Monday InsightsIssue 2 · Nov. 2, 2026
Alberta’s final count, six big-city mayors and budget week
Last week, Alberta’s referendum results became official, six big cities picked their mayors and three legislatures went back to work. B.C.’s new government started to take shape, and Ottawa got ready for Thursday’s budget. Here’s what happened and what it means for you.
The week in four numbers
01Alberta
Alberta’s referendum results are official
Question 10, official results
Turnout, share of eligible Albertans who voted
Elections Alberta official results · Oct. 29, 2026
What happened. Elections Alberta released the official results of the Oct. 19 referendum on Thursday, Oct. 29. On Question 10, 74.95 per cent chose to stay in Canada: 1,556,316 votes, against 520,233 to start the legal steps toward a separation vote. That’s almost exactly the unofficial result.
Turnout. 70.4 per cent of eligible Albertans voted, about 2.2 million people. That’s up from 60.5 per cent in the 2023 provincial election.
The other nine questions came out the same way as the unofficial count: Yes won Questions 1 to 5, and No won Questions 6 to 9.
What’s next. Premier Danielle Smith has said she won’t hold another referendum on this issue, and the government says it won’t bring in new laws based on the vote this fall.
02Big cities
Six big cities picked their mayors
Unofficial results, all polls reported · city clerks; Poliwave · Ontario Oct. 26, Winnipeg Oct. 28
What happened. Six of Canada’s biggest cities elected mayors last week. In Ontario on Monday, three mayors kept their jobs and two lost them. Olivia Chow won a second term in Toronto with 54 per cent of the vote. Mark Sutcliffe won again in Ottawa, and Patrick Brown in Brampton. In Mississauga, Alvin Tedjo beat Mayor Carolyn Parrish and former mayor Bonnie Crombie. In Hamilton, Keanin Loomis won, and Mayor Andrea Horwath finished third.
On Wednesday, Winnipeg re-elected Mayor Scott Gillingham with about 40 per cent of the vote, against 11 other candidates. Four Winnipeg councillors lost their seats, and nine new faces join council.
Why it matters. Mayors in Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton have “strong mayor” powers from the province, including writing the city budget. Toronto’s mayor has to table the 2027 budget by Feb. 1. Toronto will have seven new councillors; three sitting councillors lost.
Turnout. About 977,000 people voted for Toronto mayor, up from about 563,000 ballots in 2022. Ottawa’s preliminary turnout fell to 36.2 per cent from 43.8 per cent.
What’s next. Toronto’s city clerk certified the official results on Oct. 29. Ontario’s new councils take office Sunday, Nov. 15, and each new council sets its city’s 2027 budget.
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15 city halls. One weekly read.
Big Cities Insights covers Canada’s 15 biggest city councils in plain English: council maps, budgets and live results on election night, never called by us. New every week on our Insights page.
Read it free03Legislatures
Three legislatures went back to work
Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario MLAs and MPPs returned on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
Saskatchewan. A new session opened with a speech from the throne, read by Lieutenant Governor Bernadette McIntyre. It’s the government’s plan for the year ahead. The government promised to keep cutting income taxes: a family of four already pays no provincial income tax on its first $65,000, and that threshold rises again in the spring budget. New laws are coming on safety in personal care homes, tougher penalties for impaired drivers, limits on medical assistance in dying for people under 18 or whose only condition is mental illness, and a ban on deceptive AI voices and images in elections. The first four bills came Thursday, including Bill 61, on testing when first responders are exposed to HIV or hepatitis.
