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 Darren Major.
Minister MacKinnon dismissing ‘ludicrous’ demands other parties have put forward for the budget. Liberal House leader Steve MacKinnon signalled Tuesday that he’s concerned the government’s budget might not get support from the opposition benches, while at the same time dismissing some demands other parties have laid out. The Liberal government will need the co-operation of at least one other party...
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre took aim at the RCMP’s independence in a recent interview, calling the national police force’s "despicable" leadership and accusing it of covering up for the Liberal government and former prime minister Justin Trudeau. “If the RCMP had been doing its job and not covering up for him, then he would have been criminally charged,” the Opposition...
Alberta to apply to Major Projects Office for new bitumen pipeline to northern B.C. coast. Canada’s energy minister says Alberta will need to get its neighbouring province on board in order to see its proposed pipeline project to the West Coast come to fruition. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced earlier this month that her government will get started on its...
Prime Minister Mark Carney is calling for a swift implementation of the first phase of the U.S.-proposed peace deal between Israel and Hamas, following news of an agreement late Wednesday. U.S. President Donald Trump said that means Hamas will release all remaining Israeli hostages and Israel will withdraw its troops "to an agreed upon line." Carney congratulated Trump and representatives...
Kevin Page says PBO should ‘walk back’ comments about 'unsustainable' finances. A former parliamentary budget officer says it is "just wrong" to suggest that the federal finances are unsustainable and is publicly disagreeing with the current fiscal watchdog. Kevin Page — who was Canada's first parliamentary budget officer (PBO) starting in 2008 — told CBC's Power & Politics that he...
Marie-France Lalonde plans to introduce bill aimed at ending daylight time. An MP says all of Canada should end the practice of changing the clocks twice a year — and is planning on introducing legislation she hopes will ensure the custom is lost to time. "Canadians will often engage in conversation and debates about why it is we change our...
Liberals are only a few seats short of a majority, will need support from another party to push agenda through. MPs returned to Parliament Hill this week after a summer break that was preceded by a short spring sitting. April's election saw Canadians elect a slim Liberal minority government — the sixth minority government in the past two decades —...
Office is being set up to fast-track approvals for projects deemed in national interest. The head of the federal government's new Major Projects Office will earn a salary between $577,000 and $679,000 a year, according to an order in council issued last week. Prime Minister Mark Carney has tapped Dawn Farrell, former CEO and chair of the board of directors...
Canada-U.S. trade minister says work is still needed to reach a deal with Trump. Most of the counter-tariffs Ottawa slapped on U.S. goods earlier this year have now been removed, with a few exceptions. Canada placed duties on $60 billion worth of U.S. goods in response to American tariffs on various Canadian goods. Those tariffs are gone as of Monday...
The requirement to write in Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre or other candidates' names during last week's byelection doesn't appear to have made an impact on how many ballots were rejected. A larger share of ballots were rejected when Poilievre lost in his former Carleton riding in April than the Aug. 18 race in Alberta's Battle River-Crowfoot. The validated results posted...
Elections Canada adopted a write-in ballot as politicians weigh possible changes to election rules. In attempting to give Monday's federal byelection in Alberta the longest ballot in Canadian history, a group of electoral reform advocates may have instead created the shortest one — and with further policy changes possibly on the horizon, the future of such protests is unclear. Elections...
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May told supporters Tuesday that she won't be leading the party into the next election. May — who is currently the only Green MP — made the announcement in an email to party members which was shared with CBC news. She said she intends to stay on as an MP and leader pending the results of...
Trump slapped Canada with higher tariffs Aug. 1 while giving Mexico more time. Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to visit Mexico next month as the countries try to navigate trade relations with the United States. Both Mexico and Canada have been subject to tariffs and tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump since he was re-elected last fall. Trump...
‘Leadership courtesy’ convention has been inconsistently applied over the decades. Political parties won't be giving Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre a free ride back into the House of Commons — seemingly ignoring a parliamentary tradition that dates back decades. But the convention of political parties standing aside to allow seatless party leaders an easy path to the House — known as...
