Conservatives Outspent Liberals Nearly 2-to-1 in 2025 Loss
The Conservatives spent $99 million in 2025 against $55 million by the Liberals, nearly two to one, according to filings published this month by Elections Canada, yet lost the April election to Mark Carney's Liberals. The party ended the year in debt despite raising a record $48.4 million from supporters, while the Liberals finished debt-free. Each party received more than $30 million in election rebates.
Axworthy Faults Carney’s ‘Transactional’ Foreign Policy
Former Liberal foreign minister Lloyd Axworthy said Prime Minister Mark Carney's foreign policy has left him with "buyer's remorse," faulting a transactional approach that sidelines Global Affairs Canada and consultation. He said budget cuts to the department undercut Canada's global credibility. Former trade minister Sergio Marchi disputed the critique, calling Carney's stance a practical response to geopolitical pressures rather than a departure from Liberal tradition.
Conservatives Face Fundraising Worries Amid Public Infighting
Global News reported that some Conservatives fear a second-quarter fundraising slump amid weak polls and public infighting. Its analysis of Elections Canada filings found leader Pierre Poilievre attended seven party fundraisers in the first half of 2026, down from 27 in the same 2024 period. The party disputed the concern, citing $9.4 million raised in the first quarter, with Q2 figures due this month.
Canada to Join Global Combat Air Programme as Observer
Canada has reached a deal to join the Global Combat Air Programme as an observer, government sources said. Defence Minister David McGuinty is expected to formalize the status in the UK next week alongside British, Japanese and Italian counterparts. The sixth-generation fighter program aims for service by 2035. Observer status carries no financial commitment. Canada is separately reviewing its planned purchase of 88 F-35 jets.
Ontario Joins National Securities Passport as Finance Ministers Meet
Federal and provincial finance ministers met in Charlottetown, where Ottawa said Ontario committed to join Canada's national securities passport system, a step toward reducing interprovincial trade barriers. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne briefed counterparts on affordability measures, including a temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax, and on budget priorities in energy, critical minerals, defence and AI.
HMCS Ville de Québec Deploys on NATO Operation Reassurance
The Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Ville de Québec departed Halifax for Operation Reassurance, joining Standing NATO Maritime Group One in European waters until December. The Halifax-class ship, carrying roughly 240 crew and a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter, will operate in the North Atlantic, North Sea and Baltic Sea. Two other Canadian vessels deployed to the operation on July 6.
Bank of Canada Holds Rate at 2.25%
The Bank of Canada held its overnight rate at 2.25%, citing an economy showing signs of recovery with second-quarter growth estimated at 2.5%. The Bank said CPI inflation rose to 3.2% in May, driven by gasoline prices tied to the Middle East war, and projects a return to 2% in early 2027. The next decision is September 2.
StatCan Reports New Vehicle Sales Fall 1.9% in May
Statistics Canada reported 190,564 new motor vehicles sold in May, down 1.9% from a year earlier, though sales in dollar terms rose 2.3%. Truck sales fell 2.2% while passenger cars edged up 0.1%. Zero-emission vehicle sales rose 19.7% to 18,308, reaching 9.6% of all new vehicles sold, up from 7.9% a year earlier.
StatCan Reports Wholesale Sales Flat at $90.0B in May
Statistics Canada reported wholesale sales were essentially unchanged at $90.0 billion in May, following a 1.4% gain in April. Sales fell in four of seven subsectors, led by food, beverage and tobacco and by personal and household goods, offset by chemical products. Quebec and British Columbia led provincial declines. Year over year, sales rose 7.4%.
StatCan Reports Manufacturing Sales Rise 1.3% to Record $78.1B
Statistics Canada reported manufacturing sales rose 1.3% to $78.1 billion in May, a record high and the fourth straight monthly gain. Sales increased in 14 of 21 subsectors, led by transportation equipment and chemicals, while electrical equipment fell 5.8%. Year over year, sales were up 13.4%. Unfilled orders reached a record $131.5 billion.
Royal LePage Raises 2026 National Home Price Forecast to 2%
Royal LePage lifted its 2026 aggregate home price forecast to two per cent, citing stronger demand against limited supply, the firm told BNN Bloomberg. Toronto outperformed with modest gains since January, and Vancouver is following, though sales year-to-date still trail 2025. The firm expects most borrowers renewing pandemic-era ultra-low mortgages to keep meeting payments without forced sales.
