David Baxter

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 David Baxter.

Carney heading to Norway to watch NATO exercises, meet with PM

Carney heading to Norway to watch NATO exercises, meet with PM

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney plans to travel to Norway on Friday to observe the Norwegian-led NATO Cold Response exercise above the Arctic Circle.

CP NewsAlert: Carney heading to Norway to watch NATO exercises, meet with PM

CP NewsAlert: Carney heading to Norway to watch NATO exercises, meet with PM

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney plans to travel to Norway on Friday to observe the Norwegian-led NATO Cold Response exercise above the Arctic Circle.

Voting begins in NDP leadership race, Singh's successor to be named March 29

Voting begins in NDP leadership race, Singh's successor to be named March 29

OTTAWA -- Voting began today in the NDP leadership race, with a March 28 deadline for party members to cast their votes.

NDP leadership voting begins, Singh's successor announced on March 29

NDP leadership voting begins, Singh's successor announced on March 29

OTTAWA -- Voting has begun in the NDP leadership race with a March 28 deadline for members to cast their vote.

Chartered flights and buses helping to get Canadians out of the Middle East: Anand

Chartered flights and buses helping to get Canadians out of the Middle East: Anand

OTTAWA -- Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Friday a chartered flight is set to take 180 Canadians fleeing the Middle East war zone from Dubai to Istanbul on Saturday.

Chartered flights and buses helping move Canadians in the Middle East: minister

Chartered flights and buses helping move Canadians in the Middle East: minister

OTTAWA -- Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says a chartered flight is scheduled to leave from Dubai to Istanbul Saturday, carrying 180 Canadians exiting the Middle East war zone.

Carney supports U.S. strikes on Iran 'with regret' -- what are other leaders saying?

Carney supports U.S. strikes on Iran 'with regret' -- what are other leaders saying?

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday Canada supports U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran "with regret" -- making him just one among many world leaders struggling in recent days to respond to a volatile new conflict.

Sikh Canadians say state violence a continued threat as PM prepares to visit India

Sikh Canadians say state violence a continued threat as PM prepares to visit India

OTTAWA -- Some Canadian Sikhs are calling on the government to take a firmer stand on India as Prime Minister Mark Carney prepares to travel there this week on a mission to expand Canada's non-U.S. trade.

Sikh Canadians say state violence a continued threat ahead of Carney going to India

Sikh Canadians say state violence a continued threat ahead of Carney going to India

OTTAWA -- Some Canadian Sikhs are calling on the government to take a firmer stand on India as Prime Minister Mark Carney prepares to travel there this week on his mission to expand Canada's non-U.S. trade.

Almost half of Toronto-area immigrant settlement services expect program closures

Almost half of Toronto-area immigrant settlement services expect program closures

OTTAWA -- Nearly half the immigrant service organizations in the Greater Toronto Area are braced for program closures in the near future due to federal funding cuts that began in 2024.

Immigration measures stay in border bill with no amendment

Immigration measures stay in border bill with no amendment

OTTAWA -- Senators on the national security committee have approved the immigration measures outlined in the government's border bill, C-12, with no amendment, despite the Senate social affairs committee recommending those areas be withdrawn entirely.

Senate committee recommends removing immigration measures from border bill

Senate committee recommends removing immigration measures from border bill

OTTAWA -- Senators on the social affairs committee wants to see immigration-related sections in the government's border bill, C-12, removed or significantly modified by the Senate national security committee.

Conservatives calling for probe into asylum seekers' access to health care

Conservatives calling for probe into asylum seekers' access to health care

OTTAWA -- The Conservatives plan to put a motion before the House of Commons on Tuesday aimed at reviewing how health benefits are provided to asylum seekers and restricting who has access to those services.

NDP leadership candidates pitch their rebuilding plans to voters

NDP leadership candidates pitch their rebuilding plans to voters

OTTAWA -- The NDP leadership candidates began the final official debate with a general acknowledgment they agree on policies, but have different visions for how to achieve their most existential goal -- rebuilding the party.

NDP leadership candidates to square off in final debate

NDP leadership candidates to square off in final debate

OTTAWA -- With just over one month before the final vote, the five NDP leadership candidates are in the Vancouver area Thursday for the second and final party-organized debate of the leadership race.

