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: 2025-12-07 to 2025-12-13

📋 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

• Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry Reviews Farm Credit Canada Legislative Review Provisions, Environmental Impacts of Biofuels: On December 9, the Senate Agriculture and Forestry Committee discussed a Bill C-15 provision mandating 10-year FCC legislative reviews, with witnesses from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture addressing consultation, infrastructure, and the environmental implications of biofuels.
• Senate Committee Reviews High-Speed Rail Network Act: Focus on Land, Indigenous, and Environmental Impact: The Senate Transport and Communications Committee, meeting December 9, examined Bill C-15’s High-Speed Rail Act, fielding evidence from Transport Canada, Alto, Impact Assessment Agency, and experts on project assessments, Indigenous engagement, and expropriation.
• Senate Banking, Commerce and Economy Committee Reviews Bill C-15: Open Banking, Stablecoin and Greenwashing: On December 10, the Senate Banking Committee took evidence from the Bank of Canada, OSFI, fintechs, and the Canada Climate Law Initiative on open banking regulation, stablecoins, and Bill C-15’s implications for greenwashing standards.
• Senate Committee on Transport and Communications: Environmental and Indigenous Concerns over High-Speed Rail: The Senate Transport and Communications Committee convened December 10 to hear witness perspectives from the Assembly of First Nations, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture on the environmental, Indigenous, and agricultural impacts of the proposed Toronto–Quebec City high-speed rail corridor.

Canadian Federal Government News

Senate Committee Scrutinizes Amendments to Canadian Environmental Protection Act

At its December 9 meeting, the Senate Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources reviewed Bill C-15’s proposed changes to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act regarding equivalency agreements. The amendments would shift the standard from ‘equivalent’ to ‘equivalent in effect’, drawing concerns from Professor Mark Winfield, York University, about enforcement gaps and the prospect of weaker provincial regimes bypassing federal standards. Senators pointed to risks in regulatory discretion and loss of national benchmark criteria, referencing recent and historical agreements with Alberta, Nova Scotia, and Saskatchewan. Discussion included the five-year review limit for agreements and the bill's omnibus structure, which may restrict parliamentary oversight. Winfield warned that allowing less rigorous enforcement and the removal of fixed review periods could pose risks to both compliance and environmental protection.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Senate Considers Extending LNG Export Licenses Under Bill C-15

On December 11, the Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources deliberated changes to the Canadian Energy Regulator Act via Bill C-15. The amendments include extending liquefied natural gas (LNG) export licenses from 40 to 50 years, aimed at attracting further investment. Natural Resources Canada’s Erin O’Brien and Canada Energy Regulator’s Darren Christie outlined the regulatory role and economic rationale, with attention to the Major Projects Office's management responsibilities. Senators raised questions on export-driven domestic price effects and community responses to LNG development. Issues surfaced around environmental impacts (especially methane regulation and flaring), periodic review mechanisms, and managing the balance between environmental and economic imperatives.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Parks Canada Signs Rights Implementation and Shared Governance Agreements with Mi’gmaq and Mi’kmaq First Nations

On December 10, the Government of Canada and eight Mi’gmaq First Nations in New Brunswick signed a Rights Implementation Agreement securing shared governance for Parks Canada-administered sites, including Kouchibouguac and Fundy National Parks. Key provisions include stewardship planning, restoration, harvesting protocols, and procedures regarding sacred sites and Mi’gmaw language. On the same day, a co-management arrangement—the Toqi'maliaptmu'k Agreement—was also signed in Nova Scotia between the Mi’kmaq and Parks Canada, establishing frameworks for joint decision-making and recognition of treaty rights in park governance.

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

Long Point Landowner Fined for Species at Risk Act Violation

Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced a $13,000 fine for a landowner in Simcoe, Ontario, after conviction for destroying approximately 500 square meters of critical habitat for at least four listed at-risk aquatic species, including Eastern Sand Darter and Pugnose Shiner. The court ordered the funds directed to the Environmental Damages Fund for habitat projects. The incident highlighted requirements for prior notification and approval when working in or near water under the Species at Risk Act.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Ottawa Invests in Kus-kus-sum Estuary Restoration on Vancouver Island

The federal government has committed $1 million toward the ongoing Kus-kus-sum restoration project in Courtenay, BC. The initiative aims to return 8.3 acres of former sawmill site to functioning tidal marsh and riparian forest, creating linkage with existing protected estuary lands and habitat for all five Pacific salmon species. Restoration will provide benefits for fish and wildlife, mitigate climate change impacts, and enable cultural use by the K'ómoks First Nation.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Investments in Forest Sector Support and Environmental Damages Fund

Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson is scheduled to announce new federal protective and support measures for the forest sector. In parallel, Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin will celebrate the Environmental Damages Fund’s 30th anniversary by announcing funding for 23 new projects nationwide that provide ecological and community benefits. Both events, noticed in advance, signal continued federal program spending in forestry and conservation-related restoration initiatives.

