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: 2025-11-23 to 2025-11-29

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• House of Commons: Environment and Sustainable Development—Supplementary Estimates (B), 2025-26: On December 1, 2025, the Environment and Sustainable Development committee will review Supplementary Estimates (B) for the Department of the Environment and Parks Canada Agency, with Minister Julie Dabrusin and senior officials scheduled to appear at 11:00 a.m.
• House of Commons: Natural Resources—Forestry Industry Study: On December 1, 2025, the Natural Resources committee will continue its study of the forestry industry, hearing from representatives of Assembly Corporation, Canfor, Hupaco Wood Products, PowerWood Corporation, and United Steelworkers from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• House of Commons: Fisheries and Oceans—Review of the Fisheries Act: The Fisheries and Oceans committee will convene on December 2, 2025, for a review of the Fisheries Act, with testimony from fishery officers, commercial fishers, and the Association des crabiers acadiens from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Canadian Federal Government News

Canada Outlines COP30 Outcomes and New Biodiversity Commitments

Minister Steven Guilbeault concluded Canada’s participation at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, reiterating the country’s commitment to the Kunming–Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework and the target of conserving 30% of land and oceans by 2030—currently at 13.8% and 15.6%, respectively. The government cited over $12 billion invested in nature conservation and nature-based climate solutions, with a recent Parks Canada study valuing ecosystem services at $372 billion annually. Canada’s approach includes advancing Project Finance for Permanence, supported by $800 million, to secure long-term conservation in partnership with Indigenous groups. Minister Julie Dabrusin, in a separate statement, outlined Canada’s engagement at COP30 on climate competitiveness, methane reduction initiatives, and international cooperation, including a memorandum with Brazil on fire management. Canada also announced $392 million for international climate projects and continued to advocate for ambitious global climate finance targets.

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

Senate Examines Offshore Petroleum Industry and Regulatory Implications

The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources held two sessions reviewing Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore petroleum sector. Witnesses, including Max Ruelokke and Jim Keating (Oil and Gas Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador), discussed post-Ocean Ranger safety improvements, the impact of Bill C-49 clause 56 on exploration, and the economic significance of Bay du Nord. Keating cited 100 trillion cubic feet of natural gas potential and raised issues regarding local job commitments and offshore platform construction costs. The committee discussed regulatory barriers, including emissions caps and marine protected areas, and their effects on investment. Both panels referenced the need for regulatory certainty and collaboration between fishing, petroleum, and renewables industries, while noting challenges with scattered oil reserves and evolving fiscal frameworks.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca, senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Parliamentary Committee Reviews Progress Toward Marine Protected Area Targets

The Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans heard from the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Parks Canada, and Environment and Climate Change Canada regarding marine protected areas (MPAs). Jerry DeMarco reported that only 15.5% of marine ecosystems are currently protected, short of the 25% by 2025 target. There is no formal plan to reach the 30% target by 2030. Departmental officials discussed extensive stakeholder and Indigenous engagement but acknowledged ongoing concerns regarding economic impacts and industry trust. The Commissioner clarified that these targets are government goals rather than legal obligations. The session included debate over the consultation process, assurances that most fishing can continue unless conservation risks are identified, and calls for increased transparency.

Sources: parlvu.parl.gc.ca

Government Modernizes Energy Efficiency Act

The federal government introduced amendments to the Energy Efficiency Act in the Senate, aiming to extend the legislation to online sales and digital labeling, introduce regulatory sandboxes, and improve compliance mechanisms. Since 1995, regulations under the Act have produced an estimated $110 billion in savings, with projected industrial sector savings of $743 million annually by 2030. The amendments are intended to align regulatory tools with technological innovation and enable the Act to better address changes in energy use and management. The changes are positioned as supporting both industrial competitiveness and energy affordability.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Investment in Inuit-Led Clean Energy Initiatives Announced

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada announced nearly $22 million in federal funding for three Inuit-led clean energy projects in Nunatsiavut, Newfoundland and Labrador. The Nain Wind Energy Project will install two wind turbines and battery storage, projected to displace over one million litres of diesel fuel per year. A separate initiative near Rigolet will continue tidal energy resource data collection. These investments are part of the Sungiutisannik Nunatsiavummi (Adapt Nunatsiavut) climate plan and are funded through the Indigenous Climate Leadership Program. The projects are designed to deliver job creation, improve energy reliability, and reduce emissions in northern communities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Aquaculture Sales Increase in 2024 Driven by Atlantic Provinces

