Hard Numbers: Yard sign thefts rise in US, Canada’s defense pledges meet spending limits, Cocaine grapes cross border, Musk skips sweepstakes hearing, Who supports Trump’s tariff proposal?

​Lissa Smith poses with lawn signs in support of Kamala Harris, and a pillow someone threw in her yard after several signs, previously displayed on her lawn, were taken outside her home in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Oct. 27, 2024.
Lissa Smith poses with lawn signs in support of Kamala Harris, and a pillow someone threw in her yard after several signs, previously displayed on her lawn, were taken outside her home in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Oct. 27, 2024.
REUTERS/Chris Bergin

10: About 10% of Americans put up signs supporting a presidential candidate on their property, according to one expert’s estimate. And with polarization and enmity between supporters of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris reaching fever pitch on the eve of the vote, people are turning to high-tech solutions such as cameras and tracking devices to prevent rising incidents of theft and vandalism of the signs.

2: To meet its stated goal of bringing defense spending up to 2% of GDP, Canada will have to nearly double its defense spending by 2033. But doing so could run afoul of new budget rules that bind the government to reduce the national debt-to-GDP ratio to below 1% within three years.

600: A case of vines and lines, you might say. Canadian authorities this month seized more than 600 kilograms of cocaine stashed in a shipment of grapes. The interdiction occurred earlier this month at the Ambassador Bridge, which links Windsor to Detroit. That amount of product would fetch more than $13 million on the streets.

1 million:Elon Muskskipped a hearing on Thursday about the legality of the sweepstakes in which he awards $1 million each day to someone who signs his online free speech and gun-rights petition. The Justice Department recently sent a letter to the billionaire warning him that giveaways like this might violate election laws. The case will now move to a federal court.

33: A new poll shows 33% percent of Americans support Donald Trump’s proposal to impose a 20% tariff on all imports, while 43% are opposed. Perhaps unsurprisingly, two-thirds of Trump voters like the idea, compared to barely one in 10 Harris supporters. When asked about specific countries, Canada comes out looking pretty good: Just 16% of Trump voters and 6% of Harris voters want to put tariffs on their northern neighbors.

More from GZERO Media

Jess Frampton

Yanking endorsements days before a close election is like giving yourself a political wedgie, an awkward, painful experience that seems inappropriate and undermines the integrity of the decision — and yet, while the timing looks weak, the merits of the argument are strong, writes GZERO Publisher Evan Solomon. He weighs in on Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos’ last-minute decision to no longer publish political endorsements — and explains why GZERO never endorses candidates.

David Eby gestures as he addresses supporters at the B.C. NDP provincial election night headquarters in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada October 19, 2024.
REUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier

Incumbents have lost ground but held onto power in elections in British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) and Republican presidential nominee former US President Donald Trump, meeting on September 27, 2024 in New York City, NY, USA.
Reuters

Zelensky is no doubt hoping for a Harris victory, which would likely mean continued US support for the Ukrainian resistance.

US President Donald Trump approaches Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as he arrives at the G7 Summit in Charlevoix, Quebec, Canada, June 8, 2018.
REUTERS/Leah Millis

After nine tumultuous years in office, Trudeau is in a difficult position. He has been 20 points behind the Conservatives in the polls for two years.

What role does natural gas play in energy transition? In the final episode of the podcast series “Energized: The Future of Energy,” by GZERO Media's Blue Circle Studios and Enbridge, former Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan discusses the role of natural gas in clean energy transition. Speaking with host JJ Ramberg and Enbridge CEO Greg Ebel, he explains how energy jobs have rejuvenated Ohio’s economy, the potential influence of energy industry workers in the upcoming US election, and how natural gas can be integrated with renewables to facilitate a cleaner and more efficient energy transition. Listen to this episode at gzeromedia.com/energized, or on Apple, Spotify, Goodpods, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Jess Frampton

At Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally on Sunday, he said, while nodding to House Speaker Mike Johnson, that their “little secret is having a big impact.” Democrats are so rattled by the prospect of Republicans trying to game the system on election night that they decided Trump was hinting at a secret plan to overturn the election. Stephen Maher reports on the possibilities for GZERO North.