1-16-2026: Emergencies Act verdict looms, Canada-China Deals, House market stumbles into 2026, Carney references a new world order at China meeting, Manitoba rejects firearm buyback
EMERGENCIES ACT VERDICT LOOMS — The Federal Court of Appeal is set to rule today on whether the Liberal government unlawfully invoked the Emergencies Act during the 2022 convoy protests.
CANADA, CHINA MAKE FOOD-SAFETY DEAL — During MARK CARNEY’s Beijing visit, Ottawa and Beijing signed an MOU committing the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and China’s customs authority to closer food-safety co-operation.
HOUSING MARKET STUMBLES INTO 2026 — Canadian home sales fell sharply in December and ended 2025 down overall, with CREA data showing prices sliding and SHAUN CATHCART warning volatility clouds the outlook, though SALMAAN FAROOQUI reports some see 2026 as a potential reset if rates fall and supply rises.
CARNEY PRAISES XI, SPARKS POLITICAL BACKLASH — Prime Minister Mark Carney raised eyebrows in Beijing after publicly lauding Xi Jinping’s “leadership” and invoking a “new world order,” comments that underscore Ottawa’s push to reset Canada–China trade ties but risk fuelling criticism at home over tone, symbolism, and engagement with a repressive regime.
MANITOBA REJECTS OTTAWA’S FIREARM BUYBACK — Manitoba has drawn a clear line against the federal Liberal government’s gun confiscation plan, with Justice Minister MATT WIEBE announcing the province will refuse to administer Ottawa’s Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program.
CANADIANS WANT TOUGHER CRIME LAWS—BUT AREN’T SOLD THEY’LL WORK — New polling from the ANGUS REID INSTITUTE shows strong public backing for the Liberal government’s tougher sentencing and bail reforms in Bill C-14, even as many Canadians remain skeptical they’ll meaningfully reduce crime and split sharply along partisan lines highlighted by PIERRE POILIEVRE’s focus on justice system leniency.
CANADIANS SPLIT ON MADURO’S REMOVAL — A blunt gut-check question finds 40% of Canadians say ousting NICOLÁS MADURO was a bad thing versus 30% who call it good, with views hardening—not softening—among those paying closest attention and breaking sharply along partisan lines.
HOLIDAY DEBT HANGOVER HITS CANADA — A new Liaison Strategies poll finds Canadians entering 2026 anxious about credit card bills, with 45% calling consumer debt a major economic threat and DAVID VALENTIN warning that post-holiday household stress—especially among younger Canadians—is flashing a broader warning signal for the economy.
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