Latest news with #federalism
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alberta separatists slam Poilievre for declaring himself a 'Canadian patriot' opposed to secession
OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was slammed by several separatist opponents in Alberta Monday after he said that the province should stay part of Canada, no matter what. 'Pierre Poilievre and the federal Conservatives want Albertan votes but not Albertan autonomy. Saying Alberta should stay no matter what shows exactly how little respect they have for the province's right to chart its own path,' said Michael Harris, the Libertarian candidate challenging Poilievre in next month's Battle River—Crowfoot byelection. 'That's not unity, that's control,' Harris said. The Calgary-born Poilievre reiterated his belief in Alberta federalism at a press conference in Ottawa on Monday. 'Well, I disagree with separation. I'm a Canadian patriot (and) there's no other country in the world where someone of my modest origins would be able to make it,' said Poilievre. Poilievre was responding after he took part in a CBC interview on the weekend and said Alberta should stay in Canada even if the Liberals continue to hold power in Ottawa. Grant Abraham is another candidate challenging Poilievre in August's byelection. The leader of the United Party of Canada, which advocates for provinces standing up against federal power, Abraham said Poilievre is likely underestimating the level of unrest in Alberta. 'I mean so much of Alberta is so fed up with paying money to Quebec and Ontario in the form of equalization payments … Alberta hasn't seen any money back from that since the 1960s,' said Abraham. Harris and Abraham both think there should be a referendum on Alberta independence next year. Abraham says he'd vote 'yes' if a referendum on the province's independence were held tomorrow, if only to wake Ottawa up to the reality of western unrest. Republican Party of Alberta Leader Cameron Davies, who ran provincially last month in an overlapping riding, said he thinks Poilievre will face a rude awakening himself at the doors of Battle River—Crowfoot as he campaigns for the seat recently vacated by Conservative MP Damien Kurek. 'I can tell you in the part of the riding that overlaps with Mr. Poilievre's newfound home … that there is 30 per cent plus support, if not greater, for Alberta independence,' said Davies. In the provincial race, Davies placed third with just under 18 per cent of the vote, with most of his support coming at the expense of Alberta's governing United Conservative Party. Jeff Rath, a lawyer with the pro-independence Alberta Prosperity Project, said that Poilievre's comments about Alberta staying in Canada show just how 'irrelevant' he's become to both the country and the province. 'He just can't read the room,' said Rath. Rath said Poilievre hurt his credibility with Albertans by not taking the opportunity to say that he would abide by the results of a referendum on independence, as Premier Danielle Smith has repeatedly said she would. He added that Poilievre's continued support for the federal equalization program and supply management will be a 'tough sell' with voters in the riding. Poilievre also rankled some conservative Albertans during the CBC interview with his defence of supply management for egg and dairy farmers, which has become a trade irritant with the U.S. Trump administration, saying it pales in comparison to the 'tens if not hundreds of billions' American farmers get in subsidies. 'Poilievre is saying that we're going to continue to stick our thumb in the eye of our biggest trade partner to protect the Quebec dairy cartel … he's not protecting the interests of Albertans,' said Rath. Kurek told the National Post that, despite what naysayers are claiming, residents he's spoken to increasingly see Poilievre as the right man to go to bat for rural Alberta in Ottawa. 'Having spent the last weeks … speaking to thousands of folks here in Battle River—Crowfoot, the message is clear. Albertans are frustrated with the Liberal status quo, but are hopeful that Pierre and our Conservative team are listening and will stand up for them … It's clear to me Albertans want Pierre to fight for them!' wrote Kurek in an email to the National Post Brad Wohlgemuth, a resident of Stettler, Alta., who plans to vote in the byelection, says he's been disappointed by how carefully managed Poilievre's campaign events have been so far. Wohlgemuth said that he and other attendees of a Conservative town hall on Friday were asked to submit written questions in advance, and were not given an opportunity to ask questions from the floor. 'We want to test somebody out to see whether they can handle the tough questions,' said Wohlgemuth. Wohlgemuth says he was especially disappointed by Poilievre's boilerplate response to a question about secession. '(The exchange) was so well scripted that it really didn't address the issue.' Poilievre said in his press conference on Monday that he understood why Albertans were so upset. 'We have to put a final end to this notion that Ottawa tells Alberta to pay up and shut up,' said Poilievre. National Post rmohamed@ Meet the military trailblazer who's gunning for Poilievre in Alberta byelection Alberta independence movement takes hit in Olds byelection Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alberta separatists slam Poilievre for declaring himself a 'Canadian patriot' opposed to secession
OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was slammed by several separatist opponents in the province Monday after he said that the province should stay part of Canada, no matter what. 'Pierre Poilievre and the federal Conservatives want Albertan votes but not Albertan autonomy. Saying Alberta should stay no matter what shows exactly how little respect they have for the province's right to chart its own path,' said Michael Harris, the Libertarian candidate challenging Poilievre in next month's Battle River—Crowfoot byelection. 'That's not unity, that's control,' Harris said. The Calgary-born Poilievre reiterated his belief in Alberta federalism at a press conference in Ottawa on Monday. 'Well, I disagree with separation. I'm a Canadian patriot (and) there's no other country in the world where someone of my modest origins would be able to make it,' said Poilievre. Poilievre was responding after he took part in a CBC interview on the weekend and said Alberta should stay in Canada even if the Liberals continue to hold power in Ottawa. Grant Abraham is another candidate challenging Poilievre in August's byelection. The leader of the United Party of Canada, which advocates for provinces standing up against federal power, Abraham said Poilievre is likely underestimating the level of unrest in Alberta. 'I mean so much of Alberta is so fed up with paying money to Quebec and Ontario in the form of equalization payments … Alberta hasn't seen any money back from that since the 1960s,' said Abraham. Harris and Abraham both think there should be a referendum on Alberta independence next year. Abraham says he'd vote 'yes' if a referendum on the province's independence were held tomorrow, if only to wake Ottawa up to the reality of western unrest. Republican Party of Alberta Leader Cameron Davies, who ran provincially last month in an overlapping riding, said he thinks Poilievre will face a rude awakening himself at the doors of Battle River—Crowfoot as he campaigns for the seat recently vacated by Conservative MP Damien Kurek. 'I can tell you in the part of the riding that overlaps with Mr. Poilievre's newfound home … that there is 30 per cent plus support, if not greater, for Alberta independence,' said Davies. In the provincial race, Davies won just under 18 per cent of the vote, with most of his support coming at the expense of Alberta's governing United Conservative Party. Jeff Rath, a lawyer with the pro-independence Alberta Prosperity Project, said that Poilievre's comments about Alberta staying in Canada show just how 'irrelevant' he's become to both the country and the province. 'He just can't read the room,' said Rath. Rath said Poilievre hurt his credibility with Albertans by not taking the opportunity to say that he would abide by the results of a referendum on independence, as Premier Danielle Smith has repeatedly said she would. He added that Poilievre's continued support for the federal equalization program and supply management will be a 'tough sell' with voters in the riding. Poilievre also rankled some conservative Albertans during the CBC interview with his defence of supply management for egg and dairy farmers, which has become a trade irritant with the U.S. Trump administration, saying it pales in comparison to the 'tens if not hundreds of billions' U.S. farmers get in subsidies. 'Poilievre is saying that we're going to continue to stick our thumb in the eye of our biggest trade partner to protect the Quebec dairy cartel … he's not protecting the interests of Albertans,' said Rath. Brad Wohlgemuth, a resident of Stettler, Alta., who plans to vote in the byelection, says he's been disappointed by how carefully managed Poilievre's campaign events have been so far. Wohlgemuth said that he and other attendees of a Conservative town hall on Friday were asked to submit written questions in advance, and were not given an opportunity to ask questions from the floor. 'We want to test somebody out to see whether they can handle the tough questions,' said Wohlgemuth. 'Just shoot from the hip, man. That's what we're looking for in these parts.' Poilievre said in his press conference on Monday that he understood why Albertans were so upset. 'We have to put a final end to this notion that Ottawa tells Alberta to pay up and shut up,' said Poilievre. National Post rmohamed@ Meet the military trailblazer who's gunning for Poilievre in Alberta byelection Alberta independence movement takes hit in Olds byelection Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.
