QSA's Week in Social Issues (#18, 2025)
Red Dress Day marked nationwide; Tŝilhqot’in Nation signs children and family services accord; Disparities in court outcomes data released; Quebec real estate competition probe advances; Contraband seized at Collins Bay Institution.
Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning social advocacy issues. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.
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Start Date: 2025-05-04
End Date: 2025-05-10
Top Headlines
Main Stories
Federal Ministers Issue Statement on Red Dress Day, Reaffirming National Efforts on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
On May 5, Ministers Gary Anandasangaree, Patty Hajdu, and Steven Guilbeault issued a joint statement marking Red Dress Day, recognizing the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. The statement referenced the National Action Plan and Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People, with annual reporting on progress. Recent initiatives include a Red Dress Alert pilot in Manitoba and the Indigenous Victim and Family Liaison Program. Cultural and emotional support services remain available through dedicated national crisis lines and health programs. The ministers cited continued work with Indigenous partners and provinces to address systemic issues.
Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca
Tŝilhqot’in Nation, Canada, and British Columbia Sign Coordination Agreement for First Nations-Led Child and Family Services
On May 9, the Tŝilhqot’in Nation, alongside Canada and British Columbia, formalized a Coordination Agreement under the framework of An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families. The agreement sets out responsibilities and funding—$35.2 million from Canada and $766,222 from B.C.—for the delivery of prevention, governance, and support services in the initial phase of Tŝilhqot’in jurisdiction. The nation enacted its own children and families law on April 1, 2025, establishing a new care model grounded in Tŝilhqot’in teachings. Transition arrangements involve ongoing collaboration with Denisiqi Services Society and provincial authorities.
Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca
Statistics Canada Releases Juristat Article on Disparities in Adult Criminal Court Outcomes for Indigenous and White Accused
A new Juristat article from Statistics Canada, released May 6, examines differences in decision and sentencing outcomes between Indigenous and White people accused in adult criminal courts from 2016/2017 to 2020/2021. The data provides detailed analysis of how outcomes vary by group, offering granular insight into patterns and disparities in the criminal justice system.
Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca
Competition Bureau Secures Second Court Order in Probe of Quebec Real Estate Data Practices
On May 6, the Competition Bureau obtained a second court order compelling the Quebec Professional Association for Real Estate Brokers (QPAREB) and its subsidiary, Société Centris, to provide records related to real estate data sharing. The investigation centers on whether QPAREB’s practices restrict competition or prevent the development of online brokerage services in Quebec. The Federal Court order requires production of information concerning partner relationships and transaction data.
Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca
Important Updates
Secondary Stories
Indigenous NFB Documentaries Featured at 25th imagineNATIVE Festival
The National Film Board announced that four new Indigenous documentaries and animations will be showcased at the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival from June 3 to 15 in Toronto and online.
Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca
Labour Force Survey for April 2025: Unemployment Rises Slightly
April's data shows employment little changed (+7,400) with the employment rate at 60.8%. The unemployment rate increased by 0.2 percentage points to 6.9%.
Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca
Provincial Announcements
Ontario Reintroduces Legislation to Support Seniors and Caregivers
Ontario tabled the Support for Seniors and Caregivers Act, 2025, including $114 million in investments to expand access to community and social programs for seniors, new offences for abuse or neglect in long-term care, and enhanced dementia care requirements.
Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca
Ontario Expands Baseball Programming for Children and Youth
The province allocated $300,000 to Jays Care Foundation to widen access to baseball through the Inclusive Grassroots Recreation program, supporting Challenger Baseball and Indigenous Rookie League initiatives.
Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca
Ontario Introduces More Convenient Care Act for Health System Improvements
Ontario reintroduced the More Convenient Care Act, aiming to enhance transparency, modernize the electronic health record, and expand the scope for nurse practitioners in mandatory blood testing.
Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca
Ontario Proposes Primary Care Act to Expand Access to Family Doctors
Ontario introduced the Primary Care Act, 2025, and up to $300 million for new and expanded primary care teaching clinics, targeting connection of two million more people to primary care in four years.
Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca
Ontario Boosts Local Emergency Preparedness with $5 Million Grant
Ontario is distributing $5 million to 114 communities via the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant for local training, equipment, and infrastructure to improve emergency response.
Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca
Ontario Breaks Ground on Parry Sound Long-Term Care Expansion
Construction began on 22 new long-term care beds at Belvedere Heights, Parry Sound, as part of the government’s 58,000-bed expansion plan.
Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca
Ontario Court Convicts Individual Under Animal Welfare Legislation
Kristina Cook pled guilty on April 2 to permitting animal distress under the PAWS Act, resulting in a 10-year prohibition on animal ownership.
Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca
Public Officials' Social Media
MP Patty Hajdu Shares Red Dress Day Statement and Crisis Line Information
On May 5, MP Patty Hajdu posted about Red Dress Day, sharing the national crisis line for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people, along with a link to the government's joint statement.
Sources: Social Media: x.com
MP Shannon Stubbs Raises Concerns on Violence Against Indigenous Women
MP Shannon Stubbs called attention to the disproportionate violence faced by Indigenous women and girls, referencing Red Dress Day and critiquing bail and crime policies.
Sources: Social Media: x.com
MP Kevin Vuong Comments on Economic Impact of Hate Rallies in Toronto
MP Kevin Vuong noted on May 6 that local Toronto businesses are losing customers due to hate rallies, referencing economic effects and community safety.
Sources: Social Media: x.com
MP Jean Yip Highlights Community Mental Health Initiatives
MP Jean Yip commended collaboration among East and South Asian organizations in promoting mental health during Mental Health Week and Asian Heritage Month.
Sources: Social Media: x.com
Senator Marilou McPhedran Amplifies Call for Red Dress Alert System
Senator Marilou McPhedran posted on May 9 advocating for a Red Dress Alert system to expand Amber Alerts for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQ+ people.
Sources: Social Media: x.com
MP Iqra Khalid Shares Indigenous Crisis Support Contacts
MP Iqra Khalid provided contact information for Indigenous crisis helplines and mental health services, referencing the challenges faced by families and survivors.
Sources: Social Media: x.com
Senator René Cormier Marks Red Dress Day Anniversary
Senator René Cormier marked the 15th anniversary of Red Dress Day, honoring missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people.
Sources: Social Media: x.com
Senator Robert Black Promotes Emergency Preparedness Week
Senator Robert Black referenced Emergency Preparedness Week, encouraging Canadians to educate themselves about risks and preparedness steps.
Sources: Social Media: x.com
MP Steven Guilbeault Pays Tribute on Red Dress Day
MP Steven Guilbeault paid tribute to missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people on Red Dress Day, reaffirming a commitment to safety.
Sources: Social Media: x.com
What We're Reading This Week
- Ottawa looking for ways to mend tears in Canada’s social fabric, document shows (The Star): Federal government explores strategies to address divisions in Canadian society.
- Red Dress Alert: Listening to Communities, Saving Lives (CBC): CBC examines the community response to calls for a Red Dress Alert system.
- Tories call for changes to Manitoba bill adding gender expression to human rights code (CBC): Manitoba legislation on gender expression faces calls for amendment.
