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.

Bank of Canada appoints two deputy governors, dropping 'external' title for one

Bank of Canada appoints two deputy governors, dropping 'external' title for one

OTTAWA -- The Bank of Canada is filling two vacancies on its governing council with a pair of economists who are already well known at the central bank.

Inflation expected to jump in March as Iran oil shock enters price data

Inflation expected to jump in March as Iran oil shock enters price data

OTTAWA -- Statistics Canada will reveal the early impacts of the Iran war's oil price shock on inflation when the agency reports its consumer price index for March on Monday.

Poilievre blasts Carney, Liberal economic record in Canadian Club speech

Poilievre blasts Carney, Liberal economic record in Canadian Club speech

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says a new Liberal majority government means Prime Minister Mark Carney no longer has any excuse for failing to deliver on his economic promises. Poilievre spoke to a business crowd at the Canadian Club Toronto on Thursday to lay out his vision for Canada's economy. He spent much of his time at the podium attacking Carney's...

Poilievre blasts Carney, Liberal economic record in Canadian Club speech

Poilievre blasts Carney, Liberal economic record in Canadian Club speech

OTTAWA -- Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says a new Liberal majority government means Prime Minister Mark Carney no longer has any excuse for failing to deliver on his economic promises.

Liberals to table spring economic statement on April 28

Liberals to table spring economic statement on April 28

OTTAWA -- Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne says the federal government will table its spring economic update on April 28.

Liberals plan to suspend federal fuel excise tax until Labour Day

Liberals plan to suspend federal fuel excise tax until Labour Day

OTTAWA -- The Liberal government will suspend the excise fuel tax on gasoline and diesel until Labour Day as the Iran war sends energy costs surging, Prime Minster Mark Carney announced Tuesday.

Liberals plan to suspend federal fuel excise taxes until Labour Day

Liberals plan to suspend federal fuel excise taxes until Labour Day

OTTAWA -- The Liberal government will suspend the excise fuel tax on gasoline and diesel until Labour Day as the Iran war sends energy costs surging, Prime Minster Mark Carney announced on Tuesday.

CP NewsAlert: Liberals suspend federal fuel excise taxes until Labour Day

CP NewsAlert: Liberals suspend federal fuel excise taxes until Labour Day

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will suspend the excise fuel tax on gasoline and diesel until Labour Day as the Iran war sends energy costs surging.

Liberals plan to suspend federal fuel excise taxes until Labour Day

Liberals plan to suspend federal fuel excise taxes until Labour Day

OTTAWA -- The Liberal government will suspend the excise fuel tax on gasoline and diesel until Labour Day as the Iran war sends energy costs surging, Prime Minster Mark Carney announced on Tuesday.

Jobs minister urges youth to pursue skilled trades despite generational stigma

Jobs minister urges youth to pursue skilled trades despite generational stigma

OTTAWA -- Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu says Canada must break the stigma around careers in the skilled trades if the Liberals want to achieve their infrastructure and homebuilding agenda.

Canada condemns Israel for Lebanon strikes, calls on Hezbollah to disarm

Canada condemns Israel for Lebanon strikes, calls on Hezbollah to disarm

Canada is condemning Israel for striking Lebanon hours after an apparent ceasefire was struck in the Middle East conflict and is calling on Hezbollah to disarm in favour of diplomatic solutions. Despite an 11th-hour ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, Israel attacked Beirut on Wednesday in a renewed effort to strike at the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group...

Canada condemns Israel for Lebanon strikes, calls on Hezbollah to disarm

Canada condemns Israel for Lebanon strikes, calls on Hezbollah to disarm

OTTAWA -- Canada is condemning Israel for striking Lebanon hours after an apparent ceasefire was struck in the Middle East conflict and is calling on Hezbollah to disarm in favour of diplomatic solutions.

Carney says Canada not considering sanctioning Israel over Lebanon strikes

Carney says Canada not considering sanctioning Israel over Lebanon strikes

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday Canada is not considering sanctions on Israel after it attacked Lebanon this week and appeared to violate a ceasefire agreement in the Middle East.

