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Trudeau Announces More Russia Sanctions

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced another round of sanctions against Russia.

They target 10 people who Trudeau says are “complicit in this unjustified invasion” of Ukraine.

“This includes former and current senior government officials, oligarchs, and supporters of Russian leadership,” Trudeau said Monday.

“The names of these individuals come from a list compiled by jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny.”

According to the prime minister, the sanctions put increased pressure on Russian leadership, including President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle.

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said he welcomes the new sanctions announced by Trudeau on Monday.

“We need to continue to apply as much pressure as possible on Putin where it counts the most, and that’s his wealth,” said Singh.

“That’s why targetting his closely allied and associated oligarchs, seizing and freezing their accounts, that’s a meaningful way for us to apply pressure on Putin to stop this war.”

The new sanctions are in addition to previously announced penalties, including a 35 per cent tariff on goods from Russia and Belarus.

Meantime, Russian President Vladimir Putin decreed that that his government, Russian companies and citizens will be paying off international debt in rubles.

As of March 8, $1 CDN = $107.5 Rubles.

A list of “unfriendly countries” has also been complied and it’s made up of countries and territories who are taking “unfriendly actions” against the Kremlin which includes Canada, United States, European Union members, Britain, Japan, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland and of course Ukraine.

Going forward, Putin’s government would have to approve more countries to be added to the list.

Since the start of this conflict on February 24, there have been roughly 2 million people leaving Ukraine to find refuge and safety in other countries.

(With files from Katie Nicholls)

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The Alberta COVID Crisis Dominates Election Discussion

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In Saint John, New Brunswick, Conservative leader Erin O’Toole faced questions about the COVID-19 situation in Alberta as that province declares another public health emergency.

He has previously praised Premier Jason Kenney for his province’s handling of the pandemic.

But O’Toole avoided saying if he still feels the same.

“As prime minister, I will work with all premiers regardless of stripe to fight against the pandemic.
A pandemic that we need to fight and Mr. Trudeau didn’t fight. He called an election. A $600-million dollar election,” O’Toole said.

In Oshawa, Ontario, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said the Liberal leader doesn’t think helping Alberta is his job.

“I think it is the job of a Prime Minister in a pandemic in a crisis to step up and help in any way I can,” Singh said.

Singh placed the blame on Alberta Premier Jason Kenney calling his leadership “horrible”.

In Montreal, Quebec, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau contradicted Singh saying he’s offered Alberta whatever they need and he noted ventilators are being sent to the province.

“Half measures measures won’t do to fight this pandemic, to keep people safe, to prevent future lockdowns, to further slow the growth of our economy,” Trudeau said.

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Day 29 Of The Election Campaign

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The federal party leaders entered the final week of the election campaign on Sunday.

Conservative leader Erin O’Toole announced plans to support parents experiencing a miscarriage, stillbirth, or loss of a child.

O’Toole says his party would extend EI parental leave for at least eight weeks after a child’s death, and provide parents with three days of paid bereavement in the event of a miscarriage.

“Canada’s Conservatives will end the stigma and ensure parents have access to the financial support and time they need to mourn,” O’Toole said in a news release.

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh repeated his commitment to close loopholes and crack down on big corporations avoiding their fair share of taxes.

The party pointed to figures from the Parliamentary Budget Office which shows Canada misses out on up to $25 billion a year in taxes.

Singh said he would invest in the Canada Revenue Agency to help with audits on large companies and the wealthy.

Liberal leader Justin Trudeau was in Quebec to highlight what his party would do for that province if re-elected.

Voters will head to the polls on Sept. 20.

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Five Party Leaders Debate In English Tonight

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Canada’s five party leaders will debate affordability, reconciliation, climate, leadership and accountability during the English language television debate on Thursday night.

University of New Brunswick political science professor J.P. Lewis said seeing political violence in the United States, it’s not surprising to see it creep into the Canadian political landscape.

With violence impacting campaign stops by the Liberal party recently, Lewis said there is nothing new in seeing anger for the incumbent government.

“What changes the dynamics of this sort of thing is obviously social media in terms of individuals’ ability to share messages and organize with like-minded individuals,” Lewis said.

A lot may be riding on the debate for some party leaders.

Lewis said for many Canadians the debate will be an introduction to Conservative leader Erin O’Toole even though he’s been an MP since 2012 and served as a cabinet minister under former Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

“If you are not following things daily, this may be a new politician to you. Because the Tories have been up in the polls for a couple of weeks now, I’d say the spotlight may be on him and we’ll see how the other leaders react,” Lewis said.

