Weekly Roundup - October 10, 2025
Top Federal Stories
Prime Minister Mark Carney received a warm welcome in the Oval Office for his second visit with President Trump in Washington D.C. Canadian officials had tempered expectations in the leadup to the visit, warning not to expect a breakthrough in the negotiations between the two countries. Still, Carney was on the receiving end of President Trump’s flattery, being referred to by the president as a “great man.”
The substantive discussions covered multiple priority files. On trade, the leaders focused on relief from Section 232 tariffs. Sources with knowledge of the discussions say Carney raised reviving the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Alberta to the U.S. Midwest, with Trump responding receptively. On border security, Trump acknowledged Canadian improvements on fentanyl interdiction: "Canada's worked hard, and they've done much better."
Carney also dangled significant economic incentives, telling Trump that Canada is prepared to make $1 trillion worth of investments in the U.S. over five years if Canada secures "the deal we expect to get." Defense cooperation and Arctic security featured prominently, with Trump mentioning Canada's participation in his 'Golden Dome' missile defense program.
While no formal trade agreement materialized, both governments characterized the talks as achieving ‘material progress’ on the steel, aluminum, and energy sectors. While Carney’s trip to D.C. was brief, Dominic LeBlanc, the minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade, stayed in Washington until Friday to continue talks. Michael Sabia, the Clerk of the Privy Council and Canada’s top civil servant was also part of longer discussions. On Friday, Prime Minister Carney told reporters that intensive negotiations are ongoing for the steel and aluminum sectors, as well as for forest products and autos. Prime Minister Carney and President Trump have directed officials to ‘reach a deal quickly’ to bring certainty to sectors impacted by tariffs.
After returning from Washington, Carney previewed the upcoming budget to reporters in Ottawa. The pre-position exercise is meant to frame the upcoming budget as fulfilling the commitment to make life more affordable for Canadians, while promising responsible and pragmatic choices.
One of the announced measures directs the Canada Revenue Agency to automatically prepare pre-filled tax returns for low-income individuals with simple tax situations, beginning with the 2026 tax year. The program will scale progressively: approximately 1 million individuals in 2027, 2.5 million in 2028, and 5.5 million by 2029. The initiative is meant to address a gap where millions of low-income Canadians don't file taxes. As a result, they often don’t receive benefits meant for low-income Canadians. The automatic filing will ensure Canadians receive GST/HST credits, Canada Child Benefit, Canada Disability Benefit, Canada Workers Benefit, Disability Tax Credit, and other federal and provincial benefits many don't realize they're entitled to receive.
Carney is also making the National School Food Program, which launched in the 2024-25 school year under the Trudeau government, permanent with annual funding of $216.6 million starting in 2029-30.
The government will renew the Canada Strong Pass for the period of December 12, 2025, to January 15, 2026, and summer 2026. The pass, originally launched for summer 2025, provides free or discounted access to cultural sites, parks, and rail travel targeting children, youth, and families.
This preview sets the stage for Budget 2025's November 4 tabling, which will be Carney's first budget as Prime Minister and an important test for his minority government. The Liberals still must secure support from one of the opposition parties, all of whom will likely be keen to leverage their position in the House of Commons. The upcoming budget also represents the first in a permanent shift to fall budget cycles, which Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne says is meant to modernize the budget cycle.
Top Alberta Stories
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith issued another set of mandate letters this week, this time to the four ministers of health. Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services Matt Jones, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction Rick Wilson and Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services Jason Nixon have been tasked with “driving a new era of health care that puts patients first.”
The letters further define what the individual ministers are responsible for achieving after a cabinet shuffle in May saw the portfolio split into four. Minister Jones will lead efforts to move non-acute patients out of hospitals and into appropriate care settings, while Minister Nixon takes on developing income-tested programs to streamline benefits across government. Minister Wilson has been asked to move forward with implementing the Compassionate Intervention Act by 2027, but perhaps the most controversial letter was given to Minister LaGrange. LaGrange is tasked with reviewing Alberta’s vaccination policies and overseeing implementation of Bill 26, which restricts gender-affirming procedures for minors and could invoke the notwithstanding clause, if needed. Together, the letters are designed to align all four pillars of the refocused health system to deliver “faster care and stronger outcomes” for Albertans.
