AGP Executive Report

Trade Talks: Donald Trump says a U.S.-Canada deal could come “pretty soon,” even as he repeats claims that Canada exploits the U.S. Washington has eased some tariffs, but Ottawa has not confirmed a breakthrough after talks stalled in August. Canada-EU Ties: Mark Carney hosts EU leaders in Montreal this week to pursue closer cooperation on defence, AI and critical minerals as Canada seeks to reduce its reliance on the U.S. Interest Rates: Markets increasingly expect a Bank of Canada rate hike this week after inflation reached 3.1 per cent, though job losses and weak growth complicate the decision. Air Travel: Records reviewed by CBC raise questions about Air Canada’s use of safety-related maintenance to deny passengers compensation, including cases where affected aircraft later flew other routes. Defence: Britain will not join Canada’s proposed defence bank, opting for a separate initiative; the two countries plan a cooperation framework. Mining Accountability: Caribbean community leaders are urging Ottawa to address the harms linked to Canadian gold projects abroad, amid concerns over the closure of Canada’s corporate watchdog.

Defence: Britain has declined to join Canada’s proposed Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, but the two countries plan to coordinate their separate defence-financing efforts. Canada has also received its first two F-35 jets, while Ottawa reviews whether to proceed with the full order of 88 or consider a mixed fleet. Trade and Diplomacy: Mark Carney will host EU leaders in Montreal this week to advance a closer partnership, though disagreements over “Buy Canadian” policies could complicate the push. The summit follows a U.S. tariff shake-up that removed some levies on Canadian goods while adding others; Barack Obama criticized the trade war, saying it raises costs. Carney is also due to meet Abu Dhabi’s crown prince during an official visit focused on expanding economic and security ties. Health Care: A survey found 48 per cent of Canadians have used the internet or AI to self-diagnose, while two-thirds of respondents said they skipped booking a doctor’s appointment because they expected difficulty getting seen.

Trade: The Trump administration removed 50 per cent tariffs on some Canadian goods, including select food and paper products, while adding levies elsewhere. The changes came ahead of U.S. midterm elections, as Ottawa warns the trade fight is hurting Canadian businesses. Industry: Ottawa and Ontario announced a multibillion-dollar support package for steel and auto manufacturing. Chinese automaker Chery is also weighing production in Canada, potentially using existing plant capacity. Food Security: Canadians made a record 2.35 million food-bank visits in March, underscoring growing pressure on household budgets. Women’s Rugby: Canada beat world No. 1 England 31-22 in Ottawa, following a win in Toronto, handing the Red Roses their first back-to-back losses in a decade. Short Track: Canada’s women won the 3,000-metre relay at the World Tour opener in Vancouver, while Maxime Laoun took silver in the men’s 500 metres. Junior Football: Regina Thunder advanced to the Canadian Bowl with a semifinal win over Sault College and will face the Westshore Rebels on Nov. 8.

Trade: Washington has removed some Canadian goods—including plywood, paper products and machinery—from its 50% tariff list, while adding others. The changes take effect Oct. 30 and come amid a wider trade dispute and U.S. election pressure. U.S. Relations: Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected U.S. claims that Canada interfered in American elections, saying Canada would not become the “51st state.” Alberta: A preliminary referendum rejected a path to secession by a roughly three-to-one margin, though more than 500,000 voters supported another vote. Climate: A Calgary flood survivor is set to testify in Canada’s first youth-led federal climate trial, which challenges the government’s response to climate change. Sports: Canada’s women’s rugby team beat England 31-22 for a second straight win, while the para-hockey team defeated the U.S. 5-1 to claim gold. Canada’s U-17 women, meanwhile, lost 2-0 to Ghana, leaving their hopes of advancing to the knockout round uncertain.

Trade Tensions: The U.S. is removing some 50% tariffs on Canadian goods from Oct. 30 while adding others, a shift timed ahead of midterm elections. President Donald Trump says trade talks are advancing; Ottawa is seeking a broader deal as businesses face ongoing uncertainty. U.S. Election Dispute: Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected U.S. claims that Canadian leaders are meddling in the midterms, saying there is “no merit” to the accusations. Wainwright Tragedy: Four soldiers died and 39 were injured when a fire erupted during a training exercise at the Alberta base; 27 remain hospitalized, including 13 in critical condition. Privacy Breach: A hack exposed more than 1.5 million Crime Stoppers tips, but federal and provincial watchdogs say privacy-law gaps may prevent them from investigating the programs. Canada on the Field: The women’s rugby team beat world No. 1 England 31-22, completing a two-game series sweep and handing the Red Roses their first consecutive losses in a decade. Travel Pullback: Air Canada is dropping five U.S. routes next year amid weaker demand, as travel from Canada to the U.S. continues to decline. Foreign Policy: Canada and Türkiye have launched a strategic partnership covering trade, energy and defence, as Ottawa looks to broaden its international ties.

