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'Into the lion's den': Amid criticism, Alberta's Smith set to attend U.S. fundraiser

'Into the lion's den': Amid criticism, Alberta's Smith set to attend U.S. fundraiser

Premier Danielle Smith is getting set to fly to Florida for an event hosted by a far-right U.S. influencer, with her chief of staff calling the foray a patriotic act of courage by a "noble" leader. Smith is to make a speaking appearance this week with conservative media personality Ben Shapiro at an upcoming fundraiser for PragerU, despite weeks of...

Carney slams Poilievre's 'irresponsible' lack of security clearance after reports India meddled in leadership

Carney slams Poilievre's 'irresponsible' lack of security clearance after reports India meddled in leadership

Conservative leader has long rejected calls to go through the process, claiming it would muzzle him. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's...

SMT -- Opening Impressions -- Danielle Smith, French Debates, Crowd Size, Tom Mulcair

SMT -- Opening Impressions -- Danielle Smith, French Debates, Crowd Size, Tom Mulcair

It's only been forty eight hours and opening impressions rarely last long, but what about these? How damaging was Danielle...

CSIS alleges India organized support for Poilievre’s 2022 Conservative leadership bid

CSIS alleges India organized support for Poilievre’s 2022 Conservative leadership bid

Agents of India and their proxies allegedly meddled in the 2022 election of Pierre Poilievre as Conservative Party Leader as...

Poilievre says he won leadership ‘fair and square’ despite allegations of India’s meddling

Poilievre says he won leadership ‘fair and square’ despite allegations of India’s meddling

National security leaks are rare in Canada. They’re even more rare during fraught election campaigns. So the allegations, delivered by...

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Carney Boosts Liberals as Canadian Federal Campaign Begins

Carney Boosts Liberals as Canadian Federal Campaign Begins

Support for the governing Liberal Party has significantly increased since Mark Carney was selected as its leader, a new Research...

Premiers’ Performance: The Trump bump? Most provincial leaders see approval rise amid U.S. threats

    Premiers’ Performance: The Trump bump? Most provincial leaders see approval rise amid U.S. threats

    Trade war with the U.S. has caused not only federal political upheaval, but provincial turmoil as well. That is perhaps...



    ElectionWatch 2025

    Polling Trendlines

    NNW EW2025 Dataviz 2025 EN1 POLLS

    Latest Results

    Liberals hold six-point lead over Conservatives: Leger poll

    Liberals hold six-point lead over Conservatives: Leger poll

    The federal Liberals are pushing further ahead of the Conservatives in voter support, and almost one in two Canadians surveyed...

    Polls show Carney’s Liberals have widened their lead over Poilievre’s Tories since election call

    Polls show Carney’s Liberals have widened their lead over Poilievre’s Tories since election call

    Voters in Ontario and Quebec are propelling Mark Carney’s Liberals deep into majority government territory, polls suggest. The Star’s election...

    Carney Boosts Liberals as Canadian Federal Campaign Begins

    Carney Boosts Liberals as Canadian Federal Campaign Begins

    Support for the governing Liberal Party has significantly increased since Mark Carney was selected as its leader, a new Research...

    Seat Projections

    NNW EW2025 Dataviz 2025 EN1 SEATS

    Election News

    Carney apologizes to Montreal massacre survivor running for Liberals after getting name and school wrong

    Carney apologizes to Montreal massacre survivor running for Liberals after getting name and school wrong

    Liberal Leader Mark Carney named the wrong university as the site of the 1989 Montreal massacre on Tuesday — and...

    CSIS alleges India organized support for Poilievre’s 2022 Conservative leadership bid

    CSIS alleges India organized support for Poilievre’s 2022 Conservative leadership bid

    Agents of India and their proxies allegedly meddled in the 2022 election of Pierre Poilievre as Conservative Party Leader as...

    Liberal MP Sean Fraser changes mind, will seek re-election

    Liberal MP Sean Fraser changes mind, will seek re-election

    Liberal MP and former cabinet minister Sean Fraser is cancelling his plans to retire from politics and will announce today...

