The political landscape in Canada is currently shifting, particularly within the Liberal Party, as the race for a new leader heats up. Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney is poised to enter the fray to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, having indicated plans through his campaign team. Meanwhile, former British Columbia premier Christy Clark is contemplating her own bid, expressing her disappointment about the tight timeline for the leadership race during an appearance on CBC Radio's "The House."
Notably, several high-profile cabinet ministers, including Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon and Transport and Internal Trade Minister Anita Anand, announced over the weekend that they would not be running. They join Finance Minister Dominic Leblanc and Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly in focusing on their existing portfolios rather than entering the leadership contest.
In a parallel development, the Liberal Party in Quebec is launching its own leadership race today. With the provincial party having experienced its worst electoral performance in over 60 years during the 2018 election—followed by an even more disappointing result in 2022—the focus is on broadening its appeal. Currently, the party holds only 19 of the 125 seats in the provincial legislature. Sylvia Martin-Laforge, director general of the Quebec Community Groups Network, has suggested that the party should emphasize its traditional image concerning economic stewardship while addressing minority rights as essential for provincial prosperity. Pablo Rodriguez, a former federal minister, is expected to be a front-runner in the contest, competing against Denis Coderre, a former Montreal mayor.
In another significant development, Saskatchewan's new provincial police force, the Saskatchewan Marshals Service, has begun interviewing current Mounties in preparation for its launch this year. This initiative has raised concerns regarding job poaching, with critics arguing that funds would be better allocated to enhance the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Chief Marshal Robert Cameron has stated the goal is to have between 17 to 20 officers operational this summer and to grow the force to 70 by the end of 2026.
On the labor front, more than 3,000 school support workers in Edmonton and surrounding areas are set to strike today due to a wage dispute with their employer. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has organized picket lines at three public high schools in Edmonton and throughout the Sturgeon Public School Division. The workers include education assistants, librarians, licensed practical nurses, interpreters, cafeteria staff, and administrative personnel. Union representatives indicate that many educational support workers in Alberta earn an average salary of $34,500 annually, with some having gone a decade without a raise. In contrast, Finance Minister Nate Horner has criticized CUPE, claiming that the expectations for full-time salaries for part-time work are unrealistic.
Finally, legal arguments are set to commence today for four teenage girls facing trial related to the fatal group attack on a homeless man, Kenneth Lee, in Toronto. The incident occurred in December 2022 when Lee, a 59-year-old man residing in a shelter, was allegedly swarmed and stabbed by a group of girls. Eight girls were arrested shortly after the incident, with all charged with second-degree murder. Four of them have since pleaded guilty to lesser charges, while two others are scheduled for a judge-only trial this month for their murder charges. The remaining two girls are expected to face a judge and jury later on, one for second-degree murder and the other for manslaughter.
