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Raisa Patel

@raisapatel.bsky.social
2.8K followers 298 following 64 posts

National politics reporter for the Toronto Star. Tips? Find me at rapatel@thestar.ca. Extra crispy vocal fry.

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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Join me in Toronto on Oct. 20 in conversation with Diana Fox Carney, Beeban Kidron & Ava Smithing as we dive into making online spaces safer for kids. It'll also mark the launch of our monthly @TorontoStar Live @ MaRS Mornings series. Tickets on sale now. www.thestar.com/politics/wha...
thestar.com
What will it take to make the internet safer for kids? Join Toronto Star Live @ MaRS Mornings to find out
Join Raisa Patel, Baroness Beeban Kidron, Diana Fox Carney and Ava Smithing on Oct. 20 at MaRS to discuss making the internet safer for kids.
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
I went to Montreal to talk to Canada’s health minister Marjorie Michel about the dying days of the Trudeau government, Carney’s leadership, and whether health care even fits into his trade-oriented agenda. Via @thestar.com www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Mark Carney’s health minister says she’s got serious work to do: ‘I’m not here to be a star’
Marjorie Michel sits at a cabinet table chaired by a prime minister who has both preserved and undone the legacy of the predecessor she faithfully served.
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
What’s more, if Alberta fails to address concerns that its law potentially violates the Canada Health Act, Ottawa may trigger a process to slap discretionary penalties on the province: something a federal government has never done before.
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Why hasn't the federal government weighed in on Alberta's public-private health care law? Health advocates think sensitivity around separatism is to blame. 👇
thestar.com
Private billing law for doctors threatens universal health care, critics charge
Alberta's Health Statutes Amendment Act could create a "dual-practice" framework allowing physicians to provide publicly insured care and privately paid services.
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
The last federal budget promised to launch an office to oversee AI adoption across the federal government. Nearly seven months later, it still doesn’t exist. www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Where is Mark Carney’s promised ‘Office of Digital Transformation’?
The office was touted in last fall's federal budget as a “generational opportunity for domestic innovators” to “proactively identify, implement, and scale technology solutions across the federal gover...
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
NEW: Parliamentary record appears to show Michael Ma was indeed referring to Xinjiang during a contentious committee meeting, despite his assertion he was referring to the city of Shenzhen. www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Parliamentary record contradicts Liberal MP’s claim about forced labour comments
Michael Ma was given the opportunity to correct the official transcript of his comments in a Parliamentary committee meeting and didn’t do so, the office of the Speaker of the
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Ryan Jespersen @ryanjespersen.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Close to 40 #CPC MPs fear for their political futures under Pierre Poilievre, say party insiders. @thestar.com's @raisapatel.bsky.social lays out what it means for the Conservative leader... 👀 FULL: rtrj.info/041026Raisa 🎧 FULL: rtrj.info/041026 #cdnpoli #RealTalkRJ youtu.be/yKRG3SLdLjY?...
youtu.be
40 Conservative MPs Fear Losing Seats Over Poilievre
YouTube video by Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
During my first week at the Star, I spoke to @avilewis.ca about his 2021 bid to become an NDP MP, and his ambitions beyond. He said he knew leadership was a "huge" burden to carry. The idea was "nowhere" in his mind. Here's @markramzy.bsky.social on the newest leader of the NDP. shorturl.at/eXWfR
shorturl.at
Avi Lewis to lead NDP after successful populist, left-wing leadership campaign
The 58-year-old democratic socialist, longtime activist and filmmaker takes on the job his grandfather held more than 50 years ago.
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
My colleague @markramzy.bsky.social on the mood and final pitches the night before the NDP selects its next leader. www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Avi Lewis previews his leadership vision as New Democrats express mix of unease, excitement
With all eyes on front-runner Lewis, NDP leadership contenders made their last pitches to delegates Saturday. Voting results will be announced Sunday.
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
I had to cut it during the writethru and it wounded me a little.
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
🇲🇽😍🇲🇽😍🇲🇽
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André Picard @picardonhealth @picardonhealth.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
BREAKING At least 10 dead, including shooter, in mass shooting at high school in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... via @cbcnews.ca
cbc.ca
RCMP providing update on mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. | CBC
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
Our @thestar.com liveblog on all things #CPC26 is rolling! Join me, @althiaraj.bsky.social and @alexboyd.bsky.social from Calgary as we count down to Pierre Poilievre's leadership vote. www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Conservative leadership vote 2026 live: Pierre Poilievre faces must-win vote in Calgary
Delegates are gathering in Calgary for the Conservative party’s national convention and Pierre Poilievre’s leadership review.
