Former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi says Democrats are ‘thrilled’ that Minnesota governor Tim Walz joined the American vice president Kamala Harris presidential campaign as a running mate, calling the party’s energy “explosive.” Pelosi spoke to Global News as she left the MSNBC studios in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, a day after Walz has been officially announced as the Democratic vice presidential candidate. “He’s just great,” Pelosi said when asked about Walz, who previously served with her in Congress. “The members (of the Democratic caucus) are so thrilled.” “He brings vision, he brings values, he brings strategic thinking, but he also brings a lot of friendship.” Harris, who won the Democratic nomination on Monday, just over two weeks after US President Joe Biden dropped out of the race, faced enormous pressure to choose a running mate who would not squander the momentum she has enjoyed since announcing her candidacy. The story continues below the advertisement The warm reception she received Tuesday night at the Philadelphia rally, where Harris and Walz made their debut as running mates, suggested she had succeeded. Nancy Pelosi seemed to agree, noting that “the whole dynamic is different” compared to the final days of Biden’s campaign. “My daughter was at the rally in Philadelphia last night and she said it was just explosive,” Nancy Pelosi told Global News on Wednesday. “The young people, everyone, are so happy.” 1:04 Harris Running Mate Tim Walz Calls Trump, Vance ‘Weird as Hell’ Asked whether she believes Democrats have a winning campaign under Harris and Walz, Pelosi said: “Oh, we have to win. There’s no question about that.” The email you need for the day The top news from Canada and around the world. Receive daily national news Get the day’s top political, business and current affairs news delivered to your inbox once a day. By providing your email address, you have read and agreed to Global News’ Terms of Use. Terms and conditions And Privacy Policy. Walz served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 12 years before running for governor of Minnesota in 2018. A 24-year veteran of the National Guard, Walz rose to prominence in Congress as an advocate for veterans and agriculture issues, earning particular praise for helping to build bipartisan consensus on veterans’ health and education benefits during then-President Donald Trump’s controversial presidency. The story continues below the advertisement Pelosi said veterans’ issues in particular are “a national and global priority” for Democrats. Walz was first elected in 2006, as part of the freshman class that helped Democrats win the House majority. That majority then elected Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House, making her the first woman to hold the office. Nancy Pelosi has continued to wield her power among Democrats since leaving the House speakership last year. She reportedly had private conversations with Biden that helped convince him to end his reelection bid after weeks of resistance, opening the door for Harris to replace him. As Harris weighed who to choose as her running mate, The Associated Press, Reuters and other outlets reported Wednesday that Pelosi — who has maintained she has no preference and will not provide input into the selection process — had endorsed Walz. According to the US media, this may have helped put Walz ahead of other more prominent candidates, such as Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Walz also saw his media profile increase after he was credited with calling Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, “weirdos”. 2:43 America Votes: Who Is Tim Walz and Why Kamala Harris Chose Him as Her Running Mate After rallying voters in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Harris and Walz launched their first cross-country campaign blitz on Wednesday, traveling to Wisconsin, Michigan and other key states that will be crucial to winning in November. Fashionable now Olympic Triathletes Get Sick After Swimming in the Seine. What We Know So Far Two suspects still at large after dangerous persons alert lifted in Wheatland County, Alberta: police The story continues below the advertisement The Democrats narrowly crossed paths with Vance on the tarmac at Chippewa Valley Regional Airport in Wisconsin, where their respective planes landed as both campaigns close in on Midwestern voters. Vance and the Trump campaign held their own rally in Wisconsin and also followed the Harris-Walz team to Michigan later Wednesday for a competing event. From Wednesday, FiveThirtyEight’s national poll average showed Harris leading Trump by nearly two points nationally, with even narrower leads in those battlegrounds. Harris’ campaign says it raised $36 million from donors in the 24 hours after Walz announced her candidacy. That’s on top of the more than $310 million it raised in the past month, including $200 million in the first week after Biden endorsed Harris as his replacement. “Kamala Harris needs to do everything she can to increase voter turnout among Democrats,” Jennifer Lawless, professor and chair of the political science department at the University of Virginia, told Global News. “Donald Trump needs to do the same thing among