Mike Le Couteur

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Canadian MAGA hats, knives and e-cigarettes among items confiscated from Poilievre rallies

Canadian MAGA hats, knives and e-cigarettes among items confiscated from Poilievre rallies

Here are some observations from having attended a few of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s rallies on the campaign trail so far. Seen near the entrance is a table of confiscated items that were being held for people to collect on their way out of the rally. There were a number of knives, e-cigarettes, Canadian MAGA hats, one red “Make America...

Carney says there’s a ‘limit’ to U.S. tariff response, says Canada ‘can stand up for ourselves’

Carney says there’s a ‘limit’ to U.S. tariff response, says Canada ‘can stand up for ourselves’

With Canada in the midst of a trade war with the U.S. and facing ongoing sovereignty attacks from U.S. President Donald Trump, Mark Carney – in his first foreign trip as prime minister – aimed to deepen and develop trading ties with the United Kingdon and France, while also admitting “there is a limit” to Canada’s tariff response to the...

Carney looks to double down on key European partnerships

Carney looks to double down on key European partnerships

In his first foreign trip as prime minister, Mark Carney hopes to deepen and develop trading ties with “two of our strongest and most reliable partners,” he said in a statement before leaving for France and the United Kingdom. The meetings on Monday with French President Emmanuel Macron, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III come as Canada...

Carney meeting with heads of national security agencies in second day as PM-designate

Carney meeting with heads of national security agencies in second day as PM-designate

Prime minister-designate Mark Carney is spending part of his second day as Liberal leader meeting with the heads of Canada’s national security agencies, CTV News has learned. According to a source close to Carney, he is receiving national security briefings days ahead of his anticipated swearing-in as prime minister of Canada. It comes as a spokesperson for Carney tells CTV...

Freeland plans tax cuts for middle class, eliminate GST on new homes for young Canadians

Freeland plans tax cuts for middle class, eliminate GST on new homes for young Canadians

Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland is promising to cut income taxes for 11 million Canadians within the first year of forming government, according to a release from her campaign. Freeland made the announcement as part of a broader plan focusing on affordability issues facing Canadians. The former finance minister is targeting the second income tax bracket where she is promising...

BoC cuts key interest rate to 3% as tariff threats loom

BoC cuts key interest rate to 3% as tariff threats loom

Canada’s central bank has cut interest rates for a sixth consecutive time as inflation remains around two per cent and the threat of U.S. tariffs looms.The 25-basis point cut comes as the Bank of Canada forecasts GDP growth will strengthen in 2025 if there is no trade war with the United States.

PM, premiers talk interprovincial trade to shore up Canadian economy: PMO

PM, premiers talk interprovincial trade to shore up Canadian economy: PMO

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the premiers discussed interprovincial trade on Wednesday as a way of shoring up the Canadian economy – according to a news release from the Prime Minister’s office – as U.S. President Donald Trump looks to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canada as soon as Feb. 1. The topic was part of a virtual discussion...

Freeland to scrap consumer carbon tax if she becomes next Liberal leader: source

Freeland to scrap consumer carbon tax if she becomes next Liberal leader: source

As former finance minister Chrystia Freeland prepares to launch a Liberal leadership bid, a source close to her says scrapping the controversial consumer carbon tax will be one of her policy planks. “She is ready to make difficult decisions to meet our emissions targets and make sure big polluters pay for their outsized emissions. But she will not fight Canadians...

Canadian government announces new border security plan amid Donald Trump tariff threats

Canadian government announces new border security plan amid Donald Trump tariff threats

The federal government has laid out a five-pillared approach to boosting border security, though it doesn’t include specifics about where and how the $1.3-billion funding package earmarked in the fall economic statement will be allocated. The announcement comes after U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian imports unless Canada halts the flow...

Alberta premier says federal border plan coming Monday

Alberta premier says federal border plan coming Monday

The much-anticipated federal plan to address issues at the Canada-U.S. border will be unveiled on Monday according to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.Smith says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau laid out the plan to premiers on a virtual call with the 13 provincial and territorial leaders Wednesday afternoon.

