'I've just started as prime minister': Mark Carney on defensive in French leaders' debate
Liberal Leader Mark Carney, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet will take the stage in Montreal for what could be their final chance to win over undecided voters before Canadians cast their ballots on April 28. With polls showing a tight race between the Liberals and Conservatives, the NDP and the Bloc will be battling to put their parties back on the national agenda and we'll be following every moment live, right here.
Review the live coverage from National Post reporters Catherine Lévesque, Antoine Trépanier, Christopher Nardi, and Ottawa bureau chief Stuart Thomson in our live blog, above, starting at 6 p.m. tonight. Can't see the blog? .
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Newsweek
36 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Teacher Fired Over Facebook Post Launches Legal Action
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A teacher in England who was fired after being accused of an Islamaphobic post on Facebook has launched a legal action. Simon Pearson taught English to foreign students at Preston College, in Lancashire, when he said a social media post that led to a woman being handed a 15-month prison sentence after she was convicted of inciting racial hatred was "obviously wrong" but she "should not have been jailed." He was dismissed after an internal investigation found that his post had the potential to bring the college into disrepute and has now filed legal action with an employment tribunal. A file photo shows a Facebook logo on a laptop. A file photo shows a Facebook logo on a laptop. AP Why It Matters Pearson's fate has sparked sharp criticism from free speech advocates and reignited broader debates around freedom of expression in Britain. Critics argue that speech policing, especially on social media, increasingly leads to employment repercussions, even when comments are made outside the workplace and express personal beliefs. Elon Musk has repeatedly criticized the U.K.'s approach to regulating speech on social media, particularly in the context of arrests related to online comments. "At this rate, the UK Government will pretty soon be executing people for liking a meme!" he posted on X, formerly Twitter, in January. The U.S. State Department has previously spoken out about the same case as Pearson, saying in May that is was "concerned about infringements on freedom of expression." What To Know Pearson, 56, was fired after he posted a comment about Lucy Connolly, a woman jailed for racially inflammatory comments in the wake of the Southport riots—nationwide unrest triggered by the murder of three girls during a dance class and misinformation about the suspect being an asylum seeker. Connolly, the wife of a local Conservative Party politician, wrote on X: "Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f****** hotels full of the b******* for all I care…if that makes me racist so be it." She was convicted of inciting racial hatred, handed a 31-month sentence and ordered to serve 40 percent of it behind bars in October 2024. Pearson wrote in a Facebook comment that while Connolly's post was "obviously wrong," she "should not have been jailed" and said this was part of "two tier policy from the top down." The phrase "two-tier policing" has become a politically charged accusation in the U.K., often used to criticize perceived inconsistencies in how law enforcement handles speech, protest, or criminal behavior depending on the race, religion, or political identity of the individuals involved. Critics of "two-tier policing" argue that authorities are more lenient toward minority groups—particularly in cases involving Islamist or pro-Palestinian demonstrators, while opponents argue that this framing often serves as a dog whistle, disguising racial resentment or Islamophobia under the banner of fairness and justice. A Muslim representative of the National Education Union at Preston College made a formal complaint about Pearson's post accusing it of being "Islamophobic" and "racially discriminatory." This triggered the investigation that ended in Pearson being fired. He is now claiming wrongful dismissal, unfair dismissal, harassment and discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. "I cannot allow what has happened to me to go unchallenged. It is a grave injustice that should concern everybody who cares about freedom," he told the British newspaper The Telegraph. "I am determined to fight for justice and for the freedom to raise legitimate concerns in public and private as part of national debates on extremely serious issues that impact us all." Newsweek has contacted Preston College, via email, for comment. What People Are Saying Simon Pearson's full Facebook comment: "The woman who made that appalling comment about the mosque in Southport is obviously wrong. But where is the jail sentence for the Labour MP calling for people to have their throats slit. Where is the justice meted out against those thugs who beat up the police at Manchester airport? She should not have been jailed for that. People presumed the worst and were outraged by the killing of three little girls. "It was wrong but how many Islamists plots and crimes have been experienced in our country. The Manchester Arena bombing, Lee Rigby, etc... Certain sections of society calling for the genocide of Jews from the river to the sea are also free to express their opinions and make Jewish people afraid to walk the streets. "There is a two tier policy from the top down. Has our country's woke leadership lost its mind? Should we be seeking asylum in America?" Founder of the Free Speech Union, Lord Young of Acton said: "The most striking aspect of this case is that the teacher was sacked at the behest of the NEU. Once upon a time, trade unions used to stick up for workers threatened with the sack for speaking out of turn. Now, they side with management and actively try to get workers sacked, including their dues-paying members." Head of the Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division at the U.K.'s Crown Prosecution Service, Frank Ferguson, said about the Connolly case: "Using threatening, abusive or insulting language to rile up racism online is unacceptable and is breaking the law." The U.S. State Department commented on the Connolly case in May, saying: "We can confirm that we are monitoring this matter. The United States supports freedom of expression at home and abroad, and remains concerned about infringements on freedom of expression." What Happens Next An employment tribunal will decide whether Pearson's dismissal was fair and lawful. A date for the hearing has yet to be confirmed. The case comes amid wider debate over free speech rights in the U.K., particularly as public figures such as Musk have expressed concern about government responses to social media posts.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Photo Gallery: Prime Minister Carney Visits BC