Trade: The U.S. will remove 50% tariffs on some Canadian farm, packaging and machinery imports starting Oct. 30. The limited exemptions follow pressure from Maine Sen. Susan Collins ahead of a tight election; broader trade tensions remain. U.S. Relations: Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected U.S. claims of Canadian election interference as baseless, while Ottawa advised diplomats to avoid appearing with U.S. candidates. Foreign Ties: Carney and Türkiye’s president launched a strategic partnership covering trade, energy and defence, with free-trade talks to follow. Military: The army says a live-grenade exercise sparked the deadly Wainwright training-area fire that killed four soldiers; dozens were injured. National Unity: Albertans rejected a push for an independence referendum, and Premier Danielle Smith urged separatists in her party to accept the result. Health: Canada’s flu season is running about seven weeks early, with 6.1% of tests positive in the week ending Oct. 17.

Military Tragedy: Investigators say a live-grenade exercise sparked the Wainwright wildfire that killed four soldiers and injured 39; 27 remained hospitalized as officials promised a full investigation. Trade and Industry: Ottawa and Ontario announced about C$9 billion to shield steel and auto jobs from U.S. tariffs. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly also gave Cleveland-Cliffs 15 days to reverse planned cuts at its Ontario mill or face possible legal action. Canada–U.S. Tensions: Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected U.S. claims of Canadian election interference as unsubstantiated. Canadian diplomats have been told to avoid U.S. midterm candidates to reduce the risk of further accusations. New Trade Partners: Carney and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan launched a strategic partnership covering trade, energy and defence, with free-trade talks set to begin next month. National Unity: Alberta voters decisively rejected independence, with 76.6 per cent backing the province’s place in Canada. Emergency Powers: The Supreme Court of Canada will hear the federal appeal over the Emergencies Act’s use during the 2022 convoy protests.

Trade and Diplomacy: Canada and Türkiye launched a strategic partnership and free-trade talks during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit, as Ottawa seeks to diversify trade. The visit came amid U.S. accusations of Canadian election interference, which Carney’s government denies. Jobs and Industry: Ottawa and Ontario announced a $9-billion plan to protect steel and auto jobs from U.S. tariffs and fund roads to the Ring of Fire. Alberta: Unofficial referendum results showed voters rejected independence, keeping the province in Canada. Cost of Living: Canadian food banks recorded 2.35 million visits in March, more than double the level in 2019, as grocery costs continue to strain households. Public Services: Canada Post says it is seeing early signs of recovery as it plans weekend parcel delivery and a shift of nearly four million addresses to community mailboxes. Research: The federal government announced $880 million to support researchers and health projects across Canada.

Trade and Industry: Ottawa and Ontario unveiled a C$9-billion package to protect steel and auto jobs and develop critical-mineral supply chains as U.S. tariffs bite. Mark Carney said the tariffs are raising costs for Americans too, while the U.S. Embassy accused Canadian leaders of trying to influence its midterm elections; Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford rejected the claim. Diplomacy: Carney is in Turkey to deepen trade, defence and energy ties as Canada looks to diversify beyond the U.S. Cost of Living: Food banks recorded 2.35 million visits in March, up nearly 9% from a year earlier and 117% from 2019; workers now make up about 18% of those seeking help. Small Business: An Equifax Canada survey found one in four owners had to personally guarantee business financing, putting assets such as homes and savings at risk. Major Projects: More than 50 Canadian scientists are urging changes to Bill C-39, warning its fast-track project approvals could weaken environmental protections.

Cybersecurity: Canadian government websites went offline temporarily after an urgent flaw was found in PHP, prompting officials to urge website operators to install a fix. Cost of Living: Inflation rose to 3.1% in September, pushed up by surging fuel prices, though grocery inflation eased to 1.7%. Alberta Politics: Nearly 76% of voters backed staying in Canada, a win for Mark Carney; Premier Danielle Smith says UCP members who remain committed to separation should leave the party. Health Care: A new study ranks Canada near the bottom of comparable universal-care countries for doctors, hospital beds and MRI and CT scanners, despite high spending. Trade: A U.S. food importer is challenging President Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs on Canadian goods in court. Consumer Costs: Air Canada is charging $30 per passenger for new bookings made by phone, a fee that could especially affect customers who rely on call-centre service.

