Weekly Roundup - May 30, 2025
Parliament is back in session for the first time since the House rose on December 17th, 2024. King Charles III opened the 45th Parliament and delivered the Speech from the Throne outlining Prime Minister Mark Carney’s priority to build “the strongest economy in the G7” through the creation of one unified Canadian economy, removing internal trade barriers and establishing a new economic and security relationship with the United States.
This was only the third time in Canadian history that a monarch has delivered the throne speech. The pomp and circumstance of the occasion was dampened only slightly by the Bloc Québécois’ refusal to attend the speech in person, though others including former Prime Ministers Stephen Harper, Justin Trudeau and late Prime Minister Brian Mulroney’s widow, Mila Mulroney, were in attendance.
The speech itself treads very little new ground, perhaps because Prime Minister Carney has been consistent with his priorities. It’s no surprise that the Prime Minister wants to remove all remaining federal barriers to internal trade and labour mobility. When it comes to housing, the speech reiterated the government’s promise to cut GST on homes under $1 million for first-time home buyers. On the defence file, the government is seeking to join the ambitious ReArm Europe initiative, which promises billions of dollars in new spending from countries involved. Likewise, there was a commitment to rebuild, rearm and reinvest in the Canadian Armed Forces at home.
The Carney government has presented an ambitious agenda with a short timeline. Hitting the ground running, Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne tabled notice of an impending ways and means motion that’ll introduce a slate of tax cuts, and strike the consumer carbon tax from Canadian law. The government is also set to introduce “One Canadian Economy” legislation as early as mid-next week after the Prime Minister meets with the provincial and territorial premiers. The proposed legislative package is said to contain measures to fast-track significant infrastructure projects through upfront regulatory approvals and includes a framework to remove all federal barriers to interprovincial trade.
Though the government does not intend to table a budget until the fall, the Liberals do need to pass a package called the “main estimates” through parliament. Through this year’s estimates, the government is requesting approval to spend $486.9 billion, up from $449.2 billion presented in last year’s main estimates. In what will be one of the first tests of the new government’s confidence in the House of Commons, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre announced his party will not support the request for supply, meaning the Liberal minority government will look to the NDP and Bloc to secure the necessary votes.
Top Alberta Stories
Premier Danielle Smith is keeping provincial autonomy front and center. At a town hall on Monday, she referenced internal polling that shows 37 percent of Albertans are open to greater independence. A signal to Ottawa that Alberta’s concerns can’t be brushed aside. She also floated a potential referendum on an Alberta Pension Plan in 2026 and reiterated nine key policy demands.
The Premier followed that up with a fresh wave of cabinet committee appointments, including naming MLA Jason Stephan as Parliamentary Secretary for Constitutional Affairs. His mandate will support Alberta’s push to reassert its jurisdiction over energy and natural resources. Smith framed the appointments as part of a longer-term effort to strengthen Alberta’s place within the federation and push for a more autonomous path.
The message seems to be landing. New Janet Brown polling shows the UCP still in the lead with 52 percent support among decided voters. But another number jumps out: 54 percent of UCP voters back separation. That internal divide poses a challenge for Smith, who needs to hold her base while also reaching moderates who want a better deal from Ottawa – but not a divorce.
Polling also points to a shifting landscape for the opposition. NDP support has dropped since the Notley era, and the UCP is gaining ground even in former NDP strongholds. In Calgary, several NDP-held ridings are now vulnerable, and in Edmonton, the race has tightened. Smith’s firm stance on energy policy and federal relations is resonating, particularly among voters who once viewed her more skeptically. So far, Naheed Nenshi hasn’t delivered the province-wide momentum the NDP was counting on.
