NDP plans to launch six-month leadership race, choose leader in March 2026
Candidates will have to pay a $100,000 registration fee, which can be paid in three installments.
The NDP national council met Thursday to pass leadership race guidelines, with sources saying final leadership rules will be posted on the party's website before the launch of the race in September.
New Democrats have been without a permanent leader since April after Jagmeet Singh resigned on election night, following a crushing defeat that left the party with just seven seats in the House of Commons.
Sources say potential leadership contenders could include Heather McPherson, Avi Lewis, Peter Julian, Leah Gazan, Alexandre Boulerice and Nathan Cullen.
The party is currently conducting a 'review and renewal process,' aimed at reflecting on the 2025 campaign. Former NDP candidate and Ottawa lawyer Emilie Taman has been appointed to facilitate this process.
With files from Stephanie Ha, Judy Trinh and Rachel Aiello
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Globe and Mail
25 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
CSIS warns threats from Iran in Canada could increase this year, and it is using criminals to target critics
Canada's spy agency is warning that threats from Iran's theocratic regime could increase this year and Tehran will continue to use members of criminal gangs to target its critics in Canada. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service told The Globe this week it is investigating death threats in Canada orchestrated by the republic of Iran. And depending on developments in the Middle East, such threats could escalate here, CSIS cautioned. The spy agency issued its warning after it emerged that two Canadian journalists working for a London-based Persian news outlet have faced threats from Iran. One was told repeatedly they would be abducted, placed in a bag and smuggled out of the country if they did not stop reporting. Lawyers acting for the news outlet, Iran International, have asked experts at the United Nations to intervene with the regime urgently after death and abduction threats to its journalists and their families escalated in the past six weeks. Ottawa strengthens vetting after officials failed to pass on new human-rights chief's alias to RCMP, CSIS CSIS warns 'extremist actors' rhetoric around Israel-Hamas war could lead to violence The escalation coincided with the U.S. attack on Iranian nuclear sites and Israel's offensive, which killed dozens of Iranian senior security officials and nuclear scientists. In a statement, CSIS warned that the level of threat posed in Canada by people acting on the Iranian regime's behalf could be influenced by the situation in the Middle East. 'CSIS continues to investigate threats to life emanating from the Islamic Republic of Iran. Given the need to protect our sources, tradecraft, and methods however, we cannot confirm or deny specific investigative details,' said CSIS spokesperson Magali Hébert in a statement. 'CSIS assesses that Iran will continue to use proxies, such as individuals involved with transnational organized crime networks, when it targets perceived enemies living in foreign countries, including Canada.' 'Iranian threat-related activities directed at Canada and its allies are likely to continue in 2025, and may increase depending on developments in the Middle East and the Iranian regime's own threat perceptions,' it added. An alleged plot by agents of Iran to assassinate former justice minister Irwin Cotler was foiled, the RCMP told him last year. The lawyer and founder of the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, who has supported dissidents targeted by Tehran, remains on Iran's hit list and has 24-hour police protection. Lawyers acting for Iran International earlier this week asked five experts at the UN to intervene with the Iranian regime over threats to its journalists and their families, including two in Canada. It appealed to the UN experts to take action to protect the safety of journalists in seven countries: Canada, Britain, the U.S., Sweden, Germany, Turkey and Belgium. The appeal was lodged with five UN special rapporteurs, including Professor Ben Saul, UN special rapporteur on human rights and counterterrorism, and Irene Khan, UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression. Carlos Nagore Diaz, a spokesman for Ms. Khan, said in an e-mail that 'several UN Special Rapporteurs are considering taking urgent action on the renewed credible threats to life,' but any communications with the Iranian regime are currently confidential. 'The Special Rapporteur has consistently raised concerns about threats to reporters working for Iran international and will continue to do so,' he said. Last year, a group of UN rapporteurs, including Ms. Khan and Mr. Saul, wrote to leaders of Iran's regime expressing concerns about threats to journalists working for Persian language outlets abroad including Iran International. Founded in 2017, it has become the most-watched Persian language TV channel in and outside Iran on satellite and online platforms. Headquartered in London, with bureaus in 14 countries, its reporting is often critical of Tehran's theocratic regime. The rapporteurs' May 2024 letter alleged that the Islamic Republic of Iran was directly, and through proxies, menacing journalists working for Iran International as well as their family members in Iran. 'We note that acts and threats of violence, and other measures of intimidation and harassment by the Iranian authorities or its proxies against persons in the United Kingdom and other states, may amount to violations of the sovereignty of those states,' the letter said. It detailed how in March last year Iran International journalist Pouria Zeraati was stabbed in the legs by two assailants outside his home in Wimbledon, London. Two Romanian nationals were subsequently charged with the attack. In its reply to the UN experts' letter, Iran's permanent representation to the UN, rejected 'allegations made about the threats or kidnapping plans' against journalists working for news outlets such as Iran International, whom it referred to as 'agents.' 