Jenni Byrne’s Big Gamble
The ruthless tactician behind Pierre Poilievre’s campaign has spent decades shaping Canadian conservatism from behind the scenes. This year’s election will be her greatest achievement—or her undoing.
Pierre Poilievre dismisses calls for 'pivot' as Liberals increase lead in polls
Conservative leader says he won't stop criticizing the incumbent government for its 'lost Liberal decade.' Pierre Poilievre says he disagrees with calls from some supporters for him to change his election strategy amid a Liberal surge in the polls, arguing that he should not stop talking about the “lost Liberal decade.” Monday morning, he poopooed any suggestion that he should...
‘I was totally shocked’: shut-out Tory nomination hopefuls blast backroom players for denying them contests in GTA, Calgary, and B.C.
Some shutout Conservative nomination candidates in the Greater Toronto Area, Calgary, and some British Columbia ridings say they have been unfairly denied the right to contested nominations by backroom party operatives. Some say they were led to believe that meeting fundraising targets would significantly boost their chances, but even after raising tens of thousands of dollars they were ultimately denied...
Carney says Paul Chiang has his 'confidence,' despite 'terrible lapse of judgment'
Liberal Leader Mark Carney said he will not be dropping Paul Chiang from the race in Markham–Unionville, despite the candidate’s comments about handing over a Conservative candidate to Chinese authorities to collect a lucrative bounty. Carney said he was “deeply offended” by those comments and said they demonstrated a “terrible lapse of judgment,” but believes this episode amounts to a...
At Florida gala, Danielle Smith tried to laugh off 51st state rhetoric. Here's what she said
CBC News has obtained video of Alberta premier's onstage discussion with podcaster Ben Shapiro. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's response to a U.S. podcaster's quips about Canada as the 51st state last week was to tell him and a conservative group's Florida donor gala that they'd regret having tens of millions of progressive Canadians voting for the U.S. president, according to...
ElectionWatch 2025
Polling Trendlines
Latest Results
Incumbent lead holds as CPC edge among men dwarfed by Liberal advantage among women
In a campaign that has been remarkable for its volatility and dynamism, a new element enters the race: relative stability.New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds voter intention unchanged over the last week, with the Liberal Party holding an eight-point lead over the Conservatives, while the fortunes of the NDP and Bloc remain similarly unchanged.
Over three in five Canadians support or somewhat support Mark Carney disclosing financial assets in blind trust and Pierre Poilievre obtaining security clearance
The CTV-Globe and Mail/Nanos nightly federal election tracking conducted by Nanos Research surveys 1,200 Canadians aged 18 years and over three days (400 interviews each day). Respondents are all randomly recruited through a dual-frame (cell- and land-line) RDD sample using live agents. Three quarters of the sample are administered the questionnaire by telephone and one quarter is administered the same...
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 representing Canada’s non-official language newspapers, TV, radio, and online news media, finds the Liberals leading with 43% (+1) with the Conservatives at 38% (No Change).
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 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:
Adam Taylor
Adrian Jean
Alex Maheu
Ali Salam
Aliya Mohammed
Andrew Casey
Andrew MacDougall
Andy Gibbons
Axel Rioux
Ben Parsons
Brad Lavigne
Brendan McGuinty
Brian Clow
Brianna Ames
Bruce Winchester
Bruce Anderson
Cameron MacKeen
Cara Salci
Carlene Variyan
Caroline Séguin
Chad Bowie
Chad Walsh
Chisholm Pothier
Chris Day
Chris McCluskey
Christine Burke
Dan Mader
Dave Forestell
Dave Prisco
David McArthur
Dennis Matthews
Dennis Prouse
Derek Nighbor
Dil Puar
Dimitri Soudas
Elder Marques
Elly Alboim
Eric Johnson
Fraser Macdonald
Fred DeLorey
Gabe Garfinkel
Gabrielle Berard
Greg MacNeil
Greg McEachern
Hardave Birk
Jaime Watt
Jamie Kippen
Janet Fryday Dorey
Jason Kenney
Jeremy Broadhurst
Jim Anderson
Joanne Macrae
Jordan Deagle
Kate Harrison
Kathleen Monk
Katie Telford
Ken Boessenkool
Kevin Bosch
Lanny Cardow
Laryssa Waler
Laura Kurkimaki
Laura Pennell
Lawrence Cannon
Lisa MacLeod
Lisa Raitt
Marc-Olivier Fortin
Marcia Smith
Max Dea
Megan Leslie
Melanie Richer
Melissa Cotton
Mike Solberg
Mollie Anderson
Monte Solberg
Morgan Swan
Nancy Jamieson
Patrick Rogers
Perry Tsergas
Phil Cartwright
Rebecca Rogers
Richard Mahoney
Rick Anderson
Rob Silver
Roxanna Benoit
Ryan Dunn
Sabrina Grover
Scott Feschuk
Scott Reid
Sean Speer
Sheamus Murphy
Stephen Carter
Tasha Kheiriddin
Tausha Michaud
Tim Powers
Tyler Banham
Vandana Fatima Kattar
Will Stewart
Yaroslav Baran
Zain Velji
Zita Astravas
Election News
Majority of Canadians support Carney disclosing assets, Poilievre getting security clearance: Nanos Research
Most Canadians support Liberal Leader Mark Carney disclosing the financial assets he’s placed in a blind trust while in office, as well as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre obtaining security clearance to receive briefings about foreign interference, according to new data from Nanos Research.
