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: 2025-11-30 to 2025-12-06

📋 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

• Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade Meeting (No. 16) – December 3, 2025: Ambassador Andrii Plakhotniuk, Jocelyn Kinnear (Global Affairs Canada), and Eric Laporte appeared before the committee to brief on Ukraine aid, security guarantees, sanctions policy, and the reconstruction process.
• Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology Meeting (No. 18) – December 3, 2025: Kimby Barton (Public Health Agency of Canada) discussed amendments to the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act, focusing on administrative impacts for high-risk labs and managing foreign research communication.

Canadian Federal Government News

Canada Announces $200 Million Contribution to NATO's Ukraine Requirements List for Critical Military Equipment

On December 3, 2025, Minister David J. McGuinty stated Canada will contribute CAD $200 million to a package of military capabilities sourced from the United States under NATO's Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL). The initiative brings Canada’s total PURL contribution to approximately CAD $892 million, following Prime Minister Mark Carney's full funding announcement of an earlier package in August. The PURL initiative, launched in August 2025, addresses Ukraine’s most immediate military needs, with the latest package valued at roughly USD $500 million. Canada’s support has focused on providing air defence, ammunition, and other urgent military equipment. In total since February 2022, Canada has committed more than $6.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Provides $35 Million to NATO’s Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine

Minister Anita Anand announced on December 3, 2025, that Canada will add $35 million to NATO’s Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) for Ukraine, increasing Canada’s total CAP support to approximately $180 million. The package funds NATO’s trust fund, supporting Ukraine’s immediate and longer-term security and defence needs. The funding will supply non-lethal military assistance, such as medical supplies and communication equipment, and support logistics, institutional development, and recovery initiatives, including enhancing interoperability with NATO forces and reconstructing defence infrastructure. Canada now stands as the sixth-largest donor to the CAP, with previous contributions targeting communications, engineering tools, power systems, and aerial threat countermeasures.

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

Minister Anand Concludes NATO and EU Meetings; Advances Sanctions and Economic Aid for Ukraine

From December 1–4, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand held bilateral discussions in Brussels with EU and NATO leaders, including Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis and Sanctions Envoy David O’Sullivan. Talks centered on expanding economic assistance for Ukraine and improving Canada-EU sanctions coordination against Russia. At the NATO-Ukraine Council, Anand announced $35 million for NATO’s Comprehensive Assistance Package and referenced Canada’s latest contribution to the PURL military capability package. Anand met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, emphasizing support for Ukraine and the security of Arctic regions. Bilateral meetings occurred with officials from Bulgaria, Germany, Latvia, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, and Türkiye, focusing on defence and economic cooperation.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Announces Defence Investments Across the Country Through New Regional Initiative

On December 5, 2025, the federal government detailed a $357.7 million investment to set up the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII), supporting Canadian defence industry expansion and innovation. The effort serves as a precursor to the forthcoming Defence Industrial Strategy and aims to improve supply chain capacity, grow resource stockpiles, and provide funding access for small- and medium-sized defence businesses. RDII will be implemented through Regional Development Agencies to enhance research, innovation, and employment in defence manufacturing. The measure follows recent calls to reinforce the domestic industrial base amidst evolving global security risks.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Southern Ontario Opens Applications for $200 Million Defence Supply Chain Investment

Minister Evan Solomon announced the launch of the Regional Defence Investment Initiative in southern Ontario on December 5, 2025, with a $94.7 million allocation from FedDev Ontario and an additional $106 million from existing agency resources. The $357.7 million nationwide RDII program supports businesses seeking to integrate into defence supply chains, focusing on advanced manufacturing, aerospace, cybersecurity, robotics, and AI. Eligible enterprises are invited to apply for funding to expand capacity and pivot into defence sector activities, targeting dual-use technology firms and those aiming to scale innovation and productivity.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Atlantic Canada Launches $38 Million Defence Growth Initiative

Sean Fraser, Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, announced on December 5, 2025, that the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) is now available to Atlantic region businesses. The $38.2 million fund will run over three years, assisting primarily small and medium enterprises in expanding their defence supply chain access, capability, and productivity. Sectors impacted include marine, aerospace, and cyber resilience, with funding set to support certification, advanced technology investments, and contract competition with security partners. Information sessions for applicants are scheduled via the ACOA website.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Ministers Announce Pending Arctic Operations Partnership for Canadian Armed Forces

Joël Lightbound (Public Works and Procurement), David McGuinty (National Defence), and Stephen Fuhr (Defence Procurement) are scheduled to announce a strategic partnership to reinforce Canadian Armed Forces operations in the Arctic on December 9, 2025. The initiative aims to strengthen both domestic and continental military activities in the northern region, with details to be released at a press briefing in Ottawa. The announcement follows sustained national focus on Arctic sovereignty and operational readiness, addressing new regional security requirements.

