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 to weigh guardrails, alternatives to 'contentious' Labour Code tool: Hajdu

Ottawa to weigh guardrails, alternatives to 'contentious' Labour Code tool: Hajdu

OTTAWA -- The federal government is exploring possible guardrails or alternatives to using what she says is a "contentious" section of the Labour Code that allows Ottawa to intervene in bitter bargaining conflicts, Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said this week.

Quarterly payments of Ottawa’s boosted grocery and essentials benefit start today

Quarterly payments of Ottawa’s boosted grocery and essentials benefit start today

Eligible Canadians will find a bit more cash in their bank accounts starting today as quarterly payments begin for the federal Liberals’ boosted affordability benefit. The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit is paid out to lower-income households every three months and was previously called the GST/HST credit. Eligible households got a one-time payment worth 50 per cent of the benefit’s...

Solid April GDP rebound suggests Canada is not in a recession: economists

Solid April GDP rebound suggests Canada is not in a recession: economists

The economy sprung back to life in April with solid enough growth to dismiss the spectres of a recession, according to economists weighing in on the latest data Tuesday.

More than $100K raised for 24 Sussex restoration: Rideau Hall Foundation

More than $100K raised for 24 Sussex restoration: Rideau Hall Foundation

The foundation in charge of the fundraiser to restore 24 Sussex says it has received more than $100,000 in donations since Prime Minister Mark Carney announced plans to renovate the heritage residence. Rideau Hall Foundation CEO Teresa Marques says in an emailed statement the group is "humbled and moved" by an influx of donations by individual Canadians over the weekend...

More than $100K raised for 24 Sussex restoration: Rideau Hall Foundation

More than $100K raised for 24 Sussex restoration: Rideau Hall Foundation

The foundation in charge of the fundraiser to restore 24 Sussex says it has received more than $100,000 in donations since Prime Minister Mark Carney announced plans to renovate the heritage residence.

Canada's former trade chief expects no tariff deal before U.S. midterms

Canada's former trade chief expects no tariff deal before U.S. midterms

Canada's former chief trade negotiator says he doesn't expect Ottawa to reach a tariff deal with Washington before the U.S. midterm elections. Steve Verheul says while there could be a window ahead of the midterms this fall when the U.S. administration is looking for a win, he thinks it's more likely that negotiations stretch into next year. He says he...

Canada's former trade chief expects no tariff deal before U.S. midterms

Canada's former trade chief expects no tariff deal before U.S. midterms

Canada's former chief trade negotiator said Monday he doesn't expect Ottawa to reach a tariff deal with Washington before the U.S. midterm elections.

Earlier engagement could be key to avoiding labour disruptions: jobs minister

Earlier engagement could be key to avoiding labour disruptions: jobs minister

Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu is looking for ways to turn down the temperature between unions and employers -- particularly when labour acrimony threatens to disrupt critical industries. Unions have seized on Ottawa's review of federal labour laws to make the case for the right to strike and reaffirm their opposition to government intervention in bargaining. Hajdu said in an...

Carney says B.C. condo buyout proposal is about affordability, not bailouts

Carney says B.C. condo buyout proposal is about affordability, not bailouts

Prime Minister Mark Carney says a proposal to convert unsold condo units in British Columbia into affordable housing is about supporting Canadians, not distressed developers.

Carney says B.C. condo buyout proposal is about affordability, not bailouts

Carney says B.C. condo buyout proposal is about affordability, not bailouts

Converting British Columbia's glut of unsold condos into affordable housing is about supporting Canadians, not distressed developers, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday in defence of his government's proposal.

These economists are worried Canada has a data quality problem

These economists are worried Canada has a data quality problem

Most economists, including at the Bank of Canada, were a bit surprised when Statistics Canada reported late last month that the economy contracted slightly over the first three months of the year. The consensus estimate among economists and monetary policymakers was for real GDP growth of roughly 1.5 per cent annualized in the first quarter. When the figures actually showed...

These economists are worried Canada has a data quality problem

These economists are worried Canada has a data quality problem

OTTAWA -- Most economists, including at the Bank of Canada, were a bit surprised when Statistics Canada reported late last month that the economy contracted slightly over the first three months of the year.

