Trump Weighs in on Canadian Politics, Fentanyl Figures, and More

U.S. President Donald Trump has once again inserted himself into Canadian politics, this time criticizing Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland and claiming that Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre is not a "MAGA guy." This comes as the deadline for Trump to impose steep tariffs on Canadian goods looms closer.

In an interview with The Spectator, Trump called Freeland "terrible" and "a whack," and claimed credit for her resignation as finance minister. He did not comment on Freeland's rivals for the Liberal leadership.

Meanwhile, a Globe and Mail investigation has found that the Trump administration is using misleading fentanyl figures to justify tariffs against Canada. The investigation found that the administration is relying on a dataset that includes drugs traced to Mexico.

The Canadian economy outpaced expectations in the final quarter of the year, with Statistics Canada linking the increase in real gross domestic product largely to a surge in household spending.

Ontario voter turnout rate is on par with the record low in the 2022 election, according to early results.

Quebec is considering extending its religious symbols ban to school staff other than teachers.

Many public servants in the biggest departments are breaking Ottawa's remote work rules.

Wayne Gretzky's wife, Janet Gretzky, has joined Donald Trump and Bobby Orr in defending the hockey legend after Trump called him "the greatest Canadian."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Ottawa but has no public events scheduled. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is attending a party fundraising event at a Toronto-area golf and country club. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is participating in a conversation event about the Canada-U.S. relationship in Vancouver. Liberal leadership candidate Mark Carney is holding an evening meet-and-greet event with Oakville MP and cabinet minister Anita Anand in Oakville, Ont. Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland is scheduled to speak to supporters in Edmonton on Saturday.

Leslie Frost, the Progressive Conservative premier of Ontario between 1949 and 1961.