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These are the 30 most read items on National Newswatch, from the last seven days.

Liberal MP Erskine-Smith loses nomination battle for Ontario provincial byelection

Liberal MP Erskine-Smith loses nomination battle for Ontario provincial byelection

Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith lost a provincial nomination race Saturday, failing to clear the first of several hurdles toward the leadership of the Ontario Liberals. Ontario Liberal members in the riding of Scarborough Southwest selected business owner Ahsanul Hafiz as their candidate for an upcoming byelection. Erskine-Smith, who represents the neighbouring federal riding of Beaches-East York, had indicated he was...

  • 2026-05-09
  • — Canadian Press
Former B.C. premier Gordon Campbell back in the political game

Former B.C. premier Gordon Campbell back in the political game

By the time Gordon Campbell began his 10-year run as premier of B.C. in 2001, he had already been a mayor of Vancouver and a member of the legislature as leader of the BC Liberals. But the former premier said Friday that he does not think a lack of elected experience should be an impediment to Caroline Elliott, a former...

  • 2026-05-09
  • — The Globe and Mail
Liberals Lead But Carney Approval Continues Slide

Liberals Lead But Carney Approval Continues Slide

The latest Weekly Federal Tracker from Liaison Strategies shows the Liberal Party, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, holding an 11-point lead over Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives but the Prime Minister's approval rating has fallen to 58%. If a federal election were held today among decided and leaning voters, the Liberals would receive 44% of the vote, followed by the Conservatives...

  • 2026-05-11
  • — Liaison Strategies
Pierre Poilievre encounters nothing but jerks, all day long

Pierre Poilievre encounters nothing but jerks, all day long

There’s an expression I heard years ago that I try to keep in mind for perspective on days when it feels like everyone in the world has been sent specifically to annoy and oppose me. The original version used naughty language, but I’ll clean it up for the sake of this venerable newspaper. It goes like this: If you wake...

  • 2026-05-09
  • — The Globe and Mail
Former Progressive Conservative justice minister joins the Nova Scotia Liberal Party

Former Progressive Conservative justice minister joins the Nova Scotia Liberal Party

Becky Druhan, Nova Scotia's former justice minister and Independent member of the legislature, has joined the provincial Liberals and plans to run for party leadership. Druhan represents the Lunenburg West riding in Nova Scotia's South Shore and was elected twice as a member of Premier Tim Houston's Progressive Conservatives. She left the party in the fall citing differences with the...

  • 2026-05-11
  • — Canadian Press
Travel to the U.S. is down even more dramatically than we thought, data shows

Travel to the U.S. is down even more dramatically than we thought, data shows

Visits by Canadians have cratered by 42% over the last year, cell phone data reveals. The boycott by Canadians of travel to the U.S., driven largely by an aversion to President Donald Trump, his industry-wrecking tariffs and 51st state taunts, has actually been more effective than previously thought, according to new data. While official Statistics Canada figures show a roughly...

  • 2026-05-14
  • — CBC News
'It has been devastating,' U.S. spirits group says about Canadian alcohol boycotts

'It has been devastating,' U.S. spirits group says about Canadian alcohol boycotts

Distilled Spirits Council of the United States says global exports decreased in 2025 partly because of Canada. Whether at the grocery store or the NSLC, Martha Reynolds pays attention to where products are from. "I'm doing my very best to not buy American," she said outside a Halifax location of the province's Crown-run alcohol retailer. For alcohol, this means bourbon...

  • 2026-05-12
  • — CBC News
Judge quashes Alberta separation petition in favour of First Nations

Judge quashes Alberta separation petition in favour of First Nations

A judge threw out an Alberta separatist petition Wednesday, ruling the province had a duty to consult with First Nations — a decision quickly declared "anti-democratic" by Premier Danielle Smith. Justice Shaina Leonard also said Alberta's chief electoral officer should never have issued the referendum petition. The premier promised an appeal. "This is a decision by one judge," said Smith...

  • 2026-05-13
  • — Canadian Press
Separatist leader accused of misusing Alberta electors list refuses to co-operate with investigators

Separatist leader accused of misusing Alberta electors list refuses to co-operate with investigators

The leader of the separatist organization accused of misusing Alberta’s list of electors by providing hundreds of supporters with access to private information belonging to 2.9 million residents is refusing to co-operate with investigators. David Parker, the political organizer behind the Centurion Project, is stonewalling Elections Alberta, according to a statement from the head of the agency. “I can confirm...

  • 2026-05-12
  • — The Globe and Mail
Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith to resign federal seat this summer following GTA nomination loss

Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith to resign federal seat this summer following GTA nomination loss

Despite losing a nomination contest to run for the Ontario Liberals over the weekend, federal Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith says he plans to follow through on his plan to resign his seat in the House of Commons before MPs rise for the summer. “I am going to resign my seat by the end of the parliamentary session to ensure that...

