Sarah Ritchie

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 Sarah Ritchie.

Conservatives plan national campaign against federal electric vehicle mandates

Conservatives plan national campaign against federal electric vehicle mandates

OTTAWA -- Pierre Poilievre is planning to swap his fight against the carbon tax this fall for a new battle against what he's calling the "Carney tax."

Carney, other world leaders meet ahead of Trump-Putin summit on Ukraine war

Carney, other world leaders meet ahead of Trump-Putin summit on Ukraine war

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney met virtually Wednesday with the "Coalition of the Willing" -- a group of nations that have agreed to support Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion -- ahead of ceasefire negotiations set for Friday.

Carney, Zelenskyy talk as world leaders prepare for Trump-Putin summit on Ukraine war

Carney, Zelenskyy talk as world leaders prepare for Trump-Putin summit on Ukraine war

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday as world leaders sought to co-ordinate their response to a U.S.-Russia war summit that will not include Ukraine.

Conservative campaign manager Jenni Byrne says she won't run the next campaign

Conservative campaign manager Jenni Byrne says she won't run the next campaign

OTTAWA -- Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre will have to hire a new campaign manager for the next election, now that Jenni Byrne has said she will not be returning to the role.

Conservatives still lead in party fundraising as Liberals close in

Conservatives still lead in party fundraising as Liberals close in

OTTAWA -- The Conservatives are still bringing in more through donations than any other federal political party, but their fundraising has dropped since the spring election.

Diabetes Canada calls on federal government to reset pharmacare program

Diabetes Canada calls on federal government to reset pharmacare program

OTTAWA -- As the federal Liberals consider a path forward for a national pharmacare plan, one advocacy group is calling on the government to rethink the program to make it work better for patients and save money.

Diabetes Canada calls for federal government to reset pharmacare program

Diabetes Canada calls for federal government to reset pharmacare program

OTTAWA -- Advocates for people with diabetes want the federal government to restructure what they see as a flawed pharmacare program.

Advocates question fairness as federal government backs away from pharmacare program

Advocates question fairness as federal government backs away from pharmacare program

OTTAWA -- Health advocates say they're shocked to hear the federal government may not sign more pharmacare funding deals, which would leave coverage uneven across the country.

Nurses group hopes premiers' new sense of unity will lead to labour mobility

Nurses group hopes premiers' new sense of unity will lead to labour mobility

OTTAWA -- The Canadian Nurses Association says it hopes the new "united Team Canada" approach at the Council of the Federation will lead to harmonization of nurses' licences across the country.

Federal health minister non-committal on signing more pharmacare deals

Federal health minister non-committal on signing more pharmacare deals

OTTAWA -- Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel is not committing to sign pharmacare funding deals with all provinces and territories.

Military Police Complaints Commission investigating botched shooter drill on CAF base

Military Police Complaints Commission investigating botched shooter drill on CAF base

OTTAWA -- The Military Police Complaints Commission will hold public hearings to investigate what happened during a botched active-shooter drill on a Canadian Forces base last fall that reportedly left an employee injured and traumatized.

Federal officials say wildfire forecast shows high risk of more fires in August

Federal officials say wildfire forecast shows high risk of more fires in August

OTTAWA -- The 2025 wildfire season is already one of the worst on record for Canada, federal officials said Friday, and there is a high risk that more fires will break out in August.

Government extends temporary trade war relief measures for employment insurance

Government extends temporary trade war relief measures for employment insurance

OTTAWA -- The federal government is extending changes it made in March to the employment insurance program in response to the trade war with the U.S.

The Conservative party raised a record amount in 2024 -- and spent even more

The Conservative party raised a record amount in 2024 -- and spent even more

OTTAWA -- The Conservative party's spending outstripped its record fundraising total in 2024 as it ramped up advertising and internal polling ahead of the federal election.

Alberta byelection called for Aug. 18, giving Poilievre path back to House of Commons

Alberta byelection called for Aug. 18, giving Poilievre path back to House of Commons

OTTAWA -- Pierre Poilievre has chosen one of the safest possible places to make his return to the House of Commons -- but the rural Alberta riding he's hoping to win in an August byelection could also be dangerous territory for the Conservative leader.

