Louis Blouin

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 Louis Blouin.

Louis Blouin

Donald Trump says he had an 'extremely productive' call with PM Carney - Canada, US to negotiate new economic, security relationship after election: Carney

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada and the U.S. will begin comprehensive negotiations for a "new economic and security relationship" immediately after the Canadian election. But Carney also told U.S. President Donald Trump in a phone call this morning that Canada will be implementing new retaliatory tariffs to protect the Canadian economy and workers next week after Trump imposes his...

Catharine Tunney, Louis Blouin, Laurence Martin

Carney slams Poilievre's 'irresponsible' lack of security clearance after reports India meddled in leadership

Conservative leader has long rejected calls to go through the process, claiming it would muzzle him. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's refusal to get his security clearance is back in the spotlight on the campaign trail following reports the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) learned that India helped organize support for his leadership bid. The Globe and Mail reported Tuesday that...

Peter Zimonjic, Louis Blouin

Carney will ask Governor General to dissolve Parliament Sunday and call election, sources say

Voting day will either be April 28 or May 5, according to sources. Prime Minister Mark Carney will ask the Governor General to dissolve Parliament and call a federal election this Sunday, Radio-Canada has learned.The election campaign will kick off barely a week after Carney was sworn in as prime minister and appointed his cabinet.

Louis Blouin, Catharine Tunney

Freeland to be transport minister, Guilbeault Quebec lieutenant in Carney cabinet: sources

Prime minister-designate Carney aiming for leaner cabinet of 15 to 20 members. Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos and former Liberal leadership candidate Karina Gould will not be in Mark Carney's cabinet, sources tell CBC News. But a source with knowledge of the decision told CBC News that Carney has invited another former leadership rival, Chrystia Freeland, to become...

Louis Blouin

Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge will not seek re-election: source

St-Onge also plans to unveil proposal to modernize CBC/Radio-Canada's mandate. Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge will not seek re-election, Radio-Canada has learned. However, she will shortly unveil her proposal to modernize CBC/Radio-Canada's mandate. According to a Liberal source, St-Onge will announce this week that she will not be a candidate in the next election. She represents the riding of Brome-Missisquoi in...

Louis Blouin

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly to endorse Mark Carney for Liberal leader: sources

Joly’s endorsement gives Carney an important boost in Quebec. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly will endorse Mark Carney in the race for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada, Radio-Canada has learned.Joly will make the announcement in a written statement on Sunday, according to a source with knowledge of the decision who spoke to Radio-Canada.

Louis Blouin

Trudeau made last-ditch effort to buy time for his government: sources

PM asked NDP and Bloc leaders to support budget, extend his government for several weeks. After announcing his departure, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tried to reach an agreement with opposition leaders so that his government would survive a few more weeks in Parliament, Radio-Canada has learned. Sources said the day after announcing he would resign on Monday, the prime minister...

Louis Blouin

Liberal government to announce new gun control measures: sources

Several hundred models to be added to government's list of banned weapons. The federal government will announce new gun control measures today — one day before the anniversary of the massacre at École Polytechnique de Montréal. Two senior government officials told Radio-Canada the government will be adding several hundred models and variants to its list of banned weapons. Public Safety...

Louis Blouin

Ottawa going ahead with high-speed rail between Quebec City and Toronto

The Trudeau government will announce plans for a high-speed train linking Quebec City and Toronto in the coming weeks, Radio-Canada has learned.Proponents of the project hope the train will take passengers from Montreal to Toronto in three hours. By car, it takes about five-and-a-half hours to travel between the two cities.

Louis Blouin

4 more Trudeau cabinet ministers won't seek re-election: sources

Prime minister to shuffle cabinet in coming weeks, sources say. Four more federal cabinet ministers will not run for re-election, Radio-Canada has learned, meaning Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will reshuffle his cabinet at a time when his leadership is increasingly fragile. Marie-Claude Bibeau (National Revenue), Carla Qualtrough (Sports), Filomena Tassi (Economic Development for Southern Ontario) and Dan Vandal (Northern Affairs)...

Louis Blouin

Pablo Rodriguez to sit as Independent while seeking Quebec Liberal leadership

Liberal MP Pablo Rodriguez announced his resignation from cabinet on Thursday and said he will sit as an Independent until the launch of the Quebec Liberal Party leadership race next year.At a news conference in Gatineau, Que., Rodriguez said he is staying on until January to avoid a costly byelection weeks or possibly months before a general election.

Laurence Martin, Louis Blouin

With Trudeau on the ropes, Liberals contemplate the next election with hope and anxiety

In Justin Trudeau's inner circle, there is no doubt about it — the prime minister will lead his party into what promises to be a hard-fought election battle against Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives in 2025. He says he wants to defend his vision of the country. He feels his legacy is under threat. He considered stepping down during his...

Daniel Leblanc, Louis Blouin

Ottawa plans to launch controversial firearms buyback program during election year

Ottawa is planning to roll out a mandatory buyback program for military-style firearms during the 2025 election year, after the program was delayed by Canada Post's refusal to participate, sources say.With only months to go before its launch, details of the vast logistical operation remain in flux, federal officials have told Radio-Canada.

Louis Blouin

Ottawa slow-walking Israel's request for permission to import armoured vehicles: sources

The federal government is deliberately slow-walking a request from Israel for permission to import Canadian-made light armoured vehicles, two sources tell Radio-Canada. Shortly after the deadly Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on Israeli citizens — which left about 1,200 people dead and some 250 others taken hostage — the Israeli government sent a request to the office of Foreign...

Louis Blouin, Christian Noel, David Thurton

NDP threatens stalling tactics, end of agreement with Liberals over slow pace of pharmacare talks

The federal NDP has warned its Parliament Hill staff to prepare themselves for the possible sudden termination of the party's supply-and-confidence deal with the Liberals — a bipartisan cooperation agreement which may be holding off an early election. A senior NDP source who was not authorized to speak publicly told CBC News the party held a meeting Tuesday to tell...

Darren Major, Louis Blouin

Ottawa planning to reduce volume of international students in certain provinces: source

The federal government is planning to reduce the volume of international students in certain provinces, according to a senior government source.Ottawa shares jurisdiction over Canada's international student program with the provinces. The federal government issues visas for students while provincial governments are responsible for regulating colleges and universities.