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Articles by Teresa Wright
Poilievre’s failure to condemn far-right speaks volumes: extremism researchers
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s lack of explicit condemnation of far-right individuals and groups is a silence that speaks volumes about his willingness to court voters with more extremist views, according to those who study extremist movements.
Trudeau’s Liberals have a new strategy, and it’s putting a spring in their step
After months of punishing polling numbers and attacks from critics, Justin Trudeau and the Liberals are embracing a new political messaging strategy in a move analysts hope will start to improve Liberal fortunes. Over the last several weeks, Trudeau and his cabinet have taken a more proactive approach to calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre for what they say are misrepresentations of fact in many of his statements about Liberal government policies.
Conservative criticism of MacAulay lobster photo ‘insensitive’ to Atlantic fishery: industry
Representatives of the lobster and seafood industries in Atlantic Canada are taking issue with criticism of a photo that went viral this week of Liberal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay enjoying lobster while on a trade mission in Malaysia.
Fight faces on: Federal leaders step up rhetoric as Parliament resumes
Federal politicians are gearing up for renewed political clashes over the Liberal government’s carbon pricing program and on affordability issues as Parliament resumes Monday following a six-week holiday break. A Conservative private members’ bill to exempt the carbon tax from fuels used in certain agricultural activities — a bill that ultimately led to an overnight voting session of more than 30 hours in December — is the first item on the agenda in the House of Commons Monday.
After 35 years, police say they've solved P.E.I.'s only cold case murder
CHARLOTTETOWN—After more than 35 years, charges have been laid in Prince Edward Island's only unsolved cold case — a grisly killing of a quietly gay man in what police say may have been a hate crime. The death of Byron Carr "caused trauma to generations of Islanders," authorities said Friday. Already a Subscriber? Sign in You are logged in Switch accounts Now, authorities say, they believe they have found his killer.
Fake blood-filled syringes sent to Senators, MPs by prison workers union show ‘culture of impunity’: senator
Senators upset by holiday cards that included imitation blood-filled syringes sent to parliamentarians by the union that represents prison workers say they are deeply concerned about how inmates are being treated amid calls for more oversight over the use of isolation in Canadian prisons. The cards sent to MPs and senators in December included a message highlighting the union’s ongoing concerns over the prisoner needle exchange program.
The political strategy behind Poilievre’s testy exchanges with journalists
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre may be successfully avoiding questions that could wedge him within factions of his own party for now, but getting testy with reporters — particularly female journalists — during an election campaign could backfire, some political observers say. Poilievre has made headlines several times over the last few months for some heated exchanges with reporters who have attempted to ask him questions about stances he’s taken and the political ideologies behind them.
Liberal bail reform bill passes in Senate, despite deep concerns of unintended consequences
The Liberal government’s bail reform package cleared a significant legislative hurdle this week despite ongoing concerns from legal and civil rights experts the proposed changes could likely result in more jail time for Indigenous and Black people in Canada. Bill C-48 passed third reading in the Senate Tuesday evening with much of the Liberal government’s original language intact.
Atlantic Liberals push back against charges they ‘revolted’ over carbon tax
MPs and sources tell iPolitics they are frustrated by arguments that suggest Atlantic Canadians are somehow getting a sweetheart deal meant only to address sagging Liberal poll numbers in the region. Some Atlantic Liberal MPs are pushing back against what they say are false political narratives that have emerged in the wake of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s pause on carbon pricing for home heating fuel.
Atlantic Liberals push back against charges they ‘revolted’ over carbon tax
Some Atlantic Liberal MPs are pushing back against what they say are false political narratives that have emerged in the wake of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s pause on carbon pricing for home heating fuel.
Poilievre walks political tightrope as pressure mounts over Israel-Hamas war
As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces criticism for his public comments on the Israel-Hamas war, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has walked a tightrope between expressing unwavering support for Israel and defending the rights of Canadians to rally in support of Palestine — even those that support Hamas. Click here for more political news headlines
Poilievre walks political tightrope as pressure mounts over Israel-Hamas war
As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces criticism for his public comments on the Israel-Hamas war, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has walked a tightrope between expressing unwavering support for Israel and defending the rights of Canadians to rally in support of Palestine — even those that support Hamas.
Premiers say pharmacare wasn’t discussed at health summit, blaming lack of details from Ottawa
As backroom negotiations continue between the Liberals and NDP over promised federal pharmacare legislation, Canada’s premiers say they’re waiting “with interest” to see what model of drug coverage the feds might adopt and how it will affect existing insurance programs.