Opposition leaders talk unity following Trudeau meeting about Trump, minister calls 51st state comment 'teasing'

Opposition leaders talk unity following Trudeau meeting about Trump, minister calls 51st state comment 'teasing'

The prime minister’s emergency meeting with opposition leaders on Tuesday appears to have bolstered a more united front against U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s tariff threats. The meeting comes four days after Trudeau met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, where the two spoke about a wide range of issues the incoming president would like to see addressed. Trump has threatened significant tariffs...

Trudeau to brief opposition leaders on Trump meeting

Trudeau to brief opposition leaders on Trump meeting

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will meet with all opposition leaders today before question period to brief them about his meeting with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump.

Centre Block renovation facing timeline and budget 'pressures'

Centre Block renovation facing timeline and budget 'pressures'

The multi-billion-dollar renovation of parliament’s Centre Block building continues to be on time and on budget, but construction crews are facing “pressures” when it comes to the deadline and total costs, according to the department in charge of the project. During a tour with members of the media, senior director for Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) Siavash Mohajer said...

Government calls $9M condo purchase an 'operational decision'

Government calls $9M condo purchase an 'operational decision'

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly defends the purchase of a $9 million condo for the Consulate General of New York City at a parliamentary committee, as a necessary investment. For an hour, the Liberal minister pushed back on accusations from Conservative members of the committee who accused the government of wasting taxpayer dollars on a luxury condo located on billionaire's...

Man charged after attempting to force his way into the House of Commons: police

Man charged after attempting to force his way into the House of Commons: police

On the tenth anniversary of the shooting on Parliament Hill, a man was arrested and charged with trespassing as he attempted to push past security guards into the House of Commons.It happened just before 11 a.m. ET Wednesday at the south entrance of the West Block building, the same entrance often used by members of Parliament and staff.

U.S. becoming more protectionist, former ambassador warns Trudeau cabinet

U.S. becoming more protectionist, former ambassador warns Trudeau cabinet

Canada's former ambassador to the United States warns that our country could be dealing with a more protectionist trade partner, regardless of who wins the presidential election.David MacNaughton made the comments in an interview with CTV News as he attended the Liberal government cabinet retreat in Halifax.

'This is the Canada team': Former U.S. ambassador to Canada says of Harris VP pick

'This is the Canada team': Former U.S. ambassador to Canada says of Harris VP pick

Following the news of U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris' pick for a running mate, former U.S. ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman says he believes the pair would be ideal for Canada-U.S. relations.Harris named Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her vice-presidential pick for the Democratic ticket in a post on social media early Tuesday.

Sale of envoy's NYC condo 'expected to exceed' $9M: government

Sale of envoy's NYC condo 'expected to exceed' $9M: government

The current official residence for Canada's representative in New York City is "being readied for sale," according to a spokesperson from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and it could go for more than $9 million. In a statement to CTV News, Jean-Pierre J. Godbout said the current condo located in Manhattan's Upper East Side neighbourhood "is expected to exceed the purchase...

Canada's envoy to NYC called to testify about $9M condo purchase on 'Billionaires' Row'

Canada's envoy to NYC called to testify about $9M condo purchase on 'Billionaires' Row'

Canada’s Consul General in New York will have to explain the government's decision to buy a $9 million condo in Manhattan's famous "Billionaires’ Row," to a parliamentary committee. Tom Clark, the deputy minister of Foreign Affairs and other departmental officials have been summoned to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, to justify the government’s purchase of new unit...

Poilievre vows to fire envoy as Canada buys a $9M condo for diplomat in NYC

Poilievre vows to fire envoy as Canada buys a $9M condo for diplomat in NYC

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is promising to fire Canada’s consul general in New York City if the Tories wins the next federal election. In a post on social media, Poilievre called the former journalist, Tom Clark, a Liberal media hack in response to the government’s decision to buy a $9-million condominium in Manhattan. Global Affairs Canada (GAC) confirms the department...

