C-31 (45-1) - Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 2

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Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-10-30 12:26:14.0
Tags: [National, Finance, Taxation, Economy, Governance]

Bill C-31 (45th Parliament, 1st Session), titled the Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 2 and sponsored by Minister of Finance and National Revenue, has advanced to the report stage in the House of Commons following committee review by the Standing Committee on Finance, which presented its report with amendments on October 30, 2026. The legislation implements provisions stemming from the federal budget tabled on November 4, 2025, and the 2026 Spring Economic Update titled 'Canada Strong For All'. The Senate has concurrently authorized pre-study of the bill's subject matter across multiple standing committees, including the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance and specialized sectoral committees assigned to specific divisions of Part 4 of the bill.

2025-26 Public Accounts Volume 2 Released

Source: Saskatchewan - Government News
Date: 2026-10-29 23:00:00.0
Tags: [Saskatchewan, Finance, Governance, Taxation]

The Government of Saskatchewan released the 2025-26 Public Accounts Volume 2, detailing expense and revenue information for ministries, the Legislative Assembly, and its officers from the General Revenue Fund. Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Jim Reiter noted that ministry travel expenses reached $45.1 million in 2025-26, representing a 1.1 per cent or $0.5 million increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, government-wide communications expenses decreased by $1.2 million to $12.1 million in 2025-26 compared to $13.3 million in 2024-25, continuing a 28 per cent reduction from $16.8 million in 2007-08. The report also includes pension plan and trust fund balances, a Statement of Remission of Taxes and Fees, and the Road Use Fuel Tax Accountability Report, following the release of Volume 1 on June 30, 2026.

S-253 (45-1) - Making Child Care More Affordable for Canadian Families Act

Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-10-29 00:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Taxation, Affordability, Social Services, Governance]

Bill S-253, titled the Making Child Care More Affordable for Canadian Families Act, was introduced and read for the first time in the Senate on October 29, 2026. The Senate Public Bill proposes to amend the Income Tax Act specifically regarding the child care expense deduction indexation. The legislation is currently at the second reading stage in the Senate during the 1st session of the 45th Parliament.

Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency Operating Effectively: Independent Review

Source: Saskatchewan - Government News
Date: 2026-10-26 23:00:00.0
Tags: [Saskatchewan, Taxation, Governance, Infrastructure]

The Government of Saskatchewan released an independent review conducted by Upfront Consulting regarding the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency (SAMA), which manages a property assessment base valued at over $278 billion supporting approximately $2.63 billion in annual municipal and education property taxes. The review concluded that SAMA is operating effectively with strong professional competence and management capacity, while identifying four specific areas for improvement: board member appointments, advisory committees, stakeholder engagement, and conflict of interest guidelines. Government Relations Minister Eric Schmalz and SAMA CEO Shaun Cooney noted that the findings will be used to enhance transparency, stakeholder participation, and the province's property revaluation cycle.

S-217 (45-1) - Fairness for All Canadian Taxpayers Act (measuring the tax gap to fight international tax evasion)

Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-10-20 18:20:18.0
Tags: [National, Taxation, Finance, Governance]

Bill S-217, titled the Fairness for All Canadian Taxpayers Act (measuring the tax gap to fight international tax evasion), is a Senate Public Bill introduced by Senator Percy E. Downe to amend the Canada Revenue Agency Act regarding reporting on unpaid income tax. After completing its stages in the Senate, the bill crossed over to the House of Commons where it achieved second reading and was referred to the Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) on October 20, 2026. The legislation builds upon similar previously introduced bills, such as S-258 from the 44th Parliament and S-243 from the 42nd Parliament, aimed at improving fiscal transparency around Canada's tax gap.

