Sprint to the Summer Finish
Your Look Ahead from Summa Strategies
- 7 minute read
The Latest
Top stories driving the news this week.
- Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has been critical of Israel’s detention and abuse of 12 Canadians activists on board a flotilla attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video taunting activists while they were bound with their faces to the ground.
- Prime Minister Mark Carney is offering his own take on the upcoming Alberta independence referendum. He asserted that it’s essential for Alberta to be at the centre of renovating the country, and that he is pursuing a policy of co-operative federalism.
- A delegation from India, led by Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, will arrive this week to discuss trade and investment. The group will include more than 100 senior business representatives from industries such as mining, energy, automotive and aerospace.
- U.S. tech companies are calling on the government to withdraw Bill C-22. The goal of this legislation is to give Canadian law enforcement and intelligence agencies easier access to information during investigations. U.S. tech giants argue that the legislation will have extraterritorial reach, violate user privacy, break end-to-end encryption, and result in conflict of law issues.
- The Carney government is still riding high in popularity. Polls indicate that if an election were held today, the Liberals would increase their seat count. Carney would gain at the expense of Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives, who are polling at 34.7%. Carney has a wide lead in personal popularity, with a majority of Canadians naming him as their preferred prime minister.
In the House
Key Green Chamber business set to play out.
- Bill C-22, the Lawful Access Act, is at consideration at the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security.
- Bill C-20, the Build Canada Homes Act, is at report stage in the House of Commons.
- Bill C-16, the Protecting Victims Act, is at consideration at the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
- Bill C-11, the Military Justice System Modernization Act, is now at third reading in the House of Commons.
- Bill C-25, the Strong and Free Elections Act, is at consideration at the standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.
- Bill C-28, the Canadian Space Launch Act is at second reading in the House of Commons.
- Bill C-29, the Financial Crimes Agency Act, is at second reading in the House of Commons.
- Bill C-30, the Spring Economic Update 2026 Implementation Act, is at second reading in the House of Commons.
- Bill C-31, the Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 2, is at second reading in the House of Commons.
Committee Updates
- JUST will question Minister Fraser on his priorities and mandate as minister of justice.
- CIMM will meet today to discuss the provincial distribution of asylum seekers.
- FOPO will convene today and Wednesday to conduct their review of the Fisheries Act.
- REGS will work on a review of statutory instruments today.
- ACVA will study barriers to entrepreneurship among veterans today.
- PACP will examine 2023 public accounts, and housing in First Nations communities today.
- SDIR will hear from experts on displaced peoples today.
- SRSR has a briefing session with the president of the Canadian Space Agency today.
- ETHI will have a routine meeting today.
- HUMA will review main estimates and housing starts data today, with Minister Robertson appearing.
- INDU will review main estimates and supplementary estimates today.
- FINA will conduct pre-budget consultations today.
- AGRI will examine business risk management in agriculture tomorrow
- CHPC will study the effects of social media on children and adolescents tomorrow.
- FEWO will study anti-feminist ideology, women’s shelters, and abuse of senior women tomorrow.
- CIIT will study trade deals with Taiwan and the United States tomorrow.
- RNNR will analyze electrification and energy security tomorrow.
- INAN will consider Indigenous policing tomorrow.
- PROC will study Bill C-25, the Strong and Free Elections Act, tomorrow and on Thursday.
- SECU will hear from witnesses regarding Bill C-22 on lawful access tomorrow.
- LANG will consider the use of French in the private sector tomorrow.
- ENVI will examine Bill C-241 (Flood and Drought Protection).
- FAAE will hear from witnesses on Canada’s Africa strategy tomorrow.
- OGGO will hear from civil service officials on Buy Canadian policies tomorrow.
- BCAN is reviewing the exercise of powers under the Building Canada Act tomorrow.
- SBLI will consider budget submissions on Wednesday.
- ACVA will report on a rehabilitation services contract on Wednesday.
- CHPC will study the state of creative and performance spaces on Thursday.
- SRSR has a briefing with the Chief Statistician of Statistics Canada on Thursday.
- OGGO will question the Parliamentary Budget Officer on the Main Estimates on Thursday.
In the Senate
Stay informed on events in the Upper Chamber.
- Bill C-14, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, is currently being reviewed by the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
- Bill S-202, Warning Label on Alcoholic Beverages, is at third reading in the Senate.
- Bill C-8, An Act respecting cyber security, is at consideration at the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs.
- Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act (hate propaganda, hate crime and access to religious or cultural places), is undergoing committee consideration in the Senate.
