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.

Want to see GR activities in areas of the economy related to the Environment channel? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Oil & Gas and Mining.

Dates: 2025-08-31 to 2025-09-06

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal GR News

Canada Secures US Market Access for Fisheries under Marine Mammal Protection Act

The Minister of Fisheries, Joanne Thompson, announced confirmation by NOAA that all Canadian fisheries received comparability findings under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act as of September 3. The decision enables Canadian fisheries to continue exporting seafood to the US, supporting integrated economies and coastal employment. The federal government cited area closures, ghost gear retrieval—totaling 2,474 tons—and the rollout of whalesafe fishing gear as part of its North Atlantic right whale protection strategy. The upcoming WhaleSafe Gear Strategy will guide commercial fisheries in mitigating marine mammal entanglements. Collaboration with industry, Indigenous groups, gear manufacturers, and NGOs plays a central role in marine mammal protection, aimed at balancing fishery prosperity with conservation obligations.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal and Provincial Investment Bolsters Farmland Resilience in Ontario

On September 3, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, with Ontario, announced up to $14.6 million through the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program to help farmers enhance natural features on marginal lands, such as wetlands and pollinator habitats. Conservation Ontario administers an incremental $9.6 million to create or improve natural infrastructure, while the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association delivers up to $5 million to finance grasslands, tree planting, soil retention, and water features. The five-year Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership provides $3.5 billion for sector competitiveness and innovation, including $1 billion federally and $2.5 billion in cost-shared programs. Technical support is available for farmers to advance carbon sequestration and improve overall landscape resilience.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada Launches Disaster Recovery Centre of Excellence

Public Safety Canada and the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction opened the Canadian Centre for Recovery and Resilience in Toronto on September 3. Announced by Minister Eleanor Olszewski, the centre equips communities with expert support, technical guidance, and training on post-disaster recovery. Citing recent wildfires and hurricanes, officials outlined the centre’s approach to accelerating economic rebound and incorporating risk reduction into reconstruction. The centre serves as a national resource for municipalities and local businesses to plan for recovery before or after disasters, deploying standardized, risk-informed frameworks intended to foster future climate resilience.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

CFIA Issues New Movement Controls for Oyster Diseases in Eastern Canada

Effective September 2, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency introduced new controls after identifying MSX and Dermo diseases in oysters across Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Quebec. These measures restrict the movement of non-commercial oysters outside designated areas and eliminate the requirement for CFIA permits for movements within declared regions. Commercially ready oysters may continue to be exported and sold. The policies streamline regulatory processes for oyster growers and processors while aiming to contain disease spread. Fisheries and Oceans Canada continues managing sector transfers through provincial partners, with ongoing research on disease transmission pathways.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Orders Amending the Non-domestic Substances List under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act

The Minister of the Environment, Julie Dabrusin, signed four Orders—2025-66-04-02, 2025-87-04-02, 2025-87-06-02, and 2025-87-07-02—amending the Non-domestic Substances List under subsections 66(2) and 87(5) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. These regulatory amendments formally move selected substances from the Non-domestic to the Domestic Substances List or update entries, impacting import, reporting, and risk evaluation requirements for chemical producers and downstream users. Each Order was issued in Ottawa on August 27, with notice published in the Gazette Part I on September 6.

Sources: Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca, Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca, Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca, Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca

Capital Spending Rises in Oil and Gas Extraction Industries

For Q2 2025, capital expenditures in oil and gas extraction totalled $11.2 billion, a 1.7% increase over Q1, according to Statistics Canada’s September 2 dataset. While not directly an environmental regulatory issue, these data may intersect with long-term planning around water quality, habitat restoration, and land use in impacted regions.

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

US Federal GR News

NOAA Announces Marine Mammal Protection Act Comparability Findings—Canada Included

The National Marine Fisheries Service released final comparability findings for all foreign fisheries exporting seafood to the US, including Canada, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Effective January 1, 2026, only fisheries with approved findings can export to the US; others face import bans and must provide Certificates of Admissibility. NMFS evaluated 135 nations and ~2,500 fisheries, looking for evidence of mitigation measures and regulatory effectiveness against marine mammal injury and bycatch.

