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: 2025-12-07 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 Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade Reviews Bill C-15 Amendments: On December 10, the Senate Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee (AEFA) met to hear testimony from officials at FINTRAC, Global Affairs Canada, and the Department of Finance Canada regarding Bill C-15, which proposes amendments to the Special Economic Measures Act and Export and Import Permits Act. Witnesses discussed coordination between Foreign Affairs and Finance ministers prior to imposing sanctions on foreign financial entities and mechanisms for managing profits from immobilized assets supporting Ukraine.

Canadian Federal Government News

Canada Strengthens Military Communications in the Arctic

On December 9, Ministers Joël Lightbound, David McGuinty, and Stephen Fuhr announced a strategic partnership with Telesat Corporation and MDA Space to advance military satellite communications capabilities. The Enhanced Satellite Communications Project – Polar (ESCP-P), led by the Defence Investment Agency, focuses on delivering robust wideband and narrowband connectivity across the Arctic, serving continental operations and NATO/NORAD strategic objectives. The selection of Telesat and MDA leverages Canadian expertise in secure communications and supports multi-billion dollar investment in the domestic defence sector. The partnership is positioned to modernize Canada’s military infrastructure, bolster North American security, and strengthen Canadian technological leadership in space-based systems.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian Defence Industry Expansion: Regional Funding Announced for SMEs

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) launched the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII), a $357.7 million national program supporting SME integration into defence supply chains. Minister Mélanie Joly outlined CED’s $64.9 million commitment for Quebec over three years, targeting innovation and dual-use product development. In parallel, Minister Patty Hajdu announced RDII expansion into Northern Ontario with $15.8 million allocated over three years by FedNor. Both initiatives originate from Budget 2025 provisions that provide $6.6 billion over five years to reinforce Canada’s defence industrial base, stimulate cross-sector innovation, and increase domestic procurement capacity.

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

Canada Seeks Input on New Free Trade Agreements

Minister Maninder Sidhu opened public consultations on four prospective trade agreements: Canada-India, Canada-United Arab Emirates, Canada-Thailand, and Canada-Mercosur. The consultations, accepting comments until January 27, 2026, are expected to guide negotiation strategies, aiming to double exports to non-U.S. markets within the next decade. The process targets enhanced market access and diversified trading relationships, directly engaging Canadians to shape the country’s priorities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Support for Ukraine: Coalition of the Willing and G7+ Meetings

Minister Anita Anand represented Canada at the Coalition of the Willing summit, co-chaired by UK, France, and Germany. Discussions centered on momentum toward a negotiated settlement with Russia, with leaders pledging continued security guarantees and defence capacity building for Ukraine. Additionally, the G7+ Ukraine Energy Coordination Group, led by Canada and the EU, condemned Russian attacks on energy infrastructure and detailed coordinated measures to reinforce Ukraine’s energy system, including air defence, equipment supply, and regulatory reforms. Canada’s participation included commitments to ongoing financial and logistical support, as referenced in both meetings’ ministerial statements.

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

Canada and UK Expand Quantum and Digital Infrastructure Collaboration

Minister Evan Solomon met UK Minister Ian Murray on December 9 to sign a memorandum of understanding for digital government cooperation and quantum communications infrastructure. The Canadian Space Agency issued a call for expressions of interest, open until December 12, for projects contributing to quantum communications demonstrations. The MOU follows earlier G7 commitments and signals intent to jointly develop secure national systems and talent pipelines for AI and digital economies.

Sources: www.canada.ca

G7 Industry, Digital, and Technology Ministers’ Meeting: Multilateral Agreements on AI and Digital Trade

At the G7 Ministers’ Meeting in Montréal, Ministers Mélanie Joly and Evan Solomon advanced multilateral cooperation on supply chains, quantum technology, and artificial intelligence. The summit led to adoption of the SME AI Adoption Blueprint and AI Toolkit, memoranda with the EU on AI and data governance, and launch of the Canada–Germany Digital Alliance. New frameworks for talent mobility and quantum technology commercialization were announced, positioning Canada as a hub for digital sector partnerships.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Joint Letter on Haiti Gang Suppression Force Initiative