'To the Islamic Republic of Iran, this anti-Iranian Network and its operatives are terrorists, they will be dealt with according to the relevant laws and will be tried in a fair court, as the case against some agents of this network is being processed,' the letter said. Adam Baillie, spokesman for Iran International, said 'the idea of there being such a thing as a fair trial in Iran under the current regime is an absurdity.' 'The allegations about us being terrorists are ridiculous. We are journalists doing our job and we should be doing it from within Iran itself,' he said. 'Furthermore you should not underestimate the level of threat, both in scale and nature, to journalists working for our channel, including in Canada.' Last week, Canada joined a group of countries including Britain, the U.S., France, Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark, to publicly condemn a growing number of threats from Iranian intelligence services on their soil. The joint statement, issued by the British foreign office, said Iranian intelligence operatives were increasingly collaborating with international criminal organizations to target journalists, dissidents and others.
CBC
26 minutes ago
- CBC
Cowichan regional district urges B.C. to intervene on 6-month transit strike, citing toll on most vulnerable
More than six months into what is believed to be the longest transit strike in B.C.'s history, the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) is asking the province to help resolve the dispute for the sake of locals, who are paying a steep price due to a lack of public transit. In a letter to B.C.'s Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside on Friday, CVRD Board of Directors chair Kate Segall called for the province to "explore all appropriate means of supporting a resolution," such as encouraging options like a voluntary cooling-off period or binding arbitration. "This labour dispute between B.C. Transit's contractor – Transdev Canada – and their unionized employees is disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable people in our communities," she said in a statement. Examples of the hardship, as described by the CVRD, include a family with seven children in the isolated community of Honeymoon Bay, with no transportation to access healthcare for their serious health conditions. Then there's the Shawnigan lake family facing high travel costs to commute to adult education and apprenticeship programs, putting their professional development at risk, says the district. People have also messaged the CVRD to share that they've lost jobs, faced barriers to accessing food security programs, struggled with isolation, and taken on the risk of hitchhiking since the strike began in February. Segall says B.C.'s "leadership and influence" could help bring Transdev and Unifor, the union representing the transit workers, closer to an agreement. Minister Whiteside was not available for an interview with CBC News on Friday. In a statement, the Ministry of Labour said it is reviewing the situation to determine how to support a resolution. Transit workers voted on Aug. 7. to reject a proposed binding-arbitration process, following a vote in July to reject recommendations from a provincially appointed mediator to resolve the strike. The union members also voted against a potential deal in April. Transdev's senior vice president for western Canada, Emily Watson, expressed disappointment in the decision to reject the arbitration process. "Transdev and Unifor representatives mutually agreed to an arbitrator and binding arbitration dates that would have seen a return-to-work plan commence immediately and a full resumption of service in late August," she said in a statement. "The fact that it has been rejected by union members on August 7th, along with the previous mediator's recommendations, is a disservice to the community." Union wants help from municipalities Gavin Davies, a national representative for Unifor, said members were concerned that arbitration would not address the root cause of their concerns around wages, bathroom access, and bathroom breaks. "One of their fears is, we've been out on strike for six months, [if] we go back to work with no commitment to address these issues then we're back out on strike in a year-and-a -half from now," said Davies, who said workers have lost half a year's wages for the job action. To end the strike, Davies says some of the issues go beyond what Transdev is able to address. Transit workers want to see commitments from the CVRD, B.C. Transit, and municipalities to meet with the union and Transdev in order to work on a resolution to the issues around bathroom access and breaks, he said. When asked if he sees an end in sight for the strike, Davies said, "not until these parties step up to the plate." He says that drivers are aware of the impact this strike has had on the community, with some coming to tears over it. "We truly are sorry for the hardship – and sorry doesn't cut it to somebody who's lost their job or can't get to the grocery store, can't pick up their medications," Davies said. "I know that sorry falls far short, but it's the only thing that we can say." Segall, North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas, and Duncan Mayor Michelle Staples were not available to comment on whether they would commit to meeting with the union and Transdev to help resolve the strike. B.C. Transit spokesperson Jamie Weiss said in a statement that while street infrastructure is the responsibility of local governments, it has worked to jointly fund and build washrooms for transit employees in several other communities. "With regards to washroom access for Operators in the Cowichan Valley, B.C. Transit has engaged with Transdev Canada, our local government partners and others in the past to support a resolution," he wrote. "B.C. Transit will not interfere with the collective bargaining process, but our organization will continue to support ongoing communications around this issue."
