‘The wheels are off’: Senior Conservatives think the Poilievre campaign needs a reset
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s campaign desperately needs a reset, according to some veteran Tory campaigners and strategists. The question is...
Carney says Trump respected Canada in phone call about launching new economic talks
Prime Minister Mark Carney said U.S. President Donald Trump respected Canada's sovereignty in their first phone call on Friday where...
Bob Fife “Kaboom: This is a devastating thing for Conservatives”
Will responding to U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to impose tariffs on Canadian goods become the ballot box question for...
Good Talk -- Poilievre's Terrible Day
It was bad enough last week when Doug Ford told Pierre Poilievre he didn't have time to campaign for him...
Pierre Poilievre holds investments in Brookfield — the same company he attacks Mark Carney over
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre holds personal investments that include the same company his party has repeatedly criticized in its attacks...
ElectionWatch 2025
Polling Trendlines
Latest Results
National Tracker: Liberals 43%, Conservatives 38%
A new poll by Liaison Strategies for the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC), the industry association...
Canadian Federal Election Daily Tracker Poll, Day 5
The analysis in this report is based on results of a survey conducted from Tuesday, March 25th to Thursday, March...
What do Canadians expect and want a Carney or Poilievre government to do, and why it matters.
Political campaigns are about more than promises; they are about perceptions. Voters carry in their minds a picture of what...
Seat Projections
Canada's Campaign Watchers
This week's analysis
To add to our interesting content about the federal election campaign, Spark and Northstar Public Affairs recruited a unique panel of 91 people who have worked in political campaigns in Canada. Each week, we’ll survey them online to see what they think is happening. This is our first synopsis, based on a survey completed March 26-27. Read More
Who Our Watchers Are:
Adrian Jean
Aliya Mohammed
Andrew MacDougall
Andrew Casey
Andy Gibbons
Axel Rioux
Roxanna Benoit
Brad Lavigne
Brendan McGuinty
Ben Parsons
Brian Clow
Brianna Ames
Bruce Winchester
Bruce Anderson
Cameron MacKeen
Cara Salci
Stephen Carter
Chad Bowie
Chisholm Pothier
Chris McCluskey
Chris Day
Christine Burke
Carlene Variyan
Dan Mader
Dave Forestell
Dennis Prouse
David McArthur
Dil Puar
Dennis Matthews
Derek Nighbor
Dimitri Soudas
Eric Johnson
Elder Marques
Elly Alboim
Fraser Macdonald
Fred DeLorey
Gabe Garfinkel
Gabrielle Berard
Greg McEachern
Greg MacNeil
Hardave Birk
Jim Anderson
Janet Fryday Dorey
Jeremy Broadhurst
Joanne Macrae
Jordan Deagle
Jason Kenney
Kathleen Monk
Ken Boessenkool
Kevin Bosch
Kate Harrison
Lanny Cardow
Laryssa Waler
Laura Kurkimaki
Lawrence Cannon
Melissa Cotton
Jamie Kippen
Lisa Raitt
Marc-Olivier Fortin
Megan Leslie
Melanie Richer
Mike Solberg
Mollie Anderson
Monte Solberg
Morgan Swan
Marcia Smith
Phil Cartwright
Laura Pennell
Perry Tsergas
Dave Prisco
Patrick Rogers
Richard Mahoney
Rick Anderson
Rob Silver
Rebecca Rogers
Ryan Dunn
Sabrina Grover
Sean Speer
Caro Seguin
Scott Feschuk
Sheamus Murphy
Scott Reid
Tasha Kheiriddin
Tim Powers
Tyler Banham
Vandana Fatima Kattar
Chad Walsh
Will Stewart
Yaroslav Baran
Zain Velji
Zita Astravas
Tausha Michaud
Election News
Better Canada-U.S. relationship ‘possible’ if Trump likes Carney, but don’t ‘over-conclude’ based on one call, John Bolton says
Former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton is cautioning not to read too much into the more positive tone struck...
Canadian MAGA hats, knives and e-cigarettes among items confiscated from Poilievre rallies
Here are some observations from having attended a few of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s rallies on the campaign trail so...
Pierre Poilievre holds investments in Brookfield — the same company he attacks Mark Carney over
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre holds personal investments that include the same company his party has repeatedly criticized in its attacks...
Liberals drop Calgary candidate over failure to disclose 2005 stayed domestic assault charge
The Liberal Party of Canada has dropped its candidate in the Calgary Confederation riding, due to the candidate's failure to...
