Hello, welcome to Politics Insider. Let’s look at what happened today.
Some Liberal MPs are throwing their support behind former federal cabinet minister Navdeep Bains, who is reportedly considering a run to lead the Ontario Liberals.
Bains entering the race could shake up the provincial political landscape.
Laura Stone and Stephanie Levitz report that several federal and provincial Liberals told The Globe and Mail that they are encouraging Bains to seek the leadership and that he is seriously considering it.
Bains left politics in 2021, after 13 years in elected office. He held senior roles in former prime minister Justin Trudeau’s government, including as minister of innovation, science and industry, as well as in key organizing roles for the federal Liberal party.
Bains is currently in a high-level private-sector role as chief corporate affairs officer for Rogers Communications. He did not respond to a request for comment.
His potential entry into the race – which is expected to include federal Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith, as well as MPPs Lee Fairclough and Rob Cerjanec – could have a significant impact on provincial politics.
As a former MP in Mississauga, west of Toronto, Bains has deep roots in the party and co-chaired Trudeau’s campaigns during the 2019 and 2021 elections.
The Ontario Liberals, currently in third place in the legislature, will select their new leader on Nov. 21. The party has struggled to make gains since losing government in 2018 and will now choose its third leader in eight years.
Former leader Bonnie Crombie, who resigned earlier this year, helped the Liberals regain official party status in 2025, but lost her own bid for a seat in Mississauga. Steven Del Duca, the previous leader who lost in the 2022 campaign, is now the mayor of Vaughan.
Former Liberal MP Navdeep Bains delivers a farewell speech in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on in June, 2021.PATRICK DOYLE/The Canadian Press
What else is going on
Ontario won’t follow Manitoba’s lead on grocery surveillance pricing, Ford says: The Ontario Premier lamented today that grocery store prices are sky-high, but nixed the idea of banning surveillance pricing and slammed a pilot project for city-run grocery stores as socialist and “crazy.”
U.S. duties paid by Canadian softwood producers surpass $8-billion: The issue of Canadian softwood shipments into the U.S. is not directly addressed by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The trilateral trade deal is up for review this year.
NDP to get parliamentary funding boost despite not having official status: The cash-strapped federal NDP is getting a $670,000 financial boost after members of other parties on the Board of Internal Economy have decided to grant the parliamentary funds.
Lytton, B.C. residents fear financial ruin from wildfire rebuilding costs: There are concerns about the community facing bankruptcy from the costs of maintaining more than $50-million in planned infrastructure that is being funded mostly by higher levels of government.
More first-time homebuyers rely on parents to co-sign mortgages than ever before: The share of first-time buyers under the age of 50 who co-signed mortgages with a parent jumped to roughly 11 per cent last year from 4 per cent in 2004, according to research by the Bank of Canada.
Globe columnists among authors nominated for this year’s Donner Prize: Boom and doom mark the five titles nominated for this year’s Donner Prize, the $60,000 award that annually recognizes the best public policy book by a Canadian.
On our radar
Prime Minister’s Day: Mark Carney did not have any public events. However, he met with NDP Leader Avi Lewis. On Friday, Carney is scheduled to meet in Ottawa with Quebec’s new Premier, Christine Fréchette.
Party Leaders: In Guelph, Ont., Green Party Leader Elizabeth May attended and spoke at a fundraiser for the Eden Mills Writers’ Festival celebrating children’s literacy and the legacy of author Robert Munsch. She also attended Parliament virtually. NDP Leader Avi Lewis met with Carney in Ottawa. No schedules released for other party leaders.
Ministers on the Road: In Washington, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is participating in G7 and G20 meetings for finance ministers and central bank governors. He will also be attending the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group through Friday.
In Montreal, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly held a news conference at the annual conference of Réseau Capital to highlight the government’s support for the venture capital industry.
In Toronto, Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon made a housing announcement with Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow.
In Delta, B.C., Veterans Affairs Minister Jill McKnight, on behalf of Energy Minister Tim Hodgson, attended Mangrove Lithium’s ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the commissioning of North America’s first electrochemical lithium refining facility.
Diplomats visit GG: At Rideau Hall, Governor-General Mary Simon received the credentials of new ambassadors from Thailand, Burkina Faso, Portugal and South Korea.
Quote of the Day
“You guys are hilarious. I don’t care who runs. You could run Mickey Mouse against me, Donald Duck. I don’t care.” – Ontario Premier Doug Ford, at a news conference in Toronto today, responds to a question from the media against prospective candidates for the leadership of the Ontario Liberals.
Question period
Who was Canada’s last governor-general with roots in Western Canada?
Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for the answer.
Perspectives
The guardrails of MAID need vigilant scrutiny
Eleven years ago, the Supreme Court opened the door to medically assisted death in its landmark Carter decision. There are risks, the court acknowledged, but those dangers can be limited “through a carefully designed and monitored system of safeguards.”
— The Globe and Mail Editorial Board
Is Canada even serious about confronting forced labour?
If the Canadian government wants to promote Canada as a leader in responsible business and a reliable actor on forced labour, it must move beyond vague statements. Its next step could be properly staffing and empowering the CORE. As the Finance Minister said, that’s a matter of integrity.
— Karen Hamilton is the director of Above Ground. Aidan Gilchrist-Blackwood is network co-ordinator of the Canadian Network for Corporate Accountability.
How much does Trump hate Canada?
Between speeches and Truth Social posts, he’s been a wellspring of ill will, from which a constant supply of threats, complaints, accusations, insults and taunts has flowed northward. His political weapon of choice – the tariff. More than 200 times since last January, Mr. Trump has threatened tariffs when speaking about Canada.
— Tim Shufelt
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
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The answer to today’s question: Ray Hnatyshyn, who served in the role between 1990 and 1995. Hnatyshyn was born in Saskatoon, and served as a Progressive Conservative MP in a pair of ridings in his hometown. He held three cabinet posts under prime minister Brian Mulroney.