Netanyahu ‘defiant’ after inconclusive Israeli election; Carney, Quebec premier clash over EU summit; and more

Israeli Prime Minister and Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to supporters at the Likud Party election-night event at the Teddy Hall, International Convention Center on October 28, 2026 in Jerusalem, Israel. Photo by Chris McGrath /Getty Images

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It’s Wednesday, October 28. Here are the top stories we’re following today.

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Vivian Bercovici: Benjamin Netanyahu will not go quietly after indecisive election

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Bercovici writes that Israel’s much anticipated election results are anything but clear, with both Benjamin Netanyahu and unofficial leader of the change bloc, Yashar! leader Gadi Eizenkot each claiming to have emerged as the front-runner on Wednesday. Netanyahu’s Likud party has more seats than Eizenkot’s, but both have an unclear path to a majority coalition government. “It is difficult to see a resounding mandate for anyone in this outcome. Everything will turn on the final tally and subsequent negotiations,” Bercovici concludes.

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Prime Minister Mark Carney waits for the arrival of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at West Block, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. Photo by Hyungcheol Park/Postmedia

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Carney says Quebec’s premier is missing a ‘valuable chance’ for diplomacy at EU summit

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The relationship between Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and Prime Minister Mark Carney — who have yet to meet in person — quickly soured this week after it was revealed that the federal government turned down the premier’s request to directly address attendees at the Canada-European Union summit in Montreal on Thursday. Quebec’s desire to have strong and autonomist international action in all areas falling within its territory has long been challenged by Ottawa, which considers international relations under its sole jurisdiction.

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A divide over how far the EU should go in formalizing its relationship with Canada has emerged ahead of a summit in Montreal this week. Photo by Adobe Stock

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EU nations balk at ‘associate member’ label for Canada ahead of summit: reports

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When a joint Canada-European Union statement is issued at their summit kicking off in Montreal on Thursday, there’ll be no mention of “associate membership,” but instead it will call for “ever closer associations” between Canada and the 27-member bloc, “short of full membership itself,” according to reports. “The main concern is that this is unknown terminology, it might bring up legal uncertainty and expectations from other third countries,” one diplomat said.

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A sign thanking Belleville police officers who stopped a gunman who attacked the Sons of Jacob Synagogue on Sept. 20. Photo by Luke Hendry /The Belleville Intelligencer

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Jewish community hopes to put $1M fundraiser for hero Belleville cop over the top

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“We are now $45,744 away from our $1 million goal,” GoFundMe page organizer Derek Kreindler wrote on the page on Tuesday. “Thousands of people from across Canada and beyond have chosen to honour (police officer Jeff Smith) who suffered catastrophic injuries while protecting approximately 25 Jewish worshippers on Kol Nidre. That response has been extraordinary.”

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Wab Kinew brandishes his Indian status card in front of reporters. Photo by Wab Kinew/X

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FIRST READING: Everyone hates the Indian Act. So why does it refuse to die?

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The despised Indian Act, which sets out the basic legal frameworks under which First Nations exist in Canada, is the rare piece of federal legislation that is despised with equal fervour by both conservatives and progressives, Tristin Hopper argues. The only reason it still exists is because of disagreement over what comes next, he writes. “On the one extreme, Indigenous rights and privileges are phased out entirely.” Or, “on the other extreme, the Indian Act is scrapped in favour of a latticework of new sovereignty and self-governance rights that could have massive unintended consequences.”

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