Some Alberta voters concerned Poilievre won't prioritize local concerns after winning byelection
There were mixed reactions to Pierre Poilievre's victory in Battle River-Crowfoot, some voters concerned Poilievre will prioritize Ottawa over local concerns.
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CTV News
17 minutes ago
- CTV News
SAAQclic: Legault's office informed in 2020 of risk of cost overruns of IT project
Commissioner Denis Gallant arrives for the opening of public hearings of the Commission of Inquiry into the Management of the Modernization of the Information Systems of the Société de l'assurance automobile (SAAQ) in Montreal on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press) Premier François Legault's office was informed in 2020 of a delay in the rollout of the SAAQclic platform and of a dispute with the consortium that could lead to cost overruns. Véronik Aubry, who was chief of staff to former Transport Minister François Bonnardel from 2018 to 2021, testified Wednesday afternoon before the Gallant Commission. ADVERTISEMENT Following a meeting in July 2020 with Nathalie Tremblay, then-CEO of the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), Aubry said she met with a political adviser from the premier's office, Ariane Gauthier. Aubry said she gave her an update on the latest developments related to the SAAQ's digital shift. The platform's rollout was delayed by a year. 'I remember mentioning the project's postponement to two people: Ariane in the premier's office. However, I assured her that, in terms of costs, we were still looking at the same $458 million scenario,' said Aubry. Did she mention that there was a dispute between the SAAQ and the consortium, and that this could have 'financial implications?' asked commission attorney Mélanie Tremblay. 'I mentioned it to Ms. Gauthier,'Aubry replied. She said she also advised someone in the office of Cybersecurity and Digital Minister Éric Caire about the timeline, but believes she failed to mention the dispute and its possible financial impact. Legault has so far always maintained he was not aware of the cost overruns associated with the SAAQ's IT modernization project. The project is expected to cost at least $1.1 billion, which is $500 million more than planned, according to the Auditor General. Legault's former right-hand man at the Ministry of the Executive Council, Yves Ouellet, knew as early as Sept. 7, 2022, that the costs of SAAQclic were skyrocketing, according to testimony given by former SAAQ CEO Denis Marsolais to the Gallant Commission in late spring. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 20, 2025. By Frédéric Lacroix-Couture, The Canadian Press
Globe and Mail
17 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Pierre Poilievre accuses Mark Carney of weakness in dealing with Donald Trump, China
Pierre Poilievre says Mark Carney has fallen short on defending Canadian interests on the global stage because the Prime Minister is not effectively dealing with the United States and China. Mr. Poilievre, the federal Conservative Leader, made the comments Wednesday during his first news conference since a by-election victory in Alberta this week that will allow him to return to the House of Commons as a member of Parliament. The Commons is now on a summer break and set to resume on Sept. 15, although it remains to be seen if Mr. Poilievre will be sworn in as the new MP for Battle River-Crowfoot by then. Mr. Poilievre remarked that U.S. tariffs have increased despite the Liberal government backing off on countertariffs and scrapping a planned digital-services tax that was criticized by U.S. President Donald Trump. 'Where are Mr. Carney's elbows these days? He seems to have misplaced them,' Mr. Poilievre said in Surrey, B.C. 'He's made concession after concession to President Trump and he got nothing in return.' Mr. Poilievre also said that China, sensing weakness, has imposed damaging tariffs on Canadian products. 'Mark Carney is losing abroad, and Canadians are paying the price at home,' he said. The Conservative Leader's comments came in the same week that Ontario Premier Doug Ford urged him to be more of a team player in Canada's conflict with the U.S. Speaking Monday as he left a meeting with Mr. Carney on Parliament Hill, Mr. Ford, a Progressive Conservative, suggested that Mr. Poilievre should 'work with the Prime Minister.' 'It's Team Canada. Let's put our political stripes aside and start working together collectively on large infrastructure projects, and other areas that he can co-operate with the government.' The Ontario Premier repeated a call for co-operation Wednesday during a news conference in Hamilton. 'This is a time to work together. Let's forget these political stripes that drive me crazy from the day I got elected,' Mr. Ford said. 