Business groups raise concerns but say 'no deal is better than a bad deall' The federal minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade says Canada won't accept a bad deal from the U.S. President Donald Trump's administration and that there had been no viable deal on the table this week. Minister Dominic LeBlanc told Radio-Canada's Canada Midi that he was encouraged because...
Palestinian Authority must commit to reforms for Canada to recognize statehood. Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will recognize a Palestinian state in September if the West Bank's governing body agrees to certain conditions. The prime minister said the Palestinian Authority must hold an election in 2026 and commit to other democratic reforms. Carney's announcement came after he spoke to...
More than 200 candidates, mostly associated with a group of electoral reform advocates, have signed up to run in an upcoming federal byelection next month. The number more than doubles the previous record on a single ballot. Former Alberta MP Damien Kurek vacated his seat in Battle River-Crowfoot to give Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre a chance to rejoin the House...
102 candidates have registered so far, beating the previous record of 91. Next month's byelection in Alberta's Battle River-Crowfoot will break the record for the most candidates on a federal ballot in Canadian history. As of Friday, 108 candidates — mostly associated with a group of electoral reform advocates known as the Longest Ballot Committee — have registered to run...
The U.K. government announced Thursday that it will be lowering the voting age from 18 to 16, in time for its next general election. The move is encouraging for advocates who want to see the same change made in Canada. "It's a step that should have been done a long time ago," Jaden Braves, CEO of Young Politicians of Canada...
Protesters again signing up dozens of candidates to run against Conservative leader. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he wants Canada's election laws changed to prevent long ballot protests as he is set to face another one next month. "We have to take action because this is a scam. It is unfair, it is unjust and it must stop," Poilievre said...
Trump and PM Carney have been locked in negotiation to reach a trade agreement by July 21. U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening to slap a 35 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods as the two countries have been engaged in negotiations to reach some sort of trade agreement. Trump's latest threat came in a letter to Prime Minister...
Relatives of Canadians detained by ICE in the United States say they're furious and frustrated by the treatment of their loved ones and the battles they're having to fight for even the most basic information. Global Affairs Canada said it's aware of roughly 55 Canadians in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, though it said that the numbers can fluctuate.
Manitoba Sen. Mary Jane McCallum is 2nd to join caucus this month. Sen. Mary Jane McCallum of Manitoba is now part of the Conservatives' Senate caucus — making her the second senator appointed by former prime minister Justin Trudeau to join the party this month. McCallum, who is Cree and a member of the Barren Lands First Nation, said she...
Former astronaut and federal cabinet minister died on Wednesday at 76. Marc Garneau died this week after being diagnosed with two types of cancer earlier this year, his former staffer says. The first Canadian to travel to space and former cabinet minister died on Wednesday. He was 76. Marc Roy, Garneau's former chief of staff, told CBC's Power & Politics...
Liberals say tax cut will save 2-income families up to $840 a year. The House of Commons unanimously voted in favour of the Liberals' promised income tax cut on Thursday. The Liberals promised to bring in a one percentage point reduction in the lowest marginal tax rate — taking it from 15 per cent to 14 per cent — during...
There was cautious optimism in the air as provincial and territorial premiers began arriving in Saskatoon to meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney. The first ministers are meeting on Monday, and Carney has said he wants to hear provincial ideas for "nation-building projects." The prime minister struck an optimistic tone as he spoke to the premiers in front of reporters...
Prime minister says he wants projects to ‘compete’ for federal approvals. Prime Minister Mark Carney's main focus will be on project development as he sits down with provincial and territorial premiers this week. First ministers are gathering in Saskatoon Monday for the first time since the April 28 federal election. Carney told CBC's Power & Politics in an exclusive interview...
Internal federal documents suggest legislation could be tabled as early as next month. The Liberal government will introduce legislation to assist in identifying projects in the national interest and provide "up-front regulatory approvals" to major projects, according to a federal document obtained by CBC News. "Once a project is determined to be in the national interest, federal reviews will shift...
Interim NDP leader says his party will get a question 'every day' in question period. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Wednesday that his party will support proposed Liberal tax cuts but urged the governing party to make those cuts steeper. "We are the party of taxpayers. We will vote for every tax cut always and everywhere. We love taxpayers and...
