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.

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

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. A report on the incidents published by the commissioner's office Friday cites rules restricting who can make a contribution to a candidate. Freeland was the deputy prime minister and finance...

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.

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

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

B.C. NDP MP Gord Johns endorsed his caucus colleague Heather McPherson for the NDP leadership on Thursday. Johns told The Canadian Press he's backing the Alberta MP because he sees McPherson as someone who can grow the party, noting she won her Edmonton riding for a third term. He said McPherson's ability to connect with voters and her broad knowledge...

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

The NDP says it wants Prime Minister Mark Carney to cancel contracts for U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets -- including the 16 Canada already has committed to buying. Citing Carney's call for middle powers to work together in his World Economic Forum speech last month, Interim NDP Leader Don Davies says Canada should instead purchase Gripen fighter jets from the Swedish...

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

A Liberal MP says he wants to see question period in the House of Commons offer longer, and more detailed answers and fewer social media-friendly clips. Alberta MP Corey Hogan says he plans to push for question period reform when MPs debate the rules of the House of Commons on Friday.

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.

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.

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

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

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. Eby, citing a report in The Financial Times, told reporters before the first ministers' meeting on Thursday that it's completely inappropriate for a group to ask a foreign power for help in breaking up...

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

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

Ottawa -- A reported meeting between individuals in the Alberta separatist movement and White House officials amounts to "treason," B.C. 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."

MacKinnon says minority Parliament can work if Conservatives 'get out of the way'

MacKinnon says minority Parliament can work if Conservatives 'get out of the way'

Government House leader Steven MacKinnon said Monday he believes the minority Parliament can function and pass bills -- if Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre agrees to "get out of the way." Poilievre, meanwhile, shared online Saturday a letter he wrote to Prime Minister Mark Carney that says he is willing to work with the government to pass legislation on crime, affordability...

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

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. The speech drew a rebuke today from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said in his own speech at the WEF in Davos, Switzerland, that Canada "should be grateful" to the United States...

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

Prime Minister Mark Carney says that the electric vehicle deal with China is an "opportunity" for Ontario and autoworkers. He says this is because there is interest in Chinese companies producing "affordable" electric vehicles in Canada. Carney and Chinese President Xi Jinping signed an agreement Friday that will see Canada allow Chinese electric vehicles into the country at a 6....

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.

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

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. Gazan says she is supporting Lewis because she sees him as someone who can rebuild the party and offer solutions to the high cost of living and climate crisis. High-profile environmentalist David Suzuki endorsed...

Charlie Angus says NDP leadership not an 'entry level position,' endorses McPherson

Charlie Angus says NDP leadership not an 'entry level position,' endorses McPherson

Former Ontario MP and former NDP leadership candidate Charlie Angus says that leading the party is not an "entry level position" and he's endorsing Alberta MP Heather McPherson for the job. Angus made the statement in a video message that was shared with The Canadian Press prior to its release. "Let's be blunt. The last election was a catastrophe. I...

Charlie Angus says NDP leadership not an 'entry level position,' endorses McPherson

Charlie Angus says NDP leadership not an 'entry level position,' endorses McPherson

Ottawa -- Former Ontario MP Charlie Angus says leading the party is not an "entry level position" as he endorsed Alberta MP Heather McPherson for the job.

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.

Lula suggests Carney visiting Brazil in April, condemns U.S. actions in Venezuela

Lula suggests Carney visiting Brazil in April, condemns U.S. actions in Venezuela

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says he spoke with Prime Minister Mark Carney Thursday afternoon and the Canadian leader accepted an invitation to visit Brazil in April. In a social media post summarizing the phone call, Lula also says that both leaders condemned the United States' use of force in Venezuela and call for reform to global governance...

Lula suggests Carney visiting Brazil in April, condemns U.S. actions in Venezuela

Lula suggests Carney visiting Brazil in April, condemns U.S. actions in Venezuela

Ottawa -- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says Prime Minister Mark Carney accepted an invitation to visit Brazil in April.

NDP leadership candidates sprint to final fundraising, membership deadlines

NDP leadership candidates sprint to final fundraising, membership deadlines

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. The membership cutoff for voting eligibility and the final fundraising deadline both land on Jan. 28. A spokesperson for the Avi Lewis campaign claims he has raised over $751,000 since the campaign began in...

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.

Carney heads to China next week for first visit by a prime minister in eight years

Carney heads to China next week for first visit by a prime minister in eight years

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet with President Xi Jinping in Beijing next week as he makes the first official trip to China by a Canadian prime minister in more than eight years.

Carney says Canadian oil will be competitive after Maduro's ouster

Carney says Canadian oil will be competitive after Maduro's ouster

Ottawa -- Prime Minister Mark Carney says his government is working to expand access to oil markets in Asia now that Canada faces the prospect of Venezuelan oil displacing Canadian product in the American market.

Carney says Freeland's resignation is 'consistent' with taking Ukraine adviser role

Carney says Freeland's resignation is 'consistent' with taking Ukraine adviser role

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Ontario Liberal MP Chrystia Freeland's upcoming resignation from the House of Commons is "consistent" with taking a role as an unpaid economic development adviser for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Carney says Freeland's resignation is 'consistent' with taking Ukraine adviser role

Carney says Freeland's resignation is 'consistent' with taking Ukraine adviser role

Ottawa -- Prime Minister Mark Carney said Ontario Liberal MP Chrystia Freeland's upcoming resignation from the House of Commons is "consistent" with taking a role as an unpaid economic development adviser for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

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

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. "Ukraine is at the forefront of today’s global fight for democracy, and...

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.

Chrystia Freeland named economic development adviser by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy

Chrystia Freeland named economic development adviser by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed former federal minister Chrystia Freeland as an adviser on economic development on Monday. Freeland has long expressed her support for Ukraine during its war with Russia, and has said the country could become an economic juggernaut by taking up the opportunities it missed after the collapse of the Soviet Union. In a post on social...

Chrystia Freeland named economic development adviser by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy

Chrystia Freeland named economic development adviser by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy

Ottawa -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed former federal minister Chrystia Freeland as an adviser on economic development on Monday.

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

This time last year, the average Canadian might have struggled to pick Mark Carney's face out of a crowd. Now he's among the most recognizable figures in the country, and was selected The Canadian Press Newsmaker of the Year for 2025 in an annual survey of newsroom editors and leaders from across the country. The vote wasn't even close: Carney...

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

Canada's long-held consensus on immigration -- that it's a net positive for the country -- has been coming apart in recent years. Roughly half of the population thinks too many immigrants have been coming to Canada, according to several private polling firms. That parallels a government survey from November 2024, when 54 per cent of respondents to a phone survey...

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

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. In a wide-ranging interview with The Canadian Press, Davies said that before the party's near-death experience in the spring election -- which saw it lose 17 House...

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.

Ontario, Ottawa agree to speed up project approvals, including Ring of Fire mining

Ontario, Ottawa agree to speed up project approvals, including Ring of Fire mining

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford signed an agreement Thursday to speed up approval of major projects in the province under a "one project, one process, one decision" model. This approach means that projects that would have been subject to environmental assessments at both the federal and provincial levels will now go through Ontario's process alone when...

Ontario, Ottawa agree to speed up project approvals, including Ring of Fire mining

Ontario, Ottawa agree to speed up project approvals, including Ring of Fire mining

Ottawa -- Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford signed an agreement Thursday to speed up approval of major projects in the province under a "one project, one process, one decision" model.

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.