Spy watchdog urges stronger measures to avoid Canadian complicity in torture abroad
OTTAWA -- A newly released spy watchdog report says some federal agencies should do more to ensure information-sharing with other countries does not lead to torture.
Jim Bronskill
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 Jim Bronskill.
Officials scrambled behind the scenes as Trump took aim at bridge project: emails
An American diplomat raised several questions about the Gordie Howe bridge in a phone call shortly before U.S. President Donald Trump's February comments on the cross-border project ignited a political frenzy, newly released records reveal. Hundreds of pages of emails, obtained by The Canadian Press through the Access to Information Act, also provide a behind-the-scenes glimpse at how Canadian officials...
Officials scrambled behind the scenes as Trump took aim at bridge project: emails
OTTAWA -- An American diplomat raised several questions about the Gordie Howe bridge in a phone call shortly before U.S. President Donald Trump's February comments on the cross-border project ignited a political frenzy, newly released records reveal.
Some Indigenous people wary of Order of Canada's "colonial symbolism": federal study
OTTAWA -- Indigenous community members have encouraged federal officials to reflect on how the Order of Canada can overcome its "deep colonial symbolism and associations," says an internal government presentation on efforts to modernize the Canadian honours system.
Some Indigenous people wary of Order of Canada's "colonial symbolism": federal study
Indigenous community members have encouraged federal officials to reflect on how the Order of Canada can overcome its "deep colonial symbolism and associations," says an internal government presentation on efforts to modernize the Canadian honours system. The April presentation, prepared for the Order of Canada Advisory Council, says recent feedback indicates that accepting the honour "could bring feelings of discomfort...
Police misconduct information must be disclosed in criminal case, Supreme Court says
OTTAWA -- The Supreme Court of Canada says information about an Edmonton police detective's past misconduct must be disclosed in the criminal proceedings of a man he helped investigate.
Supreme Court nominee Joyal cites access to justice, outreach as key contributions
Supreme Court of Canada nominee Glenn Joyal describes himself as a "candid and constructive spokesperson" for Manitoba's highest trial court and the judiciary. Prime Minister Mark Carney has tapped Joyal, chief justice of the Court of King's Bench of Manitoba since 2011, to fill the vacancy on the country's top court left by the retiring Sheilah Martin.
Supreme Court nominee Joyal cites access to justice, outreach as key contributions
OTTAWA -- Supreme Court of Canada nominee Glenn Joyal describes himself as a "candid and constructive spokesperson" for Manitoba's highest trial court and the judiciary.
Bid to narrow transparency law 'a move in the wrong direction,' info watchdog says
OTTAWA -- Information commissioner Caroline Maynard says a federal proposal to narrow the scope of the Access to Information Act is a move in the wrong direction that could exclude "entire swaths of government-held records" from public scrutiny.
Global effort targeted fake computer updates tied to Russian cybercriminals: RCMP
OTTAWA -- The RCMP says it worked with international partners to deal a blow to cybercriminals who trick users into downloading malicious files disguised as legitimate computer updates.
Gun control advocacy groups urge PM to implement long-awaited protection measure
A women's advocacy organization and several other groups that support gun control are urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to fully implement a key facet of firearms legislation passed 30 months ago. The measure makes a person subject to a protection order -- a legal order often issued in intimate partner violence cases -- ineligible to hold a firearms licence while...
Gun control advocacy groups urge PM to implement long-awaited protection measure
OTTAWA -- A women's advocacy organization and several other groups that support gun control are urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to fully implement a key facet of firearms legislation passed 30 months ago.
Canada's spy service received judge's OK to target malware-infected devices
OTTAWA -- Canada's spy service obtained a judge's permission to disrupt cyberthreats from foreign adversaries who infected digital devices with malware.
Conservatives cry foul after government signals move to speed up 'lawful access' bill
The Conservatives are accusing the federal government of trying to ram through a bill to help police and spies after the Liberals warned they would take steps to speed up committee scrutiny of the legislation. The Liberals say the bill will ensure law enforcement agencies have the legal tools to prevent and investigate modern crime while respecting the Charter of...
Conservatives cry foul after government signals move to speed up 'lawful access' bill
OTTAWA -- The Conservatives are accusing the federal government of trying to ram through a bill to help police and spies after the Liberals warned they would take steps to speed up committee scrutiny of the legislation.
Carney announces national food security strategy meant to expand choice, lower prices
OTTAWA -- The Liberal government has announced a national food security strategy aimed at giving Canadians more access to locally produced fruit, vegetables and other fresh items at lower prices.
Carney announces national food security strategy meant to expand choice, lower prices
OTTAWA -- The Liberal government has announced a national food security strategy aimed at giving Canadians more access to locally produced fruit, vegetables and other fresh items at lower prices.
Carney announces national food security strategy meant to expand choice, lower prices
The Liberal government has announced a national food security strategy aimed at giving Canadians more access to locally produced fruit, vegetables and other fresh items at lower prices. The plan outlined Thursday is intended to change the way food is bought, sold, transported and distributed in Canada to better support farmers, small independent players and consumers. The government says the...