Statistics Canada reported an 8.8% year-over-year increase in Canadian aquaculture product and service sales, reaching $1.4 billion in 2024. Product expenses rose 7.0%. The largest provincial increases occurred in Newfoundland and Labrador (+41.9%) and New Brunswick (+11.2%), accounting for most of the national growth.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Federal Government Supports Food Forest and Rain Gardens at Cheakamus Centre

Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada announced a $145,000 joint investment with the Cheakamus Foundation to develop rain gardens and an Indigenous food forest at the Cheakamus Centre in Squamish, B.C. The rain gardens will capture stormwater runoff and filter pollutants, while the food forest will offer a multi-layered, self-sustaining space for food, medicine, and wildlife habitat. The project integrates educational components and supports habitat restoration within a 165-hectare nature preserve.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Government to Lease Aircraft to Enhance Wildfire Response

Public Safety Canada will host a media event in Winnipeg to outline new investments in leasing aircraft aimed at boosting provincial and territorial aerial firefighting capacity. The announcement will detail measures intended to protect communities from increasingly severe wildfires.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Campbell River Resident Fined for Illegal Shellfish Harvesting

Fisheries and Oceans Canada reported that Albert Joseph Thomas Blaney was convicted and fined $5,000 for illegal possession and fishing without a licence under the Fisheries Act. The conviction stemmed from a January 2023 incident involving 1,750 pounds of clams found without proper tags during a routine inspection. The department continues to seek public assistance in reporting illegal Fisheries Act violations.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Committee Discusses Employment and Forestry Sector Support

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development discussed measures to protect jobs and support the forestry sector. Minister Patty Hajdu referenced ongoing employment insurance support for workers affected by layoffs in forestry, as well as funding for employment programs, youth employment, and job bank modernization. The committee also addressed student grants, affordable childcare, and issues regarding labor rights, with members raising concerns on the pace and structure of support for impacted sectors.

Sources: parlvu.parl.gc.ca

Canadian Provincial Government News

Nova Scotia Approves Environmental Assessment for Setapuktuk Wind Project

Nova Scotia has approved the environmental assessment for the Setapuktuk Wind Project in Guysborough County. The 54-turbine, 432 MW project is expected to begin construction in late 2026, supplying power for green hydrogen and ammonia production.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

British Columbia Releases Independent Review of CleanBC Climate Plan

B.C. published the final report from the independent review of CleanBC, with recommendations to strengthen climate action, support affordability, and build on existing economic and emissions reduction objectives.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Quebec Schedules Aerial Moose Survey in Collaboration with Cree Partners

An aerial survey of the moose population in Quebec's hunting zone 17 is planned for winter 2026, following previous findings of a 35% decline since 2009. The survey will inform potential adjustments to hunting quotas under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Ontario Fines Group $20,500 for Moose Hunting Violations

The Ontario Court of Justice imposed fines totaling $20,500 on three individuals for various moose hunting violations, including illegal tagging, hunting without a licence, and providing false information to conservation officers.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

British Columbia Opens Applications for Maritime Clean Energy Innovation Challenge

B.C. launched the COAST Innovation Challenge under its Integrated Marketplace platform, offering up to $100,000 for projects that support renewable energy adoption in the maritime sector. Applications close December 31, 2025.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Government Consultations

Fisheries and Oceans Canada Launches Consultation on Great Slave Lake Commercial Fishery

DFO opened consultations to gather input from commercial fishers on the state of the Great Slave Lake fishery, with feedback informing the development of an Integrated Fisheries Management Plan.

Sources: www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Environmental review approved for wind project tied to Membertou First Nation in N.S.: The Setapuktuk Wind Project in Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, has received environmental assessment approval.
• The nature legacy society: a community of changemakers: A feature on individuals and organizations driving conservation efforts in Canada.
• Conservative MPs question basis of 30% marine protected areas target: Parliamentary debate over the science and rationale behind the federal government's MPA targets.
• A rare opportunity to conserve one of Canada’s most important natural landscapes: A report on a major conservation opportunity for Canadian landscape protection.
• Paulatuk using acoustic tags to track whereabouts of Arctic char amid changing climate: Community-based acoustic monitoring tracks Arctic char migration patterns.
• 'Marine snow' catcher is helping fight against climate change on Labrador Sea: New technology deployed to collect marine snow and study carbon sequestration.
• Nov 29: The environmental costs of nation-building, and more...: CBC Quirks & Quarks explores environmental trade-offs in major infrastructure and mining projects.
• Opinion: Vancouver must go wild – for the good of us all: Commentary on the city's strategy for forest canopy expansion and urban biodiversity.
• The nature legacy society: a community of changemakers: An in-depth look at conservation philanthropy in Canada.
• Paulatuk using acoustic tags to track whereabouts of Arctic char amid changing climate: Arctic char tracking project aims to inform fisheries management under changing conditions.

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