US Commerce Department Proposes 8.26% Anti-Dumping Duty on Canadian Mushrooms
The U.S. Department of Commerce released a preliminary anti-dumping determination proposing an 8.26 per cent duty on most fresh Canadian mushrooms, Mushrooms Canada said. Three firms face individual rates: Champ's Fresh Farms at 8.71, Highline Produce at 11.80, and Farmers' Fresh Mushrooms at two per cent. It follows separate 2.84 per cent countervailing duties imposed in May. The industry denies dumping.
Analyst Says Elevated Gas Prices Are Acting Like Rate Hike Ahead of BoC Decision
The Bank of Canada is unlikely to raise rates this week despite energy-price pressure from the war in Iran, National Bank Financial's Jennifer Tozser told BNN Bloomberg. Higher gas costs cut disposable income and mimic a rate hike, she said, while a fragile labour market, housing renewals at higher rates, and CUSMA uncertainty weigh on the outlook.
Canada Ranks 8th Worldwide in Claude Use, Anthropic Reports
Anthropic reported that Canada ranks eighth globally in Claude.ai consumer use, accounting for 2.6% of the world total. Per person, Canadians use Claude at more than four times the rate their population predicts, second only to the United States among the top 10 countries. The company says British Columbia leads in per-person use, with Ontario close behind. Findings draw on one million conversations sampled in February 2026.
Anthropic Commits $10M CAD to Canadian AI Research Institutions
Anthropic announced a $10 million CAD commitment to Canadian research institutions, including partnerships with AI institutes Amii, Mila, and the Vector Institute. The company says funds will support work on beneficial and responsible AI, with partners also including CHEO, CAMH, Université Laval, University of Toronto, and University of Saskatchewan. Anthropic will add the three institutes to its startups program this summer.
Alberta Report Says Oilsands Emissions Intensity Down 28% Since 2012
A new Government of Alberta report says oilsands emissions intensity fell 28 per cent between 2012 and 2024, even as production rose to 3.3 million barrels per day, 1.7 million higher than in 2012. The province credits technology, operational efficiency, and sector investment. The release coincides with Alberta hosting the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment in Calgary, and follows Monday's Pathways carbon-capture agreement with Ottawa and five producers.
Two Canadian Freighters Stuck in Persian Gulf Near Five Months
Quebec shipping firm Desgagnés says its two freighters, the Miena Desgagnés and Rosaire A. Desgagnés, remain trapped in the Persian Gulf after nearly five months, held by the U.S.-Iran war and repeated departure delays. The firm leased two replacement vessels for its 24-boat fleet, calling the shutdown very costly. On Monday, President Trump announced a naval blockade of Iranian ports and a 20 per cent tariff on Strait of Hormuz cargo.
Nanos Tracking Shows Liberals at 43%, Carney Preferred PM at 51.5%
The latest Nanos weekly tracking puts the Liberals at 43.0 per cent among committed voters, ahead of the Conservatives at 31.0 per cent. Mark Carney remains the preferred choice for prime minister at 51.5 per cent. Jobs and the economy stayed the top national concern at 21.5 per cent, followed by cost of living at 12.0 per cent.
Yemen Flare-Up Tests Carney’s Saudi Outreach
A renewed clash between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthis has underscored the risk in Prime Minister Carney's push to draw closer to Riyadh. The Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of striking Sanaa airport and fired missiles at the kingdom for the first time in years. During his Jeddah visit, Carney pledged a permanent defence attaché in Riyadh to expand Canadian defence exports, alongside more than $1 billion US in MOUs.
Anand Names Four New Consuls General to U.S. Posts
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand announced four diplomatic appointments to U.S. consulates. Andrea Clements will become Consul General in Detroit, MP Kamal Khera in Los Angeles, Claire Kennedy in Chicago, and Susannah Pierce in New York. All four replace outgoing appointees and take up their posts in the coming weeks.
Carney Marks Passing of Former Nova Scotia Premier John Hamm
Prime Minister Carney issued a statement mourning John Hamm, Nova Scotia's 25th premier, who has died. A family doctor for over 30 years before entering politics, Hamm renegotiated the Atlantic Accord to secure a larger share of offshore energy revenues and delivered the province's first balanced budget in 40 years in 2002. He was named an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Liaison Poll Puts Liberals Ahead of Conservatives by 6 Points
A Liaison Strategies federal tracker put the Liberals at 41% among decided and leaning voters, ahead of the Conservatives at 35%, the NDP at 14%, and the Bloc Québécois at 6%. The 6-point margin narrowed from 9 the prior week. Carney's approval sat at 56%. Liaison surveyed 1,526 Canadians by IVR from June 28 to July 11, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 points, 19 times out of 20.
