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: 2025-05-19
End Date: 2025-05-24

Top Headlines

Main Stories

Canada and Nova Scotia Endorse $170.9 Million, 10-Year Housing Infrastructure Agreement

The Government of Canada and Nova Scotia have reached a 10-year, $170.9 million agreement under the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF) to support foundational infrastructure required for expanding housing supply in Nova Scotia. The funding will target drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste systems intended to underpin long-term housing growth. As part of the pact, Nova Scotia will maintain its freeze on development charges, which aims to lower builders’ costs. The agreement is positioned to unlock both greater housing starts and sector activity across related industries. All levels of government are expected to maintain collaboration on public-private partnerships and skills development amid this build-out. Full details are available in the federal announcement released in Halifax, May 23.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Environment and Climate Change Canada Issues Advisory for 2025 Hurricane Season

Environment and Climate Change Canada forecasts an above-average hurricane season for 2025, with 13–19 named storms, 6–10 hurricanes, and 3–5 major hurricanes anticipated in the Atlantic basin. The Canadian Hurricane Centre will utilize advanced monitoring and forecasting technologies to provide timely warnings to governments, the public, and emergency services. The season, running June 1 to November 30, is expected to continue the trend of increasing severity and frequency of major storms. Federal, provincial, and emergency management stakeholders have been advised to coordinate readiness and response procedures accordingly.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Correctional Service Canada Reviews Inmate Death at Bath Institution

Correctional Service Canada reported the death of Dennis Stewart, a 70-year-old inmate at Bath Institution, on May 22, 2025. Stewart had been serving an indeterminate sentence since 1997. The incident is under standard review, with the police and coroner notified in accordance with CSC policy. Notification of next of kin has also been confirmed.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Important Updates

Secondary Stories

StatsCan: Employment Insurance Beneficiaries See 6% Annual Increase in March

March data shows 497,000 Canadians received regular EI benefits, a 6% rise from March 2024 (+28,000), maintaining steady month-over-month numbers (+0.3%).

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

StatsCan Updates Dashboard for Rural and Small Town EI Recipients

March 2025 data now available via the Employment Insurance Beneficiaries in Rural and Small Town Canada interactive dashboard.

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

Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders Increase Among Canadian Youth

StatsCan reports in its latest Health Reports that youth MHSU disorder prevalence has risen, with women and girls more likely to report post-pandemic mental health deterioration.

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

Household Spending Rose 14.3% Over Two Years to 2023

Canadian households averaged $76,750 in spending for 2023, the largest two-year increase since 2010, per Survey of Household Spending figures.

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

Public Service Employee Granted Leave to Seek Municipal Office

The Public Service Commission granted permission for Caroline Murray-Daignault (ECCC) to run for municipal councillor in Gatineau’s Deschênes district in the November 2025 elections.

Sources: Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca

Provincial Announcements

Ontario Recognizes Leaders and Organizations in Victim Services

Ontario awarded individuals and organizations through the 2024-25 Victim Services Awards of Distinction for their work supporting victims and raising awareness around crime victimization.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Allocates $188 Million Annually for Gender-Based Violence Supports

Alberta announced ongoing investments in programs to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, including the Escaping Abuse Benefit and a new 10-year strategy.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Ontario Funds Police Initiatives to Enhance Victim Support and Hate Crime Reporting

Over $3 million in grants will support projects across Ontario improving trauma-informed response, access to support for victims, and hate crime confidential reporting.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Comox Valley Expands Community-Led Crisis Support

British Columbia’s CRCL service now operates throughout the Comox Valley, providing mobile, culturally safe crisis response blending clinical and lived-experience expertise.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.bc.ca

Canada and Manitoba Invest in Prosecutor Training for Hate Crimes

A joint $95,000 investment will equip Manitoba Crown attorneys with specialized hate crime prosecution training, coordinated in conjunction with CIJA and the Jewish Federation.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.mb.ca

B.C. Announces $7.7 Million for Work Experience Grants for People Facing Barriers

The B.C. government, with federal partners, is funding non-profit job placements through the Work Experience Opportunities Grant for up to 1,200 individuals experiencing significant employment barriers.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.bc.ca

Ontario Proposes $3.1 Billion for Indigenous Partnership in Critical Mineral Development

Ontario is introducing new loans, participation funds, and scholarships to support Indigenous engagement and equity in critical mineral development projects.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Continues Funding Transition to Next Generation 9-1-1 System for Emergency Services

Nearly $22 million will aid municipalities and 9-1-1 centers in advancing the rollout of new communication technology, including support for video and text-to-911 features.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Disability Awareness Week Launches in New Brunswick

New Brunswick’s Premier’s Council on Disabilities is rolling out events province-wide from May 25–31 under the theme 'Championing Accessibility, Celebrating Diversity.'

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www2.gnb.ca

Saskatchewan Distributes $2.1 Million in Charitable Gaming Grants

More than 1,100 groups, including arts and cultural organizations, received grants supporting province-wide charitable activities and events.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

MP Mark Carney posted about increasing funding to the Canada Community Security Program and introducing new criminal offences for obstruction and intimidation at places of worship, schools, and community centers.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Anthony Housefather released a message stating that a criminal code amendment is needed to federally enforce bubble zones at schools and places of worship for community safety.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Jean Yip promoted Community Family Services of Ontario’s appeal for clothing, children’s books, and toys, noting her own participation.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Kristopher Wells referenced forthcoming Pride7 (P7) recommendations for the G7, focused on strengthening 2SLGBTQ+ rights in Canada and globally.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Marilou McPhedran shared her participation in the pre-G7 Pride7 event, which gathered advocates for 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion.

Sources: Social Media: x.com