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.

NDP releases official rules for leadership race to replace Singh

NDP releases official rules for leadership race to replace Singh

OTTAWA -- The NDP has released the official rules for its leadership race — and they're telling candidates they must gather specific numbers of signatures from supporters in diverse regional, racial and LGBTQ+ groups.

Defence wants absolute discharge for Barber in 'Freedom Convoy' trial

Defence wants absolute discharge for Barber in 'Freedom Convoy' trial

OTTAWA -- A lawyer for one of two leaders of the "Freedom Convoy" facing sentencing told an Ottawa court Wednesday her client should not be left with a criminal record.

Defence wants absolute discharge for Barber in 'Freedom Convoy' trial

Defence wants absolute discharge for Barber in 'Freedom Convoy' trial

OTTAWA -- A lawyer for one of two leaders of the "Freedom Convoy" facing sentencing told an Ottawa court Wednesday her client should not be left with a criminal record.

Sentencing hearing underway for 'Freedom Convoy' leaders Lich, Barber

Sentencing hearing underway for 'Freedom Convoy' leaders Lich, Barber

OTTAWA -- The sentencing hearing for "Freedom Convoy" leaders Tamara Lich and Chris Barber has started in Ottawa, months after the two were found guilty of mischief.

Sentencing hearing begins for 'Freedom Convoy' leaders Lich, Barber

Sentencing hearing begins for 'Freedom Convoy' leaders Lich, Barber

OTTAWA -- The sentencing hearing for "Freedom Convoy" leaders Tamara Lich and Chris Barber is set to begin Wednesday morning, months after the two were found guilty of mischief.

Canada joins 24 other nations calling on Israel to end war in Gaza, aid restrictions

Canada joins 24 other nations calling on Israel to end war in Gaza, aid restrictions

OTTAWA -- Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and 24 of her counterparts abroad have signed a joint statement calling for an immediate end to the war in Gaza and for Israel to stop displacing Palestinians.

Canada joins 24 nations calling on Israel to end war in Gaza, aid restrictions

Canada joins 24 nations calling on Israel to end war in Gaza, aid restrictions

OTTAWA -- Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and 24 of her counterparts abroad have signed a joint statement saying "the war in Gaza must end now."

Non-binary person's U.S. deportation paused due to risks faced by LGBTQ+ people

Non-binary person's U.S. deportation paused due to risks faced by LGBTQ+ people

OTTAWA -- A non-binary American is being allowed to temporarily stay in Canada after deportation proceedings were paused by a judge who said an immigration officer did not consider the potential dangers facing LGBTQ+ people in the U.S.

Canada to target steel originating from China with new tariffs

Canada to target steel originating from China with new tariffs

OTTAWA -- Steel originating in China will be subjected to higher tariffs to try and prevent steel dumping amid U.S. President Donald Trump's ongoing global trade war, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday.

Little evidence to suggest a U.S. trade deal can be reached without tariffs: Carney

Little evidence to suggest a U.S. trade deal can be reached without tariffs: Carney

OTTAWA -- A trade deal with the United States will likely include some tariffs, Prime Minister Mark Carney indicated on Tuesday ahead of a meeting with his cabinet.

Little evidence to suggest a U.S. trade deal can be reached without tariffs: Carney

Little evidence to suggest a U.S. trade deal can be reached without tariffs: Carney

OTTAWA -- A trade deal with the United States will likely include some tariffs, Prime Minister Mark Carney indicated on Tuesday ahead of a meeting with his cabinet.

Carney expects U.S. trade talks to 'intensify' ahead of August deadline

Carney expects U.S. trade talks to 'intensify' ahead of August deadline

OTTAWA -- A trade deal with the United States will likely include some tariffs, Prime Minister Mark Carney indicated on Tuesday ahead of a meeting with his cabinet.

NDP leadership to begin in September, new leader chosen no later than March 29

NDP leadership to begin in September, new leader chosen no later than March 29

OTTAWA -- The NDP's leadership race to replace Jagmeet Singh will formally begin in September, with a six-month race to follow according to a rules framework adopted by the party's national council.

Campaign to woo NDP donors away from central party 'misguided,' says ex-strategist

Campaign to woo NDP donors away from central party 'misguided,' says ex-strategist

OTTAWA -- A campaign by federal New Democrats to urge party members to shift their donations away from the central party to local electoral associations is a "self-sabotaging" act, says a former NDP strategist.