CFIA Proposes Feed Ban Changes to Align Cattle Rules With US
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency pre-published proposed amendments in the Canada Gazette to align Canada's Enhanced Feed Ban with US requirements. The 2007 ban, introduced to reduce BSE, prohibits most mammalian proteins in ruminant feed. Under the change, a subset of lower-risk specified risk material could be used in non-ruminant feed, fertilizer and pet food; all specified risk material stays banned from food and ruminant feed. Consultation runs to September 9.
TSX, US Markets Fall as Middle East Fighting Sends Oil Soaring
Canada's S&P/TSX composite index closed down 52.59 points at 35,252.72 on Monday as oil prices jumped following weekend attacks in the Middle East. In New York, the Dow fell 138.37 points, the S&P 500 60.05, and the Nasdaq 408.43, led lower by chip stocks. August crude rose US$6.73 to US$78.14 a barrel after Washington moved to blockade Iranian oil in the Strait of Hormuz. Gold fell US$108.00.
Greenfire Resources to Buy Connacher Oil and Gas for $1.28B
Greenfire Resources reached a deal to acquire privately held heavy oil producer Connacher Oil and Gas for $1.28 billion in cash. Connacher's Great Divide oilsands operations sit beside Greenfire's Hangingstone property southwest of Fort McMurray, Alberta. Greenfire says it has identified $30 million in annual cost savings from the deal. Greenfire's executive chairman, Adam Waterous, holds the same role at Strathcona Resources.
Sherritt Needs New Capital to Restart Alberta Refinery, Cuban Venture
Sherritt International said it requires significant new capital to restart its Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta refinery and its Moa joint venture in Cuba, both idled amid US pressure on Cuba. The company is in recapitalization talks with senior lenders and noteholders, and warned of material uncertainty over its ability to continue as a going concern. Talks continue on a non-binding deal for Gillon Capital to buy a majority stake.
Alberta, Ottawa, Oilsands Firms Sign Pathways Carbon Capture MOU
The Alberta government, Ottawa and five major oilsands producers signed a memorandum of understanding to advance the Pathways carbon capture and storage project, tied to a proposed West Coast pipeline. The consortium, Canadian Natural Resources, Imperial Oil, Suncor, Cenovus and ConocoPhillips, plans capacity to store about six million tonnes of CO2 yearly by the mid-2030s. Infrastructure is slated for service by January 2032.
Canada, Portugal Sign North Atlantic Search and Rescue MOU
Canada and Portugal signed a Memorandum of Understanding on aeronautical search and rescue cooperation, formalizing a relationship between the two defence ministries in the North Atlantic. The agreement links Canada's Halifax SAR region with Portugal's adjacent region, covering coordination, information sharing, and common procedures. It coincided with the completion of the annual ASAREX exercise, held July 1 to 12 in Ponta Delgada, Azores.
StatCan Reports International Arrivals Up 3.6% in June
International arrivals to Canada by air and automobile totalled 5.5 million in June, up 3.6% from a year earlier, StatCan reported. US-resident trips rose 5.1% to 2.2 million, a fifth straight monthly gain. Canadian-resident returns from the US rose 3.2%, though the agency attributed the increase to a base-year effect, with trips down 28.7% against June 2024.
Salsa On St. Clair Festival Shooting Kills 2, Injures 6
Toronto police say two people are dead and six injured after gunfire erupted at the Salsa on St. Clair festival Saturday night, with an estimated 13,000 people attending. Deputy Chief Frank Barredo said the incident stemmed from an exchange of gunfire between individuals "targeting each other," not a broader active shooter threat. Two firearms have been recovered and police have identified three crime scenes. No arrests have been made.
Gordie Howe Bridge to Open July 27, Canada Cedes Toll Share
The Gordie Howe International Bridge between Windsor and Detroit will open July 27, after weeks of delay and public criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump. Housing, Communities and Infrastructure Canada confirmed the date, alongside a revised deal in which Canada will collect fifty per cent of toll profits over the first fifteen years, down from the full recoupment originally set in the 2012 agreement, with the remainder going to a new economic development fund.
Ottawa Proposes New Digital Safety and Privacy Commission
Bills C-34 and C-36 would create the Digital Safety and Data Protection Commission of Canada, a five-member body appointed by cabinet to enforce both online safety and privacy rules, taking that authority from the privacy commissioner. It could fine firms up to $25 million or five percent of global revenue and is expected to take about eighteen months to stand up.
