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ALLISON JONES ET LIAM CASEY La Presse Canadienne Le premier ministre de l'Ontario, Doug Ford, laisse la porte ouverte à une possible réintroduction d'une surtaxe sur l'électricité exportée vers les États-Unis, mais ne souhaite pas, pour l'instant, «contrarier» les responsables américains. Mardi, M. Ford a évoqué sa rencontre de la semaine dernière avec le secrétaire américain au Commerce, Howard Lutnick, la qualifiant de productive et laissant entendre que M. Lutnick n'accordait pas beaucoup de crédit aux propos du président Donald Trump visant à faire du Canada le 51e État américain. «Comme le secrétaire Lutnick nous l'a dit, il n'envahit pas le Canada et n'a pas l'intention de faire toutes ces bêtises, a déclaré M. Ford. Il veut stimuler le Canada. C'est dans leur intérêt, après — pour par- ler franchement — qu'ils aient rempli leur assiette.»
Le premier ministre, accompagné des ministres fédéraux Dominic LeBlanc et François-Philippe Champagne, a rencontré M. Lutnick jeudi après que M. Ford a accepté de suspendre la surtaxe de 25 % sur l'élec- tricité qu'il avait imposée la veille sur les exportations vers trois États. Cette concession faisait suite à la menace de M. Trump de doubler les droits de douane sur les importations d'acier et d'aluminium à 50 % en réponse à cette surtaxe. M. Ford a affirmé maintenir la question de la surtaxe sur la table, mais ne fera rien qui puisse compromettre les négociations. «C'est toujours sur la table, a-t-il dit. Mais la dernière chose que je souhaite, c'est de contrarier tout le monde et que tout le monde se fasse à nouveau la guerre.» M. Ford a affirmé que l'objectif du Canada est d'être le premier à bénéficier d'exemp- tions le 2 avril, date à laquelle M. Trump a annoncé qu'il imposerait de nouveaux droits de douane. Le président a annoncé la mise en place de droits de douane réciproques à compter
Ontario Premier Doug Ford holds a press conference at Queen's Park, Toronto, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (Nathan Denette, The Canadian Press)
de cette date, et M. Ford a rapporté que des responsables américains avaient indi- qué qu'ils étudiaient des droits de douane sectoriels, notamment sur le bois d'œuvre, l'acier, l'aluminium et les technologies.
Le premier ministre a indiqué que les responsables des deux côtés de la frontière ont eu une conversation de suivi lundi soir et prévoient poursuivre les discussions la semaine prochaine.
OPP WARNS RESIDENTS ABOUT CALLER ID SPOOFING AND EMAIL SCAMS DURING FRAUD PREVENTION MONTH
GABRIELLE VINETTE gabrielle.vinette@eap.on.ca
call’s legitimacy, recipients should hang up and verify the information by contacting the organization directly using a phone number from its official website. Fraudulent Emails and Fake Websites Cybercriminals are also using spoofed emails, fake websites, and malware links to steal personal information, compromise business accounts, and redirect payments. These deceptive messages often appear to come from financial institutions, government agencies, or well-known businesses, using copied logos, branding, and professional formatting to seem legitimate. Fraudsters frequently alter email ad- dresses or domains in subtle ways, such as changing “opp.ca” to “opp.com” or replacing characters with similar-looking alternatives, such as using the Cyrillic letter “ ” instead of a lowercase “a”. Many fraudulent mes- sages create a sense of urgency, pressuring recipients to make immediate payments or provide sensitive information. Ransomware Attacks Ransomware is another growing threat, where malware encrypts files or locks sys- tems, demanding payment to restore access. These attacks often start with phishing or spear-phishing emails containing infected attachments or links. Once activated, the malware spreads and may remain undetec- ted before locking critical files. Ransomware can also infiltrate systems when individuals visit unsafe or compro- mised websites, connect infected USB drives or external devices, or expose systems to the internet without proper security measures in place. How to Protect Yourself from Smishing Scams (SMS Phishing) To avoid falling victim to smishing scams, individuals should never click on links, reply to messages, or call numbers from unknown senders. Suspicious text messages should
