AGP Executive Report

Greenbelt Probe: Three years after the RCMP opened its investigation into Ontario’s Greenbelt scandal, people who spoke with investigators say they have heard little about its progress. The Mounties say the probe is ongoing. Alberta Referendum: Mark Carney is making the case for national unity ahead of Alberta’s Oct. 19 vote on whether to pursue a binding secession referendum. Premier Danielle Smith says she voted to stay in Canada. B.C. Election: Party leaders faced off in the campaign’s only televised debate, as the NDP promised to trim the deficit to about $12 billion by 2028-29. Trade and Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Anita Anand met Indian leaders in New Delhi as both countries push to conclude a trade pact by year-end; India also approved Canadian firm Fairfax’s purchase of a majority stake in IDBI Bank. U.S. Tensions: Donald Trump again said Canada would become a U.S. state. Ottawa rejected U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra’s warning about Canadian involvement in the midterms. Steel Jobs: Industry Minister Mélanie Joly says Stelco’s U.S. owner could face fines or be forced to sell Canadian assets if layoffs continue, though Ottawa has not filed a court case.

Alberta Unity: Mark Carney is set to rally for Canada ahead of the Oct. 19 separation referendum. Former premiers Rachel Notley and Jason Kenney also urged voters to reject separation, while differing on nine other ballot questions. India Ties: Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand met her Indian counterpart to discuss trade, energy and defence as both countries push to advance a trade pact. Steel Jobs: NDP Leader Avi Lewis called on Carney to nationalize Stelco after 500 Hamilton workers faced layoffs; Ottawa has given the company a deadline to affirm its job commitments. B.C. Election: Party leaders made their economic pitches as health care and promises to protect public care remain campaign flashpoints. Canadian Investment: India approved Fairfax Financial’s roughly $5.5-billion purchase of a 60.72% stake in IDBI Bank, a landmark deal for the Canadian firm. Climate in Court: A youth-led case challenging the federal government’s climate record is set to begin in Vancouver on Oct. 26.

Alberta Referendum: Mark Carney will join “Forever Canadian” rallies in Calgary and Edmonton ahead of the Oct. 19 vote on whether Alberta should remain in Canada or pursue separation. Former premiers Rachel Notley and Jason Kenney have also united to argue for staying. Quebec Transition: Premier-designate Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and outgoing Premier Christine Fréchette began a handover after the Parti Québécois won a minority government, discussing the economy, U.S. relations and hydro agreements. B.C. Election: Leaders pitched competing economic plans ahead of the Oct. 24 vote: David Eby proposed a federally backed shipyard, while the Conservatives promised tax cuts and faster project approvals. Trade and Industry: Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi renewed their push for a trade pact and higher bilateral trade, as Canada’s largest trade mission in 30 years visits India. Ottawa also set Stelco a deadline to commit to jobs, while NDP leaders called for the steelmaker to be nationalized. Federal Spending: Ottawa added $500 million to its regional AI program, bringing funding to $700 million.

Canada–India Ties: Mark Carney and Narendra Modi agreed to push forward on trade, energy, technology and security, as Canada sends its largest trade delegation to India in 30 years. Trade Fight: Pierre Poilievre is in Detroit urging tariff-free auto trade, arguing U.S.-Canada tariffs are hurting production on both sides of the border. Alberta Referendum: With the Oct. 19 vote approaching, former premiers Rachel Notley and Jason Kenney are joining forces to argue against Alberta leaving Canada. Stelco Jobs: Ottawa has given the Hamilton steelmaker’s U.S. owner until Tuesday to reaffirm job commitments after announcing plans to cut as many as 500 positions. Foreign Policy: Canada joined more than two dozen countries condemning Iran’s suspected role in a plot targeting a U.K. air base.

Alberta’s Unity Vote: Advance voting is under way ahead of an Oct. 19 referendum on whether to pursue a future separation vote. Prime Minister Mark Carney urged Albertans to stay in Canada, saying the country is stronger together. B.C. Election: Child care and health care are flashpoints: the Conservatives challenged David Eby over his family’s use of subsidized daycare, while Eby accused them of favouring U.S.-style health-care privatization. Affordable Housing: Ottawa’s $1.5-billion Rental Protection Fund aims to help non-profit, co-op and Indigenous groups buy existing buildings and preserve about 7,000 affordable homes over five years. Greenbelt Probe: Three years into the RCMP investigation of Ontario’s Greenbelt scandal, people who spoke with investigators say they have heard little about its progress, raising questions about the probe’s direction.

