Liberals vow action on international student overstays; choosing the ideal governor general; and more

Auditor General Karen Hogan, left, and Canada Border Services Agency President Erin O'Gorman at the House of Commons citizenship and immigration committee on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, April 20, 2026. Photo by HYUNGCHEOL PARK/Postmedia

Article content

It’s Monday, April 20. Here are the top stories we’re following today.

Article content

Immigration officials promise action after report showed integrity problems in international student program

Article content

Article content

Last month, the Auditor General of Canada published a report that showed post-secondary institutions flagged 153,000 cases of non-compliance in the international student program between 2023 and 2024, but the department only had the budget to investigate 4,000 cases.

Article content

Article content

Article content

Governor General Mary Simon gives a speech during the Letters of Credence Ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Thursday, April 16, 2026. Photo by HYUNGCHEOL PARK/Postmedia

Article content

Chris Selley: This can’t be happening at Rideau Hall

Article content

As Mary Simon’s husband lashes out at those who criticize her inability to speak French, Selley suggests the ideal qualities of a governor general, beside being able to speak English and French: “A respect for constitutional monarchy, tact, enjoying meeting people, a reasonable understanding of how the country works… The less well known they are and the less they show their face, honestly, the better.”

Article content

Article content

The Chinese flag flies on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in 2016. Photo by Adrian Wyld /THE CANADIAN PRESS

Article content

China allies paid $2,000 to attend Carney fundraiser

Article content

Attendees at a Liberal party fundraiser with Prime Minister Mark Carney in March included individuals and groups that have won praise from Chinese diplomats and agencies, echoed Beijing’s talking points on contentious issues and worked with Chinese Communist Party organizations.

Article content

Article content

King Charles inspects the Royal Canadian Regiment’s 100 person Guard of Honour. Canada is largely governed by unwritten rules, and one of those unwritten rules is that King Charles III never decides to move here and rule it as his personal fiefdom. Photo by JULIE OLIVER/Postmedia

Article content

FIRST READING: Floor-crossings are technically allowed? Here’s what else is technically allowed

Article content

Liberal supporters often defend their party’s tactic of luring MPs from other parties to join their side by pointing out that it’s allowed. Tristin Hopper lists other things that are technically legal (but not done) in federal politics; such as the Governor General’s power to unilaterally declare war on any country.

Article content

Article content

Article content

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. Photo by David Bloom/Postmedia

Article content

Danielle Smith pans federal ’30×30′ conservation goal, citing wildfire threat

Article content

The premier blamed poor wildfire management practices in federally protected areas for “devastating” wildfires in Alberta. The Alberta government also put out a statement asserting provincial jurisdiction over land management in response to the federal plan to more than double protected lands in Canada.

Article content

Article content

A member of Cuba’s Ministry of the Interior holds a poster reading “Long live our socialist revolution” during celebrations marking the victory on the 65th anniversary of the Bay of Pigs invasion and the declaration of the socialist character of the Cuban Revolution, in Havana on April 16, 2026. Photo by YAMIL LAGE/AFP via Getty Images

Article content

Trump’s plan for Cuba isn’t what you’ve been told: Full Comment podcast

Article content

The panel discusses why Cuba’s Communist regime is digging in despite heavy pressure by the Trump administration for economic and democratic reforms. And they explain why so few people know the truth about Trump’s plan for Cuba.

Article content

Article content