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

Shared Management at Sable Island National Park Reserve to be Announced

The federal government will announce operational greening measures for Sable Island National Park Reserve, with involvement from Ministers Lena Metlege Diab and Julie Dabrusin. Details of these initiatives and future management actions are expected at an event scheduled for December 16 in Halifax.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Prairie Partnership Initiative Announced to Drive Regional Projects and Economic Development

The Prairies Economic Development Canada launched the Prairie Partnership Initiative (PPI), allocating $200 million over three years for projects that support supply chains, job creation, and economic diversification in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The program focuses on projects that fall outside conventional federal funding models and is positioned as a complement, not an alternative, to items such as the Major Projects Office and Climate Competitiveness Strategy.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Releases on Environmental Taxes, Household Environment Behaviours, and Green Economy Productivity

Statistics Canada reported a 7.8% increase in environmental tax revenues in 2022 ($33.3 billion), primarily driven by a 21.6% increase in carbon tax revenues. Separate data from the 2023 Households and the Environment Survey covers behaviour on hazardous waste, pesticides, water use, and energy-saving appliances. A study released on December 8 found that green-intensive industries in Canada have higher labour productivity growth and economic resilience.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca, www.statcan.gc.ca, www.statcan.gc.ca

Infrastructure Economic Account Updated With Environmental Impacts Data

Canada’s infrastructure economic account has been updated with revised investment, service life, and environmental impacts estimates for 2022-2024. The revised data are consistent with the Q3 2025 income/expenditure accounts, allowing for cross-sectoral analysis of infrastructure assets and their environmental implications.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Canadian Provincial Government News

Ontario Invests $2.25 Million in Forest Biomass Biocoal Commercialization

Ontario is providing $2.25 million to CHAR Technologies to support the commercialization of forest biocoal, aiming to strengthen the forest products supply chain and enable its use in steelmaking.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Publishes New Land Reclamation Guidance

Alberta released updated reclamation guidelines to clarify roles for industry and communities, streamline decision-making, and accommodate site-specific land recovery approaches across projects.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Alberta Approves Regulatory Amendments for Natural Resource Sectors and Park Designations

On December 10, Alberta approved several regulations, including amendments impacting royalties, carbon sequestration tenure, foreign land ownership for pulp mills, and tourism expansions for Castle, Fortress, and Nakiska as new all-season resort areas.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Ontario Legislature Concludes Fall Sitting with Focus on Infrastructure and Critical Minerals

Ontario wrapped its fall session, citing measures to cut red tape and advance infrastructure, critical minerals, and low-carbon energy, including progress on the Ring of Fire and first small modular reactors.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Acts to Modernize Sand and Gravel Regulations

After receiving recommendations from a Sand and Gravel Task Force, Alberta is moving to modernize regulations, expedite permitting, and support environmental safeguards for aggregate operations.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Government Consultations

Health Canada Opens Consultation on Nealta Miticide Registration

Health Canada’s PMRA began consultations on the proposed registration of Nealta Miticide (cyflumetofen) for spider mite control on greenhouse ornamentals. The period ends January 22, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Environment advocates in the Algoma district want more protection for lands used by at-risk species: Civic groups in Sault Ste. Marie raise further calls for action to preserve key wildlife corridors.
• Conservation group proposes peatland strategy, fighting to prevent peat mining in northern Sask.: A peatland strategy is advanced by conservation groups to prevent commercial development in northern Saskatchewan.
• Utrecht lifts forest warning after DNA confirms wolf shot was the menace known as Bram: Wolf monitoring and public safety intersect in European conservation news.
• Why was 'incredible' giant cedar cut down, despite B.C.'s big-tree protection law?: A felled ancient cedar sparks scrutiny of British Columbia’s old-growth protection regime.
• Quebec announces plan to cut environmental assessment times in half: Quebec looks to accelerate environmental approvals amid ongoing development pressure.
• Opinion: The bad seeds: Why it’s important to mitigate the spread of invasive species: Editorial on risks posed by invasive species and regulatory responses in Canada.
• Delivering responsible growth and lasting value: Sector leaders discuss challenges of realizing net-zero targets with robust project pipelines.

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