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: 2025-10-19 to 2025-10-25

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• HoC Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development Meeting No. 7: Haiti's Crisis and Canada's Response: Scheduled for October 21, 2025, this meeting features testimony from H.E. Anthony Dessources (Embassy of Haiti), Diego Da Rin (International Crisis Group), Morgan Wienberg (Little Footprints Big Steps), and Andréanne Martel (Mission inclusion), focusing on crisis response, security assistance, and program effectiveness.
• Senate Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee Meeting No. 6: Ukraine Situation: Held October 22, 2025, with Ambassador Andrii Plakhotniuk, discussing Canada's aid and cooperation for Ukraine's reconstruction, energy restoration, and sanctions against Russia.
• HoC Standing Committee on International Trade Meeting No. 7: CUSMA Review Strategy: Met October 20, 2025, with witnesses including Barry Appleton, Lana Payne (Unifor), Vass Bednar (The Canadian SHIELD Institute), and auto industry representatives, focusing on Canada’s preparedness for the CUSMA review and trade-related institutional capacity.
• HoC Standing Committee on Industry and Technology Meeting No. 9: Defence Industrial Strategy: Scheduled for October 22, 2025, with testimony from Mike Mueller (Aerospace Industries Association), Christyn Cianfarani (Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries), and other sector leaders to address growth targets, procurement processes, and SME engagement.
• Senate Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee Meeting No. 7: Canada-Mexico Trade Relations under CUSMA: Meeting held October 23, 2025, featuring Ambassador Cameron MacKay discussing the Canada-Mexico Action Plan, trade logistics, sectoral cooperation, and preparatory work ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Canadian Federal Government News

CBSA Launches Investigations into Alleged Dumping and Subsidizing of Truck Bodies from China

On October 24, 2025, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) launched investigations into claims that truck bodies imported from China are being dumped and/or subsidized. The probe, initiated after a complaint by Morgan Canada Corporation and Morgan Transit Corporation, centers on allegations of price undercutting and material injury to domestic producers, including losses in bookings, sales, market share, and employee numbers. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) will conduct a preliminary inquiry on whether Canadian producers are adversely affected, with an initial decision expected by December 23, 2025. Concurrently, the CBSA will determine if the imports have been sold at unfair prices or received subsidies, with findings scheduled for January 22, 2026. There are currently 158 special import measures in effect, protecting roughly 45,000 jobs and $18.4 billion in production as of 2024.

Sources: www.canada.ca

G7 Development Ministers Meet on Partnerships for Economic Prosperity

Global Affairs Canada convened G7 development ministers in Washington, D.C., on October 17, 2025, focusing on partnership-building with emerging markets and developing countries. Topics included reforms to multilateral institutions and modernization of development cooperation, with discussion on job creation in critical sectors and supply chain resilience for minerals. The ministers welcomed agreement on the first phase of President Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, reiterating commitment to humanitarian needs globally. Advances in supply chain resilience, debt sustainability, and mineral supply chain security featured prominently. New initiatives such as the G7 Infrastructure Investment Council, led by FinDev Canada, were announced to accelerate private capital deployment in infrastructure across energy, digital, and water sectors. Engagements included multilateral coordination in support of development benefits and responsible mining practices.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald to Visit China for Agricultural Collaboration

Minister Heath MacDonald will visit Shanghai, Beijing, and Qingdao from October 27 to November 3, 2025, aiming to strengthen ties and explore opportunities for Canadian agricultural exports. Meetings will include senior Chinese officials and business leaders to promote Canadian agri-food products and expand market presence. In 2024, China ranked as Canada's second-largest global export market for food and seafood. This visit follows a commitment between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese Premier Li Qiang to increase dialogue for bilateral collaboration. Additional engagement with Canadian and local stakeholders is planned.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Sidhu Discusses UK Accession to CPTPP and Bilateral Economic Relations

On October 22, Minister Maninder Sidhu spoke with UK Minister Chris Bryant regarding the UK’s protocol for accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Canada’s introduction of implementing legislation follows previous tabling in Parliament, advancing the process for UK accession. The ministers reaffirmed intentions to strengthen bilateral trade through the Canada-UK Economic and Trade Working Group and to deepen investment ties, referencing commitments by both countries’ prime ministers to broaden trade cooperation.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government of Canada Announces $36 Million for Projects Countering Violent Extremism

Public Safety Canada announced a $36.9 million investment through the Community Resilience Fund, supporting 19 organizations in efforts to prevent radicalization to violence. Targeted initiatives address at-risk youth, research into far-right organizing, and specialized programming within correctional institutions. The funding, expanded to include digital interventions and resilience initiatives, focuses on early prevention, reintegration, and resource development across educational and community settings. Details include the expansion of AI-enabled approaches under the Christchurch Call Foundation, efforts to counter online terrorist content, and specialized programs targeting vulnerable populations in the Prairie provinces and Eastern Ontario.

