Craig Lord

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 Craig Lord.

Ministers defend 'great sacrifices' after Trump downplays NATO role in Afghanistan

Ministers defend 'great sacrifices' after Trump downplays NATO role in Afghanistan

Liberal cabinet ministers and former Armed Forces members are defending the sacrifices Canadian soldiers made in Afghanistan after U.S. President Donald Trump downplayed NATO troops' contributions in the war. Trump renewed long-standing grievances with NATO partners in a media interview on Thursday by disputing sacrifices made by non-U.S. troops. "We've never needed them, we have never really asked anything of...

Ministers defend 'great sacrifices' after Trump downplays NATO role in Afghanistan

Ministers defend 'great sacrifices' after Trump downplays NATO role in Afghanistan

OTTAWA -- Liberal cabinet ministers and former Armed Forces members are defending the sacrifices Canadian soldiers made in Afghanistan after U.S. President Donald Trump downplayed NATO troops' contributions in the war.

Five things to know about Canada's new 'strategic partnership' with China

Five things to know about Canada's new 'strategic partnership' with China

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney secured what he called a "landmark" deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday, ending a three-day visit aimed at "recalibrating" strained relations between Canada and China.

Bank of Canada's Macklem backs U.S. Fed chair Powell amid DOJ probe

Bank of Canada's Macklem backs U.S. Fed chair Powell amid DOJ probe

OTTAWA -- Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem is coming to the defence of his U.S. counterpart Jerome Powell as the chair of the Federal Reserve faces a criminal investigation from President Donald Trump's justice department.

Unemployment rate jumps to 6.8% in December despite job gain

Unemployment rate jumps to 6.8% in December despite job gain

Statistics Canada says a boost in the number of people looking for work in December drove the unemployment rate higher at the end of the year. The agency said the economy added 8,200 jobs last month, topping economists’ expectations. The unemployment rate rose to 6.8 per cent in December, StatCan said, up from 6.5 per cent in November.

Unemployment rate jumps to 6.8% in December despite job gain

Unemployment rate jumps to 6.8% in December despite job gain

Ottawa -- Statistics Canada says a boost in the number of people looking for work in December drove the unemployment rate higher at the end of the year.

Canada co-signs pact to help secure Ukraine after an eventual peace deal

Canada co-signs pact to help secure Ukraine after an eventual peace deal

PARIS -- Canada and Ukraine's other allies in the "coalition of the willing" signed a statement Tuesday pledging to help secure Ukraine from further Russian invasions if there is a viable peace deal.

Canada co-signs pact to help secure Ukraine after an eventual peace deal

Canada co-signs pact to help secure Ukraine after an eventual peace deal

Canada and more than two dozen Ukrainian allies have signed a statement pledging to secure Ukraine from further Russian invasions if there is a viable peace deal. The U.K. and France have committed to physical hubs within Ukraine for armed support, but it remains unclear whether Canadian soldiers would be deployed on the ground.

Canada co-signs pact to help secure Ukraine after an eventual peace deal

Canada co-signs pact to help secure Ukraine after an eventual peace deal

PARIS -- Canada and Ukraine's other allies in the "coalition of the willing" signed a statement Tuesday pledging to help secure Ukraine from further Russian invasions if there is a viable peace deal.

Prime Minister Carney says Canada will build up military to support peace in Ukraine

Prime Minister Carney says Canada will build up military to support peace in Ukraine

PARIS -- Canada will continue to build up its military might, in part to be able to play a role in providing security guarantees for Ukraine, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday ahead of a meeting with allies in Paris.

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada to build forces to support peace in Ukraine

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada to build forces to support peace in Ukraine

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will continue to build up its military might in the coming years, in part so it's able to play a role in providing security guarantees for Ukraine. Carney is in Paris meeting with Ukraine's allies to discuss the role Canada might play in securing an eventual ceasefire in the war with Russia. At a...

Prime Minister Carney says Canada will build up military to support peace in Ukraine

Prime Minister Carney says Canada will build up military to support peace in Ukraine

PARIS -- Canada will continue to build up its military might, in part to be able to play a role in providing security guarantees for Ukraine, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday ahead of a meeting with allies in Paris.

