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.

Dates: 2025-06-15 to 2025-06-21

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📱 Public Officials' Social Media
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal GR News

Canada Invests $6.8 Million in National Flood Mapping and Adaptation Projects

Environment and Climate Change Canada and Natural Resources Canada have announced a combined investment of $6.8 million for 20 projects across the country under the Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program, as part of the National Adaptation Strategy. Of this amount, $3.3 million will fund nine projects advancing flood mapping science, leveraging collaboration among Canadian universities and federal scientists. These projects involve machine learning, hydrologic modelling, and satellite mapping, with specific work on rainfall intensity estimation, compound coastal and inland flooding, and dynamic ice-jam mapping. Natural Resources Canada is allocating $2.8 million to eight regional flood modelling initiatives and an additional $750,000 for three projects that blend Indigenous Traditional Knowledge with western scientific practices for flood hazard mapping.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca, Announcements: www.canada.ca

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Senate Scrutiny of Bill C-5: Environmental Safeguards and Oversight Challenged

In Senate sitting no. 12, Senators reviewed Bill C-5, which proposes the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act, focusing on its expedited process for major projects. Concerns were raised about the bill's provisions potentially circumventing environmental assessment requirements and curtailing parliamentary scrutiny. Minister Dominic LeBlanc assured that transparency and collaboration would be maintained with provinces, while Minister Rebecca Alty underlined procedural commitments for Indigenous engagement. Several Senators and witnesses questioned the possible weakening of environmental protections, particularly around habitat impact and consultation.

Sources: Transcripts: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Fisheries and Oceans Canada Raises Northern Cod Total Allowable Catch for Newfoundland and Labrador

Minister Joanne Thompson announced that the 2025–26 Northern cod total allowable catch (TAC) will rise from 18,000 to 38,000 tonnes, after recent scientific assessments indicated stable stocks at higher levels than previously thought. 80% of the TAC is allocated to inshore harvesters, 10% to Indigenous groups and special allocations, just under 10% to Canadian offshore fleets, and 0.28% to mid-shore fleets. Additionally, 2,000 tonnes are set aside for NAFO contracting parties under international agreement. The capelin TAC will remain at 14,533 tonnes. Measures for the recreational groundfish fishery, including daily and boat limits, are unchanged for 2025, with a new pilot program for tour boats introduced, allowing tagged retention seven days a week. Public consultations on recreational groundfish management will be launched.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca, Announcements: www.canada.ca

Details Released for Second Year of Commercial Redfish Fishery in Atlantic Canada

Fisheries and Oceans Canada set the 2025–26 total allowable catch for Unit 1 Redfish at 60,000 tonnes following further stock recovery and stakeholder consultation. The reopening of the commercial Redfish fishery in 2024 ended a nearly 30-year moratorium. The government states allocations were determined after input from industry, Indigenous communities, and provinces, balancing socio-economic considerations with conservation. Data from the first two years will inform adjustments to management measures over the longer term, with ongoing engagement planned.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada Conducts Penalty Action for Violation of Marine Mammal Regulations in British Columbia

Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced on June 19 the successful prosecution of a case under the Marine Mammal Regulations’ approach distance rules. Stephen Michael White was fined $5,000 and received a six-month vessel operation ban for intentionally approaching Pacific white-sided dolphins at less than the 100-metre minimal legal distance near Campbell River, B.C. Additional penalties include prohibition on posting marine mammal-related content on social media. The event marks the first successful prosecution for approach distance violations in Canada. DFO reiterated the importance of compliance to protect echolocating marine mammals and public safety.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal Funding Announced for Indigenous-Led Climate Resilience Projects Abroad

Global Affairs Canada announced $5.1 million over two years for three Indigenous-led international climate resilience initiatives, partnering First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Canadian organizations with communities in South America, Africa, and the Indo-Pacific. Project activities will include knowledge sharing, partnership development, nature-based adaptation, and on-site learning, with specific initiatives spearheaded by the Assembly of First Nations, the Inuit Circumpolar Council (Canada), and the Métis National Council.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada Gazette Notices: Environmental Protection Act Ministerial Conditions and Organism Assessments