Alberta Unity Vote: Campaigns are entering the final stretch before the Oct. 19 referendum on Alberta’s place in Canada. Former premiers Jason Kenney and Rachel Notley will rally for unity, while Premier Danielle Smith and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre are also urging voters to stay. Project Approvals: Ottawa introduced Bill C-39, proposing a one-year federal review target for major projects, strategic trade corridors and stronger worker protections. Saskatchewan is seeking public input on a joint federal-provincial review process. Trade and Security: Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned a U.S.-Russia diesel deal, warning it could help fund the war in Ukraine, and spoke with Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Canada is also sending its largest trade delegation to India in 30 years. Arctic Strategy: With sovereignty and security concerns rising, a discussion on the changing Arctic puts Canada’s ambitions for a stronger regional role in focus.

Ukraine and Washington: Mark Carney backed Donald Trump’s announced energy ceasefire, but told Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy that a separate U.S. diesel deal with Russia would help fund Moscow’s war. National Unity: With Alberta’s independence referendum approaching, Carney says Canadians will decide the country’s future; Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is also preparing a unity pitch. Housing and Federalism: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says Ottawa’s housing funds pressured Edmonton to adopt wider infill zoning, which her government has now reversed—renewing a fight over federal influence and local control. Jobs and Industry: Stelco’s U.S. owner is threatening a court battle over Ottawa’s claim that planned layoffs breach job commitments made when it bought the steelmaker. B.C. Election: Environmentally minded voters in traditional NDP strongholds are questioning David Eby’s record as the party seeks re-election.

Alberta Referendum: Advance voting opens Tuesday ahead of the Oct. 19 ballot on immigration, constitutional issues and whether to pursue a second referendum on separation. Elections Alberta is preparing for record turnout; Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected in the province this week as the vote becomes a test of national unity. National Politics: Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre plans to deliver a unity speech in Alberta, while Quebec’s new Parti Québécois government and a separatist group’s outreach to its leader add to renewed sovereignty tensions. Trade and Foreign Policy: Ottawa has designated the Pacific Link pipeline a project of national interest and is sending a 300-member business delegation to India. France’s ambassador praised Carney’s firm approach to U.S. demands and urged closer Canada-Europe ties. Provincial Accountability: Six New Brunswick MLAs, including two cabinet ministers, took a Taiwan trip funded by its government, raising questions about disclosure and conflict-of-interest rules.

India Trade: Two senior ministers, including Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu, will lead nearly 300 delegates to India next week as Ottawa pushes to conclude a trade pact and expand commerce. Federal Spending: Parliamentary Budget Officer Annette Ryan warned Carney’s spending approach could drive debt-servicing costs into a “danger zone,” while unclear definitions make the government’s figures hard to assess. Alberta Unity: Premier Danielle Smith says she would not hold another separation referendum while premier if voters choose to stay in Canada on Oct. 19. Carney has also rejected Elon Musk’s call for Canada to break up, saying Canadians will decide their future. B.C. Campaign: NDP Leader David Eby urged interim Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson to remove his campaign director over a past social-media post attacking Islam. Economy: Canada lost 68,000 jobs in September, adding pressure on the government as the labour market weakens.

National Unity: Carney said Canadians will decide the country’s future after Elon Musk backed separatism, as Alberta approaches an Oct. 19 vote on whether to pursue a binding independence referendum. Pierre Poilievre is set to campaign for unity in Alberta, while the Parti Québécois says independence is not an immediate priority after winning a minority government in Quebec. Foreign Policy: Canada joined European allies and Japan in rejecting U.S. sanctions on the International Criminal Court, defending the court’s independence. Trade: Nearly 300 Canadian business delegates head to India next week as Ottawa seeks to deepen ties and more than double bilateral trade by 2030. Jobs: Canada shed 68,000 jobs in September, adding pressure on the Carney government as it faces a weakening labour market. Accountability: Three years into the RCMP’s Greenbelt investigation, people who spoke with investigators say they have little information about its progress.

Jobs & Trade: Canada lost 68,000 jobs in September, with young workers hit hardest. Meanwhile, a U.S. ban on nearly $1 billion in Canadian imports is adding pressure on businesses as President Donald Trump says he is in no rush to resume trade talks. Local Power: Alberta ordered Edmonton to reverse housing rules that encourage infill, prompting the mayor to warn of chaos for housing choices and investment. The Alberta Court of Appeal also ruled the federal Impact Assessment Act remains unconstitutional. National Unity: Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pushed back after Elon Musk voiced support for separation. Alberta’s Oct. 19 referendum is drawing added scrutiny over separatists’ reported contacts with U.S. officials; a judge rejected an NDP challenge to changes in voter lists. Quebec Politics: The Parti Québécois is preparing to govern with a minority after winning 59 seats, while leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon says an independence vote is not an immediate priority. B.C. Campaign: Taxes, health care and seniors’ support are shaping the final stretch before the Oct. 24 provincial election.

