Geoff Dembicki

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 administration during a private gala in south Florida, according to audio of the event obtained by DeSmog and Canada’s National Observer. “There was a massive conservative movement that's happening in Canada,” Shapiro said during the 25-minute conversation with Smith. “I...

John Paul Tasker

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...

Christian Paas-Lang, Nora Young, Ivan Angelovski

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...

Robert Benzie

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...

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...

Polls

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...

David Coletto

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...

ElectionWatch 2025

Polling Trendlines

Latest Results

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...

David Coletto

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...

David Reevely

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...

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

Falice Chin

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...

Geoff Dembicki

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...

Christian Paas-Lang, Nora Young, Ivan Angelovski

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...

Lisa Johnson

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...

Alex Ballingall

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...

John Paul Tasker

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...

Campaign Analysis

Allan Gregg

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...

Graham Thomson

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...

Althia Raj

‘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...

Susan Delacourt

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...

Nathan Cullen

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...

Scott Stinson

I discovered Pierre Poilievre’s secret election strategy in a North York ballroom

Policy Announcements

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...

Bill Curry

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pledges to allow working seniors to earn up to $34,000 tax free

Opinion More View More

John Coventry

Crowdfunding Rules Are Inhibiting Canada’s Kindness

Allan Gregg

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...

Graham Thomson

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...

Althia Raj

‘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...

Andrew Phillips

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...

Susan Delacourt

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...

Nathan Cullen

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...

Scott Stinson

I discovered Pierre Poilievre’s secret election strategy in a North York ballroom

Andrew Coyne

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...

Matt Gurney

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...

Campbell Clark

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...

David Coletto

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...

John Ivison

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...

Jesse Kline

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...

John Milloy

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...

James Moore

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...

Chris Selley

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...

Lawrence Martin

The book on Pierre Poilievre: He’s ‘an angry teenager in the body of a grown man’

Max Fawcett

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...

Lorrie Goldstein

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...

Erica Ifill

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...

Shellene Drakes-Tull

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...

Joe Oliver

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...

Jason Markusoff

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...

Althia Raj

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...

Carson Jerema

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...

Marsha Lederman

Mark Carney embraces the power of positive campaigning

News More View More

Falice Chin

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...

Lisa Johnson

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...

Alex Ballingall

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...

Kelly Geraldine Malone, Liam Casey

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...

Saba Aziz, Sean Boynton

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...

David Reevely

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...

Laura Stone, Jeff Gray

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...

Moe backs Alberta Premier Smith's controversial U.S. advocacy efforts

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's efforts to defuse an escalating trade war with the United States...

Alex Ballingall, Mark Ramzy

Mark Carney’s corporate connections are under attack in the Canadian election campaign. Here’s what we know

In the opening days of the federal election campaign, one thing has united the Conservatives and New Democrats in their...

Jack Wilson

‘People close to Trump have respect for Poilievre,’ says Tory candidate for N.D.G.–Westmount

“Elon Musk, in particular, who has become the bestie with Mr. Trump ... has said very favourable things about Mr...

John Paul Tasker

Poilievre to hike TFSA contribution limit by $5K for those who invest in Canadian companies

The Conservative leader's proposed TFSA top-up means Canadians could contribute $12K a year. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre announced Thursday that...

US cities located in states won by Trump would be most hurt by Canadian tariffs, an analysis finds

The U.S. cities most vulnerable to a trade war with Canada turn out to largely be in the states that...

Collin Gallant

Former MP wants to explore Alberta’s future with U.S.

Medicine Hat’s former Member of Parliament is part of a group hoping to open direct talks with U.S President Donald...

Trump says larger tariffs could be imposed on Canada, EU if they cause U.S. ‘economic harm’

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that larger tariffs could be placed on the European Union and Canada if...

Fear and uncertainty for Ontario autoworkers after Trump announces 25% tariff

On a day when U.S. President Donald Trump took aim at the vehicle manufacturing industry, Ontario autoworkers said it's the...

David Coletto

Liberals take lead for the first time in years

Our latest survey, completed between March 20 and 25, 2025 interviewed 2,000 eligible voters and asked a few of our...

Mark Gollom

Carney set up a blind trust, screens to avoid conflicts of interest. Is that enough?

Those protections have their limits, experts say. When Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre accused Mark Carney this week of being beholden...

Carney detours federal election campaign to deal with Trump's auto tariffs

Liberal Leader Mark Carney is back in Ottawa today to deal with the fallout of new auto tariffs announced by...

Sean Previl, Isaac Callan

Trump’s auto tariffs a ‘direct attack,’ Carney says as leaders react

Prime Minister Mark Carney called new 25 per cent tariffs set to be imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on...

Lisa Johnson, Lisa Johnson

Alberta Premier Smith rejects criticism U.S. meetings amount to treason

EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, dressed in red and white and quoting Winston Churchill, stood in the legislature Wednesday...

Darren Major, Alexander Panetta

Trump going ahead with 25% tariffs on autos

U.S. President Donald Trump is dealing another tariff blow to Canada, signing an executive order on Wednesday that will hit...

Jesse Feith

Poilievre attacks Carney’s French: ‘To represent Quebecers, you have to listen to them in their language’

Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre argued Mark Carney’s French is too poor for him to be an effective prime minister...

Phil Hahn

Carney on defence as Poilievre, Singh accuse him of using Bermuda ‘tax havens’

While Liberal Leader Mark Carney wanted to focus on sharing his new promise to protect Canada’s auto sector Wednesday on...

Robert Fife

Trudeau rents home in Ottawa but ultimately plans to live in Montreal

Justin Trudeau has rented a home in the upscale Ottawa neighbourhood of Rockcliffe, where he plans to live for at...

Politician's Pen

Terry Beech

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...

Patrick Brown

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

Kate Payne, The Associated Press

'The floodgates have really opened': Democrats raise millions in special House elections in Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Democrats, with few electoral outlets for their outrage at President Donald Trump's dramatic restructuring of the...

Farnoush Amiri And Lisa Mascaro, The Associated Press

White House withdraws Rep. Elise Stefanik's nomination for UN ambassador over tight GOP House margin

UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- The White House has withdrawn Rep. Elise Stefanik's nomination to be U.S. ambassador to the United...

Scott Bauer, The Associated Press

Musk announces $1 million for Wisconsin voter in Supreme Court race. Opposition calls it 'corrupt'

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Billionaire Elon Musk says a Wisconsin voter has been awarded $1 million days before the conclusion...

Charlotte Kramon, The Associated Press

A bill proposing a near-total abortion ban causes an uproar at Georgia's Capitol

ATLANTA (AP) -- A crowd of pro-abortion and anti-abortion protesters flooded a windowless Georgia Capitol hallway on Wednesday with chants...

International

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...

Damian J. Troise, The Associated Press

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...

The Associated Press

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...

Julie Watson, The Associated Press

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

Stéphane Sérafin, Geoffrey Sigalet

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...

Ken Coates

BC salmon farms could forward reconciliation. Now they are being banned by government.

Clara Geddes, Helaina Gaspard

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

A collection of SubStack publishing within Canadian public affairs.

Dean Beeby

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...

Dean Beeby

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...

David McLaughlin

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...