In Paris, Carney set to talk about Canada's role in eventual Ukraine ceasefire

In Paris, Carney set to talk about Canada's role in eventual Ukraine ceasefire

Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Paris today meeting with Ukraine's other allies to talk about the role Canada might play in securing an eventual ceasefire in the war with Russia. The "coalition of the willing," a group of more than 30 countries pledged to support Ukraine, is gathering in Paris as ceasefire talks reach a critical juncture.

In Paris, Carney set to talk about Canada's role in eventual Ukraine ceasefire

In Paris, Carney set to talk about Canada's role in eventual Ukraine ceasefire

Paris -- Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Paris today meeting with Ukraine's other allies to talk about the role Canada might play in securing an eventual ceasefire in the war with Russia.

Carney arrives in Paris for talks with Ukraine's allies about security guarantees

Carney arrives in Paris for talks with Ukraine's allies about security guarantees

PARIS -- Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Paris Monday ahead of a meeting with Ukraine's allies to pursue security agreements to prevent Russia from repeating its invasion if a ceasefire deal is reached.

Carney arrives in Paris for talks with Ukraine's allies about security guarantees

Carney arrives in Paris for talks with Ukraine's allies about security guarantees

Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Paris Monday ahead of a meeting with Ukraine's allies to pursue security agreements to prevent Russia from repeating its invasion if a ceasefire deal is reached. Members of the group referred to as the "coalition of the willing," which includes Canada, France and other European countries, are meeting Tuesday in an attempt to accelerate...

Carney arrives in Paris for talks with Ukraine's allies about security guarantees

Carney arrives in Paris for talks with Ukraine's allies about security guarantees

PARIS -- Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Paris Monday ahead of a meeting with Ukraine's allies to pursue security agreements to prevent Russia from repeating its invasion if a ceasefire deal is reached.

Carney will meet with Ukraine's allies in Paris as ceasefire talks intensify

Carney will meet with Ukraine's allies in Paris as ceasefire talks intensify

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to France next week to meet with Ukraine's allies as talks aimed at securing a ceasefire in Russia's war intensify.

Carney will meet with Ukraine's allies in Paris as ceasefire talks intensify

Carney will meet with Ukraine's allies in Paris as ceasefire talks intensify

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to France next week to meet with Ukraine's allies as talks aimed at securing a ceasefire in Russia's war intensify.

Carney will meet with Ukraine's allies in Paris as ceasefire talks intensify

Carney will meet with Ukraine's allies in Paris as ceasefire talks intensify

Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to France next week to meet with Ukraine's allies as talks aimed at securing a ceasefire in Russia's war intensify. The Prime Minister's Office said Friday that Carney will be in Paris on Monday and Tuesday to meet with the "coalition of the willing" in an effort to push forward a ceasefire agreement. In...

Jobs, economy top voters' priorities at the end of a turbulent 2025: Nanos poll

Jobs, economy top voters' priorities at the end of a turbulent 2025: Nanos poll

A year-end poll from Nanos suggests Canadians will want to see action from the Liberal government on major economic files in the new year. Just over one in five respondents to the poll published this week said jobs and the economy were the most important national issues — more than double the 10 per cent who listed relations with the...

Jobs, economy top voters' priorities at the end of a turbulent 2025: Nanos poll

Jobs, economy top voters' priorities at the end of a turbulent 2025: Nanos poll

OTTAWA -- A year-end poll from Nanos suggests Canadians will want to see action from the Liberal government on major economic files in the new year.

Green Party settles with commission over federal leaders' debate exclusion

Green Party settles with commission over federal leaders' debate exclusion

OTTAWA -- The federal Leaders' Debate Commission says it has settled with the Green Party after the party vowed to challenge its removal from the spring election debates.

