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.
Bill C-39 proposes to amend controversial portion of the Canada Labour Code. Though organized labour is pushing back against the Carney government's latest major projects bill — which aims to amend a controversial portion of the Labour Code — Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu says unions will have new leverage, not less, under the proposal. "It's meant to provide, first of...
The president of the European Union's investment bank says "the time is ripe" to deepen its co-operation with Canada by exploring how to finance Canadian projects — comments that come as Prime Minister Mark Carney pushes for more EU ties.
Jonathan Wilkinson says Canada 'would be very selective' about areas for co-operation. As Prime Minister Mark Carney presses toward creating a "unique alliance" with the European Union, Canada's ambassador is ruling out paying directly into the 27-nation bloc's budget. "We would be very selective," Canada's incoming EU ambassador Jonathan Wilkinson said in an interview with CBC's The House airing Saturday...
Comments follow media report Canada is seeking to be 'associate member.' Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada plans to begin discussions for a "unique alliance" with the European Union — but not membership — as he gears up to address the European Parliament this week. "We're not looking to become a member of the European Union," Carney said Sunday evening...
Pro-Canada supporters fear complacency as they go up against motivated separatists. On a Tuesday afternoon at Calgary's Confederation Park, Stephen Carter lays out what he wants to see from Alberta's forthcoming referendum on separation: an 80/20 split in favour of staying in Canada. "If it's close, we deal with this forever,” Carter says of the battle over whether Alberta should...
At his marina in Sackets Harbor, N.Y., on a cloudy Wednesday afternoon, Mayor Alex Morgia looks toward the water and paints a vivid picture of the beauty he often sees, even on an overcast day. "Sometimes those are the best sunsets because the sun will peek through underneath and then you get all of the cascading colours on the underside...
Janice Charette disputes U.S. claims that Canada's last-minute demands derailed negotiations. Canada's chief U.S. trade negotiator is disputing several claims made by American officials about why trade talks fell apart last week, namely that the Canadian side brought forward last-minute demands on autos and that U.S. negotiators weren't interested in French language discoverability rules. "Canada has been resolute throughout these...
Trump dominated Iowa in 2024, but Canada is state's largest export market. This weekend, hundreds of thousands of people are attending the Iowa State Fair — a major attraction featuring several days of entertainment, a rodeo and even a life-size butter cow that's been carved every year since 1911. Much like the Calgary Stampede in Canada, the Iowa State Fair...
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said both U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Mark Carney will now be given "options" following trade talks between Canadian and U.S. trade officials on Thursday. Greer, who spoke to CBC News exclusively following the talks, called the meetings "good" and "cordial." Following the meeting, Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc told reporters he would...
Canada's chief science adviser says the federal government should devise a way to reflect on its response to the COVID-19 pandemic to better prepare the country and Canadians for future public health challenges. "I think we have to respect how people feel, and then we need to meet them and hear them and understand where things stand," Mona Nemer said...
Feds pledging major investments to grow Canada's food processing industry. Inside their demonstration plant in Benmiller, Ont., Martin VanderLoo and Graham Markham are working to prove a point: Canada can generate a big economic boost and strengthen its food sovereignty by processing more food at home. The two men are focused on soybeans, a legume that Canada grows millions of...
Federal food strategy pledging $1B to establish up to 40 hubs across Canada/ About 20 years ago, P.E.I. farmer Rose Viaene watched her husband David take their tractor out into their farm fields and destroy their garlic crop — an act of defiance born out of frustration with Canada's large grocery chains. Viaene said before then, their garlic was sold...
As Alberta pushes ahead with a fall referendum to decide whether an actual referendum on separating from Canada is worth the effort, Canada's former U.S. ambassador says she doesn't think "serious Americans" will get involved in the debate. "My understanding of this, when I left, was that there really wasn't a serious interest in interfering in this very important domestic...
Governments intend to convert units into affordable housing via new partnership. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is slamming a plan by the federal and B.C. governments to buy vacant condo units in the province and turn them into affordable housing — a move he describes as a "bailout" that should be immediately cancelled. "Where is your bailout?" Poilievre told reporters in...
U.S. border officials seized 0.45 kg of fentanyl at Canada border last month. s the U.S. claims its crackdown on drug trafficking at the border with Mexico is triggering more criminal activity from Canada, fentanyl czar Kevin Brosseau is pushing back — saying the numbers "really haven't borne that out." In an interview with CBC's The House, Brosseau pointed to...
David Eby wants mandatory reporting for concerning AI chatbot interactions. B.C. Premier David Eby says the federal government's newly introduced online harms bill "is a miss" when it comes to addressing AI chatbots because it doesn't require tech companies to report users' concerning interactions to police. "These companies have to have a bright line test imposed on them by the...
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...