Most crime guns traced by RCMP came from within Canada, internal reports say
OTTAWA -- The vast majority of crime guns traced by the RCMP to identifiable sources in 2023 and 2024 came from within Canada and were not smuggled from abroad, say internal reports prepared by the national police force.
Ottawa extends amnesty for owners of banned firearms while Supreme Court case unfolds
OTTAWA -- The federal government is extending an amnesty for owners of banned firearms while a legal battle plays out at the Supreme Court of Canada.
Feds extend amnesty for owners of banned firearms while Supreme Court case unfolds
OTTAWA -- The federal government is extending an amnesty for owners of banned firearms while a legal battle plays out at the Supreme Court of Canada.
CP NewsAlert: Feds extend gun amnesty while Supreme Court case plays out
OTTAWA -- The federal government is extending an amnesty for owners of banned firearms while a legal battle plays out at the Supreme Court of Canada.
Feds extend gun amnesty while Supreme Court case plays out
OTTAWA -- The federal government is extending an amnesty for owners of banned firearms while a legal battle plays out at the Supreme Court of Canada.
Minister now open to trimming metadata retention period in 'lawful access' bill
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree says he is now open to shortening the time electronic service providers would be required to keep digital metadata under a proposed bill intended to help police and spies. Just days ago, Anandasangaree flatly rejected the idea of changing a provision in the legislation that could require service providers to retain metadata -- digital traces...
Minister now open to trimming metadata retention period in 'lawful access' bill
OTTAWA -- Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree says he is now open to shortening the time electronic service providers would be required to keep digital metadata under a proposed bill intended to help police and spies.
Artificial intelligence 'promising and problematic' for courts, chief justice says
Chief Justice Richard Wagner says artificial intelligence is proving to be both promising and problematic for Canadian courtrooms. At his annual news conference today, Wagner said distinguishing fact from fiction has become more difficult -- and more important -- in a time when information can be generated and shared rapidly. Society is grappling with the emergence of machine learning and...
Artificial intelligence 'promising and problematic' for courts, chief justice says
OTTAWA -- Chief Justice Richard Wagner says artificial intelligence is proving to be both promising and problematic for Canadian courtrooms.
Mohamed Harkat, facing deportation, wins round in bid to stay in Canada
OTTAWA -- Algerian-born Mohamed Harkat has won a round in his long-running legal battle to remain in Canada.
Supreme Court of Canada deals blow to poker players who challenged tax ruling
OTTAWA -- The Supreme Court of Canada says it will not review a finding that poker earnings are taxable business income.
New federal AI strategy looks to close 'adoption gap,' build public trust
Ottawa's new national artificial intelligence strategy says Canada has a major AI adoption gap and looks to build trust through legislation that tackles concerns about surveillance pricing and chatbot safety. The strategy being announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney in Toronto today plans to increase use of AI through free training for all Canadians.
PM Carney to announce federal artificial intelligence strategy in Toronto today
OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to announce the federal government's strategy on artificial intelligence in Toronto today.
China using professional networking sites to gather information: security agencies
OTTAWA -- Canada's spy agency and close international partners warn that China's military intelligence services are using professional networking sites and online job platforms to target current and former government and military personnel.
Liberals say they won't split off controversial section of 'lawful access' bill
OTTAWA -- Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree is rejecting a Conservative call to split off the most controversial section of a bill to help police and spies into a separate piece of legislation.
MPs get an earful from opponents of 'lawful access' bill over privacy concerns
OTTAWA -- A group that works to keep the internet surveillance-free says a federal bill intended to help police and intelligence services is "an enormous own goal" against Canada's economy and security.
MPs get an earful from anti-surveillance group over 'lawful access' bill
OTTAWA -- A group that works to keep the internet surveillance-free says a federal bill intended to help police and intelligence services is "an enormous own goal" against Canada's economy and security.
Connected vehicle data 'can have intelligence value' to adversaries: federal document
Data from an advanced electric vehicle that falls into the wrong hands could be used to track people or carry out surveillance, an internal government document warns. The Public Safety Canada memo, prepared to address concerns about Chinese vehicles, urges Canadians to be mindful of the security and privacy risks of the digital devices they buy and use. Earlier this...
Connected vehicle data 'can have intelligence value' to adversaries: federal document
OTTAWA -- Data from an advanced electric vehicle that falls into the wrong hands could be used to track people or carry out surveillance, an internal government document warns.
Anandasangaree rejects shortening metadata retention period in lawful access bill
OTTAWA -- Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree is rejecting a call to shorten the time electronic service providers would be required to retain digital metadata under a proposed bill intended to help police and spies.
Watchdog raps intelligence service over lack of reporting on possibly illegal acts
OTTAWA -- A new watchdog report says the Canadian Security Intelligence Service may have run afoul of the law when it didn't fully inform the public safety minister about potentially illegal conduct by CSIS employees, including possible Charter violations.