SaskatchewanSpeech from the throne
What the government promised for the year ahead
- TaxesRaise the income tax threshold again in the spring budget
- SeniorsSafer Homes for Seniors Act: more oversight of personal care homes
- HealthExpand what several health professions can do
- HealthMAID Additional Safeguards Act: no MAID under 18 or for mental illness alone
- HealthOpioids Damages Act: recover health costs from opioid makers and sellers
- SafetyTougher penalties for impaired driving
- SafetyTesting when first responders or victims are exposed to HIV or hepatitis Bill 61
- SafetyProtection from Human Trafficking Act: hotels and ride apps must report
- SafetyProtection of Economic Infrastructure Act: keep roads and rail open
- ElectionsPrevention of Deceptive AI Act: no fake AI voices or images
- FamiliesEasier collection of unpaid child and spousal support
- FamiliesHelp adopted people find birth parents
Government of Saskatchewan, Oct. 27 · Bill 61: Legislative Assembly Minutes, Oct. 29
AlbertaFall agenda
What the government previewed, and what’s tabled
- JobsPublic service hiring based on merit Bill 33
- EnergyRules for new data centres: power, grid, water
- SchoolsStandard student report cards
- EnvironmentHigher fines for illegal dumping
- ConsumersProtections for resale ticket buyers Tabled
- ConsumersProtections for buyers of defective vehicles Tabled
- RoadsRoadways, including the future of bike lanes
- SafetyPenalties for fake intimate images Bill 33
- CostsAuto insurance and utility bills, from 2027
Previewed Oct. 23 (CBC, CTV) · tabled Oct. 27-28 (CBC, CTV)
Alberta. Four of the nine items the government previewed are now bills. The first, Bill 33, would stop the public service, Crown corporations, school boards, post-secondary schools and cities from considering race, gender identity, religion or disability in hiring and promotion, and from requiring diversity, equity and inclusion training. It also lets victims sue over fake intimate images, including deepfakes, with fines of up to $10,000. NDP MLA Kathleen Ganley called the hiring change “a solution in want of a problem.” A second bill adds a “lemon law” for defective vehicles and new rules for buying tickets. Three more came Thursday, on parental involvement in education, children and family services, and minor fixes to several laws (see story 6).
Ontario. MPPs returned after a 21-week break. On Thursday, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy’s fall economic update raised this year’s projected deficit to $16.9 billion, from $13.8 billion in the spring budget. Ontario now expects to balance its budget in 2029-30, a year later than planned. The update includes an $8-billion tax cut that lets businesses write off new equipment and software right away, and full relief from the 13 per cent HST for eligible buyers of new homes up to $1 million. The budget bill that carries it, Bill 143, was tabled the same day.
04British Columbia
B.C.’s new government takes shape
What happened. Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson named Kim Henderson, a former deputy minister and cabinet secretary, to lead his move into government. His first promises: an independent review of the province’s finances before any budget, a bill raising the basic personal income tax exemption that he says puts about $1,000 back in nearly every worker’s pocket, and support for the Pacific Link pipeline.
Why it matters. A new government sets its first budget from the finance review, so the review shapes what B.C. spends in 2027.
What’s next. No swearing-in date has been set, and David Eby stays premier until then. Doerkson has said MLAs could be called back before the end of the year. Elections BC’s final count, which adds mail-in and some absentee ballots, runs Nov. 6 to 10.
05Ottawa
Budget week: what to watch Thursday
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne presents the federal budget on Thursday, Nov. 5.
Why it matters. The prime minister’s target is to balance the day-to-day budget, which leaves out investments, by 2027-28. A budget is also a confidence vote (see the word of the week).
What to watch. Whether the budget keeps the 2027-28 target, sets a new one, or adds a new limit on the deficit.
Also this week. On Sunday, Prime Minister Mark Carney called byelections for Monday, Dec. 7, in six vacant seats: three in Quebec, two in Ontario and one in Saskatchewan.
06Across Canada
Where every legislature stands this week
Each province and territory has its own legislature. Here’s what each one is doing, from west to east and then north.
Churchill’s legislation trackers, checked Oct. 30, 2026
Every bill tabled last week, Oct. 26 to 30, government and members’ bills, and where each one stands. 42 in all. Nunavut’s were tabled Oct. 23.
New billsOct. 26 to 30
42 bills tabled across Canada in one week
Government billsMembers’ bills
Where they stand
Third reading: 1In committee: 4Second reading: 13First reading: 24
Each legislature’s bill lists and LEGISinfo · checked Oct. 30
Parliament: The House of Commons is sitting. One new government bill was tabled Oct. 27, on safeguards for medical assistance in dying, and the Canadian Fuel Affordability Act became law Oct. 29. The budget comes Thursday (see story 5).
- C-41Medical Assistance in Dying Safeguards ActSecond reading
British Columbia: The new government is still forming (see story 4). MLAs return after it’s sworn in.