Prime minister thinks Trump beginning to get the hint about Canadian sovereignty. Prime Minister Mark Carney says more progress needs to be made on resolving the tariff issue with the United States before renegotiations of the North American trade deal begin. In an exclusive interview with CBC's Power & Politics on Tuesday, Carney said "fairly intensive discussions" with the U.S...
First order of business will be to elect a Speaker before King Charles presents the throne speech. Parliament will return on Monday after more than six months and will feel a little different than usual thanks to some unusual circumstances. Each parliamentary session typically opens with some routine proceedings, which include the election of a Speaker of the House of...
Ottawa expects 'full investigation,' prime minister says. Prime Minister Mark Carney says it's "totally unacceptable" that members of the Israeli army fired shots near a diplomatic delegation, which included Canadians, in the West Bank on Wednesday. The federal government confirmed Wednesday that four Canadian personnel were part of a tour in the city of Jenin when members of the Israel...
Economist says lack of budget could slow down promised stimulus. The recently re-elected Liberal government isn't planning to release a budget this year, opting instead for an economic statement later this fall. But experts warn that not providing a fiscal snapshot could erode economic confidence and delay the government's agenda.
Newly minted interim Opposition leader Andrew Scheer says talks are "ongoing" about the current Stornoway conundrum — but he doesn't sound eager to move into the official residence. The Saskatchewan MP was chosen to temporarily take over Pierre Poilievre's parliamentary duties as the Conservative leader seeks to reclaim a seat in the House of Commons. Poilievre lost his long-held Ontario...
Revised result close enough to be subject to automatic recount. Elections Canada's validation process has revealed a second closely contested riding's winner has changed after Monday's preliminary result — this time from the Conservatives to the Liberals. The unofficial results posted on election night showed that Conservative Parm Gill had won the redrawn riding of Milton East-Halton Hills South by 298 votes.
Conservative MP Jamil Jivani — who is also a friend of U.S. Vice-President JD Vance — says he's open to helping the government during negotiations with the U.S. administration if the Liberals ask. Since U.S. President Donald Trump's inauguration, Jivani has been fairly muted about his close friendship with Vance.
The Liberals have dropped one seat after Elections Canada's validation process determined they lost a tightly contested Quebec riding. Terrebonne, just north of Montreal, was one of the last ridings to be called on Tuesday afternoon. The final vote count had the Liberals flip the seat from the Bloc Québécois by 35 votes.
Poilievre, Singh are most notable losses, but other familiar faces won't be back.
Houston says Blanchet should take more pride in Canada 'or step aside.' Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is stepping into the federal fray, blasting the leader of the Bloc Québécois for calling Canada an "artificial country." At a campaign stop earlier this week, Yves-François Blanchet said he felt like he was a member of a "foreign parliament." When asked about...
As voters enjoy a holiday meal with family and friends this long weekend, they might also be digesting the leadership debates — and the election campaign writ large. Holidays in the middle of a campaign aren't new. Canada's fixed date election rules means the vote usually takes place in October after the Thanksgiving weekend. But the spring snap election call...
The Green Party says it deliberately didn't run candidates in some ridings, even though the party submitted a full slate of potential candidates to the commission responsible for organizing the leadership debates.
Party provided full list of candidates to commission, but only about 2/3 are registered to run. Canada's Leaders' Debates Commission is defending its decision to invite Green Party co–leader Jonathan Pedneault to this week's debates, even though the party is well short of a full slate of candidates.
Conservative leader's swipes at main opponent get personal on Day 17 of campaign. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's criticisms of Mark Carney got personal on Tuesday, while the Liberal leader hit back at Poilievre's political career. Poilievre's past swipes at his main political opponent include criticisms that Carney is no different than his predecessor Justin Trudeau and that the Liberal leader...
Group said it also intended to overload ballot in Carney's riding, but ran out of time. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre will be facing more opponents than ever in his eighth federal campaign, thanks to dozens of protest candidates running in his riding. Nearly 80 candidates registered to run in the Ottawa-area riding of Carleton, where Poilievre has been the MP...
