Time to look back, and ahead

It ‘remains to be seen’ what will prove relevant in 2026 from this past year, but there’s plenty to from which to choose.
Will Poilievre find the right thread to pull, or will his coalition unravel in 2026?

OTTAWA—It was one year ago that federal politics changed dramatically. Then-deputy prime minister and finance minister Chrystia Freeland wrote her poison pen letter to then-prime minister Justin Trudeau, stepped away from cabinet, didn’t deliver the planned fall economic statement, and set in motion a chain of events no one could have foreseen. Within a few […]
‘Something’s gotta give’: Liberal agenda needs a majority to make progress in 2026, says Grit strategist Joe Jordan

With only two substantive bills receiving royal assent since the spring, Conservative strategist Ashton Arsenault says the Liberals’ legislative performance this fall would be an ‘embarrassment’ under any other Parliament.
Every vote counts: how the House Speaker factors in Carney’s majority math

By parliamentary convention, the Speaker only votes in the event of a tie. At the moment, after two floor crossers to the Liberals, the government holds 171 votes, and the opposition collectively has 172.
Quebec MPs noncommittal on support for province’s controversial constitution bill

Bloc MP Alexis Deschênes called the bill ‘a good exercise,’ but said the question of a constitution is ‘really up to the people of Quebec.’
New directors on deck for ministers Thompson, Ali

Additions include Jeff Woodland as issues management and parliamentary affairs director to the fisheries minister, and Adhil Hussain as director of labour relations to the Treasury Board president.
The door’s wide open for a re-invigorated NDP, and Parliament and Canada need it

Avi Lewis’ daring, refreshing campaign may come to nothing; end of discussion. Or maybe, if New Democrats are feeling frisky, beginning of discussion. The country could use it.
Budget bill waits for House’s January return as ‘slow’ session comes to a close

The Liberals’ budget implementation bill completed second reading on Dec. 10, and will be considered by the House Finance Committee after the House returns in the new year.
Bill calling for more serious punishment for assaulting first responders not fast-tracked despite Conservative MPs’ efforts

The Senate bill is identical to MP Todd Doherty’s bill, which nearly became law but died on the order paper when the election was called this past spring.
Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem to talk about Canada’s economy on Tuesday, Dec. 16, in Montreal

MONDAY, DEC. 15 House Schedule—The House of Commons adjourned last week until Jan. 26, 2026, and is scheduled to sit for 117 days in 2026. Here’s the schedule for 2026: it will sit Monday to Friday, Jan. 26-Feb. 13; Feb. 23-27; March 9-13; March 23-Thursday, March 26; April 13-May 8; May 25-June 19; Sept. 21-Oct. […]