Tax cuts not the only way to help Canadians as gas prices rise: economists

Tax cuts not the only way to help Canadians as gas prices rise: economists

OTTAWA -- The federal Conservatives are calling on Ottawa to return some of the revenue from higher gasolines prices to give Canadians a break at the pumps but some economists say cutting gas taxes isn't the only way to deliver relief.

Union claims airlines are 'flying the plane' in Ottawa's unpaid work probe

Union claims airlines are 'flying the plane' in Ottawa's unpaid work probe

OTTAWA -- The Canadian Union of Public Employees says the federal government's probe into allegations of unpaid work in the airline sector is not taking workers' arguments seriously.

Carney breaks down plans to spend $51B on local infrastructure
Canada in the European Union? Poll suggests broad openness to the idea

Canada in the European Union? Poll suggests broad openness to the idea

New polling suggests a majority of Canadians think Canada ought to explore joining the European Union at a fraught time for geopolitical relations. A survey of 4,000 people conducted by Spark Advocacy's polling arm in March found that one in four respondents thought it would be a good idea for Canada to formally join the economic and political bloc of...

Canada in the European Union? Poll suggests broad openness to the idea

Canada in the European Union? Poll suggests broad openness to the idea

New polling suggests a majority of Canadians think Canada ought to explore joining the European Union at a fraught time for geopolitical relations.

Bank of Canada relying on 'judgment' to steer policy rate through Iran war shock

Bank of Canada relying on 'judgment' to steer policy rate through Iran war shock

OTTAWA -- Monetary policy-makers at the Bank of Canada are relying more heavily on their own reasoning to chart a course for the policy interest rate through conflicting economic signals tied to the war in the Middle East.

Ottawa's fiscal year shaping up better than budget forecasts: BMO economist

Ottawa's fiscal year shaping up better than budget forecasts: BMO economist

OTTAWA -- The federal government's annual deficit for the fiscal year ending today is tracking below Ottawa's own expectations set out the 2025 budget, despite increased spending.

Ottawa extending 2% alcohol tax hike cap for another 2 years

Ottawa extending 2% alcohol tax hike cap for another 2 years

The federal government is set to extend its cap on an annual alcohol tax increase for another two years in a bid to rein in costs facing Canada's brewers, wineries and distilleries. Excise taxes on booze had faced annual increases pegged to inflation on April 1 each year, but the Liberal government has temporarily capped those hikes at two per...

Ottawa extending 2% alcohol tax hike cap for another 2 years

Ottawa extending 2% alcohol tax hike cap for another 2 years

OTTAWA -- The federal government is set to extend its cap on an annual alcohol tax increase for another two years in a bid to rein in costs facing Canada's brewers, wineries and distilleries.

Feds, Ontario pool $8.8B for housing infrastructure to cut development fees

Feds, Ontario pool $8.8B for housing infrastructure to cut development fees

OTTAWA -- The federal and Ontario governments said Monday they will together invest billions of dollars in local infrastructure spending to help cities cut costly development fees and get more homes built.

Carney's budget bill becomes law after passing final Senate hurdle

Carney's budget bill becomes law after passing final Senate hurdle

Prime Minister Mark Carney's first budget bill is now law, marking a milestone for the minority Liberal government. The budget implementation act, Bill C-15, received royal assent Thursday evening after the Senate gave its final sign-off on the legislation. The bill passed the House of Commons on recorded division in February, which means members of Parliament gave it the green-light...

Carney's budget bill becomes law after passing final Senate hurdle

Carney's budget bill becomes law after passing final Senate hurdle

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney's first budget bill is now law, marking a milestone for the minority Liberal government.

Ottawa proposes $1.7B fund to help provinces lower cost of homebuilding

Ottawa proposes $1.7B fund to help provinces lower cost of homebuilding

OTTAWA -- The federal government is proposing a $1.7-billion fund to help provinces and territories lower the cost of homebuilding.

