Hearts and minds: premiers’ mission won’t change Trump’s tack, but can still help Canada, say politicos

Economic measures like procurement bans and retaliatory tariffs can be used against the U.S., but a non-threatening approach would better resonate with Americans, says former Ontario deputy premier Dwight Duncan.
Trump’s tariffs could require pandemic-style public service mobilization, say observers

Donald Trump’s month-long delay pushes talks closer to the date of the Liberal leadership contest, the end to prorogation, and a potential federal election.
Feds can do plenty during prorogation to take on Trump trade threats, say experts

Former Privy Council clerk Michael Wernick says opposition leaders calling for Parliament to resume need to ‘retract the threat to immediately stab the government in the chest and force a six-week election.’
Prolonged Trump-triggered surge in Canadian patriotism may move electoral needle, say pollsters

Whether this is a fleeting moment or the beginning of a wave of Canadian nationalism—something on which federal politicians or parties could capitalize—depends on how long it lasts, says Shachi Kurl.
‘People aren’t laughing as much anymore,’ says Sen. Boehm after Trump repeats calls for Canada to become 51st state

Experts say a formal annexation of Canada is unlikely, but warn of a possible erosion to Canadian sovereignty.
Conservatives dominate federal party fundraising

The Conservative Party of Canada continues to raise more money than all of its federal competitors combined.
Innovation sector under tariff war needs more protection and diversified trade partners, says business advocates

The federal government is closely monitoring the situation surrounding potential U.S. tariffs and ‘stands ready to have a robust response if needed,’ says the innovation minster’s office.
Federal government suggests some spending it claimed drove fall deficit overrun was already in spring budget

The concession comes in the wake of a Jan. 22 PBO report that found ‘a significant portion’ of that money ‘was included in the fiscal framework at the time of Budget 2024.’
Anchors away? Grits to keep Freeland-era fiscal guardrails as Ottawa faces tariff shock: LeBlanc

Canadians 20 to 30 years down the line ‘shouldn’t be paying off the debt that we incurred’ to weather an economic downturn, says C.D. Howe’s John Lester.
Freeland’s proposed U.S. bid ban is ‘extreme’ and ‘unrealistic,’ could hurt Canada, say observers

With U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods looming, Grit leadership hopeful Chrystia Freeland suggests banning American firms from federal contracts, and blocking them from all government-funded projects.