While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Ashley Burke.
Ukrainian soldiers fighting on the front lines of Russia's war are now testing curved body armour designed specifically for women so they're better protected against bullets, shrapnel and drone strikes. Ukrainian MP Iryna Nykorak said the majority of the more than 10,000 women serving in combat in her country are wearing ballistic plates for men that are too bulky, heavy...
Canada's High Commissioner to the U.K. Bill Blair says the government is engaged in talks to urge the U.K. to reconsider joining its multinational defence bank now that Andy Burnham is the country's new prime minister. The Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, also known as the DSRB, is a Canada-led financial institution in the works that's aimed at giving low-cost...
U.K., Japan and Italy are partners in multibillion-dollar program. Defence Minister David McGuinty is expected to announce in the United Kingdom next week that Canada will play a role in an international program to build the next generation of stealth fighter jets, CBC News has learned. Canada has reached a deal to join the Global Combat Air Program as an...
Gordie Howe bridge, fighter jets part of Independence Day remarks with political message. U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra's speech at his Fourth of July party in Ottawa included a political nudge aimed at Canada, with American F-35 fighter jets flying over the crowd and a comment about some provinces' bans on American booze. Hoekstra set a goal on stage...
Military police failed to transfer almost 70 per cent of sexual offence cases over the past five years to civilian police, despite the government committing to doing so as it worked to pass a permanent change into law. New data shows military police held on to 595 out of 879 of these cases since 2021. "I find that disturbing to...
Prime minister has said he wants to see his successors at the historic official residence. Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to announce the government's long-awaited decision about the future of 24 Sussex Drive in the coming weeks, sources tell CBC News. The derelict residence is meant to house Canada's prime ministers, but the 34-room home has been sitting vacant...
Rideau Hall changed guidelines to say what can and cannot be expensed. Rideau Hall changed its clothing guidelines during Governor General Louise Arbour's transition to office to explicitly state that the King's representative to Canada cannot bill taxpayers for casual outfits or business attire. The guidelines now say governors general can only be reimbursed for "distinct wardrobe requirements" needed to...
Advisory committee member says talks with U.S. are progressing. Prime Minister Mark Carney said his negotiating team made "some progress" during trade talks in Washington this week, but there's "lots more to do" to land an overall agreement. Carney's comments on Thursday came as Canada-U.S. Trade minister Dominic LeBlanc and the country's chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette, briefed a special...
$31.2M spent since 2021 upgrading fleet now retiring. Former Snowbird pilots are calling on the government to keep the iconic aerobatic show in the air by scaling back the performance rather than suspending it entirely. The Royal Canadian Air Force recently announced it's pausing the Snowbirds demonstration squadron at the end of the 2026 flying season until new planes arrive...
Prime minister promised to look into program that cost over $500K last year. The federal government says it's looking for ways to make an expense program for former governors general more transparent after almost 50 years of secrecy. The program allows the five active former governors general to each bill the government up to $206,040 per year, on top of...
The federal government confirms it spent $29.3 million on a contract to upgrade planes flown by Canada’s iconic Snowbirds demonstration squadron, even though the aging jets are about to be retired. The Department of National Defence (DND) told CBC News it spent that money over the past five years to modernize 13 of the jets, which were built in the...
Internal review found the activity violated intelligence-gathering rules. The military reprimanded soldiers after they raised concerns about an order to monitor Canadians' online activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, CBC News has learned. But the military’s top lawyer later warned of risks associated with this kind of monitoring, and a review found it violated the rules, according to internal documents viewed...
Louise Arbour recommended in 2022 stripping military of power to prosecute sexual offences. On the same day the prime minister named Louise Arbour as Canada's next governor general, the Liberals voted to restore proposed legislation to move ahead with Arbour's key recommendation for the country’s military. The bill before parliament would put into law Arbour's 2022 recommendation to strip the...
2019 report urged greater transparency from Canada's viceregal expense program. Prime Minister Mark Carney says he will look into an expense program under which former governors general billed the government more than half a million dollars last year. The program, which launched in 1979 and has been shrouded in secrecy, allows each former governor general to bill up to $206,04...
The prime minister is set to announce on Tuesday who he’s appointing to become Canada’s next governor general, CBC News has learned. Multiple sources said Mark Carney’s selection is expected to be fully bilingual in English and French. Two sources said the appointee is a woman. The current governor general, Mary Simon, is nearing the end of five years in...