The Department of the Environment has issued multiple ministerial conditions under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 concerning the manufacture, import, and handling of select substances, citing toxicity risks. Newly published conditions address 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione (CAS 69004-04-2), carbopolycycle (Confidential Accession Number 19612-0), and 2H-isoindole-2-hexaneperoxoic acid (CAS 128275-31-0), setting out reporting, record-keeping, destruction/disposal protocols, and permissible concentrations in finished products.

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

US Federal GR News

Revised Environmental Impact Statement for Oregon’s Clear Branch Dam Remediation Project

USDA’s NRCS and Forest Service have issued a revised notice of intent for an environmental impact statement (EIS) concerning the Clear Branch Dam Remedial Project in Hood River County, Oregon. The updated timeline anticipates scoping comments for thirty days following notice publication and a draft EIS by winter 2025/26. Four alternatives are considered, including no action, dam remediation, and development of a new storage reservoir. The EIS will address impacts on bull trout (ESA-listed), regional water supply, recreation, and possible amendments to the Mt. Hood National Forest Plan. A supplemental public scoping meeting is set for July 9, 2025.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

B.C. Ministers Announce Environmental Assessment Certificate for Highland Valley Copper Mine Expansion

British Columbia issued an environmental assessment certificate for the Highland Valley Copper mine life extension, authorizing expansion until 2043. The certificate includes 17 legally binding conditions to address watershed impacts, First Nations interests, and wetland loss.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.bc.ca

Quebec Enacts Ban on Transporting Select Animals in Regions with Raccoon Rabies Risk

Quebec's environment ministry imposed a temporary ban on moving raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes, and related hybrids through parts of Estrie and Montérégie to counter further rabies spread.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

Alberta Allocates $50 Million to Oil Sands Tailings Remediation Technology

Alberta intends to invest up to $50 million from the TIER fund for technologies that improve cleanup and reclamation of oil sands tailings ponds, supporting pilot and demonstration-scale projects through an open competition.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation Period Open for Proposed Coal Mining Effluent Regulations

Environment and Climate Change Canada is accepting comments until August 27, 2025, on proposed Coal Mining Effluent Regulations, which would establish baseline quality standards and monitoring for coal mines, with specific provisions for Elk Valley, British Columbia.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: www.canada.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

MP Joanne Thompson noted the announcement of a sustainable increase in the Northern cod TAC and its role in strengthening Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator David Wells expressed in the Senate his concerns regarding slowdowns in essential infrastructure projects caused by approval timelines and environmental reviews, especially for regions like Newfoundland and Labrador.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Patrick Weiler announced the parliament’s resumption and his continued service as Chair of the Fisheries and Oceans Committee, stating a commitment to ocean protection and coastal community support.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Donna Dasko reported posing questions to Minister LeBlanc about ensuring a fair and transparent process for determining national interest status under Bill C-5.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Teck Receives Environmental Assessment Certificate for Highland Valley Copper Mine Life Extension: Teck has been granted regulatory approval for its planned copper mine expansion in B.C.
• Major projects bill amended to remove cabinet power to sidestep Indian Act: Federal legislation on major projects has been altered, removing cabinet authority to override Indian Act provisions.
• B.C. forestry watchdog urges province work with logging companies on wildfire mitigation: British Columbia’s forestry watchdog calls for greater collaboration between government and forestry companies on wildfire practices.
• Activists defend trees in Halifax: Environmental groups mobilize to protect urban trees in Halifax amid municipal disputes.
• Manitoba wildfire impacts on First Nations prompt calls for environmental justice: Recent wildfires in Manitoba have intensified discussions about the environmental and health implications for First Nations.