Hello, welcome to Politics Insider. Let’s look at what happened today.
Former star Liberal recruit Steven Guilbeault today confirmed his exit from politics, saying he’s decided he needs to pursue his fight against climate change in a different way.
Stephanie Levitz, Marieke Walsh and Jenn Thornhill Verma report that Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters he’s known for some time that his former cabinet minister could leave and said he understands the decision.
Guilbeault, who represents a Montreal riding, said he will remain in the governing caucus until he resigns his seat later this summer.
“After almost seven years as a Member of Parliament and Minister, I have come to the conclusion that it is time for me to pursue my fight for environmental protection and the fight against climate change in a different way,” Guilbeault said in a statement posted to social media.
In other news, Carney said Canada has entered into negotiations to buy Swedish-made Saab early-warning aircraft technology, picking a non-U.S. supplier as he makes good on a promise to reduce spending on American military gear.
Steven Chase and Pippa Norman report that Carney today announced the selection at the annual CANSEC defence trade show in Ottawa.
He said Canada will proceed with the Swedish GlobalEye system, made by Saab. Other contenders were the Aeris X by Melbourne, Florida-based L3Harris Technologies and the E-7 Wedgetail by Arlington, Virginia-based Boeing.
The GlobalEye early-warning system will be installed on Global 6500 jets made by Bombardier in Canada.
Carney told the CANSEC audience this was the first time a prime minister had spoken at the annual trade show, saying the assumptions that have defined decades of Canadian defence policy have been overturned.
The United States has grown more protectionist and unpredictable under President Donald Trump, forcing Canada to become more self-reliant.
Steven Guilbeault speaks to reporters following a Liberal Party caucus meeting on Parliament Hill on Wednesday.Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press
What else is going on
Ksi Lisims LNG’s backers move closer to a decision on B.C. project construction: The deal will allow Germany’s state-owned utility SEFE to have the flexibility to schedule shipments of liquefied natural gas globally.
Ottawa to release long-awaited AI strategy next week, Carney says: Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon initially promised the strategy would be tabled by the end of last year.
U.S. floats preferential tariffs for Canada, Mexico if they co-ordinate on external levies: “If we can come to good terms with Mexico and others in the region on external tariffs, it makes it easier to give preferential treatment to folks in the region,” Jamieson Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative, said in Washington.
Ontario HST rebate spurs new-construction house sales but condos continue to languish: The tax break didn’t motivate many buyers to purchase new condos, which have fallen out of favour because they are small and no longer profitable for investors.
Lawyers for the Cowichan argue the land title case should not be reopened to consider private property rights: Private landowners have no place participating in the Cowichan Tribes’ Aboriginal title case before the B.C. Supreme Court, a lawyer for the First Nations has argued.
Locked out of the city, some young buyers are heading into cottage country: For many young Canadians, the traditional path to home ownership feels out of reach so they are turning to recreational properties.
On our radar
Prime Minister’s Day: In Ottawa, Mark Carney announced Canada’s plans to buy Swedish-made Saab early-warning aircraft technology, and held a news conference. Later, he attended the Liberal caucus meeting and, subsequently, delivered remarks to celebrate the athletes from the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. In the afternoon, Carney departed Ottawa for New York City, beginning a two-day visit there.
Party Leaders: Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet held a news conference on Parliament Hill. Green Party Leader Elizabeth May participated in a United Church event on climate justice, youth leadership, and civic engagement, and later held a news conference on Parliament Hill. NDP Leader Avi Lewis participated in a news conference with labour leaders on the right to strike, then delivered remarks to his caucus. No schedule released for Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre.
Ministers on the Road:
In Vancouver, Energy Minister Tim Hodgson made an announcement on international energy exports.
In Scarborough, Health Minister Marjorie Michel held a news conference to announce the launch of the Canadian Drug Analysis Centre.
Quotes of the Day
“I’m feeling at peace” - Former federal cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault to journalists after leaving today’s Liberal caucus meeting on Parliament Hill.
“The separation movement in Alberta has no point of comparison with the historic sovereignty movement in Quebec. This is a MAGA-aligned, potentially funded, disruptive movement that has been really thrown into national prominence by Danielle Smith” - NDP Leader Avi Lewis today, at a news conference on Parliament Hill.
Question period
Nine years ago today, Andrew Scheer was elected leader of the federal Conservative Party, succeeding Stephen Harper. Who came second in the race?
Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for the answer.
Perspectives
Ottawa must move urgently to ban nude deepfakes
One woman has seen her tormentor walk free after being accused of distributing deepfake images of her. That is one unjust outcome too many. Only the Liberal government can ensure that the next victim is able to find justice.
— The Globe and Mail Editorial Board
Canada’s approach to recruiting internationally educated health workers has a global price
Current outbreaks only underscore what has long been known and underscored by COVID-19; our health is collective and interdependent. Canada can lead by example, by finally aligning health workforce recruitment with the rights-based approaches that we have long stood for.
— Veena Sriram is an assistant professor and Canada Research Chair in Global Health Policy at the University of British Columbia (Point Grey) Katrina Plamondon is an associate professor and co-director, Equity Science Lab at the University of British Columbia (Okanagan)
The great luck of the talented Mr. Carney, the lone leader riding high in the West
But as Davos-goers and business leaders heap praise on Mr. Carney, it is worth remembering that Canada’s situation is simply different. Mr. Starmer, and many of his peers in the G7, face the twin-crisis of stagnant growth and inherited fiscal mismanagement. It will take more than just vision to correct that course.
— Kevin Yin is a contributing columnist for The Globe and Mail and an economics doctoral student at the University of California, Berkeley.
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: Former federal Conservative cabinet minister Maxime Bernier, who would go on to found and lead the People’s Party of Canada.