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 Mike Le Couteur.
Cabinet ministers briefed on the increased pace of talks between Canada and the United States remain skeptical U.S. President Donald Trump will make the necessary concessions to secure a deal. However, many who spoke to CTV News are convinced he wants one, given the political pressure he faces in the midterms. One minister, who is not authorized to speak publicly...
Multiple government and industry sources close to trade discussions between Canada and the United States tell CTV News the momentum of the talks, just recently re-started in earnest, combined with U.S. President Donald Trump’s political vulnerabilities ahead of the midterms leads them to believe there is considerable appetite from the White House to strike a deal with Canada. All the...
Conservative MP Scott Aitchison has officially announced he’s resigning his seat following the conclusion of the fall parliamentary sitting. In a letter posted on social media on Wednesday, the 53-year-old said, “it is time for a new chapter where I will explore new opportunities.” Aitchison most recently served as the Conservatives’ housing critic and said the role, “allowed me to...
Days after Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed he studied the risk of U.S. military action against Canada, a former advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump said it can’t be ruled out. Anthony Scaramucci, who famously served as Trump’s communications director for 11 days in 2017 and has since become one of his loudest critics, said Trump is such a “wild...
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s attempt to bring Canada closer to Europe and strengthen ties with countries around the world will continue this week in U.S. President Donald Trump’s hometown, as he attends the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City. Senior government officials who briefed reporters ahead of the trip said Carney will meet...
Just days until new United States’ tariffs could be imposed on Canada, CTV News has learned the Americans’ proposals do not include any significant reduction on softwood lumber tariffs and would require American booze to return to store shelves immediately. In exchange, the Americans are willing to reduce so-called Section 232 tariffs impacting industries like autos, steel and aluminum. But...
With just six days to go before another wave of tariffs hit Canadian exports, Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Chief Trade Negotiator Janice Charette met face to face with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Thursday. The meeting took place inside Greer’s office, just steps away from the White House, and lasted 90 minutes. It’s the latest in a...
As scorching humidity made sightseeing a little more uncomfortable in Washington D.C., a number of American tourists told CTV News they wished Canada-U.S. relations weren’t as heated. In the shadow of the Washington Monument, New Jersey-native Fuquan Florence told CTV News that freer trade is always better between allies. “We’ve been friendly with Canada for so many years, and all...
As Prime Minister Mark Carney attempts to make Canada an energy superpower, he is conceding for the first time that the country’s greenhouse gas emissions will be “higher in the next few years” than projected under the previous government’s plan. The admission came in his second “Forward Guidance” video address to Canadians released on Tuesday. “In my judgement, that plan...
The Conservative party of Canada may have been the first political party in this country to use AI-generated footage for an ad, but it won’t be the last according to experts. The party released a video on social media June 5 depicting people lining up at a food bank, losing their jobs and losing their homes with the punchline that...
The federal and British Columbia governments are following through on a promise to help the community of Tumbler Ridge rebuild by pledging $100 million each for the community to build a new school. The current school was the scene of one Canada’s deadliest mass shootings. “A new school for bright kids to learn, grow, and dream. Better facilities for the...
Despite agreeing to a “common set of principles” for a safer and more secure digital space for minors, leaders of G7 countries are unlikely to come to a consensus on government regulations against online harms, according to senior government officials. The background briefing was given to reporters ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s trip to Ireland and France later this...
In a rare joint warning, Canada and other Five Eyes intelligence sharing countries say China is using professional networking sites like LinkedIn, Indeed and Upwork to target current and former government or military personnel who could have access to “classified or privileged information.” The alert was drafted by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the Australia Security Intelligence Organization, the...
Prime Minister Mark Carney has unveiled a new Canada-U.S. advisory council ahead of a formal CUSMA review process this summer. The council is made up of some members from the previous council while adding former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole, former Conservative cabinet minister Lisa Raitt, former premiers P.J. Akeeagok and Jean Charest, as well as former Canadian High Commissioner to...
he opening date of the new bridge linking Canada and the U.S. is being quietly negotiated to let the criticism around it die down, according to an American source familiar with talks. The source tells CTV News both sides are trying not to do anything that would “trigger the kooks and crackpots” around U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened...
New NDP Leader Avi Lewis says “hard conversations” will be necessary as he takes the helm of the party amid public backlash for his leadership from provincial NDP leaders. “I do believe that hard conversations are necessary. I’m a person who actually welcomes them,” Lewis said while speaking to reporters in Winnipeg on Monday. Lewis won the leadership on Sunday...
