Carney calls December byelections for 6 ridings in Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan

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Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-11-01 14:35:58.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Governance]

Prime Minister Mark Carney has called six federal byelections across Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan, scheduled for December 7, 2026. The vacant seats include Saint-Hyacinthe-Bagot-Acton, Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie, and Laurier-Sainte-Marie in Quebec; Scarborough North and Brantford-Brant South in Ontario; and Yorkton-Melville in Saskatchewan. These races provide the governing Liberal Party, which holds 173 seats, an opportunity to strengthen its thin majority in the House of Commons.

Tombstones pop on Parliament Hill at Halloween rally over pesticide regulations

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-31 21:30:23.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Quebec, Environment, Agriculture, Governance]

Protesters, alongside organizations such as Vigilance OGM, the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, and farmers, held a 'die-in' rally on Parliament Hill and across seven Quebec cities to oppose recent federal pesticide regulation changes. The demonstrations target Bill C-30—which passed in June and grants the federal government authority to greenlight pesticides deemed in the interest of economic or national food security, including those previously restricted by Health Canada—and the proposed omnibus Bill C-31. Bill C-31 includes amendments to the Pest Control Products Act allowing the Minister of Health to delay or narrow the scope of re-evaluations for registered pest control products. Health Canada defended the legislative changes, stating they are designed to reduce assessment delays and focus regulatory resources on high-risk products rather than automatic 15-year re-evaluations.

Experts, Liberal MP hope for full ban on sports betting ads as advocates cite mental health decline

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-30 14:50:39.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Alberta, Quebec, Healthcare, Social Services, Governance]

Bill S-211, introduced in May 2025 by Senator Marty Deacon and sponsored in the House by MP Bardish Chagger, is currently before the House standing committee on Canadian heritage to restrict sports betting ads across Canada. Supporters including Liberal MP Michael Coteau and public policy think-tank Cardus cite a University of Toronto study showing gambling-related emergency room visits nearly doubled in Ontario, alongside a 161 per cent increase in helpline calls among males aged 15-24 since single-game betting was legalized in 2021. Provincial officials from Ontario, Alberta, and Quebec, along with the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, have raised concerns regarding provincial jurisdiction, overlapping regulations, and economic impacts on commercial operators like FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM.

Ontario Completes Removal of Bike Lanes on Bloor Street West

Source: Ontario - Ministry of Transportation
Date: 2026-10-30 13:00:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Infrastructure, Transportation, Governance]

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation has completed the removal of bike lanes and restored motor vehicle lanes along a 1.2-kilometre section of Bloor Street West between Clissold Road and Royal York Road, following an August 2026 Ontario Court of Appeal ruling upholding legislative authority over public roadways. The project, which included removing precast curbs, delineators, signs, and bus pads alongside pavement repairs and resurfacing, was executed pursuant to the Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024 and the Plan to Protect Ontario Act, 2025. This action addresses provincial gridlock—which a Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis report estimates costs Ontario $56 billion annually—and follows related initiatives such as a September 2026 request for proposals to study lane restorations across Bloor Street, Yonge Street, University Avenue, Queen's Park, Queen's Park Crescent, and Avenue Road.

Ontario Future-Proofs Economy by Strengthening Local Utilities

Source: Ontario - Ministry of Energy and Mines
Date: 2026-10-27 15:09:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Energy, Infrastructure, Economy, Governance, Trade]

In response to U.S. tariffs and a projected doubling of electricity demand requiring grid expansions equivalent to adding the City of Toronto every six years, Ontario Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce announced legislative and regulatory reforms targeting the province's 58 local distribution companies (LDCs). Citing Electricity Distributors Association forecasts projecting up to $120 billion in distribution investments over the next two decades, the government's initiatives include driving Buy Ontario and Buy Canada joint procurements, implementing 10-year capital and workforce planning requirements, strengthening the governance of municipally owned LDCs like Oakville Hydro, London Hydro, and Oshawa Power, and enhancing consumer protections by banning winter disconnections for unit sub-meter providers serving multi-unit residential buildings. The reforms follow recommendations from the Panel for Utility Leadership and Service Excellence (PULSE) and are backed by major sector stakeholders including Hydro One, Toronto Hydro, Alectra Inc., Elexicon, and the Ontario Energy Association.

Ontario Introducing Changes to Improve Blue Box Program

Source: Ontario - Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Date: 2026-10-23 18:14:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Environment, Economy, Governance]

The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is proposing legislative and regulatory changes to the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act and Ontario's Blue Box Regulation (O. Reg. 391/21) to increase transparency, accountability, and cost predictability for producers operating provincewide recycling services. The proposed changes will allow the province to regulate contract terms and fees between producer responsibility organizations (PROs) and producers, establish clearer reporting requirements, set service and bin allocation standards, explore collection of flexible plastics, and replace the current program administrator with a new independent administrator. These actions build upon prior cost-stabilization measures enacted in September 2025 to mitigate economic pressures on businesses amidst potential U.S. tariffs.

