Hello, welcome to Politics Insider. Let’s look at what happened today.
Canada has withdrawn its military officers from a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Goma, a rebel-held city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Critics say the Canadian government is abandoning the mission at a time when peacekeepers are desperately needed to protect thousands of civilians who have sought shelter at UN bases in Goma.
Canadian diplomats announced the withdrawal this week in a letter seen by The Globe and Mail that said the federal government “has found it necessary to prioritize the safety and well-being of our personnel” because of the “increasingly perilous security conditions in Goma.”
Meanwhile, in Canada, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said today he doesn’t think he’ll have to choose between voting on tariff relief and bringing down the government because he expects a snap election call if Mark Carney wins the Liberal leadership.
There will be no newsletter on Monday, Family Day, but we’ll be back Tuesday.
People who were displaced by the fighting between M23 rebels and government soldiers prepare to leave their camp following an instruction by M23 rebels in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo on Feb. 11, 2025.Moses Sawasawa/The Associated Press
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What else is going on
U.S. tariffs, duties on softwood lumber could reach 55%, says B.C. minister: Ravi Parmar says the “Trump tariff and increased duties” of 50 to 55 per cent compares with the 14-per-cent duty currently placed on Canadian softwood lumber that now enters the United States.
Poilievre, Freeland rebuff Donald Trump’s call for Russia to rejoin G7: The U.S. President has said Russia should return to the informal assembly of the world’s leading democracies – despite the fact Canada is chairing the G7 this year.
Conservatives criticize Liberal leadership front-runner Mark Carney: Heading into a caucus meeting in Ottawa today, Conservative MPs took aim at Carney, seeking to link him to unpopular Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
First Ontario election debate sees Doug Ford’s record on housing come under fire: The leaders of Ontario’s New Democratic, Liberal and Green parties went on the offensive Thursday against Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford’s record on housing in the first debate of the provincial election campaign.
Ontario NDP candidate withdraws in Eglinton-Lawrence, citing close PC-Liberal race: Natasha Doyle-Merrick wrote in a statement that Eglinton-Lawrence is a “clear two-party contest” and she is stepping aside and supporting the provincial Liberals in the hopes of preventing another Progressive Conservative win.
Perspectives
The premiers asked to be humiliated in Washington. Wish granted
Mr. Ford is love-bombing conservative Americans. And why not? If you want to persuade someone to change their mind, start with how they’re right, and how you’re on their side. It’s a lot more effective than the opposite.
— Tony Keller, Columnist
The next election will be decided by a simple question: Who can best manage Canada’s relationship with Mr. Trump? Pragmatism may override anger and party loyalty.
— Nik Nanos is the chief data scientist at Nanos Research and the official pollster for The Globe and Mail and CTV News.
To counter Trump’s tariff threats, Canada needs to go on offence with a manufacturing strategy
Canada requires a panoptic policy that addresses issues such as diversifying foreign market access for exports and attracting more foreign direct investment.
— Rita Trichur, Senior Business Writer and Columnist
On our radar
- Any ideas for the federal budget?: Despite speculation that a federal election could be weeks away, the Finance Department has invited Canadians to participate in pre-budget consultations, saying in a statement that input is welcome through March 10 – the day after the governing Liberals pick their new leader.
- Prime Minister’s Day: Justin Trudeau toured the ArcelorMittal Dofasco steel plant in Hamilton, Ont., meeting with workers. He was also scheduled to host a virtual meeting of the Council on Canada-U.S. Relations.
- Pierre Poilievre: The federal Conservative Leader was scheduled to hold a rally in Ottawa Saturday.
- Elizabeth May: The Green Party Leader’s weekend agenda includes a Sunday performance with her husband, John Kidder, and other performers at a jazz event at the Zawa restaurant on Commercial Drive in Vancouver.
Question period
What was the name of the secret society of Irish patriots who emigrated from Ireland to the United States and then, between 1866 and 1871, tried to take Canadian territory by force so they could trade it for Irish independence?
Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for the answer.
Go deeper
- Keep track of who’s in the Liberal leadership race to replace Justin Trudeau
- Follow along for our stories on Canada-U.S. relations as news develops
- Like a long read? Check out the fall of Justin Trudeau and the making of Pierre Poilievre
- Take a look at the history of immigration reporting and great political scandals from A Nation’s Paper, a book about The Globe and Mail’s role in Canadian history
Got a news tip that you’d like us to look into? E-mail us at tips@globeandmail.com. Need to share documents securely? Reach out via SecureDrop.
The answer to today’s question: The Fenians, also known as the Fenian Brotherhood.