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.

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

The federal Conservatives raised a record amount of money in 2024 and ramped up their spending in a major way ahead of the federal election, according to records filed with Elections Canada. The Tories brought in $42 million in donations and another $5 million in membership fees last year.

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

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. Damien Kurek resigned his seat in Battle River—Crowfoot earlier this month after winning more than 82 per cent...

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 to House

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

Ottawa -- A byelection has been called in the federal riding of Battle River--Crowfoot, where Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is hoping to win a seat in the House of Commons.

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.

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

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

Members of the Conservative party will hold a national convention in late January, where they'll vote on Pierre Poilievre's leadership. The party's national council has scheduled the convention for Jan. 29 and 31 in Calgary. Poilievre, who lost his seat in the House of Commons in the April election, will face a secret ballot vote on his continued leadership.

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.

Liberals, Conservatives pass major projects legislation in House of Commons

Liberals, Conservatives pass major projects legislation in House of Commons

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. The legislation, also known as the one Canadian economy act, would allow the government to green-light a list of projects that have been deemed to be in the national interest, fast-tracking their...

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 Mélanie 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.

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

A new poll suggests that nearly half of Canadians believe Israel is committing genocide in Gaza almost two years after the current conflict began. In a survey conducted last weekend, the polling firm Leger asked Canadians and Americans a series of questions about the conflict in the Gaza Strip. Leger surveyed 1,511 Canadians and 1,011 Americans between June 6 and...

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

The Liberal government has introduced legislation aimed at cutting down barriers to internal trade by recognizing provincial and territorial rules at the federal level. Officials who briefed reporters this morning say the goal is to reduce the number of redundant standards across the country.

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.

Poilievre names 48 Conservative MPs as critics, announces House leadership team

Poilievre names 48 Conservative MPs as critics, announces House leadership team

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has unveiled his party's leadership team and critic roles ahead of next week's return to the House of Commons. He's named 48 Conservative members of Parliament to critic roles, while another 14 will become associate critics.

Poilievre names 48 Conservative MPs as critics, announces House leadership team

Poilievre names 48 Conservative MPs as critics, announces House leadership team

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has named 73 MPs to his party's leadership team and critic roles ahead of next week's return to the House of Commons.

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

The Alberta separatist movement presents a danger to the federal Conservative party, said former Tory member of Parliament Stockwell Day. "I'll lose friends saying this: — it will only split the vote and only strengthen the Liberal position," he said in an interview from Edmonton. In the most recent federal election, more than 1.4 million Albertans voted for a Conservative...

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

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. Kurek, who won the election in the rural Alberta riding with more than 80 per cent of the vote, has promised to step aside to give Pierre Poilievre a...

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

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. Poilievre said there is a lot for the Tories to be proud of in the election results, but pointed to the two-party race...

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.

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

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. Leader Pierre Poilievre, who lost his bid to continue representing the riding of Carleton after 20 years as the area's MP, will not be in the House of Commons when it...

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

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

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. Poilievre is expected to seek a seat in the House of Commons for the Alberta riding of Battle River--Crowfoot, after losing his long-held seat of Carleton 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

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. Carney addressed members of the media after the Friday afternoon cabinet meeting, saying the government is "focused on action." "We will be eliminating the Canada fuel charge, the consumer fuel charge, immediately, immediately," he said.

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 sworn in as Canada's 24th prime minister

Mark Carney sworn in as Canada's 24th prime minister

Ottawa -- Mark Carney was sworn in as Canada's 24th prime minister in a ceremony at Rideau Hall on Friday morning — along with a leaner Liberal cabinet that he said is focused on confronting the immediate threat of U.S. President Donald Trump and his tariffs. Breezing past reporters on his way into the ceremony about an hour after Justin...

Justin Trudeau has resigned as prime minister as Mark Carney gets set to take over

Justin Trudeau has resigned as prime minister as Mark Carney gets set to take over

Justin Trudeau visited Gov. Gen. Mary Simon this morning and formally resigned as prime minister. Mark Carney will be sworn in as Canada's 24th prime minister at Rideau Hall at 11 a.m., where he will also reveal his first cabinet. His team is expected to be smaller than Trudeau's 37-member team, and some current ministers will lose their cabinet positions...

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

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. Cassidy Villeneuve, who was nominated to run for the Tories in Nipissing-Timiskaming, said in a letter posted to social media on Sunday that she's been working tirelessly on the campaign for the past 18 months.

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.

Poilievre takes aim at Carney as he calls for changes to Conflict of Interest Act

Poilievre takes aim at Carney as he calls for changes to Conflict of Interest Act

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre on Friday pledged to amend the Conflict of Interest Act to require that party leadership candidates make financial disclosures similar to those cabinet ministers must make -- closing what Poilievre calls the "Carney loophole." The change would direct all leadership candidates to disclose their financial holdings to the conflict of interest and ethics commissioner within 3...

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.

Conservatives launch attacks on Mark Carney over his firm's relocation to the U.S.

Conservatives launch attacks on Mark Carney over his firm's relocation to the U.S.

The polls, fundraising hauls and endorsements aren't the only things suggesting former central bank governor Mark Carney is on track to win the Liberal leadership -- Conservatives seem convinced as well. Carney has become the primary target of Conservative attacks in recent weeks. On Wednesday, the party accused Carney of lying to the media after Tuesday's Liberal leadership debate and...

Polls suggest a close race as federal election approaches

Polls suggest a close race as federal election approaches

Multiple polls now suggest the next federal election -- which could begin in a matter of weeks -- will be a tight race. At least one major pollster has the Liberals in the lead and ahead of the Conservatives for the first time in nearly four years. A new survey from Ipsos released this week suggests that if an election...