Incumbent Toronto-area Liberal candidate apologizes for 'deplorable' comments
An incumbent Liberal candidate is apologizing for comments he made in January about a Conservative candidate who had a bounty...
‘The wheels are off’: Senior Conservatives think the Poilievre campaign needs a reset
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s campaign desperately needs a reset, according to some veteran Tory campaigners and strategists. The question is...
Campaign Analysis
Poilievre’s 1950s fantasy draws cheers in Surrey
To hear Pierre Poilievre talk, as I did along with about 5,000 others in a steamy Surrey warehouse last night...
Good Talk -- Poilievre's Terrible Day
It was bad enough last week when Doug Ford told Pierre Poilievre he didn't have time to campaign for him...
Carney is winning — but don’t bet against a Poilievre comeback
If you were a betting person and wanted to place a wager on the upcoming federal election, my advice would...
Danielle Smith will impact the federal election. Who will benefit remains to be seen
Premier Danielle Smith, the great disrupter of Alberta politics, is now disrupting the federal scene. At least, that’s the perspective...
‘Recovering partisans’ break down the campaign’s first week
U.S. President Donald Trump injected himself into the Canadian election campaign this week but he was already a central figure...
Policy Announcements
Conservatives pledge life sentences for trafficking, so that 'monsters rot in jail'
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is promising to get tough on crime if his party forms government, as the Tories try...
Poilievre Announces ‘Canada First TFSA Top Up’ to Bring Home Investment
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre announced today that as Prime Minister, he will allow Canadians to contribute an extra $5,00...
Greens Propose a $40,000 Tax-Free Income Threshold, Delivering Up to $3,675 in Direct Tax Relief for Millions
Today, the Green Party of Canada announced its commitment to raise the federal Basic Personal Amount (BPA) from approximately $15,70...
NDP announces plan to cut taxes for working and middle-class families, not millionaires and billionaires
Today, Jagmeet Singh announced a plan to put more money in the pockets of the people who need it most—working...
Lower Taxes, Secure Retirement for Our Seniors
Poilievre’s plan allows seniors to earn up to $34,000 tax free (a boost of $10,000 more than at present), allow...
Liberals to protect Canadian auto workers and stand up against tariffs
President Trump’s tariffs have directly threatened Canada’s auto manufacturing sector. Today, Mark Carney announced a new Liberal plan to protect...
Opinion More View More
Poilievre’s 1950s fantasy draws cheers in Surrey
To hear Pierre Poilievre talk, as I did along with about 5,000 others in a steamy Surrey warehouse last night...
Carney is winning — but don’t bet against a Poilievre comeback
If you were a betting person and wanted to place a wager on the upcoming federal election, my advice would...
Danielle Smith will impact the federal election. Who will benefit remains to be seen
Premier Danielle Smith, the great disrupter of Alberta politics, is now disrupting the federal scene. At least, that’s the perspective...
‘Recovering partisans’ break down the campaign’s first week
U.S. President Donald Trump injected himself into the Canadian election campaign this week but he was already a central figure...
No longer unthinkable: the U.S. invasion of Canada
The most sobering thing I’ve read in the past couple of weeks comes from Timothy Snyder, the renowned historian of...
Donald Trump keeps on ruining Pierre Poilievre’s campaign plans
Canada is just days into its own federal election campaign and Donald Trump has already pulled the fire alarm. More...
Tom Mulcair is wrong. The NDP belongs in Parliament
I recently read an article written by a former colleague, Tom Mulcair, and was shocked and a little saddened by...
Canada’s existential election has very quickly become unserious
I see that the new Age of Seriousness lasted for about five minutes. You recall: in light of the existential...
Poilievre’s lack of security clearance is back in the spotlight — and this time, it could actually hurt his chances
It’s been a surprisingly quiet race so far. That may not last, but after all the drama and buildup, the...
Pierre Poilievre does his best to miss the point on foreign interference
There was a familiar echo when Pierre Poilievre dismissed the news that India had sought to interfere in the 202...
How have Mark Carney and the Liberals kept extending their lead? These three numbers tell the story
It’s Week 1 of the federal election campaign, and Canadians are already asking the usual question: “Who’s up, and who’s...
All knives are out to pop the Liberals’ popularity bubble
The Conservatives have a month before election day and the benefit of all opposition parties now having Carney squarely in...
