The premiers’ meeting went off as expected—all smiles and talk of unity ahead of the New NAFTA review, and hey, Mark Carney even announced the launch of the Team Canada Trade Hub to provide coordination for trade diversification efforts as certain premiers go on their own trade mission abroad. There were also some timelines around certain trade barriers like credentials recognition and harmonization of health and safety requirements, even if those timelines may not be until next year. (But that’s something, right?)
In his remarks to the premiers, Carney invokes Sir John A Macdonald and the railway, before talking about "how we build," and being in "true partnership" with Indigenous people.The railway *might* not be the best example of "how we build" (600+ deaths) or partnership (dispossession of land).
— Dale Smith (@journodale.bsky.social) 2026-01-29T15:19:08.664Z
There was some added side drama as Danielle Smith said that they may be taking Kitimat off the table as the destination for the hoped-for pipeline, but that doesn’t necessarily open up better options on the northwest coast of BC, given that it was determined that it was too dangerous to put a pipeline to Prince Rupert, even though a bunch of people seem to think that’s where it should have wound up in the first place. (Again, this is why Poilievre’s “approve a pipeline today” cries are so ridiculous, because there is no actual route even planned yet).
The other thing on everyone’s mind was the piece in the Financial Times that confirmed that the Alberta separatists were in meetings with the State Department in the US, and David Eby referred to their actions as “treason.” (Incidentally, this activity doesn’t meet the Criminal Code definition of treason). Smith, however, refused to condemn them because they’re politically useful to her, and Carney sidestepped any kind of denunciation, saying that the topic hadn’t come up in his conversations with Trump, when what he should be doing is summoning the ambassador and threatening to PNG him.
Ukraine Dispatch
A Russian drone strike killed three in Zaporizhzhia, while Trump says Putin agreed not to attack Kyiv for a week due to the cold (and I’ll believe that when I see it). An exchange of war dead was carried out, with 1000 Ukrainian bodies turned over for 38 Russians. The Kremlin says they invited Zelenskyy to Moscow for “peace talks.”
"Kremlin says Russia has invited Ukraine's Zelenskyy to come to Moscow for peace talks."Guys. Come on. www.reuters.com/world/europe…
— Dale Smith (@journodale.bsky.social) 2026-01-30T05:36:13.695Z
Good reads:
- At a media production conference in Ottawa, Mark Carney praised Heated Rivalry because of course he did.
- Trump is threatening to tariff and “decertify” Canadian-made aircraft because the Canadian government hasn’t certified certain US aircraft yet.
- Gary Anandasangaree says that police or provinces not cooperating with the gun buyback won’t be a problem as they have plans in place.
- The Coast Guard may be moving under the authority of National Defence, but the head of the Royal Canadian Navy says there are no plans to arm them.
- Both the German and South Korean bidders for the submarines are trying to out-bid one another in terms of benefits they’re offering.
- Here is a look at the treaty aspect of the attempted separatist referendum in Alberta, which goes against the treaties that are the reason why the province exists at all.
- Conservative MPs who flipped seats in the last election are being given the spotlight at the start of their convention in Calgary.
- Here is a look into how federal Conservative conventions differ from those of the UCP, owing to how differently the grassroots are empowered.
- NDP MP Heather McPherson wants the government to sanction Canadian firms who contract with ICE, so that they don’t support fascist violence.
- Wab Kinew says a “major energy company” is interested in the Port of Churchill.
- The Star has a profile of Alberta separatist loudmouth Jeffrey Rath.
- David Eby wants more federal action on the “extortion wave” in parts of his province (as though provinces aren’t responsible for policing or the justice system).
- Stéphane Dion comes to the defence of Mark Carney’s Plains of Abraham speech about the context of the conquest of New France (and makes some salient points).
- Matt Gurney is boggled that the Conservatives can’t figure out a way to message their opposition to Trump’s predations, and suggests they get started on that.
- Supriya Dwivedi suggests we get start taking Trump’s threats over our Arctic territory seriously, particularly around the Northwest Passage.
- Justin Ling reminds us that Trump is going to keep carrying out his fascist plan to deport immigrants, legal or otherwise, and things will get worse and not better.
- Susan Delacourt ponders the ways that national unity crises have changed.
- My column points out that Carney’s response to food price inflation is lacking, and that he has the credibility to explain the causes but refuses to do so.
Odds and ends:
Pierre Poilievre’s Personal Assistant Explains Why He’s Not Afraid Of His Leadership Reviewyoutu.be/ukj3w6JJomc?…
— Clare Blackwood (@clareblackwood.bsky.social) 2026-01-29T15:31:44.651Z
Want more Routine Proceedings? Become a patron and get exclusive new content.