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.

Want to see GR activities in areas related to Social Issues? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Arts & Culture and Indigenous Affairs.

Dates: 2025-08-10 to 2025-08-16

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Canadian Federal GR News

Federal Government Refers Air Canada–CUPE Impasse to Arbitration Amid Nationwide Labour Disruption

On August 16, Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu announced that, due to a deadlock in collective bargaining negotiations between Air Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) representing flight attendants, the government is invoking section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to direct the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to impose final and binding arbitration. Flight attendants had been in negotiations for eight months without a settlement. The ongoing labour disruption had been impacting air travel and shipments of critical goods, with over 40% of pharmaceuticals and organ tissue in Canada moved by Air Canada. Existing collective agreement terms will remain in place until a new one is determined by the arbitrator, with the stated goal to preserve stability in travel, supply chains, and the Canadian economy. The Minister called on both parties to continue working towards a fair and timely resolution.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Over $1.2 Million Allocated to Multicultural and Anti-Racism Projects in Atlantic Canada

On August 14, Canadian Heritage announced new funding for community multiculturalism and anti-racism initiatives in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador, totaling over $1.2 million through its Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program. Among the recipients, Satellite Théâtre in Moncton will receive $154,325 for programming supporting racialized artists. The investments aim to support projects such as festivals, intercultural and interfaith programs, and initiatives designed to reduce barriers to employment and leadership in arts and culture sectors. The announcement stated an objective to foster diversity, intercultural understanding, and develop research into challenges faced by equity-deserving populations.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal Funding Supports Inclusion for Women with Episodic Disabilities in the Workforce

Women and Gender Equality Canada announced on August 14 a grant of $656,053 for Realize, an organization focused on supporting women with episodic disabilities. The project aims to challenge workplace barriers through training, employer engagement, and policy development, targeting systemic obstacles to workforce participation and career advancement. The project is positioned to support participants through community-building and employer engagement, with an intent to enable more equitable employment opportunities for women with disabilities.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Skills Upgrading for Over 17,000 Canadian Workers Through Trades and Green Economy Training

Employment and Social Development Canada, on August 12, unveiled nearly $13 million in funding under the Union Training and Innovation Program. The funding includes close to $10 million for the Western Joint Electrical Training Society and $3 million for the National Electrical Trade Council. Supported projects include training construction electrician apprentices and journeypersons and delivering drone maintenance skills for powerline technicians with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Nearly 17,350 workers will benefit, gaining or upgrading skills supporting Canada’s transition to a green economy, as part of the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy Launches Green Technology-Focused Trade Training Initiatives

The Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy's Sustainable Jobs stream is deploying resources to projects preparing workers in Red Seal trades for new climate-focused roles. Funded groups include the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Carpenters’ Regional Council, Trucking Human Resources Canada, and the Building and Construction Trades Department. Initiatives range from virtual reality green training and mass timber construction to advanced truck maintenance with green technologies. Eligibility for funding extended to unions, non-profits, and Indigenous organizations, aiming to develop innovative job preparation tools and directly address emissions reduction imperatives.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Government Investment Mobilizes Wildfire Knowledge and Indigenous-Led Fire Stewardship Projects

Natural Resources Canada, through its Build and Mobilize Foundational Wildland Fire Knowledge program, is investing $45.7 million in 30 projects nationwide. Funding supports science and demonstration projects targeting knowledge gaps in wildfire risk, mitigation, and adaptive forestry, with an added focus on Indigenous-led approaches. Notable projects include active forest management initiatives by Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation, fire risk mitigation in Indigenous communities, fuel treatment demonstrations, pyrosilviculture research by Université Laval, and community resilience studies in northern regions. Grants also support Indigenous fire stewardship, cultural burns, and the development of advanced fire risk assessment tools through multiple First Nations, with the aim of improving readiness, resilience, and risk reduction in vulnerable communities.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Government Celebrates Historic Designation of the Former Portage La Prairie Indian Residential School

On August 14, Parks Canada and Long Plain First Nation held a ceremony designating the Former Portage La Prairie Indian Residential School a national historic site, meeting aspects of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 79. The commemorative event included unveiling three new plaques at the National Indigenous Residential School Museum. The original building, constructed in 1914–1915, is one of the few surviving examples of its kind and now serves as a site of education and commemoration. The government acknowledged ongoing trauma from the residential school system and provided crisis support information.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Funding Opportunities for Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities Announced

Canadian Heritage, through Secretary of State Adam van Koeverden, opened new application rounds for the Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities (SSDIC) program. The program supports Indigenous-led projects advancing physical activity and social development goals by providing culturally relevant sport opportunities. Funding for the 2026–2027 and 2027–2028 periods is now available, with a focus on projects designed and delivered by Indigenous community members. On August 25, additional SSDIC funding will open for initiatives specifically serving Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ peoples.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Minister of Justice Youth Justice Policing Award Presented to Longueuil Police Service