Ottawa extends express immigration entry to researchers, military applicants

Ottawa extends express immigration entry to researchers, military applicants

OTTAWA -- Immigration Minister Lena Diab is adding three new permanent residency streams to Canada's express entry program that cover a variety of professions, including military ones.

NDP leadership candidates look to break out from the pack as final debate approaches

NDP leadership candidates look to break out from the pack as final debate approaches

OTTAWA -- The memberships have been sold, entry fees have been paid and now the NDP leadership candidates are preparing for their second and final party-organized debate in B.C. on Feb. 19.

Ukrainian emergency visa holders expected to return after war: immigration department

Ukrainian emergency visa holders expected to return after war: immigration department

OTTAWA -- Canada's immigration department says it still expects Ukrainians who fled the war with Russia to return to their home country once the conflict ends.

Freeland violated law by answering questions about byelection: elections commissioner

Freeland violated law by answering questions about byelection: elections commissioner

OTTAWA -- The Commissioner of Canada Elections said former Liberal MP Chrystia Freeland unintentionally violated the Elections Act by answering reporters' questions about a 2024 Toronto byelection at two government-organized press conferences.

Freeland violated law by answering questions about byelection: commissioner

Freeland violated law by answering questions about byelection: commissioner

OTTAWA -- The Commissioner of Canada Elections said former Liberal MP Chrystia Freeland unintentionally violated the Elections Act by answering reporters' questions about a 2024 Toronto byelection at two government-organized press conferences

Freeland violated law by answering questions about byelection: Elections Canada

Freeland violated law by answering questions about byelection: Elections Canada

OTTAWA -- The Commissioner of Canada Elections says former Liberal MP Chrystia Freeland unintentionally violated the Elections Act by answering reporters' questions about a 2024 Toronto byelection at two government-organized press conferences

MPs agree to fast-track study of budget bill, with confidence vote to follow

MPs agree to fast-track study of budget bill, with confidence vote to follow

OTTAWA -- MPs have agreed to fast-track a committee study of the government's main budget bill, setting the stage for what could be a final vote on the legislation by the end of the month.

Diab says C-12 could ease some refugee claims, critics call it a two-tier system

Diab says C-12 could ease some refugee claims, critics call it a two-tier system

OTTAWA -- Immigration Minister Lena Diab says changes to the refugee status claim process proposed in Bill C-12 are "better for the applicants" even as multiple organizations are heavily critical of the plan.

PM Carney to visit Tumbler Ridge, B.C., following mass shooting

PM Carney to visit Tumbler Ridge, B.C., following mass shooting

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit Tumbler Ridge, B.C., in the near future, says a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office.

CP NewsAlert: Carney to visit Tumbler Ridge after mass shooting

CP NewsAlert: Carney to visit Tumbler Ridge after mass shooting

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit Tumbler Ridge, B.C., in the near future, says a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office.

National Kindness Week takes on different meaning after Tumbler Ridge shooting

National Kindness Week takes on different meaning after Tumbler Ridge shooting

OTTAWA -- Parliamentarians from all parties came together Wednesday to mark National Kindness Week -- but the message is taking on a different meaning after the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C.

Ukrainians push for permanent residency in Canada as war with Russia grinds on

Ukrainians push for permanent residency in Canada as war with Russia grinds on

OTTAWA -- Roksolana Kryshtanovych never planned on moving to Canada before Russia's war, but the invasion made it impossible for her to go home to Ukraine.

MP Johns endorses McPherson, calls her a 'strong' choice for NDP leader

MP Johns endorses McPherson, calls her a 'strong' choice for NDP leader

OTTAWA -- B.C. NDP MP Gord Johns endorsed his caucus colleague Heather McPherson for the NDP leadership on Thursday.

Johns says McPherson can bring NDP back to official party status

Johns says McPherson can bring NDP back to official party status

OTTAWA -- B.C. NDP MP Gord Johns is putting his support behind his caucus colleague Heather McPherson for NDP leader.

NDP wants Carney to kill U.S. fighter jet contract in favour of Swedish aircraft

NDP wants Carney to kill U.S. fighter jet contract in favour of Swedish aircraft

OTTAWA -- The NDP says it wants Prime Minister Mark Carney to cancel contracts for U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets — including the 16 Canada has already committed to buying.

Liberal MP wants longer answers, fewer sound bites from question period

Liberal MP wants longer answers, fewer sound bites from question period

OTTAWA -- A Liberal MP says he wants to see question period in the House of Commons offer longer, more detailed answers and fewer social media-friendly clips.