Photo Gallery: Prime Minister Carney Visits BC Prime Minister Mark Carney continued his visit to British Columbia on Monday as he toured the Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental and Test Ranges facility on Vancouver Island. Wearing a navy blue suit, Carney visited the facility near Nanoose Bay, about 30 kilometres north of Nanaimo, for about 2 1/2 hours, during which he toured the Royal Canadian Navy vessel Sikanni. On Sunday, Carney met with Eby as well as officials from the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. Carney and Eby discussed U.S. tariffs and a renewed animosity in the long-running softwood lumber dispute. After the meetings, Carney made a surprise appearance at Vancouver's Pride Parade, marching for about a kilometre along the route beginning outside B.C. Place Stadium. Here's a look at the Prime Minister's tour over the last two days. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 4, 2025.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Why Canada's gun policies are viewed as 'gong show' for voters in Alberta byelection
"Come on, you old fart." Dave Collins opens a gate and lets his 13-year-old yellow lab Tucker plod into his front yard. Collins and Tucker are tied at the hip, living in the "big city" of Morrin, Alta., population a little more than 200. Morrin sits in the rural riding of Battle River-Crowfoot, a longtime conservative stronghold where Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is running against more than 200 candidates in a byelection set for Aug. 18. Among the issues for voters in the region are the federal government's gun policies, with its controversial buyback program chief among gun owners' concerns. "It's a gong show," is how Collins characterizes the whole thing. Collins is a decades-long gun enthusiast who makes his own ammunition, and the scale of that hobby becomes quickly apparent after descending the steps to his basement. "I keep adding to it, and adding to it," he says, gesturing to shelves lined with presses, dies, and priming tools. "It's an accumulation of 40 years of stuff." For Collins, reloading and shooting old rifles is a way to hang on to a bit of history. It gets him outdoors and has connected him to others with the same passion. "I met a bunch of good people," he says. Today, Collins is wearing a beige and brown camouflage baseball cap, a grey T-shirt and khaki cargo shorts. Sometimes, when he talks, he tugs at his long, thick white beard, which extends several inches below his chin. Down in one corner of his basement, Collins opens a large Yukon Gear safe and pulls out one of his favourite firearms. "This one's my main goose hunting gun," he says, holding up a 12-gauge Fabarm Classis shotgun. It's no surprise that Collins, like many firearms owners in this riding, is no fan of federal gun policy. People from outside the region don't always grasp the realities of living in rural Alberta, he suggests. "Until you get around and start circulating around the countryside, you don't really develop a picture of that stuff," he said. "Here's the rest of the world, folks." A ban, then a delayed buyback In 2020, Ottawa banned more than 1,500 models of "assault‑style" firearms, later expanding the list to more than 2,000 models. Gun control advocates view measures like these as important steps toward removing military-style weapons from circulation. They argue that Canadians have voted to ban these types of guns four elections in a row. "It's been a long wait," Coalition for Gun Control president Wendy Cukier said in 2020, adding that she was counting on parliamentarians to support a mandatory buyback program and keep the ban permanent. Since then, proponents of stricter gun laws, such as the group PolySeSouvient, feel federal policy has made significant progress. But they say it remains incomplete, with several promised measures still unfulfilled. Many in Battle River–Crowfoot, however, disagree with Ottawa's approach. They feel the rollout has unfairly targeted lawful gun owners instead of focusing on people unlikely to follow the law in the first place. "We're mostly disgusted. That's pretty much the easiest way to put it," Collins says of the reaction among gun owners. As part of the strategy, the government promised a buyback program for businesses and individuals in possession of prohibited firearms. But that program has been delayed for years. The first phase, buying back from businesses, began late last year. More than 12,000 guns have been bought back as of April 30, according to Public Safety Canada. Individual owners, however, are still waiting. The official government website notes that the program for individuals is "not yet available" and is expected to begin later in 2025. That limbo is causing anger and anxiety, especially among those who now have thousands of dollars tied up in now-prohibited firearms. In an email to CBC News, the Canadian Sporting Arms and Ammunition Association (CSAAA) cited two popular firearms as examples of what's been banned: the Weatherby Mark V 460, priced around $4,000, and the Ruger No. 1, at $2,200. Poilievre has said he would get rid of the previous government's "assault-style" firearm buyback program, branding it as a "gun grab." At a candidates' forum in Camrose, Alta., on July 29, the Conservative leader said his goal in running in the riding was to give "national leadership to the issues that are of local importance," listing reversing the EV mandate, prison reform, and firearms policy as among those issues. "Your right to protect and keep your firearms. That is a local issue if you're a hunter in Empress, or Trochu, or Consort," he said, naming a few of the small communities in the riding. During the last federal election, Prime Minister Mark Carney committed to keeping assault-style weapons off the streets, while "respecting