Key figure in Phoenix public service pay transition says he's leaving the team

Key figure in Phoenix public service pay transition says he's leaving the team

The public servant leading the transition away from the federal government's error-prone Phoenix pay system says he's stepping down because the team no longer needs him. Alex Benay, associate deputy minister at Public Services and Procurement Canada, says in a LinkedIn post the backlog of Phoenix cases older than a year and the overall queue of complaints are at their...

Key figure in Phoenix public service pay transition says he's leaving the team

Key figure in Phoenix public service pay transition says he's leaving the team

OTTAWA -- The public servant leading the transition away from the federal government's error-prone Phoenix pay system says he is stepping down because the team no longer needs him.

Budget watchdog nominee promises 'pointy analysis' as MPs question independence

Budget watchdog nominee promises 'pointy analysis' as MPs question independence

OTTAWA -- Ottawa's choice for the next federal fiscal watchdog promised not to go lightly on the federal government if she is confirmed for the post.

Budget watchdog nominee promises 'pointy analysis' as critics question independence

Budget watchdog nominee promises 'pointy analysis' as critics question independence

OTTAWA -- Ottawa's choice for the next federal fiscal watchdog promised not to go lightly on the federal government if she is confirmed for the post.

Budget watchdog nominee Annette Ryan set to testify at finance committee

Budget watchdog nominee Annette Ryan set to testify at finance committee

Ottawa's choice for the next federal fiscal watchdog is set to face questions from MPs before she can be confirmed as the next parliamentary budget officer. Annette Ryan, a longtime public servant and the current deputy director at Canada's financial intelligence agency, Fintrac, was named as cabinet's pick to become the next parliamentary budget officer earlier this month.

Budget watchdog nominee Annette Ryan set to testify at finance committee

Budget watchdog nominee Annette Ryan set to testify at finance committee

OTTAWA -- Ottawa's choice for the next federal fiscal watchdog is set to face questions from MPs before she can be confirmed as the next parliamentary budget officer.

PBO nominee Annette Ryan enters spotlight at a pivotal time for federal finances

PBO nominee Annette Ryan enters spotlight at a pivotal time for federal finances

Ottawa's nominee for federal fiscal watchdog will face questions from members of Parliament on Monday after a turbulent period for the budget office. Annette Ryan, a longtime public servant and currently a deputy director at Canada's financial intelligence agency, Fintrac, was named as cabinet's pick to be the next parliamentary budget officer earlier this month. Ryan's nomination, which must be...

PBO nominee Annette Ryan enters spotlight at a pivotal time for federal finances

PBO nominee Annette Ryan enters spotlight at a pivotal time for federal finances

OTTAWA -- Ottawa's nominee for federal fiscal watchdog will face questions from members of Parliament on Monday after a turbulent period for the budget office.

Inflation cooled in February before oil price shock; last data ahead of BoC rate call

Inflation cooled in February before oil price shock; last data ahead of BoC rate call

OTTAWA -- Inflation was showing signs of easing in February but economists warn price relief will be short lived as the war in the Middle East fuels surging energy costs.

Inflation cooled in February before oil price shock; last data ahead of BoC rate call

Inflation cooled in February before oil price shock; last data ahead of BoC rate call

Inflation was showing signs of easing in February but economists warn price relief will be short lived as the war in the Middle East fuels surging energy costs. Statistics Canada said Monday that February's inflation reading came in at 1.8 per cent year-over-year, half a percentage point lower than January's figures and just under economists' expectations for the month. The...

Annual inflation cools to 1.8% in February, StatCan says

Annual inflation cools to 1.8% in February, StatCan says

OTTAWA -- Statistics Canada says the annual rate of inflation dipped below two per cent in February as the end of last year's federal "tax holiday" helped take some steam out of the yearly price comparisons.

