Touria Izri

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 Touria Izri.

Trudeau is ‘radioactive,’ says NDP MP as party caucus retreat begins

Trudeau is ‘radioactive,’ says NDP MP as party caucus retreat begins

New Democrats are gathering in Montreal for a strategy session before the return of Parliament next week and after distancing themselves from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose name one NDP MP described as “radioactive.”Last week, the NDP scrapped their supply and confidence agreement propping up the Liberal minority government.

Mexico visa-free travel a ‘bilateral irritant’ for Canada-U.S. relations

Mexico visa-free travel a ‘bilateral irritant’ for Canada-U.S. relations

The Liberal government’s decision to lift the visa requirement for Mexican nationals became a “bilateral irritant” with the Biden administration, as the number of migrants on both sides of the border spiked, newly released documents show.Immigration Minister Marc Miller reinstated visas for Mexican citizens on Feb. 29, 2024 to slow what he called “exponential growth” in asylum claims straining Canada’s refugee system and provinces’ resources, while also drawing the ire of U.S. officials.

7 in 10 Canadians say they feel the country is ‘broken’: Ipsos poll

7 in 10 Canadians say they feel the country is ‘broken’: Ipsos poll

Canada Day is around the corner, but many Canadians are not necessarily in a mood to celebrate the state of the country, a new poll suggests.Ipsos polling done exclusively for Global News shows 70 per cent of Canadians agree that “Canada is broken,” a charge Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre repeatedly makes.

Despite Toronto-St. Paul’s loss, Freeland says Trudeau should stay as leader

Despite Toronto-St. Paul’s loss, Freeland says Trudeau should stay as leader

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says she still has faith in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s leadership, after the party lost what was once considered one of the safest Liberal seats in the country.“The prime minister is committed to leading us into the next election and he has our support,” said Freeland at a news conference, following the Liberals’ stunning defeat to the Conservatives in the Toronto-St Paul’s byelection.

Support for Trudeau nears ‘rock bottom’ as 68% want him to step down: Ipsos

Support for Trudeau nears ‘rock bottom’ as 68% want him to step down: Ipsos

As the House of Commons prepares to break for the summer, a majority of Canadians say Justin Trudeau should no longer be prime minister when MPs return in the fall, a new poll suggests.Ipsos polling done exclusively for Global News shows 68 per cent of Canadians want Trudeau to step down. The desire for him to call it quits is highest in Alberta (79 per cent) and Atlantic Canada (76 per cent.)

Interference inquiry to ‘shed light’ on allegations parliamentarians colluded

Interference inquiry to ‘shed light’ on allegations parliamentarians colluded

The public inquiry into foreign interference will probe explosive allegations parliamentarians are “wittingly” helping foreign governments and demonstrated behaviour that one federal leader said could be described as “dumb, unethical” or “foolish.”“The Commission takes note of the government’s decision to resort to the process of an independent commission of inquiry to shed light on the facts,” said the inquiry in a public notice Monday.

So far, ‘deflection,’ no answers on politician collusion allegations: experts

So far, ‘deflection,’ no answers on politician collusion allegations: experts

A former RCMP superintendent says the Liberal government is passing the buck by insisting it’s up to Canada’s national police force to decide what to do about parliamentarians accused of helping foreign states.“This, in my view, is total deflection,” Garry Clement told Mercedes Stephenson in an interview with The West Block. “The laws are not there right now.”

Can alleged parliamentarian colluders face consequences? CSIS chief weighs in

Can alleged parliamentarian colluders face consequences? CSIS chief weighs in

Canada’s spy chief says that political leaders could take steps to make sure parliamentarians accused of cooperating with foreign governments face consequences, even if they don’t face criminal prosecution.David Vigneault, the director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), suggested to a parliamentary committee Thursday that party leaders could disallow any of their MPs suspected of collusion from running for the party again, or expel them from caucus over the allegations they cooperated with foreign states like China and India.

