Canada Minute: Reciprocity Required, Office Work, and Trump Criticizes Poilievre

Saskatchewan Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Saskatchewan politics.

This Week In Canada:

• Many public servants in Canada’s largest federal departments are not complying with the government’s mandate to work in the office at least three days a week. The Department of National Defence (DND) had the lowest compliance rate, with just 31% of employees meeting the requirement in December, though this rose to 60% in January. The Canada Revenue Agency reported an 80% compliance rate in December, while Employment and Social Development Canada remained around 75% since September. Some smaller agencies had higher compliance rates, such as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, which improved from 72% in September to 93% in January. The Treasury Board says managers are responsible for oversight, and penalties for noncompliance could include suspension or termination, though no reported cases have surfaced. The public service union continues to challenge the mandate, arguing the government has not justified the requirement.
  
  
• Canada is preparing to expropriate Russian assets to support Ukraine’s war effort, a move that could push the boundaries of international law. Ottawa has led the global push to use frozen Russian funds, though most Russian holdings are in European banks, requiring broader international coordination. The process involves freezing, seizing, and forfeiting assets to the Crown before redirecting them to Ukraine. Critics argue this could set a precedent for violating property rights, while proponents see it as a cost-effective way to aid Ukraine and deter aggression. Meanwhile, efforts to seize Russian state-owned assets, such as a cargo plane in Toronto, are advancing, though private asset seizures remain legally complex.
  
  
• Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is introducing legislation aimed at removing interprovincial trade barriers, allowing goods made in other provinces to be sold in Nova Scotia without additional testing or red tape. The Free Trade and Mobility within Canada Act also facilitates labour mobility, enabling certified professionals such as teachers and healthcare workers to work in the province without extra licensing hurdles. A key component of the legislation is reciprocity, requiring other provinces to enact similar policies to ensure fair trade conditions.

Last Week In Canada:

• Liberal leadership candidate Mark Carney claimed he resigned from all his roles to focus on his campaign, but he apparently remains affiliated with several organizations. Despite stepping down from most positions, he is still connected to groups like Chatham House, the Peterson Institute for International Economics, and the Group of Thirty. His campaign clarified that he resigned from all paid roles and is working to leave volunteer positions. Records show he resigned from some positions after his campaign launch, contradicting his initial statements. The Opposition Conservatives are calling for greater disclosure of his affiliations ahead of the March 9th leadership vote.
  
  
• Donald Trump criticized Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, saying his biggest flaw is that he is "not a MAGA guy" and has been too negative about him. In response, Poilievre embraced the distinction, stating he is focused on a "Canada First" approach and that Canada will never be the 51st U.S. state. Trump warned that Poilievre was making a mistake by challenging him, claiming many others have tried and failed. Poilievre has recently taken a tougher stance against Trump, especially in response to his tariff threats. Meanwhile, Trump also took aim at Chrystia Freeland, calling her “a whack” and claiming he pressured Justin Trudeau to remove her from the finance minister role.
  
  
• Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives secured a third majority government in Ontario but fell short of their hoped-for stronger mandate. The party retained about 65% of the seats in the legislature, winning 80 ridings - one more than before the election was called. The NDP maintained its role as the Official Opposition, though it failed to gain significant ground, while the Liberals regained official party status but saw their leader, Bonnie Crombie, lose her seat. The Green Party remained stagnant with two seats.