Craig Lord

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 Craig Lord.

Ottawa proposes $1.7B fund to help provinces lower cost of homebuilding

Ottawa proposes $1.7B fund to help provinces lower cost of homebuilding

OTTAWA -- The federal government is proposing a $1.7-billion fund to help provinces and territories lower the cost of homebuilding.

Key figure in Phoenix public service pay transition says he's leaving the team

Key figure in Phoenix public service pay transition says he's leaving the team

The public servant leading the transition away from the federal government's error-prone Phoenix pay system says he's stepping down because the team no longer needs him. Alex Benay, associate deputy minister at Public Services and Procurement Canada, says in a LinkedIn post the backlog of Phoenix cases older than a year and the overall queue of complaints are at their...

Key figure in Phoenix public service pay transition says he's leaving the team

Key figure in Phoenix public service pay transition says he's leaving the team

OTTAWA -- The public servant leading the transition away from the federal government's error-prone Phoenix pay system says he is stepping down because the team no longer needs him.

Budget watchdog nominee promises 'pointy analysis' as MPs question independence

Budget watchdog nominee promises 'pointy analysis' as MPs question independence

OTTAWA -- Ottawa's choice for the next federal fiscal watchdog promised not to go lightly on the federal government if she is confirmed for the post.

Budget watchdog nominee promises 'pointy analysis' as critics question independence

Budget watchdog nominee promises 'pointy analysis' as critics question independence

OTTAWA -- Ottawa's choice for the next federal fiscal watchdog promised not to go lightly on the federal government if she is confirmed for the post.

Budget watchdog nominee Annette Ryan set to testify at finance committee

Budget watchdog nominee Annette Ryan set to testify at finance committee

Ottawa's choice for the next federal fiscal watchdog is set to face questions from MPs before she can be confirmed as the next parliamentary budget officer. Annette Ryan, a longtime public servant and the current deputy director at Canada's financial intelligence agency, Fintrac, was named as cabinet's pick to become the next parliamentary budget officer earlier this month.

Budget watchdog nominee Annette Ryan set to testify at finance committee

Budget watchdog nominee Annette Ryan set to testify at finance committee

OTTAWA -- Ottawa's choice for the next federal fiscal watchdog is set to face questions from MPs before she can be confirmed as the next parliamentary budget officer.

PBO nominee Annette Ryan enters spotlight at a pivotal time for federal finances

PBO nominee Annette Ryan enters spotlight at a pivotal time for federal finances

Ottawa's nominee for federal fiscal watchdog will face questions from members of Parliament on Monday after a turbulent period for the budget office. Annette Ryan, a longtime public servant and currently a deputy director at Canada's financial intelligence agency, Fintrac, was named as cabinet's pick to be the next parliamentary budget officer earlier this month. Ryan's nomination, which must be...

PBO nominee Annette Ryan enters spotlight at a pivotal time for federal finances

PBO nominee Annette Ryan enters spotlight at a pivotal time for federal finances

OTTAWA -- Ottawa's nominee for federal fiscal watchdog will face questions from members of Parliament on Monday after a turbulent period for the budget office.

Inflation cooled in February before oil price shock; last data ahead of BoC rate call

Inflation cooled in February before oil price shock; last data ahead of BoC rate call

OTTAWA -- Inflation was showing signs of easing in February but economists warn price relief will be short lived as the war in the Middle East fuels surging energy costs.

Inflation cooled in February before oil price shock; last data ahead of BoC rate call

Inflation cooled in February before oil price shock; last data ahead of BoC rate call

Inflation was showing signs of easing in February but economists warn price relief will be short lived as the war in the Middle East fuels surging energy costs. Statistics Canada said Monday that February's inflation reading came in at 1.8 per cent year-over-year, half a percentage point lower than January's figures and just under economists' expectations for the month. The...

Annual inflation cools to 1.8% in February, StatCan says

Annual inflation cools to 1.8% in February, StatCan says

OTTAWA -- Statistics Canada says the annual rate of inflation dipped below two per cent in February as the end of last year's federal "tax holiday" helped take some steam out of the yearly price comparisons.

