Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news regarding the environment, climate change, and fish, wildlife and habitat conservation. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Start Date: 2025-05-25
End Date: 2025-05-31

Canadian Federal GR News

Government Proposes Full Repeal of Consumer Carbon Price and Fuel Charge Framework

The federal government has proposed legislative amendments that would fully repeal the consumer carbon price (fuel charge framework) under Part 1 of the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act. Most charging provisions were retroactively repealed as of April 1, 2025, aligning the law with regulatory changes introduced in March. Special rules remain only for certain railway fuel charges until October 1, 2025, when all rebate provisions will also be repealed. Registrants have until October 31, 2025, to file returns or claim rebates, after which all registration rules end. The Act’s remaining interpretive and administrative rules will be fully repealed by April 1, 2035, providing time for final wind-down. The Canada Revenue Agency will retain legal authority to make reassessments for pre-repeal charges. These changes formalize the regulatory cessation of the federal fuel charge and end associated reporting and compliance obligations for most businesses.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Speech from the Throne Sets New Federal Direction on Environment, Trade, and Economy

The 45th Parliament opened with King Charles III delivering the Speech from the Throne, indicating federal priorities for the session. The government cited increasing global economic and environmental uncertainty, vowing to engage on challenges including climate change. Energy policy positions Canada as a potential superpower, with plans for enhanced environmental initiatives and fiscal discipline. Other announced legislative priorities include reducing taxes, expanding dental care, and ending internal trade barriers.

Sources: Transcripts: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

$15 Million Allocated for Youth Employment in Natural Resources Sectors

Natural Resources Canada announced a $15 million investment under the Science and Technology Internship Program (STIP) – Green Jobs, supporting 470 employment and skills training opportunities for youth aged 15 to 30 in energy, forestry, mining, earth sciences, and clean technology. Employers in eligible sectors can apply for funding for up to 12-month positions, including hiring, training, and mentoring. This initiative is part of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, aimed at building a workforce for Canada's evolving natural resources industry. The funding is expected to bolster employment pathways in environmental and clean technology fields.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

New Data: Environmental and Clean Technology Sector Employment Up 4.3% in 2023

According to Statistics Canada, the environmental and clean technology products sector generated 354,257 employee jobs in 2023, representing a 4.3% increase from the previous year and accounting for 1.7% of all jobs nationwide. This sector includes industries linked to environmental goods, services, and clean technology research, informing labor and investment activity in fields ranging from renewable energy to advanced pollution abatement.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Release of Integrated National Forest Plot Database for Research and Management

Natural Resources Canada has released the updated Multi-Agency Ground Plot (MAGPlot) Database, compiling forest ground plot data from federal, provincial, and territorial sources. The accessible database supports research on Canada’s forests, including disturbance, management, regeneration, and species distribution. Five site-related and three tree-related tables provide harmonized information on biophysical measures, treatments, regeneration, and site conditions. Ongoing releases will extend coverage and add attributes such as tree biomass and volume estimation.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: open.canada.ca

Climate Risk Index for Biodiversity Published for 145 Marine Species

Fisheries and Oceans Canada introduced the Climate Risk Index for Biodiversity (CRIB) framework, containing climate risk assessments for 145 marine species of conservation or commercial interest across Canada’s marine territories. The dataset quantifies species' climate risk at a detailed spatial resolution under two emission scenarios up to 2100, including 12 climate indexes and vulnerability dimensions. The information is designed to support spatial conservation planning and fisheries decision-making under climate change scenarios.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: open.canada.ca

US Federal GR News

Council on Environmental Quality Withdraws Federal Greenhouse Gas and Climate Change NEPA Guidance

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) officially withdrew its interim guidance on considering greenhouse gas emissions and climate change in National Environmental Policy Act reviews, effective May 28, 2025. The withdrawal follows Executive Order 14154, which directs agencies to limit GHG analysis to statutory requirements and removes government-wide use of the social cost of carbon. This change is presented as a move towards what the administration regards as clear statutory authority and reflects a broader set of recent executive orders rescinding previous climate and environmental justice guidance. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs provided supplementary direction limiting agencies’ GHG reviews, pending future regulatory developments.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Trump Administration Unveils Permitting Technology Action Plan

The Trump Administration launched its Permitting Technology Action Plan, led by the Council on Environmental Quality and National Energy Dominance Council, to modernize federal environmental review processes for infrastructure projects. The plan sets minimum technology standards for permitting, mandates data and technology standards for NEPA reviews, and launches a governance effort for implementation. The Permitting Innovation Center will prototype new permitting tools in coordination with the General Services Administration’s Technology Transformation Services. The initiative is intended to expedite infrastructure review timelines, enhance predictability, and update legacy permitting systems.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

Canadian Provincial GR News

Ontario Advances Resource Management and Safety Act with Carbon Storage Provisions

Ontario reintroduced the Resource Management and Safety Act, 2025, which includes updated wildland fire management, geologic carbon storage regulation, and streamlined authority for action on hazardous oil and gas wells. The Act also modernizes land surveyor licensing and underscores industrial emissions management.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Quebec Lifts Ban on Open Fires in Forests Following Risk Mitigation Efforts

The Ministry of Public Security in Quebec fully lifted the ban on open fires in forests or nearby zones on May 30, 2025, following a mitigation campaign targeting regional fire risks.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

New Brunswick Legislative Committee Outlines Environmental Action Plan

New Brunswick’s standing committee on climate change and environmental stewardship adopted its 2025–2026 action plan, focusing on reviewing the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts, and engaging with First Nations and experts on legislative gaps.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www2.gnb.ca

Government Consultations

Funding Open for York Factory First Nation Aerodrome Impact Assessment Participation

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada is offering funding for Indigenous Peoples and public participation in the impact assessment process for the proposed York Factory First Nation Ten Shilling Aerodrome Project, with applications open through June 6, 2025.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: iaac-aeic.gc.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

MP Dan Mazier posted concerns regarding Parks Canada’s abrupt ban on motorized boats in Clear Lake, Manitoba, replacing the previously supported 'one boat, one lake' approach without consultation.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Tony Loffreda commented on the historic opening of Parliament and outlined key government commitments, including middle-class tax cuts and removal of the consumer carbon price.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Joanne Thompson reiterated, via social media, the economic significance of the fishery sector after meeting with stakeholders in Nova Scotia focused on industry sustainability and success.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Sima Acan publicly acknowledged reports of dead fish in Lake Ontario and referenced communications from the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority on the natural event.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Tim Louis posted about participating in a local urban tree-planting initiative with Let's Tree Wilmot.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Ottawa tabling bill to skirt impact assessment law for ‘national interest’ projects: National projects may be exempted from current federal environmental reviews under new proposals.
• Bill 5 could affect these six species in Ontario, conservationists say: Ontario’s new environmental legislation faces scrutiny regarding potential impacts on at-risk species.
• Ontario to amend mining bill, add Indigenous economic zones amid First Nations uproar: Responding to concerns, Ontario moves to integrate Indigenous economic zones into resource extraction policy.
• NDP chastises N.S. government over environmental racism recommendations: Nova Scotia government faces criticism over transparency and responsiveness to a legislative report.
• Ottawa tabling bill to skirt impact assessment law for ’national interest’ projects: Business and legal perspectives on the federal government’s plans to exempt major projects from standard impact assessments.
• Ontario protecting lake trout habitat: Case study of regulatory enforcement to protect critical aquatic habitat.