Canadian government came under fire in 2022 over similar case. A senior Iranian soccer official says he’s been in contact with "relevant authorities" after Canada’s immigration minister confirmed the government revoked travel documents granted to a former commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps to attend a FIFA meeting in Vancouver. The incident, which has drawn pointed questions from Conservatives...
PM says he wants to see his successors return to official residence. The state of 24 Sussex Drive is "an embarrassment," says Prime Minister Mark Carney, who suggested he wants a decision made about the future of the derelict residence meant for Canada's prime ministers. "You're not going to see me at 24 Sussex, but I would like to see...
Canada trying to resume formal talks with U.S. on sectoral tariff relief. The Trump administration is now offering Canadian and Mexican aluminum and steel companies immediate tariff relief if they commit to moving production to the United States in the future. The U.S published the notice on Thursday during a tense week that saw both American and Canadian officials publicly...
The government will be making a "devil's bargain" if it moves ahead with a recommendation to boost revenue for sport organizations through taxes on sports gambling, former track and field Olympian Bruce Kidd said. A commission this week strongly urged the federal government to find new sources of revenue, including sports betting, to address a funding crisis hurting national sport...
Carney government could choose fate of official residence within months, source says. Rideau Cottage, the historic red-brick house where Canadian prime ministers have been living for more than a decade, is inadequate and comes with security risks, according to a government memorandum prepared last summer.
Up to $5,000 business or lease incentives coming for EVs. Prime Minister Mark Carney is repealing Canada’s electric vehicle mandate that required all new car sales to be electric in a decade, scrapping another Trudeau-era environmental policy. Instead, Carney is taking his own approach by introducing stronger greenhouse gas emission standards for vehicle models 2027-2032 to encourage automakers to produce...
Incentives for consumers buying EVs also expected to resume. The federal government is expected to announce its national automotive strategy on Thursday that includes scrapping Canada's electric vehicle mandate and replacing it with a new system of fuel efficiency standards and credits, CBC News has learned. Two sources say Ottawa is also expected to bring back popular electric vehicle incentives...
No decision yet on future of the EV sales mandate, sources say. The federal government is considering bringing back consumer incentives for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids as it finalizes its national automotive strategy, CBC News has learned. Sources with knowledge of the plans, whom CBC News has agreed not to name because they weren't authorized to speak publicly, say...
Official says Washington had advance warning about Canada's tariff deal with China. Canada wants to look at joint ventures and investments with Chinese companies within the next three years to build a Canadian electric vehicle with Chinese knowledge, according to a senior Canadian official. The official, who spoke on the condition they not be named, said the goal is for...
Beijing does not commit to buying more Canadian petroleum and liquified natural gas. Prime Minister Mark Carney witnessed the signing of an agreement to co-operate more with China on clean and conventional energy the first day of talks in Beijing on Thursday, after years of difficult relations between the two countries. But at this point, none of the agreements included...
PM looking at raising funds, pushing critical minerals, promoting ad hoc groups: official. Prime Minister Mark Carney is headed to South Africa on Friday for the G20 where there could be more space on the sidelines to advance trade talks with other countries because U.S. President Donald Trump isn't attending. A senior Canadian official told CBC News that in Johannesburg...
Ottawa playing hardball after companies drop some Canadian production. The federal government is firing back at Stellantis and General Motors by limiting the number of tariff-free vehicles the automakers can import from the U.S. to sell in Canada, CBC News has learned. The two multinational manufacturers will no longer be exempt from paying Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on as many U.S.-assembled...
'We’re going to enforce our contractual rights,' says Champagne. After giving Stellantis close to $105 million to retool two Ontario plants, the federal government is now reviewing the contract to see if the automaker violated the deal by announcing it's moving some production to the U.S. Stellantis publicly revealed its plans last week to move its Jeep Compass production from...
The Liberal government is introducing new legislation on Friday to make it a crime to intentionally promote hatred against identifiable groups in public using certain hate- or terrorism-related symbols like swastikas, CBC News has learned. A source with knowledge of the government's plan says the change includes symbols associated with terrorist entities on Canada's list which includes the Proud Boys...
