Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Robert Benzie

@robertbenzie.bsky.social

From the front page of the ⁦‪@TorontoStar‬⁩, ⁦‪@MoiraWelsh‬⁩ on planning exemptions for training centres built with cash from the controversial Skills Development Fund.
#onpoli

www.thestar.com/politics/pro...

Ford government seeks planning exemptions for training centres built with Skills Development Fund cash

Premier Doug Ford is making sweeping exemptions to planning rules — all for the benefit of operators running worker training facilities built with money from the Skills Development Fund, warns

www.thestar.com

November 26, 2025 at 1:32 PM

Robert Benzie

@robertbenzie.bsky.social

Joining @MooreintheAM on @NEWSTALK1010 at 8:45 am with @sunirachaudhri and @RichardCrouse.

www.thestar.com/politics.html

Political News - Canadian Politics | The Star

Canadian politics news and opinion from the Star's leading journalists. Visit thestar.com for full coverage of political issues that matter to you.

www.thestar.com

November 25, 2025 at 1:23 PM

Robert Benzie

@robertbenzie.bsky.social

Joining @RebeccaZandberg on @CBCOttawaMorning at 6:45 am.
#onpoli

www.thestar.com/politics.html

Political News - Canadian Politics | The Star

Canadian politics news and opinion from the Star's leading journalists. Visit thestar.com for full coverage of political issues that matter to you.

www.thestar.com

November 25, 2025 at 11:18 AM

Robert Benzie

@robertbenzie.bsky.social

Joining @mikelecouteur on @CTV_PowerPlay at 5:25 pm with @lraitt, @ThomasMulcair, and @BrianGallantNB.
#cdnpoli

www.thestar.com/politics.html

Political News - Canadian Politics | The Star

Canadian politics news and opinion from the Star's leading journalists. Visit thestar.com for full coverage of political issues that matter to you.

www.thestar.com

November 24, 2025 at 10:18 PM

Robert Benzie

@robertbenzie.bsky.social

Joining @VassyKapelos on @CTV_PowerPlay at 5:30 pm with @lraitt, @ThomasMulcair, and @christyclarkbc.
#cdnpoli

www.thestar.com/politics.html

Political News - Canadian Politics | The Star

Canadian politics news and opinion from the Star's leading journalists. Visit thestar.com for full coverage of political issues that matter to you.

www.thestar.com

November 17, 2025 at 10:14 PM

Robert Benzie

@robertbenzie.bsky.social

The ⁦‪@TorontoStar‬⁩’s ⁦‪@TondaMacC‬⁩ on why Prime Minister ⁦‪@MarkJCarney‬⁩ is trying to bide his time in the Trump trade saga.
#cdnpoli

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

There’s a reason Mark Carney isn’t talking to Donald Trump

Where Carney was once in nearly a 24/7 texting-back-and-forth relationship with Trump, they have had no contact on trade since the APEC summit.

www.thestar.com

November 16, 2025 at 2:29 PM

Robert Benzie

@robertbenzie.bsky.social

BREAKING: Secret Skills Development Fund data obtained by @thestar.com reveals Labour Minister David Piccini doled out millions to low-scoring applicants. E.G. owner of @TheTorontoSun and the @nationalpost got $1M despite a 41.68% score.
#onpoli

www.thestar.com/politics/pro...

https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/secret-data-reveals-which-low-scoring-ap[…]om-the-ford/article_8e6b59ef-8352-43cc-9434-c9d9c04bb65d.html

November 14, 2025 at 7:26 PM

Robert Benzie

@robertbenzie.bsky.social

Joining @VassyKapelos on @VassKapelosShow at 1 pm on @NEWSTALK1010 with @l_stone and ⁦‪@mikelecouteur‬⁩.
#cdnpoli

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

Mines, hydro project and LNG facility expected to make Mark Carney’s list of major projects

Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to refer them to Major Projects Office on Thursday, according to a list obtained by the Star.

