Weekly Roundup - June 27, 2025

Another day, another unpredictable post from the President of the United States. In a message on Truth Social today, President Trump said his team is ending all trade talks with Canada, “effectively immediately.” The President took aim at the Digital Services Tax calling it “a direct and blatant attack” on the U.S.

The Prime Minister was leaving a meeting with members of his Council on Canada-U.S. Relations, when he told reporters he had not spoken with the president following the post. Later, his office issued a one-line statement reinforcing the government’s support of those hit hardest by the tariffs saying, “the Canadian government will continue to engage in these complex negotiations with the United States in the best interests of Canadian workers and businesses.”

While it’s a blow to trade talks with the U.S., and a black mark on the PM who has so far been celebrated for his handling of President Trump, the Carney government did score a win domestically this week as Bill C‑5, the One Canadian Economy Act, became law. The Bill, which aims to remove interprovincial trade barriers, streamline environmental reviews for major projects, and establish a new Federal Major Projects Office, passed the Senate on Thursday.

While the government touts it as a nation-building effort, critics, including some Indigenous leaders – have warned it centralizes too much power in Cabinet and may erode consultation rights.

On the international stage, Prime Minister Mark Carney signed a sweeping new Canada–EU defense and security pact and committed to meeting NATO’s 5 percent GDP spending target by 2035, positioning Canada as a more assertive global player. The promise comes as PM Carney called for diplomatic restraint in response to recent U.S. military actions in Iran, reinforcing Canada’s role as a voice for calm but limited influence amid global instability.

Top Alberta Stories 

The week started with by-elections in three Alberta ridings. While the legislature stayed status quo, the results spurred a new conversation on separatism as the Leader of the Republican Party of Alberta came third with only 18 per cent of the vote. The UCP candidate, Tara Sawyer, who is a farmer, and business owner in the community won handily with 61 per cent of the vote.

Sawyer didn’t have a lot of time in her new title before she was appointed to the Alberta Next panel. On Tuesday, the Alberta Government announced Sawyer would join 13 other members, including elected officials, academics, business leaders and community advocates, as they travel across the province consulting with Albertans over the summer and early fall.

The news release notes other members were expected to join in the coming weeks and this morning, Stephen Buffalo, CEO of the Indian Resource Council, was announced as the newest member.

The panel’s goal is to hear from Albertans on how the province can better protect itself from, “Ottawa’s attacks, while building a more prosperous, strong and sovereign Alberta within Canada.” Some of the initial policy ideas and actions for discussion came under fire this week as information on the website suggested health care insurance and income supports could be restricted to citizens, permanent residents, and those with permits approved by the Government of Alberta. Former journalist and current Senator, Paula Simons, wrote a scathing post on her LinkedIn saying “Alberta's economy is dependent on immigrant labour, immigrant technical skills, immigrant investment capital, immigrant entrepreneurship.”

The first in-person tall hall is scheduled for July 15 in Red Deer, with the panel traveling to Sherwood Park, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Lloydminster, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Airdrie, Grande Prairie and ending in Calgary on September 29.

The panel’s recommendations, including potential referendum questions, will be submitted to government by Dec. 31, 2025.

New West Partner, Keith McLaughlin, joined the CBC’s West of Centre podcast this week to talk about this topic and more. Listen to his analysis here: (link)

The week ended with President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance, Nate Horner, delivering a much rosier fiscal picture for Budget year 2024-25 than we saw when the 2025-26 budget was tabled in February.

Alberta closed the 2024-25 fiscal year with a surplus totalling $8.3 billion. The increase is largely due to higher-than-expected resource revenues, corporate and personal income tax revenue, investment income, as well as a settlement from tobacco companies.

The price of West Texas Intermediate oil averaged $74.34 per barrel over the year, slightly higher than the $74 per barrel forecast in Budget 2024. For context, every $1 drop in the West Texas intermediate oil price means about $630 million in lost revenue annually.  

A narrower light-heavy differential, which increases the price of Alberta’s heavy crude oil, plus a lower exchange rate also propelled higher returns for the energy sector and as a part of a Canada-wide settlement, a $713-million payment from three major Canadian tobacco companies also contributed to the surplus.

On the spending side, the province underspent by nearly $800 million, largely due to delays in capital projects that were reprofiled into future years.

Following the province’s mandated fiscal framework, half of the surplus will go towards improving the province’s net financial position, either through debt repayment or savings in the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund. The other half will be allocated to the Alberta Fund for future use. This can include further debt payments, more savings or one-time initiatives.

Top Ontario Stories

This week in Ontario politics was all about big promises, big spending, and even bigger visuals. Premier Doug Ford kicked things off with a media-heavy reveal of the final designs for the Ontario Place redevelopment. The updated plans feature sweeping green space, water features, Indigenous cultural spaces, rooftop event terraces, and a massive parking garage that will fit over 3,500 cars. The government is pitching this as a once-in-a-generation investment in tourism and public space, with over 5,000 jobs promised and construction now well underway. Critics, however, continue to question the costs and environmental trade-offs, especially as the Therme spa remains a lightning rod for opposition.

Midweek, the Ford government shifted gears to healthcare infrastructure. On Wednesday, the Premier joined Health Minister Sylvia Jones in Mississauga to officially break ground on the new Peter Gilgan hospital, reinforcing the government’s focus on expanding healthcare access in high-growth communities. Just two days later, they followed up in Richmond Hill with a major funding announcement: $155 million to cut MRI and CT scan wait times across the province. These back-to-back events were designed to keep health care at the

Meanwhile, Ottawa’s push to fast-track major project approvals through the One Canadian Economy Act, closely mirrors Ontario’s own Bill 5: Protecting Ontario by Unlocking Our Economy Act. The legislation received Royal Assent earlier this month and granted Queen’s Park broad powers to bypass local rules for economic development. Both pieces of legislation have sparked backlash from Indigenous communities and environmental advocates, who warn that consultation is being sacrificed for speed. While Queen’s Park stayed focused on ribbon cuttings and project milestones, questions about accountability and long-term impacts continue to swirl in the background.

Upcoming Events Calendar

July 4-13, 2025: Calgary Stampede
July 21-23, 2025: Council of the Federation Meeting 
September 15, 2025: House of Commons returns
October 20, 2025: Ontario Legislature returns
October 27, 2025: Alberta Legislature returns
January 29-31, 2026: Conservative Party of Canada National Convention