Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning retailers, hotels, restaurants, event and sports venues, cruise lines, casinos, gambling, theme parks, ski resorts, outdoor spaces, RV parks, and other travel and tourism professionals. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track GR news in adjacent industries related? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Arts & Culture.

Dates: 2025-09-28 to 2025-10-04

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal GR News

Canada Provides $1.6 Million to Support Montreal Festival Mutualization Efforts

On October 1, 2025, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions announced two non-repayable contributions totaling $1.6 million to the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership in Montréal. The funding will support the acquisition of a shared equipment pool and infrastructure for the numerous festivals hosted in the Quartier, with over 50 events annually—more than 20 of which take place outdoors during the summer. The initiative is designed to sustain outdoor free cultural festivals and make these events more cost-effective through equipment mutualization. The government’s support aims to maintain Montréal’s reputation as a vital international tourism destination and bolster year-round cultural programming, logistics, visitor experience, and event security in the region. The funds are distributed through the federal Quebec Economic Development Program, which targets economic development in regional communities.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal Measures Announced for Workforce Resilience Amid Trade Disruptions

Employment and Social Development Canada detailed new investments designed to assist industries facing tariff and trade volatility, including segments of the hospitality and retail workforce. An additional $450 million will be distributed over three years via Labour Market Development Agreements to fund training for workers affected by global market shifts. Up to five Workforce Alliances will unite employers, unions, and governments to address sector-specific labour shortages, while $382 million is allocated to a Sectoral Workforce Investment Fund for workforce readiness. Temporary changes to Employment Insurance, including waiving the waiting period and extending eligibility for certain benefits through April 2026, will provide ongoing support for long-tenured workers. Modernization plans for the Job Bank, including AI-driven job matching and new feedback systems, were also announced, with the intention of enhancing skills alignment and facilitating recruitment across Canadian industries.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Retail Services Price Index for Q2 2025 Released

Statistics Canada published the Retail Services Price Index for the second quarter of 2025. This index tracks price changes in the retail services sector, providing fresh metrics for operators assessing sector trends and pricing dynamics.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Minister Guilbeault Participates in Global Culture Ministerial on AI and Digital Transformation

Minister Steven Guilbeault, Canada’s Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, attended Mondiacult in Barcelona on September 29. Guilbeault spoke before UNESCO member state delegations about the pressure and opportunity that digital and AI tools present for the creative sector, including hospitality-linked cultural enterprises. He noted upcoming Canadian policy emphasis on copyright, AI content transparency, and continued support for fair compensation within creative industries.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal Investment Advances Capacity at Vancouver’s Ronald McDonald House

The federal government announced up to $18.8 million for a new Ronald McDonald House facility in Vancouver, enabling a doubling of current capacity with 75 new family suites. The construction of Willow House will maintain year-round accommodation for families with children in medical care, expanding support services and programming.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Minister Joly to Address Canada’s Competition Summit 2025

Minister Mélanie Joly, responsible for Industry and Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, is slated to open Canada’s Competition Summit on October 1. The event, hosted by the Competition Bureau, will gather sector experts to discuss competition in a rapidly changing marketplace, including implications for business strategy in hospitality and retail.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

US Federal GR News

US Government Shutdown Impacts National Parks, Tourism, and Hospitality Sectors

The US federal shutdown led to the closure or reduction of operations at national parks, monuments, and museums across the country, significantly impacting inbound tourism and the travel sector. Essential staff, including TSA agents and air traffic controllers, are working without pay and federal programs supporting food security and small businesses are suspended. The American travel industry is estimated to face $1 billion in weekly losses due to the shutdown, while disrupted federal grants and halted SBA loan activity present risks to the hospitality and accommodation sectors in affected states.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

HUD Extends NSPIRE Inspection Compliance Deadline for Key Housing Programs

The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced an extension for compliance with the National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) for Housing Choice Voucher, Project-Based Voucher, and Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation programs. The new deadline of February 1, 2027, grants Public Housing Agencies additional time to implement revised inspection standards. Until then, agencies may continue to use the earlier Housing Quality Standards, delaying certain administrative and operational changes for property management firms and hospitality providers operating federally assisted housing.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

