National Newswatch

‘Be an ally’: Black public servants facing ‘trauma’ amid class action, says organizer

Sep 25 2022 — Amanda Connolly — One of the organizers behind the class action lawsuit filed against the federal government by Black public servants says he wants Canadians learning about the experiences of claimants in the case to “be an ally” amid a process that is causing “trauma” for those involved. In an interview with The West Block‘s Mercedes Stephenson, Nicholas […]

Trudeau condemns Putin’s ‘dangerous’ nuclear threats, mobilization in Ukraine war

Sep 21 2022 — Amanda Connolly — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to mobilize hundreds of thousands of Russian reservists in its war against Ukraine, vowing Canada’s continued support against the “illegal” invasion. Trudeau, who is in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly, wrote in a tweet that Putin’s speech Wednesday morning […]

Messy process to abolish monarchy likely ‘nonstarter’ amid pressing problems: Trudeau

Sep 18 2022 — Amanda Connolly — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the complicated process that would come with any attempts to abolish the monarchy are likely a “nonstarter” for Canadians amid pressing national problems like inflation, climate change and the need for continued work on reconciliation. In an interview with Global News from London, U.K., where he is leading a Canadian […]

Growing harassment of Canadian public figures a ‘threat to democracy’: minister

Aug 29 2022 — Amanda Connolly — The growing frequency of harassment against Canadian public figures poses a “threat to democracy” that needs to be taken seriously, the country’s public safety minister is warning. In a press conference on Monday morning, federal cabinet ministers condemned the verbal attack on Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland that took place in Alberta on Friday, and […]

Moderna suing Pfizer over patent for ‘foundational’ COVID-19 mRNA vaccine

Aug 26 2022 — Amanda Connolly — Moderna is suing Pfizer and its biotech partner BioNTech for allegedly infringing on the “foundational” patent for the mRNA technology that forms the foundation of both companies’ COVID-19 vaccines. In a press release issued Friday morning, Moderna announced the lawsuits and alleged that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine “infringes patents Moderna filed between 2010 and 2016 covering […]

Defence chief got legal advice on military’s role after Emergencies Act invoked: memo

Aug 24 2022 — Amanda Connolly — Canada’s defence chief received a legal memo that appears to address questions around the role of the military in aiding law enforcement shortly after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act to clear out the so-called “Freedom Convoy” in February. At the same time, the documents show front-line border officers were instructed to pull […]

Emergencies Act used after lack of ‘breakthrough’ with convoy demonstrators: feds

Aug 12 2022 — Amanda Connolly — The federal government’s unprecedented decision to invoke the Emergencies Act came after suggestions of a potential “breakthrough” with demonstrators associated with the so-called “Freedom Convoy” came to naught. In a statement on Friday, a spokesperson for Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino confirmed a report first published by the Toronto Star on Thursday evening, acknowledging that […]

Scientists urge Ottawa to boost grant funding so researchers can earn ‘living wage’

Aug 11 2022 — Amanda Connolly — Canadian scientists are urging the federal government to boost its funding for scientific grants so that post-doctorate students and researchers are being paid a “living wage.” In a demonstration on Parliament Hill on Thursday, roughly 100 students and researchers unfurled a 60-metre-long open letter with 7,100 signatures calling on the Liberals to increase the amount […]

Patrick Brown: Liberal MP seeks probe on whether CPC ‘benefitted’ from alleged wrongdoing

Jul 7 2022 — Amanda Connolly — Alleged wrongdoing by now ex-Conservative leadership candidate Patrick Brown may have “benefited” the party and warrants investigation, one Liberal MP is urging the federal elections watchdog. In a letter to the interim Commissioner of Canada Elections on Thursday, Liberal MP Adam van Koeverden requested the office probe whether the federal party may have reaped any […]