John Paul Tasker

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 John Paul Tasker.

'We can't just roll over': Doug Ford doubles down on threat to shut down energy exports to the U.S.

'We can't just roll over': Doug Ford doubles down on threat to shut down energy exports to the U.S.

'We're going to use every tool in our toolbox to defend Ontarians and Canadians,' premier says. Ontario Premier Doug Ford...

Minister Harjit Sajjan skipped the Taylor Swift concert following the fracas over free tickets

Minister Harjit Sajjan skipped the Taylor Swift concert following the fracas over free tickets

Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan didn't go to the Taylor Swift concert in Vancouver he was set to attend with...

Trump's quip about Canada becoming 51st state was a joke, says minister who was there

Trump's quip about Canada becoming 51st state was a joke, says minister who was there

Trudeau to brief Poilievre, other party leaders on Mar-a-Lago visit with Trump. President-elect Donald Trump joked at one point during...

Trudeau meets with the premiers as Trump ramps up his threats against Canada

Trudeau meets with the premiers as Trump ramps up his threats against Canada

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says there's a 'personal animus' between Trump and Trudeau — and it's a concern. Prime Minister...

Feds want $411 million to cover refugee health care as the number of new arrivals soars

Feds want $411 million to cover refugee health care as the number of new arrivals soars

There's been a sevenfold increase in refugee health care costs in the last eight years. The federal government is asking...

Trudeau government to send $250 cheques to most people, slash GST on some goods

Trudeau government to send $250 cheques to most people, slash GST on some goods

GST/HST holiday will last from Dec. 14 to February. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday a suite of new measures...

Boissonnault out of cabinet after shifting claims about Indigenous heritage

Boissonnault out of cabinet after shifting claims about Indigenous heritage

Alberta MP under fire over allegations about business dealings. Alberta MP Randy Boissonnault has resigned from cabinet amid allegations about...

How Remembrance Day and politics collided — and what it means for the future

How Remembrance Day and politics collided — and what it means for the future

One of the most revered days in the Canadian calendar was caught up in controversy this week as a debate...

Trudeau says Canada and the U.S. will 'do good things together' with Trump in the White House

Trudeau says Canada and the U.S. will 'do good things together' with Trump in the White House

PM says Trump's trade concerns are focused on China. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sounded an upbeat note Tuesday on the...

Ahead of Remembrance Day, poll suggests most Canadians don't know much about their history

Ahead of Remembrance Day, poll suggests most Canadians don't know much about their history

As people gather to remember those who fought and died to protect this country in past wars, a new poll...

Via Rail's performance has gone from bad to worse — and it's costing the company millions

Via Rail's performance has gone from bad to worse — and it's costing the company millions

Cédryk Coderre was one of dozens of travellers left stranded on a Via Rail train for 10 hours earlier this...

'Buckle up' for a second Trump presidency, former U.S. ambassador tells Canada

'Buckle up' for a second Trump presidency, former U.S. ambassador tells Canada

'We will be the best friend you've ever had if you get your house in order,' former envoy says to...

Liberal Party preparing to launch ad campaign to take on high-flying Poilievre

Liberal Party preparing to launch ad campaign to take on high-flying Poilievre

The Liberal Party is preparing to launch an ad campaign to fight back against the high-flying Conservatives and close a...

Disgruntled Liberal MPs call for secret ballot vote on Trudeau's future

Disgruntled Liberal MPs call for secret ballot vote on Trudeau's future

MPs who wanted the prime minister to resign by today are now calling for a quiet vote on his future...

A defiant Trudeau says he's staying on as leader after caucus revolt

A defiant Trudeau says he's staying on as leader after caucus revolt

Prime minister says he won't leave even after 24 MPs called for him to go. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said...

Some Liberal MPs issue an ultimatum to Trudeau: make up your mind to stay or go by Oct. 28

Some Liberal MPs issue an ultimatum to Trudeau: make up your mind to stay or go by Oct. 28

Some Liberal MPs issued an ultimatum to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Wednesday: decide in the next few days if you...

Immigration minister calls efforts to oust Trudeau 'garbage'

Immigration minister calls efforts to oust Trudeau 'garbage'

Immigration Minister Marc Miller today called efforts by disaffected Liberal MPs to oust Prime Minister Justin Trudeau "garbage" and said...

Some Liberal MPs are mounting a new effort to oust Justin Trudeau

Some Liberal MPs are mounting a new effort to oust Justin Trudeau

Pressure is building on the prime minister and his office as a growing number of anxious Liberal MPs are coordinating...

With months left in her tenure, CBC/Radio-Canada CEO says losing the broadcaster would be 'tragic'

With months left in her tenure, CBC/Radio-Canada CEO says losing the broadcaster would be 'tragic'

Facing criticism over management bonuses, Catherine Tait says CBC's board will revisit compensation policies. Outgoing CBC/Radio-Canada CEO Catherine Tait said...

Speaker silences Poilievre for a day after he accused foreign minister of pandering to Hamas

Speaker silences Poilievre for a day after he accused foreign minister of pandering to Hamas

Poilievre's refusal to withdraw charged language is having a 'corrosive effect on our discussions': Speaker. Speaker Greg Fergus ruled Tuesday...

