nearly 1,800 Manitoba businesses rely heavily on cross-border trade with the United States.

The mushroom dispute is another example of how agricultural industries are being caught in the crossfire of Donald Trump’s trade war. Trade experts warn that anti-dumping investigations and tariff complaints are being used more aggressively across multiple sectors as economic nationalism rises on both sides of the border. While Canada and the United States remain each other’s largest trading partners, recent years have seen growing friction surrounding industrial policy, subsidies and domestic manufacturing protection. Analysts say smaller agricultural sectors like mushrooms can become especially vulnerable because producers often lack the political influence and financial resources available to larger industries such as steel, autos or energy.

In a recent report from the Montreal Gazette, researchers have found that rent prices in the City of Montreal have skyrocketed over the last ten years, jumping nearly 70 per cent compared to what they were in 2016. Montreal is a city known for its affordable rental market, but a litany of factors has inflated prices in the last 10 years, and Montrealer’s are feeling it. In 2006, the average price for a rental property in Montreal was just $617 per month. That number grew to $761 in 2016, and now, in 2026 the average price has skyrocketed to $1,291 per month; an increase of 70 per cent.

Montreal no longer a great deal

Since the 1970s, Montreal has had a reputation for being an affordable city for renters. Since Montreal gave up its position as the economic hub, rent prices remained low. With Toronto taking the mantle as the business hub of Canada, prices in Toronto skyrocketed while Montreal’s stayed low. According to a report from David Wachsmuth, the Canada research chair in urban governance at McGill University, Montreal’s rent increase has seriously closed the gap between it and other major Canadian cities like Vancouver and Toronto (two cities known for their expensive rental markets).

“It is important context that this catch-up is happening throughout the province as well. If you look at the regions in Canada where rents are rising the fastest, they’re all in Quebec,”

-David Wachsmuth

Why has Montreal historically been affordable?

According to Wachsmuth, there are several reasons that Montreal has historically been cheaper than other major Canadian cities. One reason is Montreal’s urban design. Montreal is full of low-rise, rental apartments, whereas Toronto and Vancouver rely on single-family detached homes and high-rise condos. Montreal has rental housing everywhere. Between the sheer quantity of rental properties available and Montreal’s history of art and culture, Montreal has always been in a position to offer lower prices than other major metropolitan areas.

What factors are hurting rental prices?

Wachsmuth gave a slew of reasons as to why rental prices have increased so drastically. One is COVID-19 and the population change Montreal experienced. The years after COVID-19 had major population growth alongside low housing vacancy rates, causing a serious spike in demand. Francis Cortellino, a housing economist for the CMHC broke down the change in supply and demand.

“The demand was higher than the supply. So you have a lot of tenants looking for the same apartments,”

-Francis Cortellino

Landlords and property owners, meanwhile, argue they are facing growing financial pressures of their own due to higher interest rates, insurance costs, taxes and maintenance expenses. Some landlords interviewed online and in local reporting said they rely heavily on TAL guidelines when determining increases, while others argued larger hikes have become necessary simply to cover rising operating costs tied to mortgages and utilities. Quebec’s new formula also allows additional adjustments tied to certain renovation expenses, which tenant advocates fear could incentivize cosmetic upgrades designed primarily to justify higher rents.

There is also the impact of the rent increase recommendations by Quebec’s Tribunal administratif du logement, (TAL), suggesting landlords raise rents by an average of 3.1 per cent for leases renewing between April 2026 and April 2027. While lower than the controversial 5.9 per cent recommendation issued in 2025, tenant groups argue the increases remain historically high at a time when many Montrealer’s are already dedicating huge portions of their income toward housing costs. The TAL emphasized the recommendation is not a mandatory cap, meaning landlords can still attempt to seek larger increases depending on renovation costs, taxes and other expenses tied to specific properties.

Montreal still ahead of other cities

Despite the growing frustration, Montreal remains more affordable than Toronto or Vancouver by many national measures. Data from WealthNorth and Apartments.com suggest average two-bedroom rents in Montreal remain roughly 40 per cent lower than comparable units in Toronto. Still, housing experts warn affordability comparisons offer little comfort to local tenants facing rapidly rising costs relative to their own salaries. The pressure appears particularly severe in centrally located neighbourhoods, including Plateau-Mont-Royal, Ville-Marie and parts of the Sud-Ouest, where competition for apartments remains intense despite slightly improved vacancy rates.

