Canada
Trump’s talk on annexing Canada ‘real,’ Trudeau says in hot mic moment
The federal government is hosting a summit in Toronto Friday aimed at bolstering the economy in the face of Canada's rapidly changing relationship with its largest trading partner.
Freeland leadership campaign targeted by foreign interference: task force
Canadian security officials say an "information operation" against Liberal leadership hopeful Chrystia Freeland was traced to a popular WeChat news account linked to China.
[Press release] Rapid Response Mechanism Canada detects information operation targeting a candidate for the leadership campaign of the Liberal Party of Canada - Canada.ca
“RRM Canada detected coordinated and malicious activity about Ms. Freeland. The launch of this information operation was traced to WeChat’s most popular news account – an anonymous blog that has been previously linked by experts at the China Digital Times to the People’s Republic of China. RRM Canada identified over 30 WeChat news accounts taking part in the campaign."
Liberal leadership candidates clear $125K hurdle to stay in race
All five remaining federal Liberal leadership candidates were able to pay the $125,000 fundraising requirement by the Friday deadline.
Liberal MPs Kelloway, Battiste both seek bids in Sydney-Glace Bay riding
Mike Kelloway, currently member of parliament for the federal riding of Cape Breton-Canso, plans to run in the newly created Sydney-Glace Bay riding when the writ drops for the next federal election sometime this year. Jaime Battiste, the current MP for Sydney-Victoria, had previously stated his intentions to seek election in the newly redrawn seat. I can see why Kelloway wants no part of Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish : Tim Houston's former finance minister Allan MacMaster wants the seat for the federal Conservatives. He'd be a tough candidate to beat in any event and even more so given current polling averages in Atlantic Canada: I have that seat in my model turning blue by 18 points and Sydney--Glace Bay is also looking to be in the CPC column. The last time that both Cape Breton ridings voted Tory: 1958
Natalie Jameson wins federal Conservative nomination in Charlottetown
Jameson won the federal Conservative Party nomination in Charlottetown on Feb. 6 after a contested vote at the Eastlink Centre, beating lawyer Catherine Parkman. Party staff told The Guardian the nomination contest, which began last July, saw the number of Conservative members in the district grow from roughly less than 300 to close to 1,100. The outlook is bleak for the four LIberal incumbents on the Island, including in Charlottetown. The Conservatives attracted quality candidates in all four. With Jameson, there are three former provincial cabinet ministers running and the Conservatives seemed poised to sweep the Island for the first time since 1979.
Foreign interference report sparks words among Conservatives
Wai Young, former MP for Vancouver South, put out a news release on Thursday, following the release of the Foreign Interference Report, calling former Steveston-Richmond East MP Kenny Chiu's complaints about foreign interference “divisive,” claiming he blamed voters of Chinese descent for losing the 2021 election. Young is now calling for “healing and unity." Chiu called Young’s press release both “very personal” and “very hurtful.”
Dustin Hiles drops out of Tory nomination race in Abbotsford-South Langley
One of seven people seeking the federal Conservative nomination for the Abbotsford-South Langley riding has pulled out of the race. Why are seven people running to be the Conservative nominee: Cuz they all know that winning the nomination all but guarantees them the job as MP
Liberals behind Conservatives in nominations ahead of next election
The next Liberal leader will need to turn their attention quickly to ensuring the party is ready for an early election once the short leadership race ends in March.
[Press release] Prime Minister announces the appointment of senators
Precisely at 5 pm ET on Friday, PM Trudeau named three new senators: * Baltej Dhillon - first RCMP member to wear turban on duty, for British Columbia * Martine Hébert, economist and former diplomat, for Quebec * Todd Lewis, farmer and CFA vice-prez, for Saskatchewan -DA
Singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie stripped of Order of Canada
The appointment of singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie to the Order of Canada has been terminated by the Governor General. The move was announced in the Canada Gazette, the federal government newspaper. It says the appointment was terminated by an ordinance signed by Gov. Gen. Mary Simon on Jan. 3.
The Provinces
Tory candidate won’t apologize for joking that polar bears could deal with homeless
A candidate for leadership of the Manitoba Progressive Conservatives says he won't apologize for making a joke about tackling homelessness by letting polar bears roam free. Funny if you're Mark Critch. Not so much of you want to be premier.
Sask. Premier Scott Moe doesn't take 51st state threat 'seriously'
“I don’t think it’s possible. I don’t think any Canadians would be supportive of that,” Moe told reporters Friday. “I don’t take that rhetoric seriously.”
Denis Coderre’s leadership bid rejected by Quebec Liberal Party
Former Montreal mayor Denis Coderre's bid to become the next leader of the Liberal Party of Quebec was in jeopardy Friday after the party announced it wouldn't accept his candidacy. The party said in a brief statement on the social media platform X that its electoral committee has ruled Coderre's candidacy inadmissible, putting an end to a few weeks of intrigue over the longtime politician's status in the race.
Media
Majority of Canadians want government to pledge advertising dollars to domestic news outlets
The survey commissioned by News Media Canada also revealed considerably higher levels of trust for newspaper and online news site advertisements (63 per cent) compared to social media advertisements, such as those seen on platforms like Facebook or Instagram (28 per cent).
Third of New York Times subscribers don't pay for its news product
Almost a third of New York Times digital subscribers now exclusively subscribe to one of its non-news products, its 2024 annual report shows.
Help Wanted: National Business/Economics Correspondent - Globalnews.ca
Globalnews.ca is currently looking for a National Online Correspondent (Business) to join their team in Toronto or Ottawa. Reporting to the Managing Editor of Politics & Breaking News, the successful candidate will be responsible for writing, covering, and coordinating national and international stories on consumer affairs, business, technology and economics. Come work with me in our Parliamentary Bureau!
Help wanted: Senior Writer/Reporter, GZERO Daily Newsletter
Are you a reporter and writer with creative flair and an academic or professional background in international politics? Do you think it's more important than ever to help the general public understand the dizzying political changes in the world today? If so, you could be a strong candidate to fill our opening for a senior writer on the GZERO Daily newsletter team. *Pay: US$70-90K ! *
Science and tech
DeepSeek banned on some Canadian government devices over privacy fears
An email to federal government departments says the concerns stem from DeepSeek's "inappropriate" collection and retention of sensitive personal information.
Australia bans DeepSeek AI program on government devices
Australia has banned DeepSeek from all government devices on the advice of security agencies, a top official said Wednesday, citing privacy and malware risks posed by China's breakout AI program.
Boeing has informed its employees that NASA may cancel SLS contracts
The aerospace company, which is the primary contractor for the rocket's large core stage, issued the notifications as part of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (or WARN) Act, which requires US employers with 100 or more full-time employees to provide a 60-day notice in advance of mass layoffs or plant closings.