Canada's envoy in London hopeful Britain's Labour party will restart trade talks

Canada's envoy in London hopeful Britain's Labour party will restart trade talks

The Labour Party’s landslide win in the United Kingdom election Thursday is renewing hope that trade talks between Ottawa and London could re-start according to Canada’s High Commissioner in the U.K. In the hours following Keir Starmer win, Canada’s envoy in London told CTV News he believes a change in government could be a good thing since talks between the...

Defence industry, allies call for Canada to increase military investments

Defence industry, allies call for Canada to increase military investments

Canada's announcement of an $11.2-billion contract to improve training platforms for the military is getting a lukewarm reception at the country's largest defence trade show, as allies and military industry companies want to see more investment from the federal government. Bill Blair detailed the contract, which includes the purchase of 70 training aircraft, in a keynote speech at the Canadian...

Trudeau's speech to union delegates took aim at Conservatives

Trudeau's speech to union delegates took aim at Conservatives

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s trip to the United States targeted U.S. lawmakers, but also his political opponents in Canada, as his speech to one of the largest unions in North America attempted to make the case that his party cares more about workers’ rights than Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives. A senior government source told CTV News drawing that comparison between the...

'Mr. Trump doesn't worry us', says Canadian ambassador

'Mr. Trump doesn't worry us', says Canadian ambassador

As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues the "Team Canada"(opens in a new tab) charm offensive to U.S. lawmakers and business leaders, Canada's ambassador to the United States downplayed the effect of another Trump presidency on Canada.

Conservative MP says Chinese hacking attack targeted his personal email

Conservative MP says Chinese hacking attack targeted his personal email

A Conservative MP is challenging claims by House of Commons administration that a China-backed hacking attempt did not impact any members of Parliament, because the attack was on his personal email. Garnett Genuis rose in the House Wednesday saying the cyberattack by the group known as APT31 targeted this personal email account, not his parliamentary account, meaning he wasn’t sure...

Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?

Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?

The war of words over the price on pollution reached a new level this week with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warning Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe that the Canada Revenue Agency will be knocking on his door, looking for the province's remittance from the federal backstop, after Moe stopped collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating. "Good luck...

'A significant overreach': Canada housing plan draws provincial pushback

'A significant overreach': Canada housing plan draws provincial pushback

Jurisdictional jousting has begun over federal funding for housing projects as provincial leaders tell the Trudeau government to stay in its lane. Over the last week, the Trudeau Liberals have announced billions in funding to kick-start home building in the country. Much of that money comes with conditions that the provinces meet certain criteria and a number of benchmarks. “This...

Companies tied to ArriveCan scandal banned from bidding on federal contracts

Companies tied to ArriveCan scandal banned from bidding on federal contracts

The Canadian government moved Wednesday to restrict two firms tied to the controversial ArriveCan app from bidding on future federal contracts. First, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) announced it would ban GC Strategies — the company at the heart of the scandal surrounding the ArriveCan app — from participating in federal procurements with security requirements. The move came in...

Anand 'very surprised' to learn DND employee's company got ArriveCan contract, Poilievre calls for police probe

Anand 'very surprised' to learn DND employee's company got ArriveCan contract, Poilievre calls for police probe

News that the CEO of Dalian Enterprises, which received $7.9 million for its work on the ArriveCan app, was also an employee of the Department of National Defence (DND) was a "surprise" to former defence minister Anita Anand. "I was definitely not aware. I was very surprised to hear this news," the Treasury Board President said to reporters on Parliament...

ArriveCan-connected firm GC Strategies given 34 contracts worth $59.8M since 2015

ArriveCan-connected firm GC Strategies given 34 contracts worth $59.8M since 2015

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) confirms GC Strategies Inc., the firm that received the first ArriveCan contract, has been awarded 34 government contracts since 2015, worth a total of $59.8 million. Now, it's no longer eligible for more. In a statement to CTV News late Thursday, PSPC spokesperson Michèle LaRose said all of these contracts have either expired or...