Politics

A Feb. 20 interview between Tucker Carlson and U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee included claims that questioned the historical legitimacy of Palestinian and some Israeli populations; those remarks drew regional criticism, including condemnations from 15 Middle East governments and a White House clarification.

Mark Carney's business-focused visit to India aims to reset a relationship marked by years of missed opportunities; Canadian authorities alleged in 2024 that agents of the Indian government were involved in crimes in Canada, which India denies and the two countries have since opened a law-enforcement dialogue.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is visiting India to launch talks on a comprehensive free-trade agreement and deepen cooperation after a diplomatic rupture in 2023–24 that included public accusations and the expulsion of diplomats.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Learning Resources v. Trump that President Trump exceeded his authority when using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose broad tariffs, and the decision does not affect sector-specific tariffs issued under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.

St. Lawrence County voted Feb. 2 to authorize local sheriff staff to be trained to use ICE databases, though the Department of Homeland Security says the memorandum with ICE has not yet been signed. DHS also reports there have been no ICE operations on tribal lands to date.

Ontario has announced changes that reduce the provincial share of OSAP grants, which the government says are meant to restore the program's sustainability; ministries have not provided specifics on how much students will lose and the aid calculator update timing is unclear.

About 100 people gathered outside a Truro-area junior high to support students who reported alleged assaults by teammates; RCMP have charged four youths and two accused are scheduled to appear in Youth Justice Court on April 14.

A senior Canadian official said on the eve of Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit that the government believes India is no longer plotting attacks on Canadians; Canadian agencies had previously linked India to a campaign beginning in 2022 that included the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Council voted 7-4 to purchase a $1.64 million building on Idylwyld Drive to convert into a drop-in centre, using federal encampment-response funding; councillors have until the end of March to allocate the funds.

A proposed Nova Scotia law would increase fines and allow peace officers to enforce cannabis rules alongside police; legal experts and a former justice minister say the bill lacks detail on training and could disproportionately affect Indigenous communities.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith warned of a difficult provincial budget and linked immigration and asylum seekers to fiscal pressures, and she announced nine referendum questions — including five on immigration — to be held in October.

The Alberta government says Budget 26 will add $143 million to hire 1,600 teachers and 800 support staff and raise education funding to $10.8 billion; the Alberta Teachers' Association called the investment significant but said specifics and recruitment plans are still unclear.

The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees says 89.2% of its nursing care members voted to ratify a deal with Covenant Health that includes a 12% wage increase over four years and market adjustments, covering more than 2,900 staff and retroactive to April 1, 2024.

House Democrats say they will investigate whether the Justice Department withheld FBI materials tied to a woman's accusation against Donald Trump; the DOJ denies improper withholding and outside reporting found some Epstein-related records were not publicly released.

Premier David Eby said a Senate committee has proposed removing parts of Bill C-12 intended to limit refugee claims by alleged extortion suspects; the bill remains under Senate review.

Manitoba has launched an Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking Task Force to coordinate police agencies and target methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine and other illicit drugs; its first meeting was held and a follow-up meeting is scheduled for March 20.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford will travel to Texas, the southeastern United States and Utah this spring and summer to meet governors and lawmakers as a push against tariffs and to promote closer cross-border economic ties. The visits come before a Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (USMCA) review scheduled to begin in July.

The article reports that President Trump used the State of the Union to defend his record and indicate continuity on policies such as tariffs and border enforcement, while noting public dissatisfaction and polls showing lower support for him.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said any amalgamation of municipalities in the Niagara Region should be led locally and have majority support from mayors and elected officials; the discussion followed a letter from provincial appointee Bob Gale raising concerns about the two‑tier governance structure and recent tax increases.

A Human Development Council report says 21.9% of New Brunswick children lived in poverty in 2023, unchanged from the prior year, and cites rising costs of essentials; the report uses federal Canadian Income Survey data and notes the next survey release is scheduled for May.

The Committee to Protect Journalists says 129 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide in 2025, and reports about two-thirds of those deaths (around 86) were caused by Israeli fire.

Harvard announced that Larry Summers will retire from his academic and faculty appointments at the end of this academic year and will remain on leave until then; his name appears frequently in newly released Justice Department records related to Jeffrey Epstein.

Starting Wednesday, Canadians must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter the U.K., and the U.K. government now says many dual Canadian–U.K. citizens are not eligible for an ETA and will generally need a British passport or other proof of right of abode.

More than two dozen Democrats skipped President Donald Trump's State of the Union and joined counter-events on the National Mall, where lawmakers and organizers spoke; a pro-Trump supporter briefly breached a barricade at one rally and was removed.

Auston Matthews described a remark by Donald Trump during a recorded White House invitation as "unfortunate" and said he and his teammates have "nothing but love and respect" for the U.S. women's hockey team.

Iran's officials denounced some of President Trump's statements while also saying diplomacy could still produce an agreement; the U.S. has imposed new sanctions and increased military deployments as talks are scheduled for Thursday in Geneva.

Canada announced an additional $8 million in humanitarian support for Cuba, saying the funds will be delivered through United Nations partners such as the World Food Program and UNICEF.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told CBC that Canada would need to accept some higher tariffs and help reshore American industries to reach a trade arrangement; officials say a mandatory CUSMA review and meetings between Canadian and U.S. trade ministers are expected.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said a Canada–India trade deal would be a real positive for the province and the country, speaking ahead of a trade mission to Mumbai and New Delhi where Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Public open houses are underway to gather input on the Northern Road Link, a proposed corridor that would connect the Marten Falls and Webequie access roads toward the Ring of Fire; joint provincial and federal assessments and an Indigenous Knowledge Program are informing the reviews.