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Only Half Would Fight for Canada

A new poll reveals growing challenges for Canada’s military recruitment efforts, with younger adults significantly less willing to serve in combat roles than older generations, as the country grapples with mounting pressure to dramatically increase defense spending amid heightened global tensions.

The Angus Reid Institute survey found 49% of Canadians would volunteer for military service in a combat role during an armed conflict, but willingness varies dramatically by age. Among those 18-34, only 43% said they would volunteer, compared to 55% of those over 54.

You can read more on the matter here.

What’s going on?

• Only Half of Canadians Would Volunteer for Military Service in Armed Conflict, Poll Finds (theDeepDive)

• Trump pledges weapons for Ukraine, possible tariffs on Russia in meeting with NATO Secretary-General (Globe)

• Trump’s Defense of Bondi Over Epstein Files Sparks Unprecedented Backlash on Truth Social (theDeepDive)

• Investment banking set to extend worst run in over a decade (FT)

• Ethics Screen Bars Canadian PM From Decisions On 103 Corporations (theDeepDive)

• Trump to Unveil $70 Billion in AI and Energy Investments (Bloomberg)

• ATB Financial in Talks to Buy Cormark Securities as Canadian Finance Sector Consolidates (theDeepDive)

• Surging metals prices are setting the stage for larger companies to mine the assets of juniors (Globe)

• SpaceX Said To Invest $2 Billion In xAI As Part Of Larger Funding Round (theDeepDive)

What’s the latest?

• Zuckerberg: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg will testify this week in an $8 billion trial where shareholders accuse him and former Facebook leaders of breaching a 2012 FTC privacy agreement. The case stems from the 2018 Cambridge Analytica scandal, which exposed unauthorized harvesting of user data. Plaintiffs, including pension funds, claim executives knowingly allowed data misuse, causing Meta to pay massive fines, including a $5 billion FTC penalty. The trial, seen as the first of its kind, seeks to prove the rare claim that Meta’s board utterly failed in oversight. Zuckerberg also faces allegations of insider trading tied to the scandal.

• Economy: Wholesale sales in Canada rose 0.1% to $84.2 billion in May, excluding petroleum and grain products. The increase was driven by a 3.5% gain in the personal and household goods sector and a 2.2% rise in motor vehicles and parts. However, these gains were partly offset by a 3.3% decline in machinery and equipment sales, including a 17.1% drop in farm machinery. In volume terms, sales rose 0.2%.

• Crypto: Bitcoin hit an all-time high of US$123,153 on Monday before settling around $122,000, driven by investor optimism over upcoming U.S. crypto regulations and support from President Trump. The House of Representatives is set to debate key bills this week, including the Genius Act on stablecoins. Bitcoin has surged 30% year-to-date, with growing interest from institutions and Asia-based investors. The broader crypto market also rallied, pushing its total value to $3.81 trillion, while crypto-related stocks and ETFs saw gains globally.

• Tiktok: TikTok CEO Shou Chew has requested an urgent meeting with Industry Minister Mélanie Joly to reverse Ottawa’s order to shut down the company’s Canadian operations, calling the directive outdated and harmful. The November 2023 order followed a national security review of TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, citing unspecified threats. Chew argued no evidence of risk has been shown and warned of over 350 job losses and an end to local investments. Despite the shutdown, TikTok will remain accessible to Canadian users. The company is challenging the decision in Federal Court.

• Trade War: President Trump threatened steep tariffs on Russia and announced a new pipeline of U.S. weapons to Ukraine, including Patriot air defense systems, aiming to pressure Moscow into peace talks within 50 days. The tariffs would also target Russia’s trading partners. Despite past criticism of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, Trump now shows growing frustration with Putin's ongoing aggression. European allies, including Germany and the U.K., will help fund the weapon transfers. Civilian casualties in Ukraine surged in June as Russia escalated drone and missile attacks. Talks and arms deliveries are accelerating amid warnings that a turning point in the war may be near.

Gold Enters a ‘Stronger for Longer’ Phase

The stock market and stuff

• B2Gold Outlines $1.72 Billion NPV For Gramalote Project In Feasibility Study (theDeepDive)

• Artemis Gold Produces 63,343 Ounces In H1 2025 (theDeepDive)

• Meta's Zuckerberg pledges hundreds of billions for AI data centers in superintelligence push (Reuters)

• Kraft Heinz Explores $20-Billion Grocery Business Spinoff (theDeepDive)

In the juniors

• Emerita Resources Intersects Further Mineralization At El Cura, Expanding Deposit (theDeepDive)

• Mandalay Resources Discovers High-Grade Skarn and Provides Update on Near Mine Exploration at Björkdal (JMN)

• Wesdome Reports Q2 Gold Production Of 42,781 Ounces (theDeepDive)

FULL DISCLOSURE: Golden Cariboo Resources is a client of Canacom Group, the parent company of The Deep Dive. Canacom Group is long the equity of Golden Cariboo Resources. The author has been compensated to cover Golden Cariboo Resources on The Deep Dive, with The Deep Dive having full editorial control. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security.