Republicans. And then they need to fight for those who haven’t made up their minds yet.” Democrats and political analysts have praised Walz’s selection, which is capable of communicating liberal policies in a way that speaks to independent voters in these swing states, which could make all the difference in such a tight race. “Although Tim Walz has a very liberal political record in Minnesota, it’s the kind of liberal political record that I think addresses a lot of kitchen-sink issues,” said Andra Gillespie, a political science professor at Emory University in Atlanta. The story continues below the advertisement That record includes free school meals for children and free tuition for students from low-income families, paid family and medical leave, and health insurance coverage regardless of a person’s immigration status. Walz and Democratic lawmakers who control the state legislature have also passed laws protecting access to abortion and gender reaffirming care for transgender minors. Trump, Vance and other Republicans have criticized…

American voters and the rest of the world are about to get to know the governor of Minnesota. Tim Walz much better. The two-term Democratic governor was appointed by the U.S. vice president Kamala Harris be his presidential campaign running mate on Tuesdayending a fast-track search for a vice presidential candidate as the race for the White House intensifies. The choice of Walz, 60, came after he quickly became one of the Democrats’ top messengers, presenting liberal policy positions in a common-sense way that could appeal to Midwestern voters whose support Harris needs to win the presidency. He is also credited with being the first to call Republican candidates Donald Trump and JD Vance “weirdos,” which took Harris’ campaign and Democrats in general by storm. “It’s a pretty safe choice,” said Matthew Lebo, a political science professor at Western University who studies American politics. The story continues below the advertisement “He’s very down to earth and can explain liberal values ​​and what the priorities of government should be in a way that talks about the social safety net and helping people build their lives, rather than saying ‘we’re taxing you more.’” Walz state also shares an 885-kilometer border with Canada, as well as a trade economy worth billions of dollars each year. 2:14 Trade Issues: What Would a Kamala Harris Presidency Mean for the US Economy? Walz was born in West Point, Nebraska, a community of about 3,500 northwest of Omaha. Walz joined the National Guard and became a teacher in Nebraska. The story continues below the advertisement He and his wife Gwen moved to Mankato in southern Minnesota in the 1990s, where he continued his teaching career and coached the high school football team. Walz served 24 years in the National Guard before retiring from a field artillery battalion in 2005 as a command sergeant major, one of the Army’s highest ranks. He entered politics in 2006 by defeating six-term Republican incumbent Gil Gutknecht for a U.S. congressional seat, demonstrating his ability to connect with conservative voters. He also capitalized on anger toward then-President George W. Bush and the Iraq War. The email you need for the day The top news from Canada and around the world. Receive daily national news Get the day’s top political, business and current affairs news delivered to your inbox once a day. By providing your email address, you have read and agreed to Global News’ Terms of Use. Terms and conditions And Privacy Policy. During his six terms in the House of Representatives, Walz became known as an advocate for veterans’ issues. He was praised for helping to achieve bipartisan consensus. for veterans’ health and education benefits during Trump’s divided term. FILE – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz listens as Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at Planned Parenthood, March 14, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Adam Bettcher, File). When he successfully ran for governor of Minnesota in 2018, he presented Democratic ideals such as union organizing, workers’ rights and a higher minimum wage in a way that appealed to rural middle-class voters who otherwise vote Republican. The story continues below the advertisement “He expresses liberalism in a very Canadian way,” Lebo said. “He’s a hunter, but he understands the meaning of gun laws. He’s liberal when it comes to expanding the social safety net.” What could Walz mean for Canada? As governor, Walz sought to further deepen economic ties with Canada, which is by far the state’s largest trading partner. The Minnesota government says total two-way trade was valued at US$21 billion last year, while exports to Canada were worth US$7 billion, “making Canada the largest single buyer in Minnesota’s $25 billion export portfolio.” These exports include energy and agricultural products, including ethanol, corn and iron ore. According to the Business Council of Canada, 70% of snowmobiles built in Minnesota are exported to Canada, while Minnesota sources only its natural gas, crude oil and electricity from Canada. The story continues below the advertisement The Canadian Consulate General in Minneapolis said in March that “Canada buys more from Minnesota than the next six countries