Diplomacy or ‘interference’? U.S. warns Canadian officials as midterms near

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-22 19:14:45.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Trade, Governance]

The United States Embassy in Ottawa issued a list of nine points alleging that Canadian federal officials, including Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, and provincial leaders, such as Ontario Premier Doug Ford, engaged in foreign interference by attempting to influence U.S. politics and oppose American tariffs. Canadian legal experts and officials, including Carleton University law professor Leah West and former Deputy Prime Minister John Manley, disputed the claims, clarifying that overt public advocacy and diplomatic engagement do not meet the legal thresholds for foreign interference under Canadian or American law. The diplomatic friction arises as the U.S. approaches midterm elections amid historically low approval ratings for U.S. President Donald Trump and ongoing cross-border trade tensions.

Premier Ford Announces Updated Parliamentary Assistant Roles

Source: Ontario - Premier's Office
Date: 2026-10-22 16:30:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Governance]

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced an updated team of parliamentary assistants, legislative leaders, and standing committee chairs to support cabinet and advance government priorities. The renewed team is tasked with focusing on protecting workers and families while building a competitive and resilient economy. The announcement outlines specific legislative roles, including Government House Leader, Deputy Government House Leader, Whips, and Caucus Chair.

MPs moving to restrict gambling ads in Canada amid mounting harms

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-22 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Alberta, Public Safety, Governance, Social Services]

Federal MPs and Senators are advancing Bill S-211, a national legislative framework sponsored by MP Bardish Chagger and Senator Marty Deacon to restrict widespread sports betting advertisements and gambling promotions across Canada. The legislation follows findings from an analysis conducted by the University of Bristol during the 2026 NHL playoffs that revealed up to three gambling messages per minute on televised broadcasts featuring Canadian teams. The push to curb online gambling marketing comes amid rising rates of gambling addiction and a tripling of gambling-related suicides in Ontario following the province's 2022 expansion of private online casinos and sports betting. The provinces of Ontario and Alberta, along with the Canadian Gaming Association representing 80 industry operators, have opposed the federal bill, arguing it infringes on provincial regulatory authority over gaming frameworks.

U.S. Embassy says Carney government brushing off 'potential interference' in midterms

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-21 21:03:27.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Trade, Governance, Economy]

The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa released a fact sheet accusing the Canadian federal government and provincial officials of attempting to influence the upcoming U.S. midterm elections through targeted lobbying, advertising campaigns, and political event appearances related to an ongoing bilateral trade war and tariffs. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford strongly denied the interference allegations, maintaining that all policy responses and trade actions are executed strictly to protect Canadian workers, families, and domestic industries. U.S. trade adviser Peter Navarro and U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra previously warned that Canadian lobbying against tariffs in key U.S. border states like Michigan and Maine could result in severe economic repercussions.

Statement by Minister Quinn on Advancing Measures to Safeguard OSAP at Private Postsecondary Institutions

Source: Ontario - Ministry of Colleges and Universities
Date: 2026-10-20 21:25:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Education, Governance, Finance]

The Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security (MCURES), utilizing third-party auditor KPMG, has launched in-person inspections at eight private career colleges as part of a broader system-wide audit. Pending upcoming legislative changes expected in early 2027 to enhance oversight and integrity, the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) remains paused for private postsecondary institutions. The forthcoming strengthened validation framework will introduce caps on OSAP-funded enrollment, exclude predominantly online-only programs, and mandate stricter student identification and verification controls.

Ontario Strengthening Enforcement Against Illegal Cannabis Retail Operations

Source: Ontario - Ministry of the Attorney General
Date: 2026-10-19 16:13:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Justice, Public Safety, Economy, Governance]

The Ontario government announced proposed legislative changes to grant the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) expanded enforcement authorities against illegal cannabis storefronts and online operations, including the power to conduct inspections, seize illegal products and equipment, and issue administrative monetary penalties. The measures aim to address illegal retailers, who currently account for approximately 30 per cent of cannabis sales in the province, while protecting consumers and supporting the roughly 1,800 authorized cannabis retailers operating legally across Ontario.

U.S. 'monitoring' Canada for signs of midterm election interference, ambassador says

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-14 21:15:55.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Trade, Economy, Governance, Industry]

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra announced that American officials are closely monitoring Canadian politicians for signs of election interference ahead of the Nov. 3 U.S. midterm elections. Hoekstra cited political advertisements run by the province of Ontario during the 2025 World Series and comments made by federal officials including Industry Minister Mélanie Joly and former prime minister Justin Trudeau. Joly pushed back against the allegations, stating that Canada does not engage in election interference and that her recent U.S. visits focused solely on attracting investments from American companies. Meanwhile, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro warned that Canada would face severe repercussions if it attempts to lobby or influence elections in border states regarding ongoing tariff disputes.

