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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.

LeBlanc says U.S. midterm won't change Ottawa's plans as leaders react to blue wave

LeBlanc says U.S. midterm won't change Ottawa's plans as leaders react to blue wave

The Liberal government's push to diversify trade won't change direction now that Democrats are preparing to take control of both houses of Congress following Tuesday's midterm elections, Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Wednesday. LeBlanc said recent talks with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration have been productive and he looks forward to speaking more with his American counterparts in the...

  • 2026-11-04
  • — Canadian Press
Immigration levels update to be included in Nov. 5 budget

Immigration levels update to be included in Nov. 5 budget

OTTAWA -- The annual immigration levels update will be included in the federal budget being released Thursday, a government source with knowledge of the plan confirms.

  • 2026-11-03
  • — Canadian Press
Canada, European Union close Montreal summit with 'alliance for the future' pact

Canada, European Union close Montreal summit with 'alliance for the future' pact

MONTREAL -- Canada and the European Union officially launched an "alliance for the future" on Friday and pledged to spend the next eight months in negotiations on making Canada an associate member — despite objections to that language on both sides of the Atlantic.

  • 2026-10-30
  • — Canadian Press
Canada, European Union close Montreal summit with 'alliance for the future' pact

Canada, European Union close Montreal summit with 'alliance for the future' pact

Canada and the European Union officially launched an "alliance for the future" on Friday and pledged to spend the next eight months in negotiations on making Canada an associate member — despite objections to that language on both sides of the Atlantic. "Today we move toward associate membership for Canada and we launch a new alliance for the future," Prime...

  • 2026-10-30
  • — Canadian Press
CP NewsAlert: Canada, European Union close Montreal summit with alliance pact

CP NewsAlert: Canada, European Union close Montreal summit with alliance pact

MONTREAL -- Prime Minister Mark Carney and his European Union counterparts are closing a major summit by announcing what they call an alliance for the future.

  • 2026-10-30
  • — Canadian Press
Canada, European Union close Montreal summit with alliance pact

Canada, European Union close Montreal summit with alliance pact

MONTREAL -- Prime Minister Mark Carney and his European Union counterparts are closing a major summit by announcing what they call an alliance for the future.

  • 2026-10-30
  • — Canadian Press
Canada-EU summit in Montreal concludes Friday with digital trade on agenda

Canada-EU summit in Montreal concludes Friday with digital trade on agenda

MONTREAL -- A major summit Prime Minister Mark Carney is hosting with European Union leaders is set to conclude Friday with announcements on digital trade and academic exchanges.

  • 2026-10-30
  • — Canadian Press
Canada-European Union summit in Montreal concludes today with digital trade on agenda

Canada-European Union summit in Montreal concludes today with digital trade on agenda

MONTREAL -- A major summit Prime Minister Mark Carney is hosting with European Union leaders is set to conclude Friday with announcements on digital trade and academic exchanges.

  • 2026-10-30
  • — Canadian Press
Carney, von der Leyen both want Canada as 'associate member' of the European Union

Carney, von der Leyen both want Canada as 'associate member' of the European Union

Prime Minister Mark Carney now says Canada is working to become an "associate member" of the European Union, after largely avoiding that term. "We're here because we share a common mission. We're in the process of forging a new alliance for the future, with Canada as an associate member," Carney said Thursday. The prime minister on Thursday welcomed senior officials...

  • 2026-10-29
  • — Canadian Press
CP NewsAlert: Carney says Canada wants to be 'associate member' of the European Union

CP NewsAlert: Carney says Canada wants to be 'associate member' of the European Union

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada is working to become an "associate member" of the European Union, after largely avoiding that term.

  • 2026-10-29
  • — Canadian Press
Carney says Canada wants to be 'associate member' of the European Union

Carney says Canada wants to be 'associate member' of the European Union

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada is working to become an "associate member" of the European Union, after largely avoiding that term.

  • 2026-10-29
  • — Canadian Press
Canada should become 'associate member' of the European Union, von der Leyen says

Canada should become 'associate member' of the European Union, von der Leyen says

OTTAWA -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Thursday this week's Canada-EU Summit opens up discussions on making Canada the bloc's first "associate member."

  • 2026-10-29
  • — Canadian Press
Canada should be 'associate member' of the European Union, von der Leyen says

Canada should be 'associate member' of the European Union, von der Leyen says

OTTAWA -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Thursday this week's Canada-EU Summit opens up discussions on making Canada the bloc's first "associate member."