Organizers of West Bank delegation blocked by Israel call for steeper sanctions

Organizers of West Bank delegation blocked by Israel call for steeper sanctions

Members of a Canadian delegation that was denied entry to the West Bank earlier this month are calling on Ottawa to tighten sanctions targeting new Israeli settlements in occupied territory. A group that included six Canadian MPs on a mission to meet with displaced Palestinians was turned away at the Allenby border crossing into the West Bank on Dec. 16...

Organizers of West Bank delegation blocked by Israel call for steeper sanctions

Organizers of West Bank delegation blocked by Israel call for steeper sanctions

OTTAWA -- Members of a Canadian delegation that was denied entry to the West Bank earlier this month are calling on Ottawa to tighten sanctions targeting new Israeli settlements in occupied territory.

Trump's tariff war is voted as The Canadian Press News Story of the Year

Trump's tariff war is voted as The Canadian Press News Story of the Year

U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff campaign against Canada -- and the surge in patriotic zeal it inspired -- have been voted The Canadian Press News Story of the Year. Nearly two-thirds of editors and news directors surveyed from media organizations across the country picked the political and economic upheaval caused by Trump's trade war as the most consequential story of...

Trump's tariff war is voted as The Canadian Press News Story of the Year

Trump's tariff war is voted as The Canadian Press News Story of the Year

OTTAWA -- U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff campaign against Canada -- and the surge in patriotic zeal it inspired -- have been voted The Canadian Press News Story of the Year.

Interim budget officer says he regrets calling feds' fiscal management 'stupefying'

Interim budget officer says he regrets calling feds' fiscal management 'stupefying'

Jason Jacques says he learned a lot about the importance of choosing his words carefully in his first few months as the interim parliamentary budget officer. His whirlwind ascent from obscure bureaucrat to high-profile thorn in the Liberal government's side began in late summer, when outgoing budget officer Yves Giroux's term was set to end without a formal successor in...

Interim budget officer says he regrets calling feds' fiscal management 'stupefying'

Interim budget officer says he regrets calling feds' fiscal management 'stupefying'

OTTAWA -- Jason Jacques says he learned a lot about the importance of choosing his words carefully in his first few months as the interim parliamentary budget officer.

A tariff exemption was Canada's salvation in 2025. It's 'absolutely' at risk in 2026

A tariff exemption was Canada's salvation in 2025. It's 'absolutely' at risk in 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff campaign appeared to move at a breakneck pace towards Canada's economy this year. But beyond threats of double-digit tariff rates and sharp pain in manufacturing-heavy industries, a key exemption has allowed the majority Canadian goods to continue to cross the southern border duty-free. Experts who spoke to The Canadian Press warned this saving grace for...

A tariff exemption was Canada's salvation in 2025. It's 'absolutely' at risk in 2026

A tariff exemption was Canada's salvation in 2025. It's 'absolutely' at risk in 2026

OTTAWA -- U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff campaign appeared to move at a breakneck pace towards Canada's economy this year.

MPs ask Anand to get answers from Israel after West Bank delegation blocked

MPs ask Anand to get answers from Israel after West Bank delegation blocked

OTTAWA -- Two MPs from a delegation that was denied access to the West Bank earlier this week are asking Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand to get Israel to explain the harsh treatment of one of their colleagues.

Mark Carney shakes up roster of deputy ministers heading into the holidays

Mark Carney shakes up roster of deputy ministers heading into the holidays

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney is shuffling the senior ranks of the federal public service heading into the new year.

MPs ask Anand to get answers from Israel after West Bank delegation blocked

MPs ask Anand to get answers from Israel after West Bank delegation blocked

OTTAWA -- Two MPs from a delegation that was denied access to the West Bank earlier this week are asking Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand to get Israel to explain the harsh treatment of one of their colleagues.

Canada Post commits to free postage for people who are blind as legislation changes

Canada Post commits to free postage for people who are blind as legislation changes

OTTAWA -- Canada Post is vowing to maintain free-postage service for people who are blind even as Ottawa's budget bill looks to repeal those parts of the postal service's legislation.

