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: 2025-09-14 to 2025-09-20

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ House of Commons Committee Meetings
• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

House of Commons Committee Meetings

• Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development to Hold Briefing with Environment Department Officials: Scheduled for September 22, 2025, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., witnesses include Linda Drainville (Corporate Services), Alison McDermott (Strategic Policy), Megan Nichols (Environmental Protection), and Tara Shannon (Canadian Wildlife Service).
• Fisheries and Oceans Committee to Review Draft Report on Derelict and Abandoned Vessels: Meeting will be held in camera on September 23, 2025, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Wellington Building, Room 420, focusing on report consideration.
• Canadian Heritage Committee Briefs on Mandate of Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture: On September 24, 2025, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., televised session with Minister Steven Guilbeault. Witnesses include officials from Canadian Heritage and Parks Canada, covering departmental priorities.

Canadian Federal GR News

Federal Government Approves Ksi Lisims LNG Project After Substituted Impact Assessment

On September 15, 2025, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Julie Dabrusin, signed off on the Ksi Lisims LNG Natural Gas Liquefaction and Marine Terminal Project following a substituted federal impact assessment conducted by British Columbia and cooperative work with the Nisga’a Nation. The decision, made under the Impact Assessment Act (IAA), assessed adverse impacts within federal jurisdiction, finding some significant effects—especially on fish, birds, and Indigenous communities—but determined these effects can be justified by mitigation measures. The proponent must satisfy legally binding conditions addressing fish and bird impacts, Indigenous health, and cultural heritage, among others. Compliance and ongoing monitoring will be enforced, with Indigenous engagement required for the project's lifecycle. The process benefited from the Impact Assessment Cooperation Agreement between Canada and British Columbia and incorporated the Nisga’a Final Agreement requirements, applying a “one project, one review” framework. The statement issued by the federal government indicates a continued commitment to reducing regulatory duplication and maintaining oversight of environmental, health, and Indigenous reconciliation priorities.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada Opens Major Projects Office and Advances New Energy and Conservation Corridors

In a September 17, 2025 address in Winnipeg, Minister Tim Hodgson outlined the federal government’s new approach to major infrastructure, highlighting the establishment of a Major Projects Office tasked with fast-tracking nation-building energy, infrastructure, and conservation projects. Among the strategic projects identified are LNG Canada Phase 2, the Darlington New Nuclear Project, Contrecœur Terminal Container Project, Foran Copper Mine, and the Red Chris Copper and Gold Mine expansion. Notably, the Majors Projects Office is actively considering proposals for the Northwest Critical Conservation Corridor, which would create a conservation area the size of Greece, and is exploring new energy corridors, carbon capture strategies in Alberta, and expansion to the Port of Churchill. This process integrates regulatory reform and aims to accelerate engineering, permitting, and business development on high-impact projects. The Major Projects Office uses a comprehensive “Buy Canadian” policy, prioritizing domestic suppliers and trade diversification. The measures combine public and private efforts, including leadership from Indigenous groups, and the government reports that these initiatives represent more than $60 billion in private investment.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal Funding Supports Environmental Monitoring for Tidal Energy in Bay of Fundy

The Government of Canada has allocated over $10 million toward two initiatives in Nova Scotia: the Ocean Sensors Innovation Platform, led by FORCE, and fish collision risk research by Acadia University. These projects, announced on September 19 by Minister Kody Blois (on behalf of Minister Tim Hodgson) and Minister Joanne Thompson, are funded through the Energy Innovation Program. The OSIP project aims to develop a suite of monitoring platforms for gathering marine ecosystem data, supporting regulatory evaluation and informing tidal energy development in a highly dynamic environment. Acadia University focuses on fish movement and collision modeling for improved assessment of interactions between fish and tidal turbines. The funding also targets workforce development, training researchers and technicians for offshore renewables. These steps are framed as necessary for investor certainty and sector growth in Canadian tidal energy.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada and Nova Scotia Set Direction for Offshore Wind Development