Small-town mayors face growth backlash as Edmonton grapples with population surge

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-15 21:49:05.0
Tags: [Alberta, Municipal, Housing, Infrastructure, Governance, Taxation]

According to the BILD Edmonton Metro 2026 State of the Region report, row house and apartment permits in regional Edmonton municipalities surged by over 600 per cent over a five-year period amid population growth. Regional leaders, including Sturgeon County Mayor Alanna Hnatiw, Strathcona County Mayor Rod Frank, and Fort Saskatchewan Mayor Lisa Makin, highlighted constituent backlash against development and the ongoing challenge of balancing growth with demands for municipal services without raising property taxes. The data shows provincial housing starts increased 130.8 per cent between 2020 and 2025, with Edmonton issuing $3.2 billion in building permits in 2025, while regional municipalities experienced average permit turnaround times ranging from 5 to 26 days compared to Edmonton's 53.8 days.

Edmonton mayor slams 'uninformed directive' after province intervenes on city infill rules

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-08 21:15:11.0
Tags: [Alberta, Municipal, Housing, Governance, Taxation]

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams issued a provincial directive forcing the City of Edmonton to roll back its recent infill housing policies and rewrite its zoning bylaws within 18 months. Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack and municipal leaders criticized the intervention as an attack on municipal autonomy that will restrict housing growth, drive up property taxes, and increase housing and rental costs. City councillors including Erin Rutherford and Anne Stevenson raised concerns that the directive undermines years of planning consultations and shifts growth pressures toward costly suburban sprawl.

BC NDP promises to freeze car insurance rates for 3 years if elected

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-08 19:45:05.0
Tags: [British Columbia, Affordability, Transportation, Governance, Taxation]

BC NDP Leader David Eby announced a campaign promise to freeze basic car insurance rates through the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) for three years if re-elected. The policy announcement comes amid political sparring over the future of ICBC's no-fault Enhanced Care model, which was introduced by the BC NDP in 2021. Meanwhile, the BC Conservatives proposed a hybrid insurance model to restore legal rights for accident victims alongside a separate tax cut promising residents no income tax on their first $32,000 in earnings.

With city's next four-year plan less than a month away, Edmonton's budget deliberation process unveiled

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-06 20:29:58.0
Tags: [Municipal, Alberta, Finance, Taxation, Governance, Affordability]

The City of Edmonton unveiled its upcoming four-year budget deliberation process, which will encompass five distinct budgets: the capital, operating, utility services operating and capital, office of the city auditor, and climate budgets. Draft budgets are scheduled for publication on November 2, followed by a public hearing beginning on November 23 that will remain open for up to 10 days until December 18 or budget approval. In an 8-5 vote, City Council approved raising the city's franchise fee to 19.4 per cent to match Calgary's rate, aiming to offset property tax pressures on residents and businesses while the city works to rebuild its financial stabilization reserve back to the $150-million baseline.

Whitehorse city council grants short-term rental operators licence grace period

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-09-29 20:33:06.0
Tags: [National, Housing, Municipal, Taxation, Governance]

The Whitehorse City Council unanimously voted to approve an overarching licensing bylaw for short-term rentals while granting operators a six-month grace period, moving the mandatory licensing deadline from October 1 to April 1. The delay responds to concerns from industry representatives, such as Neighbourly North president Ben Pereira, regarding tight implementation timelines and potential Canada Revenue Agency tax penalties that deny expense deductions for unlicensed short-term rentals. City planning officials noted that the regulatory framework is designed to address local housing pressures while giving operators time to comply.

House of Commons returns for fall sitting after turbulent summer

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-21 16:59:49.0
Tags: [National, Economy, Trade, Taxation, Governance, Labour]

The House of Commons resumes its fall sitting under Prime Minister Mark Carney, with the legislative agenda dominated by U.S.-Canada trade tensions and retaliatory tariffs following the collapse of trade talks. The federal government plans to introduce a productivity "mega-deduction" allowing companies to expense total capital investments, balance the day-to-day operating budget by next year, and advance Bill C-31 to implement 2025 budget tax and defence procurement provisions. Additional legislative priorities include extending the excise tax holiday on gasoline, streamlining major project reviews, modifying the Labour Code, and progressing left-over spring bills concerning under-16 social media restrictions, First Nations drinking water frameworks, and corporate data privacy rules.