U.S. President Donald Trump is dealing another tariff blow to Canada, signing an executive order on Wednesday that will hit all non-U.S.-made autos with hefty import levies. Trump said the United States will be applying a 25 per cent tariff on those imports, but it's not clear when they would apply. The president said the auto tariffs will kick in...
The Canadian Future Party bills itself as a place for voters disillusioned by Liberals and Conservatives. Dominic Cardy, leader of the upstart Canadian Future Party, is under no illusions that he will be prime minister after Canadians cast their vote next month. "This party just started and what we really want to do in this race is to raise the...
The head of Elections Canada says he has been in touch with social media platforms in an effort to address concerns about misinformation as Canada wades into an election campaign. Chief Electoral Officer Stephane Perrault told reporters on Monday that he has reached out to social media sites such as X and TikTok to "seek their support to making this...
Challenge comes as tariff chaos continues. Sen. Patrick Brazeau wants to punch Donald Trump in the face. Not the U.S. president, but his son, Donald Trump Jr. The Quebec senator took to social media on Thursday to challenge the younger Trump to a charity boxing match.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau voiced support for Ukraine after a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy went completely off the rails. Trump and Vice-President JD Vance berated Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday as the leaders met to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, access to the country's critical minerals and a potential ceasefire with...
U.S. President Donald Trump is voicing his support for hockey legend Wayne Gretzky while suggesting the former NHLer isn't keen on the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state. Gretzky has drawn the ire of some Canadians in recent weeks due to his affiliation with Trump, who has threatened Canada with steep tariffs and talked about making the country the...
Latest surveys suggest a tightening race between Liberals and Conservatives. Recent federal polls have shown a dramatic shift in Canadians' voting preferences, but analysts say there is no guarantee it's a lasting trend. CBC's Poll Tracker has clocked a massive Conservative lead for the better part of the last two years. But survey results from the past few weeks suggest...
The four candidates vying to be the next Liberal leader and prime minister pitched themselves to supporters as the best person to handle relations with U.S. President Donald Trump. Canada-U.S. relations was the first topic of discussion as the contenders to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau squared off in the Liberal Party's French-language debate. Monday's showdown came just hours after...
There was no shortage of storylines during the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off — but when the league announced the international competition last year, it likely didn't anticipate that politics would take centre ice. Heading into the final game, Canada's head coach Jon Cooper acknowledged the political backdrop but downplayed its significance.
'Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,' the prime minister said. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says it's essential that Ukraine be included in peace negotiations after U.S. and Russian officials met to start discussing a possible end to the war in eastern Europe. "It's a fundamental principle for Canada, and for the vast majority of our allies, that nothing about Ukraine without...
The federal government is suing an IT subcontractor and companies that employed him over questionable billing practices. The government is seeking $1.6 million from the Ottawa-based IT professional for "unjust enrichment," according to court documents filed last Friday. They allege that the contractor billed the civil service for hours he didn't actually work.
B.C.'s Eby says premiers were urged to take Trump at his word. A team of Canada's premiers met with senior White House officials on Wednesday as they continue to make the case against tariffs on Canadian goods. "It was a good conversation. I thought it was constructive," B.C. Premier David Eby told reporters outside the White House on Wednesday evening...
Trump pegged Feb. 1 as the day he would slap heavy tariffs on Canadian goods. Canadians are waiting to see details on the promised U.S. tariffs that could cripple the Canadian economy. U.S. President Donald Trump has for months been threatening to slap tariffs on Canada and pegged Feb. 1 as the day they would come. He indicated on Friday...
Trump's choice for commerce secretary said Feb. 1 threat is about border concerns. Days before tariffs that have the potential to cripple Canada's economy are expected to come into effect, Canadian politicians are pushing the message that the country is cracking down on one of U.S. President Donald Trump's main concerns.
Days before tariffs that have the potential to cripple Canada's economy are expected to come into effect, the country's political leaders are still in the dark about what exactly U.S. President Donald Trump will do.
Spy agency said in December it would give Conservative leader briefing without him needing security clearance. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is rejecting the terms of a briefing from Canada's spy agency regarding foreign interference because it won't enable him to act on the information, his office says. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) said in December that it was looking...