On September 20, 2025, Ministers Sean Fraser and Trevor Boudreau announced strategic direction for the Canada–Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator to prepare a prequalification process, a Call for Information, and ultimately a Call for Bids for designated offshore wind parcels. Following the designation of Wind Energy Areas, these steps are intended to attract investment and involve public engagement, Indigenous groups, and stakeholders. The regulatory design incorporates environmental and sustainability considerations. Recent federal announcements have included the Major Projects Office’s role in accelerating transformative Atlantic wind developments, with proposals for new interties in the region to support market expansion. The process is explicitly geared to fostering private capital investment and integrating new regulatory frameworks for long-term wind resource utilization in Atlantic Canada.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Improvements to Water Services and Road Infrastructure in Yukon Communities

On September 17, a joint federal-territorial investment of $25.6 million was announced for water and sewer upgrades, road reconstruction, and recreational improvements in Faro, Watson Lake, Haines Junction, and Burwash Landing, Yukon. Project components include upgrades to drinking water access, wastewater management, and community recreational infrastructure such as a new boat launch in Burwash Landing for Kluane First Nation. These interventions are designed to bolster municipal services and support local populations, covering aging infrastructure replacement and recreational opportunities with direct project management support from Yukon’s government.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal Investment in Conservation and Remediation at S.S. Klondike National Historic Site

Parliamentary Secretary Brendan Hanley announced on September 16 that Parks Canada will invest $14.2 million for structural repairs and remediation at the S.S. Klondike National Historic Site in Whitehorse, Yukon. The plan covers improvements to the vessel’s stability, removal of hazardous lead-based paint, and weatherproofing. Nearby, the Atlin barge will also be restored. Work uses historic tools including a shipsaw repurposed for boat reinforcement, and the upgrades are expected to improve accessibility while ensuring public safety, visitor experience, and the preservation of heritage. The investment is deemed vital for local economic sustainability and regional tourism.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

DFO and US Agencies Complete Operation Sea Dog 2025 Targeting Marine Compliance

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), working with US partners, concluded Operation Sea Dog 2025, an international marine border enforcement initiative running monthly from May to August. Joint patrols across the Southern Gulf Islands, Juan de Fuca Strait, and Strait of Georgia focused on recreational salmon fishing inspections, monitoring permanent fishing closures, and enforcing Southern Resident Killer Whale protection. DFO and US partners undertook 90 vessel-based and 14 land-based inspections resulting in 34 fisheries violations ranging from illegal shellfish harvest to retention of undersized crabs and unauthorized wild salmon retention. The National Fisheries Intelligence Service played a key role in inter-agency coordination. The operation demonstrates ongoing cross-border cooperation and active enforcement of the Fisheries Act and related regulations.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Releases Data on Petroleum Transportation and Field Crop Estimates

Statistics Canada published July 2025 data on the transportation and storage of crude oil and other petroleum liquids, detailing volumes and flows across the sector. Additionally, August 2025 model-based crop yield estimates project higher output of wheat, canola, corn, barley, and oats year-over-year, with a decrease in soybeans. Satellite imagery and agroclimatic data informed the estimates, which may have downstream effects on input availability for bioenergy, water consumption trends, and habitat impacts linked to crop rotation and agricultural expansion.

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

Environment Canada Schedules Briefing on Summer Extreme Heat Events

Environment and Climate Change Canada will hold a media briefing on September 17, 2025, to share new attribution system results following widespread extreme heat across Canada this summer. Officials will present findings and take questions on implications for patterns observed, with the briefing accessible via Zoom to accredited media. This session forms part of ongoing climate monitoring efforts and offers fresh federal data to industry on the scale and distribution of heat events relevant to climate resilience planning.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Minister Champagne Focuses on Security, Trade, and Clean Growth During EU Visit