    Carney’s ‘decisive’ first week as prime minister may determine if he gets to stay post-election, say strategists

    Carney’s ‘decisive’ first week as prime minister may determine if he gets to stay post-election, say strategists

    Mark Carney's first nine days as prime minister were jam-packed, but he can't keep coasting on the quick and easy...

    Carney says export taxes an option in trade war and he wants serious talks with Trump, ‘not theatre’

    Carney says export taxes an option in trade war and he wants serious talks with Trump, ‘not theatre’

    Prime Minister Mark Carney says export taxes on shipments remain an option for retaliation in an escalating Canada-U.S. trade war...

    Mark Carney promises new submarines, more icebreakers, pay-raises for Armed Forces

    Campaign Analysis

    Cynical opportunists or dutiful Canadians? For Liberals MPs who changed their minds about running again, maybe a bit of both

    Cynical opportunists or dutiful Canadians? For Liberals MPs who changed their minds about running again, maybe a bit of both

    It’s a hard line to straddle. Are the Liberal MPs who announced they were heading for the exits when the...

    Globe's India story smears Poilievre with Carney talking points

    Globe's India story smears Poilievre with Carney talking points

    Well, there goes the Globe and Mail. One of the few news outlets in the country that hadn’t been entirely...

    Mark Carney embraces the power of positive campaigning
    SMT -- Opening Impressions -- Danielle Smith, French Debates, Crowd Size, Tom Mulcair

    SMT -- Opening Impressions -- Danielle Smith, French Debates, Crowd Size, Tom Mulcair

    It's only been forty eight hours and opening impressions rarely last long, but what about these? How damaging was Danielle...

    Someone in Carney’s campaign made a bad call in pulling out of the TVA French debate

    Someone in Carney’s campaign made a bad call in pulling out of the TVA French debate

    After taking part in many leaders’ debates during the 2015 federal election campaign, I may be in a unique position...

    Thanks to Danielle Smith, Alberta may trump Trump as the big ballot box question

    Thanks to Danielle Smith, Alberta may trump Trump as the big ballot box question

    Mere hours after finalizing his plan to run an election campaign focused on protecting Canada from U.S. President Donald Trump’s...

    Policy Announcements

    Mark Carney promises new submarines, more icebreakers, pay-raises for Armed Forces
    Poilievre To Axe GST On New Homes Under $1.3 Million

      Poilievre To Axe GST On New Homes Under $1.3 Million

      Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre announced today that he will axe the federal sales tax (GST) on new homes up to...

      Carney Proposes Raises for Canada Military to Bolster Recruitment

      Carney Proposes Raises for Canada Military to Bolster Recruitment

      Prime Minister Mark Carney said his government would give raises to the armed forces, speed up the acquisition of military...

      Maxime Bernier says PPC would cut foreign aid to shrink government spending

      Maxime Bernier says PPC would cut foreign aid to shrink government spending

      Maxime Bernier and the People's Party of Canada launched their official campaign from Saint-Georges, Que., on Monday, focused on slashing...

      Poilievre Will Axe The Tolls For Islanders

        Poilievre Will Axe The Tolls For Islanders

        Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman announced today that a Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre will scrap the tolls on...

        The NDP will unlock public land to build more homes people can afford

          The NDP will unlock public land to build more homes people can afford

          Canada needs 6 million new homes. Today Jagmeet Singh unveiled the first step in the NDP plan to use every...



          Cynical opportunists or dutiful Canadians? For Liberals MPs who changed their minds about running again, maybe a bit of both

          Cynical opportunists or dutiful Canadians? For Liberals MPs who changed their minds about running again, maybe a bit of both

          It’s a hard line to straddle. Are the Liberal MPs who announced they were heading for the exits when the...

          Globe's India story smears Poilievre with Carney talking points

          Globe's India story smears Poilievre with Carney talking points

          Well, there goes the Globe and Mail. One of the few news outlets in the country that hadn’t been entirely...

          Mark Carney embraces the power of positive campaigning
          Someone in Carney’s campaign made a bad call in pulling out of the TVA French debate

          Someone in Carney’s campaign made a bad call in pulling out of the TVA French debate

          After taking part in many leaders’ debates during the 2015 federal election campaign, I may be in a unique position...

