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: 2025-10-26 to 2025-11-01

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Parliamentary Committee Calendar

• CHPC: Effects of Technological Advances in Artificial Intelligence on the Creative Industries (Nov 3): The Canadian Heritage Committee meets on November 3, 3:30–5:30 p.m., to review AI’s impact on creative industries; key witnesses include Eric Chan (EEPMON), Warren P. Sonoda (Directors Guild of Canada), and Paul Fogolin (Entertainment Software Association of Canada).
• Senate Committee on Official Languages: Arts, Culture, Heritage, and Minority-Language Health (Nov 3): Senate Official Languages Committee convenes Nov 3 at 5:00 p.m. (in camera), examining arts, culture, heritage responsibilities and minority-language health services, with consideration of draft agendas and reports.

Canadian Federal GR News

National Film Board of Canada Greenlights 16 New Productions

The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) has approved 16 new productions and co-productions from January to September 2025, spanning feature-length documentaries, shorts, and animated films. The current slate includes Après les étoiles, a documentary following chefs and establishments in Quebec as they confront the introduction of Michelin ratings, and La friteuse à voyager dans le temps, highlighting poutine’s cultural history across Centre-du-Québec. Other projects such as Last Run: Save Our Salmon explore local food sourcing and the commercial fishing industry in Canada’s North amid declining salmon runs. Additional films address topics ranging from restaurant operations and culinary storytelling to competitive sports, the housing crisis, and Indigenous heritage. These initiatives cover multiple regions and facets of the hospitality, food, and recreation sectors, presenting a broad panorama of themes directly connected to hospitality and tourism operators and offering new opportunities for collaboration and local marketing.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canadian Heritage Funding for National Team Athlete and Coach Mental Health Services

Canada’s Secretary of State for Sport, Adam van Koeverden, announced $3.11 million in federal investment on October 27 to enhance mental health initiatives for national team athletes and coaches. The funding supports service provisions for those participating at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, as well as next year’s UCI Road World Championships in Montréal. This investment is part of a broader $16 million federal commitment from Budget 2024 aimed at sustaining access to mental health services for high-performance sports communities, which can have downstream implications for wellness programs in associated hospitality facilities. The announcement took place at the Complexe aquatique du parc Jean-Drapeau, following a meeting with champion Magdeleine Vallières Mill. Funding supports expanded mental health access and workforce stability in sporting events and leisure facilities, which are an essential segment of convention centers, wellness resorts, and major event venues.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Competition Bureau Launches Consultation on New Anti-Competitive Conduct Guidelines

On October 31, the Competition Bureau Canada released for public consultation its proposed Anti-Competitive Conduct and Agreements Enforcement Guidelines, with feedback accepted until January 29, 2026. The guidelines build on recent amendments to the Competition Act (2022-2025), consolidating and expanding enforcement approaches to provisions governing anti-competitive agreements. The proposals update procedures affecting advertising, supply contracts, federated business activities, and standards for hospitality and retail firms operating nationally. Until final publication, the draft is accessible via the Bureau’s website, and each submission will be publicly posted unless confidentiality is requested. This open consultation will shape the operational and compliance environment for industry stakeholders involved in accommodation, tourism services, and the hospitality supply chain.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Veteran Homelessness Program Delivers Targeted Support in Montreal

On October 31, federal officials—headed by Steven Guilbeault—committed $1.4 million to two Montreal-based projects under the Veteran Homelessness Program’s Services and Supports Stream. Old Brewery Mission receives $861,952 to enhance psychosocial home visit services, contributing to economic and social independence for veterans, while La Maison du Père is awarded $641,441 for transitional housing and residential stability initiatives. Both efforts aim to identify and provide customized support for veterans among the homeless population, including mental health counseling and housing resources. These interventions may impact hotel operations, social service facilities, and agencies involved in group accommodation by creating channels for housing referrals and inclusion services.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canadian Heritage Committees Debate Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Creative Industries

Two recent meetings of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage (CHPC) focused on artificial intelligence’s role in creative sectors. Testimony featured Alexandra Kearney (Artificial Agency), who described AI as a tool for creative empowerment in gaming, while Wyatt Tessari L’Allié (AI Governance and Safety Canada) urged a comprehensive government response to societal impacts. Adrian Capobianco (BILI Social) highlighted the need for government support to help businesses adapt, and the Canadian Media Producers Association raised concerns regarding copyright, transparency, and remuneration in traditional roles subject to AI adoption. Further commentary from Michael Geist (University of Ottawa), Véronique Guèvremont (UNESCO), and Chip Sutherland (entertainment lawyer) further scrutinized copyright challenges, cultural diversity protection, and the preservation of artist funding. Nikita Roy (Newsroom Robots Lab) and Vicky Mochama (Press Forward) discussed transformative impacts on journalism, advocating for cultural sovereignty and creator oversight. These discussions explore regulatory frameworks and copyright governance affecting venues, content producers, marketing agencies, and hospitality operators participating in destination events and entertainment services.