Fight the trade war by dumping the F-35
Liberal Leader Mark Carney’s pledge to review Canada’s decision to purchase 88 F-35 fighter jets, which he reiterated at a...
Should Canadians care about Mark Carney’s religion?
At least one journalist seems concerned about our new prime minister’s faith. During the opening campaign news conference, she noted...
Internal free trade is crucial for Canada, but tricky. Here’s how to get it done.
As is appropriate, election campaigns are about differences and divisions. Wedging your opponents against the voting cohorts they are seeking...
Done properly, Danielle Smith's brand of American outreach is the way forward
If you want to influence Donald Trump, who else would you talk to but influencers? It’s a fine line between...
Pierre Poilievre vs Pierre Poilievre
Pierre Poilievre has been witness to a lot of change over the 21 years he’s served as a member of...
Flip-flopping Carney wrong choice to lead fight against Trump
The idea that Liberal Leader Mark Carney and the current Liberal government are best equipped to fight a trade war...
The NDP is dithering on the fringes of survival
The NDP has a love affair with losing. Although the Conservatives are fumbling the bag, the New Democrats have no...
U.S. provides a warning to Canada: When you elect a clown, you get a circus
First, former United States President Joe Biden was too sleepy. Granted, he is old, but he got rid of student...
The authors of Canada's 'lost decade' would like another try
All elections are consequential. But the one just called will be more consequential than most. At a time of self-inflicted...
When Danielle Smith tried explaining Poilievre to Americans, Canadians heard it too
Premier saying Conservative leader 'in sync' with Trump rattles both federal and provincial politics. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith came into...
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
Well, there goes the Globe and Mail. One of the few news outlets in the country that hadn’t been entirely...
News More View More
Better Canada-U.S. relationship ‘possible’ if Trump likes Carney, but don’t ‘over-conclude’ based on one call, John Bolton says
Former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton is cautioning not to read too much into the more positive tone struck...
Canadian MAGA hats, knives and e-cigarettes among items confiscated from Poilievre rallies
Here are some observations from having attended a few of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s rallies on the campaign trail so...
Liberals drop Calgary candidate over failure to disclose 2005 stayed domestic assault charge
The Liberal Party of Canada has dropped its candidate in the Calgary Confederation riding, due to the candidate's failure to...
Incumbent Toronto-area Liberal candidate apologizes for 'deplorable' comments
An incumbent Liberal candidate is apologizing for comments he made in January about a Conservative candidate who had a bounty...
Anti-Black racism complaint bound for Canadian Human Rights Commission after court denies public service class action
Weeks after a Federal Court decision to deny certification of a class-action lawsuit initiated by Black public servants, the country’s...
Top Conservative strategist says Poilievre needs to urgently pivot or he will lose
Conservative leader is acting too 'Trump-y' and needs to make a change, says strategist. One of the country's top Conservative...
Conservatives pledge life sentences for trafficking, so that 'monsters rot in jail'
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is promising to get tough on crime if his party forms government, as the Tories try...
Thousands turn out to see Pierre Poilievre at raucous Surrey rally
A large, boisterous and damp crowd showed up for the Conservative leader's first B.C. rally on a rainy night in...
Donald Trump says he had an 'extremely productive' call with PM Carney - Canada, US to negotiate new economic, security relationship after election: Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada and the U.S. will begin comprehensive negotiations for a "new economic and security relationship"...
Liberal and Conservative safe seats likely to stay, but NDP less certain, say pollsters
There are 111 safest across Canada, based on wins by candidates with a margin of 25 per cent of the...
Mark Carney faces plagiarism accusations for 1995 Oxford doctoral thesis
Carney's doctorate in economics from Oxford shows 10 instances of apparent plagiarism, according to academics who reviewed the material
Doug Ford’s internal polling paints a grim picture for Pierre Poilievre in Ontario
Ford’s campaign manager warns that unless the Tories “get on it quick, they are going to get obliterated.” Internal polling...
Priti Obhrai-Martin - daughter of former CPC MP Deepak Obhra - the Liberal Candidate for Calgary East
I’m pleased to share that Priti Obhrai-Martin has been acclaimed as the Liberal Candidate for Calgary East in the next...
NDP MLA Rod Loyola running for federal Liberals in Edmonton Gateway
Rod Loyola has resigned as the Alberta NDP MLA for Edmonton-Ellerslie and is running as the Liberal Party candidate in...