O’Regan defends ‘bungled’ rollout of federal carbon tax in Atlantic Canada
As political fallout continues over the Liberal pause on carbon pricing for home heating oil, Labour Minister and Newfoundland and Labrador MP Seamus O’Regan admits Ottawa could have done a better job communicating the cost impacts of the federal carbon tax to Atlantic Canadians.
Justice minister ‘resolute’ over bail reforms following Sault Ste. Marie shootings, despite chorus of concern
Canada’s justice minister says he remains firmly committed to his Liberal government’s proposed bail reforms despite a chorus of concern from legal experts and some senators that the changes are politically motivated and could send more Black and Indigenous people to jail. Arif Virani says he is resolved to see the proposed changes to bail conditions for certain violent offenders in Bill C-48 passed swiftly amid what he says are statistics and anecdotal evidence showing a rise in crime in Canada.
Health minister stresses fiscal prudence as NDP turns up the heat on pharmacare
As Canadians wait to see details of the Trudeau government’s highly anticipated pharmacare bill, Health Minister Mark Holland is signalling that new cost estimates released last week for a universal single-payer program may be too high for Ottawa to shoulder alone. The Parliamentary Budget Officer released new estimates showing total spending on prescription drugs under a single-payer universal drug plan would be $33.2 billion in 2024-25, rising to $38.9 billion in 2027-28.
Health minister stresses fiscal prudence as NDP turns up the heat on pharmacare
As Canadians wait to see details of the Trudeau government’s highly anticipated pharmacare bill, Health Minister Mark Holland is signalling that new cost estimates released last week for a universal single-payer program may be too high for Ottawa to shoulder alone. The Parliamentary Budget Officer released new estimates showing total spending on prescription drugs under a single-payer universal drug plan would be $33.2 billion in 2024-25, rising to $38.9 billion in 2027-28.
Health funding deals can’t be rushed, Holland says as doctors, nurses call for more urgency
Federal Health Minister Mark Holland acknowledges it’s taking a longer time to get provinces and territories to sign individual health deals with Ottawa, but says such deals — which aim for transformational health system changes — can’t be rushed. It’s been over eight months since Ottawa announced a suite of new health-care funding streams as part of a total $196.1 billion, 10-year national health accord.
Emergency resolution calls on NDP to stand firm on pharmacare or risk an election
A group of grassroots New Democrats are looking to have the federal party make it explicitly clear that if the Liberal pharmacare bill does not commit to a universal, single-payer program, the NDP will no longer prevent the minority government from falling. The group has drafted an emergency resolution they hope will be debated at the upcoming NDP policy convention, which begins next Friday in Hamilton, Ont.
‘There’s a new sheriff in town’: Boissonnault vows to crack down on migrant worker abuses
Calling himself the “new sheriff in town,” Canada’s jobs minister says prepared to weed out employers who abuse or mistreat temporary foreign workers and ensure those who do will “pay the price.” Speaking to a Senate committee studying the temporary foreign worker (TFW) program, Randy Boissonnault said he is putting employers who use migrant workers on notice that he will not tolerate abuses or rule breaking within the program after years of reports of migrant worker mistreatment, poor...
‘There’s a new sheriff in town’: Boissonnault vows to crack down on migrant worker abuses
Calling himself the “new sheriff in town,” Canada’s jobs minister says prepared to weed out employers who abuse or mistreat temporary foreign workers and ensure those who do will “pay the price.” Speaking to a Senate committee studying the temporary foreign worker (TFW) program, Randy Boissonnault said he is putting employers who use migrant workers on notice that he will not tolerate abuses or rule breaking within the program after years of reports of migrant worker mistreatment, poor...
Pharmacare bill ‘not where we want it to be,’ NDP health critic says
The clock is ticking for the Trudeau Liberals to table a national pharmacare bill before the end of this year, but the NDP’s health critic says the last draft bill did not meet his party’s red lines. Don Davies says the NDP has been negotiating with the Liberal government on legislation that would enshrine into law the first national program to cover medication costs in Canada.
Pharmacare bill ‘not where we want it to be,’ NDP health critic says
The clock is ticking for the Trudeau Liberals to table a national pharmacare bill before the end of this year, but the NDP’s health critic says the last draft bill did not meet his party’s red lines. Don Davies says the NDP has been negotiating with the Liberal government on legislation that would enshrine into law the first national program to cover medication costs in Canada.
Federal housing czar decries lack of strings attached to Liberal housing measures
Canada’s housing advocate says she is concerned at a lack of strings attached to new federal measures aimed at tackling the housing crisis — a situation she says could make rental units cheaper to build but not necessarily more affordable for renters. Marie-Josée Houle says the Trudeau government’s proposal to remove the GST from new rental developments includes no mechanism to ensure the cost savings for developers and investors are passed on to tenants.
