Hello, welcome to Politics Insider. Let’s look at what happened today.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced the second set of ‘nation-building’ projects to be considered for fast-track approval.
The proposals to be referred to the Major Projects Office for consideration are the Ksi Lisims liquefied natural gas project in British Columbia, Ontario’s Crawford nickel project, New Brunswick’s Sisson mine and the Iqaluit Nukkiksautiit hydro project.
“Each of these projects that we are referring to the MPO today is transformational, and their impacts will be amplified by being part of bigger national strategies to boost Canada’s competitiveness,” Carney told a news conference in Terrace, B.C., according to prepared remarks.
Stephanie Levitz reports that Carney also announced that the Canada Infrastructure Bank is loaning $140-million to BC Hydro for the North Coast Transmission Line.
The projects confirmed today join a list of five others announced in September and referred to the Major Projects Office, which is run by former TransMountain CEO Dawn Farrell.
Carney noted during the news conference that referring projects to the MPO does not mean they are approved. “It means that all the efforts are being put in place from the federal government in order to create the decisions so it could move forward, but those decisions are taken by many parties, including, very much, First Nations,” he said.
In other news, China and Russia continue to target Canada for sensitive government and private-sector intelligence and high-tech goods and are seeking to gain a strategic foothold in the Arctic, the head of the country’s spy agency said today.
Robert Fife and Steven Chase report that the warning about China was laid out as Carney has embarked on a diplomatic effort to repair relations with Beijing, including a planned trip to the country next year at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.
“Chinese spies have tried to recruit Canadians with information and military expertise,” said Dan Rogers, director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, in his annual speech on threats to Canada.
Rogers also warned that Russia and China “have significant intelligence interest” in Canada’s Arctic.
“It is not a surprise that CSIS has observed both cyber- and non-cyberintelligence collection efforts targeting both governments and the private sector in the region,” he said.
The CSIS director also singled out Moscow for using illicit procurement schemes to purchase Canadian technology for Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Artist’s rendering of Ksi Lisims LNG’s plans for two floating liquefied natural gas facilities in British Columbia.Supplied
What else is going on
Canada expects anti-corruption reforms in Ukraine, Anand says: Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says an unfolding corruption scandal in Ukraine will not deter Canada from continuing its support for the war-torn country, but Ottawa expects Kyiv to implement reforms to fight graft.
Canada in running to host multinational defence bank: The Defence, Security and Resilience Bank is a multilateral lending institution being established by a collective of countries that includes NATO members and their Indo-Pacific allies.
Pierre Poilievre says he hasn’t reflected on leadership style: In his first remarks since losing two members of his caucus, the Conservative Leader said the departures have not led him to reflect on his leadership style.
Pull out of refugee pact with U.S., Axworthy says: Former foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy says Canada should pull out of a long-standing refugee pact with the United States that leads to most asylum seekers arriving at the Canadian border being turned back.
Canada to revive trade talks with India: Canada and India are working to rebuild trade ties and explore new areas of co-operation after a two-year chill, with Ottawa keen to restart trade negotiations under “a new process,” Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu says.
$20-million in pharmaceuticals lost from national stockpile: The figure was reported in the 2025 public accounts, but Health Canada refuses to say what was lost, citing national security implications.
On our radar
Commons break: The House of Commons is on a break this week, with MPs returning Nov. 17. The Senate is also on a break. Sittings there will resume Nov. 18
Prime Minister’s day: Mark Carney, in the B.C. city of Terrace, announced the second round of projects on his government’s major projects list.
Party leaders: In Sidney, B.C., Green Party Leader Elizabeth May attended a weekly breakfast of the Rotary Club of Sidney by the Sea. NDP Interim Leader Don Davies, in Vancouver, met virtually with executives from the Canadian Labour Congress. No schedules released for Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet or Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
Ministers on the road: In Toronto, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne participated in an armchair discussion with the Canadian Club Toronto and regional commerce leaders. Energy Minister Tim Hodgson made an announcement in the Northeastern Ontario city of Timmins on clean energy and critical minerals. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, in Vancouver, celebrated the acceptance of the Canadian Coast Guard ship Naalak Nappaaluk. Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc made an announcement in Montreal on nation-building projects.
McPherson housing: NDP MP Heather McPherson, running to lead the party, will be unveiling her housing plan Friday at a news conference in Toronto.
Quote of the day
“The UN is in a moment of crisis, and we don’t need summer soldiers and sunshine patriots. We need countries that are going to be all in. Doesn’t mean you have to be all in to say everything’s wonderful or that `We agree with everything the UN is doing.’ It means in order to make change, we all have to be contributors to change.” - Bob Rae, Canada’s outgoing United Nations ambassador, in a final speech today to the UN General Assembly calls on members to be consistent in their support for the organization.
Question period
In the B.C. city of Terrace today, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced four new nation-building projects. He would have been lucky to see the official provincial mammal, associated with the Terrace region, while there. What is it?
Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for the answer.
Perspectives
Canada’s muddled immigration plan won’t bring in the world’s best talent
Last week’s federal budget lamented that Canada’s immigration system, originally built to evaluate applicants based on merit, had grown in complexity and become less efficient. Yet the government boosted the numbers of permanent residents allowed in through provincial nominee programs – which allow participating provinces and territories to select economic migrants – to 91,500 next year.
— The Globe and Mail Editorial Board
When Canada needed a great president, we got one in FDR
Today, with a White House occupant who has bullied and sought to harm Canada like no other, it’s worth pausing to remember a president who was the opposite, who did more for Canada than any other.
— Lawrence Martin, Public Affairs Columnist
No need to reflect, nothing to see, it’s not my fault, it’s yours
Pierre Poilievre was asked Wednesday if he had reflected on his leadership style “moving forward.” The answer was simple: “No.”
— Campbell Clark, Chief Political Writer
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
- Take a look at the history of immigration reporting and great political scandals from A Nation’s Paper, a book about The Globe and Mail’s role in Canadian history
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The answer to today’s question: The spirit bear, also known as the kermode bear or Ursus americanus kermodei, is a subspecies of black bear with white fur, owing to a rare genetic trait.