Sue Dewar cartoon, Dec. 17, 2024

SummaryNova Scotia Premier Tim Houston addressed rumors regarding his ambitions to lead the Conservative Party of Canada, suggesting he is not actively pursuing the position. He did acknowledge, however, that he has been taking French lessons, recognizing the importance of bilingualism for federal party leaders. This statement reflects Houston's awareness of the expectations surrounding leadership roles at the federal level while attempting to downplay speculation about his political aspirations. Full Article

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced proposed changes to legislation that would simplify the process for citizens to initiate referendums on provincial issues, citing concerns about potential support for separatism following a Liberal election win. The new elections bill would lower the required signatures for a constitutional referendum to 10% of general election turnout, extend the signature collection period from 90 to 120 days, and eliminate the riding-level signature threshold. While Smith supports Alberta remaining in...

After a five-week sprint campaign, Canadians elected a Liberal minority government led by Mark Carney. The article discusses how Parliament functions under a minority government and outlines the implications for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and the NDP. Key points include the operational dynamics of a minority government and the strategic considerations for opposition parties moving forward. Full Article

SummaryFollowing the Liberal Party's victory in the Canadian election on April 29, 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to visit the White House soon, as announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. This visit aims to establish a new path forward for U.S.-Canada relations, which have been strained due to Trump's trade war and his ambitions for the 51st state. The election outcome has been interpreted as a rejection of Trump's policies, prompting both leaders...

The 2025 federal election concluded with the Liberal Party winning 169 seats, falling short of a majority by just 611 votes across two Ontario ridings and Nunavut. Dan Arnold, chief strategy officer at Pollara Strategic Insights, highlighted the closeness of the results, emphasizing that every vote counts, as a majority versus minority government significantly impacts governance. The Liberals needed 608 votes to tie in the three closest races, with the Conservative candidates narrowly defeating their...

U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to meet with newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, whom he described as a “very nice gentleman,” following Carney's victory in the federal election. During a private conversation, Trump expressed his congratulations and emphasized the importance of a cooperative Canada-U.S. relationship, while noting the complexities of the election outcome. Although the Prime Minister's Office has not confirmed a meeting date, both leaders acknowledged the need for collaboration as...