‘I was totally shocked’: shut-out Tory nomination hopefuls blast backroom players for denying them contests in GTA, Calgary, and B.C.
Some shutout Conservative nomination candidates in the Greater Toronto Area, Calgary, and some British Columbia ridings say they have been unfairly denied the right to contested nominations by backroom party operatives. Some say they were led to believe that meeting fundraising targets would significantly boost their chances, but even after raising tens of thousands of dollars they were ultimately denied...
Pierre Poilievre dismisses calls for 'pivot' as Liberals increase lead in polls
Conservative leader says he won't stop criticizing the incumbent government for its 'lost Liberal decade.' Pierre Poilievre says he disagrees with calls from some supporters for him to change his election strategy amid a Liberal surge in the polls, arguing that he should not stop talking about the “lost Liberal decade.” Monday morning, he poopooed any suggestion that he should...
Jenni Byrne’s Big Gamble
The ruthless tactician behind Pierre Poilievre’s campaign has spent decades shaping Canadian conservatism from behind the scenes. This year’s election will be her greatest achievement—or her undoing.
Carney promises home building program, Poilievre pitches national energy corridor
Liberal Leader Mark Carney promised Monday to get the federal government back into the business of home building, while Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives pitched a national energy corridor to fast-track approval of key infrastructure. The two rival party leaders touted the plans as national projects to stand up to the United States as it menaces Canada's economy with a steady stream...
Carney says Paul Chiang has his 'confidence,' despite 'terrible lapse of judgment'
Liberal Leader Mark Carney said he will not be dropping Paul Chiang from the race in Markham–Unionville, despite the candidate’s comments about handing over a Conservative candidate to Chinese authorities to collect a lucrative bounty. Carney said he was “deeply offended” by those comments and said they demonstrated a “terrible lapse of judgment,” but believes this episode amounts to a...
Campaign Analysis
Carney faces ‘the ultimate test,’ which could well decide Canada’s very existence
Speaking to reporters after a recent cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Mark Carney told the assembled media that Canada’s old relationship with the United States, “based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military co-operation, is over.”
Carney reminds voters why they wanted the Liberals out in the first place
Paul Chiang's comments, and Carney's defence of the candidate, are a sign that the Liberal party’s inexplicable attachment to Beijing remains intact
Extremist Candidates Welcomed on Poilievre’s Team
After 91-year-old former prime minister Jean Chrétien’s rousing speech to Liberals earlier this month, it can be easy to forget the still-formidable politician was once doubted, even dubbed “yesterday’s man.” That label prompted Chrétien to run his first campaign as Liberal leader in 1993 showcasing a team of star candidates, invoking the slogan “I have the people, I have the...
Moe, Smith prove valuable assets ... for Carney and Liberals
The premiers of Saskatchewan and Alberta support Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, but they're helping the campaign of Mark Carney's Liberals.
How Poilievre and Singh can carve out political space during tariff war with Trump
The astonishing news Friday of a polite and insult-free phone call between Trump and Mark Carney — one surprisingly, the U.S. president had asked for — has pushed the Trump roller-coaster up for the first time. It may only last hours or days, probably not weeks, but it signals that Canada’s tough retaliatory posture to Trump’s trade war is giving...