  • 2026-10-29
  • — Canadian Press
CP NewsAlert: Canada should be 'associate member' of the EU, von der Leyen says

CP NewsAlert: Canada should be 'associate member' of the EU, von der Leyen says

OTTAWA -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says this week's Canada-EU Summit opens up discussions on making Canada the bloc's first "associate member."

  • 2026-10-29
  • — Canadian Press
Canada should be 'associate member' of the EU, von der Leyen says

Canada should be 'associate member' of the EU, von der Leyen says

OTTAWA -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says this week's Canada-EU Summit opens up discussions on making Canada the bloc's first "associate member."

  • 2026-10-29
  • — Canadian Press
Canada-EU Summit set to launch additional talks on a deeper partnership

Canada-EU Summit set to launch additional talks on a deeper partnership

A stronger alliance between Canada and the European Union would only include a financial commitment if either side joins specific programs in either jurisdiction, a senior government official said Wednesday. The next steps in that alliance are expected to be finalized and announced Thursday and Friday, during the Canada-EU Summit in Montreal. In a briefing for reporters ahead of the...

  • 2026-10-28
  • — Canadian Press
Canada-EU Summit set to launch additional talks on a deeper partnership

Canada-EU Summit set to launch additional talks on a deeper partnership

OTTAWA -- A stronger alliance between Canada and the European Union would only include a financial commitment if either side joins specific programs in either jurisdiction, a senior government official said Wednesday.

  • 2026-10-28
  • — Canadian Press
Carney to attend Commonwealth meeting in Antigua and Barbuda

Carney to attend Commonwealth meeting in Antigua and Barbuda

Prime Minister Mark Carney will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Antigua and Barbuda next week. Carney and other Commonwealth leaders are set to meet in the Caribbean nation's capital of St. John's from Nov. 2 and 4. Topics on the agenda include collaboration on climate change, renewable energy and security, according to a news release issued by...

  • 2026-10-28
  • — Canadian Press
Carney to attend Commonwealth meeting in Antigua and Barbuda

Carney to attend Commonwealth meeting in Antigua and Barbuda

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Antigua and Barbuda next week.

  • 2026-10-28
  • — Canadian Press
Free labour movement not something Canada and EU considering in new pact: ambassador

Free labour movement not something Canada and EU considering in new pact: ambassador

Negotiations toward a new transatlantic pact between Canada and the European Union don't include discussions for a full-scale free labour movement, but something more focused, Canada's EU ambassador said ahead of the Canada-EU summit later this week in Montreal. Canada and the EU are expected to use the summit to announce a new agreement that could touch on a number...

  • 2026-10-27
  • — Canadian Press
Five Things: The key topics at play as Canada and the EU discuss deeper ties

Five Things: The key topics at play as Canada and the EU discuss deeper ties

OTTAWA -- The next step in the relationship between Canada and the European Union is set to be unveiled by Prime Minister Mark Carney and EU President Ursula von der Leyen at a summit in Montreal on Thursday and Friday.

  • 2026-10-27
  • — Canadian Press
Conservatives call for cuts to permanent residency admissions in immigration plan

Conservatives call for cuts to permanent residency admissions in immigration plan

The Conservatives are calling on the government to implement temporary resident exit tracking, boost collaboration with the provinces and further reduce permanent residency admissions in the coming immigration levels plan. Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner outlined these and other demands in a press conference today, and blamed government policy for a rise in anti-immigrant sentiment in recent years.

  • 2026-10-22
  • — Canadian Press
Conservatives call for cuts to permanent residency admissions in immigration plan

Conservatives call for cuts to permanent residency admissions in immigration plan

OTTAWA -- The Conservatives are calling on the government to implement temporary resident exit tracking, boost collaboration with the provinces and further reduce permanent residency admissions in the coming immigration levels plan.

  • 2026-10-22
  • — Canadian Press
How Canada's fractured immigration consensus is starting to show up at ballot boxes

How Canada's fractured immigration consensus is starting to show up at ballot boxes

It's no secret the long-held Canadian consensus on immigration has fractured -- pulled apart by a rapid increase in new arrivals post-pandemic and growing affordability challenges. Now, that fracture is starting to show up at the ballot box. The Parti Quebecois won a minority mandate in Quebec on a platform that included promises of tighter immigration controls, which the party...

  • 2026-10-17
  • — Canadian Press
How Canada's fractured immigration consensus is starting to show up at ballot boxes

How Canada's fractured immigration consensus is starting to show up at ballot boxes

OTTAWA -- It's no secret the long-held Canadian consensus on immigration has fractured -- pulled apart by a rapid increase in new arrivals post-pandemic and growing affordability challenges. Now, that fracture is starting to show up at the ballot box.

