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 Benjamin Lopez Steven.
A draft version of Canada's national AI strategy outlines a drive to scale up business adoption and provide all Canadians access to free AI literacy training, but is short on specifics regarding how the federal government will protect Canadians from the technology's potentially harmful effects. The document, obtained by CBC News and titled "AI for All," says the decisions Canada...
Outgoing Gov. Gen. Mary Simon says the criticisms levelled against her over her ability to speak French were "unfair" and it ultimately did not impede her connecting with Canadians while in the role. "Of course I think it's unfair, simply because we can't learn a language overnight. I didn't have the opportunity, like others, to take French when I was...
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says the prime minister has "wasted an entire year" deliberating a potential new oil pipeline out of Alberta — criticism that comes after Mark Carney said a new pipeline is "more probable than possible." "He's been prime minister for a year and he still hasn't even made up his mind whether he supports a pipeline," Poilievre...
Liberal government tabling new fiscal picture amid U.S. trade war, oil instability. Ahead of an important fiscal update this week, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is demanding Prime Minister Mark Carney cap the federal deficit at $31 billion, in part by eliminating big ticket items like a major rail project and the gun buyback program. "We should have no deficit," Poilievre...
Political advertising, digital strategists weigh in on PM's Forward Guidance video. Prime Minister Mark Carney has promised regular updates on his government's efforts as Canada continues to work through a U.S. trade war while also seeking to strengthen relationships with other trading partners — and his medium of choice appears to be YouTube. "I promise you, I will never sugarcoat...
Lewis calls for 'fundamental structural changes' during first Ottawa visit on the job. While standing outside the House of Commons, Avi Lewis recalled that it has been five decades since his grandfather — former federal NDP leader David Lewis — stood inside the chamber to advocate for the Canadian left. After David, there was Avi's father, Stephen Lewis, a former...
Voters in two Ontario ridings and one in Quebec will head to the polls on Monday for a slate of crucial federal byelections that could hand the Liberals a majority government — cementing their hold on power for the next few years. The Liberals need to win just one of those races to secure a razor-thin majority government. Because the...
Grits need to win just one of three races on Monday to secure a razor-thin majority. As the Liberals gear up for three federal byelections on Monday that could deliver them a majority government, House leader Steven MacKinnon says the government will "continue that impulse of working across party lines" even if it's not required to co-operate to pass legislation...
PM Carney says he's 'often the last to know' about floor-crossers joining his party. In the wake of another Conservative breaking ranks to join Prime Minister Mark Carney, Liberal MPs are sharing new details about how they successfully convinced the first floor-crosser — Nova Scotia MP Chris d'Entremont — to join their side. In an interview with CBC's The House...
Online Streaming Act requires large streamers contribute to Canadian media funds. When she was growing up in Australia, Carla de Jong remembers watching the iconic Canadian TV show Degrassi — which at the time was airing on Australia's public broadcaster. "I love the example of Degrassi, which is a wonderful Canadian series…. And it showed me as an Australian teenager...
U.S. president was unaware Charles is Canada's head of state, Robert Hardman writes in new book. An upcoming book authored by a prominent royal commentator says U.S. President Donald Trump was primarily interested in annexing Canadian territory just above the U.S.-Canada border — and his respect for King Charles may have quashed that goal. The book, titled Elizabeth II: In...
Financial institutions from Canada, China discussed monetary policy and other topics. Although Chinese tariffs on Canadian pork products remain in place after a visit to China by Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, he says the important task is relationship-building — and it's not realistic to expect immediate solutions. "You cannot just expect in one meeting that you resolve everything," Champagne told...
Party determined to speak about priority issues like affordability, says Steve Outhouse. The federal Conservative Party's campaign manager is shrugging off polls showing the Liberals hold a double-digit lead over the Tories — while Pierre Poilievre says he's broadening his image but won't change who he is. "Polls are polls, and they do what polls do," Steve Outhouse said in...
Prime Minister Mark Carney says Ottawa is planning to revamp its funding for Canadian athletes and will tackle the issue "very deliberately" over the next six months — news that comes just before a federal commission on the future of Canadian sport releases its final report. Carney shared the information to a group of Canadian athletes in Holmenkollen, just north of
The former secretary general of NATO says he doesn't think allies will be pulled further into the conflict in the Middle East, but he's concerned the ongoing war with Iran will benefit Russia's economy and take the world's attention away from the invasion of Ukraine. "NATO has never played any important role in important Middle East conflicts," Jens Stoltenberg said...
