Canada

MONTREAL — Leaders from the Conservative party, NDP, and Bloc Québécois will target Liberal leader Mark Carney during Thursday's English-language debate, following his strong performance in Wednesday's French-language debate. They will discuss key issues such as affordability, public safety, and climate change, as Carney's Liberals maintain a slight lead in polls despite a tightening race. The debate will occur without any costed campaign platforms being released, a decision criticized by the French debate moderator. Full Article

An Air Canada Rouge flight from Las Vegas to Toronto was diverted to Des Moines International Airport on Thursday after smoke was detected in the flight deck. The aircraft, with 176 passengers on board, landed safely and was met by first responders; no injuries were reported. A replacement plane was sent to ensure passengers arrived in Toronto early the following morning, echoing a similar incident involving Air Canada Jazz Flight 7962, which also made an emergency landing due to smoke in July 2024, but without any injuries. Full Article

During the recent French-language leaders' debate in Montreal, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre questioned Liberal Leader Mark Carney about his pursuit of a fourth term, to which Carney defended himself by claiming, "I just got here." Notably, Carney's French was described as rudimentary, featuring uncommon terms, while Poilievre attempted humor with limited success. Additionally, Poilievre and his fellow candidates referenced U.S. strawberries, likely targeting Carney, who had previously commented on his eating habits regarding American produce. Full Article

Frank Stronach, 92, faced preliminary hearings in Toronto for multiple sexual assault charges, including serious offences against 13 women dating from 1977 to last year. He asserts his innocence, claiming his accusers are seeking financial gain, and plans to plead not guilty when trials commence next year. The Ontario Court Justice ruled that two of the historic charges could advance to trial, but Stronach's lawyer stated the low threshold for moving forward should not be interpreted as a sign of guilt, while Magna International undertook an internal review following his arrest. Full Article

SummaryAmid the ongoing U.S.-Canada trade war, cross-border trips have significantly decreased, coinciding with the scheduled opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge this fall. This new bridge, which connects Ontario and Michigan, is being fully funded by Canadians, with no financial contribution from Americans. The situation highlights the economic tensions and impacts on travel between the two countries as they approach the completion of this important infrastructure project. Full Article

Maxime Bernier, leader of the People's Party of Canada, took his campaign to the U.S. by appearing on the Tucker Carlson Show, where he criticized Liberal Leader Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as "fake patriots." He claimed they exploit fears related to tariffs and the economy, and emphasized the PPC's stance on immigration as a pivotal election issue. Bernier also attacked former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, asserting that he has harmed Canada economically, socially, and culturally, while questioning the integrity of current political leaders regarding foreign interference in elections. Full Article

Since Mark Carney became Prime Minister on March 9, the Liberals have been leading in opinion polls, largely due to public reaction against U.S. President Trump's tariffs. While Carney's strategy to galvanize the progressive vote has worked, recent polls indicate a slight increase in support for the NDP and Bloc Quebecois, suggesting that some Canadian progressives are less enamored with Carney as a political savior. Despite potential challenges, both the NDP and BQ remain within reach of significant voter percentages, which could impact election outcomes as Canada approaches the April 28 election. Full Article

Canadian universities, particularly the University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo, are experiencing a surge in interest from American students amid U.S. federal cuts and visa revocations. U of T noted a significant increase in U.S. applications for the 2025-26 academic year, while UBC Vancouver reported a 27% rise in graduate applications, attributing the spike to the Trump administration's scrutiny of foreign students. However, Canadian institutions face challenges due to a federal cap on international student admissions, which will see a 10% decrease in study permits for 2025 compared to 2024. Full Article

An Ontario judge has significantly increased Martin Moore's sentence, more than doubling the joint recommendation of 120 days in jail for his string of crimes, including attempting to disarm a police officer. Justice Angela L. McLeod deemed the joint submission "unhinged" and sentenced Moore to 300 days, of which he will serve 162 after credit for time served. Moore pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including break and enter, fraud, and assaulting a police officer, following incidents that began with a break-in at a neighbor's home. Full Article

SummaryIn 2019, Danielle Smith, then a broadcaster, reflected Albertans' anger over Liberal policies impacting the energy sector, predicting a significant election impact on national unity. Now serving as premier, Smith expresses frustration with the federal government, claiming it has not benefited Alberta, while her predecessor, Jason Kenney, notes widespread disbelief over a potential Liberal re-election. Smith's controversial actions, including meetings with Trump and divergence from other premiers on U.S. tariffs, have made her a polarizing figure amid rising patriotic sentiment in Canada. Full Article