Alberta: The fall sitting began Oct. 27. Six bills were tabled in the first week: five from the government, three of them on Thursday (see story 3), and one member’s bill.
- Bill 33Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2026 (No. 2)In committee
- Bill 34Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Statutes Amendment Act, 2026Second reading
- Bill 35Education and Childcare (Securing Parental Involvement) Statutes Amendment Act, 2026First reading
- Bill 36Children and Family Services (Supporting Alberta Families) Statutes Amendment Act, 2026First reading
- Bill 37Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2026First reading
- Bill 211Patient Outcomes Reporting ActFirst reading · Member’s bill
Saskatchewan: A new session opened Oct. 27 with a speech from the throne (see story 3). The first four bills came Thursday.
- Bill 61The Mandatory Testing and Disclosure (Bodily Substances) Amendment Act, 2026First reading
- Bill 62The Statute Law Amendment Act, 2026First reading
- Bill 63The Municipal Employees’ Pension Amendment Act, 2026First reading
- Bill 64The Revenue and Financial Services Amendment Act, 2026First reading
Manitoba: The session ended Thursday, Oct. 29, after five new bills came last week: two from the government, including the main spending bill, and three members’ bills. A new session opens Tuesday, Nov. 17.
- Bill 59The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act (2)First reading
- Bill 60The Appropriation Act, 2026 (Main and Supplementary)Second reading
- Bill 237The Emergency 911 Public Safety Answering Point Amendment ActFirst reading · Member’s bill
- Bill 241The Buildings Amendment Act (Radon Notice)First reading · Member’s bill
- Bill 242The Drivers and Vehicles Amendment Act (Veteran Status on Drivers’ Licences and Identification Cards)First reading · Member’s bill
Ontario: MPPs returned Oct. 27 after a 21-week break. The fall economic update on Oct. 29 raised the deficit to $16.9 billion, and its budget bill was tabled the same day (see story 3). Five bills were tabled last week, three of them members’ bills.
- Bill 140Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026Second reading
- Bill 141Ontario in Your Glass Act, 2026First reading · Member’s bill
- Bill 142Menopause Awareness Act, 2026First reading · Member’s bill
- Bill 143Plan to Protect Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2026 (No. 2)First reading
- Bill 144Plug into the Sun Act, 2026First reading · Member’s bill
Quebec: The new National Assembly first meets Tuesday, Nov. 17.
New Brunswick: MLAs are sitting. Seven new bills were introduced last week, and four passed second reading on Oct. 28, the vote on a bill’s main idea.
- Bill 4An Act to Amend the Provincial Court ActSecond reading
- Bill 5Non-disclosure Agreements ActSecond reading
- Bill 6An Act to Amend the Employment Standards ActSecond reading
- Bill 7An Act to Amend the Salvage Dealers Licensing ActSecond reading
- Bill 8An Act to Amend the Gaming Control ActFirst reading
- Bill 9An Act to Amend the Electricity ActFirst reading
- Bill 10An Act to Amend the Education ActFirst reading
Nova Scotia: The House isn’t sitting, and no return date is set.
Prince Edward Island: The fall sitting opens Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Newfoundland and Labrador: The House is sitting. Seven new bills were introduced on Oct. 27, and one passed third reading Oct. 29.
- Bill 22Revenue Administration (Amendment) Act, No. 3First reading
- Bill 23Regulatory Improvement and Efficiency ActFirst reading
- Bill 24Resource Enforcement ActIn committee
- Bill 25Social Workers (Amendment) ActIn committee
- Bill 26Fair Registration Practices (Amendment) ActThird reading
- Bill 27Civil Forfeiture ActFirst reading
- Bill 28Status of Women and Gender Equality Advisory Council ActFirst reading
Yukon: The fall sitting reached its halfway point and runs to Nov. 26 at the latest. On Oct. 27, MLAs passed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act that end the rent cap and allow evictions without cause, starting Dec. 1. Every government MLA voted for them and every opposition MLA against. The government and the Yukon Employees’ Union reached a tentative contract on Oct. 27, after about two years of talks; members still have to ratify it. Premier Currie Dixon says the government added $8.34 million for Yukon Hospitals, including more nurses, and that a motion backing a new École Whitehorse Elementary School in Valleyview passed unanimously on Wednesday. Tuesday, Nov. 3, marks one year since the territorial election. No new bills came last week.
