Nominations for the 2026 municipal elections are set to open May 1, and the new governance structures would take effect for the 2026–2030 term. Current councils would remain in place until new ones are sworn in later that year.

The province is preparing for a significant shakeup just ahead of the next round of trustee elections.

The province is proposing to streamline official plans, the documents that dictate land use and zoning, into a more uniform format with a limited set of land-use categories. The government says that the current plans have become overly complex and restrictive, slowing down approvals and adding uncertainty for builders.

Under the plan, both governments will each contribute $4.4 billion over the next decade through Ottawa’s new Build Communities Strong Fund.

In an exclusive interview with QP Briefing following his rare personal appearance before the court, Attorney General Doug Downey framed the high-stakes hearing as a defining moment for Canada, centred on who ultimately has the final say on Charter rights: courts or elected governments.