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
On Friday, Pierre Poilievre will face a test of his leadership. Here’s how he’s approaching that vote, and the Conservative coalition behind it. www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Pierre Poilievre is believed to have most Conservatives’ support. Holding his party together could be another matter
Poilievre is about to face the increasingly divided coalition he grew during the last election campaign.
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
www.theguardian.com/film/2026/ja...
theguardian.com
‘I fell in love with him on the spot’: Alan Rickman remembered, 10 years after his death
On the anniversary of his death aged 69, stars from Sigourney Weaver to Sharleen Spiteri, Tom Felton to Harriet Walter, remember the wit, charm and endless generosity of one of Britain’s best-loved ac...
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
Story here: www.thestar.com/steven-guilb...
thestar.com
Steven Guilbeault resigns from Mark Carney’s cabinet
Before entering elected politics, Guilbeault was a famed environmentalist.
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Alex Ballingall @aballinga.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
The Star has confirmed that Steven Guilbeault resigned today from Mark Carney's cabinet. Story coming asap.
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
From @aballinga.bsky.social: The Liberals are scrapping plans for a major national climate policy and immediately suspending another in Alberta, as part of an accord that softens federal measures for the province and sees Ottawa throw its support behind a controversial new pipeline proposal.
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
Me on Nov 5 and 6:
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Carney government survives first of three budget votes as Conservatives face another MP departure
Canada’s minority Parliament was again the stage for high drama Thursday night, when an Alberta MP said he will resign his seat mere moments before the Liberals survived a confidence
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
Me on Nov 3: there will be a floor crossing on budget day Me on Nov 4:
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
This is how I learned the Star has gift links 😅
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
Online now: Could healthcare also be a nation-building project? I tested universal pharmacare against Ottawa’s criteria to see if a case could be made. www.thestar.com/news/canada/...
thestar.com
If a mine is a nation-building project, why not universal pharmacare? Learn about the big push to get Mark Carney behind it
One policy expert said the right drug program could strengthen the labour market and end “job lock,” which traps people in unwanted jobs for fear of losing benefits.
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 26/10/2025
In my deepest ever dive for @thestar.com, I looked at what it would take for universal pharmacare to be considered a nation-building project in Canada. What I learned surprised me. (In print today and online tomorrow)
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Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
In which @raisapatel.bsky.social and I try to explain why people are asking Pierre Poilievre about ostriches—and why he’s not really answering. www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Why everyone suddenly cares what Pierre Poilievre thinks about ostriches
Why the Conservative leader is weighing in on the fate of more than 300 birds after avian flu was discovered in the flock.
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
From the Star's Ryan Tumilty: Toronto’s Albany Club, a bastion of the conservative establishment, used the temporary foreign worker program (which the federal Conservatives want to abolish) to hire staff. www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Exclusive Tory club hires temporary foreign workers under program Pierre Poilievre vows to kill
Toronto's Albany Club, a bastion of the conservative establishment, used the temporary foreign worker program to hire staff.
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
Some reflections after spending two days immersed in the world of AI: www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
AI minister says Canada must harness emerging technology at home
Digital sovereignty has been catapulted to the top of Evan Solomon's to-do list, Raisa Patel writes.
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
When Dementia Steals the Imagination of a Children’s Book Writer www.nytimes.com/2025/09/14/m...
nytimes.com
When Dementia Steals the Imagination of a Children’s Book Writer
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
Subscribe to the @thestar.com's This Week in Politics newsletter here: www.thestar.com/newsletters/! Especially if you want to see my unhinged take this week on what Taylor Swift and Aristotle can tell us about Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre's political paths this fall.
thestar.com
Newsletters and Email Alerts | The Star
Sign up to get the latest news from the Star in your inbox. Visit thestar.com today.
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National Newswatch @nationalnewswatch.com · 27/08/2025
Heather McPherson, Avi Lewis @avilewis.bsky.social prepare NDP leadership bids, @markramzyy reports. www.thestar.com/politics/fed... Find out more at nationalnewswatch.com
thestar.com
Heather McPherson, Avi Lewis prepare NDP leadership bids
Edmonton MP Heather McPherson and Vancouver activist Avi Lewis are gearing up to launch NDP leadership bids, the Star has learned, as the party’s high-stakes race to replace Jagmeet Singh
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
Journalism in Gaza www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/b...
nytimes.com
Journalism in Gaza
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
Forever addicted to N.L. (Not pictured: Gander, Bonavista, and, obviously, Dildo.)