Montreal Gazette
an hour ago
- Montreal Gazette
Libman: Maybe it's time to hit pause on our dizzying dance with Trump
I remember as a kid frenetically chasing after a rubber Superball as it bounced around, careening off everything, not knowing where it would bounce next, constantly out of reach. That's what it must feel like to deal with Donald Trump and try to figure out a way to pin down a complicated trade agreement, of all things. International trade, commerce and business need economic stability and predictability. In Canada's history, we've never had to face such a wild card U.S. presidency and been forced to navigate as volatile a relationship with our largest trading partner. Every day seems to bring a different turn. The goalposts seem to move whenever a new idea or insult pops into Trump's head — which he broadcasts on social media — surprising our politicians. There's often no common-sense rationale with Trump. It's dizzying, infuriating and in many ways surreal. One day his chiding of Canada could be related to fentanyl, the next illegal immigrants or imaginary trade imbalances. Perhaps disdain due to slights by our former prime minister still lingers, or maybe current PM Mark Carey hasn't been flattering enough. Who knows? Many Canadians boldly want to see an 'elbows up' approach of defiance. But let's face it — economically we're at the mercy of our much bigger U.S. neighbour. Particularly with this president, as with most bullies or egomaniacs, any attempt at fighting back is likely to backfire. When Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatened to impose a 25-per-cent surcharge on electricity exports to three U.S. states, Trump roared, threatening a 50-per-cent retaliatory tariff the next day, causing Ford to meekly scurry backwards. Trump's flunky, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, said '(Trump) needed to break some guy in Ontario who said he was going to tax American energy.' Lutnick himself often looks foolish, talking in a vacuum without any idea what his boss might decide the next day. Our politicians don't seem to have any game plan or know how to handle this, as they have no idea what to expect next. Federal ministers Dominic LeBlanc, François-Philippe Champagne, Anita Anand and Mélanie Joly seem to be running like hamsters on a wheel. You also get the sense Carney is constantly biting his tongue to avoid criticizing the president, knowing it could boomerang. Last week, not having reached a deal by the Aug. 1 deadline, Trump raised the tariff rate from 25 to 35 per cent on Canadian goods not covered under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, again evoking Canada's failure to control the 'ongoing flood of fentanyl and other illicit drugs.' Fentanyl seizures from Canada are less than 0.1 per cent of total U.S. seizures of the drug, but facts are irrelevant in this alternate reality. Perhaps it's time our federal government just went back to governing and stopped this dance. The more we dance, the more Trump will make us dance. If a deal is struck, fine — but patience may be a more sensible approach than scrambling for a deal, any deal. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington is soon expected to rule on whether Trump's tariffs are even legal under the Constitution, which grants Congress powers over trade. Trump has circumvented this by claiming he can use presidential emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, something the judges hearing the case have skeptically questioned. Also, the cost impact of tariffs — the higher wages to American workers to produce goods and materials in the U.S., rather than importing at a lower price — presumably will soon start hitting Americans in their wallets. Only if Americans wake up and start questioning Trump's policies will he likely blink. Maybe it's time to stop chasing the ball for now and let the courts and other economic indicators shape the narrative. Robert Libman is an architect and planning consultant who has served as Equality Party leader and MNA, mayor of Côte-St-Luc and a member of the Montreal executive committee. He was a Conservative candidate in the 2015 federal election.