Source says legislation could be tabled as early as Tuesday. Prime Minister Mark Carney's government is expected to introduce legislation as early as Tuesday to crack down on people willfully intimidating and obstructing individuals entering places of worship, cultural community centres and schools, CBC News has learned. A source with knowledge of the government's plans says Ottawa will propose three...
Public interest in Trump's tariff war subsiding a bit, pollster says. X Email Reddit LinkedIn Prime Minister Mark Carney is sitting down with his cabinet to chart out the government's fall plan as he prepares to face off against Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre for the first time in the House of Commons amid an unresolved trade war with the United...
DND stats show reported incidents almost doubled compared to previous year. The Canadian military has witnessed a resurgence in hateful conduct and racism reports over the last year following several years of decline, according to data obtained by CBC News. The detailed information comes as the army deals with a fresh set of extremism and disreputable conduct allegations.
An American helicopter manufacturer has reached a confidential settlement with the families of six Canadian military members killed in a helicopter crash off the coast of Greece five years ago. The families sued Sikorsky in 2023 after a CH-148 Cyclone flown by the Royal Canadian Air Force crashed into the Ionian Sea at full speed in April 2020.
Government barred all senior Iranian regime officials who served from 2003 to present. Mahdi Nasiri let the world know he was on his way to Canada in April. The former high-profile Iranian official posted a series of farewell photos — including a goodbye hug — on Instagram for his more than 250,000 followers and anyone else to see. He has...
A federal watchdog agency found a breakdown of ministerial accountability after reviewing a clandestine operation abroad connected to claims a CSIS operative smuggled teenage girls into Syria to join ISIS. The National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) released a heavily redacted version of a top-secret report last week. CBC News has now learned the case involving smuggling claims triggered...
Liberal MPs will vote on whether they want the power to oust the new leader if he loses their trust. Liberal caucus members are meeting today ahead of the return of Parliament, this time under the direction of a leader known for his high expectations and ambitious agenda. Sunday's gathering will likely touch on the big-ticket items Prime Minister Mark...
Caucus will vote Sunday on whether to adopt Reform Act. Some Liberal MPs say they plan on voting to adopt the Reform Act on Sunday so caucus has more power and can reserve the right to trigger a vote to topple Prime Minister Mark Carney as party leader. CBC News spoke to half a dozen MPs who say they're pleased...
It's up to his party to manage who lives in the official residence. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre closed his constituency and Parliament Hill offices following his election defeat in Carleton, but is expected to stay in Stornoway — Canada's residence for the leader of the Official Opposition — despite losing that title. While Poilievre remains the leader of the Conservative...
Sources say PM is considering a smaller group of core ministers. Prime Minister Mark Carney's new cabinet is expected to be larger than his first, but could include a tiered structure with a secondary ring of ministers. Rideau Hall announced Friday that Carney and his cabinet will be sworn in Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. in Ottawa by Gov. Gen. Mary...
Deputy leader Melissa Lantsman held an undisclosed number of shares in 2024, documents show
Move comes after RCMP announced probe into comments made about Conservative candidate Joe Tay. Embattled Toronto-area Liberal candidate Paul Chiang is dropping out of the race just hours after the RCMP told CBC News it's looking into whether he broke the law by suggesting people turn a Conservative candidate running in a nearby riding into the Chinese consulate to collect...
Carney downsized cabinet to focus on trade war and economy.Canada's new prime minister is facing growing criticism from advocacy groups upset that ministers solely dedicated to their issues are no longer around the cabinet table. Mark Carney announced his slate of 23 ministers on Friday, which he described as a much smaller cabinet focused on protecting workers during a trade...
Surgeon general says 'any and all conditions are on the table.' As the Canadian Armed Forces continue to try and dig out of a deep recruitment hole, they're starting to give new recruits with medical conditions a shot at joining the military rather than automatically turning them away. Maj.-Gen. Scott Malcolm, the military's surgeon general, says the forces will now...
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance that punishing tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum will hurt his home state Ohio, a senior Canadian official said. The two leaders met on the sidelines of an international summit in Paris, as the Trump administration moves forward with its threat to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and...
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will try to strengthen Canada's trade and security ties over the next five days with European allies also facing threats from U.S. President Donald Trump over their economy and sovereignty. Trudeau is heading to Paris and Brussels starting Saturday — just days after Trump agreed to pause tariffs on Canada until March 4.