Liberals will need to win all 3 races to secure thin majority government. Prime Minister Mark Carney has called byelections in the Toronto ridings of University-Rosedale and Scarborough Southwest and the Quebec riding of Terrebonne — races the Liberals will want to win to secure a thin majority government. The byelections will be held on April 13, according to a...
It's clear U.S. president still wants territory due to its 'geopolitical location': Gov. Gen. Mary Simon. Although U.S. President Donald Trump's interest in taking over Greenland appears to have faded — at least publicly — Canada's Governor General says concern remains that the fight over the semi-autonomous territory isn't over yet. "Even though the threat has kind of gone to...
New polling shows just under half of Canadians support the idea, but there are costs. Since taking office, Prime Minister Mark Carney has made his desire to cut Canada's economic dependence on the United States crystal clear. And along the way, he's referenced Europe as a top destination for Canadian goods. "As the most European of the non-European countries, Canada...
Conservative leader emphasizes all-party committee proposal during podcast interview. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says Canada should not have an election before it reviews the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) this year, and is instead calling for the Carney government to set up an all-party committee on the matter. "I think that being united will be a real force going forward. We have...
Defence minister says Canada's the only non-European country to join program. Defence Minister David McGuinty says Canada has now officially joined the European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program, which offers loans to member states to invest in defence capabilities. "The agreement strengthens our collective security, supports the development of key defence capabilities, and gives Canadian industry access to...
Brig.-Gen. Christopher Horner says access to spaceports is a challenge. The head of Canada's military space division says the country "should absolutely be" concerned about Russia's potential capabilities amid global fears the Kremlin is considering putting nuclear weapons in place to target satellites. "That would be cataclysmic," said Brig.-Gen. Christopher Horner, Commander of 3 Canadian Space Division during an interview...
Elly Alboim, a former CBC parliamentary bureau chief, longtime political consultant and professor at Carleton University in Ottawa, has died at 78, his family tells CBC News. Alboim joined the CBC in 1970 and worked at the broadcaster for more than two decades. In 1977, he became parliamentary bureau chief and national political editor for the network — a job he held until 1993.
'No patience for separatist blackmail,' says former Liberal minister Stéphane Dion. Former Liberal cabinet minister Stéphane Dion is lambasting the brewing separatist movement in Alberta and demanding that Premier Danielle Smith clarify her position and lay out the next steps depending on the outcome of a possible independence referendum. "I have no patience for separatist blackmail," Dion said in an...
Former PM's portrait, painted by Canadian artist Phil Richards, to be unveiled Tuesday. Former prime minister Stephen Harper is being honoured at several events in Ottawa this week ahead of the 20th anniversary of his Conservative government, which was sworn into power on Feb. 6, 2006. On Monday afternoon, the Royal Canadian Geographical Society will award Harper its gold medal...
Martin, a family physician, will try to succeed former Liberal MP Chrystia Freeland. The Liberal Party announced Saturday afternoon that family physician Dr. Danielle Martin will be their candidate for the upcoming federal byelection in University-Rosedale, the downtown Toronto riding Chrystia Freeland held until she stepped down earlier this month. Martin is the chair of the department of family and...
Trump threatening tariffs on European nations who oppose U.S. controlling Greenland. Prime Minister Mark Carney is considering sending soldiers to Greenland for military exercises with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies, as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens tariffs on European nations unless they let him purchase and control the semiautonomous island. Two senior Canadian officials have told CBC News that...
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...
Prime minister will travel to Qatar, Switzerland after meeting with China's president. As the prime minister gears up to visit China, his parliamentary secretary, MP Kody Blois, says Mark Carney would like to "recalibrate" Canada's once-frosty relationship with the Chinese government and look at economic opportunities for the two nations. "The trip next week is a continuation of that turning...
Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada stands by the Venezuelan people's "right to decide and build their own future in a peaceful and democratic society" after U.S. President Donald Trump announced American forces captured Venezuela's president early Saturday morning. "Canada has not recognised the illegitimate regime of [Nicolás] Maduro since it stole the 2018 election," Carney said on social media...
Canada needs clean energy and technology investments to meet emission targets: PM. Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada has too much regulation and not enough investments in clean energy and technology — and he's making his most direct repudiation yet of his predecessor's environmental policies. "Because I care about the issue fundamentally, I care about what gets done," Carney said...