Canada and the U.S. released a joint statement following the Haiti Force Generation Conference, reporting commitments from 18 nations to support the country’s Gang Suppression Force (GSF) with personnel and technical resources. Haiti’s government adopted an electoral decree to reinstitute democratic processes, which the conference sought to reinforce through coordinated international support, aiming to advance stability and civilian protection.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada's International Investment Position Grows in Q3

Statistics Canada reported that as of Q3, the net international asset position increased by $95.3 billion, reaching $1,925.8 billion. This metric tracks the difference between Canada’s global financial assets and liabilities, with implications for currency risk and international financial exposure.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Foreign Interference Investigation: CAF Intelligence Officer Charged

Canadian Forces Military Police, in coordination with the RCMP Federal Policing Integrated National Security and Enforcement Team, arrested Master Warrant Officer Matthew Robar on December 10. Charges include communicating special operational information under the Foreign Interference and Security of Information Act, breach of trust, contravention of storage regulations, conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline, and feigning disease, pursuant to multiple legal statutes.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Advances Multilateral Cooperation at Doha Forum

Secretary of State Randeep Sarai concluded a visit to Qatar for the Doha Forum. Meetings with Qatari officials, including collaboration with the Qatar Red Crescent and the Canadian Red Cross, focused on humanitarian response, including psychosocial support for Palestinians evacuated from Gaza. Sarai also met peers to coordinate investment in nutrition and health and enhance advocacy around child survival.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Statistics: Growth in Multinational Enterprise Assets and Service Exports

Recent StatsCan publications show multinational enterprises constituted 36.3% of Canadian jobs and 85.1% of merchandise exports in 2024, with overseas assets rising 3.5% to $9.2 trillion. In 2023, Canadian exports of commercial services grew 12.0% to $134.7 billion, with imports up 8.8%. September 2025 merchandise exports rose 6.3% while imports fell 4.1%, shifting Canada’s trade deficit to a surplus of $153 million. The monthly trade in services surplus remained stable at $0.2 billion, with imports of services at $19.8 billion and exports at $20.0 billion.

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

Canadian Provincial Government News

Alberta Emphasizes US Trade, Investment, and Security Partnerships

Alberta MLAs Jennifer Johnson and Shane Getson attended the Council of State Governments National Conference in Chicago, engaging US counterparts on economic corridors, trade, energy, and food security.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Alberta Advances Technology Partnerships in the UAE

Minister Nate Glubish is traveling to Abu Dhabi and Dubai to expand AI, cybersecurity, and health innovation collaboration, meeting UAE government and industry organizations and promoting Alberta’s tech sector.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Nova Scotia Promotes Trade and Defence Collaboration in France

Premier Tim Houston leads the province’s delegation at the Conference of Paris, focusing on trade, clean energy, and strengthening defence industry ties with European partners.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Manitoba Forms Crown–Indigenous Corporation for Churchill Plus Trade Project

Premier Wab Kinew announced the Manitoba Crown–Indigenous Corporation to steer expansion of the Churchill Plus corridor, alongside new investments to support marine protected area and shipping studies.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Government Consultations

What We're Reading This Week

• Securing Arctic sovereignty: Review of Canada’s efforts to modernize military capabilities for Arctic defence.
• Canada’s defence overhaul: Analysis of Budget 2025 measures to bolster national security and defence procurement.
• Canadian Armed Forces member charged in foreign interference investigation: News report on charges laid against a military intelligence officer.
• Experts urge Ottawa to seek new trading opportunities within the Western Hemisphere: Commentary addressing prospects for Canada’s export diversification.
• Opinion: The Trump Doctrine, and what it means for Canada: Analysis regarding evolving US foreign policy doctrines and implications for bilateral relations.
• This is Newfoundland and Labrador: A former Canadian military officer discusses engagement and opportunities related to national defence spending.
• Opinion: Trump’s National Security Strategy is more of a MAGA rant than foreign-policy playbook: Perspective on recent developments in US grand strategy.
• Opinion: A better way to manage the border after the collapse of the Safe Third Country Agreement: Examination of cross-border cooperation and security after policy shifts.
• Orders in Council: Summary of Alberta's recent regulatory amendments, including resource management and land administration.
• Fall session comes to an end: Recap of Alberta's legislative session focusing on energy, education, and investment.

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