The Longueuil Police Service in Quebec received the 2025 Minister of Justice National Youth Justice Policing Award for its 'Groupe Contact' project, a trauma-informed, community-based youth intervention aimed at supporting young people aged 12 to 17 who are at risk of contact with the criminal justice system. The initiative combines outreach, school workshops, personalized intervention plans, and sport activities, working with criminal analysts and youth counsellors to foster positive development. The project was awarded $10,000 from the Youth Justice Fund.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada Marks Four Years Since Afghanistan’s Fall; Humanitarian Commitments Reiterated

On August 15, Global Affairs Canada released a joint statement from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Secretary of State for International Development, and the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. The statement condemned ongoing repression and rights violations under the Taliban in Afghanistan and reaffirmed Canada’s stance against normalization with the Taliban absent progress on human rights and inclusive governance. Canada has provided more than $143 million for basic needs assistance and over $290 million in humanitarian aid since August 2021, and has resettled more than 59,000 Afghans.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Releases New Data on Multigenerational Households and Provisional Death Counts

Statistics Canada released new studies on August 14 analyzing multigenerational and intergenerational household trends nationwide, as well as updated provisional death counts covering January 2023 through May 2025. The household study examines dynamics in families composed of three or more generations and those with parents and adult children aged 20 and older. The Provisional Deaths in Canada Dashboard was also updated—offering recent insights and interactive visualization tools on nationwide mortality trends.

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

Adult and Youth Criminal Court Data Released for Q4 2024/2025

Preliminary quarterly court data for both adult and youth criminal cases in the fourth quarter of 2024/2025 are now available from Statistics Canada. The data set provides stakeholders with timely information on case volumes and trends in the justice system.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

British Columbia Launches Digital Mental Health Crisis Screening for Police Response in Nelson

The Province of British Columbia and Nelson Police Department have launched HealthIM, a digital public-safety tool designed to support police and healthcare providers in responding to mental-health and substance-use crises. HealthIM promotes more informed communications and risk assessments during police response.

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

BC Government Supports Collaborative Situation Table in Creston

With a $50,000 grant, Creston, B.C. will implement a 'situation table' bringing frontline agencies together to rapidly connect people at risk to social and health services, aiming to reduce demand on police and emergency resources.

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

Alberta Opens Engagement on New Disability Income Support Program

Alberta is seeking public input until September 12 on the Alberta Disability Assistance Program, intended to allow people with disabilities to receive greater employment earnings while maintaining support benefits.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Nova Scotia Workplace Harassment Regulations Take Effect Soon

Nova Scotia’s new Harassment in the Workplace Regulations, under the Stronger Workplaces for Nova Scotia Act, will require provincially regulated employers to institute and train staff on written policies to prevent harassment, effective September 1.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Ontario Launches $7.7 Million Fund for Residential School Survivor Supports

Ontario is investing $7.7 million through the Indian Residential School Community Engagement Fund for culturally appropriate mental health and wellness initiatives to assist survivors and families affected by burial investigations at former Residential Schools.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Government Consultations

2025 Consultations on Immigration Levels

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is accepting input on its 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan until August 17, seeking stakeholder perspectives on admission targets, temporary resident arrivals, and Francophone immigration outside Quebec.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: www.canada.ca

Public Input Sought on Impact Assessment for Josephburg Condensate Fractionation Project (Alberta)

Funding is now available for Indigenous Peoples and the public to provide input into the impact assessment process for the proposed Josephburg Condensate Fractionation Project, with feedback accepted through August 20.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: iaac-aeic.gc.ca

Comments Invited on Impact Statement for Troilus Mining Project

The Joint Assessment Committee (Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and Cree Nation Government) is inviting comments until August 17 on the proposed Troilus Mining Project located northwest of Mistissini, Quebec.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: iaac-aeic.gc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Disability benefit policies questioned: Reporting on recent concerns over disability benefit eligibility and program administration.
• Consumer racial profiling a neglected human rights issue, report says: New analysis argues that consumer profiling remains insufficiently addressed in Canadian policy.
• Effort underway to get Afghan women at risk of deportation to University of Regina: Saskatchewan campaign seeks to support Afghan women facing deportation.
• Finding justice for the voiceless: How a University of Guelph veterinarian is pioneering a growing field: Feature on forensic veterinary medicine and animal welfare.
• Housing, child care top of mind for Thunder Bay, Ont., service manager at AMO conference: Municipal leaders address ongoing local challenges at the annual AMO meeting.
• Donation drive to collect essentials for survivors of domestic violence: Edmonton organization organizes community response for domestic violence survivors.
• New federal entity to prioritize Canadian-made, affordable housing projects: Announcement on federal efforts to increase affordable housing.
• Conservatives call for inquiry into ‘appalling’ government spending on Canadian ISIS women: MPs demand further examination of government expenditures tied to Canadian women returned from ISIS.
• Is now the time to overhaul Canada’s Old Age Security? Why some urge yes: Debate around reforms to federal pension policy gains renewed interest.
• Effort underway to get Afghan women at risk of deportation to University of Regina: Saskatchewan campaign seeks to support Afghan women facing deportation.

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