Canada's U.S. ambassador says empathy for everyday Americans is important. If you ask Canada's Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman how to get Trump-era Republicans on Canada's side, she'll tell you a story about a stuffed bison head. Hillman first came to Washington as deputy ambassador in 2017. She says around that time, Canada was trying to make inroads with...
Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc says the door is open for American officials to restart trade talks with Canada, but the next time for direct engagement on trade will likely be when the North American free trade agreement begins its review process next month. "If ever in those conversations there's an opportunity for the Americans to agree to something that...
Liberals 1 seat away from majority after Markham-Unionville MP crossed floor. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says his party's focus on affordability "is what unites all Conservatives," as the Tories grapple with another MP crossing the floor to join the Liberals — bringing them one seat shy of forming a majority government. "Affordability, affordability, affordability. Canadians cannot afford grocery prices because...
U.S. panel voted to remove universal hepatitis B vaccine recommendations for infants. Health Minister Marjorie Michel says she worries about how recent actions by U.S. public health agencies, like removing a universal hepatitis B vaccine recommendation for American infants, could hurt Canadians’ health. "It’s a big worry for me," Michel said in an interview on CBC’s The House that airs...
Motion calls government to support oil pipeline construction, adjust B.C. oil tanker ban. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says his party's upcoming motion — which borrows language from the new Canada-Alberta energy agreement — is meant to force the Liberals to "put up or shut up" on whether they support a new oil pipeline to the Pacific coast. "The only thing...
Julie Dabrusin says key policies like clean electricity regulations remain in place. Environment and Climate Change Minister Julie Dabrusin is pushing back against claims from Steven Guilbeault, who resigned from cabinet this week over Ottawa’s memorandum of understanding with Alberta and said Canada is dismantling several pieces of its climate plan. “I really respectfully disagree with [Guilbeault] on his characterization...
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree says the federal government’s gun buyback program will be rolled out across Canada as a report from a pilot in Nova Scotia suggests low turnout. “I will be showing our next steps on the program as we roll out throughout the country,” Anandasangaree said on Sunday afternoon. “But it is significant to say that we...
Conservatives demand Liberals keep deficit below $42B, scrap industrial carbon tax. With just days to go until the Liberal government introduces its much-anticipated federal budget, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre won’t say whether his party will strike down the legislation — instead insisting he needs to read the document before deciding. “I don’t have telepathic powers to tell you what’s in...
Former Liberal prime minister takes swing at Alberta’s simmering separatist movement. Former Liberal prime minister Jean Chrétien is taking a swing at Alberta’s simmering separatist movement and says Premier Danielle Smith “cannot double-talk all the time” about Ottawa depending on her interests. “Now she wants the federal government to intervene in B.C. to help Alberta, but don’t do anything in...
Steven MacKinnon pressing opposition parties to consider if they want another election. Liberal House leader Steven MacKinnon says the government does not have enough votes at the moment to pass the upcoming federal budget — and he’s pressing opposition parties to consider whether they want another election. “As we speak right now, we don’t have the votes,” MacKinnon said in...
Tim Kaine says Trump’s anger is a ‘temper tantrum’ that will blow over eventually. Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia says U.S. President Donald Trump’s outrage toward Canada over an anti-tariff advertisement by the Ontario government is “a temper tantrum” that will blow over — but it’s embarrassing for the United States. “It’s just one more example of super childish...
Province won’t act alone but will keep existing countermeasures, Eby says. B.C. Premier David Eby is ruling out new retaliatory measures against the United States after it slapped an additional tariff on softwood lumber but said his government will maintain countermeasures already in place. “We think that striking out on our own is not going to be the best path...
Former prime minister Jean Chrétien is warning that Donald Trump is a threat to democracy because the U.S. president "does not care much about the rule of law," and that "could cause a lot of problems south of the border." "Western society is built on the rule of law," Chrétien said in an interview with CBC’s The House. "When there...
Industry minister says Canadian trade diversification efforts are working. Canada-U.S. trade negotiations are “going ahead in the right direction” and Canadian companies are repositioning themselves to lean away from overreliance on American trade, says Industry Minister Mélanie Joly. In an interview on Rosemary Barton Live airing Sunday morning, Joly explained her takeaways from Prime Minister Mark Carney’s meeting with U.S...
Canada's secretary of state for defence procurement, Stephen Fuhr, said he doesn't think the federal government plans to get out of its contract to buy American-made F-35 fighter jets as 16 planes are currently being manufactured. "I don't think that's the direction we're heading," Fuhr said in an interview on CBC's Rosemary Barton Live when asked if it's possible for...
