Author: Troy Patterson

Defence Minister Bill Blair on Friday pushed back on U.S. critics of Canada’s defence spending, saying the eight-year plan to reach its NATO commitment was “credible and verifiable” despite reports saying otherwise. Speaking to reporters at the opening of the Halifax International Security Forum, Blair said “nobody has to argue with me” that Canada needs to spend more on defence, and that the federal government was making the necessary investments, but more international and industry collaboration is needed to reach the NATO spending target.“I’ve told (our allies) they are pushing on an open door,” Blair said. “We are going to…

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is defending his embattled carbon-pricing program on the world stage, and he argues that misinformation is threatening environmental progress. Trudeau arrived today in Brazil for the G20 leaders summit, and addressed a conference held by the anti-poverty group Global Citizen.He touted Canada’s consumer carbon levy, arguing it is among the world’s strongest but “an easy political target” in Canada.Trudeau acknowledged pushback to the policy, but he said it is being fuelled by what he called propaganda and misinformation that affordability is in contrast with fighting climate change.He said his Liberal party has already won three elections…