Toronto News Daily

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is under fire for comments made in an interview with the right-wing American media outlet Breitbart, in which she asked U.S. officials to pause tariffs on Canada until after the upcoming federal election.

In a March 8 interview with Breitbart’s Matthew Boyle, Smith claimed that Donald Trump’s trade actions—including recent tariffs—are unintentionally boosting Liberal support in Canada, while hurting Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s chances of becoming prime minister.

“Because of what we see as unjust and unfair tariffs, it’s actually caused an increase in support for the Liberals,” Smith said during the interview. “I would hope that we could put things on pause… Let’s get through the election. Let’s have the best person at the table make the argument for how they would deal with that—and I think that’s Pierre Poilievre.”

Smith’s direct appeal to a foreign government to delay economic measures until after a Canadian election has drawn sharp criticism, raising concerns about political interference and national sovereignty.

Political Fallout and Poll Impact

The backlash was swift, particularly given that Poilievre has been working to distance himself from both Trump and the Republican Party, amid rising voter anxiety over Trump’s aggressive trade stance and his repeated threats to undermine Canada’s sovereignty.

“Danielle Smith has the potential to be a big liability for Pierre Poilievre,” said Lori Williams, a political analyst at Mount Royal University in Calgary. “That’s been the case since she became premier—and perhaps even before.”

Poilievre avoided directly addressing Smith’s comments when asked on Sunday. Instead, he pointed to Trump’s own recent interview with Fox News, in which the former president reportedly said he believed it would be easier to negotiate with a Liberal government.

Meanwhile, a new Ipsos poll suggests that the Conservative lead has eroded significantly in recent weeks. If an election were held today, 42% of decided voters would support the Liberals, compared to 36% for the Conservatives—a seven-point swing in just three weeks.

A Shift in Tone

As Trump’s influence looms larger in the Canadian campaign, Poilievre has notably shifted his tone. Once focused on the mantra that “Canada is broken,” he’s now promoting a more optimistic message about unity and opportunity, vowing to “restore Canada’s promise.”

Smith, however, continued to align herself with the Trump worldview in her interview, criticizing former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit to Mar-A-Lago after the 2016 U.S. election and blaming him for Canada’s failure to meet NATO’s 2% defence spending target.

“[Trudeau] got us into a ditch,” Smith said, accusing him of leaving Canada economically vulnerable and diplomatically weak.

But critics say Smith’s remarks are a diplomatic misstep—one that may do more harm than good.

“Suggesting that a foreign government alter its economic policy to influence the outcome of a Canadian election is deeply problematic,” Williams said. “And aligning Poilievre with Trump’s administration—even if unintentionally—undercuts Poilievre’s efforts to present himself as independent of Trump’s influence.”

As federal leaders grapple with the economic fallout of Trump’s trade war and growing questions about Canadian sovereignty, Smith’s interview may have thrown an unexpected wrench into the Conservative campaign—and given their opponents fresh ammunition.

Canada is officially headed to the polls. Prime Minister Mark Carney has called a federal election for April 28, just nine days after being sworn in as the country’s new leader and succeeding Justin Trudeau as head of the Liberal Party.

Carney made the announcement Sunday after visiting Governor General Mary Simon to formally request the dissolution of Parliament, launching what promises to be a transformative—and high-stakes—election campaign.

“There is so much more to do to secure Canada, to invest in Canada, to build Canada, to unite Canada,” Carney told reporters in Ottawa. “That’s why I’m asking for a strong, positive mandate from my fellow Canadians.”

At the heart of Carney’s pitch is a direct response to growing economic threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, including what Carney described as “unjustified trade actions” and “threats to our sovereignty.” He emphasized the need for strong leadership to negotiate “the best deal for Canadians” amid rising cross-border tensions.

A Campaign of Change

This long-anticipated election is expected to dramatically shift the course of Canadian federal politics—regardless of which party wins.

Carney has already moved to distinguish his leadership from that of his predecessor. In a surprise early decision, he scrapped the federal consumer carbon price on March 14 and signaled a new direction on key economic and energy policies.

His chief rival, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, is also running on a promise of sweeping change. Poilievre has pledged to dismantle Trudeau-era policies, including:

• Repealing the carbon pricing system for both consumers and industrial emitters

• Overhauling immigration and taxation policies

• Reducing the size of the federal public service

Poilievre, speaking from Gatineau, Quebec, vowed to restore Canada’s independence in the face of Trump’s escalating rhetoric.

“We don’t go looking for a fight,” he said, “but we’re ready if one comes looking for us.”

When asked whether he respects President Trump, Poilievre responded:

“I respect the office of the president of the United States. You can be respectful and firm—and I believe we have to be both.”

Trump as a Central Campaign Issue

Trump’s trade war with Canada—and his recent comments about Canadian sovereignty—are casting a long shadow over this election.