  • 2026-10-17
  • — Canadian Press
Ottawa adding new express entry points for immigrants in 'high-wage' jobs

Ottawa adding new express entry points for immigrants in 'high-wage' jobs

Ottawa is adding new express entry points for permanent residency applicants in "high-wage" jobs. The government also plans to remove the requirement for an employer to prove they can't find a qualified Canadian for those jobs. Immigration Minister Lena Diab's two-pronged announcement in Kitchener, Ont., first adds new express entry points for people with Canadian work experience or with a...

  • 2026-10-16
  • — Canadian Press
Ottawa adding new express entry points for immigrants in 'high-wage' jobs

Ottawa adding new express entry points for immigrants in 'high-wage' jobs

OTTAWA -- Ottawa is adding new express entry points for some permanent residency applicants in "high-wage" jobs, Immigration Minister Lena Diab said Friday.

  • 2026-10-16
  • — Canadian Press
Poilievre to campaign for Canadian unity in Alberta next week ahead of referendum

Poilievre to campaign for Canadian unity in Alberta next week ahead of referendum

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Friday he will be in Alberta next week to deliver a speech on Canadian unity ahead of the province's referendum on separation. The House of Commons will be on a break next week after MPs head back to their ridings for the Thanksgiving weekend. Poilievre told a press conference in Burlington, Ont., on Friday he...

  • 2026-10-09
  • — Canadian Press
Poilievre to campaign for Canadian unity in Alberta next week ahead of referendum

Poilievre to campaign for Canadian unity in Alberta next week ahead of referendum

OTTAWA -- Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Friday he will be in Alberta just days before the province's referendum to deliver a speech on Canadian unity.

  • 2026-10-09
  • — Canadian Press
Major government economic legislation C-39 clears first vote, heads to committee

Major government economic legislation C-39 clears first vote, heads to committee

A key piece of the Carney government's economic agenda, Bill C-39, passed its first vote in the House of Commons Thursday when Conservatives voted with the majority Liberals to send the bill for study by a special committee. The 243-page bill proposes to extend the government's one-project, one-review, within one-year approach to major infrastructure projects to apply to other projects...

  • 2026-10-08
  • — Canadian Press
MPs to hold first vote on federal government's key economic bill C-39

MPs to hold first vote on federal government's key economic bill C-39

OTTAWA -- The federal government's contentious legislation to speed up major projects and reduce the number of labour disruptions comes up for a vote in the House of Commons today.

  • 2026-10-08
  • — Canadian Press
MPs spar over Carney's major projects bill as Parliament returns

MPs spar over Carney's major projects bill as Parliament returns

Parliamentarians returned to Ottawa on Monday and Opposition MPs' had their sights trained firmly on the government's 243-page economic and labour bill. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also squared off in question period Monday over whether the government has done enough to prioritize Canadian materials in its sweeping infrastructure agenda. Key to that agenda is the...

  • 2026-10-05
  • — Canadian Press
Security screening mostly 'unimpeachable' but 'there are gaps': Anandasangaree

Security screening mostly 'unimpeachable' but 'there are gaps': Anandasangaree

OTTAWA -- Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree acknowledged gaps in Canada's security screening process today after confirming a Canadian charged with espionage was given a security clearance.

  • 2026-10-05
  • — Canadian Press
MPs return from break with debate set on key legislation and new bill on the table

MPs return from break with debate set on key legislation and new bill on the table

Parliamentarians are back in Ottawa where debate is set to continue on the government's 243-page economic and labour bill, with plans to introduce legislation focused on national defence and security procurement. The government's key piece of economic legislation, Bill C-39, proposes measures to create a one-year timeline for federal project decisions, create zones of "national interest" where certain projects are...

  • 2026-10-05
  • — Canadian Press
MPs return for break with debate set on key legislation and new bill on the table

MPs return for break with debate set on key legislation and new bill on the table

OTTAWA -- Parliamentarians are back in Ottawa where debate is set to continue on the government's 243-page economic and labour bill, with plans to introduce legislation focused on national defence and security procurement.

  • 2026-10-05
  • — Canadian Press
MPs return from break with debate set on key legislation and new bill on the table

MPs return from break with debate set on key legislation and new bill on the table

OTTAWA -- Parliamentarians are back in Ottawa where debate is set to continue on the government's 243-page economic and labour bill, with plans to introduce legislation focused on national defence and security procurement.