Bank of Canada officials seemed unfazed by the surprise economic decline in Q1

Bank of Canada officials seemed unfazed by the surprise economic decline in Q1

OTTAWA -- Officials at the Bank of Canada were seemingly unfazed by economic weakness to start the year as they debated where to take the policy interest rate earlier this month.

Inflation jumps to 3.2% in May thanks to higher gas prices: StatCan

Inflation jumps to 3.2% in May thanks to higher gas prices: StatCan

Statistics Canada says high gas prices pushed the annual rate of inflation to 3.2 per cent in May. That’s up from 2.8 per cent in April and marks the first time annual inflation has topped three per cent since late 2023. The agency says gas prices rose for the third consecutive month in May thanks to the Middle East war...

Inflation jumps to 3.2% in May thanks to higher gas prices: StatCan

Inflation jumps to 3.2% in May thanks to higher gas prices: StatCan

A third straight month of rising gas prices from the war in Iran pushed the annual rate of inflation above three per cent for the first time since 2023, Statistics Canada said Monday.

Automatic tax filing could give the average non-filer more than $2K per year: PBO

Automatic tax filing could give the average non-filer more than $2K per year: PBO

OTTAWA -- The federal fiscal watchdog says Ottawa's plan to roll out automatic tax filing could see Canadians who normally don't file their tax returns get thousands of dollars in owed benefits annually.

Watchdog says tax code is 'completely nuts' and calls for simplification, automation

Watchdog says tax code is 'completely nuts' and calls for simplification, automation

OTTAWA -- Taxpayers' Ombudsperson Francois Boileau is pushing for simplified, automated tax filing as his office faces its highest number of complaints in three years.

'It's all going to be OK': Canada's U.S. ambassador tries to ease CUSMA anxiety

'It's all going to be OK': Canada's U.S. ambassador tries to ease CUSMA anxiety

Canada's ambassador to the United States says "it's all going to be OK" with the renewal date for the North American trade pact just a few weeks away.

'I followed all the rules' on Alto, Champagne says amid conflict allegations

'I followed all the rules' on Alto, Champagne says amid conflict allegations

Finance Minister Francois-Phillippe Champagne says he "followed all the rules" to make sure he wasn't in a conflict of interest related to the Alto high-speed rail project. The minister testified at the parliamentary ethics committee Thursday after months of scrutiny from the federal Conservatives over his involvement in the proposed $90-billion high-speed rail project between Toronto and Quebec City. Champagne...

'I followed all the rules' on Alto, Champagne says amid conflict allegations

'I followed all the rules' on Alto, Champagne says amid conflict allegations

OTTAWA -- Finance Minister Francois-Phillippe Champagne says he "followed all the rules" to make sure he wasn't in a conflict of interest related to the Alto high-speed rail project.

Senators say changes to labour law could make Canada a more reliable trading partner

Senators say changes to labour law could make Canada a more reliable trading partner

OTTAWA -- A group of senators is arguing Canada needs to overhaul its labour laws to avoid work stoppages in critical sectors if it wants to be seen as a reliable trading partner on the global stage.

Bank of Canada holds key rate as Macklem downplays recession talk

Bank of Canada holds key rate as Macklem downplays recession talk

Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem doesn't think the economy is in a recession, but he does acknowledge some recent weakness — something other economists argue should give the central bank more leeway to keep its key interest rate steady for the rest of the year.

Bank of Canada holds key rate as Macklem downplays recession talk

Bank of Canada holds key rate as Macklem downplays recession talk

Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem doesn't think the economy is in a recession, but he does acknowledge some recent weakness — something other economists argue should give the central bank more leeway to keep its key interest rate steady for the rest of the year.

In Alberta, Poilievre to argue new federal direction can ease separatist concerns

In Alberta, Poilievre to argue new federal direction can ease separatist concerns

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is expected to argue a change in federal policies would ease separatist concerns in Alberta when he makes a speech in Calgary on Monday. In an excerpt of that speech shared with The Canadian Press, Poilievre says separatist voices do not have an issue with their fellow Canadians, "they have a problem with the federal government."...

