Politics

MP Nate Erskine-Smith says he will seek the Ontario Liberal nomination in the Scarborough Southwest provincial byelection, and local Liberal Qadira Jackson says leadership contenders running there would be divisive.

Ronald Hicks said he will prioritize evangelizing and reengaging people who have drifted from the church as he becomes New York's archbishop; he has requested parts of his installation liturgy be said in Spanish.

Toronto police Chief Myronw Demkiw and the Toronto Police Service Board chair have requested an independent review after arrests linked to a York Regional Police corruption probe; the inspector general is considering the request and will announce a decision later.

Mayor Olivia Chow said the Toronto police chief must earn back public trust after arrests in Project South that included seven officers; an independent inspection by the Inspector General of Policing has been requested.

Dozens of Inuit leaders and youth from northern Quebec flew to Nuuk to show solidarity and attend the opening of Canada's new consulate in Greenland.

Congressman Jonathan Jackson prayed at the National Prayer Breakfast asking President Trump to be mindful of the poor and to find 'greater clarity,' while Trump stood behind him and the two later shook hands.

Senate Republicans rejected a Democratic package seeking new limits on ICE and other DHS enforcement actions, and leaders warned a partial Department of Homeland Security funding lapse could begin on Feb. 14 as negotiations remained unresolved.

Former justice minister Irwin Cotler said Prime Minister Mark Carney's decision to eliminate the antisemitism envoy role is "uninformed" and will make Jewish Canadians less safe; the government said it will replace the envoys with an advisory council on "rights, equality and inclusion" but has provided few details.

The Trump administration finalized a civil service rule that could remove job protections for about 50,000 career federal employees. Unions and advocacy groups have sued, and court challenges are set to resume in the coming days.

Steve Bannon called for ICE officers to 'surround' polling places in the midterm elections and suggested military involvement; the article notes the Constitution assigns elections to states and no federal deployment plan has been detailed.

The IPC reports famine-level acute malnutrition in two North Darfur towns, and the Sudan Doctors' Network says a paramilitary attack on a military hospital in South Kordofan killed 22 people and wounded eight.

Parliament's budget watchdog reports that raising defence and related infrastructure spending to five percent of GDP could add about $63-billion to Canada's federal deficit over the next decade; the government has not published a detailed year-by-year plan to reach the target.

Canada's Parliamentary Budget Office estimates meeting NATO's 3.5% direct military spending benchmark could require about $33.5 billion more in annual defence funding through 2035 and raise the federal deficit to roughly $63 billion in 2035–36; the PBO also reported the government has not published a year-by-year spending path.

B.C. NDP MP Gord Johns announced his endorsement of Alberta MP Heather McPherson for the federal NDP leadership, citing her electoral success and voter connection; the party’s leadership contest will conclude with a winner announced on March 29.

B.C. announced changes to the Surrey Police Board while the city is transitioning to a municipal police force and facing extortion-related incidents; four board members were not reappointed and replacements will be named by the province and the City of Surrey.

The U.S. and Russia agreed to re-establish high-level military-to-military dialogue after meetings in Abu Dhabi, the U.S. European Command said. The talks involved U.S., Russian and Ukrainian officials and took place amid ongoing fighting and reported attacks on Ukraine's power grid.

B.C. MP Gord Johns endorsed Alberta MP Heather McPherson for NDP leader, saying her ability to hold her Edmonton seat could help rebuild the party; the party will name its next leader on March 29.

The New START treaty between Russia and the United States expired on Thursday; Russia said it regretted the lapse and officials warned the loss of treaty limits could reduce transparency and raise risks.

Ukraine and Russia held a second day of U.S.-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi; officials from both sides described the first day as productive and said negotiations continued in multiple formats.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has proposed changes to the judicial appointment process and warned she may withhold funding for court support staff; the federal government declined to alter the process, saying judicial independence must be protected.

Liberal House leader Steven MacKinnon said his party welcomes the Conservatives' offer to fast-track certain bills and that he will speak with Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer to discuss particulars.

Premier Wab Kinew has outlined large projects and long-range goals meant to boost Manitoba's economy, but the article notes key details are missing and the province is running sustained deficits that are unlikely to be closed quickly.

Nivi Rosing, 22, says residents remain anxious after reported threats and coercion from U.S. leaders, and officials describe ongoing parliamentary debate; Canada will open a consulate in Nuuk this week.

A Feb. 5 letters page gathers readers' reactions to a provincial politician's move to the federal Liberals, debate over fighter-jet procurement and Canada–U.S. defence links, concerns about nuclear weapons and preparedness, and an anecdote about durable appliances.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Canada will consider joining a proposed U.S. critical minerals trading bloc only as part of the broader USMCA review talks.

A city interim report says long lineups, complex procedures and new technology during Edmonton’s October 2025 municipal election caused delays and frustration for some voters; the city auditor reported issues were addressed and an action plan is expected ahead of the 2029 municipal election.

Premier David Eby will meet Surrey business leaders after police reported dozens of extortion attempts and several related shootings in the city; federal authorities have pledged additional RCMP officers.

Federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser said he will keep the current judicial appointment process after Alberta Premier Danielle Smith asked for greater provincial input and warned she might withhold some judicial funding.

News reports say the White House posted an AI-altered image on X showing civil rights lawyer Nekima Levy Armstrong appearing to cry during her arrest; Levy Armstrong says she remained calm when detained. She is among nine people indicted on charges related to a Minnesota protest, and her lawyer cited the doctored photo in court filings.

Taiwan's envoy Harry Tseng says a Canada–Taiwan trade co-operation framework was initialed and ready for final signatures since April and that concerns about China may be slowing the signing; Global Affairs Canada confirmed the agreement was concluded in March 2025 and said a review is underway.