Automaker allowed more tariff-free U.S. imports due to higher Canadian production

Automaker allowed more tariff-free U.S. imports due to higher Canadian production

OTTAWA -- Ottawa is letting an unnamed automaker import a higher quota of U.S.-made vehicles without tariffs because the company is selling and making more cars in Canada than first expected.

Liberals nominate Fintrac official Annette Ryan as new budget watchdog

Liberals nominate Fintrac official Annette Ryan as new budget watchdog

The Liberal government has nominated a senior official from the national financial intelligence agency as Ottawa's next fiscal watchdog. Wayne Long, secretary of state for financial institutions, tabled a nomination Monday asking MPs to approve Annette Ryan to take on the currently vacant role of parliamentary budget officer. The nomination is for a seven-year term.

CP NewsAlert: Liberals nominate Fintrac official Annette Ryan as budget watchdog

CP NewsAlert: Liberals nominate Fintrac official Annette Ryan as budget watchdog

OTTAWA -- The Liberal government has nominated a senior official at the national financial intelligence agency as Ottawa's next fiscal watchdog.

Liberals nominate Fintrac official Annette Ryan as new budget watchdog

Liberals nominate Fintrac official Annette Ryan as new budget watchdog

OTTAWA -- The Liberal government has nominated a senior official from the national financial intelligence agency as Ottawa's next fiscal watchdog.

Ottawa office market experts left in the dark over feds' return-to-work needs

Ottawa office market experts left in the dark over feds' return-to-work needs

Ottawa real estate watchers are calling on the federal government to be more clear about its workspace needs as public servants prepare to spend more time in the office. Landlords and office brokers want to know whether the federal government is going to need more space to accommodate ramped-up return-to-office plans after years of stated plans to consolidate its office...

Rising foreign investment in Canada doesn't tell the whole story, economists say

Rising foreign investment in Canada doesn't tell the whole story, economists say

OTTAWA -- Statistics Canada says the flow of foreign direct investment into the economy came close to a two-decade high last year, while economists caution the volume of capital entering Canada isn't the only metric that matters.

There's no PBO: Ottawa fails to appoint new fiscal watchdog as interim term expires

There's no PBO: Ottawa fails to appoint new fiscal watchdog as interim term expires

OTTAWA -- There is currently no parliamentary budget officer scrutinizing federal finances in Ottawa as the interim fiscal watchdog's term expired Monday without a successor in place.

OECD criticizes Ottawa over 'persistent delays' in appointing new budget officer

OECD criticizes Ottawa over 'persistent delays' in appointing new budget officer

OTTAWA -- An international economic group is criticizing the federal government over "persistent delays" in appointing new parliamentary budget officers, just as the current officer's interim term is set to expire on Monday with no successor named.

Number of Canadians registered in Mexico rising as airlines resume flights

Number of Canadians registered in Mexico rising as airlines resume flights

OTTAWA -- The number of Canadians in Mexico who have registered with Ottawa continued to rise Tuesday, even as airlines resumed flights in and out of Puerto Vallarta and the Global Affairs Canada registration system experienced more delays.

Anand won't say if Canadians should cancel Mexico trips as airlines resume flights

Anand won't say if Canadians should cancel Mexico trips as airlines resume flights

OTTAWA -- Canadian airlines resumed flights in and out of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on Tuesday after widespread violence led them to temporarily suspend service on the weekend.

Liberals accept Conservative budget amendments on 'regulatory sandboxes'

Liberals accept Conservative budget amendments on 'regulatory sandboxes'

OTTAWA -- The federal Liberals accepted a Conservative proposal Monday to put guardrails around proposed new cabinet powers as they debated the government's omnibus budget bill.

Liberals accept Conservative budget amendments on 'regulatory sandboxes'

Liberals accept Conservative budget amendments on 'regulatory sandboxes'

The federal Liberals accepted a Conservative proposal Monday to put guardrails around proposed new cabinet powers as they debated the government's omnibus budget bill. The Liberal government's budget implementation legislation, Bill C-15, proposes to give federal ministers the ability to temporarily exempt individuals or corporations from some non-criminal federal laws -- an approach the government refers to as "regulatory sandboxes."...