'There is no project before us,' Hodgson says as Alberta plans pipeline proposal. Energy Minister Tim Hodgson is brushing off questions over whether the Liberal government will repeal the tanker ban in B.C.'s northern waters, calling them "hypothetical" since Alberta has not formally submitted a pipeline proposal for consideration. Speaking to reporters Friday afternoon in Montreal, Hodgson addressed Alberta's announcement...
Anita Anand says Canada taking ‘step-by-step' approach to restoring ties with India. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand confirmed that Indian law enforcement officials are actively collaborating with Canada as the two countries continue to thaw a once-icy relationship following allegations that Indian agents were linked to an extrajudicial killing on Canadian soil. During an interview on Rosemary Barton Live that...
Pete Hoekstra said he’s ‘disappointed’ with Canada’s attitude toward U.S. relations. Canadian politicians and experts are pushing back against U.S. ambassador Pete Hoekstra's frustration over the anti-American sentiment he's seen in Canada after U.S. President Donald Trump hit the world with tariffs. "When you kick the dog, you can't blame it for snarling back," said Flavio Volpe, president of the...
Incoming UN Ambassador David Lametti says Canada needs "all the evidence to come in" and be assessed before it recognizes whether Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza — and it usually follows the lead of a UN resolution or a ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ). "This is certainly what we've done in other cases where a...
Poilievre argues Carney’s ‘picking up the football in the end zone to spike it.’ The federal government announced this week the five major projects it intends to fast-track. Now, Energy Minister Tim Hodgson is pushing back against Conservative critiques that the list is nothing special because some projects were already well in development. "You've got to execute and punch the...
Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre are laying out their parties' priorities ahead of Parliament's return on Monday for its fall session. In an interview on Rosemary Barton Live that aired Sunday morning, MacKinnon said the federal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney will be presenting a budget in October that will "chart an economic path...
After shooting of Charlie Kirk, Conservative leader says top politicians need protection. Pierre Poilievre says he worries for his family as political violence concerns grow in the U.S. and Canada following the fatal shooting of an American right-wing activist — and the Conservative leader believes all of Canada's top politicians should have protection. "We have had very serious threats to...
Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali announced Monday morning the federal government has published progress reports identifying nearly 500 ways departments are cutting red tape to make themselves more efficient. "Reduced red tape will support Government of Canada priorities, like more efficient reviews of projects to drive economic growth, and greater collaboration with trading partners to reduce barriers and help get...
PM announced new funding on Friday to help canola producers combat Chinese tariff.The president of the Canola Council of Canada says new supports announced this week by Prime Minister Mark Carney are missing the mark on what the industry needs right now in the face of a steep Chinese tariff. "We don't believe there's been proper recognition of extensive impacts...
Pierre Poilievre, David Eby call on Ottawa to reform or cancel contentious program. As some federal and provincial politicians argue that Canada's temporary foreign worker program is stopping young Canadians from finding good-paying jobs, some experts say migrant workers aren't to blame and that other immigration streams could be the problem. Earlier this week, both Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and...
‘Antisemitism is becoming normalized,’ Liberal MPs say in their statement. Liberal MP Anthony Housefather and 31 of his caucus colleagues have issued a statement condemning a "deplorable rise of antisemitism in Canada" and calling on Canadians to stand up against hatred toward Jewish communities. The statement was posted to social media by Housefather just days after a Jewish woman was...
Finance minister confirmed trip, says meetings with look at trade “diversification.” Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne says he and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand will be travelling to Mexico City to look at strengthening Canada's economic partnership with Mexico. "The meetings will be constructive in that respect — looking at markets, looking at diversification, looking at strengthening our partnership with our...
Canadians, Americans still working on trade deal despite Trump raising tariffs. Dominic LeBlanc says he expects Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump will have a conversation with each other "over the next couple of days" as Canada tries to find a way out of a 35 per cent blanket tariff on exports to the U.S. "We believe...
2 leaders clashed at 2014 G20 summit over Russia annexing Crimea. Former prime minister Stephen Harper says Russian President Vladimir Putin is "a real-life Bond villain" and "an evil man" who will leave Russia poor and in chaos. "It's a tragedy that somebody with his ability just wasn't imbued with any sense of ideals or higher purpose," Harper said on...
The president of the national Inuit organization says he's been given reassurances that Prime Minister Mark Carney's plan to fast-track major nation-building projects won't violate modern treaties and there will be "full partnership of the Inuit within these processes." The prime minister is meeting with Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and other Inuit leaders in Inuvik, NW.T., as...