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Jenni Byrne says she will not lead next Conservative campaign, fires back at critics
Byrne, a top advisor to Pierre Poilievre and one of the most influential players in the Conservative Party of Canada, will step back into a smaller role in federal politics.
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Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
I spent a couple of days trying to figure out what on earth is going on with the potential referendum questions being floated in Alberta and hoo boy. Different signature requirements! Court questions! Legislation! Here's what we know: www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Should we stay or should we go? In Alberta, the fight now is over which referendum question to ask
As the debate over whether Alberta should leave Canada heats up, proponents and opponents are racing to see which side can put their version of a referendum question to voters
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The Onion @theonion.com · 01/08/2025
Orlando Bloom Spotted At Dinner With Angela Merkel theonion.com/orlando...
Orlando Bloom Spotted At Dinner With Angela Merkel
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
BREAKING: www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Canada will recognize Palestine in September, Mark Carney says
The move comes amid increasing international pressure and outcry over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 25/07/2025
www.thestar.com/politics/car...
thestar.com
Carney condemns Israel for failing to prevent humanitarian crisis in Gaza
The prime minister’s statement is the latest sign of rising international alarm over the starvation and deaths of civilians in the besieged Palestinian territory.
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
My mom:
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
Finally fulfilled a long-held dream of making it to a Coldplay show, the venue was not the nightmarish gongshow many expected it to be, and the opening act by Elyanna was such a standout. Here’s @rdassaly.bsky.social, a couple years ago, on her pop star power: www.thestar.com/entertainmen...
thestar.com
Elyanna makes history at Coachella. Here’s how the Palestinian-Chilean singer is taking Arabic music global
The 21-year-old from Nazareth became the first artist to perform a Coachella set entirely in Arabic. Now she’s at the vanguard of a new generation poised to take Middle Eastern music global.
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
For the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, the Liberal government’s ramming of its major projects bill through Parliament is a little too reminiscent of the American administration the proposed law was designed to counter. www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
First Nations warn against fast-tracking of Carney government’s ‘nation-building’ bill
A rare alliance between Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals and Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives late Monday means that the "One Canadian Economy" bill now has a clear runway to speed through
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
Learned a lot at this event from @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social. Watch our panel with @taylorowen.bsky.social and CIFAR's Elissa Strome on the future of digital policy and governance here: www.cpac.ca/public-recor...
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
A snapshot of the last four weeks.
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Pomp and celebration meet King Charles in Ottawa before throne speech
It's King Charles first visit to Canada since his ascension to the throne.
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 25/05/2025
apnews.com/article/isra...
apnews.com
Israeli use of human shields in Gaza was systematic, soldiers and former detainees tell the AP
Several Palestinians and Israeli soldiers say troops are systematically forcing Palestinians to act as human shields in Gaza, sending them into buildings and tunnels to check for bombs and gunmen.
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
I like that. I think the campaign touched on other issues, but I also think a lot of people have this question. It would have looked like a very different campaign.
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
There were a number of options in the rotation. Is there anything you would have wanted asked?
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
Did I spend a full day roasting outside Rideau Hall only for the PM’s press conference to end right before my question? Yes. But at least tomorrow you get to ask *me* whatever you want in ⁦‪⁦‪our 1 p.m. live chat, with deputy bureau chief @aballinga.bsky.social ⁦‪ www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Live chat: The Conservative party, Carney’s cabinet and politics in 2025
What’s next for Pierre Poilievre? What does Mark Carney’s cabinet signal about his priorities? Reporters Alex Ballingall and Raisa Patel take your questions on Wednesday, May 14 at 1 p.m.
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Meet Pierre Poilievre’s not-so-secret weapon: his wife
It’s been a long-held belief that Anaida Poilievre provides some kind of hidden advantage to the Conservative leader.
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
An absolute banger from @robertbenzie.bsky.social
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Raisa Patel @raisapatel.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Our earlier story with details of the dispute here: www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Inside the revolt against a Conservative MP — and why Pierre Poilievre and his party are being urged to address it
Former staffers and members of a New Brunswick riding association believe his actions are threatening the party's chances in a narrowly-won riding.
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