What's coming up next in Canadian politics? Here are five key stories to watch in 2026
CBC
After a wild year in Canadian politics that began with Justin Trudeau's resignation and ended with Conservative MPs crossing the floor to join Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal government, 2026 is shaping up to be just as action-packed.
It'll be a year where U.S. trade talks will loom large. Meanwhile, federal opposition parties will make key decisions on their futures as the Liberal government — just one seat shy of a majority government — strategizes what to do next.
Here are five key Canadian politics stories to watch in 2026:
A mandatory review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico-Agreement on trade will begin next year. Earlier this month, Carney said Canada will enter into formal discussions with the United States in January.
The agreement has given Canada some crucial protection since the beginning of U.S. President Donald Trump's global trade war. Several tariffs that Trump has imposed since March have included carve-outs for CUSMA-compliant goods.
But the Canadian economy is still being battered by a litany of sectoral tariffs on key sectors like steel, aluminum, automobiles and lumber.
Earlier this month, Trump's point-person on trade laid out a series of conditions that Canada must meet to extend the agreement, and it's not cheap.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told Congress that Canada must bolster "market access for U.S. dairy products" — a swipe at supply-management — and the Canadian government must address provincial bans on U.S. alcohol.
Greer also said the U.S. will take aim at the Online Streaming Act, which brought online platforms like Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube under Canadian broadcasting rules.
That legislation was brought about to force U.S. web giants to contribute financially to the domestic media ecosystem and make Canadian content readily available on their platforms, which have become ubiquitous as traditional TV, cable and satellite providers shed subscribers.
Carney has said Trump hasn't given him any indication he's willing to walk away from CUSMA, which the U.S. president struck during his first term at the White House.
Canada will also be watching the U.S. Supreme Court, which is currently considering whether some of Trump's tariffs are legal and whether he overstepped his authority by invoking his emergency powers to impose them.
The White House, for its part, appears ready for that possibility and has backup plans ready to go should they lose that case.
At the end of January, Conservative members will gather in Calgary to map out the party's future, which includes a key decision on whether Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre should stay in the top job — as required by the party after an election loss.
Eight casinos across southwest B.C. have been sold to First Nations in the last two years, with the province's gambling scene set to be reshaped as a result.
Hamilton hosts the Junos Sunday, and the musical awards show is bringing tourists, musicians, concerts and a ton of themed events to the city this week.
The multi-million-dollar deal at the heart of a high-profile fight between the Canadian government and one of the world’s biggest carmakers contains multiple clauses about the company’s footprint in Ontario, according to a copy obtained by CBC Windsor.
In recent months, Calgary police have carried out three day-long safety blitzes, parading out dozens of officers to flood an area with their increased presence — at least, temporarily.
A national organization is seeking people with experience in Canada's forestry sector as they put together a working group that will examine ways to improve forest recovery following wildfires.
Ella Heyder is bracing for a breakup, even though she already moved out decades ago.
Shawne Hopkins never saw it coming.
Politicians return to Queen’s Park Monday for a shortened spring session, as Premier Doug Ford prepares to unveil his eight budget amid heightened global economic uncertainty.
Despite a recent announcement that a water supply pipeline will be build in Oneida Nation of the Thames, some members of the community say that's no excuse for taking water for granted.
As scandal has swirled around former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, questions and curiosity have also focused on his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, and their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
Friday may have been the first day of spring, but winter storms are not over yet for Newfoundland.
While we officially welcomed spring last week, an incoming system will be a reminder that snow is still very much part of the new season, especially early on.
The future of a national historic site in Fredericton is up for discussion at meetings across New Brunswick in the next few weeks as the Anglican diocese considers what to do about costly repairs needed at Christ Church Cathedral.