In Alberta, Poilievre to argue new federal direction can ease separatist concerns

In Alberta, Poilievre to argue new federal direction can ease separatist concerns

OTTAWA -- Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is expected to argue a change in federal policies would ease separatist concerns in Alberta when he makes a speech in Calgary on Monday.

Too soon to call recession, rules Canadian authority on economic downturns

Too soon to call recession, rules Canadian authority on economic downturns

The unofficial authority on recession calls in Canada says it's too soon to use that word to describe the sluggish economy. Debate has raged on Parliament Hill over whether the country is in a recession since Statistics Canada reported last week that the economy contracted for two quarters in a row. The C.D. Howe Institute's Business Cycle Council is traditionally...

Liberals' grocery benefit payments start for eligible Canadians today

Liberals' grocery benefit payments start for eligible Canadians today

OTTAWA -- One of the federal Liberals' flagship affordability measures will start landing in the bank accounts of eligible Canadians today.

Solid May jobs report 'should silence the recession crowd': BMO economist

Solid May jobs report 'should silence the recession crowd': BMO economist

A surprisingly strong May jobs report has reinforced many economists' views that the Canadian economy is not in a recession. Statistics Canada reported Friday that the economy added 88,000 jobs in May, topping economists' expectations for a gain of 10,000 positions. The agency said the unemployment rate fell to 6.6 per cent last month, down from 6.9 per cent in...

Solid May jobs report 'should silence the recession crowd': BMO economist

Solid May jobs report 'should silence the recession crowd': BMO economist

A surprisingly strong May jobs report has reinforced many economists' views that the Canadian economy is not in a recession.

Too soon to call recession, says Canadian authority on economic downturns

Too soon to call recession, says Canadian authority on economic downturns

OTTAWA -- The unofficial authority on recession calls in Canada says it's too soon to use that word to describe the sluggish economy.

Too soon to call recession, says Canadian authority on economic downturns

Too soon to call recession, says Canadian authority on economic downturns

OTTAWA -- The unofficial authority on recession calls in Canada says it's too soon to use that word to describe the sluggish economy.

Economy adds 88,000 jobs as unemployment rate falls to 6.6%: StatCan

Economy adds 88,000 jobs as unemployment rate falls to 6.6%: StatCan

The labour market rebounded with a surprise gain of 88,000 jobs in May, partially offsetting a bigger drop in employment since the start of the year, Statistics Canada said Friday. The agency said the unemployment rate fell to 6.6 per cent in May, down from 6.9 per cent in April. StatCan said May’s gains were the first significant increase in...

Economy adds 88,000 jobs as unemployment rate falls to 6.6%: StatCan

Economy adds 88,000 jobs as unemployment rate falls to 6.6%: StatCan

The labour market rebounded with a surprise gain of 88,000 jobs in May, partially offsetting a bigger drop in employment since the start of the year, Statistics Canada said Friday.

Champagne stands his ground after budget watchdog questions fiscal anchor

Champagne stands his ground after budget watchdog questions fiscal anchor

The federal finance minister is standing by his government's projections after Ottawa's budgetary watchdog cast doubt on Ottawa's ability to hit a key fiscal anchor. Parliamentary Budget Officer Annette Ryan on Thursday released her office's first economic and fiscal update since she assumed the role in April. Ryan predicts annual deficits will average $4.6 billion higher than Ottawa projected in...

Champagne stands his ground after budget watchdog questions fiscal anchor

Champagne stands his ground after budget watchdog questions fiscal anchor

OTTAWA -- The federal finance minister is standing by his government's projections after Ottawa's budgetary watchdog cast doubt on Ottawa's ability to hit a key fiscal anchor.

Budget watchdog forecasts deeper deficits than Ottawa projected in spring update

Budget watchdog forecasts deeper deficits than Ottawa projected in spring update

The federal government's budget watchdog says Ottawa has less than a one per cent chance of maintaining the key fiscal anchor of shrinking the deficit as a share of the economy every year. Parliamentary Budget Officer Annette Ryan today released her office's first economic and fiscal update since she assumed the role in April.