Policy Announcements
Singh: Climate Action That Protects You from Trump’s Trade War and Rising Costs
With Trump’s trade threats fuelling fear and economic uncertainty, Canadians are already bracing against a rising cost of living and a worsening climate crisis. Today, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh announced a plan to lower energy bills, create good jobs, and stop giving oil and gas CEOs a free ride.
Green Party will create a National Civil Defence Corps to Strengthen Canada’s Resilience
From climate disasters to cyber threats and geopolitical instability, Canada must ensure its citizens have the tools and support needed to meet the security challenges of the 21st century. Today, the Green Party is announcing our transformative National Civil Defence Corps plan to defend a strong and independent Canada while promoting peace and emergency readiness by:
Mark Carney’s Liberals unveil Canada’s most ambitious housing plan since the Second World War
Today, Mark Carney announced that a new Liberal government would build more homes that Canadians can afford, with Canada’s most ambitious housing plan since the Second World War. During and after the Second World War, Canada was facing a massive housing crisis – similar to today’s. In response, the government of the day built tens of thousands of affordable starter...
Poilievre To Create ‘Canada First’ National Energy Corridor
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre announced today he will create a ‘Canada First’ National Energy Corridor to fast-track approvals for transmission lines, railways, pipelines, and other critical infrastructure across Canada in a pre-approved transport corridor entirely within Canada, transporting our resources within Canada and to the world while bypassing the United States. It will bring billions of dollars of new investment...
Singh to First-Time Buyers: We’ll Help you Buy a Home—Not Investors and Speculators
Today, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh announced a bold plan to help families afford their first home by unlocking the financial power of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to offer low-interest, public-backed mortgages. “In this election, the question is simple: when Trump’s tariffs hit, and costs keep rising—who will stand up for you?” said Singh. “While Carney and Poilievre...
Poilievre Announces Canada First Reinvestment Tax Cut
Today, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre announced the Canada First Reinvestment Tax Cut. Any person or business selling an asset will pay no capital gains tax when they reinvest the proceeds in Canada. Companies that reinvest in active Canadian businesses will also defer any capital gains tax. These gains will still be taxed later on when investors cash out or move...
Opinion More View More
Carney faces ‘the ultimate test,’ which could well decide Canada’s very existence
Speaking to reporters after a recent cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Mark Carney told the assembled media that Canada’s old relationship with the United States, “based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military co-operation, is over.”
Carney reminds voters why they wanted the Liberals out in the first place
Paul Chiang's comments, and Carney's defence of the candidate, are a sign that the Liberal party’s inexplicable attachment to Beijing remains intact
Extremist Candidates Welcomed on Poilievre’s Team
After 91-year-old former prime minister Jean Chrétien’s rousing speech to Liberals earlier this month, it can be easy to forget the still-formidable politician was once doubted, even dubbed “yesterday’s man.” That label prompted Chrétien to run his first campaign as Liberal leader in 1993 showcasing a team of star candidates, invoking the slogan “I have the people, I have the...
Moe, Smith prove valuable assets ... for Carney and Liberals
The premiers of Saskatchewan and Alberta support Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, but they're helping the campaign of Mark Carney's Liberals.
How Poilievre and Singh can carve out political space during tariff war with Trump
The astonishing news Friday of a polite and insult-free phone call between Trump and Mark Carney — one surprisingly, the U.S. president had asked for — has pushed the Trump roller-coaster up for the first time. It may only last hours or days, probably not weeks, but it signals that Canada’s tough retaliatory posture to Trump’s trade war is giving...
Pierre Poilievre’s big problem as Conservatives slide in the polls? He can’t turn his enemies into friends
Pierre Poilievre went into this election campaign with plenty of political skills, but lacking one he needs right now — the ability to turn enemies into friends.That could be a tall order for this take-no-prisoners Conservative leader.
Carney is asking Canadians to give him a majority to deal with Trump
A few months ago, only people who were smoking the drapes would have thought a Liberal majority possible. Now, who knows? Driving into my hometown, there is a sign at the Four Corners in a farmer’s field. It reads “Mr. Trump. Don’t poke the Goose.” It’s the Canada Goose, of course. The words are directed at U.S. President Donald Trump...
Bread, not circuses: dwindling appetite for politics as usual is helping Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney will probably never be a spellbinding public speaker, at least judging by his first tentative forays. When he takes to the podium, he delivers his message with all the flair, passion, and levity of a central banker addressing a meeting of the International Metallurgy and Materials Congress. Unsurprising, given his resumé. But press conferences? He is...