'We're on one team.' Opinion: Despite his negatives, Poilievre has a lock on the Conservative leadership In a victory speech Monday, Mr. Poilievre said Conservatives will continue to extend a hand to Mr. Carney, and work with any party to end tariffs 'and get a fair deal for Canada.' As prime minister, Mr. Poilievre said Wednesday, he would operate from a position of strength, passing a proposed Conservative sovereignty act to repeal some Liberal energy laws and expedite such projects as pipelines and mine development. In response to a Canadian 100-per-cent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles, China has imposed a 100-per-cent tariff on Canadian canola oil and meal, effectively barring the import of those products. China is the largest export market for Canadian canola seed, the product of an industry that employs about 200,000 people and contributes more than $43-billion to Canada's economy. Mr. Carney has said discussions are under way on supports for farmers affected by the trade conflict. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has raised doubts about whether a deal can be reached with Mr. Trump that removes all U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods. Talks have been under way between the two countries on the trade conflict that's seen tariffs imposed on both sides since March. Asked to respond to Mr. Poilievre's remarks, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement that the 2018 free-trade agreement between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico means the U.S. average tariff rate on Canadian goods remains one of its lowest for all of its trading partners. Pierre Poilievre touts Alberta by-election win as sign of political resilience 'Other sectors of our economy – including lumber, steel, aluminum, and automobiles – are, however, heavily impacted by U.S. duties and tariffs,' the statement said. 'While we will continue to negotiate with the United States on a long-term trading relationship, Canada's new government has taken significant action to protect Canadian jobs, invest in our industrial competitiveness, buy Canadian, and diversify our export markets.' On another issue, Mr. Poilievre said the federal government should list the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity, thus giving law enforcement stronger tools to dismantle the group. The gang, named for an Indian gangster, has been linked to extortion cases targeting South Asian businesses in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, Edmonton and Ontario's Peel Region. B.C. Premier David Eby and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have called on the federal government to declare the group a terrorist organization. 'The federal government must use every tool available to dismantle this network and keep Canadians safe,' Ms. Smith and Alberta Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis said in a joint statement in mid-July. Asked about the issue, Simon Lafortune, the press secretary for federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, said Wednesday that decisions to place entities on the terrorist list are based on evidence, intelligence, and the advice of security and intelligence services. 'That process is rigorous and ongoing, and all potential threats are continually assessed to ensure we are keeping Canadians safe,' Mr. Lafortune said in a statement.
CTV News
29 minutes ago
- CTV News
Parliament should have discussed recognition of Palestine, open letter says
Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks with media during a news conference in Ottawa, Wednesday, July 30, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld OTTAWA — An open letter signed by dozens of community and business leaders says the Liberal government should not have decided to recognize a Palestinian state without debating the issue in Parliament. The letter from B'nai Brith Canada, whose signatories include former MP Rona Ambrose and television and radio host Ben Mulroney, says it is 'an affront to our democracy' that the government made such a significant change to its foreign policy while Parliament was not sitting. In July, Carney said Canada intends to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September, as long as the Palestinian Authority holds elections next year, without any involvement by Hamas. The letter to Carney today says Canada should 'continue to play a leading role' in supporting efforts to eventually recognize Palestinian statehood, but that such a move should not happen until there is a stable Palestinian government in place. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office declined to comment on the letter. Before Carney's announcement in July, dozens of former senior Canadian diplomats published a letter calling for Canada to recognize a Palestinian state. Pro-Palestinian groups expressed tepid support for Carney's announcement, arguing Palestine recognition was overdue but that Canada's caveats around Palestine needing to be demilitarized were inappropriate. With files from Dylan Robertson This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 29, 2025. Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press