  • 2026-05-12
  • — CTV News
Major VPN provider says it could leave Canada over lawful access bill

Major VPN provider says it could leave Canada over lawful access bill

Virtual private network service NordVPN says it could pull out of Canada over the federal government's proposed lawful access bill. NordVPN says it is reviewing the bill and would consider leaving Canada if the bill requires it to compromise its privacy protections. Earlier this week, The Globe and Mail reported that the encrypted messaging service Signal said it would leave...

  • 2026-05-15
  • — Canadian Press
If Erskine-Smith says nomination was unfair, prove it: Interim Ontario Liberal leader

If Erskine-Smith says nomination was unfair, prove it: Interim Ontario Liberal leader

The interim leader of the Ontario Liberal Party says a nomination race this weekend to select a byelection candidate was fair, and if the unsuccessful contestant -- Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith -- wants to call that into question, he should "prove it." Erskine-Smith was vying to represent the provincial party in the upcoming Scarborough Southwest byelection ahead of an intended...

  • 2026-05-11
  • — Canadian Press
Carney unveils new electricity strategy, noncommittal on 2030 climate targets

Carney unveils new electricity strategy, noncommittal on 2030 climate targets

Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled Canada's long-awaited new electricity strategy Thursday, placing a heavy emphasis on expanding the role of natural gas in powering the grid as he seemed to distance the government from its 2030 Paris climate commitments. The new strategy looks to double Canada's electricity grid by 2050 and would adjust the clean electricity regulations to provide more...

  • 2026-05-14
  • — Canadian Press
Liberal MP Erskine-Smith challenges provincial nomination loss

Liberal MP Erskine-Smith challenges provincial nomination loss

Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith filed a notice of appeal Tuesday to the provincial Liberals, challenging the result of a nomination race that he lost. Erskine-Smith was vying to represent the provincial party in the upcoming Scarborough Southwest byelection ahead of an intended bid for the leadership of the party. He lost Saturday to Ahsanul Hafiz by a slim margin then...

  • 2026-05-12
  • — Canadian Press
Carney, Smith sign carbon price deal, suggest fall 2027 pipeline approval

Carney, Smith sign carbon price deal, suggest fall 2027 pipeline approval

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday they're eyeing a fall 2027 start date for construction of a new bitumen pipeline to the West Coast. It's part of a plan to accomplish the remaining steps of the landmark energy deal they signed last fall. There is to be a new scheme for carbon emissions pricing in...

  • 2026-05-15
  • — Canadian Press
Mark Carney could do the right thing and make a hero out of 23 MPs at the same time

Mark Carney could do the right thing and make a hero out of 23 MPs at the same time

As Mark Carney often reminds us, he is not, as he puts it, “a career politician.” In many ways, that is a good thing. After two decades of rancorous, often toxic uber-partisanship, Carney’s no-nonsense, low-key approach is a welcome relief and reassuring to Canadians who have been deeply unnerved by Donald Trump’s ongoing attacks on our country.

  • 2026-05-13
  • — Toronto Star
Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith seeks advice on next steps following nomination loss

Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith seeks advice on next steps following nomination loss

Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith is asking supporters for advice on what his next steps should be, with his potential bid to become Ontario Liberal leader in doubt following a nomination loss. Erskine-Smith was vying to represent the provincial party in the upcoming Scarborough Southwest byelection but lost a nomination race last weekend. He had said he wanted to run in...

  • 2026-05-15
  • — Canadian Press
Carney, Smith to announce oil pipeline update Friday: sources

Carney, Smith to announce oil pipeline update Friday: sources

Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to Alberta on Friday to meet with Premier Danielle Smith and announce an update on the memorandum of understanding to build an oil pipeline to the British Columbia coast, Global News has learned. While sources tell Global News the details of what will be announced aren’t yet finalized, the expected public announcement comes after...

  • 2026-05-13
  • — Global News
‘I’m tired of being a punching bag for that crowd’: Jason Kenney on Alberta voter data leak

‘I’m tired of being a punching bag for that crowd’: Jason Kenney on Alberta voter data leak

Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney says he believes he should pursue legal options to hit back at the members of a separatist group who shared his personal information online. “Personally, I’m tired of being a punching bag for that crowd, and I think there needs to be consequences,” Kenney told CTV Question Period host Vassy Kapelos in an interview airing...

  • 2026-05-09
  • — CTV News
Trump won by treating voters like they're stupid. It won't work in Canada.

Trump won by treating voters like they're stupid. It won't work in Canada.

Americans are impatient with their chaotic President. For a shockingly long time, they seemed willing to shrug off his juvenile framing of complex issues. Some winced, many looked away. Millions marched, and the rest of the world wondered why it wasn’t millions more. Trump will never stop being Trump. But he’s got fewer cards. He’s spending billions on a war...