"Is Canada The Greatest Country on Earth?" Depends Who You Ask (And How Old They Are)
In the heat of a federal election campaign, with Donald Trump once again occupying the White House and making noise and consistent threats about tariffs and even annexation of Canadian territory, patriotic fervour in Canada is on the rise. Parties are campaigning with slogans of “Canada Strong” and “Canada First”. You’d think that in such a moment of national self-reflection...
Is Pierre Poilievre ‘too Trumpy?’ Does Mark Carney know his candidates’ names? 5 moments that shook up the election campaign this week
Welcome to Election 2025 and the weekly campaign edition of On The Contrary, in which Susan Delacourt and Matt Gurney will be tracking the race by focusing on the five people who have made things interesting or game-changing.
This election campaign isn’t about the United States. It’s about Canada, and why we matter in the world
This is a hard time for the country. It is also a good time. Hard because of tariffs, talk of annexation and other uncertainties every day. Good because, up against it, we’ve quickly come to learn that we have to face these challenges together. Provinces, territories, regions historically defined by difference – language, culture, religion, race – have discovered we...
Two veteran political journalists on the making of Pierre Poilievre — and what could unmake him
The following is a conversation between two journalists who have been covering Canadian federal politics up close for decades. Stephen Maher — author of The Prince: The Turbulent Reign of Justin Trudeau — spoke to Mark Bourrie on March 22 about his latest book, Ripper: The Making of Pierre Poilievre, a thoughtful and unsparing examination of the life and career...
Clarifying ‘Caretaker’: The Prime Minister is the Prime Minister
Mark Carney is the Prime Minister of Canada. He held this office despite not having had a seat in Parliament prior to the general election, and he still holds the office during it. He does not hold the office and the title during some events and not during others based on a temporary, election-period, church-and-state distinction between political and executive...
Is Pierre Poilievre too 'in sync' with Donald Trump?
The Alberta premier thought it was a good thing — a top Conservative strategist begged to differ. The most controversial statement of the federal election so far was uttered before the campaign even started — not by a federal politician, but the premier of Alberta. In an interview taped on March 8 with a right-wing American media outlet, Danielle Smith...
Liberals screwing the West for political gain – again
Another federal election and the Mark Carney-Justin Trudeau Liberals are employing their tried-and-true tactic, made famous by the legendary Liberal campaign organizer Sen. Keith Davey in the 1980 election, to “screw the West, we’ll take the rest.”
Jagmeet Singh needs to stop pretending he’s going to win the election
Faced with President Donald Trump’s renewed tariff threats against Canada this week, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh shifted his campaign plans and headed to Windsor to stand with affected auto workers. Now Singh needs to shift again but this time to deal with the near existential threat his party is facing. Public opinion surveys show support for the NDP has fallen...
Avoiding the Trump trap—Why the Conservatives might want to keep ‘change’ as the election focus
As we come to the end of the first week of this high‐stakes, highly consequential Canadian general election campaign, many Conservative supporters—and a fair number of commentators—have been urging Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative Party to dramatically pivot. Their argument is straightforward: with Donald Trump ramping up threats against Canada, it seems logical for the Conservatives to seize the moment...
"I'm voting X because..." A deep dive on why voters say they are supporting the Liberals or Conservatives
In political campaigns, voters’ choices often hinge on how well they feel a party understands their needs, addresses their most pressing concerns, and reflects their values. On our latest Abacus Data election survey, I gave respondents an opportunity to explain, in their own words, why they are planning to vote a certain way. In this piece, I focus specifically on...
How is Poilievre responding to Trump's shift in tone?
The CBC's Kate McKenna updates Power & Politics on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's response to U.S. President Donald Trump saying he had 'a very good conversation' with Prime Minister Mark Carney. Then, the Political Pulse Panel discusses the state of the Conservative campaign in the first week of the election.
Why is the NDP doing so badly, even with progressives? Just take a look at their awful housing plan
“Massive challenges.” That is how federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh recently described his what his party is facing in this election. To say he’s sugar-coating the situation would be too generous — you’d have to move mountains of the sweet stuff to get from Singh’s statement to the truth of the matter. The NDP faces electoral oblivion. The most recent...
Let’s not sleep on Justin Trudeau’s last good idea
In one of his last acts as prime minister, Justin Trudeau put forward a genuinely great idea: Get the RCMP out of local policing. It may not have been a terribly sexy note to end on, or one that even garnered much press. But after ten years of presiding over a police department mired in internal dysfunction, it is a...