be reported by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM) and deleted immediately. Keeping smartphones secure is essen- tial, which includes regularly updating the operating system and security software. Multi-factor authentication should be enabled for banking, social media, and other sensitive accounts to add an extra layer of protection. Any unexpected text messages should be verified by checking official websites or di- rectly contacting the organization in question. If someone becomes a victim of smishing fraud, they should consult the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) guide on what steps to take next. Fraud Prevention Month: Understanding the Fraudster’s Toolbox March is Fraud Prevention Month, and the CAFC is working alongside law enforcement to educate Canadians on the latest fraud tactics. This year’s theme focuses on unco- vering fraud and exposing the tools criminals use to create deceptive schemes. Fraudsters use social engineering, emer- ging technologies, and fraudulent documents to manipulate, deceive, and steal from their victims. They create emotionally charged situations to pressure victims into acting without thinking. Common examples include phishing emails posing as trusted organiza- tions and impersonation fraud, where scam- mers pose as government officials, tech support, or distressed family members. They also use urgency and fear tactics, convincing victims they must make immediate payments or provide confidential details. How to Stay Safe and Prevent Fraud The CAFC encourages the public to be wary of unexpected requests for personal or financial information and always verify the source before responding. “These tactics are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making fraud awareness and prevention critical,” stated the OPP.
CORRECTIONS LA SOCIÉTÉ HISTORIQUE D’EMBRUN REÇOIT UNE CONTRIBUTION DE 50 000 $ POUR LA CRÉATION DU MUSÉE HISTORIQUE Dans notre article publié le 5 mars, nous avons indiqué que la Société historique d’Embrun a reçu une contri- bution de 50 000 $ du Fonds du Grand Mouvement du Mouvement Desjardins. Or, il s’agissait en réalité d’un finance- ment accordé par le Fonds d’aide au développement du milieu de la Caisse Desjardins Ontario. Cette erreur trouve son origine dans le communiqué de presse émis par la municipalité de Russell. Recognizing the signs of phishing, imper- sonation, and other types of fraud is crucial, and individuals should share their knowledge with family and loved ones. Using strong, unique passwords and enabling two-factor authenticationadds an extra layer of secu- rity. It is also recommended to regularly check financial and online accounts for any unauthorized activity. If personal information has been compromised, individuals should follow the CAFC’s guidelinesto prevent identity fraud. Reporting Fraud Anyone who suspects they have been targeted by fraud should report the incident to their local police and the CAFConline or by phone at 1-888-495-8501. For more information on fraud prevention, visit opp.ca and sfo.opp.ca. If you suspect fraudulent activity or have been a victim of fraud, report it immediately to your local police and the CAFC.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is warning residents about a rise in caller ID spoofing scams, where fraudsters manipulate phone numbers to deceive individuals into sharing personal infor- mation or making fraudulent payments. Additionally, they are raising awareness about spoofed emails and fake websites, which are being used to trick individuals and businesses into disclosing sensitive data or making unauthorized transactions. Using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, scammers disguise their real phone numbers to make their calls appear as if they are coming from local numbers, businesses, or government agencies. “The goal is to create a false sense of trust and pressure the recipient into respon- ding,” stated the OPP. One common tactic used by fraudsters is known as “neighbouring”, where the caller ID is altered to match the first six digits of the recipient’s phone number, making it seem like a local call. Another method, called «mirroring,» makes the recipient’s own phone number appear on the caller ID, encouraging them to answer. Fraudsters also use “impersonation”, changing the caller ID to appear as a trusted organization, such as a financial institution, police service, or government agency. The OPP advises residents not to trust cal- ler ID, as phone numbers can be manipulated to appear legitimate. If an unknown number calls, it is best to let it go to voicemail, as legitimate callers will leave a message if the call is important. Individuals should never provide personal or financial information over the phone, as businesses and government agencies do not request sensitive details in this manner. If there is any doubt about a
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