National Unity: Mark Carney said Canadians will decide the country’s future after Elon Musk voiced support for provincial separation; Alberta and Saskatchewan’s premiers have also rejected his call. Economic Pressure: Canada lost 68,300 jobs in September, wiping out the year’s gains and lifting unemployment to 6.5%, a sharp setback for the government. MAID Policy: Ottawa plans to indefinitely exclude mental illness as the sole basis for assisted dying, while a proposed bill could allow advance requests—raising fresh concerns about consent. Parliament: The government’s major economic bill, C-39, cleared its first House vote and now heads to committee. Quebec Politics: The Parti Québécois’ minority win has revived the independence debate, putting national unity back on Carney’s agenda.

Campaign Safety: Vancouver police are investigating suspected arson after ABC Vancouver election signs were damaged at a volunteer’s home. National Unity: Mark Carney pushed back against Elon Musk’s call for Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan to separate, saying Canadians will decide the country’s future. Alberta’s Oct. 19 separation referendum is drawing calls to stay, including unanimous support from Canmore council. MAiD Policy: The federal government plans to indefinitely exclude cases where mental illness is the sole basis for medical assistance in dying; MPs also defeated a Conservative bill to ban it outright. Energy Costs: Carney announced $2 billion in rebates for homeowners installing heat pumps, part of a broader plan to cut household energy costs and emissions. Parliament: The Liberals’ major economic bill, C-39, cleared its first vote and heads to committee. Quebec Politics: The Parti Québécois won a minority government, reviving the prospect of an independence referendum.

Clean Energy: Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Sherbrooke to announce new clean-energy measures, with details expected after his pledge to support home-efficiency upgrades. MAID Policy: Ottawa plans legislation to keep mental illness from qualifying as the sole basis for assisted dying, after MPs rejected a private member’s bill seeking that ban; the government’s proposal is also expected to allow advance requests. Quebec and Alberta: The Parti Québécois has formed a minority government, reviving the independence debate, though leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon says a referendum is not an immediate priority. Alberta separatists say the Quebec result gives their cause momentum ahead of the province’s Oct. 19 referendum. Trade Tensions: U.S. trade representative Jamieson Greer says Washington is holding firm in talks with Canada, while Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers has shifted to opposing Trump’s tariffs. Foreign Policy: Canada withdrew from a disinformation conference after U.S. pressure over its sessions on American influence operations.

MAID Policy: Mark Carney’s government will introduce legislation to indefinitely bar people whose sole condition is mental illness from accessing assisted dying, citing concerns about mental-health care and a lack of agreement on when illness is irremediable. Alberta Referendum: Premier Danielle Smith says Elections Alberta’s efforts to fix errors in about 3,000 returned mail-in ballot packages show the process is working. The Oct. 19 vote includes whether to pursue a binding separation referendum; Smith also called separatists’ reported offer of Alberta resources to the U.S. “absurd.” Confederation: Ottawa’s defence minister highlighted $8 billion in military projects in Alberta, pitching the province’s role in Canada less than two weeks before the referendum. Quebec Politics: The Parti Québécois has formed a minority government after its election win, but its leader says a referendum is not an immediate priority. Trade and Parliament: The House defeated a Conservative motion for deeper diesel-tax relief. Separately, Canada withdrew support for a disinformation conference after U.S. pressure over a panel examining Washington’s role in information manipulation.

Quebec’s Sovereignty Shift: The Parti Québécois won a minority government with just 28% of the vote, reviving the independence debate. Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon says a referendum is not an immediate priority, and the minority’s narrow room to govern could complicate that promise. Alberta’s Unity Test: Thousands of referendum mail-in ballots were rejected over errors, drawing scrutiny of the process. An Alberta separatist leader also says the foreign-influence watchdog contacted the group after it met with U.S. State Department officials. Carney’s Balancing Act: Mark Carney says oilsands expansion is possible as Ottawa advances a proposed Pacific pipeline, pitching cooperation with Alberta as a way to bolster a united Canada. He is also heading to Türkiye for talks on trade, energy and defence, while U.S. President Donald Trump says he is in no rush to restart Canada trade talks.