Canada will attempt to join the EU and Justin Trudeau becomes a Katy Perry lyric: The Hub predicts 2026

Polish off your crystal balls, consult the stars, call up the scryer in your life—2025 is creeping to a close, and it’s time to turn our attention to what’s to come in 2026. But if the future still feels fuzzy, don’t panic: The Hub has you covered. Once again, our best prognosticators are here to provide some foolproof predictions for the headlines and happenings ahead. 1. Canada will make some sort of formal application to join the European Union (EU) Far up north, there’s a tiny rock no more than 1.3 square kilometres tucked away in a place called the Nares Straight, between Nunavut’s Ellesmere Island and Greenland. Hans Island has long been a disputed territory between Canada and Denmark, which calls Greenland an autonomous territory within its own country. After a near half-century of diplomatic tomfoolery, involving the planting of flags and the leaving of both Canadian whiskey and Danish schnapps (see the “Whiskey War”), in 2022, our two countries agreed to split the island down the middle. What’s meant is that Canada (theoretically) shares a border with a European nation—adding kindling to fuel the fire that is Canada seeking membership in the EU. While Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union clearly states member states must be European, expect an exception to be made for Europhile Prime Minister Carney, who calls Canada, “the most European of non-European countries.” Supporters will celebrate what they see as expanded freedom of movement and work across the 27-member group. They will cite strength in numbers against Trump, in adding a theoretical maple leaf to the 12-star flag. They will point out that the EU is Canada’s second-largest trading partner. Critics will point to the absurdity of joining a group an ocean away. They will point to the continent’s low economic growth and tech innovation and aging populations. They will confront supporters with questions around currency, additional regulations, and the continent’s continued migrant crisis. The most virulent naysayers might quote National Review writer Charles C.W. Cooke, who recently called Europe a “poor, corrupt, sclerotic, vampiric open-air museum, and its leadership class is full of priggish, dishonest, supercilious, rent-seeking parasites, whose boundless sense of superiority ought by rights to have vanished in 1901.” But elbows-up supporters will win the day. 2.   Mark Mulroney will challenge federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre While they don’t like to admit it, Canadians love a political dynasty. And having had two Trudeaus at the helm hasn’t scratched their itch entirely. The late Prime Minister Brian Mulroney said his daughter Caroline was the offspring most likely to follow in his footsteps. “I’ve always thought so. She has it in her blood,” he told La Presse in 2017. Caroline is, after all, the only child who actually entered politics, held four cabinet posts under Ontario Premier Doug Ford, campaigned for Poilievre, and ran for leader of the Progressive Conservative Party. Others say politicos should be watching eldest son Ben Mulroney, the long-time etalk celebrity reporter turned conservative radio jockey turned temporary host of Global News’ flagship political affairs show The West Block. They’ve watched that son donate to the Conservative Party and host partisan events. However, few have paid attention to the second-eldest son lurking in the Bay Street shadows. Toronto businessman Mark Mulroney, currently global vice chair of CIBC (formerly Scotiabank), who has steered clear of public life, could mirror and then challenge Prime Minister Carney’s business finance bona fides. The two could bond over their time at Goldman Sachs. He would, of course, have trouble satisfying the populist Tory base, given the 24 Sussex-engraved silver spoon he’s had in his mouth since he was a boy. In 2015, as Prime Minister Harper headed for the exit, Mark mused about throwing his hat in the federal ring. While he ultimately decided no, he didn’t rule out politics in his future. “No. But that being said, you never say never to these things,” he told CityNews. 3. Katy Perry will mention boyfriend Justin Trudeau in a song lyric “Do you ever feel like a plastic bag? Drifting through the wind, wanting to start again?” So goes the opening lyrics of popstar Katy Perry’s mega hit song “Firework.” Words to live by, according to our freshly former prime minister, Justin Trudeau, who is now living his best life, dating the American celebrity singer, wining and dining with her on California yachts and in Tokyo sushi joints. Given the whirlwind romance, it is only a matter of time until the 23rd prime minister appears in a Perry song. One can speculate on the form that might take by swapping out lyrics to her most recent songs. A teaser: “It’s a woman’s world and you’re lucky to be livin’ in it (Uh-huh, uh-huh). It’s a woman’s world and you’re lucky to be livin’ in it (Uh-huh, uh-huh) You better celebrate, by implementing a feminist foreign policy.” Or… “I’m his queen (Elizabeth), I’m his freakI’m every woman he wants and needsI’m his dream, I’m his legalized illicit drugI’m every woman he wants, so what? What tune will be sung? Only time will tell. 4. A Canadian cabinet minister will get caught reading a speech written entirely by AI Eighteen years ago, a long-time speechwriter for then Prime Minister Stephen Harper was caught red-handed plagiarizing an old Iraq War speech of former Australian Prime Minister John Howard. He resigned from his position immediately. “I was overzealous in copying segments of another world leader’s speech,” admitted scribe Owen Lippert. In 2026, the major issue speechwriters will have to worry most about won’t be plagiarism, but artificial intelligence. Already, in Ontario, a Pickering politician has been caught delivering an AI speech. Last month, controversial councillor Lisa Robinson was accused of using Siri to prepare her remarks about the health effects of wireless technology. She had instructed machine learning to give her a “clear and assertive” speech to deliver her views. It was caught on a Zoom call for all to see. This year, we’ll see a more prominent and powerful Canadian politician lean on AI to express their thoughts. Internet sleuths will catch them.