Sources: www.canada.ca

G7 Interior and Security Ministers’ Meeting Announced in Ottawa

Minister Gary Anandasangaree will host the G7 Interior and Security Ministers’ Meeting in Ottawa from November 21 to 23, 2025, as part of Canada’s G7 presidency. Agenda topics include transnational organized crime, synthetic drug threats, migrant smuggling, transnational repression, terrorist and violent extremist online content, cybercrime, and child sexual exploitation and abuse. Select events will be open to accredited media, with further details pending.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government of Canada Announces Strategic Investment in Alberta’s Defence Industry

A $2 million federal investment was announced for ConvergX Global Solutions Foundation to promote rapid commercialization of defence technologies developed by Alberta-based small and medium-sized enterprises. The ConvergX Xpand Commercialization Zone will deliver export readiness training and technology validation to help Alberta firms compete internationally. Boeing and Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund also provided financial support for Xpand, targeting dual-use technologies applicable in energy and agriculture.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Joint Statement Released on DPRK Cyber and IT Worker Activities

Canada, along with ten other states, released the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) report on DPRK cyber operations and IT worker activity. The document details links between UN-sanctioned DPRK entities and malicious cyber operations, including cryptocurrency theft and cyber espionage. The MSMT statement called on all UN member states to increase awareness and accountability for DPRK activities and for the Security Council to reestablish the disbanded Panel of Experts which previously monitored UNSCR compliance.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Statement by Minister Anand on United Nations Day: Canadian Commitment to Multilateral Reform

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand marked United Nations Day on October 24, reiterating Canada’s commitment to the UN and the need for institutional reform to improve efficiency and accountability. Citing historic contributions such as peacekeeping and the Ottawa Treaty, Anand stated Canada will work with partners to strengthen the UN for contemporary global challenges. The statement also referenced Canada’s intention to support human rights, the rule of law, and collective security.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan: US Government Shutdown Affects Release Schedule for Trade Data

Statistics Canada announced the delay of Canadian international merchandise trade data for September due to the US federal government shutdown, which includes the closure of the US Census Bureau. The release, previously scheduled for November 4, 2025, will be postponed until operations resume.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Minister Joly Unveils Canada’s Plan for Industrial Leadership to Business Community

Minister Mélanie Joly outlined Canada’s economic strategy addressing national defence procurement, supply chain resilience, domestic market protection, and foreign direct investment. The plan calls for protecting Canadian industries through tariffs, a new $5 billion Strategic Response Fund, and increased defence spending. Defence industrial initiatives include domestic shipbuilding, aerospace procurements, and collaborative projects such as the Bombardier-Saab GlobalEye surveillance plane. Major infrastructure and energy projects, including small modular reactors and high-speed rail, were highlighted as economic growth opportunities. Strategies for export market diversification and Canadian champion development were also discussed.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian Provincial Government News

Alberta Introduces International Agreements Act to Assert Provincial Jurisdiction

Alberta tabled the International Agreements Act, expanding the scope of prior legislation and requiring provincial approval for international agreements affecting provincial matters. The Act follows Quebec's approach of requiring explicit provincial consent for such accords.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Alberta Throne Speech: Sovereignty, Economic Policy, and US Relations

Alberta opened its legislative session with a speech from the throne outlining policy directions for sovereignty, economic diversification, and Alberta-US resource diplomacy. Planned fiscal guidelines and continued infrastructure investments were announced.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Saskatchewan Throne Speech Addresses US and Chinese Tariffs

Saskatchewan's new legislative session featured bills on internal trade promotion and outlined a commitment to work with the federal government to remove US and Chinese tariffs, alongside the expansion of global export markets.

Sources: www.saskatchewan.ca

Charges Laid Under Immigration Protection Laws in Saskatchewan

Three employers in Moose Jaw were charged under the Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act for offenses predating the new Immigration Services Act. The accused will appear in provincial court on November 25.

Sources: www.saskatchewan.ca

Alberta MLA Engaging US Lawmakers on North American Energy Security

MLA Chantelle de Jonge attended the Legislative Energy Horizon Institute in Washington, D.C., from October 22-25, building networks with US state legislators and promoting Alberta’s role as a stable energy supplier.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Opinion: In preparing for the end of NATO, Canada falls behind Europe: Global opinion piece examining Canada’s NATO commitments amid European defence shifts.
• Why a boost in defence spending may be the best offence against economic stagnation: Reporting on the economic implications of increased Canadian defence investment.
• Finland sees quantum tech, defence as priorities under strategic partnership with Canada: Analysis of Finland-Canada technological and defence cooperation.
• New defence investments coming to Canadian military to combat money being sent to the U.S.: Carney: Television report on incoming Canadian defence spending priorities.
• Michael Kovrig warns of China’s ‘diplomatic wrapping paper’ as Carney pursues deeper ties: News coverage of Canadian diplomatic efforts with China and strategic considerations.
• David Olive: Canada and China must work together to beat Trump at his own game: Column exploring Canada-China cooperation in context of US trade policy.
• Walking a fine line: Economists caution Canada on commitment to defence sector: Article on economist concerns regarding sustained investment in Canadian defence.
• Carney aims to sell Canada as reliable partner for trade in Southeast Asia: Political feature detailing Canadian trade strategy in Southeast Asia.

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