Politics

Former national security officials are expressing skepticism over Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s refusal to receive classified briefings on foreign interference. For months Poilievre has refused to obtain top-secret clearance so officials with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) could share intelligence on foreign interference with him.On Tuesday, just after Justice Marie-Josée Hogue released her report on foreign interference, Poilievre’s office revealed he is also refusing to take briefings under CSIS’s “threat reductions measures” (TRM) mandate — which would allow the agency to share some information with the Conservative leader without him first obtaining security clearance.Poilievre has long argued that receiving classified intelligence would prevent him from hol...

After months of rumours, Doug Ford met with Lt. Gov. Edith Dumont on Tuesday to trigger an election, a year and a half ahead of the date he was required to do so. But with 16 months left on his term as premier, and 64 percent of the seats in Ontario’s legislature, why would it make sense for Ford to call an election so far ahead of schedule?“I think the question he’s probably asking himself is, ‘Will things be any better in a year and a half or now for the government?’” said Darrell Bricker, global CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs. “And given what’s potentially pending from the United States relative to tariffs, there’s probably a chance that it won’t be a … lot better.”There are several benefits for the Progressive Conservatives to call an election now, including the fact that most polls show ...

The rise of generative artificial intelligence, a decline of traditional professional media and the persistent threat of foreign meddling have combined to make disinformation the greatest threat to Canadian democracy, the federal inquiry into foreign interference suggests. That was one of the ominous warnings from Justice Marie-Josée Hogue’s year-long probe into how hostile governments are targeting Canada’s democratic processes, including the last two federal elections.Nowhere in Hogue’s sprawling 860-page final report is it spelled out exactly how disinformation is a greater threat than more traditional forms of foreign interference, such as covertly funnelling money, attempting to influence politicians, messing around in nomination races or intimidating diaspora groups.Disinformation wa...

By day’s end on Thursday, the race to become the next leader of the Liberal Party of Canada — and the country’s 24th prime minister — had narrowed to five candidates. One of those remaining candidates vows to deport 500,000 “illegal immigrants”; another would halve the size of cabinet; another would cut the GST while raising corporate taxes; just about all seemed prepared to bail on the consumer carbon tax while one — the perceived leader in the race — has been noticeably silent and media-shy.That perceived leader — the former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney — will de-cloak in Halifax Friday morning where he will make an announcement and take questions from reporters, the first time he will answer journalists’ questions in more than a week. Carney will face the press with two of of the...

By Kyle Duggan The Canadian Press Posted January 30, 2025 6:27 pm 1 min read Descrease article font size Increase article font size Nova Scotia Liberal MP Jaime Battiste says he is dropping out of the Liberal party leadership race and backing former central banker Mark Carney. The MP for Sydney—Victoria made the announcement in a statement sent out late Thursday by his campaign.Battiste was the only Indigenous candidate in the running and sought to put First Nations issues on the agenda during the contest. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affair...

U.S. President Donald Trump said he would likely decide by the end of the day Thursday whether to put a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian oil imports that would take effect on Saturday. “We may or may not. We’re going to make that determination probably tonight on oil,” Trump told reporters at the White House.“We’ll see. It depends on what the price is. If the oil is properly priced, if they treat us properly – which they don’t.”That comment came moments after he said “oil is going to have nothing to do with it as far as I’m concerned” when asked if energy imports from Canada will be exempt from 25 per cent tariffs he plans to impose on all goods from Canada and Mexico.Trump has repeatedly warned Mexico and Canada – two of the United States’ top trading partners – he will impose tariffs if th...

By Kelly Geraldine Malone The Canadian Press Posted January 30, 2025 2:10 pm 1 min read Descrease article font size Increase article font size Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc sent a video of Canada’s border security efforts to the man U.S. President Donald Trump has chosen to oversee his tariff agenda — part of Canada’s pitch to avoid devastating duties that could come as soon as Saturday. LeBlanc’s office confirmed the three-minute video was texted to Howard Lutnick Wednesday evening after the billionaire financier’s Senate hearing on his nomination to lead the U.S. Department of Commerce. Get b...

By Lisa Johnson The Canadian Press Posted January 30, 2025 3:02 pm 1 min read Descrease article font size Increase article font size Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is calling for a joint Canada-U.S. NORAD base in northern Canada to bolster Arctic security. Smith says she pitched the idea at a recent meeting with fellow premiers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.She says the base could be similar to the Canadian NORAD Region headquarters in Winnipeg. 1:54 Canada details new ‘Arctic Foreign Policy’ in effort to bolst...

By Staff The Canadian Press Posted January 30, 2025 2:15 pm 1 min read Descrease article font size Increase article font size The Quebec government has tabled legislation that would modify the provincial charter of rights to state that the exercise of individual rights must comply with the province’s model for integrating immigrants. The bill tabled in the provincial legislature Thursday morning by Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge requires newcomers to embrace Quebec’s common culture. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking new...

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh on Thursday called on the minority Liberals to recall Parliament and pass legislative relief measures for workers set to be hit by U.S. tariffs expected this weekend. “If you’re serious about supporting workers, I’m demanding that the Liberal government call back Parliament. Let’s put before Parliament a package to protect workers. Support workers that are impacted by these tariffs, and support communities,” Singh told reporters.Singh reiterated that the party would hold firm on its position to vote to bring down the Liberal government in March, but signaled that they would be open to working with them until then.“We are going to be voting down the government in March, but there’s still two months. The Liberals think they can wait two months before they bring in le...