NDP preparing to launch leadership race as financial questions linger

NDP preparing to launch leadership race as financial questions linger

OTTAWA -- The NDP national council is expected to meet Thursday evening to continue work on rules for the upcoming leadership race to replace Jagmeet Singh.

Few Canadians are familiar with possible NDP leadership contenders: poll

Few Canadians are familiar with possible NDP leadership contenders: poll

OTTAWA -- A new poll suggests most Canadians are unfamiliar with nine possible NDP leadership contenders.

Transport committee will study BC Ferries' receiving $1B loan for Chinese ships

Transport committee will study BC Ferries' receiving $1B loan for Chinese ships

OTTAWA -- The House of Commons transport committee agreed on Monday to launch a study into the $1 billion loan BC Ferries received from the Canada Infrastructure Bank to finance the purchase of four new electric-diesel ships from a Chinese shipbuilder.

Transport committee will study BC Ferries' Chinese ship contract

Transport committee will study BC Ferries' Chinese ship contract

OTTAWA -- The House of Commons transport committee will study BC Ferries' decision to buy four electric-diesel vessels from a Chinese-owned firm -- a purchase financed in part with $1 billion from a federal Crown corporation.

Transport committee to debate whether to study BC Ferries' Chinese ship contract

Transport committee to debate whether to study BC Ferries' Chinese ship contract

OTTAWA -- The House of Commons transport committee is meeting to decide whether to study BC Ferries' decision to purchase four Chinese vessels.

Military police investigating Facebook page filled with racism, misogyny

Military police investigating Facebook page filled with racism, misogyny

OTTAWA -- Military police have reopened an investigation into a Facebook group the Canadian Army's commanding officer describes as "abhorrent."

Carney to meet with automotive sector CEOs as U.S. trade talks continue

Carney to meet with automotive sector CEOs as U.S. trade talks continue

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to meet with automotive sector CEOs this morning.

Retiring government rep Marc Gold calls Senate 'greatest privilege' of his life

Retiring government rep Marc Gold calls Senate 'greatest privilege' of his life

OTTAWA -- Sen. Marc Gold's career as the government's representative in the Senate is ending, closing a chapter he called "the greatest privilege" of his life.

Federal minister plans to hold consultations this summer on immigration intake

Federal minister plans to hold consultations this summer on immigration intake

OTTAWA -- Immigration Minister Lena Diab says the federal government will consult this summer on its immigration levels plan and whether the student visa system is "sustainable."

Brazeau recovering after collapsing in Senate Wednesday due to 'dizzy spell'

Brazeau recovering after collapsing in Senate Wednesday due to 'dizzy spell'

OTTAWA -- Sen. Patrick Brazeau is recovering after a "dizzy spell" made him "briefly lose consciousness" during debate in the Senate on the government's major projects bill, a Senate spokesman said Thursday.

Brampton mayor 'cautiously optimistic' about Bishnoi gang terrorist designation

Brampton mayor 'cautiously optimistic' about Bishnoi gang terrorist designation

OTTAWA -- Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown says he's "cautiously optimistic" about the chances of India's Lawrence Bishnoi gang being designated as a terrorist group after meeting with the public safety minister Wednesday night.

Carney defends decision to restore diplomacy with India, calls it 'foundational'

Carney defends decision to restore diplomacy with India, calls it 'foundational'

OTTAWA -- Reinstating key diplomats in Canada and India is a "foundational" step toward restoring the relationship between the two countries, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday.

LGBTQ refugee group says number of requests for help has increased

LGBTQ refugee group says number of requests for help has increased

OTTAWA -- An organization that helps LGBTQ+ people file refugee claims says it has seen a spike in pleas for assistance from around the world since 2020.

Watchdog says military police still resisting civilian oversight

Watchdog says military police still resisting civilian oversight

OTTAWA -- The military police watchdog says resistance to civilian oversight in the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal's office "worsened" last year.

Kurek looks to leave mark on Canada with bill to add a new national symbol

Kurek looks to leave mark on Canada with bill to add a new national symbol

OTTAWA -- Outgoing Conservative MP Damien Kurek is looking to leave his mark in Parliament by pushing for the adoption of a national livestock brand as one of Canada's symbols.

Canada condemns Iran's attack on Israel, calls for de-escalation: Anand

Canada condemns Iran's attack on Israel, calls for de-escalation: Anand

OTTAWA -- The Canadian government is condemning an Iranian attack on Israel after a barrage of long-range missiles was launched at Tel Aviv in retaliation for an Israeli strike in Iran.