Ontario Moving to Permanent Daylight Saving Time in Parts of Northwestern Ontario

Source: Ontario - Ministry of the Attorney General
Date: 2026-10-13 18:00:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Manitoba, Justice, Governance, Economy, Indigenous]

The Government of Ontario intends to implement a regulatory change under the Time Act by November 1, 2026, making daylight saving time permanent in Kenora and northwestern Ontario communities located west of the 90th meridian. This policy decision follows Manitoba's September 17, 2026 announcement to adopt permanent daylight saving time and aims to maintain regional alignment for businesses, families, and Indigenous communities in Ontario's central time zone. Attorney General Doug Downey and Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation Greg Rickford confirmed that extensive regional engagement revealed unanimous support for the synchronized time change to avoid economic and scheduling disruptions.

Ontario Clarifies Longstanding Out-of-Country Drug Funding Process

Source: Ontario - Ministry of Health
Date: 2026-10-06 21:00:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Healthcare, Affordability, Governance, Finance]

The Government of Ontario has amended Regulation 552 of the Health Insurance Act to align with its longstanding out-of-country drug funding policy, restricting out-of-country funding to treatments where the drug and administration are publicly funded in Ontario, temporarily unavailable locally, and necessary to prevent death or irreversible tissue damage. According to the Ministry of Health led by Minister Sylvia Jones, the regulatory clarification aims to prevent global pharmaceutical companies from bypassing direct price negotiations with the province and avoids potential health-care system cost increases of up to $5.2 billion annually alongside $170 million in out-of-country treatment requests. This follows a recent Ontario Divisional Court decision concerning out-of-country drug funding, which the government is evaluating alongside options such as an appeal or a negotiated resolution with the applicant.

Statement by Minister Quinn on Pausing OSAP Payments to Private Postsecondary Institutions and Restoring Integrity to the OSAP System

Source: Ontario - Ministry of Colleges and Universities
Date: 2026-10-06 18:59:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Education, Public Safety, Justice, Governance]

The Ontario Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security (MCURES) has paused all Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) payments to private postsecondary institutions following preliminary findings from an independent audit by KPMG that identified serious integrity concerns, including links to immigration services firms and unusually high application concentrations. The government issued notices of non-renewal and suspended OSAP eligibility for six campuses in May 2026, referred the matter to the Ontario Provincial Police, and notified the Auditor General. Furthermore, the province intends to introduce legislation to permanently exclude predominantly online programs at private career colleges from OSAP eligibility and is working with financial institutions to arrange low-interest, third-party loans for affected students.

Conservative Scott Aitchison confirms intention to resign from Parliament

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-09-30 17:06:42.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Governance]

Conservative Member of Parliament Scott Aitchison, representing the federal riding of Parry Sound-Muskoka, has confirmed his intention to resign his seat in the House of Commons following the conclusion of the fall parliamentary session. Aitchison's departure marks the eighth MP to leave Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative caucus since the 2025 federal election, bringing the total number of vacant seats in the House of Commons to seven. First elected in 2019 after a career in municipal politics including serving as Mayor of Huntsville, Aitchison stated he is leaving after 30 years of public life to explore new opportunities.

Conservative MP Scott Aitchison officially signals his intent to resign later this fall

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-30 16:36:04.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Governance, Housing]

Conservative MP Scott Aitchison, representative for the Ontario riding of Parry Sound-Muskoka and former housing critic, has officially announced his intention to resign his seat at the end of the fall sitting of Parliament, which is scheduled to conclude on December 11, 2026. Aitchison, who served as the former mayor of Huntsville and finished fifth in the 2022 Conservative Party leadership race won by Pierre Poilievre, cited a 30-year career in public life as he steps down. His departure adds to a series of recent parliamentary vacancies, leaving another open seat in the House of Commons alongside several other federal resignations.

Poilievre about to lose his 8th MP in a year

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-09-30 01:36:48.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Governance]

Conservative Member of Parliament Scott Aitchison, representing the Ontario riding of Parry Sound-Muskoka, is resigning his seat in Parliament, marking the eighth departure from Pierre Poilievre’s caucus since the 2025 federal election. Aitchison, a 53-year-old former mayor of Huntsville first elected in 2019, informed Poilievre of his intention to step down after 30 years as an elected official and is expected to formalize his exit before the House of Commons Christmas recess in December. His departure adds to a series of caucus losses for Poilievre, which includes four MPs crossing the floor to Mark Carney's Liberals, one moving to the Senate as an independent, and three resigning entirely from politics.

Conservative MP Scott Aitchison expected to resign this fall: sources

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-29 21:06:24.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Governance, Housing]

Conservative MP and former 2022 leadership candidate Scott Aitchison, who has represented the Ontario riding of Parry Sound-Muskoka since 2019, is expected to resign his seat at the end of the fall sitting. Aitchison previously served as the Conservative housing critic under party leader Pierre Poilievre after finishing fifth in the 2022 leadership race. His planned departure will add another vacancy to the House of Commons, joining several other recent federal parliamentary resignations and departures.