The last prime ministerial trip that Justin Trudeau never took
It’s the last trip that Justin Trudeau never took. In his last weeks in power, amid the turmoil of Donald Trump’s tariff threats and jibes about making Canada the 51st state, Mr. Trudeau was quietly planning a symbolic and potentially controversial trip to Syria. The advance teams had been there. Canadian Armed Forces troops were on the ground in Syria...
Mark Carney stands to lose a lot of goodwill in Quebec by avoiding TVA jousting debate
While the country was in lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, Quebecers enthusiastically adopted the French version of the Italian slogan andrà tutto bene: “ça va bien aller” — meaning: “it will all be fine.” That’s likely what the Liberal war room told itself amid the backlash following the decision to refuse Quebecor Media’s invitation to participate in its French-language Face-à-Face...
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Majority of Canadians support Carney disclosing assets, Poilievre getting security clearance: Nanos Research
Most Canadians support Liberal Leader Mark Carney disclosing the financial assets he’s placed in a blind trust while in office, as well as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre obtaining security clearance to receive briefings about foreign interference, according to new data from Nanos Research.
Canadian, American unions urging U.S. senators to vote to overturn Trump's tariffs
Unions on both sides of the border are calling on American senators to vote in favour of legislation to overturn U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods.
Carney promises home building program, Poilievre pitches national energy corridor
Liberal Leader Mark Carney promised Monday to get the federal government back into the business of home building, while Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives pitched a national energy corridor to fast-track approval of key infrastructure. The two rival party leaders touted the plans as national projects to stand up to the United States as it menaces Canada's economy with a steady stream...
Carney standing by candidate Paul Chiang, who suggested Conservative be turned over to China for bounty
Liberal Leader Mark Carney says Paul Chiang will remain a candidate under his banner, despite calls to ouster the Markham-Unionville incumbent for suggesting people turn in a Conservative candidate to the Chinese consulate and collect a bounty.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pledges ‘national energy corridor’ to expedite approvals for pipelines, infrastructure
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pledged to create a “national energy corridor” across Canada, within which approvals for pipelines and other critical infrastructure would be fast-tracked, in order to help ship resources across the country or globally while bypassing the United States. He took aim at U.S. President Donald Trump in the announcement, saying this would help Canada reduce its dependence...
This Quebec battleground has an incumbent fighting for his life
In the three-party battle for Trois-Rivières, the Bloc Québécois MP will be on the ballot, but not the campaign trail. On Friday morning, René Villemure filed his candidacy with Elections Canada. He went to the book fair to meet his constituents, attended a few meetings, and returned home to rest. Villemure, first elected in 2021, will not campaign, deliver any...
Former Liberal minister worked government contacts to ply COVID contracts without registering as lobbyist
Former deputy PM Sheila Copps said she had permission not to register in contacting Anand's office. One offer was flagged by officials as suspicious
Mark Carney’s Liberals open up 8-point lead over Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives in latest Nanos tracking
The federal Liberals have opened up an eight-point advantage over the Conservatives in the latest Nanos Research tracking on Day 9 of the federal election campaign.
More tariff turmoil
It feels like we've been building to this week.Ever since U.S. President Donald Trump was elected, we've been waiting for a moment when his broad plan about tariffs is put forward.He initially said it would happen on inauguration day, then the first day of February. That was delayed to the 4th of February.
Election to likely hinge on 50 most competitive ridings, but things could shift greatly by polling day, say politicos
This election's ballot question is twofold: is it time for change, and who is best suited to stand up to Donald Trump, says pollster Greg Lyle. With American tariffs and calls for change creating extreme voter volatility, the federal election outcome will depend on tight races, but the list of battleground ridings may shift before the campaign ends—making it challenging...
Eyes warily turn to next round of U.S. tariffs during second week of federal election
The second week of the federal election campaign is underway, with a fresh round of U.S. tariffs expected to soon reverberate on the hustings.Eyes are turning to Wednesday when U.S. President Donald Trump is likely to slap "reciprocal tariffs" on countries including Canada over various alleged trade practices.
Liberals continue lead over Tories after 1st week of Canada election: poll
The Liberals continue to lead the Conservatives among voters after the first week of the federal election campaign, a new poll suggests, but the two parties are tied on who will best handle what’s seen as the top issue: affordability and the cost of living. The latest Ipsos poll conducted exclusively for Global News shows both the Liberals and new...