Ottawa to announce changes to CBC's mandate, appoint new CEO in the next four weeks: source

Ottawa to announce changes to CBC's mandate, appoint new CEO in the next four weeks: source

After a months-long review of CBC/Radio-Canada's mandate, Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge is expected to announce changes meant to modernize the...

Canada needs better security checks for international students, critics say

Canada needs better security checks for international students, critics say

International students are not required to get police certificates from law enforcement in their home countries before coming to Canada...

There's a battle brewing over generational fairness as Bloc Québécois demands a pension hike

There's a battle brewing over generational fairness as Bloc Québécois demands a pension hike

A debate over how Ottawa chooses to divide its spending among age cohorts is ramping up as the Bloc Québécois...

CTV says staffers who altered Poilievre clip 'no longer' work for its news team

CTV says staffers who altered Poilievre clip 'no longer' work for its news team

Poilievre called the CTV report 'extremely dishonest' and 'fraudulent.' CTV has dropped two members of its news team after an...

Bloc threatens to push for an early election if government doesn't top up pensions by Oct. 29

Bloc threatens to push for an early election if government doesn't top up pensions by Oct. 29

Blanchet said he has 'had no discussions' with the Trudeau government. Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet laid out a list...

Poilievre lashes out at Bell Canada after CTV airs altered clip

Poilievre lashes out at Bell Canada after CTV airs altered clip

Conservative leader attacks Bell's CEO, calls him 'overpaid.' Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre tore into BCE Inc. on Tuesday after CTV...

Bloc Québécois says it will vote against Poilievre's non-confidence motion, making early election unlikely

Bloc Québécois says it will vote against Poilievre's non-confidence motion, making early election unlikely

Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said Wednesday his party will vote against a Conservative non-confidence motion due to be tabled...

Voters head to the polls in 2 federal byelections that will be closely watched on Parliament Hill

Voters head to the polls in 2 federal byelections that will be closely watched on Parliament Hill

Embattled Liberals hoping to hold Montreal riding while NDP, Tory candidates joust over Winnipeg seat. Voters are headed to the...

Canada is getting poorer when compared to its wealthy peers, data shows

Canada is getting poorer when compared to its wealthy peers, data shows

Tepid economic growth, combined with a population boom, has hit Canada’s standing among rich countries. Canada is among the richest...

Liberal MP says her constituents are 'very adamant' Justin Trudeau needs to go

Liberal MP says her constituents are 'very adamant' Justin Trudeau needs to go

Quebec Liberal MP Alexandra Mendes said Monday she's heard from "dozens and dozens" of constituents over the summer telling her...

Trudeau's Liberals face another big test in Montreal byelection

Trudeau's Liberals face another big test in Montreal byelection

The federal Liberal brand will be put to the test again in a byelection in the Montreal riding of LaSalle—Émard—Verdun...

The Liberal-NDP deal is dead — but that doesn't necessarily mean a fall election

The Liberal-NDP deal is dead — but that doesn't necessarily mean a fall election

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh's decision to pull his party out of the confidence-and-supply agreement with the governing Liberals injects a...

Poilievre says he would cut population growth after Liberals signal immigration changes coming

Poilievre says he would cut population growth after Liberals signal immigration changes coming

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Thursday he would rein in Canada's population growth if elected, claiming the Liberal government has...

Poilievre asks Singh to pull support for Liberal government to prompt fall election

Poilievre asks Singh to pull support for Liberal government to prompt fall election

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has written a letter to his NDP counterpart asking Jagmeet Singh to pull his party's support...

Liberals confident deal with NDP to keep them in power will hold until June

Liberals confident deal with NDP to keep them in power will hold until June

Government House Leader Karina Gould said Tuesday she's confident the NDP supply-and-confidence agreement that keeps the Liberal government in power...

Trump or Harris — Canada will work well with either one, ambassador to the U.S. says

Trump or Harris — Canada will work well with either one, ambassador to the U.S. says

Canada's ambassador to the U.S. said Tuesday the country will work well with whomever wins the November presidential election, saying...

U.S. wants Canada to hit military spending target 'as rapidly as humanly possible': Biden's adviser

U.S. wants Canada to hit military spending target 'as rapidly as humanly possible': Biden's adviser

Canada and other countries that are laggards when it comes to military spending should hit the NATO-imposed target of spending...

Trudeau announces reduction in temporary foreign workers, suggests more immigration changes to come

Trudeau announces reduction in temporary foreign workers, suggests more immigration changes to come

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday the federal government will reduce the number of temporary foreign workers in Canada after...

Liberals say they will rein in temporary foreign worker program after historic influx

Liberals say they will rein in temporary foreign worker program after historic influx

Housing Minister Sean Fraser said Sunday that the federal government will curb the number of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) coming...

Canada braces for Trump 2.0 as the former president takes the lead in U.S. presidential race

Canada braces for Trump 2.0 as the former president takes the lead in U.S. presidential race

Polls suggest former president Donald Trump is in a strong position to win back the presidency this November — a...

