Politics

Political news — elections, policy, government, and domestic politics.

53 articles

Bill C-37: What the First Nations Clean Water Act Means for Drinking Water Governance

Parliament has passed Bill C-37, the First Nations Clean Water Act, creating a statutory framework for drinking water rights in First Nations communities. The legislation follows incremental administrative progress under Indigenous Services Canada — including a 70 per cent reduction in long-term advisories since 2015 — but addresses the governance and accountability gaps that left those gains vulnerable. Budget 2025 funding commitments underpin the Act's operational requirements.

Graham Thornton·4 min read·2h ago·5 sources

Supreme Court Rules on Haiti and Syria TPS Terminations

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the Trump administration's termination of Temporary Protected Status for more than 350,000 Haitians and approximately 6,100 Syrians, resolving an appeal from multiple lower court injunctions. The case tested whether Secretary Noem followed required statutory procedures and adequately considered country conditions. The outcome carries direct consequences for several other pending TPS termination cases.

Daniel Caldwell·4 min read·2h ago·20 sources

Canadian Citizenship by Descent: Court Ruling, Bill C-71 and the Quiet Numbers on Renunciation

A 2023 Ontario court ruling found first-generation limits on citizenship by descent unconstitutional, while federal Bill C-71 moves to extend descent-based citizenship beyond the first generation. Separately, IRCC data shows 1,262 renunciation applications were approved between 2018 and 2022. The three threads — court ruling, legislation and renunciation statistics — each reflect distinct pressures on the Citizenship Act.

Graham Thornton·4 min read·2h ago·4 sources

Ethics Commissioner's Registry Taken Offline Over Security Vulnerability

Canada's Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner took its website and public registry offline on June 16, 2026, after identifying a potential security vulnerability. The registry holds financial disclosure statements for Cabinet ministers, MPs, senators and ministerial staff. The office has not yet disclosed the nature of the vulnerability or whether any data was accessed.

Graham Thornton·3 min read·2h ago·1 source

Russian Warship Fires Warning Shots at British Yacht in English Channel

A Russian Navy warship fired warning shots at a UK-registered yacht in the English Channel on 17 June 2026, approximately 23 miles off the Isle of Wight. Russia's defence ministry said the shots followed the yacht's failure to respond to warnings to change course; the yacht's owners, Jane and Alan Kelvey, said they had already altered course before the shots were fired and called the collision claim 'lies'.

Eleanor Whitcombe·3 min read·8h ago·5 sources

Healey Resigns Over Defence Funding as Military Chiefs Warn of Capability Cuts

Former Defence Secretary John Healey resigned from Cabinet on 16 June 2026, citing the government's proposed defence plan as 'well short of what is required.' Military chiefs have warned of a £28 billion funding shortfall, with training and operations at risk of being cut back if the Treasury does not increase its offer under the Defence and International Policy settlement.

Eleanor Whitcombe·4 min read·8h ago·10 sources

John Healey resigns as Defence Secretary over military spending dispute with Starmer

John Healey resigned as Defence Secretary after a dispute with Prime Minister Keir Starmer over military spending, delivering a resignation speech in which he said the government's plans 'fall well short' of what is needed. The Treasury's proposed trajectory would take defence spending to 2.68% of GDP, against the 5% of GDP by 2035 target Healey had publicly championed. His departure leaves a public spending benchmark in Hansard against which his successor's settlements will be judged.

Eleanor Whitcombe·4 min read·8h ago·11 sources