Shifting Sands: Leadership Race, Media Tensions and Policy Moves Define Canadian Landscape
OTTAWA, January 28, 2026 – The past week has seen significant movement in Canada’s political and media spheres, with a major leadership bid in Quebec, escalating tensions between private and public broadcasters, and the federal government outlining its digital policy priorities. These developments unfold against a backdrop of corporate scrutiny and political manoeuvring.
Quebec Politics: Drainville Enters CAQ Fray
Quebec Environment Minister Bernard Drainville has officially announced his candidacy for the leadership of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), becoming the second cabinet minister to join the race to succeed Premier François Legault. In his announcement, Drainville positioned himself as a candidate of “gros bon sens” (common sense) and vowed to maintain dialogue with the province’s English-speaking community. Political observers note his past alliance with media mogul Pierre Karl Péladeau during the latter’s tenure as Parti Québécois leader, a connection that highlights the enduring links between media ownership and political power in the province.
Media Market Friction Intensifies
The relationship between public and private media has grown more contentious. Pierre Karl Péladeau, president of Quebecor, has publicly accused Radio-Canada (CBC’s French-language service) of stealing advertising revenue, arguing that its government funding creates an unfair market advantage. This criticism comes as the CBC announces plans to expand into 11 new local bureaus, a move it says will address “news deserts” across the country. The expansion has been met with concern from some local private media outlets who fear increased competition for audiences and advertising dollars.
Concurrently, the industry is grappling with a fundamental shift, as noted in recent analyses: video content is now overtaking text in importance for audiences, and artificial intelligence is forcing a re-evaluation of journalistic priorities towards human-centric stories over technological hype.
Federal Digital Policy Direction Revealed
The federal government has revealed its digital policy priorities in responses to three major reports from the Canadian Heritage Committee. The responses address recommendations concerning the influence of global tech giants, support for local media, and combating harms from illegal sexually explicit materials online. This signals the government’s intent to move forward on a complex digital regulatory agenda in 2026.
Key Developments at a Glance
| Sector | This Week’s Development |
|---|---|
| Quebec Politics | Minister Bernard Drainville announces bid for CAQ leadership. |
| Media Industry | Quebecor’s Péladeau criticizes Radio-Canada; CBC announces national bureau expansion. |
| Federal Policy | Government responds to Heritage Committee reports on tech, local news, and online safety. |
| Corporate Canada | Firms like Roshel, Hootsuite, and the Jim Pattison Group face criticism for ties to U.S. immigration enforcement agencies. |
| Provincial Politics | Ontario Progressive Conservatives bar reporters from their annual policy convention in Toronto. |
Broader Context: Trade Tensions and Secrecy
These domestic developments are set against an uncertain international climate. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has recently threatened to impose 100% tariffs on Canadian goods over a potential trade deal between Canada and China, injecting fresh uncertainty into cross-border relations. Domestically, the move by the Ontario PCs to exclude journalists from a policy convention has drawn criticism for reducing transparency, highlighting ongoing tensions between governments and the press.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bernard Drainville?
Bernard Drainville is the current Quebec Minister of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change. On January 27, 2026, he announced his candidacy to become the next leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) and premier of Quebec.
What is Pierre Karl Péladeau’s complaint against Radio-Canada?
Péladeau, the head of media conglomerate Quebecor, argues that Radio-Canada’s public funding allows it to compete unfairly for television advertising revenue in the Quebec market, which he claims harms private broadcasters like his TVA network.
What did the Canadian Heritage Committee recommend?
The committee produced three reports focusing on: 1) The market power of large digital platforms (tech giants), 2) Measures to support local news and media, and 3) Addressing harms from illegal sexually explicit content online. The government’s responses this week outline which recommendations it plans to pursue.