Budget watchdog forecasts deeper deficits than Ottawa projected in spring update

Budget watchdog forecasts deeper deficits than Ottawa projected in spring update

OTTAWA -- The parliamentary budget watchdog says Ottawa has less than a one per cent chance of maintaining the fiscal anchor of shrinking the deficit as a share of the economy every year.

Poilievre accuses Carney of ducking questions about Canada's sluggish economy

Poilievre accuses Carney of ducking questions about Canada's sluggish economy

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre accused Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday of avoiding accountability after recent data showed the Canadian economy contracted again. Statistics Canada said Friday that real gross domestic product declined 0.1 per cent on an annualized basis in the first quarter. That's the second consecutive quarterly contraction to start the year, meeting some definitions of a technical...

Poilievre accuses Carney of ducking questions about Canada's sluggish economy

Poilievre accuses Carney of ducking questions about Canada's sluggish economy

OTTAWA -- Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre accused Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday of avoiding accountability after recent data showed the Canadian economy contracted again.

Canada slips into technical recession as economy stalls in Q1: StatCan

Canada slips into technical recession as economy stalls in Q1: StatCan

Statistics Canada says economic growth stalled in the first quarter, leading to a second consecutive decline in real gross domestic product. That meets some definitions for a technical recession, though not all economists weighing in on StatCan's Friday report were convinced the label was necessary. Real gross domestic product by expenditure was essentially unchanged on a quarter-over-quarter basis, StatCan said...

Canada slips into technical recession as economy stalls in Q1: StatCan

Canada slips into technical recession as economy stalls in Q1: StatCan

Statistics Canada says economic growth stalled in the first quarter, leading to a second consecutive decline in real gross domestic product.

Liberals prepare to lose climate champion as Guilbeault plans to quit Commons

Liberals prepare to lose climate champion as Guilbeault plans to quit Commons

The resignation of one of the most prominent environmental voices in the Liberal caucus was held up Wednesday as a watershed moment for a government accused of prioritizing economic development over climate policy. Former Liberal cabinet minister Stephen Guilbeault has announced he will leave his seat as a member of Parliament this summer. "I have come to the conclusion that...

Liberals prepare to lose climate champion as Guilbeault plans to quit Commons

Liberals prepare to lose climate champion as Guilbeault plans to quit Commons

OTTAWA -- The resignation of one of the most prominent environmental voices in the Liberal caucus was held up Wednesday as a watershed moment for a government accused of prioritizing economic development over climate policy.

Former cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault says he will resign as an MP this summer

Former cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault says he will resign as an MP this summer

OTTAWA -- Former environment minister Steven Guilbeault announced Wednesday that he will resign as a member of Parliament this summer following significant changes to federal climate policy under Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Former cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault says he will resign as an MP this summer as Carney thanks him for his service

Former cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault says he will resign as an MP this summer as Carney thanks him for his service

OTTAWA -- Former environment minister Steven Guilbeault announced Wednesday that he will resign as a member of Parliament this summer in the wake of significant changes to federal climate policy under Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Former cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault says he will resign as an MP this summer as Carney thanks him for his service

Former cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault says he will resign as an MP this summer as Carney thanks him for his service

Former environment minister Steven Guilbeault announced Wednesday that he will resign as a member of Parliament this summer following significant changes to federal climate policy under Prime Minister Mark Carney. "I have come to the conclusion that it is time for me to pursue my fight for environmental protection and the fight against climate change in a different way," the...

Carney thanks Steven Guilbeault for his service ahead of MP's resignation

Carney thanks Steven Guilbeault for his service ahead of MP's resignation

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney thanked former cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault for his contributions to government as the Liberal MP prepared to announce his resignation Wednesday.