Middle East de-escalation must be priority after Israel attacks Iran: Anand

Middle East de-escalation must be priority after Israel attacks Iran: Anand

OTTAWA -- Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand called for "de-escalation" after Israel attacked Iranian missile and nuclear sites Friday and Iran warned of "severe punishment" in retaliation.

Liberal MP criticizes Modi's G7 invitation in meeting with Prime Minister Carney

Liberal MP criticizes Modi's G7 invitation in meeting with Prime Minister Carney

OTTAWA -- B.C. Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal said he met with Prime Minister Mark Carney Wednesday morning to push back against Carney's decision to invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 summit in Alberta next week.

Liberal MP criticizes Modi's G7 invitation in meeting with Prime Minister Carney

Liberal MP criticizes Modi's G7 invitation in meeting with Prime Minister Carney

Ottawa -- B.C. Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal said he met with Prime Minister Mark Carney Wednesday morning to push back against the decision to invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 summit in Alberta next week.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer to visit Ottawa before the G7 in Alberta

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer to visit Ottawa before the G7 in Alberta

OTTAWA -- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit Ottawa between June 14 and 15 ahead of the G7 summit in Alberta next week.

U.S. condemns Canada, four other nations over Israeli sanctions

U.S. condemns Canada, four other nations over Israeli sanctions

OTTAWA -- The United States condemned Canada and four other countries on Tuesday for imposing sanctions on two Israeli cabinet ministers.

CP NewsAlert: U.S. condemns Canada, 4 other nations over Israeli sanctions

CP NewsAlert: U.S. condemns Canada, 4 other nations over Israeli sanctions

OTTAWA -- The United States has condemned Canada and four other countries for imposing sanctions on two Israeli cabinet ministers.

Canada joins U.K., other nations in sanctioning two Israeli cabinet ministers

Canada joins U.K., other nations in sanctioning two Israeli cabinet ministers

OTTAWA -- Canada is joining the U.K., Norway, Australia and New Zealand in sanctioning two Israeli cabinet ministers for "inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank."

Canada joins U.K., others in sanctioning two Israeli cabinet ministers

Canada joins U.K., others in sanctioning two Israeli cabinet ministers

OTTAWA -- Canada is joining the U.K., Norway, Australia and New Zealand in sanctioning two Israeli cabinet ministers for "inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank."

Carney defends inviting Modi to G7 as probe of Nijjar's killing continues

Carney defends inviting Modi to G7 as probe of Nijjar's killing continues

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney is defending his decision to invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 summit later this month -- despite the fact that security officials have linked Modi's government to the murder of a Canadian man two years ago.

Carney defends inviting Modi to G7 as probe of Nijjar's killing continues

Carney defends inviting Modi to G7 as probe of Nijjar's killing continues

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney is defending his decision to invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 summit later this month -- despite the fact that security officials have linked Modi's government to the murder of a Canadian man two years ago.

Critic calls out border bill's proposed new cabinet powers on immigration

Critic calls out border bill's proposed new cabinet powers on immigration

OTTAWA -- An NDP critic says a provision in the federal government's border security bill that would give cabinet the power to cancel immigration documents is an attempt to "mimic" measures deployed by the Trump administration in the U.S.

Border bill would allow cabinet to suspend immigration documents in an 'emergency'

Border bill would allow cabinet to suspend immigration documents in an 'emergency'

OTTAWA -- An NDP critic calls a provision in the federal government's border security bill that would give cabinet the power to cancel immigration documents an attempt to mimic measures deployed by the Trump administration in the U.S.

'Lost Canadians' bill tabled after judge sets November deadline for passage

'Lost Canadians' bill tabled after judge sets November deadline for passage

OTTAWA -- Immigration Minister Lena Diab tabled legislation today to restore citizenship to "Lost Canadians" after a court found the existing law unconstitutional.

Immigration minister defends border bill's restrictions on asylum claims

Immigration minister defends border bill's restrictions on asylum claims

OTTAWA -- Safeguards have been written into the government's border bill to ensure civil rights and due process are upheld in proposed immigration regulations, Immigration Minister Lena Diab said Wednesday.

Justice minister defends border bill's restrictions on asylum claims

Justice minister defends border bill's restrictions on asylum claims

OTTAWA -- Justice Minister Sean Fraser says there will still be mechanisms allowing people to make asylum claims after being in the country for more than a year if the government's border bill passes.

