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: 2025-10-19 to 2025-10-25

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Parliamentary Committee Calendar

• House Human Resources, Skills and Social Development Committee Meeting—Government Mandates and Youth Employment: Scheduled for October 28, this meeting will discuss government key priorities and youth employment in Canada. Witnesses include Hon. Stephanie McLean (Secretary of State, Seniors), Department of Employment and Social Development, Forest Products Association of Canada, Students Commission of Canada, and YMCA of Halifax/Dartmouth.
• House Health Committee to Address Immigration Policy’s Impact on Healthcare Workforce: October 28, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the committee will hear from experts on barriers to integrating internationally trained health professionals, including representatives from Canadian Post-M.D. Education Registry and the Medical Council of Canada.
• House Justice and Human Rights Committee Reviews Bail System and Sentencing for Repeat Violent Offenders: Meeting October 28, 3:30-6:30 p.m., the committee will gather testimony from police associations and women's advocacy groups.
• Senate Social Affairs Committee Scheduled to Examine Bill S-202: Alcoholic Beverage Warning Labels: Set for October 29, witnesses from Toronto Public Health, Vancouver Coastal Health, and the Coalition of Canadian Independent Craft Brewers will address health impacts and labeling proposals.
• Senate Indigenous Peoples Committee to Continue Hearings on Bill S-2 Amendments to Indian Act: October 29 meeting brings testimony from Indigenous Bar Association, Papaschase First Nation, Michel Callihoo Nation Society, and advocacy groups addressing registration entitlement and identity governance.

Canadian Federal GR News

Federal Government Introduces Bail and Sentencing Reform Act Targeting Repeat and Violent Offences

On October 23 and 24, the Canadian government unveiled the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, introducing more than 80 amendments to the Criminal Code after extensive community and stakeholder consultations. The Act imposes stricter bail conditions, including reverse onuses for violent and repeat offences—requiring the accused to demonstrate why they should be released. New aggravating factors cover crimes against first responders, essential infrastructure, and organized retail theft, while consecutive sentencing now applies to violent auto theft, break-and-enter, and extortion. The legislation limits house arrest for certain sexual offences and restores driving prohibitions for severe cases. These reforms are designed to address organized crime, reduce repeat offending, and bolster victims’ protections, with further changes to court delays and sexual/intimate partner violence forthcoming. Federal officials emphasized that provincial and territorial partners must manage police, prosecution, and victim services to ensure proper implementation.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca, Announcements: www.canada.ca

Government Allocates Over $36 Million to Counter Violent Extremism Nationwide

Public Safety Canada, via Secretary of State Ruby Sahota, announced $36.9 million for 19 organizations under the Community Resilience Fund. The investment in violence and extremism prevention includes programs for youth, targeted online hate, far-right research, trauma-informed approaches, correctional-system interventions, digital media literacy, and support for reintegrating extremist travelers. Initiatives led by groups such as BGC Clubs, Canadian Anti-Hate Network, and Shift BC cover capacity building, staff training, case management, and AI-driven response frameworks. The Prairie Region project expands intervention for targeted violence, and the Canada Centre continues research, policy guidance, and coordination with Five Eyes and global partners. Since 2017, CRF has distributed $85.4 million for 81 projects.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca, Announcements: www.canada.ca

Enabling Accessibility Fund Awards $35 Million for 564 Infrastructure Projects in Workplaces and Communities

On October 23, Minister Patty Hajdu announced Enabling Accessibility Fund support for 564 projects totaling over $35 million, distributed via small projects and youth innovation components. Construction, renovation, and retrofit initiatives are intended to improve workplace and community access for people with disabilities. Funded recipients include organizations from all provinces and territories, with youth-led projects enabling local leadership and design experience. A detailed breakdown per region was released, showing multi-sector participation ranging from museums and advocacy groups to local governments. These efforts align with the Disability Inclusion Action Plan, targeting inclusive economic participation.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca, Announcements: www.canada.ca, Announcements: www.canada.ca

Indigenous Services Minister Responds to Auditor General’s Follow-Up Report on First Nations and Inuit Programs

Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, on October 21, acknowledged the Auditor General’s report reviewing government progress on programs for First Nations and Inuit. The statement detailed ongoing measures to expand frontline workforces (including paramedics and nurse practitioners), improve culturally appropriate dental care, strengthen emergency management through service agreements, ensure clean water infrastructure funding, and enhance education data collection and sharing. An action report, outlining future improvements, is slated for spring 2026. Collaboration remains focused on health, emergency preparedness, and service delivery.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

New Digital Pilot Expedites Indian Act Registration for Eligible First Nations Children

Indigenous Services Canada launched a digital pilot to accelerate registration applications for eligible First Nations children aged 15 and younger. The system, utilizing Digital Application Services, halves appointment times and streamlines secure status card issuance. Beginning in Gatineau and rolling out nationally, the platform builds on 2022 digital upgrades that have already reduced wait times and cost per applicant.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Government Invests in Consumer Protection via Canadian Consumer Protection Initiative

Minister Mélanie Joly announced funding for more than 25 consumer-related projects under the Canadian Consumer Protection Initiative. These projects address affordability, sustainable consumption, and complexities in retail and finance, pursuing research, campaign development, and public engagement. The Initiative supports not-for-profit and consumer organizations engaged in market transparency and education.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal Mental Health Funding for Black Canadian Communities