  • 2026-10-05
  • — Canadian Press
U.S. Trade Rep. Greer says there are 'difficult' issues to resolve with Canada

U.S. Trade Rep. Greer says there are 'difficult' issues to resolve with Canada

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said outstanding issues with Canada are "quite difficult to resolve" as the G20 trade ministers' meeting came to a close in Milwaukee on Thursday. Greer and Canada's International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu had a pull-aside conversation at the summit Wednesday. Sidhu said he raised Canada-U.S. trade with Greer, along with other matters such as World...

  • 2026-10-01
  • — Canadian Press
U.S. Trade Rep. Greer says there are 'difficult' issues to resolve with Canada

U.S. Trade Rep. Greer says there are 'difficult' issues to resolve with Canada

OTTAWA -- U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said outstanding issues with Canada are "quite difficult to resolve" as the G20 trade ministers' meeting came to a close in Milwaukee on Thursday.

  • 2026-10-01
  • — Canadian Press
Sidhu, Greer have pull-aside discussion at G20 trade ministers meeting

Sidhu, Greer have pull-aside discussion at G20 trade ministers meeting

International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu had a pull-aside chat with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer Wednesday during the G20 trade ministers' meeting in Milwaukee, Sidhu's office says. A "pull aside" is an informal conversation between officials on the sidelines of international meetings. Discussing trade tensions between Canada and the United States on Bloomberg news today, Greer said the administration of...

  • 2026-10-01
  • — Canadian Press
Sidhu, Greer have pull-aside discussion at G20 trade ministers meeting

Sidhu, Greer have pull-aside discussion at G20 trade ministers meeting

OTTAWA -- International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu had a pull-aside chat with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer Wednesday during the G20 trade ministers' meeting in Milwaukee, Sidhu's office says.

  • 2026-10-01
  • — Canadian Press
Ontario Conservative MP Scott Aitchison to resign when fall sitting ends

Ontario Conservative MP Scott Aitchison to resign when fall sitting ends

OTTAWA -- Ontario Conservative MP Scott Aitchison has announced he will resign his seat of Parry Sound-Muskoka at the end of the current fall parliamentary sitting.

  • 2026-09-30
  • — Canadian Press
Trade Minister Sidhu set to speak with U.S. trade rep at G20 meeting in Wisconsin

Trade Minister Sidhu set to speak with U.S. trade rep at G20 meeting in Wisconsin

International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu is expected to speak with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during the G20 trade ministers' meeting in Wisconsin this week. Sidhu's spokesperson says a specific time and format for that conversation have not been set. Sidhu also has bilateral meetings scheduled for today with the trade ministers for France, Australia and Turkey, and is meeting...

  • 2026-09-30
  • — Canadian Press
Trade Minister Sidhu set to speak with U.S. trade rep at G20 meeting in Wisconsin

Trade Minister Sidhu set to speak with U.S. trade rep at G20 meeting in Wisconsin

OTTAWA -- International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu is expected to speak with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during the G20 trade ministers' meeting in Wisconsin this week.

  • 2026-09-30
  • — Canadian Press
PM looks at when to boost immigration as government gets system 'under control'

PM looks at when to boost immigration as government gets system 'under control'

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney says that with Canada's immigration system back under control, the question now is when to begin a "controlled increase" of the country's population.

  • 2026-09-29
  • — Canadian Press
PM looks at when to boost immigration as government gets system 'under control'

PM looks at when to boost immigration as government gets system 'under control'

Prime Minister Mark Carney says that with Canada's immigration system back under control, the question now is when to begin a "controlled increase" of the country's population. "Now the question starts to become, when do we resume some controlled increase in the population, which is the nature of Canada?" Carney told the New York Times. "So that will happen, and...

  • 2026-09-29
  • — Canadian Press
Carney suggests immigration increase is on the horizon in New York Times interview

Carney suggests immigration increase is on the horizon in New York Times interview

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney says with Canada's immigration system back under control, the question now is when to begin a "controlled increase" of the country's population.

  • 2026-09-29
  • — Canadian Press
Carney's moves on labour and environment could create an opening for the opposition

Carney's moves on labour and environment could create an opening for the opposition

The Liberals may be riding high in the polls now, but their opponents say Prime Minister Mark Carney's strategy for boosting growth offers them unexpected opportunities for political gain. Bill C-39, the "Building Canada Strong Act," proposes giving the government new powers to fast-track major infrastructure projects and end labour disputes, putting it offside with environmentalists and many union members...

  • 2026-09-29
  • — Canadian Press
Carney's moves on labour and environment could create an opening for the opposition

Carney's moves on labour and environment could create an opening for the opposition

OTTAWA -- The Liberals may be riding high in the polls now, but their opponents say Prime Minister Mark Carney's strategy for boosting growth offers them unexpected opportunities for political gain.

