Ariel Tozman 0:03 Good evening. TMU, I'm Ariel Tozman. I'm Emma Amodio, and I'm Mariam Kourabi. Welcome to the Final Word news report for Friday, March 7. Today, we're covering women's sports, the latest in US, Canada relations and a Toronto Public Library strike. But first, here's Emma with the local lowdown. Emma Amodio 0:23 Mayor Olivia Chow announced she plans to ban US companies from bidding on contracts with the City of Toronto. The Toronto Star says, starting now, the city will only award contracts under $353,000 to Canadian companies. Chow also plans to introduce a motion blocking American firms from all future city contracts. Non Canadian companies outside the US may still qualify for larger projects. Chow acknowledged her plan could raise costs for the city, but told CBC that quote, As proud Canadians, I think we are united in saying we will never back down. City officials estimate that less than 10% of Toronto's $3 billion annual procurement budget goes to US companies. Pat Tobin is the city's manager of economic development. He says that cutting ties with American firms overnight could impact municipal services. The Toronto Star says Chow will meet with her executive committee on March 19 to finalize this initiative. Chow's Plan was introduced due to the ongoing trade war between Canada and the States, according to the Toronto Star. This decision follows Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown's recent madd in Canada policy. In other news, Toronto Library workers have voted in favor of a strike. The Toronto Star says ongoing understaffing and concerns over workplace violence sparked this decision. Library union president Brandon Haynes said in a press release that the high voter turnout shows how strongly librarians feel about a fair contract. The TLPWU Union has raised concerns over inflation adjusted wages benefits and the need for better handling of workplace harassment. The Toronto Star says safety incidents against librarians, including physical attacks, have quote, nearly doubled from 2022 to 2023. Library workers also received a 6.5% raise over five years, while inflation rose 17.2%. According to The Star, the union is set for several rounds of negotiations with library management this month. Either side could request the Ministry of Labour's help if talks hit an impasse. The star says, if no agreement is reached, a countdown to a strike or lockdown could begin. A spokesperson for the Toronto Public Library told The Star they are hopeful for a resolution. They said they are committed to reaching a fair settlement for both parties and the people of Toronto. And here's Ariel Tozman with the booze news. Ariel Tozman 2:50 Three time, Premier Doug Ford is fighting tariffs by knocking American booze off the LCBO shelves. Yesterday, President Trump paused the 25% tax on some Canadian imports. The levy will still impact over half the country's goods, the Associated Press notes. Ontario's Liquor Board dropped fan favorites like Jack Daniel's whiskey and Tito's vodka on Tuesday. One LCBO employee told me she spent hundreds of hours packing up California vintages. But what are they doing with all those bottles? They will store the alcohol until quote further notice, according to Toronto Today. The province won't buy new stock until the trade war is over, whenever that is the outlet asked the liquor group if they could photograph the quote contraband hooch in its resting place. They received stock photos of hands removing bottles from shelves instead. The LCBO sells close to $1 billion in US alcohol every year. Premier Danielle Smith blocked Alberta from buying US alcohol on Wednesday, according to the Globe and Mail. In a news conference, she said Trump is using economic force to quote, facilitate the annexation of our country. This means no more Pink Whitney or California Chardonnay. Thanks Trump. And now more cheery news from our neighbors. On Wednesday, the American Supreme Court rejected Trump's bid to withhold 2 billion US dollars from international aid organizations. A leaked letter from United States diplomats to Secretary of State Marco Rubio says dramatically reducing USAID will undermine American security and cause irreparable harm. According to the Guardian government workers warned Trump's decision to slash funding will create openings for quote, adversaries, Russia and China. Last week, Trump froze 60 billion US dollars worth of humanitarian assistance. This represents about 90% of the development agency's financing. The Associated Press reports the change is part of the government's plan to quote, use taxpayer dollars wisely to advance American interests. The president of a Canadian charity in Kenya told the CBC, the funding cut will cause people who rely on life saving HIV medication, to quote, die unnecessarily. Kenya has the 11th highest rate of HIV in the world. Foreign Aid makes up only 0.24% of America's national income, data shows. The letter said international assistance is not charity, but a tool to stabilize regions, prevent conflict and advance US interests. Now here's Maryam with some Canadian sports news. Mariam Kourabi 5:38 Over in the busy Sports World Women's Hockey featured a big Canadian rivalry. Last night, the Toronto Sceptres welcomed the Montreal Victoire at the Coca Cola Coliseum. The hosts pulled off a dominant four to one win. Scarborough native Natalie Spooner hit a brace. The two will run it back at the end of the month in Montreal, revenge is on the table for the Victoire. Staying on the ice the NHL trade deadline will end later today, at 3pm Eastern Time, Deadline day nerves are on the edge for all hockey fans. Four out of the seven Canadian teams engaged in trades to strengthen their rosters, as Calgary, Ottawa and Toronto, have had no luck doing business with other teams just yet. On the soccer pitch, Canada's first professional Women's Soccer League, the Northern Super League announced its partnership with Toyota Thursday morning. The automobile company said in a statement, quote, we're proud to support the continued growth of women's soccer in Canada. In another landmark agreement, Canada soccer and the Canadian Blind Sports Association have formalized a partnership that will see the sanctioning of blind soccer fall under Canada Soccer. This agreement underscores Canada Soccer's commitment to greater inclusion and accessibility in the sport. Toronto commuters. It's going to be a busy night in the city today. The Toronto Raptors are hosting the Utah Jazz at Scotia Bank Arena, the Canadian side will be aiming to extend their two game winning streak into a three piece. Ariel Tozman 7:06 That was the final word report for March 7. I'm Ariel tosman. Emma Amodio 7:11 I'm Emma amudio. Mariam Kourabi 7:13 And I'm Mariam Kourabi. Good night.