Canada Election: Carney expected to trigger snap federal vote today
Canadians will go to the polls in shadow of Trump's trade war, threat of annexation
CBC News Special | Federal election begins
Started 28 minutes ago
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Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to visit the Governor General around noon ET.
Canada's 45th federal election will officially kick off after that meeting.
We're expecting to hear from all the major party leaders today.
Updates
March 23
7 minutes ago
On your marks, get set…
Lucas Powers
Good morning, Canada. I'm a digital producer based in Toronto, and I'll be curating your live updates experience today.
It's a big day for our country.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to trigger our next federal election. Sources say Canadians will go to the polls on April 28 to choose a new government to steer us through these turbulent times.
We have a full day of special live coverage from an experienced team of journalists ready to bring you all the latest news and analysis from Ottawa and beyond.
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CBC
29 minutes ago
- CBC
Trump protests sweep across U.S. ahead of Saturday's military parade
Demonstrators crowded into streets, parks and plazas across the U.S. Saturday to rally against President Donald Trump as officials urged calm and mobilized National Guard troops ahead of a military parade to mark the army's 250th anniversary that coincides with the president's birthday. In Washington, D.C., where Trump is deeply unpopular, a frequent topic of conversation this week was making sure to avoid downtown Saturday or to get out of town. There were multiple protests across the city, including one in Northwest Washington where a couple of dozen mostly elderly people gathered outside their building holding signs, with passing cars constantly honking in support. One woman here turned 100 the month Trump was re-elected last November. And there she was in her wheelchair in Northwest Washington, along Connecticut Avenue, holding a sign saying, "We Got RID of KINGS in 1776." "A liar. A thief," is how 100-year-old Elaine Newman described the president. "It's unbelievable," she said. She was a union employee who previously worked on the 1950 U.S. census, and at a tuberculosis sanitarium in Texas. She's lived through the rise and fall of fascism, the creation of the modern welfare state and the spread of civil rights. Now Newman says she feels disbelief at seeing an authoritarian president; his budget bill that steers money away from health programs for the poor and elderly, shifting wealth to the rich; universities defunded in fights with him; and the cruelty of his mass deportation program. "Those poor people," Newman said, referring to planned cuts to health programs. Across the street was a Polish immigrant who recalled the authoritarians of his native country. A retired engineer, Jerry Malesa was in college during 1968 protests that led to crackdowns in eastern Europe. He says he finds it chillingly familiar seeing institutions punished for arguing with Trump and, conversely, seeing cabinet members expected to constantly flatter the president in TV appearances. "I really am afraid for this country," said Malesa, holding up a sign that said: "Democracy Not Autocracy." Near him on the sidewalk, one woman who gave only her first name said she couldn't believe her eyes on Jan. 6, 2021, and said things have only gotten worse: "Since then it's just numbing. And nauseating. One runs out of words." Nearly 2,000 protests planned Protests were planned in nearly 2,000 locations across the country, from city blocks and small towns to courthouse steps and community parks, organizers said. In downtown Los Angeles, thousands of people had already gathered in front of city hall well before the protest start time. They carried signs against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Trump and authoritarianism. "If not now, when?" said Christina Joubert, 46, a first-time protester who travelled from the South Bay area of Los Angeles to the event. "Our country is suffering right now. People are suffering. It doesn't really matter who you voted for. Everyone is afraid … I'm here to stand for people treating one another like humans again." Atlanta's 5,000-capacity "No Kings" rally quickly reached its limit, with thousands more demonstrators outside the barrier to hear speakers in front of the state capitol. Intermittent light rain fell as sign-carrying marchers gathered for the flagship rally in Philadelphia's Love Park, and shouted "Whose streets? Our streets!" as they marched down Ben Franklin Parkway to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. In Charlotte, N.C., crowds cheered anti-Trump speakers in the city's First Ward Park and chanted, "We have no kings," before marching behind a "No Kings" banner. The 50501 Movement orchestrating the protests says it picked the "No Kings" name to support democracy and speak out against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement. The demonstrations come on the heels of protests that flared up across the country over federal immigration enforcement raids that began last week and Trump ordering the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles, where protesters blocked a freeway and set cars on fire. About 1,000 people gathered on the grounds of Florida's old capitol in Tallahassee, where protesters chanted, "This is what community looks like," and carried signs with messages like "One Nation Under Distress" and "Dissent is Patriotic." Republican states warn protesters, mobilize law enforcement Organizers say that one march will go to the gates of Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis warned demonstrators that the "line is very clear" between peaceful demonstration and violence, and not to cross it. Republican governors in Virginia, Texas, Nebraska and Missouri were mobilizing National Guard troops to help law enforcement manage demonstrations. There will be "zero tolerance" for violence, destruction or disrupting traffic, and "if you violate the law, you're going to be arrested," Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin told reporters Friday. In Missouri, Gov. Mike Kehoe issued a similar message, vowing to take a proactive approach and not to "wait for chaos to ensue." Some law enforcement agencies announced they were ramping up efforts for the weekend. In California, state troopers were on "tactical alert," which means all days off are cancelled for all officers, while West Virginia's governor put the state police and National Guard on standby. On social media, Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, called for peaceful protests over the weekend to ensure Trump doesn't send military to the state. "Donald Trump wants to be able to say that we cannot handle our own public safety in Washington state," Ferguson said. In a statement Friday, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, urged protesters "to remain peaceful and calm as they exercise their First Amendment right to make their voices heard."