Immigration minister wants department to track exits of temporary residents

Immigration minister wants department to track exits of temporary residents

OTTAWA -- Immigration Minister Lena Diab says she wants her department to acquire the ability to track the number of people with temporary visas who are exiting the country.

Smith, Carney say Trump team must respect Canadian sovereignty

Smith, Carney say Trump team must respect Canadian sovereignty

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith both said Thursday the United States needs to respect Canadian sovereignty following reports that leaders of the Alberta separatist movement met with American government officials seeking their support.

Smith, Carney say Trump team must respect Canadian sovereignty

Smith, Carney say Trump team must respect Canadian sovereignty

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith both said Thursday the United States needs to respect Canadian sovereignty following reports that leaders of the Alberta separatist movement met with American government officials seeking their support. But neither agreed with British Columbia Premier David Eby's description of those meetings as "treason." Eby, citing a report in The Financial Times...

Eby calls reported meeting between Alberta separatists and U.S. officials 'treason'

Eby calls reported meeting between Alberta separatists and U.S. officials 'treason'

OTTAWA -- A reported meeting between individuals in the Alberta separatist movement and White House officials amounts to "treason," British Columbia Premier David Eby said Thursday in Ottawa.

'I meant what I said': Carney says he explained his Davos speech to Trump

'I meant what I said': Carney says he explained his Davos speech to Trump

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday he told U.S. President Donald Trump personally that he meant what he said in his speech at the World Economic Forum last week.

Carney says he told Trump he meant what he said in WEF speech, during call on trade

Carney says he told Trump he meant what he said in WEF speech, during call on trade

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney says he told U.S. President Donald Trump he "meant what (he) said" during his speech at the World Economic Forum and it was about responding to a "broader set of issues."

5 things to know about Canada being disinvited from Trump's 'Board of Peace'

5 things to know about Canada being disinvited from Trump's 'Board of Peace'

OTTAWA -- Senior federal government officials told reporters travelling to China with Prime Minister Mark Carney last week that he was accepting an invitation to join U.S. President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace."

Carney's speech to World Economic Forum draws praise, calls for action

Carney's speech to World Economic Forum draws praise, calls for action

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney's call at the World Economic Forum for middle powers to band together against economic coercion by "great powers" is drawing both praise and pushback.

Carney says beefing up Arctic security key to solving Greenland crisis

Carney says beefing up Arctic security key to solving Greenland crisis

OTTAWA -- There are solutions to the crisis enveloping Greenland, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday as global leaders at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland absorbed another escalation in U.S. President Donald Trump's push to assert control over the Danish territory.

Carney says Chinese EV deal an 'opportunity' for Ontario, auto sector

Carney says Chinese EV deal an 'opportunity' for Ontario, auto sector

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney said that the electric vehicle deal with China is an "opportunity" for Ontario and autoworkers, despite criticism from Premier Doug Ford and the union representing Canadian autoworkers.

Leah Gazan backs Avi Lewis, becomes first NDP MP to endorse a leadership candidate

Leah Gazan backs Avi Lewis, becomes first NDP MP to endorse a leadership candidate

OTTAWA -- Manitoba NDP MP Leah Gazan is formally endorsing documentarian Avi Lewis for the party's leadership, making her the first sitting MP to officially back a candidate.

A timeline of a turbulent decade in the Canada-China relationship

A timeline of a turbulent decade in the Canada-China relationship

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney is visiting China this week -- part of his government's efforts to repair the bilateral relationship after years of tensions over national security, trade and the detention of two Canadians.

Liberal MPs leave delegation to Taiwan to 'avoid confusion' as Carney heads to China

Liberal MPs leave delegation to Taiwan to 'avoid confusion' as Carney heads to China

OTTAWA -- A joint statement from two Liberal MPs says they are quitting a sponsored trip to Taiwan early to "avoid confusion" about Canada's China policy as Prime Minister Mark Carney prepares to visit Beijing.

NDP leadership candidates sprint to final fundraising, membership deadlines

NDP leadership candidates sprint to final fundraising, membership deadlines

OTTAWA -- NDP leadership candidates are entering the final sprint to sign up members and raise the last of four $25,000 payments required to be on the ballot.