- Bill S-5, the Connected Care for Canadians Act, is at consideration at the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.
Committee Updates
- REGS will convene to review statutory instruments today.
- RIDR will study Bill C-9, the Combating Hate Act today.
- SECD will examine Bill C-8 (cybersecurity) today.
- OLLO will consider future business tomorrow.
- APPA will work on a report regarding the implementation of UNDRIP tomorrow.
- NFFN will study Bill C-30, the Spring Economic Update Implementation Act, tomorrow and Thursday.
- TRCM will consider the maintenance of transport services in the case of labour disruptions tomorrow and Wednesday.
- RPRD will examine a possible amendment to the rules of the Senate tomorrow.
- AGFO will report on food security tomorrow and Thursday.
- ENEV will meet tomorrow to discuss Bill S-4 (energy efficiency), and on Thursday for a general discussion.
- POFO will consider the Pacific commercial fisheries licensing regime tomorrow, and the independence of Eastern inshore fisheries on Thursday.
- AOVS will be reviewing Senate audits on Wednesday.
- BANC will be hearing from Minister Robertson regarding Bill C-20 (Build Canada Homes) on Wednesday.
- AEFA will hear from witnesses on trade issues on Thursday.
- LCJC will question Minister MacKinnon on Bill C-25, the Strong and Free Elections Act, on Wednesday.
- SOCI will consider a bill to establish National Immigration Month on Wednesday and a bill to recognize the Canada Jay as Canada’s national bird on Thursday.
- APPA will study the duty to consult on Wednesday.
In Case You Missed It
Your crib notes for last week’s top stories.
- 14 Liberal members of Parliament wrote a letter to the prime minister expressing concern over backtracking on the environment and climate change. This follows another deal with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith that enables continued expansion of the petroleum sector. The signatories of the letter did not identify themselves publicly.
- The Department of National Defence confirmed it spent $29.3 million over the past five years to upgrade the planes flown by Canada’s Snowbirds demonstration squadron. Despite the upgrades to modernize the “glass cockpit” avionics systems, the planes are set to be retired due to other systems programs that require further work.
- The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced that large online streaming providers will be expected to contribute more of their revenue to Canadian content. The base contribution, previously set at 5 percent, will increase to 15 percent. Meanwhile, the CRTC is reducing the contribution requirement for traditional broadcasters from a range of 30 to 45 percent, down to 25 percent. U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra was quick to denounce the decision, while Canadian Heritage Minister Marc Miller said he would review it.
- The Canadian Armed Forces asked personnel in the capital region to return field gear due to equipment shortages. Soldiers who are not in deployable units will be obliged to return items such as backpacks and fragmentation vests.
Provincial Updates
A look at the top news across the country.
- This week marks the final sitting week of the spring session of the B.C. legislature. The session has been a difficult one for the governing NDP, which has faced intense scrutiny over deficits, cancelled healthcare projects and shifting stances on Indigenous issues.
- Premier David Eby met with Prime Minister Carney last week. He called him a friend to the province, he emphasized that B.C. remains opposed to lifting the North Coast tanker ban. During the meeting, Eby also advocated for provincial priorities, including LNG Canada.
- The B.C. government paid over half a million dollars to house two tenants in a former hotel. B.C. Housing shut down the complex due to safety concerns, and in the final months of operations were providing millions of dollars to the management company as tenant numbers dwindled. The B.C. Conservatives have derided the spending as wasteful.
- Voting began Saturday in the B.C. Conservative Party leadership race, as members choose between five candidates. Candidate Kerry-Lynne Findlay came under scrutiny last week over allegations tied to her failed federal re-election bid. According to reports, B.C. Conservative Party officials met over whether to disqualify Findlay from the race, though the leadership committee ultimately allowed her to remain in the race.
- Alberta will hold an independence referendum on October 19th, 2026. Premier Smith said that she will be voting to remain in Canada, and that this is the position of her government and caucus. Premier Smith recently submitted a newly worded referendum question to avoid being blocked by a judicial decision that blocked a referendum based on constitutional Indigenous rights.
- Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has expressed openness to negotiating the industrial carbon pricing with Prime Minister Carney. Moe may want to see concessions similar to what was offered to fellow petroleum-producing province Alberta. The premier’s ideal plan would be one where pollution pricing revenue would be returned to the companies that pay it.
- Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is describing his approach to illegal narcotics as “New Testament for drug users, Old Testament for drug dealers”. He is cracking down on crime while simultaneously advancing treatment measures like opening a new supervised consumption site.