Minister François-Philippe Champagne concluded his visit to Copenhagen for the ECOFIN meeting on September 20, 2025, joining finance and economy ministers from the EU, UK, Norway, and Ukraine. The agenda covered geopolitics, productivity reforms, and closer security and defense partnerships. Champagne participated in an Arctic security roundtable and highlighted areas for intensified Canada–Europe collaboration on renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure. The trip also builds on previously announced Strategic and Security Partnerships with the EU, reinforcing joint approaches to clean growth, resilience, and industrial policy development.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

US Federal GR News

Katherine Scarlett Confirmed as Chair of Council on Environmental Quality

Katherine Scarlett received US Senate confirmation as the 13th Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality. As the President’s environmental advisor, she will oversee implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), focusing on balancing clean air, water, and land stewardship with expedited federal permitting. Scarlett previously worked at the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, the White House Permitting Council, and as CEQ’s Chief of Staff. Industry groups including the American Petroleum Institute and National Association of Manufacturers endorsed her appointment, citing her track record in permitting modernization and infrastructure development. Her agenda includes advancing bipartisan permitting reform and applying recent legal and legislative changes to NEPA.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

NOAA Seeks Public Comment on Hatchery Plan for Dungeness River Chum Salmon

NMFS has published a Proposed Evaluation and Pending Determination (PEPD) regarding the Hatchery and Genetics Management Plan for summer-run chum salmon in Washington’s Dungeness River basin. The plan, co-developed by WDFW and Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, outlines operational details and research protocols for a hatchery program subject to ESA section 4(d) authorization. The evaluation finds that the plan is not likely to diminish survival probabilities or destroy critical habitat for targeted or neighboring salmon and steelhead stocks. NMFS is requesting public comment until October 20, 2025, with documents available online. The review process includes provisions for monitoring and scientific assessment of hatchery impacts.

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

EPA Issues Notice of Environmental Impact Statements and Aquaculture Opportunity Areas

EPA has released its weekly notice of availability for Environmental Impact Statements associated with federal actions on highways, aquaculture, container terminals, and dam retrofits. For the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), NMFS has completed final EIS documentation on aquaculture opportunity areas, detailing zones and parameters for future project development. Other recent EIS notices cover container terminal development in Maryland and navigation project updates in North Carolina, with deadlines for public review and comment specified. The EPA maintains public access to commentary letters for these EISs.

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

NMFS Issues Letter of Authorization for Marine Mammal Take During Anadarko Geophysical Survey

The National Marine Fisheries Service, under the MMPA, has issued a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to Anadarko Petroleum for incidental marine mammal take during a four-dimensional ocean bottom node survey in the Gulf of America. Effective September 16, 2025 through April 19, 2026, the LOA establishes allowable take numbers based on modeled species abundance and mitigates Rice’s whale exposure due to surveyed depths. The LOA incorporates mitigation, monitoring, and reporting conditions as prescribed in 50 CFR 217.180 et seq., and the authorized take levels were found to be consistent with regulatory findings on negligible impact and small numbers based on recent stock assessment data.

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

FHWA Rescinds Refuge Roads Management Systems Regulation

On September 19, 2025, FHWA announced the rescission of 23 CFR Part 972 regulations established in 2004 concerning Fish and Wildlife Service management systems for refuge roads. The move, effective October 20, 2025, results from statutory changes under MAP-21 which replaced detailed programmatic rules with broader implementation provisions for asset management under Federal Lands Transportation and Access Programs. The final rule notes no material effect on agency responsibilities or economic sectors and is considered a deregulatory action under current executive orders.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

B.C. Grants Environmental Assessment Certificate for Ksi Lisims LNG Project

On September 15, B.C. issued an environmental certificate for Ksi Lisims LNG, authorizing construction at Pearse Island with 23 legally binding conditions related to net-zero policy, wildlife impacts, marine transport, and Indigenous consultation.