www.thestar.com

November 13, 2025 at 5:31 PM

Robert Benzie

@robertbenzie.bsky.social

"Government doesn't have an income problem, government has a spending problem," insists Premier Doug Ford, whose government has a $13.5B deficit and is spending 35% more than former premier Kathleen Wynne's administration did in 2018.
#onpoli

November 12, 2025 at 5:07 PM

Robert Benzie

@robertbenzie.bsky.social

The ⁦‪@TorontoStar‬⁩’s ⁦‪@reggcohn‬⁩, whose work led premier ⁦‪@Kathleen_Wynne‬⁩ to reform Ontario political fundraising laws, on Premier Doug Ford loosening the rules. Wynne’s $1,200 donation limit will soon be $5,000 under Ford.
#onpoli

www.thestar.com/politics/pol...

Martin Regg Cohn: Doug Ford’s donation free-for-all is no way to nurture democracy

Ford government's increase to campaign donations makes a mockery of hard-won campaign finance limits.

www.thestar.com

November 12, 2025 at 2:03 PM

Robert Benzie

@robertbenzie.bsky.social

Joining ⁦‪@eskura‬⁩ on ⁦‪@OttawaMorning‬⁩ at 6:45 am.
#onpoli

www.thestar.com/politics/pro...

Anti-tariff ad that derailed trade talks didn’t hurt Doug Ford’s popularity, poll suggests

Ontario's anti-tariff ad generated worldwide headlines by derailing Canadian trade talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, but a new poll suggests it has not affected Premier Doug Ford's popularity.

www.thestar.com

November 12, 2025 at 11:16 AM

Robert Benzie

@robertbenzie.bsky.social

Joining @MooreintheAM on @NEWSTALK1010 at 8:45 am with @sunirachaudhri and @RichardCrouse.

www.thestar.com/politics/pro...

Anti-tariff ad that derailed trade talks didn’t hurt Doug Ford’s popularity, poll suggests

Ontario's anti-tariff ad generated worldwide headlines by derailing Canadian trade talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, but a new poll suggests it has not affected Premier Doug Ford's popularity.

www.thestar.com

November 11, 2025 at 1:18 PM

Robert Benzie

@robertbenzie.bsky.social

Remembering with gratitude my grandfather, Jack Benzie, called up at age 20 in 1939. He survived the war and returned home to Scotland in 1946 after a year with the British occupying forces in Germany.
#LestWeForget

November 11, 2025 at 12:36 PM

Robert Benzie

@robertbenzie.bsky.social

Joining @VassyKapelos on @CTV_PowerPlay at 5:30 pm with @lraitt, @ThomasMulcair, and @BrianGallantNB.
#cdnpoli

www.thestar.com/politics.html

Political News - Canadian Politics | The Star

Canadian politics news and opinion from the Star's leading journalists. Visit thestar.com for full coverage of political issues that matter to you.

www.thestar.com

November 10, 2025 at 10:02 PM

Robert Benzie

@robertbenzie.bsky.social

NEW: ⁦‪@abacusdataca‬⁩ poll in the ⁦‪@TorontoStar‬⁩:
⁦‪@OntarioPCParty‬⁩: 51%
⁦‪@OntLiberal‬⁩: 23%
⁦‪@OntarioNDP‬⁩: 19%
⁦‪@OntarioGreens‬⁩: 3%
#onpoli

www.thestar.com/politics/pro...

Anti-tariff ad that derailed trade talks didn’t hurt Doug Ford’s popularity, poll suggests

Ontario's anti-tariff ad generated worldwide headlines by derailing Canadian trade talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, but a new poll suggests it has not affected Premier Doug Ford's popularity.

www.thestar.com

November 10, 2025 at 8:09 PM

Robert Benzie

@robertbenzie.bsky.social

The ⁦‪@TorontoStar‬⁩’s ⁦‪@karonliu‬⁩ on the food scene at Queen’s Park.
#onpoli

www.thestar.com/life/food-an...