Carney says Canada will take 'some time' to respond to doubled U.S. metal tariffs

Carney says Canada will take 'some time' to respond to doubled U.S. metal tariffs

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada will take "some time" to craft a response to increased U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum after U.S. President Donald Trump doubled the damaging duties on Wednesday.

Carney says he'll 'take note' of opposition motion to table a spring economic update

Carney says he'll 'take note' of opposition motion to table a spring economic update

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney said he will "take note" of the successful opposition motion to add language calling for a spring economic update to the throne speech, but did not say when or how that will happen.

Duty free stores look for financial support as cross-border traffic drops

Duty free stores look for financial support as cross-border traffic drops

OTTAWA -- An association representing duty free stores and a group of 15 mayors from border cities have written a letter to the federal government asking for financial support and clarity on export rules.

Opposition MPs defeat Liberals on vote calling for a spring economic update

Opposition MPs defeat Liberals on vote calling for a spring economic update

OTTAWA -- Government whip Mark Gerretsen insists nothing went wrong Monday evening when opposition parties successfully amended the throne speech to call on the government to table an economic update before Parliament breaks for the summer.

Joly commits to prioritizing Canadian steel, aluminum for defence, infrastructure

Joly commits to prioritizing Canadian steel, aluminum for defence, infrastructure

OTTAWA -- Ottawa is committed to using Canadian steel and aluminum in national infrastructure and defence projects as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens to impose more tariffs, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said Sunday.

CP NewsAlert: Carney names former UN ambassador as chief of staff

CP NewsAlert: Carney names former UN ambassador as chief of staff

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney says he's named Marc-Andre Blanchard, Canada's former ambassador to the United Nations, as his permanent chief of staff.

NDP says government needs to be more transparent in trade talks with the U.S.

NDP says government needs to be more transparent in trade talks with the U.S.

OTTAWA -- The NDP's interim NDP leader is calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to honour the government's commitment to table information about any U.S. trade talks in the House of Commons.

Carney 'welcomes' U.S. court ruling striking down some U.S. tariffs

Carney 'welcomes' U.S. court ruling striking down some U.S. tariffs

Prime Minister Mark Carney said he "welcomes" the decision by the U.S. Court of International Trade to strike down President Donald Trump's broad-based tariffs on most countries.

Defence minister says cost of Trump's proposed missile defence project still unknown

Defence minister says cost of Trump's proposed missile defence project still unknown

OTTAWA -- Defence Minister David McGuinty said that Canada still doesn't know what it would cost to join U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed "Golden Dome" missile defence program.

NDP will not be granted official party status: government House leader

NDP will not be granted official party status: government House leader

OTTAWA -- Interim NDP Leader Don Davies said Monday the party will still play a "profoundly important role" in this Parliament, even though it won't be granted official party status.

CP NewsAlert: NDP will not be granted official party status: MacKinnon

CP NewsAlert: NDP will not be granted official party status: MacKinnon

OTTAWA -- Government House leader Steven MacKinnon says the NDP will not be granted official party status because the Parliament of Canada Act says a party needs at least 12 seats to be recognized.

Fewer international students adding to university budget challenges

Fewer international students adding to university budget challenges

OTTAWA -- Canadian universities are being forced to tighten their financial belts as they struggle with plummeting enrolment from international students who pay higher tuitions.

Conservatives hold onto Windsor riding by four votes after recount

Conservatives hold onto Windsor riding by four votes after recount

OTTAWA -- Conservative Kathy Borrelli has won the Ontario riding of Windsor-Windsor--Tecumseh--Lake Shore after a judicial recount confirmed her victory today by just four votes.

Israeli ambassador meets with Canadian officials after summons from foreign minister

Israeli ambassador meets with Canadian officials after summons from foreign minister

OTTAWA -- Israel's Ambassador in Canada met with senior officials from the foreign affairs ministry on Wednesday to discuss an incident in the West Bank that saw Israeli soldiers fire warning shots near a diplomatic tour that included four Canadians.

Israeli ambassador meets with Canadian officials after summons from foreign minister

Israeli ambassador meets with Canadian officials after summons from foreign minister

OTTAWA -- Israel's Ambassador in Canada met with senior officials from the foreign affairs ministry on Wednesday to discuss an incident in the West Bank that saw Israeli soldiers fire warning shots near a diplomatic tour that included four Canadians.