Sources: parlvu.parl.gc.ca, parlvu.parl.gc.ca

Senate Committee Examines Bill S-202 on Alcoholic Beverage Warning Labels

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology reviewed Bill S-202, which proposes amendments to the Food and Drugs Act mandating warning labels on alcoholic beverages. Witnesses, including Dr. Michelle Murti (Toronto Public Health), expressed support citing health risks and economic burdens, while Brad Goddard (Coalition of Canadian Independent Craft Brewers) countered potential harm to small brewers. The committee discussed youth exposure, the effectiveness of labeling, scientific consensus, and industry reluctance to implement warnings. One point of contention involved comparisons to tobacco regulation and branding impacts on niche operators. The outcome will influence cafes, bars, breweries, restaurants, and hotels with licensed operations, as future regulations may alter compliance requirements.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Parliamentary Committee Discusses Grocery Code of Conduct Implementation

The House of Commons Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee (AGRI) assessed the rollout of a new Grocery Code of Conduct. Mark Taylor (Lactalis Canada) indicated the code’s voluntary nature improves business relationships but lacks enforcement tools, drawing contrasts with UK models. Loblaw and Metro representatives described support for supplier equity and consumer value, and noted ongoing challenges in finalizing dispute resolution mechanisms. The committee acknowledged independent grocers and small producers stand to benefit from the code, particularly in supply distribution and access issues. Next steps include regulatory reform discussions and further committee meetings, which could impact food service operators and supply contracting frameworks across hotels, restaurants, catering services, and event venues.

Sources: parlvu.parl.gc.ca

Food Services and Drinking Places Sales Plateau in August

Statistics Canada reported a 0.9% increase in total sales for food services and drinking places in August 2025, reaching $8.5 billion. This marks the sixth consecutive monthly gain, suggesting continued strengthening of revenues for restaurants, bars, hospitality venues, and related retail outlets. Details on specific sub-sector performance are available in the StatsCan release.

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

Canadian Payroll Employment Holds Steady in August

Payroll employment was mostly unchanged in August (+3,300; 0.0%), after a July increase, with year-over-year gains reaching 31,500 (+0.2%). Hospitality and retail operators should note employment levels remain consistent, with implications for workforce management in hotels, recreational facilities, and restaurants.

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

Business Openings and Closures Return to Equilibrium in July

Monthly estimates from Statistics Canada show July’s business closure rate increased 0.3 percentage points to 5.0%, while the business opening rate also reached 5.0%, up from 4.8% over the previous four months. The changes reflect a balanced dynamic in business entries and exits across the hospitality and retail sectors.

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

Aircraft Movement and Passenger Travel Decline Year-Over-Year

Canadian airlines reported transporting 8.1 million passengers on scheduled and charter services in August, representing a 3.8% decrease compared to August 2024. The drop may affect passenger vessel operators, travel aggregators, lodging providers, and airport hospitality services as they adjust to evolving travel patterns.

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

US Federal GR News

DOT Proposes New Hearing Procedures for Aviation Consumer Protection Rulemakings

The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a proposed rule to reinstate hearing procedures for discretionary rulemakings on unfair or deceptive practices in air transportation, returning to 2020 regulations and rescinding changes made in 2022 and 2023. The proposal would affect how airlines, ticket agents, and consumer stakeholders engage with DOT when addressing air travel practices impacting hospitality and booking services. Comments are open until December 1, 2025.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

New Brunswick Releases Ambitious Five-Year Tourism Strategy

The provincial government launched 'Fresh Perspective: New Brunswick Tourism Strategy 2026-2031,' targeting $3.7 billion in annual revenues by promoting seasonal, regional, and event-driven tourism growth.

Sources: www2.gnb.ca

Alberta Invests $1.7 Million in Agri-Tourism Expansion

Alberta announced $1.7 million in funding through Travel Alberta for new and expanded agri-tourism experiences, supporting local farms, culinary tourism, and rural hospitality operators.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

British Columbia Makes 187 Amendments to Reduce Red Tape

B.C. enacted 187 regulatory amendments across 38 regulations, offering businesses—including hospitality and event venues—greater clarity, faster permitting, and reduced administrative costs.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Ontario Invests $7 Million in Literary Arts and Publishing

Ontario is allocating over $7 million to literary arts, supporting festivals and independent publishing, with direct effects on events, cultural tourism, and hospitality programming.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Montréal Hosts National Conference on Ending Homelessness

The Palais des congrès de Montréal donated space for a three-day national conference (CAEH25) focusing on strategies to end homelessness, involving industry, community organizations, and tourism agencies.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Government Consultations

Health Canada Seeks Feedback on Isocycloseram and Pest Control Products

Health Canada invited comments on registration proposals for isocycloseram-based pest control products, including VANECTO for commercial buildings and EQUENTO/A23128 ST for seed treatments (open until November 8, 2025).

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: www.canada.ca

Triallate Maximum Residue Limit Consultation Closes November 2

Health Canada’s PMRA is inviting final comments on proposed residue limits for triallate, relevant for food safety compliance in hospitality food operations.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• From a wildfire protection kit to a ticket-purchasing platform, this is what the top growing companies in Alberta and B.C. are creating: Coverage on high-growth companies developing solutions for ticketing and safety in western Canada’s tourism and event sectors.
• Celebrating Destination Excellence: TOURISE Unveils Finalists for the 2025 TOURISE Awards: The 2025 TOURISE Awards finalists highlight operational achievement among Canadian destinations.
• Oops, you broke something at an Airbnb. What now?: Analysis of short-term rental platforms’ policies regarding accidental damage and guest charges.
• Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare closing cafeterias: Local news reports a healthcare institution in Windsor is shutting down cafeteria services, affecting service contracting.
• Front Row Insurance Brokers supports Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival with $25,000 matching gift: Partnership activity in support of cultural and film event tourism in the Rockies.

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