Delayed push to make airlines pay

Monday, January 12, 2026

Written by Sarah Berman Copy Editor, Digital News

Good morning.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is heading to China this week to discuss economic opportunities, despite years of frosty relations. At the same time, NORAD's top commander says China and Russia are working together more closely in the Arctic. Plus, Go Public has obtained internal documents that reveal what's stalling a push to make airlines pay for Canada's passenger complaints system. We'll get into all of that and results from the 83rd Golden Globe Awards below.

THE LATEST

U.S. President Donald Trump has said that Iran is willing to negotiate as he weighs a U.S. response to the regime's crackdown on protests, which have killed hundreds of Iranians.
Trump on Sunday said no more Venezuelan oil or money will go to Cuba.
The U.S. Federal Reserve chair said the Department of Justice threatened him with a criminal indictment.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s Oscar favourite One Battle After Another picked up four film prizes at last night’s Golden Globes, while Hamnet, Chloe Zhao’s Shakespeare drama, won best dramatic film. Here's a recap of the evening, as well as a gallery of the hottest looks on the red carpet.

Documents suggest Ottawa pushed to delay airline complaints fee

Internal documents obtained by Go Public suggest Ottawa worked to delay — and potentially undermine — an effort to force airlines to help pay for Canada’s air passenger complaints system.

What's happening: When passengers have a dispute with an airline, they can file a complaint with the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA), a tribunal whose work costs taxpayers about $30 million a year. In an effort to deal with a backlog of cases, Parliament directed the agency in 2023 to implement a cost-recovery fee for airlines. More than 2½ years later, the fee still does not exist.

What internal docs say: Government records show Transport Canada — under two different transport ministers — repeatedly intervened, effectively stalling the airline fee meant to fund the passenger complaints system. The airline industry has meanwhile been actively lobbying Canada's transport minister and other officials on Parliament Hill, booking nearly 150 meetings since 2023.

Read the Go Public investigation here

Russia and China are working together more closely in the Arctic, NORAD commander says

Air and sea incursions into Arctic zones just outside North America are becoming more frequent and co-ordinated, NORAD's top commander told CBC News.

What's happening: NORAD has publicly acknowledged at least eight events in 2025 where it tracked Russian military aircraft operating in international airspace off Alaska's coast. And last summer, the Canadian military kept tabs on a Chinese research vessel in Arctic waters off Alaska. U.S. Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot says it appears the two countries are increasingly finding ways to test the reaction of the U.S. and Canadian militaries.

Trump card: Canada is currently in talks with the United States about potentially joining the Trump administration's so-called Golden Dome missile defence system. Trump has publicly stated that it would cost Canada more than $61 billion US to join the program, but participation would be free if the country joined as the 51st state. Guillot has been in touch with Canada's top military commander about what integration or separate missile defence could look like.

Read Murray Brewster's exclusive interview here

Carney wants to 'recalibrate' Canada-China relations with state visit this week

As the prime minister gears up to visit China, his parliamentary secretary, MP Kody Blois, says Mark Carney would like to "recalibrate" Canada's once-frosty relationship with the Chinese government and look at economic opportunities for the two nations.

What's happening: Carney's trip will mark the first visit to China by a Canadian prime minister since 2017. The visit will be closely watched by the Prairie provinces, which have called on Carney to lift duties Canada imposed on Chinese-made electric vehicles in 2024. China retaliated by slapping tariffs on canola, seafood and pork. Ontario Premier Doug Ford is urging Carney to stand firm on the EV tariffs.

What's next: Blois, who will travel with Carney to China, said the federal government sees an opportunity to co-operate on agriculture and agri-food. Once those talks wrap up, Carney is expected to visit Qatar on Jan. 18 and then Switzerland from Jan. 19 to 21 to attend the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos.

Read the story and watch the interview here