the longstanding traditions of hunting and sport shooting in Canada," committing to "reinvigorate the implementation of an efficient gun-buyback program for assault-style firearms." For their part, PolySeSouvient said gun control advocates, including survivors of mass shootings, are also frustrated with "the slow pace and extended amnesties related to the buyback program." "However, implementation challenges in no way diminish the importance and urgency of removing civilian-owned military-style weapons from circulation," the group wrote in an email to CBC News. "The prohibited weapons are designed to maximize lethality as well as the death toll. As long as these remain in circulation, they represent a disproportionate and unacceptable public safety risk." Compensation questions Driving into the town of Hanna, Alta., last month, one was likely to take note of two pieces of information: signs proudly declaring the community the home of Canadian rock band Nickelback, and multiple markers with an arrow and a simple message pointing toward a popular local event: "Gun show." Inside the Hanna curling rink, where the show was taking place on July 20, visitors wandered among rows of rifles, knives and hunting gear. Vendors showcased everything from vintage firearms to waterfowl decoys. Hunting is a popular activity in many parts of the province. As of March 31, 2025, there were 374,229 valid possession and acquisition licences issued in Alberta, according to the provincial government. "Lots of big collectors. Lots of them are hunters. They hunt every day," said Andre Reed, president of the Hanna Rod and Gun Club, surveying the crowd at the show. In Reed's view, the buyback program has been both delayed and disorganized. On top of that, he says, firearm owners are nervous about whether they'll get a fair return on the guns they must surrender. "There's thousands of dollars in some of these things," he said. The CSAAA echoed those concerns. In a statement, the association said pricing offered to businesses in the "confiscation program" has generally been "accurate and fair based on market value." "While we haven't seen a reason to believe individuals will be unfairly compensated, the lack of transparency is causing concern within the community," the statement reads. In its statement, a spokesperson with Public Safety Canada said all licensees will be contacted when the program begins. "Preparation for extending the compensation program to individual firearms owners is well underway, as the government builds on the success of the work done with firearm businesses and tests the web portal and systems for individuals to submit claims," reads the statement. Compensation for individual firearms owners will involve "in-depth pricing research and analysis, including reviewing manufacturer prices, Canadian dealer and retailer prices, foreign retailer prices, pricing guidebooks and auction listings," according to Public Safety Canada. "The compensation amounts will reflect market values," the statement reads. A smaller show than usual This year's event was the club's 45th annual gun show, but turnout was lower than normal. Some vendors expressed frustration with the decline. "This is my third year here in Hanna. It's the slowest year. Every year, it's gonna go slower and slower and slower and slower," said Yasir Saeed, a vendor at the show. "People are getting scared of buying guns." Marj Veno, a lifelong resident of Battle River-Crowfoot who was browsing the tables, has lived on the same property for 45 years. "I use firearms on a regular basis to hunt coyotes, hunt gophers, hunt badgers, and very rarely do I go hunting deer. And when I do, with my grandsons," she said. "Guns are treated with respect and my family's all been taught how to handle guns properly. "That's just the value that carries on through generations in this country." Veno said firearms policy was a "very important" consideration to her as a voter. "It makes no sense in our part of the world," she said. Aaron Friedley, another attendee, said guns have always been part of farm life for him, but he views them as tools for pest control and survival. He's aware of the debate around federal policy. But for him, the rules have never seemed like much of a hindrance. "It's the people that want to have fully automatic stuff that should really only be used in military that are complaining are being restricted on a farm," he said. "What the hell are you ever going to use this for? Except for picking a fight for somebody and trying to win. I don't have that jam." 'So. Whaddya do?' Southwest of Hanna lies the town of Drumheller, Alta., a tourist hub known for its dinosaur museum and dramatic badlands. But debate around firearms policy is also on the minds of residents of the "Dinosaur Capital of the World." Here, hunting is a part of everyday life. Teresa White has lived in Drumheller since the mid-1990s, after moving to the area with her husband, an accountant. While she and her husband aren't hunters, their son is. "A lot of his friends are hunters," she said, noting that hunting is common because "there's so many hills and stuff. Lots of places to hunt." Gerald Stubert, meanwhile, has lived in the Drumheller region for more than 40 years. He expressed a sentiment common among many living in the riding. "City folk, they aren't hunters. They don't understand the concept of going out and gathering your own meat, per se," he said, standing in the parking lot of the local Canadian Tire. As to how big of an issue he expects gun policy to be in the upcoming election? "Oh, it'll be big. Yeah, it will be big," he said. "The rural communities, I know lots of people. They aren't in favour of it at all." Back in Morrin, a short drive north of Drumheller, Collins is in his basement tinkering at the reloading bench. This is where he feeds spent brass cases into his press to reshape them. He recognizes that his pastime, and the views of many in this rural portion of a largely conservative province, will likely come off as foreign to people living elsewhere in the country. It's kind of like how Vancouver and Victoria dominate B.C. politics, in Collins' view. People outside the Lower Mainland often feel like those cities are out of touch, he says. "They're going, 'These guys are nuts!'" Collins said. It's the same kind of divide you see between Western and Eastern Canada during elections, he added. "So. Whaddya do?"