MPs settle in for marathon meeting to amend Liberal budget bill

MPs settle in for marathon meeting to amend Liberal budget bill

OTTAWA -- Members of Parliament could be in for a marathon day of debate as the federal finance committee faces a tight timeline to amend the Liberals' omnibus budget implementation bill.

Five things Canadians should know about the U.S. Supreme Court tariff ruling

Five things Canadians should know about the U.S. Supreme Court tariff ruling

OTTAWA -- The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a set of President Donald Trump's tariffs in a landmark ruling Friday -- but that decision didn't affect all duties on Canadian goods entering the United States.

Finance minister unveils Ottawa's 'follow the money' plan to tackle extortion

Finance minister unveils Ottawa's 'follow the money' plan to tackle extortion

The federal government is bringing law enforcement and financial institutions together to fight extortion operations targeting Canadian businesses and households. Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne was in Mississauga, Ont., on Thursday to announce a suite of new initiatives he said will make it easier for police to "follow the money" and disrupt criminal networks. Champagne said organized crime is making Canadians...

Finance minister unveils Ottawa's 'follow the money' plan to tackle extortion

Finance minister unveils Ottawa's 'follow the money' plan to tackle extortion

OTTAWA -- The federal government is bringing law enforcement and financial institutions together to fight extortion operations targeting Canadian businesses and households.

Food inflation spiked 7.3% in January. Here's what's driving the increase

Food inflation spiked 7.3% in January. Here's what's driving the increase

Statistics Canada reported an easing in the headline inflation rate Tuesday but a jump in the pace of food inflation amid tax changes and lingering pressures at the grocery store continue to put the squeeze on consumers. StatCan said Tuesday that the annual rate of inflation edged down to 2.3 per cent in January. Economists had expected inflation to hold...

Food inflation spiked 7.3% in January. Here's what's driving the increase

Food inflation spiked 7.3% in January. Here's what's driving the increase

OTTAWA -- Statistics Canada reported an easing in the headline inflation rate Tuesday but a jump in the pace of food inflation amid tax changes and lingering pressures at the grocery store continue to put the squeeze on consumers.

Canada's provinces contend with fresh shocks ahead of 2026 budget season

Canada's provinces contend with fresh shocks ahead of 2026 budget season

OTTAWA -- The outlook for Canada's provinces is difficult to chart but some surprising resilience to U.S. trade pressures and historical revisions to economic data have most provinces on better footing heading into the 2026 budget season, argues a new analysis from Desjardins.

Food inflation expected to jump in January amid tax changes: economists

Food inflation expected to jump in January amid tax changes: economists

Economists expect tax changes from a year ago will result in a year-over-year surge in food prices when Statistics Canada reports January inflation figures later this week. StatCan will publish its January consumer price index report on Tuesday, a day later than originally scheduled. The agency recently adopted a Monday publishing schedule for the consumer price index but shifted the...

Food inflation expected to jump in January amid tax changes: economists

Food inflation expected to jump in January amid tax changes: economists

OTTAWA -- Economists expect tax changes from a year ago will result in a year-over-year surge in food prices when Statistics Canada reports January inflation figures later this week.

Fact File: Why it's tough to verify some of Carney's claims about 'protected' jobs

Fact File: Why it's tough to verify some of Carney's claims about 'protected' jobs

Prime Minister Mark Carney has made a series of claims recently about how much the federal government's support for tariff-stricken industries has protected jobs in Canada.

Airlines say federal probe disproves unpaid work claims, but Ottawa wants more data

Airlines say federal probe disproves unpaid work claims, but Ottawa wants more data

OTTAWA -- Major airlines are claiming the initial findings of a federal probe clear their industry of allegations of unpaid work, but Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu says investigators need more data before the issue is settled.