After a busy summer break - from Canada-US trade negotiations, to nation-building projects, to Pierre Poilievre's by-election win - MPs have returned to Ottawa for what will be a busy Fall session of the House of Commons. Here are five things New West is watching.

Parliament is getting ready to return with Prime Minister Mark Carney announcing the first nation-building projects. In Alberta, Premier Danielle Smith courted U.S. industry and launched a new jobs program for young people as youth unemployment becomes a rising concern. Premier Doug Ford’s government is facing scrutiny over the Skills Development Fund while Ontario Liberals gather for a leadership review.

The Temporary Foreign Worker program was in the spotlight this week as the federal government grapples with youth unemployment. In Alberta, Danielle Smith’s government pushed ahead with major health reforms, but headlines were dominated by a fiery fight over school library books. And in Ontario, Doug Ford went on the offensive—threatening school trustees, clashing with Ottawa on crime, and theatrically dumping whisky to protest a plant closure. We dig into those stories and more this week.

On September 5, 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a policy response to address trade uncertainty and strengthen the foundations of Canada’s economy to better respond to shocks going forward.

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.