DOT Interim Final Rule Overhauls Airport Concession DBE Certification Requirements

The US Department of Transportation issued an interim final rule revising the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concession DBE (ACDBE) regulations, in response to recent court decisions and executive orders. All applicants now must provide individualized evidence of social and economic disadvantage, eliminating previous race- and sex-based presumptions. Unified Certification Programs are tasked with reevaluating certified firms under these new standards. Group-specific goals are replaced by detailed capacity analysis requirements, and no contract goals or DBE participation may count until reevaluation is complete. Transitional costs are anticipated for DBE program applicants and certifiers, with the comment period open until November 3.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

NPS Takes Temporary Concession Actions to Maintain Uninterrupted Services

The National Park Service will extend and award temporary concession contracts covering food, beverage, lodging, retail, and marina operations at various park locations. Contracts are being extended or reassigned to avoid service interruptions while new provider selections are finalized. The process covers multiple parks and facilities providing visitor amenities relevant to hospitality stakeholders.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

FDA Initiatives Address Food Defense and Foreign Food Safety Audits

The FDA submitted information collection requests to update its food defense regulations and third-party audit certification programs. Under the Food Safety Modernization Act, owners or operators of food manufacturing and retail facilities are required to implement vulnerability assessments and mitigation plans against intentional adulteration. The corresponding paperwork requirements affect domestic and international food suppliers, certification bodies, and auditors engaging in US-bound food trade.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Canadian Provincial GR News

Alberta Advances iGaming and Blockchain Strategy with US Industry Meetings

Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally traveled to Las Vegas and Dallas to develop Alberta’s iGaming and blockchain sector, meeting with US regulators, business leaders, and attending the Global Gaming Expo as part of ongoing regulatory strategy reviews.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Quebec Delegation Attends UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies

Quebec participated in the UNESCO MONDIACULT conference in Barcelona, continuing to advocate for cultural discoverability and protection of diverse expressions in the digital age, themes relevant to the province’s tourism and cultural industries.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

Quebec Updates Guidance for Land Use Planning in Economic and Tourism Development

Quebec’s Municipal Affairs and Housing department released new video content on land use planning, noting the role of commercial and recreational tourism development projects in the province’s territorial strategy.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation Launched on Canada’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2026–2030)

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada opened a consultation on the next phase of Canada’s AI Strategy, seeking feedback on research, commercialization, and governance with potential cross-sector implications for digital platforms in tourism and hospitality.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: ised-isde.canada.ca

Health Canada Consultation on 30% Juice in Caffeinated Beverages

Health Canada remains open for comment on its proposal to permit up to 30% juice in certain caffeinated beverages, with direct relevance for beverage manufacturers, importers, and food service operators.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: www.canada.ca

Yellowjacket Trap Registration Consultation

Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency is soliciting input on proposed registration for a yellowjacket trap product, targeting use in urban and recreational areas where outdoor hospitality events occur.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• World Cup lodging shortfall predicted in Vancouver as Airbnb pushes to loosen regulations: Vancouver faces a predicted shortage of lodging for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leading Airbnb to ask for regulatory changes.
• Canada’s World Cup host cities facing high demand, soaring hotel prices: Hotel demand and prices surge in Canadian cities hosting the 2026 World Cup.
• Safeguard your business – and your future – with smart insurance planning: Businesses consider strategies for insurance in uncertain times.
• Introducing Chivas Regal Crystalgold: The Game-Changing Innovation That Redefines Tradition: Chivas Regal introduces a new premium product targeting changing tastes in the hospitality sector.
• Virgin’s London Shoreditch hotel blends 1970s grit with modern cool: A review of Virgin’s new London Shoreditch hotel spotlights design trends in experiential hospitality.
• Why Japan resents its tourism boom: Examination of local pushback against rapid tourism growth in Japan.

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