News and Insights
CHG offers a variety of resources and insights into the Canadian Political Sector. We are always sharing information to keep our clients up to date. If you're looking for assistance in building your business, feel free to reach out. Below you'll find all of our shareable insights.
What's Happening in Canada
Three parties within seven points, one month from the vote
The PQ holds the lead, the CAQ has erased its spring collapse, the Liberals are slipping and four voters in ten have yet to settle on a choice.
Canada’s New Data Centre Principles Change the Business Planning Conversation
Canada’s New Data Centre Principles Change the Business Planning Conversation: Why energy, water, community value, and data control now belong in every digital-growth strategy.
Canada’s Defence Sector Has a New Infrastructure Question: Who Controls the Compute?
For defence sector and dual-use companies, computing infrastructure is no longer a back-office choice. It can shape eligibility, security, delivery risk, and the strength of the Canadian value proposition.
Provincial and Trade Relations Updates for Canadian Businesses September Kickoff
Provincial governments are increasingly adjusting economic policy around trade uncertainty, infrastructure requirements, energy security and domestic competitiveness. New Brunswick is reconsidering shale gas development while facing a projected $1.7-billion deficit and pursuing new energy and industrial projects.
Provincial and Territorial Update for the end of August, 2026
An overview on Provincial and Territorial updates for the end of August, 2026. Written by Wes McLean.
New Brunswick – Natural Gas Development Review
Last week, New Brunswick’s Liberal government led by Premier Susan Holt announced “a public review to examine whether the conditions associated with the province’s moratorium on natural gas development still reflect today’s science, technology, market and regulatory best practices.”
When Our Largest Trading Relationship Becomes Our Largest Uncertainty
When Our Largest Trading Relationship Becomes Our Largest Uncertainty. For decades, Canadian and American businesses have built around a fairly simple assumption: whatever political disagreements emerged between Ottawa and Washington, commerce would continue.
Canada-U.S. trade negotiations break down as Ottawa prepares retaliatory tariffs
Canada-U.S. trade negotiations have been suspended following a last-minute failure to reach an agreement. In an August 21 statement, Prime Minister Mark Carney said changes to the U.S. proposal were “unfair, uneconomic” and called into question the reliability of any agreement. Canada’s negotiating team has returned to Ottawa.
Electoral Platform of the Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ)
Éric Duhaime’s PCQ unveiled its electoral platform in a series of staggered announcements between August 13 and 20, 2026, ahead of the official campaign launch, under the slogan « Oser pour vrai » (“Dare for real”). Five priority pillars emerge: reducing the size of the state (a $47B plan over 5 years), taxation, health care, construction/regulation, and family/autonomy.
Quebec Pre-Election Fiscal Report
Quebec’s Finance Ministry released its legally mandated pre-election fiscal report on August 10, independently reviewed by the province’s Auditor General (Vérificatrice générale du Québec, Christine Roy), who published her detailed analysis on August 17. Importantly, the pre-election report itself shows an improved starting position compared to the March 2026 budget, even as the Auditor General flags the path to balance as more demanding than the government suggests.
Provincial and Trade Relations for Canadian Businesses during August 2026 ahead of Trade Talks
Canada and the Trump administration are entering a critical stretch of trade negotiations ahead of August 19, when the United States is scheduled to impose a proposed 50% tariff on a range of Canadian goods that are not otherwise protected by existing trade arrangements.
Trade Talks Heat Up as New Trump Tariff Deadline Approaches
Recently, the Globe and Mail as well as CBC News reported that Canada was prepared to concede to some American demands as trade talks heat up. The President has threatened a new round of tariffs against Canada beginning August 19, citing provincial booze bans, dairy, and automotive sector tariffs which Canada has in place.
Provincial and Territorial Update – August 9, 2026
An overview on Provincial and Territorial updates for the week of August 9, 2026. Written by Wes McLean.
Quebec Polls: PQ Leads the Race, But Support for a Referendum Remains Limited
Quebec’s latest public opinion polls reveal an important political paradox. While the Parti Québécois (PQ) continues to lead voting intentions and is currently projected to win a majority government, a clear majority of Quebecers still oppose sovereignty if a referendum were held today.
Critical Minerals Overview of July 2026
Prime Minister Carney Deepens Partnership with Saudi Arabia Across Trade, Education, Technology, and Critical Minerals
A Review of Provincial and Trade Relations for Canadian Businesses for the start of August 2026
Provincial governments across Canada continued to focus on economic growth, energy security, housing infrastructure, and healthcare modernization while responding to climate-related emergencies and evolving trade uncertainty with the United States.