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

Canada Announces Revocation of Syria’s Foreign State Terror List Status and HTS Terrorist Designation

On December 5, 2025, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree confirmed Syria's removal from Canada’s List of Foreign State Supporters of Terrorism under the State Immunity Act, and Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from Canada’s Criminal Code List of Terrorist Entities. The action aligns with decisions by the UK and US, recognizing progress by the Syrian transitional government on security and stability. The government intends to continue counter-terrorism efforts through international coalitions and mechanisms, maintaining targeted sanctions and accountability measures.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Seeks Modernization of Kimberley Process Definition Amid Russian Diamond Funding Concerns

On December 3, 2025, Global Affairs Canada released a statement regarding the 22nd Kimberley Process Plenary in Dubai. Canada reported Russia again blocked discussion of its use of diamond sales to fund its war against Ukraine. Despite some progress on revising the definition of conflict diamonds, consensus remains elusive on the inclusion of state actors. Canada continues to advocate for a modernized definition and reform to address state-driven conflict and strengthen trade verification and traceability standards. Certification of country of origin remains central to Canada’s position.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian Participation in OSCE Ministerial Council Highlights Security and Human Rights Issues

Parliamentary Secretary Rob Oliphant will represent Canada at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Ministerial Council in Vienna, December 4–5, 2025. Discussion topics include the return of illegally transferred Ukrainian children, regional connectivity, counter-disinformation, and democracy advancement in Belarus and Georgia. Oliphant will reinforce support for Ukraine and engage with partners on initiatives concerning the protection of vulnerable populations and broader Euro-Atlantic stability.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Delay in Publication of Canadian International Trade Data for October

Statistics Canada announced on December 4, 2025, that the release of Canadian international merchandise trade data for October 2025 has been postponed. The rescheduled publication date will be confirmed later.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Canadian Provincial Government News

Quebec Opens Consultation on ESG Strategic Integration Framework

The Bureau de normalisation du Québec is conducting a public review for the new CAN/BNQ 9700-700 standard, designed to support enterprises integrating ESG factors into business practices, with comments open until January 31, 2026.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Alberta Introduces Justice Statutes Amendment Act to Strengthen Election Integrity

The proposed Alberta legislation aims to deter election interference, requiring more candidate signatures and prohibiting registration of political party names linked to existing parties, among other election reforms.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Saskatchewan Legislature Ends Fall Sitting; Internal Trade and Energy Security Legislation Passed

Saskatchewan has passed laws promoting internal trade, energy security, and extended educational and child care agreements as part of its legislative session ending December 5, 2025.

Sources: www.saskatchewan.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• A fighting chance: How Canada can beef up its defences and grow its economy at the same time: Examines the intersection of increased defence spending and economic growth.
• Opinion: Is Canada ready for the big defence bill to come?: Explores fiscal challenges surrounding Canada’s defence commitments.
• Ottawa announces regional investment initiative to help Canadian defence companies scale: Details a new federal program targeting defence sector supply chain improvements.
• Canada donates an additional $200M to Ukraine's urgent weapons fund: Reports on Canada’s latest military assistance for Ukraine.
• Canada pledges $235 million in defence, security funding for Ukraine: Coverage of Canada’s multi-part defence funding announcements.
• Freeland calls Ukraine a ‘fantastic investment’ as Ottawa pledges $235 million: Summarizes minister’s remarks tied to recent defence support.
• Justin Ling: Enough is enough, Canada. Just buy the damned F-35 jets: Editorial view on military procurement.
• Martin Regg Cohn: Feminist foreign policy was clever branding but it’s not our top priority: Discusses branding shifts in Canadian foreign policy.

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