Automaker allowed more tariff-free U.S. imports due to higher Canadian production

Automaker allowed more tariff-free U.S. imports due to higher Canadian production

OTTAWA -- Ottawa is letting an unnamed automaker import a higher quota of U.S.-made vehicles without tariffs because the company is selling and making more cars in Canada than first expected.

Liberals nominate Fintrac official Annette Ryan as new budget watchdog

Liberals nominate Fintrac official Annette Ryan as new budget watchdog

The Liberal government has nominated a senior official from the national financial intelligence agency as Ottawa's next fiscal watchdog. Wayne Long, secretary of state for financial institutions, tabled a nomination Monday asking MPs to approve Annette Ryan to take on the currently vacant role of parliamentary budget officer. The nomination is for a seven-year term.

CP NewsAlert: Liberals nominate Fintrac official Annette Ryan as budget watchdog

CP NewsAlert: Liberals nominate Fintrac official Annette Ryan as budget watchdog

OTTAWA -- The Liberal government has nominated a senior official at the national financial intelligence agency as Ottawa's next fiscal watchdog.

Liberals nominate Fintrac official Annette Ryan as new budget watchdog

Liberals nominate Fintrac official Annette Ryan as new budget watchdog

OTTAWA -- The Liberal government has nominated a senior official from the national financial intelligence agency as Ottawa's next fiscal watchdog.

Ottawa office market experts left in the dark over feds' return-to-work needs

Ottawa office market experts left in the dark over feds' return-to-work needs

Ottawa real estate watchers are calling on the federal government to be more clear about its workspace needs as public servants prepare to spend more time in the office. Landlords and office brokers want to know whether the federal government is going to need more space to accommodate ramped-up return-to-office plans after years of stated plans to consolidate its office...

Rising foreign investment in Canada doesn't tell the whole story, economists say

Rising foreign investment in Canada doesn't tell the whole story, economists say

OTTAWA -- Statistics Canada says the flow of foreign direct investment into the economy came close to a two-decade high last year, while economists caution the volume of capital entering Canada isn't the only metric that matters.

There's no PBO: Ottawa fails to appoint new fiscal watchdog as interim term expires

There's no PBO: Ottawa fails to appoint new fiscal watchdog as interim term expires

OTTAWA -- There is currently no parliamentary budget officer scrutinizing federal finances in Ottawa as the interim fiscal watchdog's term expired Monday without a successor in place.

OECD criticizes Ottawa over 'persistent delays' in appointing new budget officer

OECD criticizes Ottawa over 'persistent delays' in appointing new budget officer

OTTAWA -- An international economic group is criticizing the federal government over "persistent delays" in appointing new parliamentary budget officers, just as the current officer's interim term is set to expire on Monday with no successor named.

Number of Canadians registered in Mexico rising as airlines resume flights

Number of Canadians registered in Mexico rising as airlines resume flights

OTTAWA -- The number of Canadians in Mexico who have registered with Ottawa continued to rise Tuesday, even as airlines resumed flights in and out of Puerto Vallarta and the Global Affairs Canada registration system experienced more delays.

Anand won't say if Canadians should cancel Mexico trips as airlines resume flights

Anand won't say if Canadians should cancel Mexico trips as airlines resume flights

OTTAWA -- Canadian airlines resumed flights in and out of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on Tuesday after widespread violence led them to temporarily suspend service on the weekend.

Liberals accept Conservative budget amendments on 'regulatory sandboxes'

Liberals accept Conservative budget amendments on 'regulatory sandboxes'

OTTAWA -- The federal Liberals accepted a Conservative proposal Monday to put guardrails around proposed new cabinet powers as they debated the government's omnibus budget bill.

Liberals accept Conservative budget amendments on 'regulatory sandboxes'

Liberals accept Conservative budget amendments on 'regulatory sandboxes'

The federal Liberals accepted a Conservative proposal Monday to put guardrails around proposed new cabinet powers as they debated the government's omnibus budget bill. The Liberal government's budget implementation legislation, Bill C-15, proposes to give federal ministers the ability to temporarily exempt individuals or corporations from some non-criminal federal laws -- an approach the government refers to as "regulatory sandboxes."...