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

Ontario Directs $435,829 to Restoration of St. Lawrence River Habitats

Ontario is investing in the River Institute’s multi-year initiative to restore key areas of the St. Lawrence River near Cornwall and Akwesasne, with funding supporting ecosystem monitoring, water quality research, and public education.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Commits $3.5 Million to Forestry Sector Manufacturing Innovation

The province allocated over $3.5 million to DSI Industries and Diamond CNC for automated manufacturing upgrades, creating five new jobs, advancing production capacity, and reinforcing the supply chain for made-in-Ontario wood products.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Undertakes Feasibility Study on Water Storage in Belly River

Alberta commissioned WSP Canada to study potential dam and reservoir sites on the Belly River and improvements to Waterton-St. Mary Headworks, aiming to enhance local water security, flood resilience, and agricultural supply.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund Supports Nine Forestry Firms in Modernization Efforts

B.C. announced $2.5 million via the BCMJF for nine wood-product manufacturing businesses to upgrade facilities, expand production, and train staff, with the goal of securing jobs and increasing regional wood value-add exports.

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

Government Consultations

CFIA Consultation: Proposed Amendments to Aquatic Animal Species List for Perkinsus Diseases

CFIA is seeking input from stakeholders until November 18, 2025, on updating the Susceptible Species of Aquatic Animals list to reflect World Organization for Animal Health standards for Perkinsus marinus and Perkinsus olseni.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: inspection.canada.ca

Health Canada Consultation: Special Review Decision PSRD2025-01 for Dicamba Risk Mitigation

Health Canada has opened a consultation until November 1, 2025, on proposed changes to dicamba usage to decrease risk to non-target terrestrial plants, with options including use cancellation, updated buffer zones, and volatility risk measures.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: www.canada.ca

CFIA Consultation: Proposed Changes to Chronic Wasting Disease Control Program

CFIA is requesting feedback on modifications to the CWD control program affecting farmed cervids, with the consultation running until October 24, 2025.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: inspection.canada.ca

CFIA Consultation: Modernization Proposals for Canada's Seed Regulations

CFIA is consulting stakeholders through October 3, 2025, on modernizing Parts I, III, and IV of the Seeds Regulations, focusing on responsiveness, simplification, and adaptability to technical innovation.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: Share your thoughts: Proposed new livestock feed ingredient – Lactobacillus crispatus culture dehydrated

DFO Consultation: Breakwater Extension at St-Georges-de-Malbay

Fisheries and Oceans Canada opened public comment for the Small Craft Harbours Branch’s proposed breakwater extension at St-Georges-de-Malbay; feedback is invited until October 24, 2025.

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

What We're Reading This Week

• CTV News: Lichen, logging, land rights: Complex forces play out in fate of ancient B.C. forest: Coverage of conflicting interests and environmental activism surrounding old-growth forest management decisions.
• CBC News: This red retardant is crucial in the fight against wildfires. But is it also harming the environment?: Analysis on Phos-Chek fire retardant and environmental side-effects.
• The Star: WTO global overfishing treaty takes effect: International agreement on overfishing enters into force.
• CBC News: What fish in northwestern Ontario reveal about the impact of climate change, forestry: Researchers analyze fish populations' response to shifting climate and logging practices.
• CBC News: Advocates say new P.E.I. snare rules improve humane practices, but can challenge trappers: New hunting legislation prompts debate among wildlife trappers.
• CBC News: Pimicikamak Cree Nation calls on moose hunters to return licences, citing scarcity concerns: Manitoba First Nation responds to declining moose numbers.
• Financial Post: Lichen, logging, land rights: Complex forces play out in fate of ancient B.C. forest: Industry and Indigenous jurisdiction in B.C. forest management disputes.
• CTV News: International treaty protecting world’s oceans to take effect: UN agreement on global ocean protections set for implementation.
• CBC News: Global agreement to protect the oceans set to take effect after 60th ratification: Treaty advances transboundary marine conservation.
• CBC News: Advocates say new P.E.I. snare rules improve humane practices, but can challenge trappers: Opinions divided on P.E.I. snare regulations.

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