Trudeau government's deadline to meet target is 2032, but defence minister's goal is ASAP. Liberal leadership contender Mark Carney is expected to announce on Wednesday that if he becomes prime minister he's committed to reaching NATO's military investment benchmark of two per cent of gross domestic product by the end of 2030, CBC News has learned. Carney's commitment to defence...
Canada's first accessibility commissioner has resigned during a legal battle with the federal government involving an external investigation into allegations he mistreated staff. The lawyer representing Michael Gottheil said the commissioner submitted his notice last week that he wished to leave his job effective Tuesday.
Blair says accelerated timeline for defence spending 'absolutely achievable.' Facing U.S. President Donald Trump's ongoing criticism about military spending, Defence Minister Bill Blair says it's "absolutely achievable" within two years for Canada to meet NATO's military investment benchmark of two per cent of gross domestic product. That timeline is about six years earlier than what the prime minister announced and...
Liberal MPs, especially those who for months had called for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation both publicly and behind closed doors, have started backing two of his potential successors. Twenty-two members of caucus have weighed in, endorsing either former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney or former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, the presumed front-runners in the...
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he had a "brief exchange" with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a summit in Laos a year after he accused India's government of involvement in the killing of a Canadian Sikh activist in B.C. It's the second time Trudeau's come face-to-face with Modi since relations went cold in September 2023 after Trudeau rose in...
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has an opening during this week's summit with regional leaders in Laos to step up Canada's efforts to help Southeast Asian countries facing escalating threats from China, experts say. Southeast Asian countries want to stop China from using its navy, Coast Guard and merchant vessels to bully them during territorial disputes, and they need stronger protection...
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau heads to Laos this week to advance trade and political ties in the region as violence in the Middle East dominates public opinion in Southeast Asia. Vina Nadjibulla, vice-president of research and strategy for the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, said Canada and other western nations have taken a "reputational hit" in Muslim-majority countries — including...
After facing an external investigation into claims he mistreated staff, Canada's first accessibility commissioner is suing the federal government and unnamed employees for more than $2.3 million in damages. According to his statement of claim, filed last week, Michael Gottheil was ordered by the justice minister to undergo "certain training and take courses" in response to an 18-month workplace investigation...
First elected in 2004, Poilievre is set to receive more than $200K annually when he turns 65, experts say. For weeks, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has been accusing NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh of supporting the government until February so he can become eligible for his MP pension. But experts estimate the size of Poilievre's own pension at more than three...
Multiple Liberal MPs told CBC News that more needs to be done to salvage the party’s electoral hopes. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will meet with his ministers in Halifax on Sunday for the annual cabinet retreat, a gathering that comes after a year of dire polling for the government and disquiet among some Liberal MPs. Some of those MPs are...
Canada's military was "highly confident" for days in June 2023 that bangs heard underwater while searching for the missing Titan submersible were man made — by an object striking the hull of a vessel — near the famous Titanic wreck site, CBC News has learned. Those noises helped keep hope going that the five wealthy explorers on board the missing...
Justice Minister Arif Virani has asked the country's first accessibility commissioner to address the recommendations coming out of an external investigation into claims that he mistreated staff at the Canadian Human Rights Commission. The third-party investigation into Michael Gottheil, which cost taxpayers more than $230,000, is complete and the final report has been issued to Virani, says the Department of Justice.
The federal government is listing Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization under Canada's Criminal Code after years of mounting pressure. Federal ministers delivered the news Wednesday afternoon, hours after CBC News first reported the government was preparing to make the announcement. "This action sends a strong message that Canada will use all of the tools at...
Ukraine's minister of foreign affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, says his country is in urgent need of weapons and wishes the air defence system Canada promised more than a year ago was already in Ukraine. Canada announced plans in January 2023 to donate a $406-million surface-to-air missile defence system, but there's still no delivery date. "Of course, we wish the system was...
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau heads to Switzerland today for a peace summit as Ukraine's president works to shore up his country's defence by securing more international support. The Ukraine Peace Summit is unfolding at a time of extreme peril for Ukrainian troops on the battlefield. Russian gains have led to intense fighting northeast of Kharkiv. Russian drone and missile strikes...