Khaleej Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Syria rejects federalism, calls on Kurds to join army ranks
Syria reiterated its rejection of federalism on Wednesday following a meeting with a Kurdish military official, calling on Kurdish forces to join the ranks of government forces. Mazloum Abdi of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) — the Kurdish administration's de facto army — and interim President Ahmed Al Sharaa first struck an accord for integration in March with US backing, but its implementation has been held up by differences between the two parties. Abdi met with Syria's leader in Damascus on Wednesday in the presence of a US envoy to discuss stalled efforts to integrate the country's autonomous Kurdish administration into the Syrian state. The Kurds, who control vast swathes of territory in Syria's north, including oil and gas fields, have demanded a decentralised system of governance, which the new Islamist authorities in Damascus have rejected. A Kurdish Syrian official said, on condition of anonymity, that a meeting took place on Wednesday between Abdi and Sharaa. The official added that Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, also attended. The delegations were expected to discuss "the relationship between the autonomous (Kurdish) administration and the government in Damascus, as well as economic and military issues", the official said. A Syrian government source told the official Alekhbariah television channel on Wednesday that Damascus remained committed to "the principle of 'One Syria, One Army, One Government', and categorically rejects any form of division or federalisation". "The Syrian army is the national institution that unites all children of the homeland, and the state welcomes the integration of Syrian fighters from the SDF into its ranks within the approved constitutional and legal frameworks," the source said. The source also warned that any delays in implementing integration risked hindering efforts to "restore security and stability to all regions". The US-backed SDF spearheaded the offensive that ultimately led to the territorial defeat of Daesh in Syria. In an interview with Kurdish channel Kurdistan 24, Barrack said that while he recognised the SDF's role in the fight against Daesh, it had to accept the "reality" that "the only future path for them is Damascus". Sharaa, whose forces led the offensive that toppled former Syrian leader Bashar Al Assad after more than 13 years of civil war, has called for the dissolution of all armed groups in Syria. In an interview in May, Abdi emphasised the need for a "decentralised Syria where all its components live with their full rights", an outcome he accused Syria's new authorities of opposing. The same month, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shaibani warned that delaying the integration of the autonomous Kurdish administration could "open the door to foreign interference, and fuel separatist tendencies".
Fox News
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
REP RO KHANNA: A commonsense, bipartisan plan for immigration
The crisis in Los Angeles is a test of federalism and American values. I unequivocally condemn anyone who engaged in political violence, vandalism or harassed law enforcement. There is no denying that violence we saw from some of the protesters in LA was wrong. But President Donald Trump's attempt to override California Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom's authority over the National Guard was not prudent and damaged the principle of limited federal power. Californians did not ask for the Marines or the National Guard. They wanted local and state law enforcement to restore order. In a House Armed Services Committee hearing last week, I asked Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth if he would abide by a district court ruling if they were to decide that deploying active-duty troops to Los Angeles was illegal. He refused to say if he would obey the district courts. Only after being pushed again by Maryland Democrat Rep. Sarah Elfreth, did he acknowledge that he would obey the Supreme Court. The administration's disregard for checks and balances and nonchalance about following court orders should be alarming to every American. We need leaders of both parties to stand up for the Constitution and offer a commonsense plan for those undocumented immigrants who are paying taxes and working hard. Even Trump is starting to recognize this. After facing backlash from industry leaders, he appeared to be considering an exemption for farms, hotels, and restaurants from the ICE raids, which his administration has now reversed. Of the 2.4 million farmworkers in the U.S., an estimated 40% lack legal status. They are critical to our country's food production. Instead of deporting all hardworking farmworkers, we need to create a path to legalization and citizenship. That is why I support the bipartisan "Farm Workforce Modernization Act" that would create a program for agricultural workers to earn legal status through continued employment. Now is the time to pass bipartisan legislation, Mr. President. Let's pass a law supporting a path to legalization and the citizenship for undocumented immigrants who are working hard and paying taxes in, as you define it, farming, hotels, and restaurants. Doing so would be a first step in getting something done on immigration and bringing this country together instead of just hurling insults at each other. More broadly, as Americans stand up for due process at town halls and at rallies, we should understand what peaceful protest, at its best, looks like. We can take inspiration from the tradition of Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and my grandfather, Amarnath Vidyalankar, who was an Indian freedom fighter. He spent several years in jail as part of Gandhi's movement. I am reminded of how the freedom fighters dressed well, were polite, and avoided confrontation with law enforcement. The same was true of civil rights freedom riders. We need this discipline today in order to break through and claim the moral high ground. We should also share the story of immigrants who believe in hard work, love of country, and patriotism. This was the story Mario Cuomo told about his uneducated father who worked 16-hour days and bled from the bottom of his feet. In my case, my father woke up at the crack of dawn to be one of the first at his workplace. My parents taught me that by being born in America I won the lottery. They instilled in me a love for American history, for the English language, and for our country's story and a relentless commitment to hard work. I believe by creating pathways to legalization and citizenship for hardworking immigrants who pay taxes, we can have social cohesion and build a nation where everyone can thrive. That spirit of finding common ground is what will allow our democracy to lead over China and be a model to the world.
Fox News
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Former AG Barr shreds Gavin Newsom's 'nonsense' legal claims as Trump sends in troops to quell LA riots
Former Attorney General Bill Barr criticized California Gov. Gavin Newsom's legal challenge to President Donald Trump's decision to deploy National Guard troops in response to recent riots in the state. Appearing on "The Story" Wednesday, Barr dismissed Newsom's lawsuit as unfounded. "[Newsom's] comments, his legal arguments are nonsense, they can't be taken seriously," Barr said. The lawsuit targets Trump's authority to federalize the National Guard without the permission of the state's governor. Newsom argues that the president overstepped his constitutional bounds when he called in troops, while the Trump administration maintains the move is well within federal powers. "The National Guard is an asset that can be used by the states for state purposes, but it also can be federalized and used by federal government for federal purposes," Barr explained. "This has happened throughout our history." According to a recent court filing, administration lawyers argue that the president is under "no obligation" to consult with or notify a state governor before activating the National Guard for federal use. Trump invoked a federal statute that allows the use of military forces in cases of "rebellion or danger of a rebellion" against the U.S. government. Newsom contends the unrest does not rise to that threat level and insists deploying troops only escalated tensions. "Sending trained warfighters onto the streets is unprecedented and threatens the very core of our democracy," Newsom said in a statement earlier this week. "Donald Trump is behaving like a tyrant, not a President. We ask the court to immediately block these unlawful actions." The legal battle intensified after Newsom sought a temporary restraining order to block the deployment. On Tuesday night, a federal judge denied the immediate request but scheduled a hearing for Thursday to consider the state's motion. Barr defended the administration's legal stance, saying the federal law in question has long allowed the president to deploy the National Guard both domestically and abroad. "The very same provision that's being used here is used when the president has, throughout our history, sent National Guard troops overseas," Barr said. "The statute is clear that when the president makes that decision, the troops shall serve as directed by the president. The governors cannot veto the federal government's use of the National Guard." The Los Angeles riots broke out in response to federal immigration raids, with the White House sending in National Guard troops to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and federal buildings. Despite the unrest, the Department of Homeland Security says it has continued to arrest multiple convicted criminals in the United States illegally.