Poilievre shrugs off reports of campaign turmoil as he pitches tax relief
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre brushed off reports of campaign turmoil Sunday as he pitched his party as the best choice to stand up to U.S. President Donald Trump. With the second week of the federal election campaign underway, another round of U.S. tariffs is expected to land on Wednesday -- tariffs that threaten to overtake the conversation in the federal...
Calls mount for Carney to fire Liberal candidate who said Conservative should be turned in to earn Chinese bounty
Calls are mounting for Liberal Leader Mark Carney to fire Toronto-area candidate Paul Chiang, who said people should bring a Conservative politician to the local Chinese consulate to collect a bounty on him for criticizing Beijing’s crackdown on Hong Kong. NDP candidate Jenny Kwan urged Mr. Carney to drop Mr. Chiang for his comments on Conservative candidate Joe Tay. “He...
Independent MP Han Dong won't seek re-election in suburban Toronto riding
Former Liberal says he doesn't want to split the vote to Conservatives' benefit. Independent MP Han Dong said Sunday morning he will not seek re-election in Don Valley North — a decision that comes one day after the Liberals announced they're running a candidate in the suburban Toronto riding. "After speaking with my family, team and supporters, I have decided...
Poilievre announces capital gains tax cut for investors putting money in Canada
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre announced his second tax cut of the campaign targeted at investors Sunday, promising to exempt capital gains from taxes if the proceeds are reinvested in Canada."The current capital gains tax locks up investment in old assets, because selling them would force a big bill," Poilievre said in a statement.
Mark Carney’s Liberals leading Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives by 5 points in latest Nanos tracking
The federal Liberals are emerging as frontrunners in a tightly-contested election with a five-point lead over the Conservatives, who have maintained steady support as both parties are locked in a two-horse race on Day 8 of the federal election campaign. The first three-day sample of this election campaign by Nanos Research, CTV News’ and the Globe and Mail’s official pollster...
Liberals felt besieged in ‘Fortress Toronto’ under Justin Trudeau. They say Mark Carney has come to their rescue
Less than a year after her shocking byelection loss blew a Conservative hole through the federal Liberals’ fortress Toronto, Liberal candidate Leslie Church says her reception at doorsteps this time could not be more different. “It’s like night and day,” the Toronto—St. Paul’s hopeful said Friday, smiling broadly while taking a break from campaigning at a St. Clair Avenue West...
Former U.S. ambassador to the UN says tariff impact will be 'enormous,' slams 'reckless' Signal group chat
Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice says President Donald Trump's tariffs will lead to major economic consequences for both American and Canadian consumers. In an interview airing Sunday on CBC's Rosemary Barton Live, Rice described the impact tariffs will have on both economies. "The consequences will be enormous for the American consumer who will pay a great...
Poilievre tries to capitalize on NDP weakness but Liberal surge could complicate things
Conservatives eye NDP seats, but Trump threatens to upend everything. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre spent much of the first week of this election campaign targeting NDP-held ridings that could be up for grabs now that polls suggest New Democrat support is in free fall — but the recent Liberal surge has upended those plans. The big political story of the...
Why Doug Ford may find there's little to be gained by campaigning for Poilievre
Both camps deny the Conservative leader reached out for campaign help. After Doug Ford's significant majority victory in Ontario, one might think Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre would be racing to cozy up to the premier for help in winning the crucial battleground province in the federal election. Poilievre, however, said he hasn't approached the Ontario Progressive Conservative leader for assistance...
Conservatives demand Carney fire candidate who said Tory should be turned in for Chinese bounty
Liberal Leader Mark Carney is being urged by the Conservatives to fire a Toronto-area candidate who said people should bring a Conservative politician to the local Chinese consulate to collect a bounty on him for criticizing Beijing’s crackdown on Hong Kong.
Ministers, ex-cabinet members and leadership aspirants seek to hold bellwethers for Liberals
Six cabinet members and a former Liberal leadership candidate will contest bellwether ridings in the 2025 federal election, with more than half the seats based in the southern Ontario regions that helped deliver majorities for Stephen Harper’s Conservatives in 2011 and Justin Trudeau’s Grits in 2015.
Polls suggest Poilievre is losing edge on affordability
Liberal, Tory leaders equally likely to act on housing affordability, survey says. It wasn’t so long ago that Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre had shot to the top of the polls by promising to make life more affordable for everyday Canadians. But two recent surveys suggest he’s losing his edge on all-important pocketbook issues, just as the campaign kicks in to...