Toronto Star
an hour ago
- Toronto Star
Mark Carney is setting the tone for the G7 and he knows the cost of playing it safe is irrelevance
By Contributing Columnist Jaime Watt is the executive chairman of Navigator Ltd. and a Conservative strategist. He is a freelance contributing columnist for the Star. @jaimewatt. It would be safe — perhaps even generous — to say that Prime Minister Mark Carney is stepping into a minefield of diplomatic hazards, moral compromise, and geopolitical volatility ahead of the G7 this week in Kananaskis, Alberta. Turn right, and you might face (his attendance is unclear at the time of writing) the Prime Minister of India — whose government stands accused by Canada of orchestrating an assassination on Canadian soil. Opinion articles are based on the author's interpretations and judgments of facts, data and events. More details
Globe and Mail
2 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Who is attending the G7 summit in Alberta this week? A full list of the world leaders attending and invited
Canada will host more than a dozen world leaders at the Group of Seven summit in Kananaskis, Alta., starting on Sunday, with several pressing issues at stake both on and off the agenda. There are seven member states in the informal grouping of some of the world's most advanced economies, and five have new leaders since last year, including Canada. But in addition to those nations, the host also typically invites leaders from other countries and organizations to shape discussions and encourage global co-operation. Carney sets out foreign policy shift as G7 convenes under the shadow of Trump's trade war Prime Minister Mark Carney has already made waves with invitations that have signaled his economic and foreign-policy priorities and, in some cases, stirred controversy ahead of his first G7 leaders' summit. Here's a look at the world leaders who will attend the meetings in Alberta this week, and those who won't: U.S. President Donald Trump The G7 summit will mark U.S. President Donald Trump's first visit to Canada since he returned to the White House in January, launched a trade war and made comments about annexing the country. The summit comes as Ottawa and Washington continue to negotiate toward a new trade and security deal, and many other world leaders will be looking for face time with the President. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer This will be Mr. Starmer's first time visiting Canada and first G7 Leaders' Summit since his party's election victory last year. Mr. Carney announced Wednesday that Mr. Starmer will come to Ottawa for bilateral talks prior to the official summit. The two men previously met in March, during Mr. Carney's first trip abroad as Prime Minister. French President Emmanuel Macron Mr. Macron is currently the longest-serving member state leader in the G7. He has represented France at all seven leaders' summits since his election in 2017 (2020's meeting was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic), and this year will be his ninth. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Mr. Merz, who was elected Chancellor earlier this year, will be representing Germany at the summit for the first time. Since his election, Mr. Merz has plunged into diplomatic efforts to try to secure a ceasefire and keep Western support for Ukraine intact, as well as improve trade relations with the United States. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni This will be the third summit for Ms. Meloni, who hosted the G7's 50th leaders meeting in her country's Puglia region last year. She and Mr. Carney met for the first time last month when he was visiting Italy for Pope Francis's funeral. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba This week's summit is also the first for Mr. Ishiba, whose Liberal Democratic Party was elected to power last fall. The Prime Minister expressed his hopes for the summit and strengthening bilateral relations with Canada in a Globe and Mail opinion piece earlier this week. 'This summit will be a crucial milestone. To lead the international community from division to co-operation, we must maintain and strengthen an international order based on the rule of law, not power,' he wrote. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney Mr. Carney, who took office in March, is technically the newest of all the member-state leaders coming to Alberta. But he is no stranger to the G7, having attended many conferences and meetings during his time as Governor of the Bank of Canada and then of the Bank of England. The Prime Minister has said the priorities guiding the summit are 'anchored' in building stronger economies. He will be seeking co-ordinated action in three areas: 'protecting our communities and the world,' 'building energy security and accelerating digital transitions,' and securing economic partnerships. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen The European Union is considered a 'non-enumerated' member of the G7 and sends either the president of the European Commission or the European Council to each leaders' summit. Ms. von der Leyen has served as Commission President since 2019, and was a long-serving member of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet before that. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi The decision to invite the head of a government accused of meddling in Canadian democracy — after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly accused 'agents of the Indian government' of orchestrating the killing of a B.C. Sikh-separatism advocate —has prompted backlash, including from within the Prime Minister's own Liberal Party. But last week, Mr. Carney said it made sense for India to be at the table, as it is one of the largest economies in the world and central to global supply chains. He wouldn't comment on the allegations levelled by his predecessor against India, saying 'the rule of law is proceeding as it should.' He said the invitation to Mr. Modi was extended in the context of continuing dialogue between law enforcement in both countries. Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico Ms. Sheinbaum accepted Mr. Carney's invitation to join the summit, and says her team is working to set up bilateral meetings with G7 leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump. Mexico and Canada have both been targets of Mr. Trump's punishing tariffs, and the three countries are set to begin renegotiating the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade next year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Mr. Zelensky might get another chance to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump in Alberta, as Washington continues to push for an end to the war that started with Russia's 2014 seizure of Crimea and escalated to a full-scale invasion in 2022. Their last meeting erupted when the U.S. President berated Mr. Zelensky in front of media in the Oval Office. Ottawa and its peers fear the U.S. is too obliging to Moscow and that a bad deal will only create more instability in Europe. Mr. Carney and Mr. Zelensky met for the first time last month in Italy on their visit for the funeral of Pope Francis. NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte Mr. Rutte, the former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, will attend his first G7 leaders' meeting since he assumed office last fall. His visit comes amid rising pressure on some NATO member states, including Canada, to increase their defence spending to meet the organization's targets. President of the World Bank Ajay Banga Last year's G7 summit in Italy was Mr. Banga's first, and the former Mastercard CEO's attendance this year comes at a time of turmoil and instability as Trump's trade war shakes up global economies and markets. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa Mr. Ramaphosa attended his first G7 summit in 2019, the year he took office, and has attended nearly all leaders' summits since then. His participation this year comes amid tensions with Mr. Trump, who ambushed Mr. Ramaphosa in their Oval Office meeting last month, falsely accusing his government of killing white farmers. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva This will be President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's third G7 since taking office in 2023. He has tried to partner with countries across the Global South while advancing democracy and environmental protections. He'll be taking those themes to the COP30 summit in the Amazon this November, which his office claimed this week Carney will be attending, though Ottawa has yet to confirm. United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will come to Alberta at Mr. Carney's invitation. Canada has described the wealthy Gulf country as 'a critical partner' in humanitarian efforts such as foreign aid projects and the resettlement of vulnerable Afghans. Sudanese groups have criticized Canada for not publicly calling out the UAE for its role in arming the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary the U.S. has accused of carrying out a genocide in Sudan. The UAE has strenuously denied involvement in the conflict. South Korea President Lee Jae-myung is eager to present South Korea as a stable, democratic country following a turbulent period that started with the former president declaring martial law last December. South Korea has long aspired to join the G7 and argues that its economic and regional clout is similar to that of G7 member Japan. Ottawa and Seoul have pledged deeper co-operation on maritime security, critical minerals and the environment. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who took office in 2022, is a willing partner for Canada as it tries to shore up its trade and defence links across the Indo-Pacific. In March, Carney announced a deal was in the works to have Ottawa partner with Australia on an early-warning radar detection system to use in the Arctic and across the U.S. border. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto Mr. Subianto will attend the summit after years of Ottawa pursuing deeper ties with Indonesia — a demographic and economic giant in the Indo-Pacific. Canada and Indonesia signed a free-trade agreement last year and Ottawa aspires to sell small-scale nuclear technology to the island nation as it helps to develop small reactors for northern Canadian communities. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith Ms. Smith is set to greet world leaders when they arrive at the Calgary airport for the G7 summit, host representatives from non-member countries at a reception, and hold bilateral meetings throughout the summit. The premier has already made international relations a hallmark of her administration. She made headlines in January when she visited Mr. Trump's Florida home prior to him taking office, in an effort to stave off his tariffs on Canadian goods. Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will not attend the G7 leaders' summit despite an invitation from Prime Minister Mark Carney. The development may ease some of the tension inside Mr. Carney's Liberal caucus, as some MPs were upset by the invitation. The MPs say India and Saudi Arabia are in violation of Mr. Carney's own G7 priority of 'countering foreign interference and transnational crime,' and therefore should not have been invited. China Beijing was not invited to attend the summit. China warned the Group of Seven members on Friday against 'manipulating' issues related to the world's second-largest economy for their own agenda, after they accused Beijing of unfair business practices a year earlier. Beijing's criticism of the G7 and what it represents comes amid a surge in global trade tension between the United States and China this year, as well as within the bloc's membership. Prime Minister Carney is also being urged by 10 pro democracy and human-rights groups in Canada to raise the plight of jailed Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai at the summit, and to join the U.K., U.S. and Australia in calling for his unconditional release from prison over a Beijing-imposed national security law. – With reports from Stephanie Levitz, Steven Chase and The Canadian Press
