It’s still summer, but governments across the country are ramping up as they prepare for fall sittings, legislative agendas, and fiscal storm clouds. In Ottawa, Prime Minister Mark Carney is balancing international commitments with tough trade negotiations. Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford is tightening control over school boards and pressing ahead with highway infrastructure. And in Alberta, there’s a deepening deficit, amid new digital initiatives and nuclear energy exploration.

Prime Minister Mark Carney moved to ease tensions with Washington, while hinting at new “nation-building” projects. Pierre Poilievre will return to the House of Commons after a landslide by-election victory. In Ontario, Premier Doug Ford boosted housing infrastructure funding, while Alberta’s Premier warned of budget strain from falling oil prices.

This week saw new tariffs on Canadian canola, opposition challenges to Ottawa’s EV mandate, and a ramp-up from the federal Conservatives. In Ontario, the Ford government is ending remote work for provincial employees and rolling out major funding to shield key industries from U.S. trade tariffs. Plus, tensions ran high as vocal opponents took to the microphone at the latest Alberta Next panel town hall. 

Ford’s 401 tunnel plan sparks backlash, and Alberta teams up with allies on a major new energy corridor. Plus: Tariffs and trade tensions heat up... again.  Your comprehensive guide to this week’s top political stories in our Weekly Roundup.

It’s August 1 and the deadline has passed for a trade agreement, prompting President Trump to hit Canada with tariffs. Prime Minister Carney’s bold foreign policy stance is also shaking up trade talks as Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre faces a 200+ person ballot. In Ontario, Premier Ford reverses on asylum seekers and Alberta’s unity debate heats up.

As the August 1 deadline for a Canada-U.S. trade deal looms, tensions remain high with little sign of progress, prompting concern from Canadian leaders and frustration from U.S. officials. In Alberta, Premier Smith continued pushing interprovincial energy cooperation and voiced disappointment over trade delays. In Ontario, Premier Ford’s popularity remains high despite federal tensions, while Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie faces internal challenges ahead of a critical leadership review.

It's not the dog days of summer for political leaders across Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney is facing increasing trade tensions, while Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie fights to hold on to her leadership, and Alberta's Premier gets more questions than answers during two town halls.

As business and political leaders traded suits for cowboy boots at the Calgary Stampede this week, trade tensions were heating up between Canada and the United States. President Trump threatened a 35% tariff on Canadian imports, escalating economic pressure and reigniting cross-border disputes. Prime Minister Carney vowed to defend Canadian interests while seeking diplomatic solutions. Alberta Premier Smith, joined by Ontario’s Doug Ford, urged swift federal action. Business and labour leaders expressed alarm, warning of serious supply chain disruptions. Behind Trump’s rhetoric, observers see a hardline tactic ahead of negotiations on a new Canada-U.S. economic and security agreement.

Tensions rose this week after President Trump abruptly ended trade talks, while Prime Minister Carney emphasized support for affected workers and pressed forward with domestic wins. Alberta’s Premier is getting ready to hit the road as part of the Alberta Next panel and in Ontario, Premier Ford unveiled updated Ontario Place plans and major healthcare investments, though both drew criticism over costs and consultation.

How strong is the rising tide of Alberta separatism? Is the NDP political fortress of Edmonton shaky? Do Edmontonians accept Naheed Nenshi? These were the main storylines of Alberta’s three by-elections. With the votes now counted and unofficial results released, all three stayed status quo – but that doesn’t mean this was a boring by-election. Here’s why these results matter and what we’re watching for next.