Summiting the Rockies

Your Look Ahead from Summa Strategies

June 16, 2025
7 minute read

The Latest

In the House

Key Green Chamber business set to play out.

House Leader Steven MacKinnon indicated in response to the Thursday Question that the House will debate the programming motion related to Bill C-5 (One Canadian Economy Act) today. Tomorrow will be the last supply day, Wednesday will see the second reading debate of Bill C-2 (Strong Borders Act), and Thursday will see the second reading debate of Bill C-3 (An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (2025)).
Bill C-2, Strong Borders Act, currently sits at second reading in the House.
Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (2025), currently sits at second reading in the House.
Bill C-4, Making Life More Affordable for Canadians Act, is currently at consideration in committee in the House.
Bill C-5, One Canadian Economy Act, currently sits at second reading in the House.
Bill C-205, An Act to amend the National Housing Strategy Act, was introduced last Monday.

Committee Updates

Last Friday, the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs tabled its Striking of membership of Standing and Standing Joint Committees report. Several committees have meetings scheduled throughout the week to elect a chair.

In the Senate

Stay informed on events in the Upper Chamber.

Last Thursday, the Senate adopted a motion to refer Bill C-5 to Committee of the Whole once the legislation reaches the Senate. Once it reaches the Senate, Ministers Freeland, Leblanc and Alty are expected to make appearances to speak on the legislation.
The Senate also adopted a motion to refer Bill C-4 to the Committee of the Whole where Minister Champagne is expected to appear as a witness, along with finance officials.
Bill S-202, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (warning label on alcoholic beverages), currently sits at consideration in committee in the Senate
Bill S-203, An Act to prohibit the promotion of alcoholic beverages, currently sits at second reading in the Senate.
Bill S-209, Protecting Young Persons from Exposure to Pornography Act, currently sits at consideration in committee in the Senate.
Bill S-232, Can’t Buy Silence Act, currently sits at second reading in the Senate.
Bill C-202, An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act (supply management), currently sits at third reading in the Senate.

Committee Updates

The Senate Standing Committee on National Finance is scheduled to meet today, tomorrow, Wednesday, and Thursday to discuss the Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates A.

In Case You Missed It

Your crib notes for last week’s top stories.

An Auditor General (AG) report released last Tuesday indicates that Canada’s F-35 purchase will cost 50 percent more than expected. This figure does not include the additional $5.5 billion needed to achieve “full operational capability.”
A recent AG report indicates that the federal government has moved slowly on reducing its office space that could be used for housing. The report attributes the delay to a lack of funding.
Sources with knowledge of Canada’s plan to join Europe’s rearmament plan have suggested that Canada could join the rearmament deal by June 23. This is expected to happen when Prime Minister Mark Carney meets with European leaders at the EU summit in Brussels.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated that Canada will be able to meet its 2 percent NATO defence spending target by the end of this fiscal year. Notably, his government announced an additional $9 billion in spending to meet this threshold and will move the Coast Guard from the Department of Fisheries to the Department of National Defence.
Federal AI Minister Evan Solomon said that the government will be putting less emphasis on AI regulation and focus on finding ways to harness the economic benefits that come along with this technology.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was in Ottawa this weekend to meet with Prime Minister Carney. Starmer’s visit began Saturday with dinner at Rideau Cottage with Carney, later watching the hockey game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers. They then met yesterday in West Block discussing bilateral cooperation on innovation and defence initiatives before flying separately to Calgary for the G7.
Federal Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu stated that she will exercise her authority and force a vote on Canada Post’s latest offer by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers’ membership. In a statement issued on its website on Friday, the union called on its members to vote against the offer.
A Global News report published last Thursday indicates that former federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh was under close surveillance by a suspected Indian government agent. This story was published ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attendance at the G7 Summit. His invitation to the Summit has been criticized by Canada’s Sikh community.
Federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has recused himself from files related to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and the World Tamil movement. Both organizations have been identified as terrorist entities by the federal government.
After steel tariffs on Canada were increased to 50 percent, ArcelorMittal announced that it is closing its wire drawing mill in Hamilton, putting 153 people out of work.
Ahead of the G7 meeting, a working document leaked to the media revealed that Canada is willing to participate in the Golden Dome security program proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump in addition to Canadian defence, Arctic and border security investments.
Canada and India have reached a deal on a new structure to share information about transnational crimes. This information-sharing agreement is the latest attempt by both nations to rebuild ties nearly two years after Canada accused India of orchestrating the murder of a Sikh activist in B.C.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand called for de-escalation following Israel’s strikes on Iran targeting its nuclear sites last week. Prime Minister Carney echoed this sentiment, calling on both parties to exercise “maximum restraint.” He also convened the National Security Council, a cabinet committee, to discuss the next steps being taken to protect Canadian nationals in the region.
Dr. Theresa Tam, who currently serves as Canada’s chief public health officer, announced that she will be leaving this role when her term ends on Friday. Dr. Tam led Canada’s public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Provincial Updates

A look at the top news across the country.