  • 2026-05-13
  • — Substack
White House points to 'longstanding unfair trade practices' when asked about Gordie Howe bridge opening

White House points to 'longstanding unfair trade practices' when asked about Gordie Howe bridge opening

Bridge authority, Canadian government say opening tied to testing work. For months, Canadian officials have maintained that the long-awaited opening of the $6.4 billion Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ont., is dependent on various testing and commissioning tasks. But fresh comments from a Canadian cabinet member as well as two top U.S. officials suggests there is a...

  • 2026-05-16
  • — CBC News
The Canadian inspiration for Britain's surging right-wing Reform party

The Canadian inspiration for Britain's surging right-wing Reform party

After election victory, Reform UK leader says Canadian prairie populist Preston Manning is someone to emulate. Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage received a hero's welcome when he arrived late last week at a victory party in Chelmsford, an Essex commuter town on the outskirts of London, a world away from that city's centre of power. The silver-tongued leader of this...

  • 2026-05-13
  • — CBC News
Canada open to deeper integration with U.S. in some sectors, Carney says

Canada open to deeper integration with U.S. in some sectors, Carney says

Speaking to a room of progressive policy experts in Toronto Saturday, Prime Minister Mark Carney offered some insight into what Canada has offered up ahead of an official review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) this summer. “Canada remains open to deeper integration,” said Carney, whose government has so far signaled it is in no rush to negotiate a new deal...

  • 2026-05-09
  • — CTV News
Ontario Liberals to pick byelection candidate in heated race

Ontario Liberals to pick byelection candidate in heated race

Ontario Liberal members in the riding of Scarborough Southwest are set to select their candidate today for an upcoming byelection. Nomination races don't often generate a lot of attention outside the party, but today's vote marks a clear first test for one leadership hopeful. Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith, who currently represents the neighbouring riding of Beaches-East York, has made no...

  • 2026-05-09
  • — Canadian Press
Outgoing Governor General Mary Simon insists she took learning French ‘seriously’

Outgoing Governor General Mary Simon insists she took learning French ‘seriously’

Governor General Mary Simon, who is set to end her term next month, insists she did take the task of learning French “seriously,” despite criticism she faced during her tenure. “I just want Canadians to know I did take (learning French) seriously,” Simon said in an interview with CTV’s Question Period airing Sunday. “As much as French has been an...

  • 2026-05-10
  • — CTV News
Former minister says energy project review changes could cause further delays

Former minister says energy project review changes could cause further delays

The former environment minister who helped to create the Impact Assessment Agency eight years ago says the federal government's proposal to change how pipelines are assessed risks delaying those projects even further. "I'm not saying you couldn't improve the process. But trying to jam through projects and making major changes, similar to what we saw under Stephen Harper, isn't going...

  • 2026-05-12
  • — Canadian Press
Signal warns it would pull out of Canada if made to comply with lawful access bill

Signal warns it would pull out of Canada if made to comply with lawful access bill

Secure messaging service Signal, which uses end-to-end encryption, is warning it would withdraw from Canada if asked to compromise its users’ privacy under Bill C-22, Ottawa’s proposed lawful access legislation. In an interview, Udbhav Tiwari, Signal vice-president of strategy and global affairs, said the company has deep concerns about measures in the bill, including its potential to introduce security vulnerabilities...

  • 2026-05-14
  • — The Globe and Mail
Canada is one of history’s most successful countries. Here’s a look at who’s trying to destroy it, and how

Canada is one of history’s most successful countries. Here’s a look at who’s trying to destroy it, and how

The recorded history of Canada stretches back more than 500 years; the unrecorded history, many thousands. It is one of the world’s oldest continuously existing democracies, with a Constitution whose principal features – monarchical, federal, parliamentary, with an independent judiciary and (ahem) an unelected Senate – have remained unchanged since 1867.

  • 2026-05-14
  • — The Globe and Mail
Liberal party under fire as more questions raised about Nate Erskine-Smith’s nomination fight

Liberal party under fire as more questions raised about Nate Erskine-Smith’s nomination fight

There are questions as to why the Beaches—East York Liberal MP — whose own 2014 federal nomination win was challenged — and his team didn’t publicly raise concerns during the meeting Saturday.

  • 2026-05-13
  • — Toronto Star
Federal Tories chasing ‘magic in a bottle’ with B.C. land issue that may not translate over the Rockies, say observers

Federal Tories chasing ‘magic in a bottle’ with B.C. land issue that may not translate over the Rockies, say observers

National messaging built around B.C.’s property rights debate risks oversimplifying a complex legal reality, while a failure to communicate has 'ceded the stage to fear and misinformation,' say pundits.

  • 2026-05-13
  • — Hill Times