Hello, welcome to Politics Insider. Let’s look at what happened today.
Nate Erskine-Smith is challenging the results of last weekend’s Ontario Liberal nomination in Scarborough Southwest after losing the contest by 19 votes, according to a copy of the appeal viewed by The Globe and Mail.
Laura Stone reports that Erskine-Smith, currently a federal Liberal MP, filed a notice of appeal to the party’s arbitration board today, according to the copy.
The notice says the results of the May 9 contest should be set aside based on “serious irregularities,” including allegations of inconsistencies about proof of identification.
“This is no longer about any individual candidacy. It is about the integrity of our democratic process. A full investigation is essential,” the appeal says.
The notice also alleges that there were 34 extra ballots counted in the race, when compared with the number of voters.
It calls on the party to redo the nomination, or appoint a candidate, but says that Erskine-Smith would not run again.
“To avoid any perception of self-interest, Mr. Erskine-Smith will remove himself from any future process or consideration in Scarborough Southwest if it means the party will investigate and take action,” it says.
Erskine-Smith’s team did not immediately comment on the appeal. The Ontario Liberal Party confirmed it received the appeal and said it has been referred to the party’s independent arbitration committee, chaired by former Ontario cabinet minister David Zimmer.
“I have complete confidence in the integrity of our party’s process and in the work of the arbitration committee,” interim Ontario Liberal leader John Fraser said in a statement today.
Nate Erskine-Smith speaks to the media after losing the Ontario Liberal Party nomination in the riding of Scarborough Southwest.Arlyn McAdorey/The Globe and Mail
What else is going on
Separatist leader accused of misusing Alberta electors list refuses to co-operate with investigators: David Parker, the political organizer behind the Centurion Project, is stonewalling Elections Alberta, according to a statement from the head of the agency.
Some Ontario private career colleges accrediting truck drivers without minimum training, A-G finds: The provincial auditor found that some ministry-approved private career colleges could not produce records demonstrating their students had completed the required training components to become a truck driver.
The perilous waters of Hecate Strait: The Globe and Mail’s Justine Hunter travels to this protected area of Northern B.C. to find out why the waters have been called the fourth-most dangerous in the world. A moratorium has kept tankers out of the strait, but with Canada looking to ship oil to new markets, there are fears this could change.
Canada backs Ukraine war reparations commission: Canada has become the first country outside Europe to sign a convention aimed at setting up a commission that will adjudicate compensation claims against Russia for its war on Ukraine.
Spy watchdog asks for greater oversight of proposed lawful access regime: The National Security and Intelligence Review Agency has drafted proposed amendments to Bill C-22, which “will enhance accountability and reinforce public trust in Canada’s national security framework,” it told a committee of MPs scrutinizing the bill.
Environment Canada disbands radar research team amid cuts to weather services: Experts and advocates are warning that the reductions to weather-related services could hamper Canada’s ability to track, forecast and warn the public about severe weather events.
Jenica Atwin loses bid to become Fredericton mayor: Atwin, previously elected to represent the Fredericton-area as a Green MP in 2019 before winning the riding again as a Liberal in 2021, was defeated by Steve Hicks in municipal elections this week.
On our radar
Fife takes questions: Robert Fife, The Globe and Mail’s Ottawa bureau chief, is retiring soon, ending this chapter of a notable career covering federal politics. But before Fife leaves The Globe, he will be answering your questions on Thursday. Click here to ask Bob what you want to know before he retires, and check back on Thursday, May 14, at 11 a.m. ET as he answers them live.
Commons on a Break: The Commons is on a break until May 25. The Senate is also on a break, until May 26.
Prime Minister’s Day: Mark Carney did not have any public events today.
Party Leaders: No schedules released for party leaders. However, NDP Leader Avi Lewis begins a tour of Saskatchewan on Wednesday through Sunday, which includes stops in Regina, Fort Qu’Appelle, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon and Prince Albert.
Ministers on the Road:
In Oman capital of Muscat, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is beginning a trip through to Friday that will include stops in Doha, the capital of the Persian Gulf state of Qatar.
In Vancouver, Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon announced support for 44 projects through the AI Compute Access Fund, representing $66-million of the $300-million fund.
In Dartmouth, N.S., Justice Minister Sean Fraser, and Nova Scotia Labour Minister Nolan Young announced $13.8-million in funding over three years to support workers and employers in Nova Scotia who are directly or indirectly affected by tariffs and global market shifts.
In New Brunswick, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne was in the community of Cap-Lumière, where he and Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc highlighted almost $1-billion in spending for repair and to modernize small-craft harbours. The tour also included stops in Shediac and Moncton, where Champagne participated in an armchair discussion with the Moncton Chamber of Commerce.
Cadieux reappointed: Stephanie Cadieux, a former cabinet minister in B.C., has been appointed to a second three-year term as Chief Accessibility Officer, advising the government on accessibility issues and reporting on outcomes under the Accessible Canada Act.
Quote of the Day
“I say, `Go Habs.’ Montreal is great. And I can’t believe I just said, `Go Habs.’ ” – Ontario Premier Doug Ford in Toronto today, responding to a media question about Quebec politicians. Last week, those politicians said Toronto officials were invoking the threat and uncertainty of a referendum in Quebec to get an edge in the competition to secure the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank’s headquarters. Ford said he loves Quebeckers and Prime Minister Mark Carney will decide which city gets the headquarters. Ford said he doesn’t believe in attacking any other bids.
Question period
In which year was legislation passed setting a routine to conduct the Canadian census every five years?
Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for the answer.
Perspectives
The restoration of 24 Sussex is worth the price
If one were looking for a symbol of the failures of Canadian public policy over the last decade, there is no better candidate to be found than the husk of 24 Sussex Drive. Once grand, the residence of nine prime ministers (but not the current one or his predecessor) is a wreck, at one point riddled with asbestos, lead, mold and, for good measure, rat corpses and feces.
— The Globe and Mail Editorial Board
Ottawa needs to stop saying it’s not ready for the expansion of MAID, and actually get ready
It’s well past time for the government of Mark Carney to stop prevaricating and allow MAID to expand in 2027.
— André Picard, health reporter and columnist
Premier Danielle Smith leads a separatist party
One of the common ripostes to the actions of separatists in Alberta has been that if they want to leave Canada, they should form a party and campaign on that idea, like they do in Quebec.
— Gary Mason, national affairs columnist
Go deeper
- Follow along for our stories on Canada-U.S. relations as news develops
- Get the latest insight and analysis from our political opinion writers
Got a news tip that you’d like us to look into? E-mail us at tips@globeandmail.com. Need to share documents securely? Reach out via SecureDrop.
The answer to today’s question: 1971. In addition to the five-year schedule, the Statistics Act of 1971 renamed the agency responsible for the census from the Dominion Bureau of Statistics to Statistics Canada. There’s a history of the census here and a story on this year’s census effort here.