Lewis thinks this will be a very close election.

Joining O’Toole will be Liberal leader Justin Trudeau, The Green party’s Annamie Paul, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet.

The two-hour debate begins at 8 p.m. Central.

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Federal Election Campaign: Day 23

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Workers were the main focus for Canada’s federal party leaders during their campaign stops on Labour Day.

Conservative leader Erin O’Toole pledged to double the Canada Workers Benefit to $2,800 for individuals and $5,000 for families.

It represents a $1 per hour raise for someone earning between $12,000 and $28,000 a year, according to the party.

The Conservatives also promised to double the disability supplement from $713 to $1,500.

Liberal leader Justin Trudeau said he would table legislation to ensure every business that requires proof of vaccination can do so without fear of a legal challenge.

During a campaign stop in Ontario, Trudeau also highlighted his election platform, such as extending the Canada Recovery Hiring Program through March and expanding the Canada Workers Benefit to support one million additional Canadians.

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, also campaigning in Ontario, outlined his party’s plan to support workers, which includes $10 a day universal childcare, a $20 federal minimum wage, and 10 days of paid sick leave for workers in federally regulated workplaces.

Singh said his party would also fix the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit so more Canadians have access to paid leave when and how they need it.

Voters across the country will head to the polls on Sept. 20.

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Day 11 Of The Federal Election Campaign

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Canada’s three main party leaders made announcements in Ontario on Day 11 of the election campaign on Wednesday.

The NDP released a plan to lower cell phones and internet bills and save the average family $1,000.

Leader Jagmeet Singh committed to working with the CRTC to force telecom giants to reduce prices on plans and cap fees.

“Most Canadians are paying hundreds of dollars a month for barebone cellular and internet plans — often with terrible service. That’s wrong,” said Singh.

“The pandemic showed us just how important affordable access to these services are for Canadians when it comes to work, school or even connecting with loved ones.”

Conservative leader Erin O’Toole unveiled his party’s mental health action plan, which includes more mental health funding for provinces.

O’Toole committed to helping an additional million Canadians to receive mental health treatment every year and creating a national three-digit suicide prevention hotline.

The Tories are also promising a tax credit for employers who add mental health coverage to the employee benefit plans or boost their coverage.

“As a country, we need to recognize that mental health is health,” said O’Toole. “We have tremendous work to do to end the stigma and build more integrated mental health care systems across the country.”

The Liberals are promising to raise taxes on the country’s largest banks and insurance companies.

Leader Justin Trudeau said his party would raise the corporate income tax from 15 to 18 per cent on earnings over $1 billion.

If re-elected, Trudeau said the Liberals would also establish what he called the “Canada Recovery Dividend.”

“Big banks and insurance companies have been doing very well over these past many months,” he said. “Because you sacrificed, because you saved, big banks got a windfall.”

Voters will head to the polls on Sept. 20.

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Singh Calls For Ultra-Rich Tax, Help For Afghans

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The Leader of the federal NDP is putting his support behind Afghans fleeing the Taliban.

Several people died at the Kabul airport today as thousands of civilians tried to get onto planes leaving the country.

Campaigning in Toronto, Jagmeet Singh says Canada needs to do everything possible to help Afghans, especially those who assisted the Canadian military.

“Every single one of them should have a path to coming to Canada, them and their families at a minimum. And we need to be allies in supporting the relocation and providing safe refuge for those who are fleeing what is, right now, a really dangerous and scary situation,” Singh says.

The Liberals have committed to settle 20,000 Afghan refugees, but Singh has called for the government to expand eligibility for that program.

At the same announcement, the party Leader opened his campaign with a promise to tax the ultra-rich.

He says he wants to hold that group accountable for misusing pandemic supports.

Singh says his government would “make sure any company that abused the system, that took public money and then paid out dividends to their shareholders or increased executive pay, that we’re going to stop that, make sure they reimburse [the government for] that, and re-invest into people.”

Singh says that money could be redirected to things like pharmacare, dental care, and mental health services.

On the COVID-19 front, he is pushing for faster vaccinations even now that Parliament has been dissolved for the election.

He says it’s possible and necessary for Canada to focus on getting all federally-regulated industries vaccinated, and ideally issue vaccine passports, by Labour Day.

A lot of experts are saying, if we don’t do everything possible to get all adults vaccinated, it’s really kids that are going to be at risk when the school year resumes,” Singh argues. “So we think this is a priority, we believe this is a priority, and we’re going to do everything we can to get everyone vaccinated.”