Alberta byelection called for Aug. 18, giving Poilievre path back to House of Commons

Alberta byelection called for Aug. 18, giving Poilievre path back to House of Commons

OTTAWA -- Pierre Poilievre has chosen one of the safest possible places to make his return to the House of Commons — but the rural Alberta riding he's hoping to win in an August byelection could also be dangerous territory for the Conservative leader.

Former B.C. finance minister says Conservative nomination process needs examination

Former B.C. finance minister says Conservative nomination process needs examination

OTTAWA -- A longtime British Columbia MLA who was rejected as a candidate by the federal Conservatives in the April election is calling on the party to examine its nomination process.

Liberals, Conservatives pass major projects legislation in House of Commons

Liberals, Conservatives pass major projects legislation in House of Commons

OTTAWA -- Conservative members of Parliament voted with the minority Liberal government to pass its marquee major projects legislation Friday evening, setting it up to become law before Canada Day.

Liberals, Conservatives pass major projects legislation in House of Commons

Liberals, Conservatives pass major projects legislation in House of Commons

OTTAWA -- Conservative members of Parliament voted with the minority Liberal government to pass its marquee major projects legislation Friday evening, setting it up to become law before Canada Day.

Conservatives set January dates for convention, review of Poilievre's leadership

Conservatives set January dates for convention, review of Poilievre's leadership

OTTAWA -- Members of the Conservative party will hold a national convention in late January, where they'll vote on Pierre Poilievre's leadership.

Joly promises quick decision on help for steel, aluminum industries rocked by tariffs

Joly promises quick decision on help for steel, aluminum industries rocked by tariffs

OTTAWA -- Industry Minister Melanie Joly said Thursday U.S. tariffs have left Canada's steel and aluminum industries in a state of emergency and promised the federal government will "take a decision very quickly" on how it can help.

Ottawa shows no signs of limiting MAID after UN panel calls for reversal

Ottawa shows no signs of limiting MAID after UN panel calls for reversal

OTTAWA -- Ottawa is giving no sign that it intends to amend existing legislation on medical assistance in dying -- something a UN committee called for earlier this spring.

Government rejects Bloc's call to split internal trade, major projects legislation

Government rejects Bloc's call to split internal trade, major projects legislation

OTTAWA -- Government House leader Steven MacKinnon says the Liberals won't split up Bill C-5, legislation introduced last week to push forward projects deemed to be in the national interest.

Poll suggests half of Canadians believe Israel is committing genocide in Gaza

Poll suggests half of Canadians believe Israel is committing genocide in Gaza

OTTAWA -- A new poll suggests that nearly half of Canadians believe Israel is committing genocide in Gaza almost two years after the current conflict began.

New federal bill aims to improve labour mobility, eliminate internal trade barriers

New federal bill aims to improve labour mobility, eliminate internal trade barriers

OTTAWA -- The Liberal government has introduced legislation aimed at cutting down barriers to internal trade by recognizing provincial and territorial rules at the federal level.

Health minister says forced addictions treatment lacks evidence, feds won't intervene

Health minister says forced addictions treatment lacks evidence, feds won't intervene

OTTAWA -- Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel says there's no evidence that forcing people into addictions treatment works -- but she won't weigh in on whether provinces should pursue involuntary treatment.

Son of woman who inspired assisted dying law chooses to die on his own terms

Son of woman who inspired assisted dying law chooses to die on his own terms

OTTAWA -- Price Carter is planning to die this summer.

Poilievre finds himself a spectator as debate gets underway in Parliament

Poilievre finds himself a spectator as debate gets underway in Parliament

OTTAWA -- Pierre Poilievre is in the unfamiliar position of watching the House of Commons as it gets underway today, instead of participating in the debate as he did for more than 20 years.

King's throne speech marks 'pivotal moment' in Canada's history, royal watchers say

King's throne speech marks 'pivotal moment' in Canada's history, royal watchers say

OTTAWA -- Crews were at work in downtown Ottawa on Friday morning, touching up the protective coating on bronze statues around the National War Memorial before a whirlwind royal visit gets underway on Monday.

Several MPs make pitches to colleagues to become next Speaker of the House of Commons

Several MPs make pitches to colleagues to become next Speaker of the House of Commons

OTTAWA -- At least six members of Parliament are asking their colleagues to support their bid to become the next Speaker of the House of Commons, including the last man to hold that job, Greg Fergus.