Ottawa should recommit to debt-to-GDP anchor, IMF report says

Ottawa should recommit to debt-to-GDP anchor, IMF report says

OTTAWA -- A new report by the International Monetary Fund pushes the federal government to recommit to an old fiscal anchor.

Canada added 54,000 jobs in November, unemployment rate drops to 6.5%: StatCan

Canada added 54,000 jobs in November, unemployment rate drops to 6.5%: StatCan

The labour market surprised economists again in November with a third straight month of job gains. Statistics Canada said Friday that the economy added 54,000 new positions last month compared with economists’ expectations for a small loss. The unemployment rate fell to 6.5 per cent in November, down from 6.9 per cent in October, marking a second consecutive monthly decline...

Canada added 54,000 jobs in November, unemployment rate drops to 6.5%: StatCan

Canada added 54,000 jobs in November, unemployment rate drops to 6.5%: StatCan

Ottawa -- The labour market surprised economists again in November with a third straight month of job gains.

Budget office sees modest boost in housing supply from Build Canada Homes

Budget office sees modest boost in housing supply from Build Canada Homes

OTTAWA -- The parliamentary budget office projects in a new analysis that Ottawa's new housing agency will fill only a small gap in the housing market.

Economists warn surprise GDP growth in Q3 masks weakness in Canada's economy

Economists warn surprise GDP growth in Q3 masks weakness in Canada's economy

Canada's economy posted surprisingly strong growth in the third quarter, but economists looking underneath the hood offered a series of caveats that suggest weaker results than the headline figures imply. Statistics Canada said Friday that real gross domestic product rose 2.6 per cent on an annualized basis in the third quarter of 2025, marking a rebound from a contraction of...

Economists warn surprise GDP growth in Q3 masks weakness in Canada's economy

Economists warn surprise GDP growth in Q3 masks weakness in Canada's economy

Ottawa -- Canada's economy posted surprisingly strong growth in the third quarter, but economists looking underneath the hood offered a series of caveats that suggest weaker results than the headline figures imply.

Steel sector praises new federal measures, wants to see tariff remission program end

Steel sector praises new federal measures, wants to see tariff remission program end

The head of Canada's steel industry association says there was one disappointment in Prime Minister Mark Carney's otherwise helpful package of measures to boost the domestic market in the face of U.S. tariffs. Carney announced new measures Wednesday to help steel and lumber producers find fresh markets for their goods within Canada. They include tighter quotas on foreign steel entering...

Steel sector praises new federal measures, wants to see tariff remission program end

Steel sector praises new federal measures, wants to see tariff remission program end

OTTAWA -- The head of Canada's steel industry association says there was one disappointment in Prime Minister Mark Carney's otherwise helpful package of measures to boost the domestic market in the face of U.S. tariffs.

Budget watchdog calls for more transparency after Liberals shift fiscal anchors

Budget watchdog calls for more transparency after Liberals shift fiscal anchors

OTTAWA -- Ottawa is not planning to set up an independent body to scrutinize the new capital framework in its budget, despite calls for more transparency from the government's fiscal watchdog.

Budget watchdog calls for better transparency after Liberals shift fiscal anchors

Budget watchdog calls for better transparency after Liberals shift fiscal anchors

OTTAWA -- The interim parliamentary budget officer says Ottawa should turn over scrutiny of one of its key fiscal anchors to an independent body.

Ottawa is 'rebooting' its relationship with the tech industry, advocates say

Ottawa is 'rebooting' its relationship with the tech industry, advocates say

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney told a business crowd in Montreal recently that the federal government got a bit of outside help on a major piece of innovation policy in the recently passed federal budget.

Ottawa is 'rebooting' its relationship with the tech industry, advocates say

Ottawa is 'rebooting' its relationship with the tech industry, advocates say

Prime Minister Mark Carney told a business crowd in Montreal recently that the federal government got a bit of outside help on a major piece of innovation policy in the recently passed federal budget. "We went to Shopify and said, 'Can you help us redesign this process?' Somewhat embarrassingly, they came back in 48 hours and said, 'Do this.' We...

