Canada
Game on: A five week campaign with a vote on April 28
Federal politicians are already into campaign mode, Global's Ottawa Bureau Chief Mercedes Stephenson reports. Carney will ask Gov. Gen. Mary Simon to dissolve Parliament on Sunday, triggering the country’s 45th election to be held April 28.
Carney to run in Nepean
The day after the Liberal Party disqualifed the MP who had won the riding of Nepean in three general elections -- Chandra Arya -- the party named its new leader Mark Carney as the candidate there. Nepean is a riding in suburban Ottawa that, prior to the 2015 general election, was known as Nepean--Carleton and its MP then was none other than Pierre Poilievre. In 2015, new riding boundaries went into place and Poilievre became the MP for the riding next door to Nepean, Carleton.
As for race now to come in Nepean -- which has slightly altered boundaries for this election -- Carney (who lives in the Ottawa riding of Ottawa-Vanier held by Liberal Mona Fortier) will face Conservative Barbara Bal, an army veteran and former Ottawa police officer who was nominated late in 2023 and who has been campaigning ever since. Two months ago, it looked like her work wold pay off with a win but, with the change in the polls and the arrival of a star candidate in Carney, I have it now back in the Liberal fold in my model. -DA
'No magic math' - Why cutting waste won't fund election promises
Peter Mazereeuw speaks with Sahir Khan, an expert in government finances at IFSD, about election promises from Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre to cut wasteful spending in government—and what the next prime minister should really do to get taxpayers the best bang for their buck. Before joining IFSD, Samir worked in the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer and before that, the Department of Finance. When I need some help figuring out the federal government's finances, Samir is one of my go-to experts. And you will hear lots of promises from campaigning politicians that they'll just 'cut the waste' to pay for program promises. Worth a listen.
‘No Canadian dream’: Meet some who want the 51st U.S. state to happen
A survey suggests those in favour of joining the U.S. are mostly conservative men living on the Prairies, and those who might vote for fringe parties and are 'diet MAGA.'
Nipissing-Timiskaming Conservatives pick Garry Keller as their candidate
The ride was a little bumpy, but the Nipissing-Timiskaming Conservatives think they have the candidate that can ride smoothly all the way to Ottawa.
Juno-winning musician David Myles seeks Fredericton Liberal nomination
Juno-winning singer-songwriter David Myles says he’s seeking the Fredericton-Oromocto Liberal nomination to run in the upcoming federal election. And he’s already got the support of long-time friend Premier Susan Holt. But Myles may not be simply handed the nomination, as at least one other serious contender with support is also seeking the Liberal nod. Ryan Sullivan, the associate vice-president of enrolment at St. Thomas University, has confirmed to Brunswick News that he’s submitted nomination papers to the riding.
A year ago, this heavily francophone eastern Ontario riding was in the Conservative column. Liberal incumbent Francis Drouin was retiring. And multiple otential Conservative nominees, including the former Conservative MP Pierre Lemieux, had expressed interested being the CPC candidate. Well, as the writs are drawn up today, it looks like the LIberals are the only one with a candidate here and, given the change in polling fortunes, I have this solidly in the Liberal column -- and that CPC still has not announced a candidate. -DA
The Provinces
Canadian Premier Danielle Smith: Trudeau Blew Tariff Negotiations in First Mar-a-Lago Meeting
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith of the United Conseravtive Party told Breitbart News Saturday that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau set Canada back in tariff negotiations with America during a meeting with President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago.
Nova Scotia will also drop Tesla from its EV rebate program
Nova Scotia has become the latest province to scrap electrical vehicle rebates for Teslas due to the CEO's association with the U.S. administration and its trade war on Canada.
Media
Not Flying the Unfriendly Skies: The Media-Free Conservative Campaign Tour
Don Newman: In a letter to media groups that will be covering the election, Poilievre Campaign Director Jenni Byrne said the new policy reflects the realities of the media and will provide all the access reporters require. But nobody is being fooled. The new arrangements will be used to limit access, provide favourable images of Poilievre and none that are unfavourable, which the Conservatives hope will boost his chances against the popular Carney.
Meet the former CTV and Corus Entertainment journalists running for office in Canada’s next federal election
Click through to read about Evan Solomon and Greg Brady, neither of whom as of yet are confirmed candidates in any riding. But I am tracking journalists who will be on the ballot and here's my incomplete list. If you have others, let me know!
- Edmonton Centre - NDP - Trisha Estabrooks
- Elgin-St Thomas-London South - CPC - Andrew Lawton
- Foothills - CPC - John Barlow
- Hamilton Mountin - LPC - Lisa Hepfner
- Louis St Laurent - CPC - Gerard Deltell
- New Brunswick Southwest -- CPC - John Williamson
- Saskatoon--Grasswood - CPC - Kevin Waugh
- University--Rosedale - LPC - Chrystia Freeland
-DA
VOA Sues Overseer USAGM To Restore Operations After Trump Order
A group that includes six Voice of America (VOA) journalists has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration and other officials accusing them of illegally shutting down several publicly funded broadcasters. Many media rights watchdogs and analysts have said the decision halting the operations of VOA and other publicly funded broadcasters will embolden authoritarians around the globe with the loss of “a critical lifeline” of information for their populations.
Reader Notes
A reminder that: The headlines, excerpts, and photos here are generated by the publishers of the clipping. The publisher is at the bottom left of the clipping. If I've got a comment, you''ll see that in italics. But if I've generated the headline and the excerpt, you'll see me taking attribution by finishing with -DA in bold. The stamp stuff at the bottom are scans from my collection and, if there’s a stamp blurb, I’ve written that bit. -DA
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Science and tech
A huge iceberg broke off Antarctica. What scientists found under it startled them
Crustaceans, snails, worms and fish are among the dozens of creatures that deep-sea explorers discovered under a massive Antarctic ice shelf. (🎁 link)
The Calendar
- 1130 ET: Gatineau, QC - Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks to reporters
- 1200 ET: Rideau Hall - PM Carney asks the Governor General to dissolve the 44th Parliament and initiate Canada's 45th General Election
- 1245 ET: Manotick, ON - Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre attends a campaign launch rally.
- 1300 ET: Montreal - GPC MP Elizabeth May launches the Green Party campaign.
- 1330 ET: St John's - Fisheries Min Joanne Thompson opens the campaign office for the LPC EDA in the riding of St John's West
- 1400 ET: Montreal - BQ Leader Yves-François Blanchet speaks to reporters
- 1800 ET: Montreal - BQ Leader Yves-François Blanchet attends the Gala des Oliviers.
- 1800 ET: Toronto, ON - Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks to supporters.
- 1900 ET: Lethbridge - CPC MP Rachael Thomas hosts a campaign launch party for the CPC EDA in the riding of Lethbridge.
