Hello, welcome to Politics Insider. Let’s look at what happened today.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she and Prime Minister Mark Carney have made “significant progress” toward an agreement on a West Coast pipeline and carbon pricing.
Marieke Walsh and Stephanie Levitz report that Smith said today that she headed into a morning meeting with Carney not feeling confident the deal could get done, but that changed.
“I’m feeling much more confident that we’re going to be able to finally land the MOU and to do so before we submit our proposal to the Major Projects Office for a new pipeline to the West Coast of B.C.,” she said from the stage of a conservative conference in Ottawa.
“A lot more confident.”
She did not provide specifics.
But Smith and Carney had met earlier in Ottawa today as pressure mounts for the two sides to finalize negotiations on outstanding elements of the landmark memorandum of understanding that Ottawa and Alberta signed last year.
The global energy crisis caused by the war in Iran launched a major reset of energy markets as countries losing access to oil and gas are looking for alternate suppliers.
Also today, Walsh and Emma Graney report that the federal government is proposing reversing the order of pipeline approvals, allowing cabinet to green-light a new project prior to the completion of technical assessments and approvals.
The proposed changes come less than two months before Alberta is expected to submit a proposal for a new pipeline to the West Coast.
The idea of switching the order of the approval process by giving it first to cabinet and then to the civil service for a technical review is included in a sweeping set of proposals released by Ottawa today.
The government says the change will ensure proponents know whether there is political buy-in before they go through the expensive and time-consuming process of a technical review. The goal is to “reduce risks and costs for investors,” it said in a press release.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith during a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa on Friday.Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press
What else is going on
Canada’s unemployment rate rises to six-month high: Statistics Canada data indicated a continued weakness in the labour market, which has struggled in the face of U.S tariffs and trade uncertainty.
U.S. ambassador pulls out of Canadian conference: A spokesperson for the Canada Strong and Free Network that was expecting an appearance by Pete Hoekstra at their Ottawa conference said they were told that he had emergency meetings in Washington, but that they didn’t know the subject of those meetings.
Commons unanimously approves Conservative bill to create registry of debt writeoffs over $2-million: In a rare display of co-operation across parties, MPS have unanimously approved a Conservative bill that will force Ottawa to name the recipients of corporate tax debt writeoffs worth $2-million or more.
Plans in the works for 24 Sussex Drive, Mark Carney says: The Prime Minister says his government will soon move forward with a plan to deal with the long-standing residence of Canadian prime ministers that has essentially been shuttered for more than a decade because of its physical decline.
Tumbler Ridge high school to be demolished and rebuilt at new site: B.C. Premier David Eby says the decision is the result of engagement between the Peace River South school board and survivors, family and community members after one of Canada’s worst mass shootings.
Canada’s plan for affordable child care is a very unruly five-year-old: As provinces miss their goals on new spaces, hiring and $10-a-day fees, they’re pressing Ottawa for more money – but it hasn’t delivered.
The National Arts Centre’s 26-27 offerings will include a global blend of theatre, music and dance: “In a world that keeps changing, the arts anchor us,” says NAC president and CEO Annabelle Cloutier. “That sense of connection is at the core of our 2026–2027 season.”
Prime Minister’s Day: Mark Carney met with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, then travelled to Toronto to visit a youth sports facility, followed by a meeting with Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali. He also spoke with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. A summary of the call provided by Carney’s office said, among other points, that the Prime Minister expressed strong support for the Government of Lebanon’s efforts to disarm Hezbollah, and condemned continuing Hezbollah attacks on Israel. In the evening, Carney attended a dinner held by Canada 2020, during which former U.S. president Barack Obama was scheduled to speak.
Party Leaders: Green Party Leader Elizabeth May attended the House of Commons. No schedules released for other party leaders.
Ministers on the Road: In the Newfoundland and Labrador community of Port de Grave, Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson announced federal funding for the Small Craft Harbours program.
In Montreal, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree announced funding for community safety.
In Peterborough, Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon spoke to the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce on transportation issues, supply-chain management, and their impacts on local businesses and economic growth.
In Toronto, Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald announced federal investments to accelerate clean-technology innovation across Canada’s agricultural sector.
In Toronto, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne welcomed German counterpart Lars Klingbeil for the first day of a two-day visit with events that include a roundtable held by CIBC with the Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce and senior leaders from the financial services, critical minerals and technologies sector.
Quote of the Day
“I’ve got two daughters that have moved to the U.S. and it’s not because they like Trump. They’re there for lower taxes. They’re there for more opportunity. They’re there for mortgage interest deductibility. They’re there for a better life. That’s what they see in spite of the fact that they don’t like Trump.” - Former Ontario premier Mike Harris, speaking today at the Canada Strong & Free Network conference in Ottawa, with fellow former premiers Gordon Campbell (B.C.), Blaine Higgs (New Brunswick) and Heather Stefanson (Manitoba).
Question period
The Canadian War Museum in Ottawa opened on this day in 2005. But the day was also a notable anniversary of its own. What was it?
Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for the answer.
Perspectives
The Iran war has shown why Canada shouldn’t just take the world as it is
“Take the world as it is, not as we wish it to be” has long been an American saying. It has Cold War origins, and it was used by president Barack Obama during his 2008 campaign, and throughout his presidency, to mark a policy break from the neo-conservative idealism of George W. Bush that led to the Iraq war.
— Doug Saunders, Columnist
Ottawa will start tracking when temporary residents enter and exit. Perhaps it could consider actual enforcement too?
But perhaps while IRCC is experimenting with its new counting pilot, it might want to run a beta on actual enforcement, so we don’t accidentally grant permanent residency to someone who entered the country fraudulently,
— Robyn Urback, Columnist
The sinking reality of our future
It seems like no one talks about climate change anymore, but it hasn’t gone away. And with each passing year it will become an even bigger presence in our lives.
— Gary Mason, National Affairs Columnist
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: The 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe as a result of the surrender of Nazi Germany to Allied Forces.