Weekly Roundup - May 23, 2025
With Parliament set to return next week for the first time since the federal election, Prime Minister Mark Carney continues his search for a permanent Chief of Staff as Marco Mendicino prepares to leave his interim role at the end of June. Several high-profile candidates, including Justin Trudeau's former principal secretary Gerald Butts, veteran ministerial chief of staff Cyrus Reporter, and former UN ambassador Marc-André Blanchard, have declined the position. The lack of a permanent Chief of Staff is certain to be a frustrating roadblock as the new Liberal government prepares to execute on the priorities Prime Minister Carney laid out in his mandate letter to Cabinet.
Meanwhile in Alberta, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne and Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem hosted their G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors counterparts for a three-day summit in Banff. In a joint communiqué, the finance chiefs took aim at unfair economic practices that generate “excessive imbalances” in global trading systems, a thinly veiled allusion to some of China’s trade practices including dumping. The meeting took place amidst the backdrop of global economic disruptions caused by Donald Trump’s trade policies. The meeting also included discussions on global economic stability, support for Ukraine, and measures to combat financial crime, with Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko in attendance.
Prime Minister Carney confirmed that the federal government will present its budget in the fall, rejecting calls to rush a budget in the narrow window before the summer parliamentary break. Speaking in Rome on May 18, Carney told reports that there was "not much value in trying to rush through a budget in a very narrow window - three weeks - with a new cabinet." It’s been more than 400 days since the federal government's last budget and the clock continues to tick up.
It's coming down to the wire for some candidates to learn whether they’ll be joining their colleagues in Ottawa when Parliament convenes next week. Two federal election recounts concluded this week with narrow results. In Windsor-Tecumseh-Lakeshore, Conservative Kathy Borrelli maintained her victory over Liberal incumbent Irek Kusmierczyk by just four votes after a three-day judicial recount that began Tuesday. The recount reduced Borrelli's initial 233-vote lead to the razor-thin margin. Meanwhile, Elections Canada reported Friday afternoon that Conservative Candidate Jonathan Rowe defeated Liberal Anthony Germain by just 12 votes, following a judicial recount in the Newfoundland riding of Terra Nova-The Peninsulas.
Parliament resumes Monday with the election of a new Speaker as the first order of business. At least seven MPs have confirmed their intention to stand for the position, including Deputy Speaker and Conservative MP Chris d'Entremont, Liberal MPs Francis Scarpaleggia, Sean Casey, Rob Oliphant and Sherry Romanado, Conservative Tom Kmiec, and current Speaker Greg Fergus. Green Leader Elizabeth May is also considering putting her name forward. The election of the speaker is conducted by secret preferential ballot, presided over by Bloc Québécois MP Louis Plamondon as dean of the House.
On Tuesday, King Charles III will deliver the Speech from the Throne in the Senate, outlining the government's legislative agenda. This will be the first time a British and Canadian monarch has read the throne speech in Canada in nearly 50 years. U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra shared his thoughts on the symbolic nature of the King’s visit to Canada, noting "if there's a message in there" about Canadian sovereignty, "there's easier ways to send messages" to the Trump administration – suggesting the annexation talk from President Trump is “over.”
Top Alberta Stories
Premier Danielle Smith met with her western counterparts in Yellowknife this week. B.C. Premier David Eby, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok, Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai and Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson gathered to discuss housing, economic corridors, tariffs, energy security, international trade and more during the two-day conference.
Prior to leaving, Premier Smith issued a statement saying she would be at the table to advocate for Alberta’s interests, particularly the importance of new pipelines. However, rising Alberta separatism followed her to the Northwest Territories as she was met by protests from members of the Dene First Nation over what a sovereignty referendum would mean for treaty rights.
A provincially funded survey by pollster Janet Brown shows 31 per cent of respondents would vote to separate from Canada, while 54 per cent would not, and 15 per cent need more information before making a decision.
During a Thursday afternoon news conference, Premier Smith put the onus back on the federal government saying if Prime Minister Carney acts on the ideas in the western Premiers communiqué, it would take the wind out of any effort to separate.
While separatist sentiment has flared up in Alberta for decades, it tends to cool when the federal and provincial governments find common ground and work collaboratively.
It seems the new federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources wants to move in that direction. This morning, Minister Tim Hodgson spoke to a packed room in Calgary, promising to be a voice for Alberta and Western Canada at the cabinet table and repeating the Prime Minister’s commitment to fast-track projects of national interest.
His speech was well received in the room, but the proof will be in the pudding as Premier Smith and her Energy and Minerals Minister, Brian Jean, were both in attendance and will no doubt hold him to his words.
Top Ontario Stories
Premier Ford's omnibus Bill 5, the "Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act," has generated significant controversy as it moves through committee hearings at Queen's Park. The legislation aims to accelerate mining and infrastructure development, but faces opposition from Indigenous communities and environmental groups. The legislation would create "special economic zones" where the government could suspend provincial and municipal laws, including environmental protections. Multiple First Nations from Treaty 9 territory, including chiefs from Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Attawapiskat, and Apitipi Anicinapek, have threatened legal challenges if the bill passes.
The budget hangover in Ontario continues with debt numbers that are raising concerns. The 2025 budget projects the province's net debt will reach a record $501.7 billion by 2027, marking an increase of nearly $150 billion since the Ford government took office in 2018. The projected debt load will put pressure on the province’s fiscal capacity, with interest payments alone expected to cost $51 billion between 2025 and 2028.
Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy defended the spending as necessary during economic uncertainty, while Premier Ford acknowledged the debt level is "huge" but maintained his government won't start “cutting and slashing." Critics point out this contradicts previous Conservative warnings about debt levels under the former Liberal government.
Despite the government's 1.5 million homes by 2031 target, the budget forecasts continue to show Ontario falling short. Projected housing starts include only 71,800 in 2025, 74,800 in 2026, and 82,500 in 2027. With just 260,000 actual housing starts in the first three years since the target was set, the province would need to average 218,000 homes annually in the final five years—more than double the current pace.
The budget includes legislation allowing former Ontario cabinet ministers and premiers to permanently retain the "Honourable" title and use "E.C.O." (Executive Council of Ontario) after their names, aligning Ontario with federal practices for former cabinet ministers.
Upcoming Events Calendar
May 26, 2025: Federal Parliament returns
May 27, 2025: Speech from the Throne delivered by His Majesty King Charles III
June 5, 2025: Ontario Legislature spring session ends
June 15-17, 2025: G7 Leaders' summit in Kananaskis, AB
June 20, 2025: Federal Parliament spring session ends