          Thanks to Danielle Smith, Alberta may trump Trump as the big ballot box question

          Thanks to Danielle Smith, Alberta may trump Trump as the big ballot box question

          Mere hours after finalizing his plan to run an election campaign focused on protecting Canada from U.S. President Donald Trump’s...

          Trump Is the Ballot Question—  But Do We Really Understand What’s at Stake?
          Election is now the Liberals' to lose

          Election is now the Liberals' to lose

          The 45th Canadian federal election is the Liberals’ to lose. That’s not a line anyone would have written two months...

          Why this election might be hard to predict

          Why this election might be hard to predict

          In the lead-up to most elections, pollsters and pundits usually have a good idea of what is most likely to...

          Pierre Poilievre’s advantage is slipping rapidly away. So he’s trying something he’s never done before

          Pierre Poilievre’s advantage is slipping rapidly away. So he’s trying something he’s never done before

          Who is that smiling man? Who is that affable fellow with the big grin and the adorable family, the one...

          Danielle Smith's election help isn't helping

          Danielle Smith's election help isn't helping

          Pierre Poilievre must wake up in the morning and wonder what it will take to get Alberta Premier Danielle Smith...



          Can't understand uproar over Smith's early March interview on Breitbart

          Can't understand uproar over Smith's early March interview on Breitbart

          Smith has continued to pursue a diplomatic course with the Trump administration, quietly building contacts that might influence the U.S...

          Charging politicians for news coverage could set a dangerous precedent

          Charging politicians for news coverage could set a dangerous precedent

          Should a political party pay for news coverage? That’s the bizarre question that was put to the party leaders by...

          For Doug Ford, Mark Carney will always be a better partner than Pierre Poilievre

          For Doug Ford, Mark Carney will always be a better partner than Pierre Poilievre

          It’s democratic déjà vu all over again. For the second time this year, Ontario voters are picking a homegrown leader...

          Conservatives look like they're being outfoxed by Carney

          Conservatives look like they're being outfoxed by Carney

          Instead of a smooth launch to get the campaign rolling, Conservatives found themselves hurtling backwards at pace

          Did Danielle Smith lobby the U.S. to help Pierre Poilievre? Sure looks like it
          Mark Carney is offering voters the other guy’s ideas, without the other guy

          Mark Carney is offering voters the other guy’s ideas, without the other guy

          If the last near-decade has proven any adage true, it’s that the Liberals are terrible at governing, but exceptional at...

          Smith's cosy ties in U.S. wrecked Poilievre campaign opening

          Smith's cosy ties in U.S. wrecked Poilievre campaign opening

          If Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives have one goal today, it should be to get Danielle Smith to stay home and shut...

          Trump’s threat to Canada means this election must be a choice between the Liberals and Conservatives

          Trump’s threat to Canada means this election must be a choice between the Liberals and Conservatives

          With the campaign officially started, Canadians are about to experience something more akin to what we see south of the...

          Another Election About Trade and Sovereignty, but Not Quite Déja Vu

          Another Election About Trade and Sovereignty, but Not Quite Déja Vu

          After months of prime ministerial departure and succession drama, of bilateral chaos, avoidable economic uncertainty, and a spit-take reversal in...

          Poilievre Finally Gets the Election He’s Been Dying For. But Is It Too Late?

          Poilievre Finally Gets the Election He’s Been Dying For. But Is It Too Late?

          The “Canada Is Broken” candidate faces a changed national mood. RICHARD LIVES in a pup tent in downtown Ottawa, next...

          Danielle Smith’s Trump talk threatens Pierre Poilievre’s chances to win

          Danielle Smith’s Trump talk threatens Pierre Poilievre’s chances to win

          Pierre Poilievre has a problem, and her name is Danielle Smith. The Alberta premier has become a thorn in the...

          For Danielle Smith, a Liberal win is just as scary as Trump’s tariffs

          For Danielle Smith, a Liberal win is just as scary as Trump’s tariffs

          So much for Team Canada. Mark Carney may want all the premiers united behind him, but Alberta’s Danielle Smith has...

          Poilievre and Carney agree on one thing: This federal election is about change
          April could be the cruelest month for Poilievre

          April could be the cruelest month for Poilievre

          Fading Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre should read a little T.S. Eliot. April could indeed be the cruelest month for the...

          2021 vs. 2025: Comparing public opinion at the start of both campaigns

          2021 vs. 2025: Comparing public opinion at the start of both campaigns

          As we kick off the 2025 Canadian federal election campaign, it’s instructive to look back at where we stood at...

          The ‘artificial border’ and how it can be corrected

          The ‘artificial border’ and how it can be corrected

          It’s truly breathtaking to hear U.S. President Donald Trump muse about the Canada-U.S. border and show his complete ignorance about...

          Trump, Ukraine, and the New World Order

          Trump, Ukraine, and the New World Order

          Canada has now entered an election campaign amid what Prime Minister Mark Carney terms “the most significant threat of our...

          Carney apologizes to Montreal massacre survivor running for Liberals after getting name and school wrong

          Carney apologizes to Montreal massacre survivor running for Liberals after getting name and school wrong

          Liberal Leader Mark Carney named the wrong university as the site of the 1989 Montreal massacre on Tuesday — and...

          Canada freezes Tesla’s $43-million rebate payments, bars it from future rebates because of tariffs

          Canada freezes Tesla’s $43-million rebate payments, bars it from future rebates because of tariffs

          Canada has frozen $43 million in payments to Tesla pending a line-by-line investigation into its last-minute surge in EV rebate...

          Liberal MP Sean Fraser changes mind, will seek re-election

          Liberal MP Sean Fraser changes mind, will seek re-election

          Liberal MP and former cabinet minister Sean Fraser is cancelling his plans to retire from politics and will announce today...

          Beijing's envoy calls for more trade with Canada as U.S. trade war continues

          Beijing's envoy calls for more trade with Canada as U.S. trade war continues

          Beijing's ambassador to Canada says China is interested in stepping up trade with Ottawa as the U.S. continues to pursue...



          Carney’s ‘decisive’ first week as prime minister may determine if he gets to stay post-election, say strategists

          Carney’s ‘decisive’ first week as prime minister may determine if he gets to stay post-election, say strategists

          Mark Carney's first nine days as prime minister were jam-packed, but he can't keep coasting on the quick and easy...

          Carney says export taxes an option in trade war and he wants serious talks with Trump, ‘not theatre’

          Carney says export taxes an option in trade war and he wants serious talks with Trump, ‘not theatre’

          Prime Minister Mark Carney says export taxes on shipments remain an option for retaliation in an escalating Canada-U.S. trade war...

          Mark Carney promises new submarines, more icebreakers, pay-raises for Armed Forces
          Toronto councillor Jennifer McKelvie to run for federal Liberals in Ajax

            Toronto councillor Jennifer McKelvie to run for federal Liberals in Ajax

            Toronto city councillor Jennifer McKelvie is running as the federal Liberal candidate in Ajax.

            Liberals hold six-point lead over Conservatives: Leger poll

            Liberals hold six-point lead over Conservatives: Leger poll

            The federal Liberals are pushing further ahead of the Conservatives in voter support, and almost one in two Canadians surveyed...

            Polls show Carney’s Liberals have widened their lead over Poilievre’s Tories since election call

            Polls show Carney’s Liberals have widened their lead over Poilievre’s Tories since election call

            Voters in Ontario and Quebec are propelling Mark Carney’s Liberals deep into majority government territory, polls suggest. The Star’s election...

            Trump Is the Ballot Question— But Do We Really Understand What’s at Stake?

            Trump Is the Ballot Question— But Do We Really Understand What’s at Stake?

            Everyone seems agreed that the ballot question in this election is which leader can best deal with Trump. But that’s...

            Carney Proposes Raises for Canada Military to Bolster Recruitment

            Carney Proposes Raises for Canada Military to Bolster Recruitment

            Prime Minister Mark Carney said his government would give raises to the armed forces, speed up the acquisition of military...

            Poilievre faces ‘balancing act’ between Conservative MAGA support and anti-Trump Canadian sentiment: ‘they’re definitely not going to do interviews talking about why they like Donald Trump’

            Poilievre faces ‘balancing act’ between Conservative MAGA support and anti-Trump Canadian sentiment: ‘they’re definitely not going to do interviews talking about why they like Donald Trump’

            A Conservative source told The Hill Times that 'at least 75 per cent' of Conservative MPs, most from Western Canada...