Here's what you need to know about King Charles and Queen Camilla's visit to Ottawa

Here's what you need to know about King Charles and Queen Camilla's visit to Ottawa

OTTAWA -- People in Ottawa will have several chances to get a glimpse of the King and Queen during next week's royal visit to Canada, their first since King Charles's coronation.

Stockwell Day supports Alberta vote on separation, warns it's dangerous for Tories

Stockwell Day supports Alberta vote on separation, warns it's dangerous for Tories

OTTAWA -- The Alberta separatist movement presents a danger to the federal Conservative party, said former Tory member of Parliament Stockwell Day.

Clock starts on timing of byelection Poilievre hopes to use to return to Parliament

Clock starts on timing of byelection Poilievre hopes to use to return to Parliament

OTTAWA -- The Conservatives know more today about when their leader could return to the House of Commons, now that Damien Kurek has been officially declared the member of Parliament for Battle River--Crowfoot.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre strikes positive tone ahead of caucus meeting

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre strikes positive tone ahead of caucus meeting

OTTAWA -- Conservatives will spend the summer "listening carefully to people" after yet another election loss, leader Pierre Poilievre said on Tuesday as he headed into the party's first caucus meeting since Canadians went to the polls last week.

New Conservative caucus set to meet in Ottawa as Poilievre pledges to learn, grow

New Conservative caucus set to meet in Ottawa as Poilievre pledges to learn, grow

OTTAWA -- Newly elected Conservatives and returning MPs are set to meet in Ottawa this morning as the party charts its path forward after last week's election loss to the Liberals.

Longest ballot group takes aim at byelection where Poilievre plans to run

Longest ballot group takes aim at byelection where Poilievre plans to run

OTTAWA -- The group that added dozens of candidates to the ballot in Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's riding in the recent federal election is planning to do the same in the upcoming byelection.

Party leaders make promises on job skills training, scam protection for seniors

Party leaders make promises on job skills training, scam protection for seniors

OTTAWA -- The main federal parties campaigned in the Montreal area Tuesday, with the Liberals pitching a new training benefit for mid-career workers and the Conservatives promising to protect seniors from scams.

Party leaders make announcements in Montreal as debate prep kicks into high gear

Party leaders make announcements in Montreal as debate prep kicks into high gear

OTTAWA -- The main federal parties are campaigning in the Montreal area as their leaders get ready for the debates later this week -- and the first face-to-face confrontation between Liberal Leader Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.

Poilievre pledges to use the notwithstanding clause, Carney talks defence procurement

Poilievre pledges to use the notwithstanding clause, Carney talks defence procurement

OTTAWA -- Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is promising that a government led by him would use the notwithstanding clause to override Charter rights to implement his tough-on-crime agenda -- something no prime minister has ever done.

Trump says Liberal government would be easier, says Poilievre is 'no friend of mine'

Trump says Liberal government would be easier, says Poilievre is 'no friend of mine'

OTTAWA -- With polls suggesting U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration's use of punishing tariffs are a top-of-mind issue for Canadians ahead of the upcoming federal election, Trump has now offered his thoughts on which political party he would rather work with.

Poilievre says Trump is right to say a Liberal PM would be easier to deal with

Poilievre says Trump is right to say a Liberal PM would be easier to deal with

OTTAWA -- With polls suggesting U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration's use of punishing tariffs are a top-of-mind issue for Canadians ahead of the upcoming federal election, Trump has now offered his thoughts on which political party he would rather work with.

Poilievre says Trump is right to say a Liberal PM would be easier to deal with

Poilievre says Trump is right to say a Liberal PM would be easier to deal with

OTTAWA -- With polls suggesting U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration's use of punishing tariffs are a top-of-mind issue for Canadians ahead of the upcoming federal election, Trump has now offered his thoughts on which political party he would rather work with.

Prime Minister Mark Carney's government terminates consumer carbon price

Prime Minister Mark Carney's government terminates consumer carbon price

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney's first move after taking office on Friday was to eliminate the consumer carbon price, undoing Justin Trudeau's signature climate policy.

Mark Carney set to become prime minister and name his cabinet this morning

Mark Carney set to become prime minister and name his cabinet this morning

OTTAWA -- Mark Carney will be sworn in as prime minister this morning at Rideau Hall, where he will also reveal his new cabinet.

Mark Carney set to name cabinet ministers at Friday morning ceremony

Mark Carney set to name cabinet ministers at Friday morning ceremony

OTTAWA -- Mark Carney will reveal the makeup of his cabinet on Friday morning, a collection of Liberal ministers who will see Canada through the next election.