What’s next?

As lease renewal season comes along in July, many Montreal renters now face difficult negotiations with landlords while navigating increasingly complex housing rules and rising costs. Under Quebec law, tenants can refuse proposed rent increases and ask the TAL to formally determine a fair rent adjustment, though some renters say they fear retaliation or difficulty securing housing in the future if disputes escalate. With affordability concerns continuing to dominate political debate across the province, the battle over rents is likely to remain one of Montreal’s most contentious social and economic issues throughout the coming year.

An albino buffalo nicknamed «Donald» in Bangladesh that had recently gone viral on the internet after social media users noticed the animal’s flowing blond-yellow hair looked strikingly similar to Donald Trump’s famous hairstyle has now been spared from a grim fate following his unexpected worldwide fame. The four-year-old buffalo first became an online sensation after videos and photos spread rapidly across TikTok, Facebook and Instagram showing the animal’s unusual blond hair hanging over its forehead in a way many users compared to the American president. What initially started as a humorous local curiosity quickly evolved into an international viral phenomenon that transformed the buffalo into one of Bangladesh’s most recognizable internet celebrities almost overnight.

The buffalo, raised at a livestock farm in Bangladesh, began attracting hundreds of visitors daily as crowds traveled to see and photograph the now-famous animal in person. According to AFP, the owner explained that «My younger brother picked this name because of the buffalo’s extraordinary hair.» Videos showed tourists and curious residents taking selfies beside the buffalo while handlers carefully brushed and styled the animal’s blond-yellow hair for visitors. Social media users across Bangladesh joked that «Donald» the buffalo appeared more popular than Trump himself at a time when the American president has faced historically poor approval numbers in several recent public opinion surveys. Memes comparing the buffalo’s internet popularity to Trump’s political controversies quickly exploded online, helping turn the animal into a global viral sensation.

As Donald’s fame grew internationally, concerns also increased over reports that the buffalo was originally expected to be sacrificed during Eid al-Adha, the Islamic «feast of the sacrifice.» The annual religious holiday traditionally involves the ritual sacrifice of livestock animals including cows, goats and buffaloes. Despite his celebrity status online, the buffalo’s owner initially admitted the animal was still expected to face the same fate. According to AFP, Donald was receiving what many online users described as «presidential treatment» following his viral rise, including «four baths a day» and constant grooming sessions designed to maintain his famous hairstyle for cameras and visitors. Images of the buffalo calmly enjoying his baths and hair brushing sessions only increased public affection toward the animal online.

«At the last moment, the decision was taken to spare the buffalo from sacrifice due to security concerns and the unusual level of public interest.»

-A Bangladeshi ministry official

International media coverage and the enormous public response eventually pushed Bangladeshi authorities to reconsider Donald’s fate. As the buffalo’s popularity continued spreading worldwide, local officials reportedly became increasingly concerned about the possibility of public unrest or security complications if anything happened to the now-famous animal. Supporters online launched campaigns calling for Donald to be spared while thousands of social media users flooded comment sections demanding authorities save the buffalo from sacrifice. The story rapidly evolved from a humorous viral moment into a broader public fascination with the animal, with many internet users describing Donald as a symbol of unexpected internet celebrity culture and the unpredictable power of social media attention.

Bangladesh’s Home Ministry eventually intervened directly in the situation. Authorities later confirmed that Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed personally ordered that Donald be spared and relocated to safety following the international attention surrounding the buffalo. «At the last moment, the decision was taken to spare the buffalo from sacrifice due to security concerns and the unusual level of public interest,» a ministry official explained. Donald was later transferred to the National Zoo in Mirpur where officials confirmed he would permanently remain under state protection instead of being returned to the livestock market system tied to Eid celebrations. The decision was widely celebrated online, with many users calling the buffalo’s rescue one of the internet’s most unexpectedly wholesome viral stories of the year.

