TRENDING TODAY
POILIEVRE KICKS OFF U.K., GERMANY TOUR WITH COMMONWEALTH PITCH IN LONDON — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre began a European tour with stops in the United Kingdom and Germany, using his first foreign trip as Opposition leader to outline an alternative economic vision to Prime Minister Mark Carney. Speaking at London’s Carlton Club, he called for closer Commonwealth co-operation on critical minerals, defence procurement and mutual recognition of professional credentials.
DEFENCE MINISTER CALLS KHAMENEI A ‘FORCE FOR EVIL’ AS LIBERAL DIVISIONS SURFACE OVER U.S. STRIKES — Defence Minister David McGuinty defended the government’s support for U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, describing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a “force for evil,” while insisting Canada was not involved in planning or execution. His remarks come as some Liberal MPs and former cabinet minister Lloyd Axworthy publicly question Ottawa’s backing of the strikes and call for a diplomatic resolution.
CARNEY LANDS IN AUSTRALIA TO REBOOT COMMONWEALTH TIES — Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Australia aiming to strengthen relations with a key Five Eyes ally as global uncertainty grows. Despite deep historic ties, neither country has prioritized the relationship in recent years — Carney’s predecessor Justin Trudeau never made the trip, and it’s been nearly 12 years since a Canadian prime minister last visited outside of a G20 summit, with officials conceding Canada “hasn’t been as engaged” in recent years.
OTTAWA RECOGNIZES MUSQUEAM ABORIGINAL TITLE, RAISING PROPERTY RIGHTS QUESTIONS IN B.C. — The federal government has signed agreements with the Musqueam Indian Band recognizing Aboriginal rights, including title within their traditional territory, and outlining a framework for expanded roles in fisheries and marine management. The move follows a recent B.C. Supreme Court ruling affirming Aboriginal title in a separate case, intensifying debate over how such recognition interacts with private property rights in the province.
POLICY DIGEST
POILIEVRE CHAMPIONS ‘MODERN CANZUK’ PARTNERSHIP IN LONDON SPEECH — Speaking at the Carlton Club and set to deliver the Margaret Thatcher Lecture, Pierre Poilievre unveiled plans for a “modern CANZUK” pact between Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. He proposed automatic professional credential recognition and a regulatory presumption of equivalence, arguing that goods and skilled labour approved in one country should move freely across all four — positioning CANZUK as a serious, mainstream policy priority should he become prime minister.
PALLAS POLL SHOWS NDP 42%, CONSERVATIVES 40% IN TIGHT B.C. RACE — A new Pallas Data survey finds the B.C. NDP at 42% among decided voters, just two points ahead of the BC Conservatives at 40%, a gap within the margin of error. The poll also shows 53% opposing the province’s latest budget and places Caroline Elliott in the early lead in the Conservative leadership race, though nearly half of Conservative voters remain undecided.
FEWER THAN HALF OF CANADIANS SEE END OF CUSMA AS BAD FOR COUNTRY: ABACUS — New Abacus Data polling finds 42% of Canadians say Prime Minister Mark Carney is doing a good job handling relations with U.S. President Donald Trump, while half believe he is protecting Canada’s core interests. Only 45% say the end of CUSMA would be bad for Canada, with most preferring strategies that diversify trade and build alliances rather than trading concessions for short-term stability.
STUDY COMPARES FISCAL, ECONOMIC RECORDS OF CHRÉTIEN, HARPER AND TRUDEAU GOVERNMENTS — A new analysis finds the Chrétien government paired reduced spending, balanced budgets and declining debt with stronger gains in GDP per person and business investment, while the Trudeau government increased spending, ran persistent deficits and saw weaker private-sector growth and falling investment. The Harper government’s fiscal and economic record falls between the two, as the report argues Ottawa should pursue spending restraint and debt reduction to boost long-term prosperity.
INDIA’S ENERGY INSECURITY OFFERS OPENING FOR CANADA: COMMENTARY — A Globe and Mail commentary argues that as Canada reassesses its reliance on a single export market, India is confronting its own energy vulnerability, importing roughly 90% of the fuel that powers its economy. With supply lines exposed to instability in Russia and the Middle East, the piece suggests deepened Canada-India energy ties could serve both countries’ security and economic interests.