Ottawa launches national aerial firefighting fleet for 2026 wildfire season
Chinese Embassy in Canada denounces MP Chong's visit to Taiwan

Chinese Embassy in Canada denounces MP Chong's visit to Taiwan

China's embassy in Canada says a Canadian MP's visit to Taiwan crosses a "red line" at a time when Ottawa is attempting to rebuild its relationship with Beijing. Conservative MP Michael Chong is in Taiwan this week to meet with Taiwanese officials and assert Canadian sovereignty after China's ambassador to Canada warned MPs against travelling to Taiwan in an interview...

Chinese Embassy in Canada denounces MP Chong's visit to Taiwan

Chinese Embassy in Canada denounces MP Chong's visit to Taiwan

OTTAWA -- China's embassy in Canada says a Canadian MP's visit to Taiwan crosses a "red line" at a time when Ottawa is attempting to rebuild its relationship with Beijing.

Ottawa still pledging to double construction pace despite home building headwinds

Ottawa still pledging to double construction pace despite home building headwinds

The federal Liberal government is sticking to its pledge to double the pace of home building even as headwinds buffet the construction industry. Prime Minister Mark Carney promised in his 2025 election platform to make investments that would double the pace of housing construction over the next decade to drive down the costs of rent and home ownership. Parliamentary Budget...

Ottawa still pledging to double construction pace despite home building headwinds

Ottawa still pledging to double construction pace despite home building headwinds

OTTAWA -- The federal Liberal government is sticking to its pledge to double the pace of home building even as headwinds buffet the construction industry.

Energy sector investment, exchange rate factors in possible Bank of Canada rate hikes

Energy sector investment, exchange rate factors in possible Bank of Canada rate hikes

OTTAWA -- The Bank of Canada's governing council says it's weighing a range of different paths for its benchmark interest rate to cope with inflation risks from the Iran war.

Bank of Canada head 'encouraged' by Ottawa's efforts to diversify economy

Bank of Canada head 'encouraged' by Ottawa's efforts to diversify economy

Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says he's "encouraged" by the federal government's efforts to diversify the economy and protect it against increasingly common shocks to global trade. He also says Ottawa's fiscal update, tabled earlier this week, will likely have little impact on the central bank's forecasts for inflation. Macklem made the comments in an interview with The Canadian...

Bank of Canada head 'encouraged' by Ottawa's efforts to diversify economy

Bank of Canada head 'encouraged' by Ottawa's efforts to diversify economy

OTTAWA -- Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says he's "encouraged" by the federal government's efforts to diversify the economy and protect it against increasingly common shocks to global trade.

Liberals target affordability to meet era of uncertainty in spring fiscal update

Liberals target affordability to meet era of uncertainty in spring fiscal update

The federal Liberals say they're getting a windfall from better-than-expected fiscal revenues and are largely putting that money back into circulation to support households and build up the economy. But Ottawa's spring economic update also sees some darker clouds on the horizon as uncertainty over the Iran war and U.S. tariffs threatens growth in the years ahead. Finance Minister Francois-Philippe...

Liberals target affordability to meet era of uncertainty in spring fiscal update

Liberals target affordability to meet era of uncertainty in spring fiscal update

OTTAWA -- The federal Liberals say they're getting a windfall from better-than-expected fiscal revenues and are largely putting that money back into circulation to support households and build up the economy.

CP NewsAlert: Liberals target affordability to meet era of uncertainty

CP NewsAlert: Liberals target affordability to meet era of uncertainty

OTTAWA -- The federal Liberals say they're getting a windfall from better-than-expected fiscal revenues and are largely putting that money back into circulation to support households and build up the economy.

Prime Minister Mark Carney promises 'good news' in spring economic update

Prime Minister Mark Carney promises 'good news' in spring economic update

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney says the Liberals are "good fiscal managers" — and he'll have the chance to prove it when the federal government tables its spring economic update Tuesday afternoon.

Prime Minister Mark Carney promises 'good news' in spring economic update

Prime Minister Mark Carney promises 'good news' in spring economic update

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the Liberals are "good fiscal managers" — and he'll have the chance to prove it when the federal government tables its spring economic update Tuesday afternoon. The federal government typically tables mid-year updates between annual budgets to revise its economic and fiscal projections. These updates can include new spending and are sometimes referred to as...