As World Cup nears, intelligence agency warns of increased human trafficking risk
OTTAWA -- As Canada prepares to host World Cup soccer, the federal financial intelligence agency is warning that major sporting events can heighten the risk of vulnerable people being exploited by human traffickers.
Memo warned PM of public anxiety about mental health, firearms after B.C. shootings
Three days after the February mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., government officials warned Prime Minister Mark Carney that online sentiment was shifting from collective grief toward "emerging accountability narratives" -- including questions about mental health intervention, firearms access and whether warning signs were missed. The memo to Carney from the Privy Council Office said the overall public reaction was...
Memo warned PM of public anxiety about mental health, firearms after B.C. shootings
OTTAWA -- Three days after the February mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., government officials warned Prime Minister Mark Carney that online sentiment was shifting from collective grief toward "emerging accountability narratives" -- including questions about mental health intervention, firearms access and whether warning signs were missed.
Chief justice pays tribute to retiring Martin, reflects on top court's relocation
OTTAWA -- Chief Justice Richard Wagner paid tribute to a departing judge Friday and bid a temporary farewell to the Supreme Court's stately home.
Chief justice says farewell to retiring Martin, reflects on top court's relocation
OTTAWA -- Chief Justice Richard Wagner paid tribute to a departing judge today and bid a temporary farewell to the Supreme Court's stately home.
Supreme Court cites hearsay evidence in upholding order of new trial in beating death
OTTAWA -- The Supreme Court of Canada has affirmed the order of a new trial for an Alberta man accused in a beating death.
RCMP has duty to reveal guns used in Tumbler Ridge shooting, advocacy groups say
OTTAWA -- Two gun control advocacy groups are renewing their calls for information about the firearms used in the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., in February.
Feds working with City of Ottawa to ease public service transit woes: memo
Officials managing the federal government's return-to-office plans are concerned about the ability of Ottawa's troubled municipal transit system to actually get public servants to their workplaces, an internal memo shows. Canada's top public servant, Privy Council Clerk Michael Sabia, and Isabelle Mondou, the deputy clerk, met with Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe on Feb. 19 to discuss the city's readiness to...
Feds working with City of Ottawa to ease public service transit woes: memo
OTTAWA -- Officials managing the federal government's return-to-office plans are concerned about the ability of Ottawa's troubled municipal transit system to actually get public servants to their workplaces, an internal memo shows.
Supreme Court recognizes intimate partner violence as a legal basis for civil damages
OTTAWA -- The Supreme Court of Canada has recognized intimate partner violence as a distinct legal basis for pursuing civil damages.
CP NewsAlert: Court recognizes intimate partner violence as legal basis for damages
OTTAWA -- The Supreme Court of Canada has recognized intimate partner violence as a distinct legal basis for pursuing civil damages.
Supreme Court recognizes intimate partner violence as a legal basis for civil damages
OTTAWA -- The Supreme Court of Canada has recognized intimate partner violence as a distinct legal basis for pursuing civil damages.
Public deserves answers on Canada-China policing agreement, New Democrat MP says
OTTAWA -- NDP public safety critic Jenny Kwan says Canadians deserve to know what information the RCMP is sharing under an agreement with China's Ministry of Public Security.
Bill to help authorities probe online activities raises widespread privacy fears
OTTAWA -- A Liberal government bill that would make it easier for police and spies to navigate the online world is running into fierce opposition from major digital companies, civil liberties groups and law professors who say it would open the door to serious privacy infringements.
Privacy watchdog finds thousands of tax account breaches, urges stronger protections
OTTAWA -- The federal privacy watchdog says there have been more than 42,000 breaches at the Canada Revenue Agency since 2020 as a result of people gaining unauthorized access to, or modifying, taxpayer information.
Federal intelligence commissioner issued record number of decisions last year: report
OTTAWA -- The federal intelligence commissioner, who approves or denies key national security activities, issued 14 decisions last year -- the most in any single year since the position was created.
Supreme Court affirms law that curbs spy watchdog members' parliamentary privilege
OTTAWA -- The Supreme Court of Canada has upheld the constitutionality of legislation that limits the ability of members of a spy watchdog committee to use their parliamentary privilege to speak out.
Supreme Court of Canada to hear Churchill portrait thief's sentence appeal
OTTAWA -- The man who stole the "Roaring Lion" portrait of Winston Churchill from the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa will have a chance to appeal his sentence in the Supreme Court of Canada.
Bring military, spy agencies under federal whistleblower law, review report urges
OTTAWA -- A federal review report says members of the military and key spy agencies should be able to expose wrongdoing and file complaints through the government's whistle-blowing regime.
Bring military, spy agencies under federal whistleblower law: federal review report
OTTAWA -- A federal review report says members of the military and key spy agencies should be able to expose wrongdoing and file complaints through the government's whistle-blowing regime.
Youth pleads not guilty to terrorism charges in alleged plot to attack Jewish people
OTTAWA -- A youth has pleaded not guilty to three terrorism-related charges stemming from his alleged involvement in a plot to kill Jewish people in Ottawa.