Provincial and Territorial Update for the end of July 2026
An overview on Provincial and Territorial updates for the end of July 2026. Written by Wes McLean.
Data Centre Development in Canada – A Provincial Survey
Canada is emerging as a destination for AI data centre investment, but the pace and approach vary significantly from province to province. As demand for computing power accelerates, governments are balancing the economic opportunities of attracting hyperscale facilities with concerns over electricity capacity, emissions, water use, land development, and long-term public benefit.
A Review of Provincial Decisions and Trade Relations for Canadian Businesses in July 2026
Provincial governments continued to focus on strengthening Canada’s economic competitiveness while balancing affordability, energy security, healthcare modernization, and climate resilience. Across the country, governments advanced major energy and infrastructure projects, responded to flooding and wildfire events, expanded healthcare access, and introduced affordability measures for households.
Provincial and Territorial Update for the week of July 24 2026
An overview on Provincial and Territorial updates for the week of July 24, 2026. Written by Wes McLean.
Provincial and Territorial Update for the week of July 17 2026
An overview on Provincial and Territorial updates for the week of July 17, 2026. Written by Wes McLean.
The Next Chapter for North American Trade, A CUSMA Review
July 1 marked an important turning point for the future of North American trade. During the mandatory six-year review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), Canada and Mexico formally supported extending the agreement for another 16 years.
Quebec Releases its 2026-2050 Integrated Energy Resource Management Plan (PGIRE)
The 2026–2050 Integrated Energy Resource Management Plan (PGIRE): Québec’s New Energy Framework Redefines Economic Priorities.
Critical Minerals – June 2026 Roundup
The Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy, launched in 2022, set a strong foundation to accelerate domestic production and build resilient supply chains. Despite progress since the Strategy launch,
A Review of Provincial Decisions and Trade Relations for Canadian Businesses for June 2026
Provincial governments across Canada continued to prioritize economic resilience, energy development, healthcare modernization, and housing affordability, while responding to climate-related emergencies and growing fiscal pressures.
Provincial and Territorial Update for the End of June 2026
An overview on Provincial and Territorial updates for the end of June 2026. Written by Wes McLean.
Québec Government Procurement Strategy 2026–2030
Describe the purpose of the post here: To highlight the key changes introduced by Québec’s 2026–2030 Government Procurement Strategy and their implications for companies operating in the information technology sector.
A Review of Provincial Decisions and Trade Relations for Canadian Businesses – June 19, 2026
Provincial governments across Canada continued to focus on housing affordability, healthcare modernization, energy development, and economic growth, while facing increasing fiscal and political pressures. Atlantic provinces grappled with healthcare system reforms, housing shortages, workforce challenges, and
Provincial and Territorial Update – June 19, 2026
An overview on Provincial and Territorial updates for the week of June 19, 2026. Written by Wes McLean.
Canada’s AI Strategy Signals a New Era for Public Procurement
The Government of Canada’s new National AI Strategy, AI for All, is more than a technology roadmap. It is a procurement strategy.
Canada’s AI Strategy Signals a New Era for Defence and Security
The federal governments newly released National Artificial Intelligence Strategy positions AI not only as an economic driver, but increasingly as a critical component of Canada’s defence and national security framework.
A Review of Provincial Decisions and Trade Relations for Canadian Businesses – June 6, 2026
Provincial Decisions and Trade Relations for Canadian Businesses Overview: Canadian provinces continued to focus on healthcare modernization, energy development, economic competitiveness, and public sector governance. New Brunswick announced investments in emergency healthcare and wildfire response while expanding alternatives within the justice system.
Select Provincial and Territorial Update – June 6, 2026
An overview on Provincial and Territorial updates for the week of June 6, 2026. Written by Wes McLean.
AI for All: Building Canada’s AI Ready Workforce
A key pillar of Canada’s new artificial intelligence (AI) strategy, AI for All, is preparing Canadians to succeed in an economy increasingly shaped by AI. While much of the conversation around AI focuses on technological innovation, the strategy recognizes that adoption will ultimately depend on people having the skills, confidence, and opportunities to use this technology effectively.
The 10 Key Areas of the Defence Industrial Strategy
The 10 Key Areas of the Defence Industrial Strategy: Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy outlines a long-term approach to strengthening Canada’s security, sovereignty, and economic prosperity through the development of key sovereign industrial capabilities.
Critical Minerals Review – June 2026 Kickoff
The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced more than $55 million in federal funding for two projects that will strengthen Arctic infrastructure, support export diversification and help build resilient Canadian minerals supply chains.