Topic

Leadership & public policy

The people, ideas and trade-offs behind the decisions that shape public life.

Nov 8, 2026Daily Brief

Possible measles exposure sites listed as Windsor hospital prepares for surge

Toronto Pearson airport and a Durham region emergency room are among the possible measles exposure sites identified so far. Windsor Regional Hospital is preparing for a surge in respiratory illness.
Nov 8, 2026Daily Brief

Quebec the only province without free flu shots for all

As flu cases rise, Quebec is the only province that does not offer free flu shots to all residents.
Nov 7, 2026Daily Brief

Aid groups criticise federal budget for omitting foreign aid

The budget tabled Thursday by Prime Minister Mark Carney's government makes no mention of foreign aid, international assistance or international development. Aid sector groups have criticised the omission.
Nov 7, 2026Daily Brief

Veterans lose federal security contract to subsidiary of U.S. company

A Conservative motion asking the government to cancel a security contract awarded to a Canadian subsidiary of an American company was defeated. The Commissionaires expressed concern about future work for the veterans...
Nov 7, 2026Video

Wayne Gretzky backs Mark Carney's move to keep Russia's junior hockey team out

Ottawa's decision to keep Russia's junior team out of the World Juniors now has backing from Wayne Gretzky, whose close ties to Donald Trump make the endorsement notable.
Nov 7, 2026Daily Brief

Ottawa to expand CSIS powers, including intelligence gathering abroad

Ottawa plans to expand the spy agency's powers, including the ability to operate abroad. A senior official said the changes could eventually lead to a separate foreign intelligence agency similar to the CIA or MI6.
Nov 7, 2026Daily Brief

Federal budget targets ending homelessness within a decade

The federal budget aims to end homelessness in Canada within ten years, and Prime Minister Mark Carney says the goal will require more than compassion. A Saskatoon shelter operator says the target is achievable, but...
Nov 6, 2026Daily Brief

Immigration levels plan draws Conservative criticism and Carney's defence

Pierre Poilievre says the government is obscuring how many newcomers it is admitting. Carney calls the plan sustainable, which sets up to 580,000 permanent residents in 2027 and a one-time route to permanent status...
Nov 6, 2026Daily Brief

Carney outlines plan to end homelessness within a decade

Carney outlined a plan to end homelessness within 10 years, starting in Winnipeg. He described it as a $30-billion coordinated national effort that includes new spending from the federal budget.
Nov 6, 2026Daily Brief

Ottawa tables Budget 2026 with $142.1 billion in new spending

The federal government tabled Budget 2026, proposing $142.1 billion in new spending and projecting a steady decline in the deficit. The plan adds to debt and deficit to spur growth, ease affordability pressures and...
Nov 6, 2026Daily Brief

Budget offers permanent status to 200,000 longtime temporary residents

The updated immigration plan keeps broad targets for permanent and temporary resident admissions. Up to 200,000 longtime temporary residents who have already applied would be offered permanent status.
Nov 6, 2026Daily Brief

Budget lifts defence spending but leaves NATO target questions open

The federal budget maps out a surge in defence spending. It leaves unanswered an accounting question about how Ottawa will meet its 2035 NATO defence spending commitments after 2030.
Nov 5, 2026Daily Brief

Budget keeps immigration levels steady, offers permanent status to 200,000

The updated immigration plan keeps broad admission targets for permanent and temporary residents largely steady over the next three years. Up to 200,000 longtime temporary residents who have already applied could be...
Nov 5, 2026Daily Brief

Budget sets goal to end homelessness within ten years

The Carney government is promising to end homelessness in Canada within a decade, with a focus on transitional housing and work with the provinces. The commitment is part of Budget 2026.
Nov 5, 2026Daily Brief

Budget commits $32 billion for First Nations infrastructure over decade

The budget commits $32 billion over 10 years to repair, replace and build First Nations infrastructure, plus $3 billion for health services. The Assembly of First Nations says the work will require more.
Nov 5, 2026Daily Brief

Majority of Canadians want fewer immigrants in 2027, poll finds

A new Nanos Research survey commissioned by CTV News finds a majority of Canadians want fewer immigrants and temporary residents accepted next year.
Nov 5, 2026Daily Brief

Liberal bill would let police search mail and reverse crypto ATM ban

A new Liberal bill would allow police to search mail and would reverse a previously promised ban on crypto ATMs.
Nov 4, 2026Daily Brief