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

BLM Adopts 65 Additional Categorical Exclusions under NEPA for Forest, Wildlife, Recreation, and Resource Management

On September 2, the Department of the Interior issued notice of adoption for 65 categorical exclusions from other federal agencies for use by the Bureau of Land Management. The new exclusions enable streamlined environmental review for activities such as forest thinning, wildlife habitat restoration, recreation infrastructure, minerals management, fire prevention, ROW authorizations, and emergency stabilization across western states and Alaska.

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

Incidental Harassment Authorization Proposed for Navy Pier 171 Project, Newport, Rhode Island

NOAA proposes to issue an Incidental Harassment Authorization to the US Navy for repair and replacement of Pier 171 in Newport, RI, expected to run March 2026 to February 2027. The project’s pile driving and demolition will cause Level B harassment of seven marine mammal species, but no anticipated death or serious injury. Mitigation involves acoustic monitoring, shutdown zones, and pre/post-activity surveys.

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

Five Species Assessed—No Endangered or Threatened Listing Warranted

The US Fish and Wildlife Service determined that the Jackson Prairie crayfish, Ozark shiner, speckled burrowing crayfish, spiny scale crayfish, and spotted turtle do not currently warrant listing under the Endangered Species Act. After review of available biological and commercial data, officials found persistence and resilience in current populations, with primary threats such as drought and development not posing extinction risks. The Service will continue monitoring.

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

Environmental Impact Statements Available: Silver Peak Lithium Expansion, Three Mile Island License Renewal, Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet Project

EPA published notification of EISs submitted between August 25 and August 29. Highlights include the BLM’s draft EIS for Nevada’s Silver Peak Lithium Operation Expansion, DOE adoption of the 2009 NRC EIS for Three Mile Island Unit 1 license renewal, and an extension for USACE’s Louisiana Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet project commentary until September 12. Relevant contact details are available for each filing.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

Alberta Advances Tailings Pond Standards with Four New Recommendations

The Oil Sands Mine Water Steering Committee published four recommendations for mine water management, including treatment technology pilots, expedited release standards for treated water, end pit lake criteria, and enhanced monitoring. Alberta’s government accepted all and is evaluating accelerated implementation.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Ontario Opens $9.6 Million Wetlands Conservation Application Window

The Ontario government committed new funds for wetland restoration, with a focus on Great Lakes regions and urban stormwater management. Eligible conservation organizations and municipalities can apply by October 8, 2025.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Quebec Invests $20.75 Million in Northern Mining Infrastructure

Quebec’s Société du Plan Nord launched ENIAM funding for strategic transport and energy infrastructure projects supporting mining in the North, accepting applications on an ongoing basis.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

Ontario Issues Fines to Anglers for Salmon Poaching in Lake Ontario

Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources announced fines totaling $5,000 for unlawful nighttime salmon fishing and equipment violations at Bowmanville Creek, following enforcement supported by drone surveillance.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Delivers $2.2 Million for Greenhouse Energy Efficiency Upgrades

Big Marble Farms in Cypress County received funding for horticultural grow lights, expected to lower utility costs, reduce emissions by 4,600 tonnes, and train staff on energy management. Applications for retrofits remain open until March 2027.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• States and developer sue the Trump administration for halting work on New England offshore wind farm: Legal dispute over offshore wind project suspension in New England.
• Liberal MPs form environmental caucus as some want stronger climate focus from Carney: Parliamentary caucus aims for new environmental direction.
• Alberta government creating standards for releasing oil tailings into environment: Alberta outlines new process for tailings pond water release.
• Alberta to create standards for releasing oilsands tailings into environment: Additional coverage on Alberta’s mine water strategy.
• Groups conducting coastal restoration in N.S. say they face 'astonishing' red tape: Coastal restoration efforts confront complex permitting in Nova Scotia.
• Concerns raised over alleged cuts to North Coast salmon monitoring: Stakeholders cite monitoring reductions for BC salmon stocks.
• Clear cutting has gone too far in Hunters Mountain: activists: Land activists rail against forest practices in Nova Scotia.
• EPA should not have been blocked from terminating green bank funds, appeals court says: US court reverses decision on EPA green bank termination.
• Opinion: Trump-style executive capitalism is killing the offshore wind industry and could wreck other businesses: Analysis of executive-federal impacts on energy sector.
• B.C. salmon monitoring concerns: Reports highlight ongoing debate over monitoring of Pacific salmon.

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