Canada in July 2026: the most important developments in politics
Canada's politics in July 2026 were dominated by a worsening dispute with the United States. On July 10 the two countries struck a toll deal to let the new Gordie Howe bridge between Detroit and Windsor open soon, but on July 15 each side gave a different account of its cost-sharing and repayment terms, and President Trump later said the original deal no longer stands. After Trump announced new tariffs, Canada scrapped a joint opening celebration and Prime Minister Mark Carney argued the tariffs violate the trilateral trade agreement. Ottawa said "everything on the table" was open in response and threatened retaliation, yet marked the bridge's opening on July 24 and faces a Commons hearing on the toll deal. In mid-July Republicans blamed Canada for wildfire smoke drifting into U.S. cities and threatened sanctions; Ontario Premier Doug Ford called Trump's criticism of Canada's firefighting "absolutely unacceptable". Carney meanwhile pursued other partners: he pitched closer mining and energy ties to Saudi Arabia, and Canada signed a free trade deal with the United Arab Emirates on July 24.
The second theme was the coming Alberta separation referendum. Pierre Poilievre of the Conservatives appointed an Edmonton MP to lead a pro-unity campaign. The Assembly of First Nations called on Ottawa and the provinces to protect treaty rights, and separatist lawyer Jeffrey Rath did not oppose a court order freezing $8.5 million of his assets after a First Nation alleged he diverted funds.
At the NATO summit, Canada said between nine and ten countries had backed a global defence bank and announced a $900 million aid package for Ukraine. Carney said Trump had "won the argument" on defence spending. Canada and the Philippines announced plans for a strategic partnership on July 3, and on July 8 Canada said there was no evidence linking India to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, contrasting with accusations made by the previous government.
At home, Carney scrapped a policy requiring non-partisan Senate appointments and named a Quebec Conservative MP, Richard Martel, who left the Conservative caucus to take his seat.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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