Hello, welcome to Politics Insider. Let’s look at what happened today.
U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in this week on domestic Canadian politics, firing insults at Chrystia Freeland and claiming Pierre Poilievre is not a “MAGA guy” as his deadline to impose steep tariffs on Canadian goods inches closer.
In an interview with The Spectator published today, Trump called the Liberal leadership candidate terrible and “a whack” and claimed credit for Freeland’s resignation as finance minister.
The wide-ranging interview did not include comments on Freeland’s rivals for the Liberal leadership. Advance voting in the race began Wednesday ahead of the March 9 vote to select Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s successor.
Meanwhile, a Globe and Mail investigation has found the Trump administration is using misleading fentanyl figures to justify tariffs against Canada, relying on a dataset that includes drugs traced to Mexico.
Liberal Party leadership candidate and former deputy prime minister and finance minister Chrystia Freeland speaks to the media after participating in an English-language debate on Feb. 25 in Montreal.Evan Buhler/Reuters
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What else is going on
Canadian economy outpaced expectations in year’s final quarter: Statistics Canada linked the increase in real gross domestic product largely to a surge in household spending.
Ontario voter turnout rate on par with record low in 2022 election, early results show: “I think it’s a sign that people were not motivated by the candidates,” said John Beebe, founder of the Democratic Engagement Exchange at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Quebec could extend religious symbols ban to school staff other than teachers: Education Minister Bernard Drainville says he wants to strengthen secularism in schools by passing legislation on gender equality and expanding the scope of the religious symbol ban for public employees.
Many public servants in biggest departments breaking Ottawa’s remote work rules: A Treasury Board document says penalties for violating the in-office work rule can include verbal reprimand, written reprimand, suspension without pay and termination of employment.
Gretzky remains silent as wife joins Trump, Orr in his defence: Janet Gretzky’s comments came after Trump called Wayne Gretzky “the greatest Canadian” and highlighted his loyalty to Canada in a Truth Social post Wednesday night.
Perspectives
Doug Ford’s Ontario election win puts him in a class of his own
Mr. Ford has come a long way from his days as Rob’s lieutenant. The ranty loose cannon has become a smooth operator.
— Marcus Gee, Columnist
Trade enforcement is crucial to Canada’s fight against fentanyl and guns flowing in from the U.S.
The Canada Border Services Agency is proving to be the linchpin of the federal government’s response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade threats.
— Rita Trichur, Columnist
The United States has handed the nuclear codes to a madman, a criminal, a would-be dictator and a moron, all in the same person.
— Andrew Coyne, Columnist
On our radar
- Prime Minister’s day: Justin Trudeau is in Ottawa but had no public events scheduled.
- Pierre Poilievre: The federal Conservative Leader has a party fundraising event at a Toronto-area golf and country club.
- Joly in Vancouver: Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly participated in a conversation event today about the Canada-U.S. relationship, hosted by the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and the Port of Vancouver.
- Liberal leadership race: Mark Carney is holding an evening meet-and-greet event today with Oakville MP and cabinet minister Anita Anand in Oakville, Ont. Meanwhile, Chrystia Freeland was scheduled to speak to supporters in Edmonton Saturday.
Question period
Who was the last Ontario party leader before Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford to lead his party to three straight majorities?
Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for the answer.
Go deeper
- Keep track of the Liberal leadership race to replace Justin Trudeau
- Follow along for our stories on Canada-U.S. relations as news develops
- Like a long read? Check out the fall of Justin Trudeau and the making of Pierre Poilievre
- Take a look at the history of immigration reporting and great political scandals from A Nation’s Paper, a book about The Globe and Mail’s role in Canadian history
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: Leslie Frost, the Progressive Conservative premier of Ontario between 1949 and 1961.