Canada in focus

CANADA ADOPTS PRIME MINISTER CARNEY’S FIRST FEDERAL BUDGET BY A NARROW MARGIN

Canada’s Parliament has passed Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first federal budget by a narrow majority, allowing his minority Liberal government to avoid an early election.
The budget passed with 170 votes in favour and 168 against, thanks to the crucial support of several opposition MPs, including Green Party leader Elizabeth May.

The budget projects an increase of Canada’s deficit to 78 billion dollars, representing the largest spending package in the country’s history, with a total of 140 billion dollars in new expenditures over the next five years. Funds are directed toward boosting productivity, competitiveness, and the resilience of the Canadian economy, modernizing ports and trade infrastructure, as well as providing direct support to companies affected by U.S. tariffs.

The budget also includes a 10% reduction in the federal workforce, prompting sharp criticism from public servants who warn of slower government operations.

The Conservative Party and the Bloc Québécois voted against the budget, accusing the government of failing to adequately address affordability and housing issues. Carney defended the budget as a “generational investment” in economic growth, while Elizabeth May emphasized that her support was conditional on the Prime Minister’s commitments regarding Canada’s climate goals.

The budget also anticipates one trillion dollars in private investment over the next five years.

During the debate, two Conservative MPs and one NDP MP abstained, while the Speaker cast the tie-breaking vote. The approval of the budget has allowed Carney to maintain the stability of his government under tight minority conditions.

This article is part of the Local Journalism Initiative.


FEDERATION IN FOCUS

SPEED CAMERAS OFFICIALLY SCRAPPED ACROSS ONTARIO

Automated speed-enforcement cameras are no longer permitted to issue fines anywhere in Ontario, after the provincial government passed legislation completely eliminating the system. Speed cameras had been in use for more than five years, generating millions of dollars in penalties.

Premier Doug Ford said the cameras were “a way to take money from citizens,” and despite strong opposition from mayors and experts, the province voted to ban them.

Instead, the government announced $210 million in investments to improve traffic safety in school and residential zones. Planned measures include speed bumps, raised crosswalks, roundabouts, well-marked zones, and increased police presence. Of this, $42 million has already been allocated to municipalities, including $10 million to Toronto for initial planning.

A survey by Abacus Data shows that half of Ontarians prefer physical traffic-calming measures over automated cameras, while 33% support continued camera use.

Mayors and traffic experts criticized the ban, arguing that cameras have been proven to increase road safety. Studies by the University of Toronto and SickKids Hospital showed cameras reduced speeding by up to 45% in school zones and contributed to fewer collisions and injuries.

The City of Toronto noted that revenue from fines funded more than 900 crossing guards and 18 police officers. Mayor Olivia Chow stated that the province should now provide funding for those positions.

Transportation Minister Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria rejected the criticism, arguing that fines should not fund basic services and that cameras had become “a revenue tool on the backs of residents.”

Toronto confirmed that camera removal has begun in compliance with the law, while all fines issued before the ban came into effect remain valid.

This article is part of the Local Journalism Initiative.


FORD CALLS FOR BROADER TAX RELIEF FOR ALL NEW-HOME BUYERS

Ontario Premier Doug Ford questioned the effectiveness of a recently introduced tax break aimed at first-time homebuyers, saying the limited scope of the measure will not significantly stimulate the province’s sluggish housing sector.

In early November, the provincial government announced it would eliminate the provincial portion of the HST on the purchase of new homes valued under $1 million. The measure aligns with federal policy, and total incentives could save first-time buyers up to $130,000.

Although the initiative was presented as a major step toward improving housing affordability, Ford argued that restricting the measure solely to first-time buyers limits its potential market impact. He stated that extending the tax break to all buyers of new homes would help accelerate the sale of unsold properties and support broader economic growth, including increased spending on appliances and furniture.

A similar opinion was expressed by the Ontario Home Builders’ Association, whose director believes the current policy may generate less than a five-percent increase in construction activity. The organization maintains that the most effective solution would be a complete elimination of the provincial tax on all new homes.

Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, who previously rejected broader tax relief as too costly, emphasized that the construction sector and other stakeholders are satisfied with the proposed measure. He added that there is no disagreement between him and the Premier and that they are working together on the province’s financial policies.

This article is part of the Local Journalism Initiative.

FUTURE EGLINTON CROSSTOWN STATION

A new station in Mount Dennis, serving passengers on the Eglinton Crosstown line, was officially opened on Sunday, November 16, 2025.
The station is located near the intersection of Eglinton Avenue and Black Creek Drive and is the first to connect several major Toronto transit lines.

The transit hub provides connections to:
        •       the Kitchener GO line
        •       the Union–Pearson Express (UP Express)
        •       the Eglinton Crosstown line

According to Metrolinx, travel from Mount Dennis to Union Station will take 16 minutes, the same as to Pearson Airport.

The opening comes during the final testing phase of the Eglinton Crosstown line, which was originally scheduled to open in 2020 but has faced long delays.

Statements from officials:
        •       Michael Lindsay, CEO of Metrolinx, said there is an “absolute possibility” the line will open by the end of 2025 but did not give a final date.
        •       Premier Doug Ford announced in June that a September opening was possible, but the line remains in late-stage testing.

The Eglinton Crosstown will stretch from Mount Dennis to Kennedy Station, with a total of 25 stations. A recently published map at Museum Station also shows new TTC lines:
        •       Line 5 (orange) – part of Eglinton Crosstown
        •       Line 6 (grey) – the Finch LRT, approximately 10 km long with 18 stations from Humber College to Keele Street

This article is part of the Local Journalism Initiative.