MPs settle in for marathon meeting to amend Liberal budget bill

MPs settle in for marathon meeting to amend Liberal budget bill

OTTAWA -- Members of Parliament could be in for a marathon day of debate as the federal finance committee faces a tight timeline to amend the Liberals' omnibus budget implementation bill.

Five things Canadians should know about the U.S. Supreme Court tariff ruling

Five things Canadians should know about the U.S. Supreme Court tariff ruling

OTTAWA -- The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a set of President Donald Trump's tariffs in a landmark ruling Friday -- but that decision didn't affect all duties on Canadian goods entering the United States.

Finance minister unveils Ottawa's 'follow the money' plan to tackle extortion

Finance minister unveils Ottawa's 'follow the money' plan to tackle extortion

The federal government is bringing law enforcement and financial institutions together to fight extortion operations targeting Canadian businesses and households. Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne was in Mississauga, Ont., on Thursday to announce a suite of new initiatives he said will make it easier for police to "follow the money" and disrupt criminal networks. Champagne said organized crime is making Canadians...

Finance minister unveils Ottawa's 'follow the money' plan to tackle extortion

Finance minister unveils Ottawa's 'follow the money' plan to tackle extortion

OTTAWA -- The federal government is bringing law enforcement and financial institutions together to fight extortion operations targeting Canadian businesses and households.

Food inflation spiked 7.3% in January. Here's what's driving the increase

Food inflation spiked 7.3% in January. Here's what's driving the increase

Statistics Canada reported an easing in the headline inflation rate Tuesday but a jump in the pace of food inflation amid tax changes and lingering pressures at the grocery store continue to put the squeeze on consumers. StatCan said Tuesday that the annual rate of inflation edged down to 2.3 per cent in January. Economists had expected inflation to hold...

Food inflation spiked 7.3% in January. Here's what's driving the increase

Food inflation spiked 7.3% in January. Here's what's driving the increase

OTTAWA -- Statistics Canada reported an easing in the headline inflation rate Tuesday but a jump in the pace of food inflation amid tax changes and lingering pressures at the grocery store continue to put the squeeze on consumers.

Canada's provinces contend with fresh shocks ahead of 2026 budget season

Canada's provinces contend with fresh shocks ahead of 2026 budget season

OTTAWA -- The outlook for Canada's provinces is difficult to chart but some surprising resilience to U.S. trade pressures and historical revisions to economic data have most provinces on better footing heading into the 2026 budget season, argues a new analysis from Desjardins.

Food inflation expected to jump in January amid tax changes: economists

Food inflation expected to jump in January amid tax changes: economists

Economists expect tax changes from a year ago will result in a year-over-year surge in food prices when Statistics Canada reports January inflation figures later this week. StatCan will publish its January consumer price index report on Tuesday, a day later than originally scheduled. The agency recently adopted a Monday publishing schedule for the consumer price index but shifted the...

Food inflation expected to jump in January amid tax changes: economists

Food inflation expected to jump in January amid tax changes: economists

OTTAWA -- Economists expect tax changes from a year ago will result in a year-over-year surge in food prices when Statistics Canada reports January inflation figures later this week.

Fact File: Why it's tough to verify some of Carney's claims about 'protected' jobs

Fact File: Why it's tough to verify some of Carney's claims about 'protected' jobs

Prime Minister Mark Carney has made a series of claims recently about how much the federal government's support for tariff-stricken industries has protected jobs in Canada.

Airlines say federal probe disproves unpaid work claims, but Ottawa wants more data

Airlines say federal probe disproves unpaid work claims, but Ottawa wants more data

OTTAWA -- Major airlines are claiming the initial findings of a federal probe clear their industry of allegations of unpaid work, but Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu says investigators need more data before the issue is settled.

Advocates urge Ottawa to extend 'no-brainer' tax incentive for employee ownership

Advocates urge Ottawa to extend 'no-brainer' tax incentive for employee ownership

OTTAWA -- It took Peter Deitz eight years to figure out the best way to sell his business. But it wasn't until the federal government opened up a new option for succession planning that he found the right buyer: his own employees.