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Leaders Forge On With September Vote

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Let the campaign for your vote begin on September 20.

Newly installed Governor General Mary Simon granted Justin Trudeau’s request Sunday to dissolve Parliament and trigger the 44th federal election.

Opposition leaders are questioning the timing of an election with Canada in the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Federal Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole launches his party’s election campaign, August 15, 2021. (CPAC)

“Mr. Trudeau is launching an election in the fourth wave of a pandemic, not securing the health and economic well-being of Canadians after he let in the Delta variant into this country,” remarked Conservative leader Erin O’Toole. “This is a time for us to work together for the well-being of all Canadians.”

O’Toole also unveiled some details on Canada’s Recovery Plan, which includes a promise to balance the budget by 2031.

“We will get the budget back to balance over the course of the next decade,” O’Toole pledged. “Because our first pillar of the plan is to get people back to work in all sectors of the economy and in all regions of Canada. We’re the only party that supports getting people back to work.”

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh speaks to reporters in Montreal, August 15th, 2021. (CPAC)

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh stressed that the pandemic has been more difficult on some than others, adding, “We’ve been in the same storm for sure, but some people have ridden out this storm in luxury yachts while others have been in leaky lifeboats. Instead of calling an election, Justin Trudeau should be focused on these crises. On getting people the help they need and walking the path towards recovery instead of walking away from these commitments.”

Singh went onto say, “Justin Trudeau wants to grab power, wants a majority but why does he want it? It’s certainly not that he wants to help people, but that he wants to help people less, and you’ll ultimately pay the price.”

Green Party Leader Annamie Paul, who will also be campaigning for a seat in the House of Commons in the Toronto-Centre riding, had a message to those who might think things are back to post-pandemic normal.

Federal Green Party Leader Annamie Paul speaks to media in Toronto, August 15th, 2021. (CPAC)

“We are officially into the fourth wave of this pandemic,” Paul says. “And for anyone who wants to tell me or those behind me that we are out of it or that things are different, they are wrong.”

Paul added, “Having an election during forest fire evacuations, heat domes, fourth waves, losing the legacy of our troops in Afghanistan… well I guess that’s just the price that (the Liberals) feel we’re going to have to pay.

Election Day is Monday, September 20.

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Canadian Politicians React To U.S. Election

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Politicians from all stripes across Canada are reacting to the election results south of the border.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he looks forward to working with President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.

Trudeau said Canada and the United States enjoy an “extraordinary relationship” that is unique on the world stage.

“Our shared geography, common interests, deep personal connections, and strong economic ties make us close friends, partners, and allies,” wrote Trudeau in a statement Saturday.

“We will further build on this foundation as we continue to keep our people safe and healthy from the impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic, and work to advance peace and inclusion, economic prosperity, and climate action around the world.”

Conservative leader Erin O’Toole, in a statement on Twitter, said Canada and the U.S. have a historic alliance.

“Canada’s Conservatives will always work with the U.S. to advance our common values and close economic ties,” said O’Toole.

Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the federal New Democratic Party, also took to Twitter to congratulate Biden and Harris.

Singh said Harris has made history as the first woman and person of colour to be elected vice-president.

“More importantly, you’ve sparked the imagination for generations of young women to come,” he said.

Annamie Paul, the new leader of the Green Party of Canada, also paid tribute to Harris on her historic victory.

Paul said the election is a chance to “usher in a new chapter in the vital U.S.-Canada relationship.”

“We should expect to see enhanced climate commitments across North American,” she said.

Paul said she shares Biden’s commitment to impose Carbon Border Tariffs on carbon-intensive goods from jurisdictions which fail to meet their climate obligations.

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NDP Vote With Liberals: Election Averted

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The federal Liberal minority government has survived a confidence vote in the House of Commons.

It means the country will not be forced into an election during a pandemic.

It happened with the backing of NDP MPs after leader Jagmeet Singh hinted that’s the way they would vote.

“New Democrats will not give Prime Minister Trudeau the election he’s looking for. We’re not gonna be used as an excuse or a cover, we’re going to continue to do the work we’re going to do,” explained Singh.

The prime minister called the Conservative motion a confidence vote meaning Canadians could have headed to the polls.

Health Minister Patty Hajdu in an interview with Acadia Broadcasting’s John Ongaro said Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole has been very clear he doesn’t have confidence in the government.

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