Could Carney's message to Calgarians work?
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Edmonton Journal
13 minutes ago
- Edmonton Journal
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he's campaigning in Battle River-Crowfoot like he's 'one vote behind'
With his political future on the line, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre says he's leaving nothing to chance while campaigning in the rural Alberta riding of Battle River-Crowfoot. Article content Poilievre, who lost the Ottawa-area riding of Carleton to Liberal Bruce Fanjoy in the April federal election, has been given a second chance at winning a seat in the House of Commons, this time in Battle River-Crowfoot. Former MP Damien Kurek resigned in June to allow Poilievre to run in a byelection in the Alberta riding, where a record 214 candidates are registered. Article content Article content Article content In the spring election, Kurek won the safe Conservative seat with 83 per cent support, and a pollster has said the Conservative leader will easily win Battle River-Crowfoot, where advance polling wrapped up Monday ahead of the Aug. 18 general vote. Article content Article content Poilievre, reached Tuesday morning in the Oyen area, said he doesn't make predictions about election results and is campaigning like he's 'one vote behind.' Article content 'I believe in humility and earning people's support,' said Poilievre, who on Monday attended a town hall meeting, did some door-knocking and met with Oyen Mayor Doug Jones for dinner at a local restaurant. Article content Poilievre said Kurek, the Conservatives' campaign chair, has been a 'great help' during the byelection campaign, 'advising, door-knocking, speaking, endorsing and directing our efforts.' Article content The Conservative leader confirmed Kurek offered to resign his seat so he could run in Battle River-Crowfoot. Article content Article content 'He said, 'Look, Battle River-Crowfoot has a lot of important local issues that require national leadership, like supporting oil and gas, protecting firearms rights, giving people the freedom to drive their gas trucks and cars — and you're the national leader that will do that. We need you back in the House of Commons.' ' Article content Article content Article content Kurek, now working for government relations and lobbying firm Upstream Strategy Group, will stay active and keep him informed of 'all the things that are happening on the ground in the region,' said Poilievre. Article content 'I plan to keep working with him and the local mayors and local representatives to be a strong voice for the people here,' said the Conservative leader, who plans to run in a different riding during the next federal election.
National Observer
41 minutes ago
- National Observer
Former top general says reviewing medals for Afghan vets is a 'no-brainer' for Carney
A former top general who led the military during the Afghanistan conflict is urging Prime Minister Mark Carney's government to revisit the files of soldiers who served there to see if any of their awards should be upgraded to the Victoria Cross. Rick Hillier said that despite the failure of recent attempts to trigger such an independent review, he thinks the odds are better now that Ottawa is bent on revitalizing the Canadian Armed Forces. "I am more optimistic right now. I think for the government, this should be a no-brainer," Hillier, chief of the defence staff from 2005-2008, told The Canadian Press. Hillier is part of the civil society group Valour in the Presence of the Enemy, which has been pressing Ottawa to consider awarding veterans of the 2001 to 2014 Afghanistan campaign the country's highest military honour. He said commendations awarded to Afghanistan veterans should be examined in light of new information to see whether any of them qualify for the Victoria Cross. "Let's do an independent review, not committing to anything, which is right and appropriate," he said. "And if we should find that one or two or more individuals are deserving of the Victoria Cross, what a shot in the arm that would be for our soldiers and aviators and sailors." In 2022, former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole pushed to have a the House of Commons endorse the creation of a review panel that would take a second look at military decorations. Hillier said it may have been a strategic error to have the former leader of the opposition bring that proposal forward, since it "almost guaranteed" that the governing Liberal party would oppose it. The issue is being brought to the fore again through a parliamentary petition sponsored and endorsed by Liberal MP Pauline Rochefort which also calls for a review panel. Twenty Stars of Military Valour — Canada's second-highest military award — and 89 Medals of Military Valour were awarded to soldiers who served in Afghanistan. No serving Canadian soldier or veteran has been awarded the Victoria Cross since the Second World War. The Government of Canada says just 81 Canadians have ever been awarded the Victoria Cross — 4 from the Boer War, 64 from the First World War and 13 from the Second World War. Gen. Walter Natynczyk, chief of the defence staff from 2008 to 2012, ordered a review in 2012 of the 20 Stars of Military Valour awarded for the Afghanistan conflict. Ottawa has resisted calls in recent years for another review. Department of National Defence spokesperson Andrée-Anne Poulin said in an emailed statement the awards process is designed to be insulated from political influence and public pressure. "All honours for the Afghanistan mission have been processed and the time limits for such nominations (two years between the action and the nomination for Military Valour and Bravery Decorations) have now elapsed," she said. "These time limits ensure events are judged by the standards and values of the time, are compared with other contemporary examples, past decisions are not second-guessed and history is not reinterpreted." Many have cited the case of Jess Larochelle of North Bay, Ont., as one that deserves a closer look. The late army private's supporters maintain he should be awarded the Victoria Cross for his heroic actions in holding off a 2006 Taliban attack on an observation post after sustaining serious injuries. Hillier, who chaired the committee that awarded Larochelle his Star of Military Valour, said details of his story that came to light in the years since make his case worth a fresh look. "I don't think we made a mistake, but having done something doesn't mean that it's cast in stone forever and ever," he said. Hillier said new details about "how badly injured" Larochelle was during the battle, and the fact that he volunteered to take the position, should merit a reappraisal of his case. Retired lieutenant-general Omer Lavoie suggested the Department of National Defence may be reluctant to reopen awards files because it would be a complex project that would stir up grim memories of the conflict — and because it could quickly give rise to claims of unfair treatment if veterans of other wars aren't also honoured. Hillier also observed that Canadians tend to be hesitant about lavishing praise on individual acts of greatness. "We in Canada have forever been loath, reluctant, slow to recognize the very top acts of courage and valour," he said. "Throughout our history, we seem to have this sort of group-thought process sometimes, where it keeps people all in one level." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 13, 2025.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Prime Minister condemns assault on Muslim woman aboard Ottawa bus
An OC Transpo bus is seen in this undated file photo. (CTV News Ottawa) Prime Minister Mark Carney is condemning what he called a 'reprehensible' attack on a Muslim woman in Ottawa this week. OC Transpo says special constables and Ottawa police officers were called to a bus on March Road and Teron Road shortly before 5 p.m. Monday following a reported incident on a bus in which a man assaulted a woman wearing a hijab. 'Yesterday, a young Muslim woman in Ottawa suffered an unprovoked assault on public transit, including with reprehensible Islamophobic threats and slurs, Carney said in a post on X on Tuesday. 'Hate and violence have no place in our city, or our country. The perpetrator must be held accountable, and my thoughts today are with the victim. No one should be unsafe as they head to work or school in our communities." Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe also condemned the assault. Sutcliffe alerted the public to the incident in a post on his social media accounts, saying the assault included 'Islamophobic slurs and threats.' 'I strongly condemn this act of violence and hatred; it has no place in our community. Everyone should feel safe while travelling on public transit or anywhere else in Ottawa,' he said. The Kanata Muslim Association posted a safety alert to its members on Facebook. 'On August 11, a young hijabi woman was physically assaulted on a bus to Kanata (Morgan's Grant area). A man entered the bus, whispered an Islamophobic slur, and slapped her loudly and without provocation. He then threatened her further, saying he would slam her face against the window and kill her. He got off at Penfield Drive in Kanata,' the post said. The post says another passenger reported the man had previously targeted hijabi women. The association says it has contacted police. 'Visible minorities, especially women wearing hijab, please stay alert on public transit in the Kanata area. If you experience or witness harassment or assault, report it to police immediately,' the association says. The Ottawa Police Service confirmed it was investigating an assault directed at a Muslim woman in her late teens and is seeking a suspect. 'The OPS Hate and Bias Crime Unit has taken carriage of the investigation, and we are working closely with the victim and leaders in the Muslim community to provide support and information while preserving the integrity of this ongoing investigation,' Ottawa police said in a statement. 'These types of events have a profound impact on many in our diverse communities, and everyone in Ottawa should feel safe—whether on public transit, in public spaces, or in their neighbourhoods." Police say the suspect is described as an English-speaking White man, appearing to be in his 20s to 30s, approximately 5-feet-8-inches, with a thin build and beard. The suspect is not known to the victim, police say. 'We at the OPS have zero tolerance for hate or bias, and we will hold those responsible accountable. The members of the Ottawa Police Service are committed to your safety, security, and well-being,' police say. The mayor says he has spoken with the victim's family and to leaders of the Muslim community. 'We must all stand together against Islamophobia and hatred in all its forms and continue to do everything possible to make our city safe for everyone,' Sutcliffe said. OC Transpo says anyone who feels unsafe or uncomfortable while taking public transit should approach a special constable or employee, call 613-741-2478 or 911 in an emergency. Yellow emergency phones are located throughout the system. Police are encouraging anyone who witnessed this incident, has photos or videos of the offence, or related information, to contact them at 613-236-1222, ext. 5015 or email hatebiascrime@
