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.

Federal health coverage for rejected asylum claimants topped $275M over last decade

Federal health coverage for rejected asylum claimants topped $275M over last decade

OTTAWA -- The Immigration Department says Canada spent more than $275 million on health coverage over the past decade for asylum seekers whose claims were rejected by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.

Cost of health coverage for rejected asylum claimants topped $275M over last decade

Cost of health coverage for rejected asylum claimants topped $275M over last decade

OTTAWA -- The immigration department says Canada spent more than $275 million on health coverage over the past decade for asylum seekers whose claims were rejected by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.

Carney says the U.S. can't dictate the terms of trade talks ahead of CUSMA review

Carney says the U.S. can't dictate the terms of trade talks ahead of CUSMA review

Canada will not make any more concessions to the United States ahead of negotiations on the continental trade pact, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday as he insisted Washington will not be allowed to dictate the terms of the talks.

Carney says the U.S. can't dictate the terms of trade talks ahead of CUSMA review

Carney says the U.S. can't dictate the terms of trade talks ahead of CUSMA review

Canada will not make any more concessions to the United States ahead of negotiations on the continental trade pact, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday as he insisted Washington will not be allowed to dictate the terms of the talks. Carney was responding to a Radio-Canada report citing officials who said the Americans are imposing an "entry fee" on trade...

Former Tory leader to Poilievre: forget the floor crossings, focus on policy

Former Tory leader to Poilievre: forget the floor crossings, focus on policy

The last Conservative leader to be ousted by his party says he's advised his replacement to forget the floor crossings and social media trends as speculation heats up over Pierre Poilievre's future at the party's helm. "My advice to him has always been to put the country first and look at the long term," Erin O'Toole said in an interview...

Carney names members of new advisory committee on Canada-U.S. economic relations

Carney names members of new advisory committee on Canada-U.S. economic relations

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney retooled an advisory committee on Canada-U.S. trade on Tuesday, adding a former Conservative leader and the former high commissioner to the United Kingdom to the team.

Champagne says Conservative probes into Alto connection are 'just politics'

Champagne says Conservative probes into Alto connection are 'just politics'

OTTAWA -- Finance Minister Francois Philippe Champagne is brushing off Conservative calls for an investigation into his personal relationship with an Alto executive and the proposed high speed rail project as "just politics."

Carney announces new summit in Toronto aimed at attracting $1 trillion in investment

Carney announces new summit in Toronto aimed at attracting $1 trillion in investment

Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday announced a new "Canada Investment Summit" that will invite investors, CEOs and business leaders to Toronto this fall. In a media release, the Prime Minister's Office said the goal of the summit is to pull in $1 trillion in investment over the next five years to advance nation-building projects. The summit comes after a...

Carney announces new summit in Toronto aimed at attracting $1 trillion in investment

Carney announces new summit in Toronto aimed at attracting $1 trillion in investment

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday announced a new "Canada Investment Summit" that will invite investors, CEOs and business leaders to Toronto this fall.

NDP to get $670K parliamentary funding boost despite not having official status

NDP to get $670K parliamentary funding boost despite not having official status

The cash-strapped federal NDP is getting a $670,000 financial boost. Members of the other main political parties on the Board of Internal Economy have decided to grant the parliamentary funds, even though the NDP does not have official party status. As first reported by Politico Canada, the rules were quietly changed in a document that outlines MP pay and funding...

NDP to get $670K parliamentary funding boost despite not having official status

NDP to get $670K parliamentary funding boost despite not having official status

OTTAWA -- The cash-strapped federal NDP is getting a $670,000 financial boost.

Immigration minister's office defends strict new timelines for refugee claims

Immigration minister's office defends strict new timelines for refugee claims

OTTAWA -- Immigration Minister Lena Diab's office is defending new rules that may strike down thousands of refugee claims, saying difficult decisions are required to regain control of Canada's immigration system.

Immigration minister's spokesperson defends strict new timelines for refugee claims

Immigration minister's spokesperson defends strict new timelines for refugee claims

OTTAWA -- A spokeswoman for Immigration Minister Lena Diab is defending new rules that will rule out thousands of refugee claims, saying difficult decisions were required to regain control of Canada's immigration system.

