OTTAWA – The shadow of violence in the United States will be hanging over Canada’s political scene this week in the wake of an attempted assassination on former president Donald Trump.

A shooting at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday left one rally attendee dead and two others critically injured, while the shooter was also killed.

Trump has said he’s fine, and is now in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention.

Canadian politicians have condemned the act of violence and called for unity, with the public safety minister saying the country’s security apparatus is “exercising increased vigilance.”

The Prime Minister’s office said Sunday that Justin Trudeau has spoken with the former president, reiterating there’s no place for political violence and expressing condolences for the victims.

U.S. President Joe Biden said Sunday he has ordered an independent security review of the events leading up to the attack on his political rival.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

MILWAUKEE – Thousands of Republicans have arrived in Milwaukee as an assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump brings a heightened sense of security to the Republican National Convention this week.

Trump arrived in the city Sunday ahead of the four-day event that was expected to invigorate Republicans as they formally elect him as their 2024 presidential nominee.

Many people arriving at the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport wore bright red hats and shirts with bold text proclaiming well-known Trump slogans, but much of the conversation was about the bloodshed at the rally in Pennsylvania Saturday.

The shooting, which the former president says pierced his ear, killed one supporter and injured two others.

It’s also made the increasing polarization of the political atmosphere top of mind for Americans and put a focus on security at the major Republican event

The U.S. Secret Service has said they are confident with their current safety plans for the convention, while Trump said in a social media post Sunday that he considered delaying his trip but did not want to allow a shooter to force a change to the schedule.

— With files from The Associated Press

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

HALIFAX – Canada’s premiers will be in Halifax today to begin three days of scheduled meetings in Nova Scotia’s capital.

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, who is the current chair of the Council of the Federation, is hosting the event in the city’s downtown core.

Houston told reporters after a cabinet meeting Thursday that premiers will be focused on discussing “key issues” like affordability, housing and infrastructure.

He also says he expects to have conversations about the relationships between the provinces and the federal government.

A statement from Newfoundland and Labrador’s executive council says it’s expected the premiers will continue discussion on “revitalizing cooperative federalism” in Canada.

The Council of the Federation, which includes all 13 provincial and territorial premiers, is scheduled to meet Monday through Wednesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.