The notwithstanding clause should only be used as a measure of last resort, Canada's justice minister said on Tuesday, after Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre suggested he wouldn't hesitate to wield it to enact tougher criminal laws.
Immediately before the events, Justin Trudeau had accused Poilievre of associating with far-right extremists and said a person who does so is not fit to be prime minister.
During a stop to promote the budget in Oakville, Ont., Justin Trudeau was asked about Poilievre's recent appearance alongside anti-carbon price activists in Atlantic Canada who were waving expletive-laden flags bearing the prime minister's name.
Separately but simultaneously, Canada's federal Conservative and NDP leaders laid out their respective visions for how best to defeat Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Canada's spy agency knew China "clandestinely and deceptively interfered" in the past two federal votes, according to a top-secret briefing document that emerged on Monday at the public inquiry into foreign interference.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's path to power may be by prosecuting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's past eight years in government, but his road to victory is painted NDP orange.
Tuesday brought another day of attacks against the Liberals' carbon pricing policy, even as Trudeau sought to catch Canadians' attention by announcing billions in new spending for housing construction.