Hello, welcome to Politics Insider. Let’s look at what happened today.
Richard Wagner, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, delivered his annual spring news conference, stepping out from behind the formal pronouncements of the court.
In his prepared remarks, he highlighted the growing number of people representing themselves in the justice system, which he said is not an abstract issue but about real people looking to the courts for answers they can’t get elsewhere.
“At a time when democratic institutions are under pressure in many parts of the world, people are relying on those institutions more than ever.”
Last year, to mark the 150th anniversary of the Supreme Court, the chief justices embarked on a cross-country tour. Many of the Canadians they met with expressed concern about the erosion of democratic norms in other parts of the world, Wagner said – which to him spoke of how staunchly they believe in civic institutions and want to defend them.
“Here, too, our institutions are under pressure, as in many other jurisdictions around the world. Here, too, we have seen attempts to undermine public confidence in the justice system,” he said. “We have seen judges and courts sometimes portrayed as partisan actors or described as obstacles to the will of the people.”
He continued in French, saying that the public deserves a judiciary that rises above the level of politics and partisanship, and that people must have confidence that independence is real. He talked about the hefty consequences of things that have happened in other jurisdictions – left unnamed – where the barrier between executive power and the judiciary has broken down.
Later, reporters asked him to elaborate on these concerns. Wagner said Canada is not immune to the problems seen elsewhere, but our muscular democracy and institutions offer reasons for optimism.
He then referred to Alberta provincial judges issuing an unusual public statement reiterating the importance of judicial independence, after Alberta Premier Danielle Smith talked about wishing that she could “direct” them in January.
“What happened in Canada most recently, if you refer to some attacks or attempts to politicize the judiciary, there was a strong reaction of the chief justices in some provinces to react without engaging in discussion with specific persons,” he said.
Judges have a “responsibility” to speak out about any attempts to squash that independence or attack the rule of law, Wagner added.
“I like the way that the chief justices acted in Canada this way,” he said. “We were far from the situation that we see in other countries, and I’m optimistic on that.”
Chief Justice of Canada Richard Wagner's reflection, right, is seen in a TV screen as he holds his annual press conference on Tuesday, June 9.Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press
What else is going on
Delayed Gordie Howe Bridge to open Friday: Prime Minister Mark Carney says it’s good news that the Gordie Howe Bridge between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit will be opened at the end of the week.
Number of fatal clashes involving police on the rise, though criminal charges rare, study finds: Alexander McClelland, an associate criminology professor at Carleton University whose research project, Tracking (In) Justice, produced the report, says the findings raise questions about whether civilian oversight agencies in Canada are deterring police violence and holding officers to account for excessive force.
Defence Minister David McGuinty to lead defence trade mission pitching Japan on Canadian military tech: Nearly 40 Canadian companies will accompany McGuinty on the June 23 to 26 visit, during which McGuinty will meet with his Japanese counterpart and tour a naval base.
Canada to host world’s premier oceans conference: The Our Ocean Conference will take place in Halifax in 2027, federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson announced Monday, which was World Ocean Day.
Broadcasters push back on Ottawa’s plan to roll back foreign streamer contributions: Kevin Desjardins, president of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, said the position of the organization is that foreign streamers should still be required to contribute to supporting Canadian news.
Former Air Canada pilot flew more than 900 flights without a licence, Peel police allege
Peel Regional Police have charged a former Air Canada pilot with seven criminal counts related to flying passenger jets with a forged captain’s licence.
Canada broadens sanctions against ‘facilitators’ of West Bank settler violence
Canada announced a fifth round of sanctions aimed at what it said are groups and individuals responsible for financing, enabling and carrying out settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
On our radar
Prime Minister’s Day: In Ottawa, Mark Carney chaired a cabinet meeting and, later, delivered remarks at the Pride flag-raising ceremony on Parliament Hill. Carney also attended Question Period.
Party Leaders: Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, on her birthday, attended the House of Commons. No schedules released for other party leaders.
Ministers on the Road
In Calgary, Energy Minister Tim Hodgson gave a keynote address at the 2026 Global Energy Show.
New Diplomat: Brendan Sutton has been named Canada’s ambassador to the Dominican Republic, according to a statement from Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand.
Quote of the Day
“I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz. There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack.” – U.S. President Donald Trump on social media making renewed threats toward Iran.
Question period
This iconic Ottawa-area museum served as a key location in the 2002 Hollywood feature film The Sum of All Fears, starring Ben Affleck and Morgan Freeman. Affleck played the durable character Jack Ryan, created by Tom Clancy and also seen in such films as The Hunt for Red October and a recent Amazon series. What was the museum?
Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for the answer.
Perspectives
Canada’s new Governor-General right to say perspective is everything
It has been possible, at various points in Canada’s history, to perceive ourselves as too small, too tame or too staid to have much sparkle. But in this moment, watching an old and dignified ceremony shot through with the big-hearted thoughtfulness of one person serving in an important role, a certain steadiness and civility didn’t seem boring at all.
— Shannon Proudfoot, feature writer
What one dementia patient’s death tells us about the health system’s failings
“I know what to say when the system fails,” New Brunswick Advocate Kelly Lamrock says in the foreword to his latest report. “But what do I say when the system follows its own rules perfectly, and yet someone dies a preventable death?”
— André Picard, health reporter and columnist
Canada’s AI strategy won’t build necessary trust
So, the challenge for the Canadian government is now to create the conditions under which the trust they apparently want (and certainly need) becomes warranted.
— Helen A. Hayes is a PhD candidate at McGill University, where she researches the social, economic and political impacts of AI in Canada.
Go deeper
- Follow along for our stories on Canada-U.S. relations as news develops
- Get the latest insight and analysis from our political opinion writers
Got a news tip that you’d like us to look into? E-mail us at tips@globeandmail.com. Need to share documents securely? Reach out via SecureDrop.
The answer to today’s question: During filming in 2001, scenes were shot at the Diefenbunker Cold War museum in Carp, Ont., about 48 kilometres from Parliament Hill.