Weekly Roundup - November 14, 2025
Top Federal Stories
MPs were off this week as the Liberals prepared potential amendments to the budget ahead of next week’s vote. At the same time, Prime Minister Carney unveiled the second list of major projects, fulfilling his promise to announce them by the Grey Cup.
The Major Projects Office (MPO) provided updates on its first cohort of projects and confirmed six new referrals. The second round of projects includes three mining proposals, a hydroelectric project in Nunavut, an LNG terminal in British Columbia, and a broader infrastructure corridor in the province’s northwest, among others. Unlike the initial group of projects, which were already well advanced in financing and permitting, several of the new referrals are still struggling to secure funding, and one faces opposition from neighbouring First Nations communities. Facing criticism that its initial MPO referrals were mere formalities, the government is putting forward tougher projects to prove the MPO can deliver meaningful results.
The challenge of finding support in the House for the budget is also front and centre for the Liberals this week. MPs will gather for the final vote on Monday, November 17; if the budget fails to receive a majority of votes, it will trigger a snap election. Green Party Leader Elizabeth May said she is still undecided on whether to support the budget, pointing to insufficient climate measures and the removal of the oil and gas emissions cap. In a similar vein, NDP leader Don Davies has cast doubt over what he and his party plan to do. Davies has suggested the NDP may abstain from the vote, which would allow the Liberals to pass the budget without the support of the Bloc or Elizabeth May. Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet has levelled his own critiques of the budget and moved an amendment to reject it last week.
There are a number of scenarios possible regarding how the vote will shake out between the Bloc and NDP. However, the budget has some line items that deliberately target some NDP ridings, which may be enough to incentivize some or all New Democrats to vote with the Liberals. The liberals currently have 170 seats, including the speaker who can only vote to break a tie. Assuming no MPs abstain from voting, the Liberals need two votes from opposition MPs to reach the 172 majority required to pass the budget.
There is very little appetite for an election among MPs and the public alike, which will weigh heavily on those considering voting against the budget.
Top Alberta Stories
Relations with Ottawa held a positive tone this week. Another tranche of Alberta projects was added to the federal Major Projects List, although the province’s proposed pipeline was not included. Premier Danielle Smith remains optimistic, noting that negotiations on her “grand bargain” and progress toward an MOU are encouraging. Federal Minister François-Philippe Champagne also visited Alberta, speaking at the Calgary Chamber’s budget event and serving as the guest of honour at The Military Museums Remembrance Day ceremony, where his remarks focused on national unity. After years of tension between Ottawa and Alberta, these gestures suggest slowly improving relations.
This week, the province asked Albertans to weigh in on whether highway speed limits should increase from 110 km/h to 120 km/h. Given that many drivers already travel at that speed on major corridors like the QEII, this is expected to be a popular proposal. The opposition will likely frame it as a safety risk, but the government may be banking on a straightforward and much-needed win after enduring weeks of pressure through the teachers’ strike.
While many Albertans seem glad to be done with the strike, public opinion on the on the government’s use of the notwithstanding clause remains divided. A recent Leger poll of 1,002 Albertans found that 50 percent believe invoking the clause was inappropriate, while 33 percent said overriding teachers’ Charter rights in the back-to-work legislation was an acceptable step.
With education still top of mind, the government is attempting to respond to concerns. ATA president Jason Schilling expressed confidence in the government’s new Class Size and Complexity Cabinet Committee, noting it demonstrates the province is taking these issues more seriously, but time will tell if this move makes a real impact.
Education was also a key focus at the Alberta Municipalities convention, where members revisited the long-running question of who should collect education property taxes. Rocky Mountain House is leading the latest effort, arguing that municipalities bear the administrative load and public frustration when provincial changes appear on local bills. The debate has surfaced repeatedly over the last decade, but rising costs and rising frustration are giving the idea renewed energy.