  • 2026-09-29
  • — Canadian Press
Immigration Department looking into termination of refugee sponsor policy: Diab

Immigration Department looking into termination of refugee sponsor policy: Diab

The Immigration Department will monitor for any negative effects from a recent decision not to extend a policy that gave permanent residency sponsorship exemptions to some refugees, Immigration Minister Lena Diab said Wednesday. The policy was introduced in 2019 to allow some refugees to sponsor some undeclared family members for permanent residency but it expired earlier this month and was...

  • 2026-09-23
  • — Canadian Press
Immigration Department looking into termination of refugee sponsor policy: Diab

Immigration Department looking into termination of refugee sponsor policy: Diab

OTTAWA -- The Immigration Department will monitor for any negative effects from a recent decision not to extend a policy that gave permanent residency sponsorship exemptions to some refugees, Immigration Minister Lena Diab said Wednesday.

  • 2026-09-23
  • — Canadian Press
Immigration Department probing cancellation of refugee sponsor policy: Diab

Immigration Department probing cancellation of refugee sponsor policy: Diab

OTTAWA -- Immigration Minister Lena Diab says her department is looking into whether the decision not to extend a policy that gave permanent residency sponsorship exemptions to some refugees led to negative effects.

  • 2026-09-23
  • — Canadian Press
Iranian conscripts call for immigration exemption after mandatory service

Iranian conscripts call for immigration exemption after mandatory service

OTTAWA -- The International Centre for Human Rights and members of the Iranian community are calling on Ottawa to stop branding Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps conscripts as inadmissible to the country by default.

  • 2026-09-22
  • — Canadian Press
Ottawa's plan for private airport investment likely to drive up costs: NDP leader

Ottawa's plan for private airport investment likely to drive up costs: NDP leader

OTTAWA -- NDP Leader Avi Lewis says it's "disingenuous" for the government not to use the word privatization to describe its plan to have investors take over operations of Canada's four biggest airports.

  • 2026-09-22
  • — Canadian Press
Ottawa's plan for private airport investment likely to drive up costs: NDP's Lewis

Ottawa's plan for private airport investment likely to drive up costs: NDP's Lewis

OTTAWA -- NDP Leader Avi Lewis says it's "disingenuous" of the government to refer to its plan to allow private investors to bid on operational stakes in Canada's four largest airports as anything but privatization.

  • 2026-09-22
  • — Canadian Press
Parliament returns with new MPs, more vacant seats and a major economic bill

Parliament returns with new MPs, more vacant seats and a major economic bill

OTTAWA -- The governing Liberals used their first day back from summer break to introduce a new bill to speed up the construction of infrastructure projects as trade tensions with the U.S. hang over the country.

  • 2026-09-21
  • — Canadian Press
Parliament returns with some new MPs, more vacant seats and a major economic bill

Parliament returns with some new MPs, more vacant seats and a major economic bill

OTTAWA -- Members of Parliament returned from their summer break Monday with trade tensions hanging over the country, a new but undefined alliance with Europe on the horizon, and a Liberal government ready to push an aggressive agenda to get major new infrastructure approved.

  • 2026-09-21
  • — Canadian Press
Prime Minister Carney rallies Liberal MPs ahead of Parliament's return

Prime Minister Carney rallies Liberal MPs ahead of Parliament's return

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday his government is focused on bringing down costs for Canadians and defending the country's sovereignty, though he acknowledged that some of those efforts are in their early stages.

  • 2026-09-18
  • — Canadian Press
Ottawa won't say if people misused a now-defunct refugee residency sponsorship policy

Ottawa won't say if people misused a now-defunct refugee residency sponsorship policy

OTTAWA -- The Immigration Department refuses to say whether applicants misused a refugee permanent resident sponsorship policy which was allowed to expire last week after Ottawa cited "potential integrity concerns."

  • 2026-09-16
  • — Canadian Press
Ottawa says it ended refugee residency sponsor exemption over 'integrity concerns'

Ottawa says it ended refugee residency sponsor exemption over 'integrity concerns'

OTTAWA -- The immigration department says it ended a permanent residency sponsorship exemption for some refugees over unnamed "potential integrity concerns."

  • 2026-09-14
  • — Canadian Press
Ottawa ends permanent residency exemption for refugees with undeclared family

Ottawa ends permanent residency exemption for refugees with undeclared family

OTTAWA -- The immigration minister has quietly ended a policy that helped some refugees sponsor their children or partners for permanent residency, while offering refugee advocates no explanation for the change.

  • 2026-09-11
  • — Canadian Press