Raisa Patel
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raisapatel.bsky.social
Raisa Patel
@raisapatel.bsky.social
National politics reporter for the Toronto Star. Tips? Find me at rapatel@thestar.ca. Extra crispy vocal fry.
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...
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.
www.thestar.com
January 31, 2026 at 12:31 AM
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...
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.
www.thestar.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:10 PM
November 27, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Reposted by Raisa Patel
The Star has confirmed that Steven Guilbeault resigned today from Mark Carney's cabinet. Story coming asap.
November 27, 2025 at 9:19 PM
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.
November 27, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Me on Nov 5 and 6:
November 7, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Me on Nov 3: there will be a floor crossing on budget day
Me on Nov 4:
November 5, 2025 at 4:44 AM
This is how I learned the Star has gift links 😅
October 28, 2025 at 11:06 PM
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/...
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.
www.thestar.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:39 PM
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)
October 26, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Reposted by Raisa Patel
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...
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.
www.thestar.com
October 5, 2025 at 11:09 PM
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...
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.
www.thestar.com
September 30, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Some reflections after spending two days immersed in the world of AI: www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
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.
www.thestar.com
September 27, 2025 at 6:54 PM
When Dementia Steals the Imagination of a Children’s Book Writer www.nytimes.com/2025/09/14/m...
When Dementia Steals the Imagination of a Children’s Book Writer
www.nytimes.com
September 16, 2025 at 2:38 AM
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.
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www.thestar.com
August 29, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Reposted by Raisa Patel
Heather McPherson, Avi Lewis @avilewis.bsky.social prepare NDP leadership bids, @markramzyy reports. www.thestar.com/politics/fed...

Find out more at nationalnewswatch.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
www.thestar.com
August 27, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Journalism in Gaza
www.nytimes.com
August 27, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Forever addicted to N.L. (Not pictured: Gander, Bonavista, and, obviously, Dildo.)
August 21, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Reposted by Raisa Patel
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...
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
www.thestar.com
August 1, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Reposted by Raisa Patel
Orlando Bloom Spotted At Dinner With Angela Merkel theonion.com/orlando...
August 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM