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: 2025-11-16 to 2025-11-22

📋 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

• House of Commons Public Safety and National Security Committee: Bill C-12, Border Security and Immigration System Measures: The committee meets November 25, 11:00 a.m., Room 415, Wellington Building, to review Bill C-12 concerning border security and immigration integrity. Witnesses include representatives from the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association, Insurance Bureau of Canada, and relevant federal departments. Clause-by-clause consideration is scheduled for the afternoon.
• House of Commons Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities Committee: Government Mandates and Key Priorities: This committee will meet November 25, 11:00 a.m., Room 425, Wellington Building. Minister Patty Hajdu and senior officials from Employment and Social Development Canada will discuss departmental mandates, priorities, and program implementation.
• House of Commons Citizenship and Immigration Committee: Study on Immigration System: On November 25, at 3:30 p.m., the committee will hear from witnesses on Canada’s immigration system, with sessions featuring Accueil francophone du Manitoba, Éducation internationale, and additional stakeholders. The latter portion will be in camera for report drafting on International Student Program and study permits.
• House of Commons Status of Women Committee: Study on Antifeminist Ideology: Scheduled for November 26, 4:30 p.m., Room 420, Wellington Building, the committee will hold two witness panels on antifeminist ideology, with appearances by Next Gen Men, Professional Engineers Ontario, and Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak.
• Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee: Amendments to Corrections and Conditional Release Act: On November 27, 10:30 a.m., Room B30, Senate of Canada Building, the committee will hear from the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers, John Howard Society of Canada, and Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies regarding Bill S-205. A second panel will convene at 11:30 a.m. featuring forensic and mental health experts.

Canadian Federal Government News

Royal Assent for Bill C-3: Amendments to the Citizenship Act on Lost Canadians

Bill C-3, updating the Citizenship Act, has received royal assent, moving Canada toward a revised framework for citizenship by descent. The legislation grants citizenship to individuals previously excluded under first-generation limits and clarifies the path for Canadians born or adopted abroad to transmit citizenship to their children, contingent on substantial connection requirements. During the Senate process, Minister Lena Metlege Diab discussed the bill’s impact and outlined a definition of substantial connection as 1,095 days' physical presence prior to a child’s birth or adoption. Concerns were raised regarding the treatment of adopted children and possible discrepancies in data concerning affected populations, with cost estimates pegged at $21 million over five years for approximately 115,000 individuals. The measure removes language and security assessment requirements for minors born abroad. The Senate passed the bill without amendments after rejecting a proposed amendment by Senator Housakos. Implementation details, including the coming-into-force date, will be set by order in council.

Sources: www.canada.ca, senparlvu.parl.gc.ca, senparlvu.parl.gc.ca, senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Launch of Build Canada Homes and Affordable Housing Investments

On National Housing Day, the federal government confirmed significant housing investments via Budget 2025 and introduced Build Canada Homes, a new agency tasked with expanding affordable housing supply. The agency's Investment Policy Framework was released, establishing evaluation criteria such as project readiness, affordability definitions, duration of affordability, use of Canadian-manufactured materials, and collaborative partnership structures. The framework prioritizes projects with construction readiness within 12 months, bundled proposals for regional impact, and the use of innovative building methods like modular or factory-built housing. Build Canada Homes will focus on transitional, supportive, student, senior, deeply affordable, and community housing, as well as homes for the middle class. Interested applicants are advised to monitor the Build Canada Homes online portal, expected to launch in late November 2025.

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

Federal Housing Data: New Housing Price Index and Canadian Housing Survey Released

Statistics Canada released updated data sets: the New Housing Price Index for October 2025 and the 2022 Canadian Housing Survey tables. The new tables provide breakdowns on acceptable housing and core housing need by province, tenure, age, immigrant status, and household income. These data contribute to the Quality of Life Framework’s Housing Needs Indicator and provide reference points on affordability, demographic trends, and regional variation.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca, www.statcan.gc.ca

Federal Investments in Youth and Employment

Minister Patty Hajdu detailed Budget 2025 allocations exceeding $1.5 billion for youth employment. Allocated funding includes $635.2 million over three years to support 55,000 work-integrated learning placements for post-secondary students; $594.7 million over two years for 100,000 Canada Summer Jobs placements; and $307.9 million for employment, training, and supports for approximately 20,000 youth with barriers to employment. An additional $40 million is earmarked for the Youth Climate Corps, which will provide paid training for climate emergency response. On National Child Day, Secretary of State Anna Gainey described federal commitments including the permanent National School Food Program (for up to 400,000 children), dental coverage for over 612,000 children via the Canadian Dental Care Plan, and ongoing Canada Child Benefit and early learning initiatives. A related Ottawa event hosted by Minister Hajdu detailed investment priorities and youth-focused employment programming.

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

New Regulations for Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act

The government will enact finalized regulations under the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act on January 1, 2026, removing duplicative barriers to interprovincial trade and labour mobility. Goods and services approved under provincial or territorial standards will be recognized as compliant with corresponding federal requirements. The Act enables licensed workers from one jurisdiction to operate in comparable federally regulated occupations nationwide, with exceptions for food safety under the Safe Food for Canadians Act and for supply-managed agricultural sectors. A user guide clarifying compliance requirements will be issued in December 2025. Ongoing negotiations with provinces and territories aim to further reduce administrative hurdles, with a November 19 CIT meeting scheduled.