Incoming prime minister Mark Carney says he has put his assets in a blind trust

Incoming prime minister Mark Carney says he has put his assets in a blind trust

OTTAWA -- Mark Carney's leadership campaign says he has given a "full and robust conflict of interest management plan" to the country's ethics commissioner.

Conservative candidate drops out of race for Ontario seat as election looms

Conservative candidate drops out of race for Ontario seat as election looms

OTTAWA -- The Conservative candidate for a northern Ontario riding has dropped out just weeks ahead of an expected election, citing issues with the local electoral district board.

The Liberals are about to choose the next prime minister. What happens next?

The Liberals are about to choose the next prime minister. What happens next?

OTTAWA -- The Liberals will choose a new leader Sunday, marking the end of Justin Trudeau's decade as prime minister.

Service Canada says you'll soon get your passport processed in 30 days, or it's free

Service Canada says you'll soon get your passport processed in 30 days, or it's free

OTTAWA -- The federal government says it's going to implement a new 30-business-day guarantee for passports.

Manitoba becomes first province to join national pharmacare program with $219M deal

Manitoba becomes first province to join national pharmacare program with $219M deal

OTTAWA -- Manitoba became the first province to officially join Ottawa's pharmacare program today, giving it access to federal funding to cover the cost of birth control and diabetes medications.

Polls suggest a close race as federal election approaches

Polls suggest a close race as federal election approaches

OTTAWA -- Multiple polls now suggest the next federal election -- which could begin in a matter of weeks -- will be a tight race.

The Tories say Carney is being 'sneaky' about his assets. What do the rules say?

The Tories say Carney is being 'sneaky' about his assets. What do the rules say?

OTTAWA -- In a series of press conferences in recent weeks, the federal Conservatives have demanded that Liberal leadership candidate Mark Carney comply with the conflict of interest rules that apply to members of Parliament and cabinet ministers.

Poilievre sticks with 'axe the tax,' adds policy details to slogans as election nears

Poilievre sticks with 'axe the tax,' adds policy details to slogans as election nears

OTTAWA -- The Conservatives' favourite slogan -- "axe the tax" -- has been a rallying cry for the better part of three years as frustrated Canadians looked for relief from the rising cost of living.

Poilievre pledges to restore 'promise of Canada' in campaign-style speech

Poilievre pledges to restore 'promise of Canada' in campaign-style speech

OTTAWA -- Pierre Poilievre began a speech on Saturday with a quote from the country's first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, pledging to create a united, rich nation "instead of making us a tributary to American laws, to American railways, to American bondage, to American tolls."

Hundreds show up to Conservative party's 'Canada First' rally in Ottawa

Hundreds show up to Conservative party's 'Canada First' rally in Ottawa

OTTAWA -- Hundreds of people have filled a downtown Ottawa convention centre to hear Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre speak this afternoon.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to speak at 'Canada First' rally in Ottawa

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to speak at 'Canada First' rally in Ottawa

OTTAWA -- Pierre Poilievre is set to address Conservative party supporters this afternoon at a rally in downtown Ottawa.

Conservative caucus meets in Ottawa as poll numbers slump and Trump's threats loom

Conservative caucus meets in Ottawa as poll numbers slump and Trump's threats loom

OTTAWA -- As political parties gear up for a federal election campaign that could begin as soon as March 10, the Conservatives appear focused on the man they believe they'll be running against: Mark Carney.

Conservative strategists say Trump comparisons no reason for Poilievre to change gear

Conservative strategists say Trump comparisons no reason for Poilievre to change gear

OTTAWA -- Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's pledge to boost Arctic security through a "massive" cut to Canada's foreign aid budget has led to renewed attacks from his political opponents, who are accusing him of borrowing policy from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Federal government hosts Canada-U.S. economic summit during tariff threat pause

Federal government hosts Canada-U.S. economic summit during tariff threat pause

OTTAWA -- The federal government is hosting a summit in Toronto today aimed at bolstering the economy in the face of Canada's rapidly changing relationship with its largest trading partner.

Opposition parties call for Parliament's return after Trump hits pause on tariffs

Opposition parties call for Parliament's return after Trump hits pause on tariffs

OTTAWA -- The federal Conservatives and New Democrats say the government needs to recall Parliament within the next month to act on U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threat.