NDP pushing for ban on AI surveillance pricing as Lewis makes Parliament Hill debut

NDP pushing for ban on AI surveillance pricing as Lewis makes Parliament Hill debut

OTTAWA -- The NDP is expected to introduce a motion on Wednesday calling on the government to ban a practice known as surveillance pricing that New Democrats say is unfair to consumers.

Palestinian man who donated a kidney in 2023 may be ineligible for refugee claim

Palestinian man who donated a kidney in 2023 may be ineligible for refugee claim

OTTAWA -- Mohammed Al Hindi is a Palestinian refugee claimant whose application is now at risk because of Ottawa's new border law, C-12.

Davies to act as NDP parliamentary lead after Lewis announces critic roles

Davies to act as NDP parliamentary lead after Lewis announces critic roles

Former interim NDP leader Don Davies will continue to act as the party's parliamentary leader in the House of Commons while new leader Avi Lewis remains outside of Parliament. The House of Commons resumes sitting Monday for the first time since Lewis won the NDP leadership on March 29 and he announced the new critic roles for his caucus in...

Davies to act as NDP parliamentary lead after Lewis announces critic roles

Davies to act as NDP parliamentary lead after Lewis announces critic roles

OTTAWA -- Former interim NDP leader Don Davies will continue to act as the party's parliamentary leader in the House of Commons while new leader Avi Lewis remains outside of Parliament.

Lewis says Gladu's floor-crossing shows Parliament needs the NDP

Lewis says Gladu's floor-crossing shows Parliament needs the NDP

OTTAWA -- NDP Leader Avi Lewis says Ontario MP Marilyn Gladu's defection from the Conservatives to the Liberals shows why Canada still needs the NDP to be a progressive voice in Parliament.

Pivotal Terrebonne byelection sees preliminary 20% voter turnout in advance polls

Pivotal Terrebonne byelection sees preliminary 20% voter turnout in advance polls

Almost 38,000 people voted in the advance polls in three byelections that could give Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberals a majority government, with the highest advance turnout in Terrebonne. Preliminary data from Elections Canada says 18,200 people in the Quebec riding cast ballots in advance elections, which amounts to almost 20 per cent of people on the voters' list. The...

Pivotal Terrebonne byelection sees preliminary 20% voter turnout in advance polls

Pivotal Terrebonne byelection sees preliminary 20% voter turnout in advance polls

OTTAWA -- Almost 38,000 people voted in the advance polls in three byelections that could give Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberals a majority government, with the highest advance turnout in Terrebonne.

Almost a third of police probes of diplomatic missions see subjects leave Canada

Almost a third of police probes of diplomatic missions see subjects leave Canada

OTTAWA -- Almost a third of police investigations involving members of foreign diplomatic missions in Canada between 2020 and 2025 saw the subjects of the probes leave the country before their cases could be resolved through the legal process.

Conservatives call for federal relief at the pumps as Iran war pushes prices up

Conservatives call for federal relief at the pumps as Iran war pushes prices up

OTTAWA -- The Conservatives are calling on the Liberals to give Canadians some relief at the pumps by suspending federal taxes on gas and diesel for the rest of the year.

Avi Lewis is the new NDP leader, as Alberta, Sask. leaders say his policies can 'hurt'

Avi Lewis is the new NDP leader, as Alberta, Sask. leaders say his policies can 'hurt'

WINNIPEG -- Filmmaker Avi Lewis has been elected as the NDP's new leader, defeating his four rivals on the first ballot with nearly 40,000 votes, from almost 71,000 ballots cast.

Lewis begins NDP leadership with Prairie tension and a big rebuilding task ahead

Lewis begins NDP leadership with Prairie tension and a big rebuilding task ahead

NDP Leader Avi Lewis begins his term with the task of rebuilding the federal party in his unapologetically progressive vision, but there is already resistance from the leadership of the Alberta and Saskatchewan branches. Lewis won a first-ballot victory with a platform built on bold ideas that he says meet the issues Canada is facing head-on. He won with about...

