Power & Politics: Top 5 news stories of 2016
Katharine Starr | CBC News | Posted: December 26, 2016 10:00 AM | Last Updated: December 26, 2016
CBC News Network's Power & Politics counts down the news stories that dominated headlines in 2016
A remarkable transition south of the border, a Senate in flux and long-awaited moves on pipelines made some of the biggest headlines in Canada in 2016.
CBC News Network's Power & Politics has combed through this year's archives to bring you some of the political highlights of 2016, from the most cringe-worthy blunders to the biggest players to watch. Today, we turn our attention to the top news stories of 2016.
The Power Panel — political strategist Kathleen Monk, former policy of director to Stephen Harper Rachel Curran, Bloomberg's Josh Wingrove and Susan Smith of Bluesky Strategy Group — helps Rosemary Barton count down the can't-miss moments.
5. New Senate
2016 saw big changes in the Upper Chamber. The year started with the denouement of the Senate scandal, with Mike Duffy's court decision and the subsequent dropping of the RCMP investigations into other senators.
- Judge clears Duffy of all charges, slams Harper PMO
- Timeline: Chronology of the Senate expenses scandal
Now, the upper house is trying to turn over a new leaf, with a fresh batch of senators and a new appointment process.
But it's not all coming up rosy for the Red Chamber. Independent senators are growing restless with the pace of change, and Conservative senator Denise Batters recently accused Justin Trudeau of trying to "destroy" opposition in the Senate.
4. Carbon tax
The federal government delivered a climate change ultimatum to the provinces this year. The message? Like it or not, a carbon price is coming to Canada.
- Justin Trudeau gives provinces until 2018 to adopt carbon price plan
- Here's where the provinces stand on carbon prices
A tough-talking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took the provinces by surprise when he announced they have until 2018 to adopt a carbon pricing scheme, or the federal government will step in and impose a price for them.
Trudeau said the price on carbon dioxide pollution should start at a minimum of $10 a tonne in 2018, rising by $10 each year to $50 a tonne by 2022.
The unexpected announcement helped set a testy new tone between the provinces and feds, one that's been mirrored in ongoing health care talks.
But will the carbon pricing plan help Canada meet its climate change commitments as outlined in the Paris agreement? That remains to be seen.
3. Oil
A devastating fire in Fort McMurray, a slow climb in oil prices and some big decisions on key pipelines all made oil a dominant political focus in 2016.
- Canada's stagnant, slipping wealth overly reliant on oil: study
- The new two solitudes: 'Alberta and the rest of Canada'
But the federal government's approach to oil in 2016 highlighted a growing divide between Alberta and the rest of Canada, with federal politicians like interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose going toe-to-toe with Trudeau over Alberta job cuts, and an oil rig worker making an impassioned plea in the House of Commons for more support for the energy sector.
2. Assisted dying
The government introduced legislation to regulate physician-assisted dying this year. The federal law governing medical assistance in dying came into effect June 17, after weeks of passionate, and sometimes very personal, political debate.
- Liberals' assisted-dying bill is now law
- More than 100 Canadians have opted for assisted death since law passed
But the issue opened up a wider political, legal and societal debate over end-of-life care, personal autonomy, the age of consent and mental illness.
1. U.S. election
2016 was an election year like no other, and the result of the U.S. election — to be made official at Donald Trump's inauguration Jan. 20 — was felt around the world.
- Donald Trump wins U.S. election in astonishing victory
- 'How could we be so wrong?': Clinton's stunning election loss
Wild turns, unpredictable moments and history-making firsts will ensure the 2016 presidential election will be studied by political scientists for decades to come.
Be sure to check in all week as Power & Politics counts down the Top 5 newsmakers, political blunders, issues to watch, and players to watch of 2016 and the year ahead.