From taboo to tactic: How strategic voting could shake up this election
Once heresy for smaller parties like NDP, ‘lesser-evil’ votes are now front and centre. Alvin Finkel still remembers the day...
Fewer Americans now see Canada as a US ally as Trump strains a longtime partnership
Americans are less likely to see Canada and the U.S. as close allies than they were two years ago, the...
Danielle Smith and Ben Shapiro discuss Canada electing ‘solid allies’ to Trump at Florida event
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and conservative influencer Ben Shapiro discussed how to help Canada elect “solid allies” to the Trump...
Fake election news ads are luring people into investment schemes. We got some taken down
Fake CBC News articles that link to sketchy investment schemes are flooding social media with sensational headlines about the Canadian...
Smith heads to Florida for controversial U.S. fundraising event at secret location
Premier Danielle Smith arrived somewhere in south Florida on Thursday to represent Alberta in a controversial fundraiser for a right-wing...
Why Pierre Poilievre has suddenly gone silent on defunding the CBC
Pierre Poilievre wants you to know: if he’s prime minister, taxes will get axed. Red tape will get slashed. Crime...
King Charles III experiences side effects after receiving medical treatment and is in hospital
King Charles III was briefly hospitalized for observation on Thursday after experiencing “temporary side effects” related to a scheduled cancer...
Carney says Trump's office reached out to schedule a call as trade war continues
Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to have his first phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump in the coming...
Canada’s ‘old relationship’ with U.S. ‘is over’ amid Trump tariffs: Carney
Canada must “fundamentally reimagine our economy” in the face of escalating tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, Prime Minister...
Liberals take the lead as Canadians’ choice to handle the economy
The federal Liberals under Mark Carney have surpassed Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives as the party Canadians trust most to handle the...
Canadian vehicles made with a majority of U.S. parts would get tariff exemption, Ontario Premier says he was told
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told him that finished vehicles entering the United States from...
Politician's Pen
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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
It’s understandable that Canadians are angry. With the return of Donald Trump to the White House, the United States has...
US Poli
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Trump's FCC commissioner opens investigation into Walt Disney Co. and ABC for diversity policies
President Donald Trump's FCC commissioner said Friday he's opening an investigation into the Walt Disney Co. and its ABC television...
Wisconsin attorney general sues Elon Musk to block $1 million payment offers
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin's Democratic attorney general asked a court on Friday to block billionaire Elon Musk from handing...
Convicted of bilking millions from investors, Nikola founder is pardoned by Trump
Trevor Milton, the founder of electric vehicle start-up Nikola who was sentenced to prison last year for fraud, was pardoned...
Musk changes reason for visiting Wisconsin to hand out $2 million ahead of Supreme Court election
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Billionaire Elon Musk on Friday clarified his reasons for visiting Wisconsin two days ahead of its...
Powerful earthquakes rock Thailand and Myanmar, triggering the collapse of a Bangkok high-rise
A state of emergency has been declared in six regions and states in Myanmar after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake whose...
Shares of GM and other automakers slump following Trump tariffs, with Tesla the exception
NEW YORK (AP) -- Shares of major automakers slumped following President Donald Trump's announcement that he will place 25% tariffs...
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
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
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed during a lengthy call Tuesday to seek a limited ceasefire...
Think Tank
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Alberta Children’s Charter, a bold step in the right direction for youth transgender policy
Stéphane Sérafin and Geoffrey Sigalet explain why Alberta's laws on gender pronouns, early age transitioning, and access to girls' and...
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...
Substacks
More View MoreA collection of SubStack publishing within Canadian public affairs.
Mark Carney's $100 apology
The 10 men who have governed the Bank of Canada since its inception in 1934 have been taciturn types, studiously...
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!
Now that the election is called, time to riff from that part of my bio that says “campaign manager” and...
Podcasts
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Trump throws a tariff grenade into the election campaign
At Issue this week: Federal campaigns are forced to pivot as U.S. President Donald Trump drops new tariff threats. Party...
Trump Tariffs Change Campaign Calculus
Unifor National President Lana Payne speaks about the impact of tariffs on Canadian workers and what her union would like...
Tariffs, Trump and Trouble
We look at what happened on the campaign trail today including the Prime Minister's response to Trump Tariffs
Trump & Tariffs
David Herle, Scott Reid, Jordan Leichnitz, and Kory Teneycke provide insights on the latest in Canadian politics.