This Conservative MP is 'best friends' with Trump running mate J.D. Vance

This Conservative MP is 'best friends' with Trump running mate J.D. Vance

Two men from disparate backgrounds who say they forged a friendship while feeling like outsiders at an elite American institution...

Conservative MP attacked online after praising police for arrest in alleged homophobic crime

Conservative MP attacked online after praising police for arrest in alleged homophobic crime

Conservative MP Michelle Ferreri is praising the Peterborough Police for arresting a man accused of hurling homophobic slurs and burning...

Biden's poor debate performance renews questions about Trump, Trudeau and Canada's future

Biden's poor debate performance renews questions about Trump, Trudeau and Canada's future

U.S. President Joe Biden's uneven — and at times incoherent — debate performance Thursday reportedly has triggered panic in Democratic...

Sajjan says he relayed information on rescuing Sikhs in Afghanistan during chaotic fall of Kabul

Sajjan says he relayed information on rescuing Sikhs in Afghanistan during chaotic fall of Kabul

Then-defence minister Harjit Sajjan relayed information to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) about how to rescue Sikhs in Afghanistan while...

Liberals need to give their 'heads a shake,' minister says after byelection loss

Liberals need to give their 'heads a shake,' minister says after byelection loss

Marc Miller, a personal friend of Trudeau, says PM should 'absolutely stay on' as leader. Immigration Minister Marc Miller, a...

Conservatives win longtime Liberal stronghold Toronto-St. Paul's in shock byelection result

Conservatives win longtime Liberal stronghold Toronto-St. Paul's in shock byelection result

Stunning result raises questions about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's future. Conservative candidate Don Stewart has won the longtime federal Liberal...

NDP MP Niki Ashton pays back some expenses related to trip with her family

NDP MP Niki Ashton pays back some expenses related to trip with her family

NDP MP Niki Ashton has paid back some of the expenses related to a trip she took with her family...

Toronto voters say federal byelection is a referendum on Justin Trudeau's future

Toronto voters say federal byelection is a referendum on Justin Trudeau's future

The upcoming Toronto-St. Paul's federal byelection will be a critical test for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his party —...

NDP MP rarely on Parliament Hill billed taxpayers for travel with family over Christmas

NDP MP rarely on Parliament Hill billed taxpayers for travel with family over Christmas

An NDP MP who frequently joins parliamentary proceedings remotely from her riding billed the House of Commons for a trip...

Government won't commit to releasing names of MPs who allegedly conspired with foreign actors

Government won't commit to releasing names of MPs who allegedly conspired with foreign actors

Senior cabinet ministers wouldn't say Tuesday if the government is prepared to release the names of parliamentarians who are alleged...

Pierre Poilievre disagrees with Conservative MP who wants to vote against same-sex marriage

Pierre Poilievre disagrees with Conservative MP who wants to vote against same-sex marriage

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he disagrees with a member of his caucus who says he wants to see more...

Emigration to the U.S. hits a 10-year high as tens of thousands of Canadians head south

Emigration to the U.S. hits a 10-year high as tens of thousands of Canadians head south

Tens of thousands of Canadians are emigrating to the United States and the number of people packing up and moving...

Trudeau's promised made-in-Canada vaccine plant hasn't produced any shots

Trudeau's promised made-in-Canada vaccine plant hasn't produced any shots

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a multi-million dollar funding commitment to build a...

Another would-be Conservative nominee alleges 'irregularities' in race to carry party banner

Another would-be Conservative nominee alleges 'irregularities' in race to carry party banner

A town councillor running for the Conservative nomination in an Ontario riding that was already the source of controversy earlier...

Poilievre still won't say if he'll scrap government's capital gains tax hike

Poilievre still won't say if he'll scrap government's capital gains tax hike

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was noncommittal Thursday when asked what a government led by him would do with Ottawa's proposed...

Feds blame Ontario as some daycare centres pull out of national child care program

Feds blame Ontario as some daycare centres pull out of national child care program

Families Minister Jenna Sudds said Monday some Ontario daycare centres have pulled out of the federal government's national early learning...

Hours on hold and endless queues: Canadians still grappling with poor passport service

Hours on hold and endless queues: Canadians still grappling with poor passport service

Canadians routinely wait hours on the phone and in person when dealing with Passport Canada, leaving many travellers infuriated by...

'We are getting closer' to cutting interest rates, Bank of Canada governor tells MPs

'We are getting closer' to cutting interest rates, Bank of Canada governor tells MPs

The Bank of Canada is getting closer to cutting interest rates as inflation shows signs of coming down and staying...

Poilievre blasts budget, won't commit to keeping new social programs like pharmacare

Poilievre blasts budget, won't commit to keeping new social programs like pharmacare

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre delivered an hour-long rebuttal to the Liberal government's budget Thursday — a fiery speech that depicted...

Bill Morneau slams Freeland's budget as a threat to investment, economic growth

Bill Morneau slams Freeland's budget as a threat to investment, economic growth

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland's predecessor Bill Morneau says there was talk of increasing the capital gains tax when he was...