RCMP ‘aware’ of intelligence related to foreign interference and parliamentarians

RCMP ‘aware’ of intelligence related to foreign interference and parliamentarians

Canada’s national police force says it is “aware” of a “broad” range of intelligence looking into parliamentarians allegedly working with foreign governments.The RCMP’s statement comes two days after a stunning report by the federal national security committee of parliamentarians alleging sitting federal politicians have “wittingly” participated in foreign interference operations.

No answers on if parliamentarians allegedly aiding foreign states can run again

No answers on if parliamentarians allegedly aiding foreign states can run again

There are no clear answers on whether federal politicians accused of “wittingly” colluding with foreign states could run in the next election.A stunning report by the federal national security committee of parliamentarians Monday revealed that multiple federal politicians allegedly knowingly participated in foreign interference schemes over the last five years.That’s spurring concerns about whether those individuals should be named, removed from their current positions or roles and barred from running again in the next election, as the Liberal government continues to refuse to reveal their identities.The chair of the committee, Liberal MP David McGuint

Via Rail paid $11 million in bonuses amid travel delays and losses

Via Rail paid $11 million in bonuses amid travel delays and losses

Via Rail handed out millions of dollars in bonuses to executives and employees, amid frequent travel delays, ongoing financial troubles, and increased government subsidies, newly released documents show.A report this month from the Crown Corporation found 40 per cent of its trains were late in 2023, while its operating losses increased year-over-year.

CSC told staff not to inform public about Luka Magnotta transfer: docs

CSC told staff not to inform public about Luka Magnotta transfer: docs

Three days before murderer Luka Magnotta was transferred from a maximum to medium security prison, Correctional Service Canada instructed staff not to tell the public about the move, newly released documents show.The decision to transfer one of Canada’s most notorious killers back in the summer of 2022 would not come to light for nearly two years.

U.K. takes aim at allies like Canada, wants higher NATO targets

U.K. takes aim at allies like Canada, wants higher NATO targets

Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Cameron is urging the U.K.’s allies, including Canada, to spend more on their militaries, warning the West needs a “harder edge for a tougher world.”The current NATO target for defence spending is two per cent of GDP. Cameron wants it raised to 2.5 per cent.Canada routinely misses the current benchmark, a

Joly says Israeli Rafah invasion would be ‘unacceptable,’ urges ceasefire

Joly says Israeli Rafah invasion would be ‘unacceptable,’ urges ceasefire

As Israeli forces seize control of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, Canada’s foreign affairs minister, Mélanie Joly, is warning the offensive could have dire consequences in an already “catastrophic” situation.“An invasion of Rafah, which would endanger the lives of women and children and innocent civilians, is completely unacceptable,” Joly said on her way into a cabinet meeting Tuesday.

Some 2019 candidates ‘appeared willing’ to engage with foreign interference: Hogue inquiry

Some 2019 candidates ‘appeared willing’ to engage with foreign interference: Hogue inquiry

A handful of candidates in Canada’s 2019 federal election “appeared willing” to go along with foreign interference schemes, a federal public inquiry has found.Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue’s preliminary report, released Friday, concluded that while hostile states attempted to covertly influence the 2019 and 2021 general elections, those efforts did not change which party took power.

Ottawa to propose new asylum rules to allow for faster deportations

Ottawa to propose new asylum rules to allow for faster deportations

The Liberal government is proposing to make changes to Canada’s asylum claim system which could speed up the deportation process for rejected applicants from the country.The proposed amendments were quietly announced two weeks ago in the 2024 federal budget and come as Canada deals with a record number of asylum seekers.

Is the ‘Seinfeld theory’ coming for Justin Trudeau’s political future?

Is the ‘Seinfeld theory’ coming for Justin Trudeau’s political future?

The Trudeau government released its 2024 budget with a promise to bring “fairness for every generation” by pledging billions on housing and introducing a new capital gains tax on the wealthy, as part of its strategy to win back younger voters.But former Liberal deputy prime minister John Manley doubts the major spending geared at a millennial and Gen Z audience will be enough to keep Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in power once election time rolls around.