combined.” In June, Walz traveled to Canada with an economic and agricultural delegation seeking to promote their states as a business and investment destination. Canada and Minnesota each have more than 60 companies operating in their respective states, employing thousands of local workers. Fashionable now British Columbia landslide: Video shows structure swept away by floodwaters at Chilcotin River site Tim Walz: Kamala Harris nominates Minnesota governor as VP Walz met with Ontario Premier Doug Ford at Queen’s Park during his trip, and Ford highlighted the “billions of dollars of two-way trade” between their economies and the need to “protect and grow” those ties. Lebo said Walz’s understanding of Canada-U.S. trade relations, along with Harris’ experience growing up in Montreal, could ensure Canada remains a top priority if they win in November. 6:53 Kamala Harris’ Canadian Connection The Canadian government is trying to be ready to face whichever party takes the White House. Special attention was paid to Trump’s possible returnwho has He has promised to impose drastic tariffs on international imports. The story continues below the advertisement Walz has promoted “middle-of-the-road” policies that allow businesses to remain competitive and pursue free trade while protecting jobs and wages. Harris, meanwhile, could maintain the “Buy American” policy that began under Trump but has continued under President Joe Biden. The next U.S. administration will also oversee the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (CUSMA), which was negotiated under the Trump administration to replace NAFTA. During his first term, Walz managed to strike a compromise with Republicans in a divided legislature to maintain funding and accessibility for social services. But his second term, with a full Democratic majority and a huge budget surplus, saw more sweeping changes. Walz and lawmakers enacted abortion protections and gender-affirming care for transgender youth, legalized recreational marijuana, funded free school lunches for children and free tuition at public universities for students from low-income families, paid family and…

By Maura Forrest The Canadian Press Published on August 5, 2024 at 9:43 a.m. 1 min read Reduce the font size of the article Increase the font size of the article A spokesperson for the Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez said he is receiving “a lot of requests” to join the race for the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party. But Rodriguez, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Quebec lieutenant, has not confirmed whether he will seek the leadership of the provincial party. Jacques Martineau, Rodriguez’s communications director, says the minister is “sincerely touched by the many requests he has received” to make the jump to provincial politics. Latest news from Canada and around the world sent to your email address, as it happens. Get the latest national news For news that impacts Canada and the world, sign up to receive breaking news alerts directly when it happens. By providing your email address, you have read and agreed to Global News’ Terms of Use. Terms and conditions And Privacy Policy. A source familiar with the Quebec Liberal leadership race said the minister is seriously considering a run for the party leadership. The source requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. However, the source expressed some doubts about whether Rodriguez is the right person for the job, in part because he carries the baggage of nine years in the federal Liberal government. Fashionable now Your ‘summer cold’ could be due to COVID-19, doctors say Fans heartbroken after women’s soccer team loses Olympics The story continues below the advertisement The Quebec Liberal Party did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The party will choose its new leader next June. Former Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre is the only official candidate in the running so far. Rodriguez began his political career in Quebec, where he was a member of the youth wing of the provincial Liberals in the 1990s. He served as a Liberal MNA from 2004 to 2011, and again since 2015. He has been a minister since 2018 and also acts as a key advisor and spokesperson on issues related to Quebec. © 2024 The Canadian Press Source link

A witness who left a House of Commons committee hearing on violence against women In tears this week after the meeting descended into arguments, she said she fears the incident will make it harder for other survivors to come forward. In a series of conversations with Global News, Cait Alexander, who testified before the status of women committee that she narrowly survived a violent and abusive relationship, said her experience on Parliament Hill broke her heart and left her furious that the message she came to Ottawa to deliver had been overshadowed. “It takes courage to speak out,” she said. “It takes courage to confront someone when you don’t know how they’re going to react to your situation. And the way that situation was handled was exactly the fear that every survivor and every victim feels.” “That’s why I call it ‘abuse’…because it’s the same mental manipulation and minimization of our experience that keeps us from coming forward.” The story continues below the advertisement Emergency Committee Meeting on Wednesday was called by the Conservatives in the middle of the parliamentary summer recess to hear from advocates for victims of domestic violence and a deputy police chief from Peel Region, in light of several recent high-profile cases and crime data recently released by Statistics Canada. But the meeting derailed shortly after opening statements, with Liberal and NDP members accusing the Conservatives of rushing the meeting for political purposes and failing to include witnesses from at-risk Indigenous and LGBTQ2 communities. 