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: 2025-09-28 to 2025-10-04

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Parliamentary Committee Calendar
• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Parliamentary Committee Calendar

• House of Commons Committee on Environment—Wildfire Preparedness Study Scheduled: The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry holds its next meeting on October 2 to continue its examination of wildfire impact on forestry and agriculture, with testimony from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Canadian Federal GR News

Funding for Canadian-Made Plastic Pollution Solutions Announced

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Julie Dabrusin, announced over $3.4 million on October 1 to support Canadian-made projects aimed at reducing plastic waste and advancing a circular economy. Thirteen organizations will receive $1.8 million for work in curbing plastic waste in hospitals, the textile sector, and in tracking plastics in the construction industry. Initiatives also involve promoting reusable and refillable packaging in retail and food sectors, assessing the economic cost of single-use plastic pollution, and improving national plastics data. An additional $1.6 million is directed at projects for a reusable pallet wrap alternative and improved sorting for flexible plastics. This round of funding is part of the Advancing a Circular Plastics Economy for Canada initiative and comes in tandem with a recent call for proposals focused on the impact of plastic waste in Indigenous communities.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal Support for Critical Minerals Supply Chains in Quebec

Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson announced on October 4 a conditional investment of up to $735,000 to Arianne Phosphate Inc. through the Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration program. The project is aimed at processing phosphate rock from the Lac à Paul deposit and optimizing phosphoric acid purification, a key ingredient in lithium-iron-phosphate batteries and fertilizers. The funding is part of a broader $80.3-million effort to build reliable supply chains for critical minerals in Canada, previously announced at the G7 Summit. If brought to commercialization, this project could supply Canadian-sourced phosphorus for battery and specialty product manufacturing.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Clean Energy Funding Targets Indigenous Communities in Quebec

The federal government, represented by Parliamentary Secretary Brendan Hanley, announced nearly $17 million on October 3 for clean energy projects in Indigenous communities in Quebec. Funding will support the 7.5-MW Innavik Remote Hydro Project in Inukjuak, which is replacing diesel energy for the community of 1,800. The project is wholly Inuit-owned and is the largest off-grid hydropower facility in Canada. The announcement also includes exploratory funding for a 17-MW hydroelectric plant at the Matawin dam, expected to generate revenue and address community energy needs for the Atikamekw and Innu Nations.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Space Agency Invests in Satellite Data for Biodiversity

On September 29, the Canadian Space Agency announced a $5 million investment in projects applying satellite data to biodiversity challenges. Twenty Canadian firms, eight working with Indigenous organizations, will work on projects such as invasive plant detection, assessment of forest and agricultural lands, and monitoring migratory birds. These projects, revealed at the 76th International Astronautical Congress, use artificial intelligence to process earth observation data for conservation. The initiative aims to assist in addressing habitat degradation, declining species populations, water quality, and forest disturbances.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal Support for Food Waste Reduction Initiatives

Since 2022, Environment and Climate Change Canada has invested $1.4 million into food waste prevention, with over $640,000 announced recently to fund government and community initiatives targeting biodegradable waste diversion from landfills. These efforts contribute to national waste reduction goals and the Global Methane Pledge, with the aim to limit landfill-related greenhouse gas emissions.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

StatsCan: Sawmill Production Shows Mixed Trends

StatCan reported on October 3 that Canadian lumber production in July 2025 was down 4.1% compared to June, standing at 3,832,400 cubic metres. However, production was up 4.1% compared to July 2024, indicating a rise over the previous year despite recent monthly declines.

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

StatsCan Releases 2024 Agricultural Water Use Data

New data from the 2024 Agricultural Water Survey released by Statistics Canada provide updated figures on farm irrigation practices nationwide, including revised results for 2022. The dataset offers insight into trends relevant for water management in agri-environmental planning.

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

StatsCan Spotlights Economic Contributions of Natural Resources

A new fact sheet published by Statistics Canada presents a national snapshot of the economic role of natural landscapes and resources, including oil, gas, minerals, timber, and water. The analysis underlines regional differences in industrial activity and the significance of environmental resources to economic activity.