            Premiers’ Performance: The Trump bump? Most provincial leaders see approval rise amid U.S. threats

              Premiers’ Performance: The Trump bump? Most provincial leaders see approval rise amid U.S. threats

              Trade war with the U.S. has caused not only federal political upheaval, but provincial turmoil as well. That is perhaps...

              Carney declines French TVA debate, but official debates are on for April 16 and 17 in Montreal

              Carney declines French TVA debate, but official debates are on for April 16 and 17 in Montreal

              Liberal Leader Mark Carney has declined to participate in a French-language debate with the other federal party leaders on TVA...

              Canada studies how to join Ukraine peacekeeping force — including end to training mission in country

              Canada studies how to join Ukraine peacekeeping force — including end to training mission in country

              Detailed planning​ for a potential "coalition of the willing" peacekeeping mission to Ukraine is expected to kick off this week...

              New riding map gives Tories slight boost compared to 2021 election

              New riding map gives Tories slight boost compared to 2021 election

              The Conservatives could have won seven extra seats if the 2021 election had been contested using the 2025 electoral boundaries...

              Liberal lead over CPC increases to eight points, but is Carney’s house of dreams built on concrete or sand?

                Liberal lead over CPC increases to eight points, but is Carney’s house of dreams built on concrete or sand?

                As party leaders travel across the country on the campaign hustings, the Liberal plane appears to have more lift than...

                Poilievre says Alberta premier ‘free’ to make interventions in Trump’s trade war

                Poilievre says Alberta premier ‘free’ to make interventions in Trump’s trade war

                Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says Danielle Smith is “free” to express her opinions on the U.S.-Canada trade war after the...

                Danielle Smith's U.S. media remarks stoke reaction as party leaders hit campaign trail

                Danielle Smith's U.S. media remarks stoke reaction as party leaders hit campaign trail

                Smith mused about possibility of putting tariffs ‘on pause’ to benefit Conservatives. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's recent comments to right-wing...

                Premier Smith's comments continue to draw ire of federal leaders on election campaign

                  Premier Smith's comments continue to draw ire of federal leaders on election campaign

                  Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s comments to an American media outlet continue to be a political football among national political leaders...

                  Carney releases another Mike Myers video, this time without a citizenship quiz

                  Carney releases another Mike Myers video, this time without a citizenship quiz

                  The Liberal campaign has returned to its Mike Myers strategy a second time, this time with an explicit endorsement from...

                  Manitoba premier accused of breaking conflict of interest laws by taking Bombers charters to Grey Cup

                    Manitoba premier accused of breaking conflict of interest laws by taking Bombers charters to Grey Cup

                    Premier Wab Kinew took plane chartered by Winnipeg Blue Bombers to Grey Cup in 2023 and 2024. Manitoba's premier is...

                    Danielle Smith’s MAGA charm offensive could haunt the Conservatives

                    Danielle Smith’s MAGA charm offensive could haunt the Conservatives

                    When Alberta Premier Danielle Smith demanded Carney call a federal election after he was sworn-in as Prime Minister ten days...

                    Elections Canada has been in touch with social media platforms about election misinformation

                    Elections Canada has been in touch with social media platforms about election misinformation

                    The head of Elections Canada says he has been in touch with social media platforms in an effort to address...

                    Politician's Pen

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                    The State of Service Report

                    The State of Service Report

                    Our government created the Citizens’ Services portfolio in 2023 to champion service delivery excellence and to improve government efficiency. This...

                    Why we shouldn’t boo the American anthem

                    Why we shouldn’t boo the American anthem

                    It’s understandable that Canadians are angry. With the return of Donald Trump to the White House, the United States has...


                    Republicans eye actions against the courts and judges as Trump rails against rulings

                    Republicans eye actions against the courts and judges as Trump rails against rulings

                    WASHINGTON (AP) -- Angry over the crush of court rulings against the Trump administration, Republicans in Congress are trying to...