On the energy file, the province announced two new TIER-funded programs worth $29 million to advance methane-reduction technologies. Through Emissions Reduction Alberta, a $22 million Deployment Program will help operators adopt proven technologies, while a $7 million Demonstration Program with NGIF will support pilots for emerging solutions. Alberta continues to highlight its 52 percent reduction in methane since 2014 alongside increased production, positioning the province as focused on cost-effective emissions reduction and competitiveness.
Looking ahead, the UCP’s AGM at the end of the month will draw significant attention. Members will elect board representatives and vote on bylaw amendments and policy resolutions. Proposals include changes to citizenship requirements for party membership, limits on leader-appointed candidates, insurance reform, and restrictions on flags at government sites.
Top Ontario Stories
Fresh off the tabling of Ontario’s 2025 Fall Economic Statement, MPPs returned to their ridings for a Constituency week and to mark Remembrance Day before the legislature returns on Monday, November 17.
A quiet week at Queen’s Park often means more time for Ministers to spend away from Toronto and make announcements. Education Minister Paul Calandra took advantage of the calendar to announce that Ontario has secured a one-year extension for the national child-care program with the federal government. The deal, which brings in $695 million in additional federal funding, stabilizes fees at $19 per day on average, a stopgap on the path to the promised $10-a-day target.
Meanwhile, Minister Calandra's overhaul of school board governance continued with the announcement of new "Student and Family Support Offices" at every board. The offices, according to the government, will handle complex parent and student issues that schools cannot resolve, acknowledging complaints from sidelined trustees and critics that appointed supervisors aren't available to help with administrative problems.
Earlier this year, the province took control of five school boards and put them under supervision. The supervisors at those five boards can charge up to $350,000 annually in compensation and claim $40,000 in expenses over their two-year appointments, though the ministry says expenses must be submitted with receipts and won't be paid until officials are "satisfied" with the service provided. NDP MPP Chandra Pasma questioned the expense budget given Calandra's previous focus on trustee spending, noting supervisors "aren't taking meetings with members of the public" in the way elected trustees did.
Premier Ford took to the podium to announce that Ontario has broken ground on Canada's largest battery storage facility in Edwardsburgh Cardinal, a $750 million project Ford touted as evidence that Ontario can compete economically despite U.S. tariff threats. The Skyview 2 Battery Energy Storage System, developed in partnership between Potentia Renewables and the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, will provide enough capacity to power 400,000 homes when operational in 2027. The project represents one of nine Indigenous-owned or co-owned battery storage facilities secured through the province's procurement process, bringing Ontario's total energy storage capacity to nearly 3,000 megawatts. Battery storage is a crucial component of the province’s plan to manage its projected 75 per cent increase in electricity demand by 2050.
Ford's Highway 401 tunnel vision moved forward this week with the awarding of a $9.1 million feasibility study contract to WSP Canada Inc. The study comes four years after work on the same plan was paused in 2021. NDP Leader Marit Stiles questioned Ford's "obsession" with what she called a "vanity project," while Liberal MPP John Fraser argued the government should release existing studies before spending another $9 million.
Legislation banning automated speed cameras took effect Friday. With automated speed enforcement cameras switching off, the province unveiled a $210 million replacement fund for municipalities to implement physical traffic calming measures. Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria defended the ban by claiming physical infrastructure like speed bumps and roundabouts is more effective than "making life more expensive for drivers."
Despite juggling several hot-button issues, including the anti-tariff advertising blitz, Premier Ford appears to have bolstered rather than damaged his political standing. New polling from Angus Reid shows 57 per cent of Ontarians supported running the Reagan-era ads during the World Series. The $75 million campaign generated over a billion views before being pulled after Trump cancelled trade talks, but Ford declared "mission accomplished" in reaching American audiences.
Upcoming Events Calendar
November 17-20, 2025: Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Fall Convention and Trade Show
January 29-31, 2026: Conservative Party of Canada National Convention
March 29, 2026: Federal NDP Leadership Race Results Announcement
