Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning Canadian foreign policy, diplomacy, international relations, trade agreements, sanctions, and global affairs. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track other GR news in related areas? Don't miss this week's updates in Defence and Social Issues.

Dates: 2025-10-12 to 2025-10-18

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal Government News

Canada and India Renew Bilateral Partnership with New Roadmap

On October 13, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and India's External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar issued a joint statement from New Delhi marking a new phase in the Canada-India partnership. The bilateral meeting followed up on guidance from both countries’ Prime Ministers at the G7 Summit and outlined a consensus-driven New Roadmap for relationship recovery. Steps taken include the reinstatement of High Commissioners, National Security Adviser-level meetings on security cooperation, and upcoming trade initiatives such as resumption of the Canada–India CEO Forum and ministerial-level trade discussions. The statement cites a $23.66 billion figure for bilateral trade in 2024 and notes progress on cooperation in clean technology, agri-food, infrastructure, energy supply chains, and digital innovation. Future cooperation is expected across climate action, civil nuclear energy, and AI, with a Critical Minerals Annual Dialogue scheduled for March 2026 in Toronto.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Secretary of State Sarai Hosts G7 Development Ministers in Washington

Secretary of State (International Development) Randeep Sarai chaired the G7 development ministers’ meeting in Washington, D.C., on October 18. The ministers addressed global aid system reforms, infrastructure investment, and economic partnerships with emerging markets, supported by Canada’s $544 million portfolio guarantee announced at the Kananaskis G7 Leaders’ Summit. The establishment of the G7 Infrastructure Investment Council, led by FinDev Canada, will coordinate G7 development finance with global investors for infrastructure upgrades in developing countries. The meeting also marked the signing of the first phase of President Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict and discussed the continuing humanitarian challenges in Ukraine, Haiti, and Sudan, reiterating Canada's priority for urgent assistance.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister McGuinty Announces New Defence Investments at NATO Meetings

Minister of National Defence David McGuinty attended NATO Defence Ministers’ and Ukraine Defence Contact Group meetings in Brussels on October 16, announcing several new Canadian contributions to Ukraine: $12 million to the Drone Capability Coalition, $30 million in winter gear, and surplus CAF equipment, including missile components and armored vehicles. Twenty Armoured Combat Support Vehicles have already been delivered with fifty expected by the end of the year. McGuinty also reported on Canada’s involvement in NATO Capability Coalitions focused on drones, cybersecurity, and aircraft training. Further, the Minister detailed the acceleration of Canada’s NATO 2% spending pledge for March 2026 and new funding for CSIS to support NATO intelligence cooperation. Agreements signed include Canada joining the NATO Distributed Synthetic Training initiative and supporting the new NATO Indirect Fires Centre of Excellence in Slovakia.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Sidhu Leads Canadian Trade Mission to Italy

International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu led over 75 Canadian businesses to Rome and Milan this week, pursuing commercial ties and cooperation in trade, investment, energy, and defence. Sidhu met Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani, who agreed to send a trade delegation to Canada. Sidhu pressed for further progress on Italy’s ratification of CETA. The trip involved site visits with Tenaris and Stantec, and saw three agreements signed: a hydrogen collaboration between Canadian and Italian associations, DataPeak and Bonetto Group’s adoption of AI for manufacturing, and a Lowfoot-eGlue partnership in energy data analytics and communication management. A roundtable on defence and security fostered broader industry and investment opportunities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Champagne Participates in G7 and G20 Finance Talks in Washington

Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne concluded meetings in Washington on October 16, co-chairing the G7 Finance Ministers session and meeting with the Prime Minister of Ukraine. Topics on the agenda included inter-G7 trade balances, critical minerals, debt sustainability, and crisis resilience in developing economies. Canada committed $12 million to the World Bank Group’s Crisis Resilience Forum and $2 million to its Debt Management Facility. Additional events covered artificial intelligence in financial crime and fraud, and bilateral discussions with counterparts from Singapore, South Korea, the UK, and the US.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Anand Meets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing

Foreign Minister Anand travelled to Beijing on October 17 to meet China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The session brought forward issues of sensitivity such as trade in agri-food, seafood, meat, and electric vehicles. Both sides considered constructive areas for environmental, energy, and health collaboration. Notable discussions included the 20th anniversary of the Canada-China Strategic Partnership, law enforcement and consular consultations, and the recent Joint Economic and Trade Commission meeting. Anand indicated Canada’s intention to deepen engagement through candid dialogue and regular mechanisms, reaffirming commitment to manage the evolving bilateral relationship pragmatically.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Solomon Concludes AI and Technology Mission to the Gulf

Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Evan Solomon completed visits to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, securing a memorandum of understanding with the UAE focusing on AI development, digital infrastructure, and investment collaboration. The trip included meetings with key officials in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, participation at the GITEX AI and technology conference, and support for OpenText and Core42’s new MOU. In Doha, Solomon met Qatar’s Communication and IT Minister, discussed future AI partnerships, and joined roundtables with Qatari business and education leaders examining opportunities for Canadian companies in digital innovation.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Chartrand Represents Canada at Arctic Circle Assembly in Iceland

Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs Rebecca Chartrand attended the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavík, meeting with over 200 delegates from 70 countries. Chartrand’s statement cited Canada’s approach to Arctic sovereignty through the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework, the appointment of Virginia Mearns as Arctic Ambassador, and promotion of northern-led solutions to climate, clean energy, and infrastructure issues. Discussions showcased Indigenous and local leadership at the core of the policy efforts and previewed ongoing collaboration ahead of the 2027 Arctic Council ministerial meeting.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister McGuinty Remarks on Climate Security and Arctic Sovereignty at Montreal Summit

At the 4th Montreal Climate Security Summit, Defence Minister David McGuinty addressed the strategic link between national defence and climate readiness. Speaking virtually on October 9, McGuinty detailed the impacts of climate on CAF bases and assets, surveyed vulnerability assessments, and described adaptation measures including energy resilience upgrades. The minister discussed the integration of climate risk into operations and the role of the NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence, referencing ongoing initiatives in alternative fuels and sustainable aviation. Arctic sovereignty, ecosystem fragility, permafrost thaw, and northern infrastructure challenges featured centrally in his remarks.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Announces Ambassador Appointment to Sweden

On October 17, Foreign Minister Anita Anand named Robert Sinclair as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Sweden, replacing Jason LaTorre. Sinclair brings experience from postings in Brussels, Dublin, London, Washington, D.C., and Moscow, in addition to prior roles as inspector general and director general of Arctic, Eurasian, and European affairs.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada’s International Transactions in Securities: August 2025

Statistics Canada reported that foreign investors acquired $25.9 billion in Canadian securities in August 2025, primarily through debt instruments. Concurrently, Canadian investors added $19.5 billion in foreign securities to their portfolios, mostly in equities.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Canadian Provincial Government News

Alberta MLA to Attend Washington PNWER Trade Mission

Alberta MLA Shane Getson will visit Washington, D.C., from October 19–22 to advance trade and investment ties through the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region, focusing on energy, food, and data security corridors.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Nova Scotia Premier in UK and Italy for Energy Sector Trade Mission

Premier Tim Houston is leading provincial delegates to London and Milan this week, promoting offshore natural gas exploration, development, and energy partnerships at the World Energies Summit.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Ontario Launches 'One Project, One Process' for Mining Sector

Ontario introduced a new permitting framework on October 17 to reduce mine development approval times by at least 50% and support Indigenous community participation, facilitating investment and supply chain certainty for critical minerals.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Quebec Publishes Cybersecurity Edition of Interactions Newsletter

The Quebec government released the second issue of its Interactions newsletter with articles on new digital threats and measures at the Government Cyber Defense Center.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

New Brunswick Signs Health-Care Recruitment MOU with Indonesia

New Brunswick signed its first formal partnership with Indonesia to recruit nurses and personal support workers, providing navigation support and expedited qualification recognition for employment in the province.

Sources: www2.gnb.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Canada, China and Globalization: Economic Partnerships in Rare Earths and AI: Opinion on Canada-China relations and strategic industries.
• Canada Needs to Make Its Voice Heard Around the World: Analysis of Canada's diplomatic options in global affairs.
• Canadian General’s Lessons from Northern Ireland Applied to Disarmament: Insights into peacekeeping and conflict resolution.
• Navigating Canada-China Relations: 50 Years of Lessons: Reflections on diplomatic history and challenges.
• Canada’s Trade Focus with the U.S. Has Shifted: How the strategy for U.S. trade relations is evolving.
• Canadian Culture and Trade Wars: Review of historical patterns in Canadian–U.S. trade disputes.
• Team Canada’s Approach in China Trade Talks Scrutinized: Opinion piece on recent trade negotiations.
• Canada is Right to Re-engage India: Commentary on bilateral relations in trade and technology.
• P.E.I. Seeks Federal Probe Into Foreign Interference Allegations: News on provincial calls for federal action regarding foreign interference.
• Digital Regulations Influence Trade Talks: How digital policies factor into cross-border discussions.

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