Carney Heading To Alberta For Calgary Stampede
Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Calgary for the Stampede, meeting with representatives of the Treaty 6, Treaty 7 and Treaty 8 First Nations before visiting the Stampede grounds. Carney returned to Canada on Friday after a weeklong Middle East trip that included stops in Saudi Arabia and Turkey for the NATO summit. Several MPs also travelled to Calgary for the event, including International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu, Heritage Minister Marc Miller and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Carney said last week the Stampede celebrates Alberta's ranching heritage, Indigenous traditions and the spirit of the West.
Ottawa Mum On Joining Legal Case Against Trump’s Sanctioning Of Canadian Judge
Global Affairs Canada would not say whether it is considering supporting Winnipeg-born International Criminal Court judge Kimberly Prost in her U.S. lawsuit against sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump. Washington sanctioned Prost nearly a year ago over her work on a case involving American troops in Afghanistan. A former senior Canadian diplomat said Ottawa has filed amicus briefs in past U.S. cases and could do the same here. Global Affairs said Canada remains a strong supporter of the ICC but cannot comment further while the matter is before the courts.
Canada Losing Farmland As Food Strategy Targets Young Farmers
Canada continues to lose productive farmland to urban expansion, CBC reports, even as the Carney government's new National Food Security Strategy commits billions over a decade to boost domestic food production. Farmland values have risen 43 percent since 2021, to nearly $14,000 per hectare, according to Statistics Canada, pricing out new entrants. Fewer than 23,000 young farm operators remain in Canada, with an average age of 56, per a House of Commons report. The strategy aims to ease entry by doubling the guaranteed loan limit and supporting tax-deferred intergenerational farm transfers.
Ottawa Faces Fall Deadline To Detail NATO Spending Plan
Britain's political turmoil over defence financing has sharpened scrutiny of Canada's own NATO commitments, CBC reports. Ottawa has kept few details public on how it will fund its pledge to reach NATO's five percent of GDP target, split between 3.5 percent for direct military investment and 1.5 percent for infrastructure, with a $540 billion commitment pledged over the next decade. At the NATO summit in Ankara, Prime Minister Mark Carney said the fall budget will lay out the fiscal track and spending decisions. UK Defence Secretary John Healey's resignation last month over a spending dispute contributed to Prime Minister Keir Starmer's downfall.
Angus Reid Poll Finds Canadians Fear AI Will Widen Inequality
A new Angus Reid Institute survey finds 56 per cent of Canadians believe artificial intelligence is more likely to create inequality than equality, while 68 per cent reject the idea that everyone has equal opportunity to benefit from it. The poll found 67 per cent view AI negatively or critically overall, even as daily use has risen from 10 to 16 per cent since November. Active use of AI tools rises sharply with income and education, from 21 per cent among those earning under $50,000 to 48 per cent among those earning $200,000 or more. The online survey of 1,842 adults was conducted May 7 to 11.
California Senator Says Wine Boycott Causing Devastating Harm
California Senator Adam Schiff said on social media that Canada's boycott of American wine is causing devastating harm to winegrowers. Schiff had previously written to Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette asking her to lift the province's boycott, calling it a $434 million market and citing a 78 per cent drop in U.S. wine exports to Canada between 2024 and 2025, according to the Wine Institute. Fréchette responded that the measure will remain in place as long as U.S. tariffs continue, and will be reassessed only if Washington reverses them.
Gordie Howe Bridge Set To Open By Late July, Sources Say
The Gordie Howe International Bridge linking Windsor and Detroit is expected to open by the end of July after the United States and Canada reached an agreement resolving the dispute that delayed it, according to two people involved in the negotiations, cited by The Associated Press. Commercial traffic is expected to begin before August 1, though no date has been set for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. A June 12 ceremony was postponed after officials said the two countries needed more time to resolve outstanding issues, following earlier threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to block the bridge's opening.
Pollster David Coletto Describes Carney Government As Operating On War Footing
Abacus Data pollster David Coletto wrote that the Carney government functions as a wartime-footing administration without an actual war, organized around an external threat, willing to bypass its own party's traditional positions, and centralizing power to act quickly. Coletto said the government measures success in scale rather than stated values, and argued this approach is enabled by public opinion, noting most Canadians view the United States and Donald Trump as a major threat to their wellbeing.