Federal housing czar decries lack of strings attached to Liberal housing measures
Canada’s housing advocate says she is concerned at a lack of strings attached to new federal measures aimed at tackling the housing crisis — a situation she says could make rental units cheaper to build but not necessarily more affordable for renters. Marie-Josée Houle says the Trudeau government’s proposal to remove the GST from new rental developments includes no mechanism to ensure the cost savings for developers and investors are passed on to tenants.
Health minister slams Conservatives for stoking ‘choas and fear’ over new rules for natural health products
Canada’s health minister says Conservative politicians are trying to be “agents of chaos and fear” by stoking confusion about new rules for selling and advertising natural health products — changes Health Canada says are long overdue. Mark Holland says the regulatory changes are important to fill much-needed gaps in safety and oversight over natural health products in Canada, such as vitamins, supplements, homeopathic medicines and other non-prescription health products.
Trudeau must show receipts on affordability issues to stop freefall as Parliament resumes: pollsters
With Liberal fortunes looking increasingly grim, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will have to show he is fully focused on tackling Canadians’ affordability and housing concerns as Parliament resumes this week, pollsters say.
Trudeau must show receipts on affordability issues to stop freefall as Parliament resumes: pollsters
With Liberal fortunes looking increasingly grim, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will have to show he is fully focused on tackling Canadians’ affordability and housing concerns as Parliament resumes this week, pollsters say.
Questions raised about radio silence from political, health leaders on COVID
Polarized pandemic politics have led to a vacuum of up-to-date information about COVID-19, even as viral activity is on the rise in Canada, some experts say, warning this radio silence about the coronavirus could be eroding trust in public health. Click here for more political news headlines
Questions raised about radio silence from political, health leaders on COVID
Polarized pandemic politics have led to a vacuum of up-to-date information about COVID-19, even as viral activity is on the rise in Canada, some experts say, warning this radio silence about the coronavirus could be eroding trust in public health. Tuesday marked the first time since March that federal public health officials provided an update on the COVID situation in Canada.
Dramatic rise in migrant worker approvals raises concerns about impacts on Canada’s housing supply
Amid growing debate about the impact of international students on Canada’s housing crunch, questions are also being raised about dramatic increases in temporary foreign workers being approved by Ottawa — and how this could be exacerbating tensions within Canada’s stretched housing market.
Guilbeault blasts Atlantic energy regulators for ‘unfair’ gas price hikes
Canada’s minister of environment is blasting Atlantic Canadian energy regulators for approving “unfair” gas price hikes last month — decisions he says were made without adequate justification in response to Ottawa’s clean fuel regulations.
Guilbeault blasts Atlantic energy regulators for ‘unfair’ gas price hikes
Canada’s minister of environment is blasting Atlantic Canadian energy regulators for approving “unfair” gas price hikes last month — decisions he says were made without adequate justification in response to Ottawa’s clean fuel regulations.
Ottawa open to talks on clean fuel regulations, but won’t commit to changes
Federal Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says he’s interested in addressing concerns of Atlantic and western Canadian premiers about the financial impacts of Ottawa’s new fuel regulations — but whether this means bowing to political pressure from conservative premiers on this program remains unclear.
Trudeau, cabinet meet in P.E.I. as Canadians grapple with emergencies, housing, affordability
Amid a summer marked by wildfires, floods and concurrent crises in housing and affordability, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet will gather for their first meetings since the mid-July shuffle to map out a strategy to tackle the country’s pressing issues. The challenges are not insignificant, with soaring costs for goods and services, a nationwide shortage of rental units and a lack of affordable housing causing frustration and anger among many Canadians.
Proposed standards for MAID providers raise alarm among some physicians, experts
Proposed guidelines published by Health Canada that suggest doctors and nurse practitioners are required to bring up — unsolicited — the potential for assisted death to patients who might qualify for euthanasia are raising alarm among some physicians and bioethicists.
Proposed standards for MAID providers raise alarm among some physicians, experts
Proposed guidelines published by Health Canada that suggest doctors and nurse practitioners are required to bring up — unsolicited — the potential for assisted death to patients who might qualify for euthanasia are raising alarm among some physicians and bioethicists.
Recent violent incidents against Canadian politicians the result of increased polarization, experts say
A recent spate of violent and harassing incidents against politicians in different parts of the country is raising questions about the role that elected officials themselves are playing in heightening polarization of political discourse in Canada. Late last week, police in Prince Edward Island charged a 62-year-old man with assault after an altercation at a public meeting in mid-July in which provincial cabinet minister Rob Lantz was shoved.
