Today's Headlines: Trade War Sparks, Lab Strike Ends, Quebec Election Heats Up, Remembering Afghanistan

President Donald Trump signed a set of executive orders on Tuesday that effectively block a slate of Canadian imports. The move came just after Ottawa rolled out its own round of counter‑duties, and the U.S. trade chief, Jamieson Greer, didn’t hide his frustration, calling the escalation a "natural consequence" of Canada’s so‑called "senseless retaliation." It’s a classic tit‑for‑tat, and the headlines are already full of blame‑shifting.

Economists, however, are trying to keep the panic in check. Most of the newly imposed Canadian tariffs target intermediate inputs—raw materials that manufacturers use—rather than the groceries we see on supermarket shelves. Ali Jaffery of KPMG notes that only about 20 % of the affected items are consumer‑facing products, which should help keep overall inflation from spiralling. Still, he warns that certain health‑ and beauty‑care items might feel a slight price bump in the short run.

Up north in Manitoba, a very different drama unfolded. Hundreds of medical‑lab workers at Dynacare, the province’s main collector of routine tests, were ordered back to their stations after a one‑day strike. The labour board argued the workers were too essential to the health‑care system to stay on the picket line. While the union said it will obey the order, it also voiced a loss of trust in Premier Wab Kinew’s government.

Meanwhile, Quebec’s political arena is buzzing with activity. Leaders of the province’s five major parties are criss‑crossing the province, gearing up for the Oct. 5 election. Tonight’s back‑to‑back interviews on Radio‑Canada will put issues like tariffs, cost‑of‑living pressures, education and language front and centre. Polls suggest voters are watching closely how candidates address affordability—a theme that’s become almost synonymous with the campaign.

Finally, a somber reminder of Canada’s long‑standing military commitments. Twenty‑five years ago, the September 11 attacks sent Canadian forces halfway around the world to Afghanistan. Former defence chief of staff Eugene Lang reflects on how what was expected to be a short‑term mission turned into Canada’s longest war to date, reshaping the nation’s view of its role on the global stage.