National Unity: About 75% of Alberta voters backed staying in Canada, unofficial results show. The vote was not a direct independence referendum; Premier Danielle Smith says she won’t hold another separation vote while in office. Trade Fight: A U.S. food importer is challenging President Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, arguing he exceeded his powers and seeking refunds. Economic Ties: Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Türkiye is expected to advance defence, energy and trade cooperation, while Canada and India say talks on a major trade pact are nearing completion. Housing and Rates: A possible Bank of Canada rate hike is raising concern for a housing market already struggling with weak sales and buyer confidence. Indigenous Data Sovereignty: A First Nation in Ontario is using its own data centre to safeguard language recordings, community records and health information.

Alberta Vote: About 76 per cent of voters rejected moving toward a binding separation referendum, a clear win for Canadian unity. Mark Carney says Ottawa and Premier Danielle Smith will work together, but calls for more provincial control point to tensions still to resolve. Trade War: A U.S. food importer is challenging Donald Trump’s 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods, arguing he exceeded his authority under a rarely used 1930 law. No trade deal is expected before U.S. midterm elections. Economic Outlook: The Parliamentary Budget Officer has cut its 2026 growth forecast to 0.9 per cent. Ottawa will release its budget Nov. 5 as tariffs and inflation pressure the economy. Foreign Ties: Carney heads to Türkiye to discuss deeper defence, energy and trade ties as Canada seeks partners beyond the U.S. Wainwright Fire: Investigators continue probing the blaze that killed four soldiers and injured dozens at the Alberta base. Health Care: A new study finds Canada spends heavily on health care but ranks near the bottom among peer countries for doctors, hospital beds and timely appointments.

Alberta Referendum: About 77% of voters backed staying in Canada, rejecting a proposal to start the process toward a binding independence vote. Mark Carney hailed the result as a choice for unity; final results are due Oct. 29. Military Base Fire: Four soldiers died and 39 people were injured in a fast-moving fire at CFB Wainwright. An investigation is underway. Health Care: A new comparison ranks Canada 30th of 32 universal-care countries for doctor availability, despite near-top spending. Immigration: Ottawa plans to cut new student and temporary-worker arrivals over the next three years while fast-tracking permanent residency for up to 33,000 workers. Inflation: Canada’s annual inflation rate rose to 3.1% in September, adding to concerns about higher borrowing costs.

Alberta Referendum: A record turnout is expected as Albertans vote on whether to begin a process that could lead to a binding secession referendum. About 1.4 million people had already voted in advance; polls have shown most want to remain in Canada. Wainwright Tragedy: Fifty investigators are probing the fast-moving fire at CFB Wainwright that killed four soldiers and injured 39. The cause remains unknown. Cost of Living: Canada’s annual inflation rate rose to 3.1 per cent in September, driven by higher energy prices, while core inflation cooled. Economists say a Bank of Canada rate hike remains possible. Public Health: PHAC has declared a two-year measles outbreak over after more than 6,400 infections across 10 provinces, but warns the disease could return through travel-related cases. Auto Industry: Unifor members at Stellantis voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike as talks stall, with the future of the Brampton plant a key concern.

Military Tragedy: Four Canadian Armed Forces members were killed and 39 injured, 19 critically, when a fast-moving grass fire swept through training at CFB Wainwright, Alta. Strong winds drove the flames across the base and into nearby areas. The cause is under investigation; officials say there is no indication of terrorism. Canadians are donating blood and supporting families and first responders. Alberta’s Unity Vote: Voters decide today whether to start a process that could lead to a binding referendum on separation—not whether to leave Canada outright. More than 1.35 million Albertans voted early, as Mark Carney warns a separatist push would bring uncertainty amid U.S. trade tensions. Inflation Watch: Statistics Canada is due to release September inflation figures today. Economists expect inflation to rise to 3.2% from 3% in August, with energy costs in focus ahead of the Bank of Canada’s Oct. 28 rate decision. India Trade: Canada’s latest trade mission to India secured 34 commercial agreements worth nearly C$300 million. Both governments are pressing to conclude a broader economic partnership deal, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected in Canada in December.

Military Tragedy: Four service members are confirmed dead and dozens injured after a fast-moving fire at CFB Wainwright in Alberta. The province’s premier says 39 people were hospitalized, 19 in critical condition. Investigators are probing the cause; officials say there is no indication of terrorism. Alberta Referendum: Voters head to the polls Monday on a proposed first step toward separation from Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Danielle Smith have campaigned for unity as polls show support for staying in Canada rising. Economy: Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem warns that elevated energy costs could push inflation higher and complicate the outlook for interest rates. Rugby: Canada’s women stunned world No. 1 England 24–21 in Toronto, ending the team’s 41-match unbeaten run with a late try.