However, that could change as Nenshi hits the campaign trail. Three byelections, Edmonton-Ellerslie, Edmonton-Strathcona, and Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills, will put both parties’ ground games to the test. In Edmonton-Ellerslie, the NDP’s Gurtej Singh Brar is running against UCP veteran Naresh Bhardwaj and the Republican Party’s Fred Munn. In Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills, the unofficial heart of the separatist movement, Republican Party leader Cam Davies has entered the race against UCP candidate Tara Sawyer and the NDP’s Bev Toews. And in Edmonton-Strathcona, Nenshi is expected to win over the UCP’s Darby Crouch and the Republican Party’s Ravina Chand to enter the legislature for the first time. Nominations close June 5. Election Day is June 23, with advance voting starting June 17.
Ottawa’s energy policy remains a major flashpoint. Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized the need for a diversified national energy strategy that goes beyond pipelines, citing priorities like grid integration and carbon capture. Minister Tim Hodgson’s remarks in Calgary last week struck a more action-oriented tone. But Alberta continues to push back against federal Clean Electricity Regulations and infrastructure delays. Smith responded to the Throne Speech, saying it failed to reflect Alberta’s priorities. At the same time, investor confidence in Alberta’s renewables sector is slipping amid regulatory uncertainty, land restrictions, and project moratoriums.
Several legal and advocacy challenges are also playing out. Alberta’s Auditor General has been granted intervenor status in a case involving former AHS CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos. The Canadian Medical Association and several Alberta doctors are challenging parts of Bill 26, saying the legislation limits access to gender-affirming care and violates Charter rights. Meanwhile, the Coalition for Responsible Energy is opposing the Alberta Energy Regulator’s orphan well levy, arguing the current $144.5 million isn’t nearly enough to address long-term environmental liabilities.
Amid all the polling and political battles one thing’s for sure: many Albertans of all stripes will be tuning in to cheer on the province’s team in orange and blue as the Edmonton Oilers head to the playoffs once again.
Top Ontario Stories
In an unusually fiery week at Queen’s Park, the Ford government faces increasing pressure over Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act. The legislation would fast-track major infrastructure and resource extraction projects while eliminating environmental assessments for certain developments — moves NDP leader Marit Stiles called “opening up the floodgates for an abuse of power by government.” The NDP temporarily stalled the bill in committee, but it returns to the agenda next week with the government intent on passing the bill before the House rises for the summer on June 5th.
Ontario MPPs gave themselves a historic 35 per cent pay raise, ending a 16-year salary freeze. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy tabled legislation on Thursday that passed all three readings within minutes. The increase brings MPP salaries from $116,550 to $157,250 annually, with the Premier earning over $282,000, retroactive to February 27. Bill 34 also establishes a new pension plan for MPPs who serve at least six years, enrolling them in the existing Public Service Pension Plan with supplemental benefits. The move received unanimous support from all parties, with NDP, Liberal, Green, and independent representatives endorsing the change after years of persistent lobbying from backbenchers.
It was a packed week at Queens Park as a second reading debate for Bill 24, the budget implementation act, continued. Emergency Preparedness and Response Minister Jill Dunlop also reintroduced legislation to update the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, while Minister of Natural Resources introduced the Resource Management and Safety Act, which aims to modernize the province’s wildfire management practices and enable regulation of geologic carbon storage. Meanwhile, Labour Minister David Piccini introduced the seventh iteration of the Working for Workers Act, which includes tariff response measures for workers, and Education Minister Paul Calanda introduced legislation that overhauls accountability and oversight measures for school boards and publicly funded post-secondary institutions. Time is running out on the legislative calendar, however, as the legislature sprints toward the June 5 summer break.
Upcoming Events Calendar
June 5, 2025: Ontario Legislature Spring Session Ends
June 9-14, 2025: Quebec Liberal Leadership Convention
June 10-12, 2025: Global Energy Show in Calgary
June 12, 2025: Hon. Stephen Lecce to speak at Canadian Club Toronto
June 15-17, 2025: G7 Leaders’ Summit
June 16, 2025: The Drive to Double: Premier Danielle Smith & Premier Scott Moe
June 17-21, 2025: Advanced Voting– Alberta By Elections
June 23, 2025: Election Day– Alberta By Elections