                    Trump downplays national security team texting military operation plan on Signal as a minor 'glitch'

                    Trump downplays national security team texting military operation plan on Signal as a minor 'glitch'

                    WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump on Tuesday downplayed the texting of sensitive plans for a military strike against Yemen's...

                    Trump officials texted war plans to a group chat that included a journalist

                    Trump officials texted war plans to a group chat that included a journalist

                    Top national security officials for President Donald Trumptexted war plans for upcoming military strikes in Yemen to a group chat...

                    Trump says countries that buy Venezuelan oil will face 25% tariff

                    Trump says countries that buy Venezuelan oil will face 25% tariff

                    WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump said Monday he would be placing a 25% tariff on all imports from any...

                    International

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                    This section is sponsored by Canada's Motion Picture Industry.
                    Tesla sales fall by 49% in Europe even as the electric vehicle market grows

                    Tesla sales fall by 49% in Europe even as the electric vehicle market grows

                    FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- European sales of Tesla electric vehicles tumbled 49% in the first two months of the year...

                    Weekslong lockups of European tourists at US borders spark fears of traveling to America

                    Weekslong lockups of European tourists at US borders spark fears of traveling to America

                    SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Lennon Tyler and her German fiance often took road trips to Mexico when he vacationed in...

                    White House says Trump, Putin will seek limited ceasefire on energy, infrastructure in Ukraine war

                      White House says Trump, Putin will seek limited ceasefire on energy, infrastructure in Ukraine war

                      U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed during a lengthy call Tuesday to seek a limited ceasefire...

                      'Danish Viking blood is boiling.' Danes boycott US goods with fervor as others in Europe do so too

                      'Danish Viking blood is boiling.' Danes boycott US goods with fervor as others in Europe do so too

                      Ivan Hansen, a retired Danish police officer, loaded up his basket at the supermarket, carefully checking each product to avoid...

                      Trump and Putin will speak this week on Russia-Ukraine war, US envoy says

                      Trump and Putin will speak this week on Russia-Ukraine war, US envoy says

                      WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to speak this week...

                      Think Tank

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                      Information and Communication Infrastructure Resiliency: Canada’s Invisible Security Risk

                      Information and Communication Infrastructure Resiliency: Canada’s Invisible Security Risk

                      The onslaught of President Donald Trump’s tariffs has pushed economic security to the forefront of the upcoming federal election. The...

                      How Escalating U.S.-China Competition Over Critical Minerals Impacts Canada

                      How Escalating U.S.-China Competition Over Critical Minerals Impacts Canada

                      Over the last five years, competition over critical minerals has become a focal point of great-power rivalry — particularly between...


                      Substacks

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                      A collection of SubStack publishing within Canadian public affairs.

                      How the rich captured a Canadian prime minister: Part II

                      How the rich captured a Canadian prime minister: Part II

                      Peter Larkin launched King’s fund with $25,000 of his own cash, deposited Sept. 22, 1925 at the Old Colony Trust...

                      Day 1 - They're off!

                      Day 1 - They're off!

                      Now that the election is called, time to riff from that part of my bio that says “campaign manager” and...

                      How the rich captured a Canadian prime minister: Part I

                      How the rich captured a Canadian prime minister: Part I

                      Vladimir Putin’s Kremlin and Donald Trump’s White House have shown how political leaders who bond with billionaires can be toxic...

                      Podcasts

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                      The Panel: Jason First — For a Change - Campaign Week 1, featuring an assist from Danielle Smith

                        The Panel: Jason First — For a Change - Campaign Week 1, featuring an assist from Danielle Smith

                        The original Conservative on our Panel, the great Garry Keller, won his nomination battle in Nipissing—Timiskaming. Now he’s off trying...

                        Pierre Poilievre’s Donald Trump problem

                          Pierre Poilievre’s Donald Trump problem

                          With the federal election underway, Pierre Poilievre’s political opponents have intensified their accusations that the Conservative leader is like U.S...

                          How Poilievre Went From Top Dog to Underdog

                            How Poilievre Went From Top Dog to Underdog

                            And we’re off to the races! It’s time for the matchup, and election, of a generation. Newly minted Prime Minister...

                            An Election For A Change

                              An Election For A Change

                              Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter talk about the launch of the federal election, asking whether campaigns matter at all before...