Lewis begins NDP leadership with Prairie tension and a big rebuilding task ahead

Lewis begins NDP leadership with Prairie tension and a big rebuilding task ahead

WINNIPEG -- NDP Leader Avi Lewis begins his term with the task of rebuilding the federal party in his unapologetically progressive vision, but there is already resistance from the leadership of the Alberta and Saskatchewan branches.

Avi Lewis is the new NDP leader, as Alberta, Sask. leaders say his polices can 'hurt'

Avi Lewis is the new NDP leader, as Alberta, Sask. leaders say his polices can 'hurt'

Filmmaker Avi Lewis has been elected as the NDP's new leader, defeating his four rivals on the first ballot with nearly 40,000 votes, from almost 71,000 ballots cast. This victory signals a shift toward the party pushing big, unabashedly left-wing policies like government-owned and operated grocery stores as grassroots members pushed for change after a devastating election result last year...

Avi Lewis is the new NDP leader, as Alberta, Sask. leaders say his polices can 'hurt'

Avi Lewis is the new NDP leader, as Alberta, Sask. leaders say his polices can 'hurt'

WINNIPEG -- Avi Lewis, who was proclaimed as the new leader of the NDP, speaks at the party convention in Winnipeg Sunday, March 29, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Avi Lewis is the new NDP leader in first ballot victory

Avi Lewis is the new NDP leader in first ballot victory

Filmmaker Avi Lewis has been elected as the NDP's new leader defeating his four rivals on the first ballot with nearly 40,000 votes.

The NDP's next leader to be announced as Winnipeg convention concludes

The NDP's next leader to be announced as Winnipeg convention concludes

WINNIPEG -- The next NDP leader will be announced this morning as the party concludes its Winnipeg convention.

Energy policy key as NDP leadership candidates make final pitch

Energy policy key as NDP leadership candidates make final pitch

The NDP leadership candidates made their last pitch to voters Saturday morning in a last-ditch effort to win support from the handful of members who have not voted yet. Many of the roughly 2,000 delegates at the Winnipeg convention have already cast their ballots. This includes Sofia Lindfield, a delegate from Halifax who said this is her first year getting...

Energy policy key as NDP leadership candidates make final pitch

Energy policy key as NDP leadership candidates make final pitch

WINNIPEG -- The NDP leadership candidates made their last pitch to voters Saturday morning in a last-ditch effort to win support from the handful of members who have not voted yet.

NDP leadership candidates to make their final pitch to voters at Winnipeg convention

NDP leadership candidates to make their final pitch to voters at Winnipeg convention

WINNIPEG -- The NDP leadership candidates are making their last pitch to party members before voting in the six-month campaign concludes later today.

Quicksketch: Who's who in the NDP leadership race

Quicksketch: Who's who in the NDP leadership race

WINNIPEG -- The next NDP leader will be announced on Sunday. There are five candidates on the ballot and voting concludes Saturday.

New Democrats gather in Winnipeg to pick new leader, plot path out of political exile

New Democrats gather in Winnipeg to pick new leader, plot path out of political exile

WINNIPEG -- Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew called on NDP delegates Friday to focus on issues like affordability and health care and put off tackling bigger policy ideas until they form a government.

NDP convention begins in Winnipeg as members prepare to pick new leader

NDP convention begins in Winnipeg as members prepare to pick new leader

New Democrats from across the country are gathering in Winnipeg for the party's convention, where a new federal party leader will be chosen by the end of the weekend. After a six-month leadership race, voting closes on Saturday and the new leader will be announced Sunday morning. The candidates are union leader Rob Ashton, social worker Tanille Johnston, filmmaker Avi...

NDP convention begins in Winnipeg as members prepare to pick new leader

NDP convention begins in Winnipeg as members prepare to pick new leader

OTTAWA -- New Democrats from across the country are gathering in Winnipeg for the party's convention, where a new federal party leader will be chosen by the end of the weekend.

New Democrats to debate fossil fuel crackdown, electoral reform in Winnipeg

New Democrats to debate fossil fuel crackdown, electoral reform in Winnipeg

OTTAWA -- New Democrats are set to debate up to 70 policy proposals at their convention in Winnipeg this weekend on a host of issues, including clean energy, electoral reform and the party's own political strategy.

