Politics

Premier Danielle Smith addressed delegates on the final day of the Conservative Party national convention in Calgary, after renewed debate over Alberta's political future and reports that separatist leaders met with U.S. officials.

Delegates at the Conservative convention in Calgary voted to confirm Pierre Poilievre's leadership with more than 87% support, and the convention's final day will include votes on party constitution and policies and a speech by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced a general amnesty bill covering political cases from 1999 to the present, and she said the National Assembly will take the measure up urgently.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said Canada adheres to Charter values and due process in immigration removals and declined to judge U.S. enforcement actions after raids in Minnesota. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew raised the Minnesota operations at a first ministers meeting.

Hospitals in Gaza reported at least 30 people killed in strikes across the territory, one of the highest daily tolls since the October ceasefire; the Rafah crossing was due to open the next day as part of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire's next phase.

Organizers in Alberta are collecting signatures for a non-binding referendum and must gather about 178,000 names by May 2; meetings between separatist representatives and U.S. officials have been confirmed, drawing criticism from other provincial leaders.

Immigration Minister Lena Diab said she wants her department to acquire digital tools to count how many temporary visa holders are leaving Canada; the department reports almost 1.9 million temporary visas are expiring this year while more than 2.1 million expired last year.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree declined to judge U.S. immigration operations in Minnesota that resulted in two deaths and said Canada follows Charter values and due process when carrying out removals.

Applications to the RCMP have more than doubled since 2022–23 and recent intake and graduations have increased, though long processing times and provincial concerns about staffing remain.

U.N. and ICC officials reported mass killings and possible crimes against humanity in el-Fasher; humanitarian teams later found the city largely deserted. Undetermined at this time.

At the Conservative convention in Calgary, Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre spoke about party unity and economic pressures and addressed Arctic defence and a reported resurgence of separatist movements in Alberta and Quebec.

B.C. has launched a competitive bidding process requiring AI and data centre projects to compete for 400 megawatts of electricity over two years; applications close March 18 and decisions are expected by early fall.

Hundreds of Conservative delegates gathered in Calgary to debate proposals on abortion, medical assistance in dying (MAID), immigration, professional licensing and CBC funding, while leader Pierre Poilievre faces a leadership vote Friday. The proposals are advisory and are not binding on the leader or the party caucus.

Pierre Poilievre is seeking a rare second chance after the federal election loss, and his leadership review is on the agenda as the Conservative convention opens in Calgary today.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is scheduled to speak in Calgary and a leadership review vote is set to take place immediately after his address; delegates are widely expected to confirm his leadership. The party’s national convention opened with calls for unity and messages contrasting the Conservatives with the Liberal government.

The Carney government says 16,000 positions in core public service departments have been identified for elimination, and more than 23,000 employees have been notified their jobs may be at risk.

A representative of the Alberta Prosperity Project met with U.S. State Department officials, which the department described as routine outreach. The group is collecting signatures to try to force a referendum that could be held as early as the fall.

B.C. Premier David Eby said Alberta separatists who met U.S. officials were engaging in treason, while Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she would not demonize Albertans open to separation.

The Nova Scotia government has asked the provincial energy board to reject Nova Scotia Power's proposed residential rate increase, saying the company did not prove the hike is just and reasonable.

Premier Tim Houston told the Nova Scotia Energy Board he wants the utility's return on equity cut from 9% to 7.6% and a board-ordered savings review as the board considers Nova Scotia Power's rate application.

The Justice Department posted over 3 million pages plus thousands of images and videos from its Jeffrey Epstein files, saying extensive review and redactions were required; congressional Democrats and the House Oversight Committee say the release appears incomplete and are seeking additional records.

Robert Staley told Conservative convention delegates the Conservative Fund raised $48 million in 2025 and credited leader Pierre Poilievre's fundraising activities; delegates will vote later Friday on a constitutionally mandated leadership review.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said comparing her government's human rights and international law approach to past ministers is not appropriate given a more turbulent geopolitical and economic context; she also confirmed Canada will seek a U.N. Human Rights Council seat for 2028–2030.

Arctic Gateway Group has appointed Ovide Mercredi to its Board of Directors. Mercredi is a former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations and a member of Misipawistik Cree Nation.

The Justice Department posted more than 3 million pages, along with over 2,000 videos and about 180,000 images, from its investigative files on Jeffrey Epstein under the Epstein Files Transparency Act; many records were redacted and some remain temporarily withheld while courts provide guidance.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told member states in a January 28 letter that unpaid dues and an outdated budget rule have put the United Nations at risk of imminent financial collapse, and he warned the organization could run out of cash by July.

Inuit residents of Greenland describe land as collectively held and say private ownership of the land does not exist there; Greenland remains an autonomous territory of Denmark and recent U.S. interest brought renewed attention to the island.

The U.S. Department of Justice resumed releasing records related to the late Jeffrey Epstein, disclosing more than 3 million pages along with thousands of videos and images while redacting sensitive personal information.

Former Bank of England and Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney embraced the star of Canadian drama 'Heated Rivalry' on the red carpet and was given a fleece; Carney later praised the show's cultural impact and noted concerns for the 2SLGBTQI+ community while speaking at a Prime Time conference.

President Trump announced he will nominate former Fed governor Kevin Warsh to succeed Jerome Powell when Powell's term ends in May; the nomination requires Senate confirmation and has drawn reactions from lawmakers and financial markets.