He has reportedly threatened to use “economic force” to pressure Canada into deeper integration with the United States, even suggesting Canada become the 51st state. That threat has made U.S.-Canada relations a central issue for every major federal party.

All federal leaders—Carney, Poilievre, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet—are expected to center their campaigns on protecting Canadian autonomy and navigating the uncertain economic waters ahead.

As the campaign kicks off, the ballot question is becoming increasingly clear:
Who can best defend Canada’s interests on the world stage—and steer the country through a storm not of its own making?

Canadians planning longer stays in the United States—think snowbirds, extended vacations, or long-term visits—are being advised to take note: new registration requirements are coming into effect next month.

On Friday, the Canadian government updated its official travel advisory for the U.S., highlighting a key change that affects non-American visitors staying more than 30 days. Beginning April 11, Canadian citizens and other foreign nationals must register with the U.S. government if they plan to remain in the country for more than a month.

The policy stems from former U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order titled “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” signed on January 20. Though controversial in its wording, the rule introduces new travel obligations for foreign nationals—including Canadians—who are neither U.S. citizens nor permanent residents.

According to Canada’s advisory:

“Canadians and other foreign nationals visiting the United States for periods longer than 30 days must be registered with the United States government.”

And the consequences for skipping the paperwork?
Penalties, fines, and even misdemeanor charges could await those who don’t comply.

Immigration lawyer Rosanna Berardi notes that the regulation could have significant implications for Canadian snowbirds—those who head south to escape winter for weeks or months at a time.

If you’re planning to stay past the 30-day mark, it’s now more important than ever to stay informed and follow the new protocols. Because, as they say at the border, failure to declare can cost you.

Canada is heading back to the polls. According to sources with direct knowledge of the Prime Minister’s plans, a federal election will be held on April 28.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to visit the Governor General on Sunday to formally launch the election campaign. Under Canadian law, the campaign must run for a minimum of 37 days, setting the clock ticking toward the late-April vote.

This move, confirmed by Global News, is designed to pre-empt an expected showdown in the House of Commons, where opposition parties have made it clear they would attempt to bring down the Liberal government at the earliest opportunity.

Poll Numbers Favor the Liberals

The timing of the election appears strategic.

Recent Ipsos polling, commissioned exclusively for Global News, shows the Liberals under Carney’s leadership pulling ahead of the Conservatives. The latest numbers, released Tuesday, indicate that 42% of decided voters would support the Liberals if an election were held today—compared to 36% for the Conservatives. That’s a seven-point surge for the Liberals in just three weeks.

This momentum suggests the Liberals could be positioning themselves for a majority government.

Carney’s personal popularity may be playing a key role. Another Ipsos poll released Thursday shows him as the only federal party leader with a net positive approval rating. According to the data:

• 48% approve of Carney’s leadership

• 30% disapprove

By contrast:

• Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party, holds a 35% approval rating, with a 52% disapproval rate

• Jagmeet Singh, leader of the NDP, has 33% approval and 50% disapproval

What’s Next?

If the source proves correct, the writ will be dropped this Sunday, marking the official start of the campaign.

Get ready for rallies, debates, and lawn signs. With the Liberals on the offensive and the opposition sharpening their attacks, the next 37 days are shaping up to be a fiercely contested race for Canada’s future.

And April 28? It’s already circled on every campaign manager’s calendar.

, took the wheel of a motorized pleasure craft just minutes before a deadly crash near Outer Harbour Marina in Toronto in 2022, according to a passenger’s testimony.

Edward Denkha, who was on board the ill-fated boat during the May 31, 2022, incident, recalled the events leading up to the crash. Denkha testified in a Toronto courtroom on Friday, describing how Grkovski took control of the boat and began driving at high speed.

Earlier that evening, Denkha had driven Grkovski’s boat twice after 11 p.m. while returning from a gathering where they had spent the afternoon and evening socializing with others on four or five other boats. They were drinking and listening to music. Denkha stated that he had consumed no more than six drinks during the seven-hour boat ride.

As they departed the tie-up, Denkha recalled Grkovski asking him to “look out for the cops,” expressing concern about the group’s level of intoxication. Grkovski was worried because “everyone was drunk, everyone was drinking,” Denkha testified.

When they neared the marina, Grkovski asked Denkha to take the wheel again, but Denkha refused, citing his unfamiliarity with the area. “I said ‘No, I’m not familiar with the area. We were in open water,’” Denkha explained.

Although Denkha held a boating license, he told the court he had only ever operated smaller boats before.

Toronto police are investigating the discovery of a body on the University of Toronto’s downtown campus, which was found during the morning rush hour on Thursday.

The body was discovered around 8:20 a.m. near Queen’s Park Crescent West and College Street. While police confirmed that a man was found deceased, they have not released further details or responded to inquiries regarding the circumstances.

In a social media post, the Toronto Police Service assured the public that any new developments would be shared on their website. Homicide detectives have taken over the investigation.