Did you know you can have lunch (and $5 avocado toast) at Queen’s Park? Here’s a look inside

Inside the Legislative Building, two government-run eateries feed politicians, staff and the public with affordable menus and local ingredients.

www.thestar.com

November 10, 2025 at 7:45 PM

Robert Benzie

@robertbenzie.bsky.social

NEW: ⁦‪@abacusdataca‬⁩ poll for the ⁦‪@TorontoStar‬⁩ finds ⁦‪@CPC_HQ‬⁩ would do better under ⁦‪@PierrePoilievre‬⁩ than Doug Ford, Stephen Harper, Jason Kenney, Caroline Mulroney or Tim Houston, among other potential leaders.
#cdnpoli

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

Pierre Poilievre does better than Doug Ford and other possible leaders against Mark Carney, poll suggests

Abacus found that in a hypothetical ballot the Poilievre-led Tories were at 38 per cent to 36 per cent for the Liberals of Prime Minister Mark Carney.

www.thestar.com

November 7, 2025 at 10:07 PM

Robert Benzie

@robertbenzie.bsky.social

Joining @agalbraith on Free For All Friday on @NEWSTALK1010 at 1 p.m. with Deidra Tindale.
#cdnpoli

www.thestar.com/politics/

Political News - Canadian Politics | The Star

Canadian politics news and opinion from the Star's leading journalists. Visit thestar.com for full coverage of political issues that matter to you.

www.thestar.com

November 7, 2025 at 5:41 PM

Robert Benzie

@robertbenzie.bsky.social

Joining ⁦‪@eskura‬⁩ on ⁦‪@OttawaMorning‬⁩ at 6:45 am.
#onpoli

www.thestar.com/politics/pro...

Ford government’s fall economic statement forecasts $13.5-billion deficit due to Donald Trump’s tariffs

Ontario is projecting a $13.5 billion deficit this fiscal year, ballooning from a $1.1 billion shortfall in 2024-25.

www.thestar.com

November 7, 2025 at 11:16 AM

Robert Benzie

@robertbenzie.bsky.social

BREAKING: After nearly getting back in the black last year, Ontario is again awash in red ink. The fall economic statement is projecting a $13.5 billion deficit this fiscal year — ballooning from a $1.1 billion shortfall in 2024-25.
#onpoli

www.thestar.com/politics/pro...

Ford government’s fall economic statement forecasts $13.5B deficit due to Trump’s tariffs

Ontario is projecting a $13.5 billion deficit this fiscal year, ballooning from a $1.1 billion shortfall in 2024-25.

www.thestar.com

November 6, 2025 at 6:14 PM

Robert Benzie

@robertbenzie.bsky.social

Joining @VassyKapelos on @VassKapelosShow at 1 pm on @NEWSTALK1010 with @l_stone and @mikelecouteur.
#cdnpoli

www.thestar.com/politics.html

Political News - Canadian Politics | The Star

Canadian politics news and opinion from the Star's leading journalists. Visit thestar.com for full coverage of political issues that matter to you.

www.thestar.com

November 6, 2025 at 5:34 PM

Robert Benzie

@robertbenzie.bsky.social

@thestar.com has complete coverage of the federal budget.
#cdnpoli

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

Canada budget 2025 live updates: Mark Carney’s Liberals table first budget; deficit rises to $78 billion

The budget has been billed as a mixture of austerity and big spending. Here’s everything you need to know.

www.thestar.com

November 4, 2025 at 9:16 PM

Robert Benzie

@robertbenzie.bsky.social

NEW: Who says the bromance is dead? Premier Doug Ford insists his relationship with Prime Minister Mark Carney is as strong ever despite the flap with President Donald Trump over the Ontario government’s anti-tariff advertising blitz.
#onpoli

www.thestar.com/politics/pro...