Canada Minute: Issue 59

Canada Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Canadian politics.

📅 This Week In Canada: 📅

• The Supreme Court of Canada has annulled the results of the 2025 federal election in the Montreal-area riding of Terrebonne, where Liberal Tatiana Auguste had won by a single vote after a judicial recount. The decision follows a challenge by Bloc Québécois candidate Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, who argued that a voter’s mail-in ballot was mishandled due to a postal code misprint, preventing it from being counted. Elections Canada admitted the error, which affected at least 40 special ballots, but a lower court had initially ruled the issue was mere “human error” and did not warrant a new election. The Supreme Court disagreed, emphasizing that the responsibility lay with Elections Canada and the need to protect public participation. A byelection will now be called for Terrebonne, a riding historically held by the Bloc, marking a potentially tougher contest for the Liberals, who are already short of a majority in the House. 
  
  
• Former Liberal MP Chrystia Freeland violated the Elections Act during the 2024 Toronto-St. Paul’s byelection by expressing support for the Liberal candidate Leslie Church at two government-organized press conferences. The events, held outside the riding on June 23rd and 24th, 2024, involved questions from journalists about both government policy and the byelection. Because Freeland made these remarks as a government representative at official events valued at $910.58, they were considered an in-kind campaign contribution. Freeland said she was unaware that her comments would breach the Elections Act and faced no personal financial penalty, though her former riding association paid the amount to Elections Canada. Church lost that byelection to Conservative Don Stewart but later won the seat in the subsequent general election. Freeland officially resigned as MP for University-Rosedale on January 9th, 2026.
  
  
• Canada has quietly begun making payments for key components of 14 additional US-built F-35 fighter jets, even as the Carney government continues a review of future fighter-jet purchases amid tensions with Washington. These payments, for “long-lead items” that must be ordered well in advance, are necessary to secure Canada’s place in the delivery schedule and avoid losing its slot to other buyers. The new expenditures come on top of a previously contracted 16 F-35s, which are expected to begin arriving for the Canadian Armed Forces later this year. While the Department of National Defence has not confirmed the spending, sources say it is a standard step in managing the CF-18 replacement program. Canada is also exploring options for a mixed fleet that could include European-made jets assembled domestically to support jobs. Despite ongoing reviews, officials argue these payments are prudent to ensure a smooth transition from the CF-18s and maintain military readiness.
  
  
• The US House of Representatives voted against President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on Canada in a largely symbolic move, signalling wavering Republican support for his trade agenda. Trump has repeatedly criticized Canada, calling it “among the worst in the World to deal with,” and used the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose 35% tariffs on non-CUSMA goods. Six Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the tariffs, though there is unlikely to be enough support to override a presidential veto. Meanwhile, the US Supreme Court is also reviewing the legality of IEEPA as a tool for imposing tariffs.
  
  
• A new survey from Restaurants Canada shows that Canadian restaurants are struggling financially, with 26% operating at a loss and another 18% just breaking even. Rising food and labour costs are the biggest pressures, as inflation affects both restaurant operations and consumer spending. Owners have had to cut hours, reduce staff, and take on part-time work elsewhere to make ends meet. Many restaurants plan modest price increases in 2026, but are cautious not to drive away customers who are already cutting back on dining out. Restaurants Canada suggests federal measures, such as removing GST from all meals, could help support struggling businesses and protect jobs. 
  
  

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