Recent photos and videos from the National Zoo in Mirpur appear to show Donald adjusting comfortably to his new surroundings while continuing to attract large crowds of curious visitors hoping to see the now-famous animal in person. Zoo officials reportedly confirmed that the buffalo appears calm and healthy following his relocation, with many visitors continuing to photograph his distinctive blond-yellow hair that first launched his rise to internet fame. The story of the Trump look-alike buffalo has since become one of the most talked-about viral animal stories of the year across Bangladesh and internationally. After narrowly escaping sacrifice because of his unexpected global celebrity status, Donald now appears set to spend the rest of his life safely at the zoo, still receiving attention worthy of the unusual fame that transformed him into an international sensation.

Former President Joe Biden has launched an aggressive legal effort to stop the House Judiciary Committee from obtaining — and potentially publicly releasing — audio recordings and transcripts of deeply personal conversations he held with the ghostwriter of his memoir, Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose. The legal battle erupted after the Justice Department announced plans to transfer the recordings to Congress on June 15 following a reversal in federal disclosure policy under President Donald Trump’s administration. The material sought by House Republicans reportedly includes roughly 70 hours of audio interviews Biden conducted with memoir ghostwriter Mark Zwonitzer during 2016 and 2017, conversations that heavily focused on the 2015 death of Biden’s eldest son Beau as well as Biden’s personal reflections on grief, family and public life.

Biden’s legal team argues that the release of the recordings would constitute a major violation of privacy protections and federal law governing investigative materials seized by the government. According to court filings submitted in Washington, Biden’s attorneys claim the recordings involve private conversations conducted inside Biden’s home and were never intended for public dissemination outside the memoir drafting process. The filings describe the DOJ’s planned disclosure as «an unwarranted invasion of privacy» while arguing the government has a legal responsibility to safeguard sensitive personal material obtained during criminal investigations. Biden’s attorneys further argued that transferring the recordings to Congress serves «no legitimate legislative or public purpose» and instead appears politically motivated amid ongoing Republican efforts to scrutinize Biden’s age and mental fitness during his presidency.

The recordings became entangled in federal investigations after Special Counsel Robert Hur obtained access to the material while investigating Biden’s retention of classified documents following his vice presidency. Between 2023 and 2024, Hur reviewed the tapes and transcripts as part of his broader examination into whether Biden improperly retained classified records after leaving office. Although Hur ultimately declined to recommend criminal charges against Biden, the special counsel’s final report generated enormous political controversy after describing Biden as «a well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.» Republicans later seized upon that language as evidence of cognitive decline while Democrats accused Hur of politically inflammatory commentary unrelated to the legal findings of the case itself.

The Justice Department’s position on the recordings changed significantly following Trump’s return to office. Under the Biden administration, federal lawyers had previously maintained that the materials were exempt from disclosure under privacy protections and investigative exemptions tied to Freedom of Information Act requests. However, in February 2026, the DOJ quietly informed Biden’s legal team that it intended to reverse course and comply with demands for the files. A DOJ spokesperson later argued the public had a right to evaluate Biden’s «mental acuity» and cognitive condition during the period covered by the recordings. Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee, led by Representative Jim Jordan, have argued the tapes could provide additional insight into Biden’s memory and state of mind while serving in public office.

«Every American, including a sitting or former Vice President, has a right to privacy in the personal conversations he has within his own home.»

-Joe Biden’s lawyers in court filings

The fight over the recordings also involves conservative legal and political organizations seeking broader public disclosure of the files. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank closely aligned with several Trump-era policy initiatives, previously launched a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit demanding access to the tapes. The organization has openly stated that it wants the recordings released in order to review Biden’s speech patterns, memory and cognitive performance during the interviews. While heavily redacted transcripts of portions of the conversations have already been made public, the full audio recordings themselves remain sealed pending judicial review. Biden’s legal team has now filed both a motion to intervene in the existing records lawsuit and a separate lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Washington seeking an emergency injunction blocking the release.

The escalating legal battle has rapidly become another flashpoint in the broader political war surrounding Biden’s age, health and legacy following the end of his presidency. Republicans have increasingly argued that voters were not fully informed about Biden’s cognitive condition while he remained in office, especially after his disastrous 2024 debate performance against Trump accelerated concerns inside the Democratic Party. Biden allies, however, accuse Republicans and Trump’s Justice Department of attempting to weaponize intensely personal family conversations for political gain. The outcome of the case could ultimately determine whether Congress gains access to hours of unreleased audio involving one of the most emotionally difficult periods of Biden’s life while simultaneously setting broader precedents about privacy protections surrounding investigative materials seized during federal criminal probes.