Freeland steps down as Canada's Ukraine envoy, will resign as MP soon

Freeland steps down as Canada's Ukraine envoy, will resign as MP soon

OTTAWA -- Liberal MP Chrystia Freeland said Monday she is stepping down as the prime minister's special representative for the reconstruction of Ukraine and will leave Parliament in the coming weeks - hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed her as an unpaid adviser on economic development in his country.

Diab caps student visa applications for 2026, pauses some permanent residency streams

Diab caps student visa applications for 2026, pauses some permanent residency streams

OTTAWA -- Immigration Minister Lena Diab issued new ministerial instructions that include requiring provincial or territorial attestation letters for study permits with the goal of capping foreign student applications at just under 310,000 in the new year.

Prime Minister Mark Carney named The Canadian Press Newsmaker of the Year

Prime Minister Mark Carney named The Canadian Press Newsmaker of the Year

OTTAWA -- This time last year, the average Canadian might have struggled to pick Mark Carney's face out of a crowd.

Anti-immigrant sentiment rises with loss of consensus on immigration policy

Anti-immigrant sentiment rises with loss of consensus on immigration policy

OTTAWA -- Canada's long-held consensus on immigration -- that it's a net positive for the country -- has been coming apart in recent years.

NDP needs to break out of the Ottawa 'bubble' to rebuild: Davies

NDP needs to break out of the Ottawa 'bubble' to rebuild: Davies

OTTAWA -- As the NDP looks to rebuild with a new leader in 2026, interim leader Don Davies says job one is to get the party out of the Ottawa "bubble" and listening to Canadians.

Ukrainians displaced by war need pathway to permanent residency: UCC

Ukrainians displaced by war need pathway to permanent residency: UCC

OTTAWA -- The Ukrainian Canadian Congress says Immigration Minister Lena Diab should open a permanent residency pathway for Ukrainians who came to Canada through a special visa program launched after Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

Liberal MP says she was shoved by Israeli officials at West Bank border crossing

Liberal MP says she was shoved by Israeli officials at West Bank border crossing

OTTAWA -- A Liberal MP says she was shoved several times by Israeli border officials as her delegation was denied entry to the West Bank Tuesday.

Israel blocks Canadian delegation -- including MPs -- from entering the West Bank

Israel blocks Canadian delegation -- including MPs -- from entering the West Bank

OTTAWA -- The National Council of Canadian Muslims says a delegation of Canadians that includes six members of Parliament was denied entry to the West Bank at the Israeli border Tuesday morning.

Israel blocks Canadian delegation - including MPs - from entering the West Bank

Israel blocks Canadian delegation - including MPs - from entering the West Bank

OTTAWA -- The National Council of Canadian Muslims says a delegation of Canadians that includes six members of Parliament was denied entry to the West Bank at the Israeli border today.

Small group of Conservatives frustrated with Poilievre: Liberal House leader

Small group of Conservatives frustrated with Poilievre: Liberal House leader

OTTAWA -- Government House leader Steven MacKinnon said Friday there are other MPs in the Conservative caucus who are "extremely frustrated" with the political direction being taken by their party.

Yves Engler barred from seeking NDP leadership due to harassment allegations

Yves Engler barred from seeking NDP leadership due to harassment allegations

OTTAWA -- Self-described "agitator" Yves Engler has been denied entry to the NDP leadership race, after the party's vetting committee said it has credible evidence of harassment.

Pro-Palestinian activist Yves Engler barred from running for NDP leadership

Pro-Palestinian activist Yves Engler barred from running for NDP leadership

OTTAWA -- Self-described "agitator" Yves Engler has been denied entry to the NDP leadership race, after the party's vetting committee said it has credible evidence of harassment.

Ottawa opening new express entry pathway for international doctors next year

Ottawa opening new express entry pathway for international doctors next year

OTTAWA -- Canada will open a new express permanent residency program for international doctors next year, Immigration Minister Lena Diab said on Monday.

PM says back-to-office plan for bureaucrats coming soon as MPs call for flexibility

PM says back-to-office plan for bureaucrats coming soon as MPs call for flexibility

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney said Monday his government's plan to get public servants to spend more time in the office will come into "sharper view" over the next several weeks.

Virtual citizenship ceremonies should end, says Conservative critic

Virtual citizenship ceremonies should end, says Conservative critic

OTTAWA -- Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel-Garner said Wednesday it's time for the federal government to end virtual citizenship ceremonies.