Carney says 'inequalities persist' in speech marking Black History Month

Carney says 'inequalities persist' in speech marking Black History Month

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney says the history of Black Canadians is one of "injustice met with resilience."

Conservatives, Poilievre seek to carry convention momentum back into Parliament

Conservatives, Poilievre seek to carry convention momentum back into Parliament

OTTAWA -- Political analysts say the federal Conservatives and leader Pierre Poilievre have momentum coming off a unifying convention in Calgary but the party still has a hill to climb in Parliament to one-up Prime Minster Mark Carney and the Liberals.

Ottawa wants to get banks, pension funds involved in affordable housing: minister

Ottawa wants to get banks, pension funds involved in affordable housing: minister

The federal housing minister says he wants to ramp up the lagging pace of homebuilding in some provinces by bringing developers off the sidelines and into Ottawa's affordable housing projects. Gregor Robertson also said in an interview that the feds' new Build Canada Homes agency is working on getting Canadian banks and pension funds to play an active role in...

Ottawa wants to get banks, pension funds involved in affordable housing: minister

Ottawa wants to get banks, pension funds involved in affordable housing: minister

OTTAWA -- The federal housing minister says he wants to ramp up the lagging pace of homebuilding in some provinces by bringing developers off the sidelines and into Ottawa's affordable housing projects.

Robertson calls on provinces to boost funding for transitional housing

Robertson calls on provinces to boost funding for transitional housing

OTTAWA -- The federal housing minister says he wants to see the provinces step up their support to get people off the street and into long-term homes.

Ministers defend 'great sacrifices' after Trump downplays NATO role in Afghanistan

Ministers defend 'great sacrifices' after Trump downplays NATO role in Afghanistan

Liberal cabinet ministers and former Armed Forces members are defending the sacrifices Canadian soldiers made in Afghanistan after U.S. President Donald Trump downplayed NATO troops' contributions in the war. Trump renewed long-standing grievances with NATO partners in a media interview on Thursday by disputing sacrifices made by non-U.S. troops. "We've never needed them, we have never really asked anything of...

Ministers defend 'great sacrifices' after Trump downplays NATO role in Afghanistan

Ministers defend 'great sacrifices' after Trump downplays NATO role in Afghanistan

OTTAWA -- Liberal cabinet ministers and former Armed Forces members are defending the sacrifices Canadian soldiers made in Afghanistan after U.S. President Donald Trump downplayed NATO troops' contributions in the war.

Five things to know about Canada's new 'strategic partnership' with China

Five things to know about Canada's new 'strategic partnership' with China

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney secured what he called a "landmark" deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday, ending a three-day visit aimed at "recalibrating" strained relations between Canada and China.

Bank of Canada's Macklem backs U.S. Fed chair Powell amid DOJ probe

Bank of Canada's Macklem backs U.S. Fed chair Powell amid DOJ probe

OTTAWA -- Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem is coming to the defence of his U.S. counterpart Jerome Powell as the chair of the Federal Reserve faces a criminal investigation from President Donald Trump's justice department.

Unemployment rate jumps to 6.8% in December despite job gain

Unemployment rate jumps to 6.8% in December despite job gain

Statistics Canada says a boost in the number of people looking for work in December drove the unemployment rate higher at the end of the year. The agency said the economy added 8,200 jobs last month, topping economists’ expectations. The unemployment rate rose to 6.8 per cent in December, StatCan said, up from 6.5 per cent in November.

Unemployment rate jumps to 6.8% in December despite job gain

Unemployment rate jumps to 6.8% in December despite job gain

Ottawa -- Statistics Canada says a boost in the number of people looking for work in December drove the unemployment rate higher at the end of the year.

Canada co-signs pact to help secure Ukraine after an eventual peace deal

Canada co-signs pact to help secure Ukraine after an eventual peace deal

PARIS -- Canada and Ukraine's other allies in the "coalition of the willing" signed a statement Tuesday pledging to help secure Ukraine from further Russian invasions if there is a viable peace deal.