The Liberal government is one step closer to forming a majority as another opposition MP has decided to join its ranks. Former NDP MP for Nunavut Lori Idlout was accompanied into her first Liberal caucus meeting by Prime Minister Mark Carney who praised his new recruit as one of “Canada’s greatest constituency MPs.” Noting that she represents a riding the...
As the federal government seeks to bolster its domestic defence industry, Industry Minister Melanie Joly announced more than $900 million for defence innovation in Canada, including money for drone technology with Bombardier. Joly made the announcement in Ottawa on Monday at the National Research Council (NRC), alongside National Defence Minister David McGuinty and Secretary of State (Defence Procurement) Stephen Fuhr...
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre are pushing for collaboration after a one-on-one meeting on Parliament Hill on Wednesday. It was the first meeting between the two leaders in 2026 and coincides with the start of the winter sitting. In a post to X following the roughly 30-minute gathering, Carney said “we need Parliament to move swiftly...
Twenty years after he was sworn in as Canada’s 22nd prime minister, Stephen Harper was once again the reason Conservatives descended on Ottawa, but this time for the unveiling of his official portrait. The event brought together a number of former ministers and staffers who served with Harper on Parliament Hill between 2006 and 2015. Prior to the ceremony, many...
Two former members of the federal Net-Zero Advisory Body say they’re “worried about the future of Canada” and say the country will not meet its commitment to lower greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45 per cent by 2030. Catherine Abreu and Simon Donner were founding members of the expert-appointed body which advises the government on the path to net-zero...
Steven Guilbeault has resigned from the prime minister’s cabinet, citing his strong opposition to the federal Liberal government’s major new energy agreement with Alberta, accusing Mark Carney of dismantling of climate plans. The dramatic departure comes just hours after Carney signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) alongside Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, laying the groundwork for strengthened cooperation on major energy...
Help is on the way for Canadian steel producers and those in softwood lumber affected by the ongoing trade dispute with the United States. Multiple senior government sources confirmed to CTV News that Prime Minister Mark Carney will announce measures on Wednesday to protect the steel industry, which has been hit with 50 per cent tariffs by the Trump administration...
Energy Minister Tim Hodgson is set to announce a new alliance to secure critical minerals for G7 countries, a source told CTV News. The goal of the alliance is to “secure transparent, democratic, and environmentally responsible critical minerals for G7 partners,” according to the source who spoke on background. They described it as a central outcome of Canada’s G7 strategy...
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s pre-budget address on Wednesday in Ottawa is set to focus on “the new government’s economic plan,” a source familiar with the speech tells CTV News. Carney is scheduled to speak to a group of university students on Wednesday evening, and the source sought to frame the rationale for that audience being that they are the generation...
Canadian officials are in Washington to meet U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi Wednesday for a discussion on border security. Justice Minister Sean Fraser, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and fentanyl czar Kevin Brosseau will meet Bondi at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), CTV News has confirmed. The DOJ reached out to Canadian officials to schedule the talks. The Canadian...
CTV News has learned that Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc met with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick Tuesday morning, with LeBlanc’s office describing the meeting as “constructive and lengthy.” They said the meeting was scheduled for one hour, but lasted more than 90 minutes. Kirsten Hillman, Canadian ambassador to the U.S., was also at the meeting, as was Marc-Andre Blanchard, Prime...
Canada’s former ambassador to the U.S. says the federal government’s self-imposed deadline to reach a new economic and security deal with the U.S. is “not realistic at the present moment.” “I don’t think that we’re going to reach anything of a significant breakthrough by the 21st,” David MacNaughton said in an interview with CTV News on Thursday. “I think one...
Canada’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister is calling for a wartime effort to build big national infrastructure projects as envisioned by recently passed bill C-5. In a keynote address to the Toronto Region Board of Trade, Tim Hodgson issued a call to action to business leaders to “bring your best ideas forward” as the country attempts to retool the economy...
RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme is describing ongoing talks with Indian officials over the killing of a Canadian Sikh leader as “good” after India previously refused to cooperate. “We are rebuilding these relationships. The conversations have been positive, and we’re looking at planning other meetings with them as well,” Duheme said in an exclusive interview with CTV’s Power Play on Thursday...
Mark Carney’s plan for Canada includes $130 billion in new spending which will see the country run deficits until at least the fiscal year 2028-2029. Entitled “Unite, Secure, Protect, Build”-- the platform also commits more than $18 billion of spending on national defence, putting Canada on track to “exceed our NATO target by the year 2030,” according to policy experts...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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.
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...
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...
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...
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.
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...
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.
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...
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...
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.
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.
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.
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...