Northwest Territories: MLAs are sitting. Seven new bills were introduced last week, and two bills passed third reading, the final vote, on Oct. 28.
- Bill 55An Act to Amend the Property Assessment and Taxation ActSecond reading
- Bill 56Health and Social Services Profession Statutes Amendment ActSecond reading
- Bill 57An Act to Amend the Employment Standards ActSecond reading
- Bill 58Elections ActIn committee
- Bill 59An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, No. 2First reading
- Bill 64Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2026-2027Second reading
- Bill 65Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2026-2027Second reading
Nunavut: The fall sitting ends Thursday, Nov. 5. All 11 bills tabled Oct. 23 have passed second reading.
- Bill 5An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds ActIn committee
- Bill 6Archaeological and Palaeontological Sites ActSecond reading
- Bill 7Public Lands ActSecond reading
- Bill 8Surface Rights Tribunal ActSecond reading
- Bill 9Waters ActSecond reading
- Bill 10Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2027-2028Second reading
- Bill 11Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2025-2026Second reading
- Bill 12Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2026-2027Second reading
- Bill 13Write-Off of Assets Act, 2025-2026In committee
- Bill 14An Act to Amend the Medical Profession ActSecond reading
- Bill 15An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance ActSecond reading
Word of the week
Confidence vote
A vote the government has to win to stay in power. Budgets count as one. If the government loses, it usually falls, and an election follows.
Of 343 seatsA majority in the House of Commons. With fewer, a government needs other parties to pass a budget.
House of Commons, 45th Parliament: 343 seats
Dates to watch
What’s coming up
- P.E.I.’s legislature returnsFall sitting opens
- Federal budgetFinance Minister François-Philippe Champagne
- Nunavut’s fall sitting endsAfter debate on next year’s capital budget
- B.C.’s final count beginsMail-in and special ballots
- Ontario’s new councils take officeElected Oct. 26
- Quebec and Manitoba open sessionsQuebec’s first sitting since the election
Further out
- Alberta’s next general electionSet by law for the third Monday in October
Legislature calendars · Elections BC · Finance Canada · city clerks
Public sources only. No predictions.
Every party is reported the same way. Results are counted, never rated.
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Sources. Alberta: Elections Alberta official results, Oct. 29, 2026 (70.4 per cent turnout of 3,148,205 eligible electors; 2023 general election 60.5 per cent). Big-city elections: City of Toronto certified results (Oct. 29); City of Brampton and City of Winnipeg unofficial results, all polls; Poliwave for Ottawa, Mississauga and Hamilton, all polls (Oct. 27); Global News for Winnipeg council (Oct. 29); CP24 for Toronto vote totals; Global News for Toronto council; CBC News for Ottawa turnout. Saskatchewan: Government of Saskatchewan, “2026 Speech From the Throne will Keep Saskatchewan Strong and Steady” (Oct. 27), and CKOM (Oct. 27); bills: Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan Minutes (Oct. 29). Alberta bills: CBC News (Oct. 27) and CTV News (Oct. 28); fall agenda previewed Oct. 23 (CBC, CTV). Ontario legislature: Global News (Oct. 27); fall economic statement, Oct. 29, via Counsel Public Affairs and The Globe and Mail. B.C.: The Canadian Press via CP24 (Oct. 25); CBC News (fall session); Elections BC (final count dates). Ottawa: The Hub (Oct. 21, 2026) and the Parliamentary Budget Officer; byelections: paNOW (Nov. 1). Yukon: CBC News (rent changes, Oct. 28); Yukon News (tentative contract, Oct. 28); Premier Currie Dixon’s week-four sitting update (hospital funding and school motion). Parliament: LEGISinfo (C-41, C-38). Across Canada and bills tabled: Churchill’s legislation trackers, from each legislature’s official records (bill status reports, order papers, Hansard and Minutes), and each legislature’s own bill lists for members’ bills, checked Oct. 30. House of Commons seats: House of Commons.
Churchill Strategy has worked with conservative parties in Alberta, Saskatchewan and federally, and with a campaign in Alberta’s 2026 referendum. Monday Insights reports results; it does not take sides.
