Raisa Patel

Why everyone suddenly cares what Pierre Poilievre thinks about ostriches Why the Conservative leader is weighing in on the fate of more than 300 birds after avian flu was discovered in the flock.

In which @raisapatel.bsky.social and I try to explain why people are asking Pierre Poilievre about ostriches—and why he’s not really answering. www.thestar.com/politics/fed...

Exclusive Tory club hires temporary foreign workers under program Pierre Poilievre vows to kill Toronto's Albany Club, a bastion of the conservative establishment, used the temporary foreign worker program to hire staff.

From the Star's Ryan Tumilty: Toronto’s Albany Club, a bastion of the conservative establishment, used the temporary foreign worker program (which the federal Conservatives want to abolish) to hire staff.

www.thestar.com/politics/fed...

AI minister says Canada must harness emerging technology at home Digital sovereignty has been catapulted to the top of Evan Solomon's to-do list, Raisa Patel writes.

Some reflections after spending two days immersed in the world of AI: www.thestar.com/politics/fed...

When Dementia Steals the Imagination of a Children’s Book Writer

When Dementia Steals the Imagination of a Children’s Book Writer www.nytimes.com/2025/09/14/m...

Newsletters and Email Alerts | The Star Sign up to get the latest news from the Star in your inbox. Visit thestar.com today.

Subscribe to the @thestar.com's This Week in Politics newsletter here: www.thestar.com/newsletters/!

Especially if you want to see my unhinged take this week on what Taylor Swift and Aristotle can tell us about Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre's political paths this fall.

Heather McPherson, Avi Lewis prepare NDP leadership bids Edmonton MP Heather McPherson and Vancouver activist Avi Lewis are gearing up to launch NDP leadership bids, the Star has learned, as the party’s high-stakes race to replace Jagmeet Singh

Heather McPherson, Avi Lewis @avilewis.bsky.social prepare NDP leadership bids, @markramzyy reports. www.thestar.com/politics/fed...

Find out more at nationalnewswatch.com

Journalism in Gaza

Journalism in Gaza www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/b...

Forever addicted to N.L. (Not pictured: Gander, Bonavista, and, obviously, Dildo.)

Jenni Byrne says she will not lead next Conservative campaign, fires back at critics Byrne, a top advisor to Pierre Poilievre and one of the most influential players in the Conservative Party of Canada, will step back into a smaller role in federal politics.

www.thestar.com/politics/fed...

Should we stay or should we go? In Alberta, the fight now is over which referendum question to ask As the debate over whether Alberta should leave Canada heats up, proponents and opponents are racing to see which side can put their version of a referendum question to voters

I spent a couple of days trying to figure out what on earth is going on with the potential referendum questions being floated in Alberta and hoo boy. Different signature requirements! Court questions! Legislation! Here's what we know: www.thestar.com/politics/fed...

Orlando Bloom Spotted At Dinner With Angela Merkel

Orlando Bloom Spotted At Dinner With Angela Merkel theonion.com/orlando...

Canada will recognize Palestine in September, Mark Carney says The move comes amid increasing international pressure and outcry over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

BREAKING: www.thestar.com/politics/fed...

Carney condemns Israel for failing to prevent humanitarian crisis in Gaza The prime minister’s statement is the latest sign of rising international alarm over the starvation and deaths of civilians in the besieged Palestinian territory.

www.thestar.com/politics/car...

My mom:

Elyanna makes history at Coachella. Here’s how the Palestinian-Chilean singer is taking Arabic music global The 21-year-old from Nazareth became the first artist to perform a Coachella set entirely in Arabic. Now she’s at the vanguard of a new generation poised to take Middle Eastern music global.

Finally fulfilled a long-held dream of making it to a Coldplay show, the venue was not the nightmarish gongshow many expected it to be, and the opening act by Elyanna was such a standout.

Here’s @rdassaly.bsky.social, a couple years ago, on her pop star power: www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

First Nations warn against fast-tracking of Carney government’s ‘nation-building’ bill A rare alliance between Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals and Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives late Monday means that the "One Canadian Economy" bill now has a clear runway to speed through

For the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, the Liberal government’s ramming of its major projects bill through Parliament is a little too reminiscent of the American administration the proposed law was designed to counter.

www.thestar.com/politics/fed...

Learned a lot at this event from
@mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social. Watch our panel with @taylorowen.bsky.social and CIFAR's Elissa Strome on the future of digital policy and governance here: www.cpac.ca/public-recor...

A snapshot of the last four weeks.

Pomp and celebration meet King Charles in Ottawa before throne speech It's King Charles first visit to Canada since his ascension to the throne.

www.thestar.com/politics/fed...

Israeli use of human shields in Gaza was systematic, soldiers and former detainees tell the AP Several Palestinians and Israeli soldiers say troops are systematically forcing Palestinians to act as human shields in Gaza, sending them into buildings and tunnels to check for bombs and gunmen.

apnews.com/article/isra...

I like that. I think the campaign touched on other issues, but I also think a lot of people have this question. It would have looked like a very different campaign.

There were a number of options in the rotation. Is there anything you would have wanted asked?

Live chat: The Conservative party, Carney’s cabinet and politics in 2025 What’s next for Pierre Poilievre? What does Mark Carney’s cabinet signal about his priorities? Reporters Alex Ballingall and Raisa Patel take your questions on Wednesday, May 14 at 1 p.m.

Did I spend a full day roasting outside Rideau Hall only for the PM’s press conference to end right before my question? Yes. But at least tomorrow you get to ask *me* whatever you want in ⁦‪⁦‪our 1 p.m. live chat, with deputy bureau chief @aballinga.bsky.social ⁦‪ www.thestar.com/politics/fed...

Meet Pierre Poilievre’s not-so-secret weapon: his wife It’s been a long-held belief that Anaida Poilievre provides some kind of hidden advantage to the Conservative leader.

www.thestar.com/politics/fed...

An absolute banger from @robertbenzie.bsky.social

Inside the revolt against a Conservative MP — and why Pierre Poilievre and his party are being urged to address it Former staffers and members of a New Brunswick riding association believe his actions are threatening the party's chances in a narrowly-won riding.

Our earlier story with details of the dispute here: www.thestar.com/politics/fed...

Conservative MP at centre of revolt says he will not run in next federal election campaign Miramichi-Grand Lake MP Jake Stewart announced Thursday that he will not seek re-election in a widely expected early federal campaign.

www.thestar.com/politics/fed...

Fortifying Canada against Donald Trump dominates final Liberal leadership debate The second official debate saw the leadership contenders spar over military spending, affordability, and how to grow the economy.

And here’s your English-language Liberal leadership debate sum-up from @aballinga.bsky.social and Ryan Tumilty: www.thestar.com/politics/fed...

Donald Trump and his threats are the dominant topic at federal Liberal leadership candidates’ debate The first direct faceoff of the leadership race also included discussions that ranged from how to beef up Canada's military, to whether to build east-west pipelines, to whether candidates support

Dive into our French-language Liberal leadership debate recap from @aballinga.bsky.social and Tonda MacCharles here: www.thestar.com/politics/fed...

Donald Trump has a hit list of gripes about Canada. Here’s how they measure up to reality The U.S. president has made many comments, claims and complaints about Canada. A Star analysis dives into the truth, the fiction and everything in between as the relationship between the

We fact checked everything Donald Trump has said about Canada. Check out our interactive here: www.thestar.com/politics/don...