‘Sharper attacks’: Trudeau takes aim at Poilievre as Liberals eye rare fourth mandate
In virtually every speech and press conference over the last week, Trudeau has taken aim at the Conservative leader, frequently bringing up Poilievre by name, even on issues that have not directly involved the Opposition leader. A trend of stepped-up rhetoric against Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, often unsolicited, by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in recent public appearances reveals a new Liberal strategy aimed at showing Canadians they want to keep governing, strategists say.
‘Sharper attacks’: Trudeau takes aim at Poilievre as Liberals eye rare fourth mandate
A trend of stepped-up rhetoric against Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, often unsolicited, by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in recent public appearances reveals a new Liberal strategy aimed at showing Canadians they want to keep governing, strategists say. In virtually every speech and press conference over the last week, Trudeau has taken aim at the Conservative leader, frequently bringing up Poilievre by name, even on issues that have not directly involved the Opposition leader.
Conservative photo incidents: political strategy or clumsiness?
Last fall, it was revealed Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s YouTube channel had a hidden tag embedded in his videos that represented a misogynistic phrase. Last week, a photo circulated of Poilievre smiling broadly with his arm around a man wearing a neon green shirt emblazoned with a “straight pride” anti-LGBTQ2S+ message. Conservative Premier of Alberta Danielle Smith was also photographed with the same man at last week’s Calgary Stampede.
First Nation chief, youth plead for help following spate of deaths in Northern Ontario
The chief and youth representatives of a First Nation in Northern Ontario made an emotional plea for help Wednesday following a series of recent deaths in their community, including the suicide death of a 21-year-old woman this week.
Premiers must agree to eliminate ER closures, increase family doctors: CMA
Canada’s premiers must set ambitious targets to improve and accelerate Canadians’ access to health care amid a second consecutive summer of rolling emergency room closures, the Canadian Medical Association says. The organization, which represents physicians across Canada, says the situation is dire in many hospitals and health centres across Canada due to health-care staffing shortages across the country.
Indigenous tourism operators ‘disheartened’ by delay in promised $25M pandemic relief funding
Indigenous tourism operators from across Canada are expressing deep frustration over significant and unexplained delays in the rollout of a promised $24.8-million federal fund to help them recover from the devastating effects of pandemic travel bans and lockdowns. The money, announced in Budget 2022, was a two-year funding commitment that was supposed to begin flowing last year. But to date, not a penny of the new Indigenous Tourism Fund has materialized.
Indigenous tourism operators ‘disheartened’ by delay in promised $25M pandemic relief funding
Indigenous tourism operators from across Canada are expressing deep frustration over significant and unexplained delays in the rollout of a promised $24.8-million federal fund to help them recover from the devastating effects of pandemic travel bans and lockdowns. The money, announced in Budget 2022, was a two-year funding commitment that was supposed to begin flowing last year. But to date, not a penny of the new Indigenous Tourism Fund has materialized.
ERs across Canada likely to face rolling closures, long wait times, doctors, nurses warn
Doctors and nurses from across the country are warning that patients in need of emergency care will likely face unduly long wait times due to overcrowding and rolling closures at many Canadian emergency departments this summer. The situation is already being described as a “crisis,” in many hospitals, with emergency room physicians in a number of provinces sounding the alarm about significant staffing shortages and dangerous working conditions.
MPs suggest federal windfall tax on grocery giants if Competition Bureau finds price gouging
As Canadians continue to pay soaring prices for food, the federal government should consider imposing a windfall tax on large grocery chains if a Competition Bureau review of the industry finds evidence of price gouging, a committee of MPs says. The Commons agriculture committee tabled a report Tuesday with a list of recommended actions for the government to tackle rising food costs in Canada.
Four years after national MMIWG inquiry, Ottawa faces criticism for ‘inaction’
Four years after the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls released its 231 calls for justice, Ottawa has still not taken meaningful action to end the ‘genocide’ of Indigenous women, the Native Women’s Association of Canada says. The organization, which represents Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people in Canada, has given the federal government a failing grade for its efforts to date on the inquiry’s sweeping calls for reform.
Fall 2022 ER crisis in children’s hospitals cost $60 million in missed work days: report
Last fall’s ‘tripledemic’ of COVID-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus among children that slammed pediatric hospitals across Canada cost over $60 million in economic loss due to days parents — particularly mothers — had to miss work, according to new research. The data, released last week by the charity Child First Canada, is part of a comprehensive analysis of government investments into children’s health in Canada.
Ottawa axes controversial cultural diplomacy ‘slush fund’
The Mission Cultural Fund program, which operated under Global Affairs Canada, aimed to support ‘cultural diplomacy’ activities to help advance Canada’s foreign policy priorities. Ottawa has quietly shuttered an arts and culture funding program that has drawn controversy for financing some provocative initiatives and was flagged by a federal evaluation over transparency concerns.
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