Negotiations between the Alberta Teachers’ Association and the provincial government are set to resume Tuesday following the Thanksgiving long weekend, marking the first formal talks since 51,000 teachers began their provincewide strike on Monday. Finance Minister Nate Horner told reporters he’s pleased the union accepted the government’s offer to get back to bargaining and hopes they present an offer that is “reasonable, fair, and adequately represents the terms that teachers want to see reflected in their deal.” Teachers walked off the job after rejecting a tentative agreement that included a 12 per cent wage increase over four years and funding to hire 3,000 more teachers, citing continued frustrations over class sizes, wages, and supports for students with complex needs. The strike, the largest in Alberta’s history, has affected roughly 740,000 students across 2,500 schools.
New West CEO Monte Solberg joined CBC’s the Eyeopener to unpack what’s really happening behind the strike. Listen to his take on why public sentiment may be shifting from ideology to practicality here.
Pipeline politics were front and centre this week as Federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson said Alberta’s proposed pipeline to the West Coast will hinge on the support of British Columbia and Indigenous communities along the route. Premier Smith announced earlier this month that Alberta will move ahead with plans for a bitumen pipeline running across northern B.C. to the Pacific Ocean, with a formal proposal expected to go before the federal Major Projects Office in spring 2026.
Hodgson told senators Thursday that while Ottawa will play a constructive role, the project’s success depends on Alberta securing buy-in from the jurisdiction it crosses and the First Nations whose lands would be affected. B.C. Premier David Eby has already voiced opposition, arguing that advancing a proposal without a private-sector proponent risks undermining social licence for other projects on the coast. Meanwhile, leaders representing First Nations along B.C.’s north coast have said they would not support a new bitumen pipeline. Smith has framed the initiative as a test of national unity and federal cooperation, noting her optimism after recent meetings with Prime Minister Mark Carney. But with the Major Projects Office indicating it could take several months to determine whether Alberta’s submission meets its criteria, political patience may be tested. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized the timeline, arguing Ottawa should simply “get out of the way” to let private investment flow.
Top Ontario Stories
Ontario Premier Doug Ford doubled down on his speed camera position, rejecting Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and other mayors request to reconsider legislation banning municipalities from using automated speed enforcement revenue for general operations. The premier's unequivocal ‘no’ came as he characterized the issue as municipalities treating speed cameras as cash cows, rather than safety tools.
Ford remained unconvinced by a letter signed by more than 20 Ontario mayors, including Brampton mayor Patrick Brown who insisted banning speed cameras will reverse progress on safety in school zones and put more pressure on police resources.
The Ford government is no stranger to alcohol politics. In the latest move, Premier Ford threatened to remove Diageo products from LCBO shelves unless the British spirits giant reverses its decision to close its Amherstburg bottling facility. The threat specifically targets Crown Royal, Canadian Club, and other prominent brands.
Diageo announced plans to shutter the Windsor operation and consolidate production in Kentucky. At a union rally, Ford characterized the decision as corporate betrayal, saying that he’ll fight for the roughly 200 employees impacted by the plant closure.
Meanwhile, the Greenbelt investigation appears to be puttering along two years on. The RCMP's investigation into the Greenbelt land swap scandal continues without resolution, with key figures alleged to be part of the controversy still awaiting interviews. Former chief of staff Ryan Amato and housing policy director Jae Truesdell, both of whom resigned following revelations about the controversial land removals, have not been contacted by investigators.
The original scandal involved the removal of approximately 7,400 acres from protected Greenbelt lands. Ford ultimately reversed the land removals following sustained public pressure and the resignation of two cabinet ministers.
Upcoming Events Calendar
October 20, 2025: Ontario Legislature returns
October 23, 2025: Alberta Throne Speech
January 29-31, 2026: Conservative Party of Canada National Convention
March 29, 2026: Federal NDP Leadership Race Results Announcement