Trudeau briefed on alleged interference in Dong’s riding before 2019 election: document

Trudeau briefed on alleged interference in Dong’s riding before 2019 election: document

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau received briefings about foreign interference allegations related to former Liberal MP Han Dong’s riding before the 2019 election, a new document shows.It was submitted to Canada’s inquiry into foreign election interference Monday evening.

New foreign interference documents raise questions about ‘special rapporteur’ report

New foreign interference documents raise questions about ‘special rapporteur’ report

New intelligence documents published by the federal foreign interference inquiry raise questions about the conclusions of former Governor General David Johnston’s probe into the issue.Johnston, whom Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed a “special rapporteur” on foreign interference, ruled out calling a public inquiry last May.

Trudeau not saying if Han Dong will return to Liberal caucus after testimony

Trudeau not saying if Han Dong will return to Liberal caucus after testimony

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not say whether he would allow former Liberal MP Han Dong back into caucus, after Dong testified at Canada’s inquiry into foreign election interference that he wants back into the party.“Obviously these are ongoing conversations that we need to take seriously, and we are,” said Trudeau at a housing announcement in Toronto Wednesday.

Housing asylum seekers at Niagara hotels cost Canada more than $100 million

Housing asylum seekers at Niagara hotels cost Canada more than $100 million

Newly released figures from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada show the federal government spent more than $100 million housing asylum seekers at hotels in Niagara Falls over the last year.Nearly 5,000 asylum seekers were sent to hotels in the tourist city between Feb. 1, 2023, and Feb. 1, 2024, according to the immigration department. Most were from Nigeria, Venezuela, Kenya, Turkey, and Colombia.

Luka Magnotta transfer was flagged twice to then-minister’s office: CSC

Luka Magnotta transfer was flagged twice to then-minister’s office: CSC

A year before the transfer of serial killer and rapist Paul Bernardo to a medium-security prison in Quebec ignited a political firestorm, then-public safety minister Marco Mendicino’s office had been informed about plans for a similar move of another high-profile killer — Luka Magnotta — to the same institution.“Advanced notification was provided to the Minister of Public Safety’s office once the offender had been approved for the transfer and again when the transfer date had been determined,” Correctional Service Canada (CSC) spokesperson Esther Mailhot said in a statement to Global News Tuesday when asked about Magnotta.

Inside the 72 hours while Canada debated grounding the Boeing MAX-8

Inside the 72 hours while Canada debated grounding the Boeing MAX-8

Just hours before then-transportation minister Marc Garneau announced the grounding of Boeing 737 MAX-8 jets in March 2019, staff at his department prepared three very different speeches.They outlined three different scenarios: restricting the aircraft from Canadian airspace, as many countries already had, declaring the MAX-8 safe to fly, as the Americans did, or allowing the aircraft to operate “only if certain standards were met.”

Poilievre vows no MAID mental illness expansion if he wins next election

Poilievre vows no MAID mental illness expansion if he wins next election

The Liberals have delayed expanding medical assistance in dying for mental illness until after the next election. But if Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre wins, he says he will scrap the plan altogether.“We will revoke (an expansion) entirely,” Poilievre said at a news conference Thursday in Vancouver after the Trudeau government punted the move until 2027.

Iran’s growing influence may be missed as inquiry begins, experts warn

Iran’s growing influence may be missed as inquiry begins, experts warn

The highly anticipated public inquiry into foreign election interference is set to begin Monday, examining how countries like China, Russia and India may have tried to meddle in Canadian democracy.But some national security experts warn Iran’s growing influence may be missed, despite how far the regime has “spread its tentacles” in Canada.“Any country on which we have substantive information of engaging in foreign interference should be included,” Dick Fadden, former head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, told host Mercedes Stephenson in an interview with The West Block.