Canada Minute: Trades Training, Registration Required, and Federal Election Called

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

This Week In Canada:

• The federal election is underway! April 28th has been set as the date for Canadians to head to the polls after a five-week campaign. Liberal Leader Mark Carney will be running in the riding of Nepean, seeking his first seat in the House of Commons. The election comes amid growing trade tensions with the United States, with Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre both positioning themselves as the best choice to navigate the economic challenges posed by US tariffs. Poilievre, launching his campaign in Manotick, blamed the Liberals for the cost-of-living crisis and framed the past decade as a "lost" one under their rule. With polling showing a tightening race between the Liberals and Conservatives, the campaign is expected to be highly competitive.
  
  
• Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has a plan to enhance training and support for workers in the skilled trades. His proposal includes offering up to $4,000 in apprenticeship grants, funding training halls for up to 350,000 workers, and working with provinces to standardize health and safety regulations. Poilievre emphasized that the goal is to raise wages for tradespeople and reduce Canada's reliance on the US economy.
  
  
• Starting April 11th, Canadians planning to stay in the US for more than 30 days will need to register with the US government as part of a new regulation. This rule affects foreign nationals, including Canadians, and failure to comply may result in fines or legal consequences. The update applies to travelers such as "snowbirds" and those on extended visits. Canadians can verify their registration status through the US Customs and Border Protection website.

Last Week In Canada:

• Poilievre responded to US President Donald Trump's recent comments. Poilievre argued that Trump’s professed preference for dealing with Liberals indicates the US president favours "weak leadership" and wants to see Canada remain vulnerable. He emphasized that his approach would make Canada self-reliant and strong, contrasting it with Prime Minister Mark Carney's approach, which he suggested would leave Canada susceptible to US dominance.
  
  
• Ottawa and Canada's Premiers have agreed to create a plan to improve national energy transportation, remove internal trade barriers, and speed up major project approvals. The plan includes measures to enhance the flow of energy, critical minerals, and goods across the country, along with initiatives to improve digital connectivity and eliminate trade barriers between provinces. Prime Minister Mark Carney also outlined support for businesses affected by tariffs, including tax deferrals and employment insurance adjustments. The government aims to boost the Canadian economy by $250 billion through these reforms, including the creation of a "First Mile Fund" to support infrastructure projects.
  
  
• Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a plan to eliminate the Goods and Services Tax (GST) for first-time homebuyers on new or substantially renovated homes priced up to $1 million. The tax cut could save buyers up to $50,000, while also encouraging the construction of new homes to increase supply. However, this measure will only be implemented if Carney's government wins the upcoming federal election. The announcement has drawn criticism from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who accused the Liberals of copying his own campaign pledge.