Almost half of former NDP voters don't recognize names of leadership candidates: poll

Almost half of former NDP voters don't recognize names of leadership candidates: poll

OTTAWA -- Nearly half of those who voted for the federal NDP at least once over the past four elections don't recognize the names of the five current leadership candidates, a new poll suggests.

Almost half of former NDP voters don't recognize names of leadership candidates: poll

Almost half of former NDP voters don't recognize names of leadership candidates: poll

Nearly half of those who voted for the federal NDP at least once over the past four elections don't recognize the names of the current leadership candidates, a new poll suggests. The Angus Reid Institute surveyed 1,100 Canadians who voted for the NDP at least once between 2015 and 2025 and found that 44 per cent of respondents said they...

Most NDP leadership candidates say they're in no hurry to become MPs

Most NDP leadership candidates say they're in no hurry to become MPs

Four of the five federal NDP leadership candidates say they won't be in a hurry to enter the House of Commons if they win -- a position the only MP in the race calls "a little bit odd." Filmmaker Avi Lewis said if he is chosen as the new NDP leader next week, his main priority will be to prepare...

Most NDP leadership candidates say they're in no hurry to become MPs

Most NDP leadership candidates say they're in no hurry to become MPs

OTTAWA -- Four of the five federal NDP leadership candidates say they won't be in a hurry to enter the House of Commons if they win -- a position the only MP in the race calls "a little bit odd."

Carney meets Keir Starmer in London as war in Iran disrupts shipping routes

Carney meets Keir Starmer in London as war in Iran disrupts shipping routes

LONDON -- Prime Minister Mark Carney and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreed during a meeting in London on Monday that safe passage must be restored through the Strait of Hormuz.

Carney meets Keir Starmer in London as war in Iran disrupts shipping routes

Carney meets Keir Starmer in London as war in Iran disrupts shipping routes

Prime Minister Mark Carney met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday, and while both remarked the world has become a more challenging place since their first meeting a year ago, neither named a specific issue in their public remarks. A readout issued by Carney's office after the meeting in London said the two leaders condemned Iran's missile and...

Carney meeting Keir Starmer in London as Iran war disrupts shipping routes

Carney meeting Keir Starmer in London as Iran war disrupts shipping routes

Prime Minister Mark Carney met Monday with Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London, and while both remarked the world has become a more challenging place since their first meeting a year ago, neither named a specific issue.

Carney, Nordic leaders pledge to deepen ties amid world economic coercion

Carney, Nordic leaders pledge to deepen ties amid world economic coercion

OSLO -- The prime ministers of Canada and Nordic countries have agreed to continue work to defend Arctic sovereignty and to deepen economic ties as technology and international trade are increasingly used as a “coercive tool."

Carney, Nordic leaders pledge to deepen ties in world economic coercion

Carney, Nordic leaders pledge to deepen ties in world economic coercion

OSLO -- The prime ministers of Canada and Nordic countries have agreed to continue working to deepen economic ties as technology and international trade are increasingly used as a "coercive tool", in a joint statement.Prime Minister Mark Carney is concluding his time in Norway meeting with that country's prime minister, along with the leaders of Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and Finland.The...

Carney, Nordic leaders pledge to deepen ties amid world economic coercion

Carney, Nordic leaders pledge to deepen ties amid world economic coercion

The prime ministers of Canada and Nordic countries have agreed to continue working to deepen economic ties as technology and international trade are increasingly used as a "coercive tool," they said in a joint statement. Prime Minister Mark Carney is concluding his time in Norway meeting with that country's prime minister, along with the leaders of Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and...

Carney to conclude Norway trip with Nordic 5 meeting before heading to London

Carney to conclude Norway trip with Nordic 5 meeting before heading to London

OSLO -- Prime Minister Mark Carney will conclude his first official visit to Norway today by meeting with the leaders of the Nordic Five -- Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Iceland.

Carney says Canada a reliable oil exporter with moves to increase production

Carney says Canada a reliable oil exporter with moves to increase production

Prime Minister Mark Carney says that countries like Canada do not need to have oil reserves as a net exporter, after the energy minister announced Canada will contribute 23.6 million barrels to help stabilize international energy markets. The 32 member countries of the International Energy Agency, including Canada, have agreed to a co-ordinated release of oil stocks as the war...