BC
Prairies
Ontario
Québec
Atlantic

Last Tuesday, BC Ferries announced that it will be contracting a Chinese state-owned enterprise to build 4 new ferries. This decision has sparked criticism from Transport Minister Mike Farnworth, B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad, and the BC Ferry and Marine Workers’ Union.
Former BC Conservative MLAs Dallas Brodie and Tara Armstrong have launched the One BC Party. Among other policy priorities, the party has stated that it would “defund the reconciliation industry.”
Trigon Pacific Terminals has greenlit a new $750 million LNG export facility in Prince Rupert, B.C. In addition to receiving support from the Lax Kw’alaams and Metlakatla First Nations, Trigon’s chief executive has also called on the federal government to identify this project as “shovel-ready”.

Alberta’s modernized access to information rules went into effect last week. Among other changes, the new rules created the Transparency Alberta website which includes information about government decisions, spending and activities.
The Saskatchewan NDP is calling for more shortline railway funding from the province as the 13 small railway companies operating in the province share $1 million in provincial funding annually. Shortline railways say they appreciate the funding they receive, but would like to see it doubled.
Research Manitoba will be receiving an additional $5 million annually to create an “intellectual property collective.” This funding will help support scholars who currently study artificial intelligence, information technology and data.
Last Thursday, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew stated that he believes that some hotel owners in the province are not doing enough to help wildfire evacuees, as some are still sleeping on cots in emergency shelters.

A recent Abacus Data poll places Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives 21 points ahead of the Ontario Liberals.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford stated that he has no plans to order the LCBO to restock American alcohol despite Alberta and Saskatchewan deciding to restore American-made alcohol in their provinces.
Ontario’s information and privacy commissioner has found that the Ford government broke its record-keeping obligations when it decided to open up the protected Greenbelt for housing.

Quebec Liberals have chosen Pablo Rodriguezto lead the party into the October 2026 election. Rodriguez is best known for serving as a senior federal cabinet minister in former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government.
Despite the appointment of former Hydro-Quebec CEO Michael Sabia to serve as clerk of the Privy Council, the final negotiations on a new energy deal between Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador will remain unaffected.
Quebec Minister of Environment Benoit Charette said that the number of Quebec homes located in flood zones is set to increase by 30 percent when new maps are released next year.
During his state visit to France, Quebec Premier Francois Legault suggested that U.S. President Donald Trump has brought Quebec closer to France.

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said that it could cost the province anywhere between $5 billion and $10 billion to build a transmission line that would connect Nova Scotia’s proposed offshore wind farms to the rest of Canada. This comes after the province announced plans to license enough offshore turbines to produce 40 gigawatts of electricity.
Nova Scotia is taking steps to speed up metals mining approvals. This includes moving the 15 requirements previously needed on the initial application to when the project is approved as conditions of that approval.
Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal MHA John Abbott resigned his seat as the MHA for St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi. Abbott made this decision to resolve a lawsuit over the controversial 2021 provincial election.
Last Friday, New Brunswick negotiated a deal with the federal government to increase the number of permanent residents taken by the province. New Brunswick will now receive 4,250 nominations this year, up from 1,500 announced in January.

What We’re Watching

Find out what issues Summa consultants are tracking and why they matter.

Summiting the Rockies –The G7 Leaders’ Summit begins today in Kananaskis, Alberta. The Summit is shaping up to be a high-stakes meeting for Prime Minister Mark Carney at a pivotal time for Canada’s role in global affairs and amid escalating hostilities in the Middle East.

Global trade tops the list of priorities for world leaders as American President Donald Trump has upended the global trading system with his ongoing tariffs and threats. Last week, it was revealed that negotiations between Carney and Trump were sufficiently advanced that a draft economic and security agreement had been circulated, raising expectations about a possible deal.

Carney has faced some criticism for the extended guest list of non-G7 leaders, which includes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but the prime minister has argued that the biggest global challenges must be addressed by the major global leaders, despite ongoing diplomatic tensions. On Friday,reports stated that India and Canada had reached a deal to share intelligence on terrorism and crime.

Prime Minister Carney seems determined to make the most of Canada’s role as chair of the 51st G7 Summit, which could be among the most consequential. The stakes – and expectations – are high.

Fast Tracking Government Business – The House of Commons is entering its final scheduled sitting week, and Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government is laser-focused on fast-tracking the passage of Bill C-4, which includes the middle class tax cut and the new GST rebate for first-time homebuyers, and Bill C-5, intended to expedite government approval of major projects. Activity-wise, this session has been fast-paced; Carney’s government has introduced four significant pieces of government legislation.

Friday’s report from the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs on committee membership means that committees have been formed and can begin conducting official business. This week will see the election of chairs and studies in TRAN and FINA on bills C-5 and C-4, respectively.

If the busy spring session was any indication, the drafting of government bills will continue during the summer recess, which will make for a full Order Paper in the fall.

Fast Tracking Government Business – The House of Commons is entering its final scheduled sitting week, and Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government is laser-focused on fast-tracking the passage of Bill C-4, which includes the middle class tax cut and the new GST rebate for first-time homebuyers, and Bill C-5, intended to fast-track major projects. Activity-wise, this session has been fast-paced; Carney’s government has introduced four significant pieces of government legislation.