Hello, welcome to Politics Insider. Let’s look at what happened today.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla have left Canada after the King today opened Parliament with a Throne Speech.
It was the first time Canada’s monarch has delivered the speech since Queen Elizabeth, the King’s mother, did so in 1977.
The speech is generally written by the Prime Minister’s office, as was the case this year, in consultation with the King’s office.
As Robert Fife and Stephanie Levitz report, today’s speech affirmed Canada’s sovereignty and promised the “largest transformation in the Canadian economy since the Second World War.”
The speech, delivered on the second day of a two-day royal visit to Ottawa, touched on Liberal election promises, including a middle-class tax cut, an end to interprovincial trade barriers, and fast approvals of major infrastructure projects.
The King delivered the speech in the Senate chamber before an audience that included three former prime ministers, federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and former governor-general Adrienne Clarkson.
The King’s speech came against the backdrop of questions about Canada’s sovereignty raised by U.S. President Donald Trump. The King did not explicitly rebut Trump’s assertions, but praised Canada.
“I have always had the greatest admiration for Canada’s unique identity, which is recognized across the world,” King Charles said, noting it was his 20th visit to Canada.
“The True North is indeed strong and free.”
Following the speech, the royal couple laid a wreath and flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial near the Senate complex.
They then travelled by motorcade to Ottawa International Airport to catch a flight home to Britain.
In a posting on X, the couple offered their heartfelt thanks to those who turned out to offer support on Charles’s first visit to Canada as King.
“Until the next time, au revoir, Canada, et avec tous nos remerciements,” they wrote.
There’s a series of updates by Globe staff here that chronicle the visit.
Breaking news
The Quebec newspaper La Presse is reporting that former prime minister Jean Chrétien underwent heart surgery today after complaining of some pain on Monday.
The operation went well, according to a member of his entourage interviewed by La Presse, and Chrétien, who is 91 years old, should be discharged from hospital on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Mark Carney looks on as King Charles delivers the Throne Speech in the Senate, on May 27.Chris Young/The Canadian Press
What else is going on
Carney invites Mexico’s President to G7 summit: Prime Minister Mark Carney has invited Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to attend the Group of Seven Leaders Summit in Kananaskis next month, providing the opportunity for sideline trade talks with U.S. President Donald Trump.
More than 8,300 Hudson’s Bay employees to lose jobs by next week: The retailer’s wind-up represents a massive wave of job losses across the country, the largest hit to Canadian retail-sector workers in years.
Nenshi to seek seat: About a year after Naheed Nenshi became leader of Alberta’s NDP, he is set to seek a legislature seat in one of three by-elections set to take place on June. 23.
Dr. Oz offers to relocate B.C. ostriches facing cull: The operators of a British Columbia ostrich farm say U.S. health official and former television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz has offered to save the birds from an impending cull by relocating them to his ranch in Florida.
On our radar
Prime Minister’s Day: Mark Carney’s day revolved around the visit of King Charles and Queen Camilla, with the Prime Minister attending the Throne Speech at the Senate building, and the royal couple laying a wreath at the National War Memorial, where he said goodbye to them as they departed to return home.
Party Leaders: Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP interim leader Don Davies all held news conferences on Parliament Hill to respond to the Throne Speech. No schedule released for Green Party Leader Elizabeth May.
Quote of the Day
“As I have said before, `Every time I come to Canada, a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream – and from there straight into my heart.’” – King Charles III, delivering the Throne Speech in the Senate chamber in Ottawa today.
Question period
Who was the U.S. president when Canada’s monarch last delivered the Speech from the Throne in Canada in October, 1977?
Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for the answer.
Perspectives
America’s credit rating got downgraded. Is Canada’s next?
The accumulating evidence suggests that while Canada’s triple-A rating isn’t in immediate jeopardy, its foundations are weakening. The financial stakes are significant – higher borrowing costs would add billions to Ottawa’s interest payments, even before a formal downgrade occurs.
— Yali N’Diaye is a former financial reporter with Market News International who covered financial regulatory reform after the global financial crisis, including reliance on rating agencies.
A declaration of dependence by Liberal MPs.
If there had been any doubt that the MPs of the New and Improved™ Liberal Party had grown a backbone since the Justin Trudeau era, that doubt was vaporized on Sunday, when the caucus voted against taking the most modest step toward reclaiming some power from the Prime Minister’s Office, and possibly some relevance.
— The Globe and Mail Editorial Board
Mark Carney’s royal Canadian symbolism
Certainly, Mr. Carney clearly feels comfortable with the royal symbolism. He beamed at nearly every moment by the King’s side on Monday. After Mr. Trudeau, who consciously sought the symbols of progressive change, Mr. Carney is looking like a more traditional prime minister.
— Campbell Clark, Chief Political Writer
Go deeper
- Follow along for our stories on Canada-U.S. relations as news develops
- Like a long read? Check out the fall of Justin Trudeau and the making of Pierre Poilievre
- 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
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: Jimmy Carter was in his first year as U.S. president when Queen Elizabeth came to Canada to deliver the throne speech in October, 1977 – the last time Canada’s monarch delivered the speech.