Carney says Canada a reliable oil exporter with moves to increase production

Carney says Canada a reliable oil exporter with moves to increase production

OSLO -- Prime Minister Mark Carney says that countries like Canada do not need to have oil reserves as a net exporter, after the energy minister announced Canada will contribute 23.6 million barrels to help stabilize international energy markets.

'We're ready to defend the Arctic,' Carney says alongside German, Norwegian leaders

'We're ready to defend the Arctic,' Carney says alongside German, Norwegian leaders

Canada and its allies are prepared to defend the arctic, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday in Bardufoss, Norway, after observing NATO's Cold Response exercises. He held a news conference alongside Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Asked by a German reporter whether the "conflict" over the Trump administration's demands for Greenland is settled, the...

'We're ready to defend the Arctic,' Carney says alongside German, Norwegian leaders

'We're ready to defend the Arctic,' Carney says alongside German, Norwegian leaders

BARDUFOSS -- Canada and its allies are prepared to defend the Arctic, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday in Bardufoss, Norway, after observing NATO’s Cold Response exercises.

Carney to observe NATO drills in northern Norway with Norwegian and German leaders

Carney to observe NATO drills in northern Norway with Norwegian and German leaders

Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Norway today, where he will observe NATO's Cold Response exercises alongside the Norwegian prime minister. Carney is on the trip at the invitation of Norway, which hosts these joint NATO exercises every two years. This year, about 25,000 troops from 14 different nations are taking part in the exercises, which are aimed at enhancing...

Carney to observe NATO drills in northern Norway with Norwegian and German leaders

Carney to observe NATO drills in northern Norway with Norwegian and German leaders

OSLO -- Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Norway today, where he will observe NATO's Cold Response exercises alongside the Norwegian prime minister.

Carney announces $32B for northern defence and infrastructure projects

Carney announces $32B for northern defence and infrastructure projects

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday the government is putting an additional $32 billion into military forward operating locations in Yellowknife, Inuvik and Iqaluit and Deployed Operating Base 5 Wing in Goose Bay, Nfld. The prime minister made the announcement in Yellowknife on Thursday before taking off for a planned visit to Norway. The $32 billion is part of Canada's...

Carney announces $32B for northern defence and infrastructure projects

Carney announces $32B for northern defence and infrastructure projects

YELLOWKNIFE -- Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday the government is putting an additional $32 billion into military forward operating locations in Yellowknife, Inuvik and Iqaluit and Deployed Operating Base 5 Wing in Goose Bay, N.L.

Carney travelling to Yellowknife, Norway for defence-focused northern trip

Carney travelling to Yellowknife, Norway for defence-focused northern trip

Prime Minister Mark Carney is again heading overseas, this time to Norway to observe NATO Cold Response exercises as Canada deepens ties with Nordic countries. He will stop first in Yellowknife on Thursday. "In this time of global uncertainty, it's really important that we strengthen the co-operation with Canada, with Norway and with the Nordic countries together," Norwegian Ambassador to...

Idlout's floor-crossing gets Carney closer to majority as byelections loom

Idlout's floor-crossing gets Carney closer to majority as byelections loom

OTTAWA -- Nunavut MP Lori Idlout's decision to cross the floor from the NDP to the Liberals puts Prime Minister Mark Carney's government at 170 seats -- two short of a majority -- with three byelections still to come on April 13.

Idlout's floor-crossing gets Carney closer to majority as byelections loom

Idlout's floor-crossing gets Carney closer to majority as byelections loom

Nunavut MP Lori Idlout's decision to cross the floor from the NDP to the Liberals puts Prime Minister Mark Carney's government at 170 seats -- two short of a majority -- with three byelections still to come on April 13. Idlout said in a media statement that she decided to cross the floor after receiving feedback from constituents and her family.

Idlout floor crossing gets Carney closer to majority as byelections loom

Idlout floor crossing gets Carney closer to majority as byelections loom

OTTAWA -- Nunavut MP Lori Idlout crossing the floor from the NDP to the Liberals puts the government at 170 seats, with three byelections set for April 13 poised to be the deciding factor that could give Prime Minister Mark Carney a majority government.