Spy watchdog flags privacy risks in military online intelligence

A national intelligence watchdog report says the military's policy on collecting information about Canadians does not sufficiently address privacy risks posed by online searches.
Nov 4, 2026Daily Brief

C-39 hearings expose split over labour disruption provisions

Airline executives praised Ottawa's proposed labour disruption provisions in Bill C-39 at committee hearings. Union leaders said the bill would curtail workers' right to strike and would likely be challenged in court.
Nov 4, 2026Daily Brief

LeBlanc says Major Projects Office company names should not be released

Internal Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc told a joint parliamentary committee on Tuesday that the names of private companies with employees at the Major Projects Office should not be publicly released.
Nov 3, 2026Daily Brief

Budget 2026 to be unveiled Thursday with updated immigration levels

Carney's updated immigration levels plan is set for release in Thursday's federal budget, a government source confirmed. The budget follows a year of announcements on major projects, foreign trade deals and defence spending.
Nov 3, 2026Video

Europe has not rejected Canada; what associate membership means and where Canada already participates

Whether Canada can deepen its ties with Europe depends on a formal title that 27 governments must approve, while existing programs already give Canada a working role.
Nov 3, 2026Daily Brief

Privacy commissioner calls for limits to lawful access bill

Privacy commissioner Philippe Dufresne wants the government's lawful access bill amended to restrict the information authorities can obtain under a new production order. He has also urged the Senate to make further...
Nov 2, 2026Daily Brief

Cryptographers warn lawful-access bill could weaken encryption

Tech experts have written to senators warning that the lawful-access bill could weaken encryption and drive domestic companies abroad. They also say it could prompt Canadians to switch to foreign technology.
Nov 1, 2026Daily Brief

Canadian taxpayers now own part of Cohere AI

Canadian taxpayers now own part of Cohere AI, an artificial intelligence company. The move is being linked to digital sovereignty in Canada.
Nov 1, 2026Daily Brief

Canada backs AI firm in push to strengthen digital sovereignty

Canada is backing an artificial intelligence firm as part of its push to strengthen digital sovereignty.
Nov 1, 2026Daily Brief

Canada shelves pledge to phase out captivity of elephants and great apes

Canada has shelved its pledge to phase out the captivity of elephants and great apes.
Nov 1, 2026Daily Brief

Union says over half of P.E.I. Parks Canada staff in limbo

A union says more than half of Parks Canada's workforce on Prince Edward Island is in limbo because of potential job losses.
Oct 31, 2026Daily Brief

Canada updates national security framework to prepare for worst cases

Canada has launched an updated national security framework calling for preparations for all emergencies. It explicitly includes the possibility of war among the scenarios to plan for.
Oct 31, 2026Daily Brief

Parks Canada set to slash warden detachments and officers

Parks Canada is set to slash warden detachments and officer positions across national parks, which would reduce on-the-ground staffing in parks nationwide.
Oct 31, 2026Daily Brief

Carney's second budget to be measured against his promises

Carney is preparing to deliver his second budget, and a review checks the status of Liberal goals such as shrinking the deficit and growing investment. A separate column says the budget must account for his list of...
Oct 30, 2026Daily Brief

Unions warn of nationwide action over labour code changes

Canadian labour leaders warn unions could launch nationwide job action if Ottawa pushes through a contentious package of proposed changes to the Canada Labour Code.
Oct 30, 2026Daily Brief

Updated national security strategy calls for worst-case preparations

Canada has launched an updated national security framework calling for preparations for all emergencies, including the possibility of war.
Oct 30, 2026Daily Brief

Defence minister says F-35 purchase still under review

Defence Minister David McGuinty says the planned purchase of 88 F-35 stealth fighters remains under review, even after the RCAF received its first two jets in recent days.
Oct 6, 2026Video

Ottawa plans to make Defence Investment Agency a Crown corporation

The move would give Canada's military procurement body more speed and a broader economic security mandate, with accountability trade-offs that every Canadian should weigh.
Oct 3, 2026Video

Mark Carney plans first-ever standalone visit to Türkiye by a Canadian prime minister

Ottawa's drone-sensor ties, nuclear ambitions and the Wescam export history could make this trip a long-term turning point for Canada.
Oct 2, 2026Video

Canada's plan to stop riding American rockets takes shape in Ontario

At stake is whether Canada's satellites, used for defence and communications, can reach orbit without relying on SpaceX's schedule.