Canada co-signs pact to help secure Ukraine after an eventual peace deal

Canada co-signs pact to help secure Ukraine after an eventual peace deal

Canada and more than two dozen Ukrainian allies have signed a statement pledging to secure Ukraine from further Russian invasions if there is a viable peace deal. The U.K. and France have committed to physical hubs within Ukraine for armed support, but it remains unclear whether Canadian soldiers would be deployed on the ground.

Canada co-signs pact to help secure Ukraine after an eventual peace deal

Canada co-signs pact to help secure Ukraine after an eventual peace deal

PARIS -- Canada and Ukraine's other allies in the "coalition of the willing" signed a statement Tuesday pledging to help secure Ukraine from further Russian invasions if there is a viable peace deal.

Prime Minister Carney says Canada will build up military to support peace in Ukraine

Prime Minister Carney says Canada will build up military to support peace in Ukraine

PARIS -- Canada will continue to build up its military might, in part to be able to play a role in providing security guarantees for Ukraine, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday ahead of a meeting with allies in Paris.

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada to build forces to support peace in Ukraine

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada to build forces to support peace in Ukraine

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will continue to build up its military might in the coming years, in part so it's able to play a role in providing security guarantees for Ukraine. Carney is in Paris meeting with Ukraine's allies to discuss the role Canada might play in securing an eventual ceasefire in the war with Russia. At a...

Prime Minister Carney says Canada will build up military to support peace in Ukraine

Prime Minister Carney says Canada will build up military to support peace in Ukraine

PARIS -- Canada will continue to build up its military might, in part to be able to play a role in providing security guarantees for Ukraine, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday ahead of a meeting with allies in Paris.

In Paris, Carney set to talk about Canada's role in eventual Ukraine ceasefire

In Paris, Carney set to talk about Canada's role in eventual Ukraine ceasefire

Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Paris today meeting with Ukraine's other allies to talk about the role Canada might play in securing an eventual ceasefire in the war with Russia. The "coalition of the willing," a group of more than 30 countries pledged to support Ukraine, is gathering in Paris as ceasefire talks reach a critical juncture.

In Paris, Carney set to talk about Canada's role in eventual Ukraine ceasefire

In Paris, Carney set to talk about Canada's role in eventual Ukraine ceasefire

Paris -- Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Paris today meeting with Ukraine's other allies to talk about the role Canada might play in securing an eventual ceasefire in the war with Russia.

Carney arrives in Paris for talks with Ukraine's allies about security guarantees

Carney arrives in Paris for talks with Ukraine's allies about security guarantees

PARIS -- Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Paris Monday ahead of a meeting with Ukraine's allies to pursue security agreements to prevent Russia from repeating its invasion if a ceasefire deal is reached.

Carney arrives in Paris for talks with Ukraine's allies about security guarantees

Carney arrives in Paris for talks with Ukraine's allies about security guarantees

Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Paris Monday ahead of a meeting with Ukraine's allies to pursue security agreements to prevent Russia from repeating its invasion if a ceasefire deal is reached. Members of the group referred to as the "coalition of the willing," which includes Canada, France and other European countries, are meeting Tuesday in an attempt to accelerate...

Carney arrives in Paris for talks with Ukraine's allies about security guarantees

Carney arrives in Paris for talks with Ukraine's allies about security guarantees

PARIS -- Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Paris Monday ahead of a meeting with Ukraine's allies to pursue security agreements to prevent Russia from repeating its invasion if a ceasefire deal is reached.

Carney will meet with Ukraine's allies in Paris as ceasefire talks intensify

Carney will meet with Ukraine's allies in Paris as ceasefire talks intensify

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to France next week to meet with Ukraine's allies as talks aimed at securing a ceasefire in Russia's war intensify.

Carney will meet with Ukraine's allies in Paris as ceasefire talks intensify

Carney will meet with Ukraine's allies in Paris as ceasefire talks intensify

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to France next week to meet with Ukraine's allies as talks aimed at securing a ceasefire in Russia's war intensify.