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

US Federal GR News

U.S. Imposes Section 232 Tariffs on Canadian Timber and Lumber

President Donald J. Trump enacted a presidential proclamation on September 29 under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, instituting a 10% global tariff on softwood lumber and a 25% tariff (rising to 30-50% in January 2026 for some products) on various wood-based goods, including upholstered furniture and cabinetry. The measure follows a Commerce Department finding that increased wood imports threaten U.S. industrial resilience. Partners such as the UK, EU, and Japan are subject to capped tariffs under specific arrangements, while reciprocal actions against non-tariffed products remain possible. The Order seeks to bolster U.S. self-sufficiency in the wood sector, with direct implications for Canadian timber and lumber exports.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

EPA Finalizes New Dissolved Oxygen Water Quality Standards for the Delaware River

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule establishing updated aquatic life designated uses and dissolved oxygen standards for the Delaware River’s mainstem, impacting water management in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The rule, effective November 28, 2025, sets seasonal percent oxygen saturation targets and replaces less stringent historic criteria, in part to protect endangered species such as Atlantic and Shortnose Sturgeon. The rule imposes revised compliance obligations for municipal and industrial dischargers, following significant stakeholder input and statutory consultation.

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

NOAA Extends Emergency Rule for Northeast Multispecies Fishery

On October 3, NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service extended emergency regulatory measures for the Northeast multispecies (groundfish) fishery through April 2026, due to the absence of finalized management specifications for fishing year 2025. The extension maintains interim catch limits for stocks such as Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank cod and haddock, continues sector allocation programs, and prohibits recreational possession of certain species. The emergency action addresses continuity for industry participants while longer-term management rules remain under consideration.

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

NOAA Issues Incidental Harassment Authorizations for Alaskan Marine Construction Projects

The National Marine Fisheries Service published notices on September 30 proposing incidental harassment authorizations for the Ketchikan Dock Company’s Berth IV Expansion and the City & Borough of Yakutat’s harbor replacement. Both authorizations cover temporary exposures of marine mammals—such as whales, porpoises, and seals—to construction noise from pile driving and drilling in 2026. Required mitigation includes shutdown zones, monitoring by Protected Species Observers, soft starts, and reporting provisions, with NMFS finding projected impacts to be negligible on marine species.

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

FWS and NOAA Process Endangered and Threatened Species Permit Applications

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued notices between September 29 and October 2 on the receipt of recovery permit applications for research, handling, rehabilitation, or relocation activities involving numerous endangered bat, bird, reptile, fish, and mussel species. The public comment periods for these permit applications and proposed conservation actions remain open until the end of October and early November, depending on the notice, with proposed activity locations across multiple U.S. regions.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

B.C. Responds to U.S. Softwood Tariffs

On October 1, Premier David Eby condemned newly imposed U.S. tariffs on Canadian lumber as an unjustifiable economic action. B.C. has implemented a two-month pause on timber-harvest bill payments to support firms and is working with federal authorities on trade responses.

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

Alberta Launches $25 Million Program for Drought and Flood Protection

Alberta announced on October 3 a new $25 million round of funding to aid municipalities and Indigenous communities in constructing infrastructure for flood and drought protection. The Drought and Flood Protection Program is part of a five-year, $125 million provincial effort and supports berms, diversion structures, and critical water projects. Applications are due December 1.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Nova Scotia Puts Third Call for Climate Change Funding for Seafood Sector

Nova Scotia’s Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture opened a new call for applications to its $6.5-million Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund, supporting energy-saving and GHG reduction projects in the commercial seafood sector. The deadline for submissions is December 11.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

B.C. and ʼNa̱mǥis First Nation Advance Joint Forest Management

The Province of British Columbia and ʼNa̱mǥis First Nation reached a milestone in negotiating a draft Section 7 joint decision-making agreement for the forestry sector in Tree Farm Licence 37. The agreement provides for shared approval of forest planning and management, with public feedback open until November 2.

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

Quebec Prolongs Ban on Transport of Animals in Rabies Zone

On October 1, Quebec extended a ban on transporting certain wild animals—including raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes—in municipalities at risk of raccoon rabies until December 5, 2025. The restrictions now cover eight additional municipalities following new rabies cases.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation on Emerald Ash Borer Management in Canada

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency opened a consultation on September 29 seeking input on options for managing the emerald ash borer in Canada. The consultation runs until November 30 and focuses on risk management practices for this invasive pest.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: inspection.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Pipelines are part of the economy of the past, says environmental lawyer: A segment discussing changing trends in energy infrastructure and the legal view on future prospects.
• Suriname pledges to shield 90 per cent of forests, far beyond global conservation goal: Report on Suriname's commitment to forest conservation in an international context.
• Policy hack: How procurement can scale cleantech solutions — and help grow Canada’s economy: Analysis on the intersection of public procurement and clean technology market expansion.
• Groups urge PM Carney to act on climate finance risk, 10 years after key speech: Advocacy article tracking calls for substantive movement on climate finance policy.
• Benefit concert for communities impacted by wildfires scheduled for November: Announcement of wildfire recovery fundraising in Newfoundland and Labrador.

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