House of Commons is back as Liberals vow ‘significant’ legislation coming

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-09-21 12:19:28.0
Tags: [National, Economy, Trade, Taxation, Labour, Governance]

As the House of Commons resumes the fall sitting, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Government House leader Steven MacKinnon have announced plans to introduce significant economic legislation and major changes to the federal labour code. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is preparing to introduce a bill extending relief for the excise tax on fuel alongside an upcoming fall budget. Meanwhile, the federal government faces escalating cross-border trade tensions and tariff disputes with the United States administration under President Donald Trump after trade talks stalled.

MPs are heading back to Parliament Hill. Here's what to watch this sitting

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-20 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Economy, Taxation, Trade, Labour, Governance]

As Parliament returns for the fall 2026 sitting, Prime Minister Mark Carney's majority government faces a legislative agenda focused on economic growth, upcoming federal budget measures, and trade developments involving the United States and the European Union. Key legislative items include the Building Canada Strong Act to streamline major project reviews, Bill C-31 implementing 2025 budget provisions, tax policy initiatives including a productivity mega-deduction, and amendments to the Labour Code affecting the Canada Industrial Relations Board regarding high-risk work stoppages in export industries. The Liberals hold 173 seats in the House of Commons alongside six vacant seats, while managing ongoing trade fallout with the U.S. administration and proposed closer economic alliances with the European Union.

Carney to address Liberal caucus after return from Europe

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-09-18 12:25:25.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Economy, Taxation, Defence, Governance]

Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the Liberal caucus in Ottawa ahead of the fall sitting of the House of Commons, which will feature upcoming legislation to enact a fuel excise tax extension announced on September 2. Following a trip to Strasbourg, France, Carney welcomed a historic proposal from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for Canada to become the European Union's first associate member. Carney stated he will sign no new deals with the European Union until Canada’s Parliament can vote on them, as part of a broader push to strengthen trade, defence, and people-to-people ties with Europe and reduce reliance on the United States.

'Momentous decision': Alberta separation could cost up to $170 billion, says U of C report

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-09-16 17:30:44.0
Tags: [Alberta, Economy, Finance, Governance, Taxation, Trade]

A government-commissioned report from the University of Calgary School of Public Policy estimates that establishing an independent Alberta would cost between $50 billion and $170 billion in the first five years following separation. Under a 'smooth' secession scenario, the report projects Alberta would add nearly $210 billion in debt—largely from its share of Canada's national debt—along with short-term GDP contraction and initial per-capita tax increases of over $800. Under a 'difficult' scenario involving adversarial negotiations, Alberta's total debt could approach $442 billion (making up nearly 90 per cent of its GDP) with per-capita wage losses reaching $5,500 and short-term tax increases of $5,400 over the first five years. The findings precede an October 19 vote regarding whether the province should further pursue separation, as overseen by Finance Minister Jason Nixon's office and a five-member advisory panel.

Whitehorse city council backs away from vote on licensing bylaw for short-term rentals

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-09-15 23:30:00.0
Tags: [National, Municipal, Housing, Taxation, Governance]

The Whitehorse city council delayed a final vote on a new municipal licensing bylaw for short-term rentals to allow city administration two weeks to review implementation timelines, transition periods, and potential Canada Revenue Agency tax implications. During the same meeting, the council voted to pass an amended bylaw reducing the single-unit licence surcharge to $176 for each additional unit on the same property where the operator resides. Previously, city zoning rules banned new standalone short-term rentals while grandfathering in existing ones indefinitely.

P.E.I. has some of Canada's highest fuel prices. Politicians are looking at making them cheaper

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-10 23:53:54.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Affordability, Taxation, Energy, Governance]

A legislative committee on Prince Edward Island is reviewing the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission pricing framework and preparing recommendations for the fall sitting of the legislature to lower fuel prices. The committee is specifically researching three options: cutting the provincial fuel tax of 8.47 cents per litre for gasoline and 14.15 cents per litre for diesel (which would yield approximately $28 million in consumer savings), eliminating minimum fuel pricing to foster competition, and exploring the establishment of an island-based ethanol-blending facility.