Canada Post reaches deal in principle with union, strike suspended

Canada Post reaches deal in principle with union, strike suspended

Canada Post and the union representing thousands of its mail carriers say they have reached agreements in principle for new contracts after two years of contentious bargaining. Both parties confirmed the outlines of a deal were in place Friday evening. In a statement, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers said rotating strike action has been suspended as the parties work...

Canada Post reaches deal in principle with union, strike suspended

Canada Post reaches deal in principle with union, strike suspended

Ottawa -- Canada Post and the union representing thousands of its mail carriers say they have reached agreements in principle for new contracts after two years of contentious bargaining.

Ottawa's budget legislation puts final nail in the coffin of the digital services tax

Ottawa's budget legislation puts final nail in the coffin of the digital services tax

OTTAWA -- Legislation to implement the Liberals' new federal budget will also spell the end of Canada's ill-fated digital services tax.

Inflation cools to 2.2% in October as gas, grocery prices fall

Inflation cools to 2.2% in October as gas, grocery prices fall

Cheaper prices at the gas pumps and grocery store helped bring down inflation in October, Statistics Canada said Monday. The annual rate of inflation cooled to 2.2 per cent in October – a tick higher than economists’ expectations but down from 2.4 per cent in September. Gas prices fell 4.8 per cent on a monthly basis in October as retailers...

Inflation cools to 2.2% in October as gas, grocery prices fall
Ottawa's operating spending -- not capital -- driving deeper deficits: PBO

Ottawa's operating spending -- not capital -- driving deeper deficits: PBO

The parliamentary budget officer projects Ottawa will blow past the new fiscal anchors set out in last week's 2025 federal budget. Interim budget officer Jason Jacques says in a new analysis of the budget that Ottawa is set to run an average deficit of $64.3 billion over the next five years -- double the level set out in the federal...

Ottawa's operating spending -- not capital -- driving deeper deficits: PBO

Ottawa's operating spending -- not capital -- driving deeper deficits: PBO

OTTAWA -- The parliamentary budget officer projects Ottawa will blow past the new fiscal anchors set out in last week's 2025 federal budget.

Carney's 1st budget wins support for infrastructure, immigration plans: poll

Carney's 1st budget wins support for infrastructure, immigration plans: poll

Prime Minister Mark Carney secured broad support from across party lines and provincial borders for some major items in his first federal budget, new polling suggests. But one pollster warns Carney risks reopening old regional wounds if he doesn't show progress soon on critical infrastructure and housing files. Leger polling this week showed broad support among respondents for a number...

Carney's 1st budget wins support for infrastructure, immigration plans: poll

Carney's 1st budget wins support for infrastructure, immigration plans: poll

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney secured broad support from across party lines and provincial borders for some major items in his first federal budget, new polling suggests.

Bank of Canada mulled later timing for October rate cut, deliberations show

Bank of Canada mulled later timing for October rate cut, deliberations show

OTTAWA -- The Bank of Canada's governing council was on the same page about the need to lower its benchmark interest last month -- but the exact timing of the cut was up for debate.

Affordability gap leaves Liberal budget with middling reviews: Leger poll

Affordability gap leaves Liberal budget with middling reviews: Leger poll

New polling suggests Canadians had a lukewarm response to the federal budget released last week -- leading one pollster to argue all parties should think twice before mounting an election campaign over the spending plan. The Leger survey indicates some 30 per cent of Canadians who responded approve of the budget tabled by Prime Minister Mark Carney's government on Nov...

Affordability gap leaves Liberal budget with middling reviews: Leger poll

Affordability gap leaves Liberal budget with middling reviews: Leger poll

OTTAWA -- New polling suggests Canadians had a lukewarm response to the federal budget released last week -- leading one pollster to argue all parties should think twice before mounting an election campaign over the spending plan.

Federal budget's refreshed immigration targets will weigh on growth: economist

Federal budget's refreshed immigration targets will weigh on growth: economist

OTTAWA -- One economist argues the federal Liberals' renewed pledge to throttle immigration levels over the next few years will weigh on Canada's economic growth.