0:54 Manitoba killings highlight ‘epidemic of violence against women’ in Canada, Singh says Liberal MP Anita Vandenbeld told the committee meeting that she and all committee members care about the issue of gender-based violence, then asked for debate on a motion related to abortion rights, which the Liberals say would be in jeopardy under a Conservative government. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre denied the accusation. NDP MP Leah Gazan, who is Indigenous, then raised several points of order to speak and, after being allowed to do so, spoke at length about abortion access and the lack of marginalized voices at Wednesday’s meeting, reading from prepared remarks. The story continues below the advertisement Vandenbeld’s motion set off a lengthy back-and-forth on the proceedings, leaving Alexander and Megan Walker, an advocate for ending gender-based violence, sitting silently at the witness table. Latest news from Canada and around the world sent to your email address, as it happens. Get the latest national news For news that impacts Canada and the world, sign up to receive breaking news alerts directly when it happens. By providing your email address, you have read and agreed to Global News’ Terms of Use. Terms and conditions And Privacy Policy. As the debate on procedure continued, Alexander and Walker turned their backs on the committee and stormed out of the room. “I think it was very childish, on all sides,” Alexander said Thursday. That includes the Conservatives, she said, who have since repeatedly attacked the Liberals and the NDP over what happened. “I don’t have a partisan agenda. I’m very upset that this issue has been turned into a debate about this topic when it shouldn’t be. “Our trauma will not be used for political purposes.” 4:14 Bill C-332 aims to protect against domestic violence The meeting heard some enlightening testimony before deviating from the subject. The story continues below the advertisement Nick Milinovich, deputy chief of Peel Regional Police, said in his region alone, data shows “one woman is strangled every day.” He detailed some of the victims of recent femicides in Peel, who he said account for nearly 20 per cent of the 114 homicides so far this year. Alexander shared graphic photos of the abuse she suffered during her opening statement and read a list of related cases, including that of Breanna Broadfoot, 17, was killed in what Ontario police say was a domestic violence incident. Alexander, a Canadian citizen who lives in Los Angeles, told Global News that she immediately began reaching out to survivors and victims’ families to get permission to share their stories as soon as she received the invitation to appear before the committee from her staff. Fashionable now China Plans to Raise Retirement Age. Could Canada Follow Suit? Aerial video of B.C. landslide ‘heartbreaking’ and ’emotional,’ says First Nation chief Statistics Canada’s latest annual report on police-reported crime, released last week, shows the number of female homicide victims last year was almost identical to that of 2022 — 205 women killed — despite a 14% drop in the total number of homicide victims during the same period. Homicides against women increased by 31% compared to 2019, compared to 12% for all sexes. The new data also shows that reports to police of unwanted sex, touching and sexual assault with a weapon have increased by 75 and 96 percent, respectively, since 2015. The story continues below the advertisement A survivor advocate from British Columbia said the way the meeting unfolded showed that committee members did not fully appreciate the testimony presented, nor the importance of survivors and advocates appearing in person. “We need to honour these stories,” said Dalya Israel, executive director of the Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre in Vancouver. “We need to be aware of the realities and horrors that people are experiencing, regardless of what government they support or represent or where they come from.” 4:49 National campaign to end gender-based violence Vandenbeld and the Liberals did not respond to multiple requests for comment from Global News. An NDP spokesperson said Friday that Gazan was unavailable for comment after multiple requests to his office and the party. Vandenbeld said in a statement to The Canadian Press on Thursday that she deeply regretted the “distress this meeting caused witnesses.” The story continues below the advertisement “This is not an apology,” said Alexander, who demanded one. She said she has not heard directly from Mr. Vandenbeld, but has spoken privately to other MPs, both on and off the committee – including Conservatives, Liberals…