Pierre Poilievre aligns with Bloc Quebecois just as Jagmeet Singh says he ‘will never support’ Conservatives
Poilievre told reporters in Winnipeg he would not contest Quebec’s language law, Bill 96, should a challenge of it reach the Supreme Court of Canada, in contrast with Carney, who said this week a Liberal government would support a challenge of the law. Pierre Poilievre would not contest Quebec’s controversial French-language law in a Supreme Court challenge if the Conservatives...
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 State of Service report was drafted to communicate how we are accomplishing this mandate and to update Canadians on some of our biggest programs, including the Passport Program, the Canadian Dental Care Plan, Employment Insurance, Benefits Delivery Modernization and the...
US Poli
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White House abruptly fires career Justice Department prosecutors in latest norm-shattering move
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The recent firings of career Justice Department lawyers by the White House is a sign of President Donald Trump's tightening grip over the law enforcement agency known for its long tradition of political independence.
Trump pardons Navy veteran convicted in Capitol riot
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump has pardoned a Virginia man whose sentence already was commuted for his convictions stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Trump keeps talking about running for a third term. The US Constitution says that can't happen
President Donald Trump has just started his second term, his last one permitted under the U.S. Constitution. But he's already started talking about serving a third one.
Trump says he's considering ways to serve a third term as president
President Donald Trump said "I'm not joking" about trying to serve a third term, the clearest indication he's considering ways to breach a constitutional barrier against continuing to lead the country after his second term ends at the beginning of 2029. "There are methods which you could do it," Trump said in a telephone interview Sunday with NBC News from...
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen is barred from seeking public office for embezzlement
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen strode out of a French court as the chief judge on Monday barred her from seeking public office after she was found guilty of embezzling EU funds. The judge hasn’t yet said how long Le Pen will be ineligible for running for public office -- a decision that could derail the far-right leader’s career...
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 epicenter was near the country’s second largest city. State-run MRTV television said the military-run government’s proclamation includes the capital Naypyitaw and Mandalay, after the earthquake and a strong aftershock hit midday. Myanmar is in the midst of a civil war...
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 on auto imports.
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 compared with a year earlier even as overall sales of EVs grew, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association.
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 the United States since it was only a day's drive from her home in Las Vegas, one of the perks of their long-distance relationship.
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 women's sports are necessary to protect children and ensure the integrity of girls’ and women’s sports.
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 shifting political relationship between Canada and the United States will require Canada to enhance its economic and continental security activities so that it is not perceived or targeted as vulnerable. These efforts must include enhancing the resiliency of our information...
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 avoiding the mud-holes of public controversy. Central banks trade in trust, and must project immutability and stability.That’s why it was so unusual in 2012 to hear Mark Carney, then governor of the Bank, apologize to Canadians for screwing up.
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 Co.’s main branch in Boston, the same firm used by Salada Tea for its U.S. operations. Likely he reasoned that a foreign account would reduce the risk of discovery.
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 offer up regular assessments and analysis on what I think is going on. Check this space regularly for my campaign updates. You can judge my content for its value and biases on its own. But for the record, let me...
Podcasts
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Liberals enter uncharted territory
It’s clear enough that Mark Carney’s Liberals would be the favourites to win this election if it were held today. But as support for the party in parts of the country grows to levels not seen in decades, just where those Liberal seat gains will happen is tough to predict.
The Panel: Liberation Day pre-sale!
The election campaign heads into its second week, and everything feels brand new. The Liberal campaign plane finally has the Liberal logo on it. Mark Carney has a candidate he should probably drop. Pierre Poilievre is having a very hard time moving the debate from the issue he can’t win on to an issue he might win on. And Jagmeet...
Conservatives are caught in a perfect electoral storm, but aren’t blown away yet
In any other election the kind of poll numbers Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives are putting up would be cause for celebration. And their campaign so far has been perfectly executed, as Stuart Thomson and Tasha Kheiriddin from Postmedia’s Political Hack newsletter discuss with Brian this week. Meanwhile Liberal Leader Mark Carney has stumbled and underwhelmed. But the dynamics of this race...
When the Alt-Right “Infiltrated” a Small Town
“ …the City of Pickering has witnessed a growing infiltration of alt right individuals, ideologies, and influences that have created an atmosphere of uncertainty, fear, and intimidation over our Council, our staff, our residents, and indeed the broader community.” - Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe