Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning oil and gas production, wells, drilling, petroleum and fuels refining, pipelines, LNG, hydrocarbons, and all Landman fans. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Oil & Gas? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Utilities & Power and Mining.

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 Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources - Meeting No. 18: On December 11, 2025, at 8:00 am, the committee will assess amendments to the Canadian Energy Regulator Act as part of Bill C-15, with scheduled input from Natural Resources Canada, the Canada Energy Regulator, and the Major Projects Office.
• Senate Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources - Meeting No. 17: Set for December 9, 2025, 6:30 pm, the committee will continue its review of Bill C-15, focusing on Equivalency Agreements and regulatory impacts, with witness testimony from Professor Mark Winfield, York University.

Canadian Federal Government News

Federal Government Announces Nearly $7 Million for Energy Modelling and Innovation Projects

On December 12, 2025, Parliamentary Secretary Yasir Naqvi announced nearly $5 million in funding through Natural Resources Canada for the University of Calgary’s Energy Modelling Hub, a national initiative to strengthen data-driven decision-making in the sector. Additional Energy Innovation Program grants of over $2 million were allocated to four projects, targeting modelling for national decarbonization scenarios, sector coupling analytics, industrial technology deployment, and open-source carbon removal assessment tools. Notable recipients include EPRI International, ESMIA Consulting, the University of Alberta, and Simon Fraser University. These efforts support advanced energy modelling, open-source scenario assessment, and competitiveness evaluations for low- and zero-emission industrial heat.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government Statement Reaffirms Support for Ukraine's Energy Sector

Global Affairs Canada issued a joint statement from the G7+ Ukraine Energy Coordination Group following a virtual meeting led by Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand and EU officials. The parties condemned ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, including gas, nuclear, and electricity assets, and committed to supporting restoration capacity, funding, and supply for the 2025-26 winter season. The statement addressed resilience measures for Ukraine’s power sector, support for market reforms and regulator independence, and efforts to increase donor engagement and anti-corruption measures in state-owned enterprises.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Senate Approves Bill S-4, Modernizing Energy Efficiency Standards

The Canadian Senate concluded its 44th sitting with passage of Bill S-4, aimed at updating energy efficiency standards. Senator Arnold introduced measures supporting enhanced leadership in energy management, and Senator Lewis referenced increasing biofuel imports as part of broader energy system changes. The legislative session included procedural debates and budget discussions, with government responses to questions about tariffs, food inflation, and industry spending priorities.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Natural Resources Canada Announces Support for Energy Modelling Research Initiatives

Natural Resources Canada publicized Parliamentary Secretary Yasir Naqvi's scheduled participation in the Energy Modelling Hub Annual Forum on December 12, 2025. Naqvi was set to outline new federal commitments for advancing research in modelling and technology innovation, reinforcing the government’s strategy for evidence-based energy sector policy.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Statistical Data Show Declines in Energy Use and Emissions for 2023

Statistics Canada's release shows total Canadian energy use fell by 0.5% in 2023, while greenhouse gas emissions declined by 0.9%. Concurrently, real GDP grew by 2.0%, indicating reduced emissions intensity per economic output. These figures outline ongoing shifts in national consumption and emission profiles.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Updated Physical Flow Accounts for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Available

Statistics Canada’s Physical Flow Accounts by gas type are now available for reference years 2009–2023, providing expanded data sets on CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide emissions (CO2 equivalents). Data access permits sectoral tracking and detailed reporting by industry.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Infrastructure Economic Account Updates Released for 2022-2024

Updated infrastructure economic accounts from Statistics Canada supply revised statistics for investment, asset stock, service life, and environmental effects for 2022 to 2024. These estimates align with income and expenditure accounts from Q3 2025, informing the broader context of capital investment and sectoral impacts.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Environmental Taxes Increase Driven by Carbon Tax Growth

Environmental taxes in Canada rose 7.8% to $33.3 billion in 2022, with a 6.6% gain in energy taxes. Carbon tax revenues climbed 21.6%, indicating a substantial annual jump, according to Statistics Canada. The increase may affect energy cost structures, particularly in carbon-intensive operations.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Canadian Provincial Government News

Alberta Updates Oil Sands Royalty Regulation and Introduces Bitumen Royalty-in-Kind Regime

Orders in Council signed on December 10, 2025, include amendments to the Oil Sands Royalty Regulation and the establishment of a Bitumen Royalty-in-Kind Regulation, impacting royalty collection and reporting for oil sands production in Alberta.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

British Columbia Implements Energy Statutes Amendment Act and Expedites North Coast Transmission Line

The Energy Statutes Amendment Act and corresponding ministerial orders took effect December 8, 2025, streamlining approval processes and exempting BC Hydro from certificate requirements for the North Coast Transmission Line, facilitating major industrial connectivity.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Alberta Issues New Guidance to Accelerate Land Reclamation

Alberta introduced updated guidance on reclamation practices, providing clearer regulatory pathways for industry, communities, and Indigenous groups engaged in land restoration following oil and gas, mining, and infrastructure projects.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Government of New Brunswick Amends Petroleum Products Pricing Act

New Brunswick regulations now use E10 (ethanol-gasoline blend) as the basis for setting regular gasoline benchmark prices, potentially saving consumers up to seven cents per litre in the upcoming pricing cycle.

Sources: www2.gnb.ca

Ontario Concludes Fall Legislative Session with Measures Supporting Energy, Critical Minerals, and Infrastructure

Ontario passed significant legislation aimed at securing affordable energy supply, developing critical mineral resources, and advancing infrastructure projects such as SMRs and the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station refurbishment.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Government Consultations

Environment and Climate Change Canada Launches Consultation on Proposed Sulphur in Gasoline Regulation Amendments

Feedback is requested on newly proposed federal amendments to the Sulphur in Gasoline Regulations, with stakeholder and public comment open via the Canada Gazette from December 13, 2025, until February 11, 2026.

Sources: gazette.gc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• New report backs Canada’s ambition to be energy superpower as Ottawa, B.C. tout LNG: Recent analysis considers Canada’s LNG export prospects and positioning.
• Athabasca Oil Announces its 2026 Budget Focused on Production and Cash Flow Per Share Growth: Corporate budget signals production and cash flow strategies for 2026.
• Suncor projects higher 2026 oil and gas output, trims budget: Suncor anticipates increased output next year amidst budget adjustments.
• Albertans at risk of paying oil sands reclamation costs, Auditor-General says: Review addresses public liability for oil sands reclamation expenses.
• Canada's newest oil tycoon shakes up sector with bold expansion plan: Profile details strategic plans for industry expansion.
• Can Canadian oil producers afford the deal Mark Carney made with Alberta?: Analysis of fiscal impacts resulting from Alberta’s pipeline arrangements.
• Linda McQuaig: Carney’s pipeline deal with Alberta will move us a little closer to climate Armageddon: Opinion commentary explores consequences of provincial pipeline negotiations.

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