- Caroline Mulroney is resigning from Premier Doug Ford’s cabinet and her seat in the Ontario legislature, according to a letter addressed to her constituents.
- The Ontario government has banned Chinese drones from police operations. Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement Stephen Crawford positioned this move as essential for protecting data from bad actors.
- Left-leaning Toronto city councillors failed to pass a motion initiating a Toronto referendum on the Billy Bishop Airport expansion. The question would have been included on the ballot this fall. Mayoral candidate and current city councillor Brad Bradford supported the idea of a referendum, advocating for a public and transparent process.
- Ontario bars and restaurants will be able to sell alcohol until 4 a.m. during the FIFA World Cup. Last call is typically at 2 a.m. Premier Ford has made expanding access to alcohol a key aspect of his political brand.
- A new Liaison Strategies poll shows an exact tie between the Ontario Liberals and the Progressive Conservatives. Some models show that an election would yield a Liberal minority government.
- Ontario Liberal MPP Stephanie Smyth is endorsing caucus colleague Lee Fairclough’s bid for the leadership of the party. Fairclough is running the table on caucus endorsements so far. Smyth praised Fairclough’s authenticity and her deep care for the issues facing Ontarians.
- Quebec Premier Christine Frechette has given the struggling Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) party a new momentum in the polls. The CAQ is now not far behind the PQ and Liberals, who are near tied for first. Healthcare and cost of living are top of mind for voters in this year’s provincial election.
- Quebec’s anti-corruption police recently met with Liberal Leader Charles Milliard to discuss their investigation into unethical practices under his predecessor. Allegations of corruption led to the resignation of Pablo Rodriguez as leader and squelched Liberal momentum at a key moment of CAQ unpopularity.
- PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has expressed concern that the federal government is spying on his party. He has been having his members leave their phone outside the room during meetings to evade surveillance. Anglophone commentators have argued that this is outdated paranoia.
- Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston lamented the cost of addressing unconstitutional wage capping legislation passed by former Liberal Premier Stephen McNeil. The cost could be as much as $300 million. The Liberals imposed these wage freezes on public sector unions as part of a successful effort to balance the budget.
- New Brunswick is undertaking a review of its Official Languages Act. The review may be politically bumpy for Liberal Premier Susan Holt, who is reliant on a strong base of francophone support. Conservative anglophones often criticize the high cost of French services, while Liberal francophones demand their constitutionally guaranteed minority language rights.
- A report commissioned by Newfoundland & Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham is critical of the landmark Churchill Falls deal inked by the previous Liberal government in 2024. Wakeham will now return to the negotiating table, hoping to draw more concessions from Quebec.
- The P.E.I. Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit against former premier Dennis King. The plaintiff alleged that King was involved in a secret e-gaming proposal, abused his powers, and avoided scrutiny by using non-governmental email addresses.
What We're Watching
Find out what issues Summa consultants are tracking and why they matter.
Playing Defence
Last week, the United States government announced that it was suspending the U.S.-Canada Permanent Joint Board on Defense for review. The bilateral body was created just before the United States entered the Second World War and has helped coordinate North American defence policy ever since. However, the body has not met since President Trump took office. Prime Minister Mark Carney did not appear fazed by Washington’s decision, when asked for comment last Tuesday. He noted he was continuing to increase his government’s defence spending.
Although the suspension of the joint board appears to be more of a symbolic move than one that will have a real impact on operational security, it was clearly crafted to send a message. The question now is: was the message a signal of the growing distance between two once-close neighbours, or is it a more pointed attempt to influence Canada’s military policy?
Alyssa Bishop
Research Manager and Consultant
The Parallel Pipeline
The Carney government is running two complementary public consultations simultaneously, with both shaping up to help set the table for the PM’s much-discussed goal of attracting more foreign investment to Canada..
The Canada Labour Code review closes today, which proposed revisions to bargaining timelines, a new special mediator role, expanded essential services designations, and a reassessment of the ministerial intervention powers that have repeatedly ended work stoppages in recent years.
Meanwhile, Transport Canada’s supply chain consultation, open until June 7, is soliciting input on legislative and regulatory changes to corridors, gateways, and trade infrastructure. Both are products of an agenda Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon, also a former Minister of Labour, has been advancing in tandem for months. Built on the twin pillars of trade diversification and supply chain reliability, this strategy was first outlined in Minister MacKinnon’s speech to a business crowd at the Empire Club in March.
Now is the time for stakeholders operating in federally regulated sectors and across critical supply chains to take stock of how they’re positioned for the legislative steps that are widely expected to follow.
Bryce McRae
Senior Consultant
Summa in Action
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