ACTUAL NEWS: Weekly Recap 🇨🇦 Edition
- Olga Nesterova
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
April 19th, 2025
MOMENTS OF THE WEEK
This week, Canadians witnessed two debates featuring all party leaders.
Here’s my take after the first debate, which was held in French:
Do you agree with my take? Let me know in the comments at the end of the newsletter.
The second debate was in English, giving PM Carney even more opportunity to speak with confidence and clearly outline his vision for Canada under his leadership. There was confrontation, but this time, it felt like all three other party leaders were focused squarely on Carney.
This Canadian summed up my thoughts perfectly:
One moment—though not particularly informative—managed to go viral. When PM Carney questioned Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre about why he hadn’t obtained his security clearance, unlike the other leaders, Poilievre mumbled something about being “gagged” and “prosecuted” if he did. The word “gagged” had an awkward ring to it, and Carney’s reaction only added to the bizarre energy of the exchange—creating the perfect recipe for a viral moment.
Here it is:
Today, PM Carney — along with other party leaders — revealed his game plan for leading the nation if elected for the next term. His plan is comprehensive and built around four core pillars: Unite, Secure, Protect, Build. At its heart, the platform aims to stand firm against President Trump’s tariffs, create new jobs, cut taxes for the middle class, and build the fastest-growing economy in the G7.
This clip sums up the bottom line of what he aims to achieve:
📊 Carney’s $130B Vision: Big Spending, Bigger Promises
Carney's bold election platform titled “Unite, Secure, Protect, Build,” features $130 billion in new spending over the next four years.
Key commitments include:
Defence: $18B+ to exceed NATO targets by 2030, with investments in Canadian-made aircraft, submarines, and icebreakers.
Tariffs: $20B expected from retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. to be invested in business sectors that are affected.
Deficits: Carney’s plan boosts deficits until at least 2028-29, peaking at nearly 2% of GDP.
Health Care: $5.4B over four years for hospital builds and doctor training, plus credential recognition reforms.
Economy: The Liberals project $500B in economic value and a balanced operating budget by the end of the term.
Buy Canadian: Prioritize domestic contractors and materials in federal infrastructure and defence procurement.
Agriculture: Protect supply-managed sectors (dairy, poultry, eggs) in trade talks.
You can watch the full announcement here:
🔹 Opposition:
Conservatives have not yet released a full platform, but Pierre Poilievre has "teased" his “New Canada First Economic Action Plan”, focused on inflation, energy independence, and cutting federal waste. His campaign is bolstered by an endorsement from former PM Stephen Harper, who dismissed Carney’s record and declared Poilievre his “unequivocal” choice.
Carney’s spending-heavy approach is being framed by Conservatives as "fiscally reckless", especially amid inflation and U.S. trade tensions.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh launched his own costed platform focused on affordability, climate action, and housing. He’s challenged Carney from the left, arguing that the Liberal platform doesn’t go far enough to tax the wealthy or confront corporate power.
The Bloc Québécois, first to release a full platform, wants to make House of Commons votes mandatory on any future free trade deals, citing U.S. tariff threats as proof of vulnerability under federal leadership.
PM Carney also had a cheeky moment when he chose not to discourage a gentleman in the crowd who booed President Trump:
In other news, California Governor Gavin Newsom—faced with a steep decline in tourism due to the hostile rhetoric and policies of the current U.S. administration—released a video campaign aimed at convincing Canadians to reconsider travel to the state.
The response from many Canadians, however, was crystal clear: pound sand!
Early voting is now underway! If you haven’t already cast your vote, now’s the time to make a plan to do so. Every vote counts—especially yours.
Here’s some helpful information to get you started:
Make your voice heard.
Finally, if you’re looking to watch something insightful, I highly recommend this video.
THIS WEEK IN HISTORY
April 17, 1750 – A fortified outpost is built on the present site of Toronto. Fort Rouille is intended to encourage Indians to trade furs with the French.
April 17, 1982 – With the stroke of a pen by the Queen in Ottawa, Canada has its own Constitution.
🇨🇦 Made In Canada LIVE – Confirmed Canadian Businesses!
We’re proud to announce that the first episode of Made In Canada LIVE — airing April 26 — will feature incredible Canadian brands that embody creativity, resilience, and national pride.
✨ Delicious Without Gluten – Délicieux Sans Gluten A Montréal-based bakery serving up artisan-quality, gluten-free products — proving that delicious doesn’t have to come with compromise.
A Nova Scotia-based lifestyle brand weaving tradition into every thread. Their tartans and apparel celebrate East Coast culture with unmistakable pride.
More details will be announced soon — and we can't wait to share the full lineup with you. 🇨🇦
📅 Mark your calendars:
Made In Canada LIVE premieres April 26 at 6PM ET
Streaming across platforms - YouTube, Facebook and X. Clips to be featured across all social media platforms.
🔗 Links to featured businesses and the series will appear in ONEST Daily Briefings next week — stay tuned and support local!
THE LATEST WORLD NEWS
The U.S. Supreme Court on Saturday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting a group of Venezuelan migrants it has labeled as gang members under a rarely used wartime law. The decision prompted the White House to express confidence it will ultimately prevail in the legal challenge.
Meanwhile, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Washington and cities across the country to protest President Donald Trump’s policies on deportations, federal personnel shake-ups, and ongoing U.S. involvement in the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance traveled to the Vatican on Saturday for high-level talks with senior Catholic Church officials — the first in-person meeting of its kind during Trump’s second term. The Vatican has been openly critical of several administration policies.
In a separate development, the U.S. and Iran agreed Saturday to begin drafting a framework for a potential nuclear agreement. Iran’s foreign minister confirmed the decision after what a U.S. official described as “very good progress” in the latest round of discussions.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg denied an emergency request from the ACLU to halt deportations of suspected Venezuelan gang members. The ruling came during a late-evening hearing concerning the administration’s use of the rarely invoked Alien Enemies Act.
At the Pentagon, chief spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed Friday that the U.S. military will begin consolidating its presence in Syria over the coming weeks and months — a move that could reduce troop levels by as much as half.
Please find the detailed news summary in the Daily Briefing
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
NEWS CLIPS
Charlie Angus thanks President Trump
Japanese leader delivers a powerful message on US tariffs
Revolutionary discovery: Scientists reveal potential signs of alien life!
Top Bank of Canada officials share 2 possible scenarios for the economic path forward
Rubio: US advises EU to drop sanctions on Russia to reach a “deal”
POSTS OF THE WEEK
ELECTION UPDATE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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