NEW: It was a “bare-bones operation.”
In an exclusive interview, Natasha Doyle-Merrick explains why she withdrew her nomination in Eglinton—Lawrence, while sources walk us through what went down behind the scenes.
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Premier Doug Ford with the clearest indication yet that he’s gearing up for an early election call: “If it comes to it and we have to spend tens of billions of dollars [on Trump’s expected tariffs], we go to the people. Let the people decide, it’s their money.”
Abu Rayash’s team had “some conversations” with the party about “what it was willing to do.” The party — not the Premier’s Office, a source with direct knowledge of the situation explained, “considered condemning” MacLeod.
“There was an appetite to call it out...”
NEW: Bonnie Crombie is bracing for a potential talent drain as some organizers set sight on the race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, while it’s become clear to Doug Ford’s caucus, sources say, that an election call is likely imminent.
www.policorner.ca/p/everyones-...
Joined Greg Brady on AM640’s Think Tank panel yesterday to chat about Lisa MacLeod, homelessness shelters and whether Doug Ford is about to call an early provincial election.
Listen here: podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/t...
NEW: An NDP government would build the Grimsby GO station to "expand service" across the region, leader Marit Stiles says at a campaign-style announcement in Niagara.
“Transit infrastructure hasn’t kept up with [the] growth,” Stiles says.
"We want to remind everyone of our shared priority: Bonnie Crombie's campaign and the upcoming provincial election," they wrote. "... If you feel compelled to make a commitment to the federal leadership provess, please contact us directly prior to doing so."
With the possibility of an imminent early election call, internally, Crombie’s campaign is worried about losing key talent to the federal leadership race.
Here’s a Thursday memo from campaign directors Gen Tomney and Chad Walsh:
NEW: Tom Allison — chair of Bonnie Crombie’s provincial campaign — is expected to run Chrystia Freeland’s upcoming federal Liberal leadership campaign, policorner.ca has learned.
Allison was replaced as Crombie’s campaign director in June.
Background here: www.policorner.ca/p/scoop-meet...
PSA: Don’t send a press release about non-urgent matters an hour before the Prime Minister of Canada is set to quit.
NEW: The NDP says it’s about readying for an early election — but privately, some say the decision to postpone the upcoming policy convention will help Marit Stiles dodge a discontented base and a brewing policy clash over nuclear energy and Sarah Jama.
www.policorner.ca/p/scoop-a-po...
NEW: Ontario’s NDP has “postponed” their January convention amid a possible provincial and federal election early next year, policorner.ca has learned.
“The staff time required to plan a convention is massive,” a source says. “Those resources are better spent election planning.”
“This was not an easy decision, but I know that it was the right one,” Freeland says.
NEW: Chrystia Freeland says her decision to quit Prime Minister Trudeau’s cabinet is “not the end of the road,” amid speculation she’s readying a Liberal leadership bid.
That’s according to an email — obtained by policorner.ca — she sent to some local campaign organizers earlier today.
NEW: A police chief is facing heat over a surprise cameo at a lucrative Progressive Conservative fundraiser in Brampton.
www.policorner.ca/p/scoop-did-...
BREAKING: The Ford government is extending the legislature’s winter recess — with the House set to adjourn until Mon. March 3, two weeks later than scheduled.
For a people and a region that’s suffered so much, don’t underestimate what this moment has meant. Syria is breathing again, and there’s so much cautious hope and optimism in the Middle East.
Posted this to the other app earlier so posting it here. I couldn’t sleep last night. The feeling as the news broke was quite indescribable.
Last night was something. The only Syria I have ever known has been one of war, tyranny and fear. I never imagined we would live to see the day when Assad’s regime — one that has killed families, destroyed cities and forced millions into exile — would finally fall.
A “transition process” will start next week. “I have given Michael a clear mandate to open Eglinton Crosstown as soon as it is safe to do so,” Premier Ford says. “That is his top priority.”
BREAKING: Phil Verster is out as CEO of Metrolinx, with Infrastructure Ontario’s Michael Lindsay set to take over on an interim basis.
"... I think what you meant to say is that you're concerned about sending such a hefty tax bill to your taxpayers in Mississauga, knowing that these are tough times."
"That's certainly what you've conveyed to me. I think you mispoke and I want to correct that record," Iannicca added.
Later, board chair Nando Iannicca sought to clarify Parrish's comment. "You were a litte unfair to yourself," he said. "When you said you’re concerned about votes — you’ve never been that person. I don't think that’s what you meant to say..."
"Next year, the budget's going to be just as bad," Parrish said. "... Which is a concern of mine too because some of us have to get elected," she added.
At the last meeting, Parrish expressed concern to chief Nish Duraiappah that while approving the budget at the regional level would be a challenge, next year’s budget would require an additional tax increase.
It's highly unsual for a mayor to not have a seat on the police board.
Parrish — who had pledged to join the board — was not at today's meeting and had voiced concern over the proposed budget, abstaining from a vote earlier this month. Here's what the transcript shows:
BREAKING: Mississauga mayor Carolyn Parrish has resigned from the Peel Police Service Board, policorner.ca has learned.
"The budget is humongous and I am not allowed to speak against it nor say I was the only one to vote against it," Parrish says. "I have to defend a budget I cannot defend."
“The Government of Canada has not stated, nor is it aware of evidence, linking Prime Minister Modi, Minister Jaishankar, or NSA Doval to the serious criminal activity within Canada.”
A statement issued by Prime Minister Trudeau’s national security advisor at 9:49 p.m. on a Thursday night.
Nathalie Drouin says the RCMP’s decision to publicly accuse the Indian government of serious criminal activity in October was an “extraordinary step.”
www.canada.ca/en/privy-cou...