On October 22, Parliamentary Secretary Yasir Naqvi and MPs Greg Fergus and Tatiana Auguste, on behalf of Health Minister Marjorie Michel, announced over $2.8 million for 26 Black-led, community-based mental health projects via the Promoting Health Equity: Mental Health of Black Canadians Fund. Investments focus on supporting culturally relevant programming, equity in health, and addressing social determinants, including anti-Black racism.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Emergency Substance Use and Addictions Funding Targets Western Canada

Health Canada, via Parliamentary Secretary Taleeb Noormohamed, announced over $30 million from the Emergency Treatment Fund and $10 million under SUAP for 40 substance use projects in Western Canada. Funding supports municipalities and Indigenous communities responding to toxic illegal drug supply and overdoses, via trauma-informed, evidence-based local programs.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Early Learning and Child Care Audit Prompts System Improvements

Minister Patty Hajdu issued a statement supporting the Office of the Auditor General’s findings on the Canada-wide early learning and child care system. Most regulated child care spaces are now more affordable, but improved reporting practices and regular analysis are needed. Frameworks are being co-developed with Indigenous partners to align reporting and system outcomes. StatCan data show 58% of children aged 0–5 participate in child care, stable since 2023.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Taxpayers' Ombudsperson Highlights CRA Progress on Service Improvement Plan

François Boileau, Taxpayers' Ombudsperson, acknowledged the Canada Revenue Agency's mid-point progress on its 100-day service improvement plan, noting extended online chat hours and callback pilots for disability tax credit inquiries. While improvements were observed, ongoing concerns remain about sustaining these gains post-plan, call volume drivers, budget constraints, and delays impacting the most vulnerable taxpayers.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Releases Data on Youth Education Participation and Social Connection

Statistics Canada reported a modest increase in post-secondary participation rates for Canadians aged 18–24, reaching 49% in 2024/25. Another release describes changing patterns in social connection among Canadians using technology versus in-person interactions, with implications for social program providers.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

British Columbia Invests Over $5 Million to Scale Community Services through the Northern Healthy Communities Fund

BC’s Northern Healthy Communities Fund is providing more than $5 million to support housing, emergency response, childcare expansion, food bank capacity, and seniors’ care homes in northern regions.

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

Ontario Launches $8.6 Million Fund to Train Women in Skilled Trades

Ontario is investing over $8.6 million through the Skills Development Fund to train 1,700 women for skilled trades careers, with targeted programming for youth, newcomers, and racialized groups.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Grants $1.36 Million to Community Groups Addressing Gender-Based Violence

Alberta has awarded grants to 18 organizations aimed at survivor support, legal navigation, and restorative justice as part of its 10-year strategy to end gender-based violence.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Saskatchewan Lays Charges under Immigration Protection Laws for Alleged Worker Exploitation

Three employers in Moose Jaw were charged with offences under The Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act, addressing threats and unfair advantage taken against foreign workers pre-dating new regulatory reforms.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

Manitoba Awards Nearly $900,000 via Endowment Fund for Homelessness and Newcomer Integration

Five Manitoba organizations received one-time grants to aid low-income residents and newcomers with emergency housing, settlement services, employment support, and legal aid.

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

Government Consultations

Artificial Intelligence Strategy Consultation Opens for Input

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is collecting feedback through November 1 on priorities for the upcoming 2026–2030 Artificial Intelligence Strategy, focusing on research and governance.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: ised-isde.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• KidsAbility terminates contracts, pauses program due to funding challenges (CBC): Funding shortfall leads to service suspensions at a children’s therapy center in Waterloo Region.
• Opinion: Canada needs to rein in spending. How about we stop handing out billions to wealthy seniors? (Globe and Mail): Commentary debates federal spending priorities regarding senior income programs.
• Opinion: Canada’s overhaul of immigration must include a dedicated program for high-skilled workers (Globe and Mail): Analysis calls for focused immigration pathways amid ongoing national policy reform.
• Mi'kmaw family caught in 2nd-generation cut-off as Ottawa faces calls for reform (CBC): Story highlights ongoing impacts of Indian Act registration rules.
• Indigenous-led job fair brings avenues of career options to First Nations teens (CBC): Community-led event focuses on employment pathways for Indigenous youth.
• Better communication and engaging youth among top issues for Nunavummiut headed to the polls (CBC): Voters cite youth engagement and services as key priorities in Nunavut elections.
• Canada Bail and Sentencing Reform Act aims to quell repeat offenders, add tougher sentencing (Global News): New bill details stiffer penalties for repeat violent crime.
• Yukon NDP unveils campaign platform, pledges to cover tuition, tax outside workers (Toronto Star): Territorial campaign expands focus on education and labour policy.
• Affordability, health-care, and education are on the mind of Vuntut Gwitchin citizens in this Yukon election (CBC): Issues ahead of Yukon vote center on housing, health, and education.
• The roots of Quebec's secularism debate, why it isn't going away — and who it benefits (CBC): Exploration of Bill 21 and its continuing impacts on Quebec’s secularism discourse.

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