Weekly Roundup - June 12, 2026
Top Federal Stories
This week, President Donald Trump reiterated that he is not looking to renew CUSMA. When asked about the July 1 deadline to renew the agreement, he repeated his claim that the American economy does not need anything from Canada or Mexico. If the deadline passes, the agreement remains in place but subject to an annual rolling review for up to ten years. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc sent a letter to the American and Mexican governments calling for a 16-year extension of the agreement with Mexico's economy secretary backing the proposal.
The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority postponed Friday's planned ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. Carney confirmed the opening was delayed at the request of the United States, saying a series of technical issues had been raised and defending the delay by arguing few weeks is time well spent for infrastructure that will serve both countries for decades.
On Wednesday, the federal government introduced legislation that would bar children under 16 from holding social media accounts unless platforms can demonstrate they are safe by design. The bill would create an independent Digital Safety Commission with the power to impose fines of up to three per cent of a company's global revenue. Platforms would be required to publicly file digital safety plans and remove child sexual exploitation material and non-consensual intimate images within 24 hours. The bill covers AI chatbots but stops short of an age restriction for those services. On that front, Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller said the technology is too new to justify a full ban.
The government's anti-hate bill, Bill C-9, is likely to become law before the summer recess starts. The bill creates new Criminal Code offences for crimes motivated by hatred, displays of hate or terrorist symbols in public, and intimidating or blocking people from accessing places of worship, schools, cemeteries and community spaces. The bill was originally designed to give police new powers to stop harassment campaigns targeting people visiting places of worship. It became contentious after the Liberals accepted a Bloc amendment removing the religious exemption for hate speech offences. Conservatives filibustered at committee over concerns the amendement could criminalize religious teachings. The Liberals eventually partnered with the Bloc to curtail debate and push the bill through the House. The House now needs to vote to accept the Senate's amendments before the bill can receive royal assent.
In Calgary, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre provided a defense of federalism, arguing Albertans need to see new priorities from Ottawa rather than a new country. In the address, Poilievre advocated for freeing up resources, building pipelines, respecting provincial autonomy and reducing the tax burden – measures he says would address the grievances behind separatist sentiment. Premier Smith's government will ask voters in October whether Alberta should remain in Canada or proceed to a second binding vote on separation. Poilievre and his caucus plan to campaign across Alberta over the summer to make the case for staying.
Top Alberta Stories
A year ago, Premier Smith stood on the Global Energy Show stage to pitch a “grand bargain” that would pair a new West Coast oil pipeline with a major carbon capture project in the oilsands. Twelve months later, she returned to the same Calgary event to share that the vision is taking shape. Smith pointed to planned expansions of existing pipeline systems, new proposals to increase exports to U.S. markets, and Alberta’s plans for a West Coast bitumen pipeline as evidence that momentum is building. She credited recent cooperation between Alberta and Ottawa, including changes to federal emissions policies, for helping create the conditions for investment and project development. Her message marks a notable shift from the adversarial relationship Alberta has had with the federal government.
The pipeline proposal is expected to take a major step forward in the coming weeks, with Alberta planning to identify a preferred route by July 1. The province has signalled it favours a northwestern route to the B.C. coast and says it has already held preliminary discussions about financing and constructing the project. Not everyone is in favour though. British Columbia’s Energy Minister, Adrian Dix, was also in Calgary this week and expressed frustration that B.C. has had little involvement in discussions about potential routes. He also pointed to several major hurdles facing the project, including the lack of a private-sector proponent, opposition from some First Nations and the federal ban on oil tanker traffic along British Columbia’s northern coast.
Alberta country musician and rancher Corb Lund has submitted a petition opposing coal mining in the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, saying more than 200,000 Albertans signed on in support. If Elections Alberta verifies the required 178,000 signatures, the government will be required to either introduce legislation addressing the issue or put the question to a provincewide referendum. Smith previously indicated the question could be added to Alberta's October 19 referendum ballot.
Ten other questions are already slated for the October vote, including four constitutional questions, five related to immigration and one asking Albertans whether the province should pursue independence from Canada. As Albertans prepare to head to the polls, the government has appointed an advisory panel to determine the potential economic impacts of Alberta leaving Canada. The study will be conducted by the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy and will examine the potential costs, risks and economic impacts of leaving Canada. The final report is expected to be released in late summer.
New West Senior Advisor Ian Brodie joined CBC's The Eyeopener to discuss the political implications of separation and why voters may ultimately be more focused on pocketbook issues than constitutional ones. Listen to his analysis here.
A new Angus Reid poll shows the political toll Alberta's separation debate is taking on Premier Danielle Smith, with her approval rating falling to 39 per cent, the lowest since taking office in 2022. The referendum debate has drawn criticism from both federalists and separatists and exposed divisions within Smith's own coalition. The drop in support has created a more competitive political landscape with an Ipsos poll showing Opposition Leader Naheed Nenshi's approval rating at 39 per cent, one point higher than Smith's. The survey also found the NDP running essentially even with the UCP in Calgary and leading in Edmonton, meaning the following few months will be critical as both parties work to define the ballot question for voters and lay the groundwork for what could be a much more competitive race in 2027.
Top Ontario Stories
Premier Doug Ford made a trip to Washington this week, pitching a “Fortress North America” plan for deeper continental economic integration and a renewed CUSMA. The centrepiece of the visit, a reception co-hosted with billionaire and chair of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Ross Perot Jr., was abruptly cancelled after the White House complained about the Premier to the organizers. The Chamber cited “scheduling conflicts,” but sources told the Globe and Mail that Ford is “viewed as a major problem” by the Trump administration.
Ford brushed off the snub, insisting his trip was “jammed” with meetings and that American officials “treat us so well.” He met with a bipartisan group of Congress in Washington, and the following day, returned to Toronto to sign a memorandum of understanding with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to deepen the Ontario-Pennsylvania economic partnership. Shapiro, for his part, called Trump’s recent comments about Canada “reckless and disrespectful.”
While travelling south, Ford’s standing at home hit a new low. A poll released by the Angus Reid Institute pegged the Premier’s approval at 21 per cent – the lowest of his tenure and dead last among Canada’s premiers. Angus Reid attributed the decline to a quarter “marked by both economic pressure and self-inflicted wounds” such as the bungled private jet purchase, a budget projecting years of deficits, freedom-of-information carve-outs and a fight over the release of the Premier’s cellphone records. While the Progressive Conservatives still enjoy a majority government, many voters now say it is time for a change and seem increasingly willing to shop for alternatives. With the legislature down until October 27, the Premier has a long runway to reset the narrative, or to let it harden.
That runway will not go uncontested. Liberal MPP Stephanie Smyth, backed by New Democrat Wayne Gates, successfully moved to keep the Standing Committee on Government Agencies sitting through the nearly five-month recess to vet government appointments, an unusual procedural win for the opposition. The Progressive Conservatives are now working to counter.
The New West Team is ready to guide clients through this uncertain time in Canadian politics.