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

Funding Renewed for Black Entrepreneurship Program in Atlantic Canada

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency will deliver $6.8 million in new funding through the Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund, part of a broader $189 million five-year federal commitment. The investment targets support for Black-led non-profit organizations and entrepreneurial growth in Atlantic Canada, aiming to address systemic barriers and improve access to capital and business support services across the region.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Support for Francophone Workforce and Entrepreneurship in Ontario

A combined $1 million investment by FedDev Ontario will be distributed to Francophone organizations in southern Ontario: $103,000 to ACFOMI for business growth in sectors including tourism and services, $350,000 to Fédération des gens d’affaires francophones de l’Ontario for French-language business services, and $600,000 to Collège Boréal for training Francophone newcomers. These initiatives aim to bolster bilingual workforce development, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunities in official language minority communities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Pledges $1.02 Billion to Global Fund for HIV, Tuberculosis, and Malaria

Global Affairs Canada announced a $1.02 billion commitment over three years to the Global Fund’s eighth replenishment. This funding is positioned to provide access to pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and system strengthening in low- and middle-income countries. The Global Fund reports progress in disease reduction and health system expansion through similar initiatives in previous years.

Sources: www.canada.ca

New Developments in Indigenous Peoples Legislation and Senate Proceedings

The Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples advanced Bill S-2, which amends the Indian Act to restore registration entitlements for those affected by past enfranchisement, with the committee agreeing to amendments designed to better address discrimination concerns. Observations regarding sustainable funding for implementation, self-determination for First Nations, and inclusion of affected rights holders were appended for Senate consideration. Senator Prosper, among others, called for improved consultation and administrative resourcing for First Nations managing these policy changes.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca, senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Children and Youth Policy Debated in the Senate: National Strategy Discussions

The Senate Social Affairs, Science and Technology Committee reviewed Bill S-212 to establish a national strategy for children and youth, taking testimony from figures including David Chartrand (Manitoba Métis Federation), Richard Gray (First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission), and representatives of LGBTQ+ and youth organizations. Discussion centered on distinctions-based approaches for Indigenous Peoples, the need for Métis-specific strategies, annual well-being reporting, and inclusion of diverse and underserved communities in strategy design and execution.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Canada Supports Manitoba-Based Innovations in Accessible Healthcare

Prairies Economic Development Canada confirmed over $2.9 million in repayable investments for two Manitoba companies: MoveMobility, which is expanding production of accessible ambulances, and QDoc Inc., which is growing its virtual healthcare delivery platform. The funding is positioned to improve access to care, particularly in rural and northern regions.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Announces Commitment to Francophone Minority Community Health Services

Health Canada scheduled an announcement regarding support for access to French-language health services for Francophone minority communities in Manitoba, with a media event planned for November 24, 2025, in Winnipeg. No further details on programming or funding were released at time of publication.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian Provincial Government News

Alberta Invokes Notwithstanding Clause for Child and Family Statutes

Alberta’s government has decided to invoke the Charter's notwithstanding clause to shield key legislation affecting children’s health, education, and sport from court challenges. The affected laws restrict gender reassignment interventions for minors, require parental consent for name/pronoun changes by under-16 students, and limit participation in women’s and girls’ sports based on birth sex.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Manitoba Proposes Amendments to Intimate Images Act

The Manitoba government introduced legislative amendments to expand protections against the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, including threats to distribute, posthumous privacy, and stronger obligations for online platforms.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Alberta Invests in Child and Youth Facility Occupational Health and Safety

Alberta will invest over $650,000 over two years to help approximately 50 agencies strengthen occupational health and safety practices in child and youth care facilities, partnering with sector associations to provide training and compliance support.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Quebec Recognizes Disability and Inclusion Leaders with Full Participation Award

The Office for Persons with Disabilities of Quebec presented the 2025 Full Participation Award, recognizing individuals and groups advancing accessibility and inclusion, with cited examples such as adapted cooking projects and advocacy for accessible environments.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

British Columbia Allocates Funding for Victims of Hate Crimes

British Columbia announced grants from the Civil Forfeiture Grant Program’s anti-hate stream to support security improvements and repairs for organizations at risk of hate-motivated crime, with applications open for expenses incurred from January 2025.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Government Consultations

Consultations Open for 2026 Report on 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals

Employment and Social Development Canada is collecting feedback from external stakeholders and partners to inform the 2026 Annual Report on the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. The consultation period began November 3 and runs through December 19, 2025.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• From death threats to safety to deportation. The desperate decisions of a man seeking refuge in Canada: Coverage of challenges faced by refugee claimants navigating Canadian immigration rules.
• Empowering communities: A look at how local initiatives are generating social and economic impact in Canadian communities.
• Mobilizing partnerships to tackle Canada’s affordable housing shortage: An article focusing on collective responses to the national housing supply gap.
• Opinion | Mistrust of the CRA leaves low-income Canadians missing out on benefits. Will Carney’s budget solve this?: Opinion on the barriers to benefit access for low-income Canadians.
• Conservatives to propose adding stricter rules for asylum claimants, faster deportations in new bill: Report on proposed legislative changes affecting asylum policy in Canada.
• Susan Delacourt: Why is the political right picking on rights?: Analysis of evolving political discourse on rights issues.
• Rural recruitment, mental health funding are challenges for psychiatry sector in N.B., association says: Regional reporting on workforce shortages and mental health care access.
• Manitoba 'stands with trans communities,' health minister says as Alta. shields bills on trans youth, pronouns: Reaction to legislative trends on transgender rights and protections in Western Canada.
• Corrective to Nov. 17 story on skills development funding in Ontario: Correction issued regarding reported details on workforce funding.
• Government ordered to resume deportation protection program for vulnerable immigrant youth: U.S. court orders affecting protection for immigrant youth.

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