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: 2025-11-30 to 2025-12-06

📋 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: Status of Women Committee to Study Antifeminist Ideology: On December 8, 2025, the Status of Women Committee will hold a meeting from 3:30–5:30 p.m., focusing on antifeminist ideology with witnesses including Rachel Gilmore, Vé Mikaelian, Nour Enayeh, Soukaina Boutiyeb, and Dr. Alok Kanojia.
• House of Commons: Health Committee Examines Supplementary Estimates: Scheduled for December 9, 2025, the Health Committee will review Supplementary Estimates (B) for 2025-26, with appearances by senior officials from the Department of Health, Public Health Agency, and Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
• House of Commons: Human Resources Committee Studies Definition of "Work": On December 9, 2025, the Human Resources, Skills and Social Development Committee will study the definition of "work" under the Canada Labour Code, convening at 11:00 a.m. with witnesses from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Federally Regulated Employers, and CUPE.
• Senate Committee: Social Affairs, Science and Technology Reviews Bill S-212: On December 10, 2025, the Senate Social Affairs Committee will review Bill S-212, a national strategy for children and youth, with witnesses from Assembly of Seven Generations, Campaign 2000, Easter Seals, and Inclusion Canada.
• Senate Committee: Legal and Constitutional Affairs Considers Corrections Act Amendments: On December 11, 2025, the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee will examine Bill S-205, featuring testimony from Savanna McGregor (Assembly of First Nations) and Pamela Palmater (Toronto Metropolitan University).

Canadian Federal Government News

Federal Funding Announced to Address Gender-Based Violence Against Women with Disabilities

On December 4, 2025, the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister for Women and Gender Equality, announced $1,333,430 in federal support for DAWN Canada to expand peer support for women and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals with disabilities who have experienced gender-based violence. The initiative will introduce new training for peer mentors and extend the model to more communities, prioritizing Black, Indigenous, racialized, francophone, and Deaf populations. This forms part of a broader federal commitment, with $223.4 million over five years to strengthen programs for those affected by gender-based violence, beginning in 2026-2027.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada and Ontario Extend Early Learning and Child Care Agreement

On December 4, 2025, federal and Ontario ministers confirmed a one-year extension to the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, running through March 31, 2027. The arrangement allocates more than $3.9 billion in federal funding for 2026-27, including a future $695 million to maintain average fees at $19 per day through the end of 2026. This extension aims to preserve access to regulated, affordable child care for Ontario families, building on $11.5 billion already invested by the federal government and $28.5 billion in provincial funding since 2021.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson Requests Canada Revenue Agency Improve Disability Tax Credit Processing

On December 3, 2025, the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson called on the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to revise its 'First In, First Out' policy for T1 tax adjustments, urging prioritization of requests linked to the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). Eligible applicants and their families face delays up to 15 weeks for DTC approval and potentially 50 weeks for associated T1 adjustments, far exceeding the agency’s service standards. The Ombudsperson recommended improving communications and processing to reduce financial strain for vulnerable taxpayers.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Investment Targets Veteran Homelessness in New Brunswick

On December 5, 2025, the federal government announced more than $1.3 million for the Human Development Council to assist Veterans facing homelessness in urban New Brunswick. The funding will support Veteran Connectors in Saint John, Fredericton, and Moncton, providing housing assistance, income entitlements, and mental health services, alongside improved data management on Veteran homelessness.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Accessible Artificial Intelligence Standard Released

Accessibility Standards Canada published the CAN-ASC-6.2, the first national standard focused on accessible and equitable AI, on December 3, 2025. Developed by a technical committee including persons with disabilities and equity-deserving groups, the standard offers guidelines for designing, evaluating, and maintaining accessible and fair AI systems. The standard is approved by the Standards Council of Canada and aligns with international best practices.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Statement on International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Minister Patty Hajdu marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2025, referencing Canada’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and ongoing efforts to close the employment gap. The statement notes over one million working-age Canadians with disabilities are not employed but could participate if provided with inclusive labour market access. Recent initiatives include updates to the Disability Inclusion Action Plan and the Employment Strategy for Canadians with Disabilities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government of Canada Announces Reforms to Firearms Regime

On December 4, 2025, Minister Gary Anandasangaree issued a statement detailing new regulations for firearms classification, including mandatory technical data submissions from manufacturers and importers prior to market entry. Protection Order regulations to refuse or revoke licences in cases of gender-based or intimate partner violence are moving forward, with ongoing consultations and a comprehensive review scheduled for Spring 2026. The review will involve Indigenous communities and stakeholders.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Reaffirms Commitment to Combat Gender-Based Violence

On December 1, 2025, Minister Rechie Valdez announced continued federal action against gender-based violence during the 16 Days of Activism. Budget 2025 allocates $223.4 million over five years, beginning in 2026-2027, with $44.7 million ongoing, to strengthen federal response and support for populations such as Indigenous women. The announcement introduced a voluntary Code of Conduct for the Prevention of Economic Abuse, targeting federally regulated banks.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Joint Statement Recognizes International Volunteer Day

Ministers Patty Hajdu and Randeep Sarai issued a statement on December 5, 2025, celebrating International Volunteer Day and the role of volunteers in supporting community initiatives. The Canada Volunteer Awards have recognized 213 recipients since 2012. The Volunteer Cooperation Program enables Canadians to contribute to development efforts in over 40 countries.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Statistics Canada Releases Labour Force Survey Data for November 2025

Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey reported employment gains of 54,000 (+0.3%) in November, with part-time work driving the increase. The employment rate reached 60.9%, and unemployment fell to 6.5%, a 0.4 percentage point decrease from the previous month.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

House of Commons and Senate Discuss Unified Family Courts and Judicial Appointments

Recent Senate committee meetings reviewed Divisions 30 and 31 of Bill C-15, the Budget Implementation Act, amending the Judges Act to create eight unified family court judgeships in Brampton, Ontario, and two positions for the Ontario Court of Appeal. Witnesses from the Department of Justice, Canadian Bar Association, and The Advocates' Society discussed the impact on delays, provincial cooperation, and access to justice. Cost recovery for support services to territorial bodies was also examined.

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

Canadian Provincial Government News

Quebec Offers Self-Training for Inclusive Communities on International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Quebec’s Office for Persons with Disabilities launched a self-training resource for municipalities to improve inclusivity for the province’s 1.5 million residents with disabilities, addressing specific needs across a range of disabilities.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

British Columbia Releases Annual Report on ChildCareBC and Signs MOU with First Nations

British Columbia’s inaugural ChildCareBC report details the elimination of wait-list fees and a tripartite MOU with First Nations Leadership Council and Canada to advance inclusive child care for Indigenous children.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

New Brunswick Publishes Multi-Year Disability Action Plan

The Premier’s Council on Disabilities issued a new action plan, building on accessibility legislation and outlining recommendations in employment, education, housing, and transportation for persons with disabilities.

Sources: www2.gnb.ca

Ontario Marks National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Ontario ministers released a statement commemorating the École Polytechnique massacre and reaffirmed investments in frontline supports and prevention initiatives for survivors of gender-based violence.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Manitoba Government Hosts Ceremony Honouring Lives Lost to Gender-Based Violence

Manitoba held a sunrise ceremony at the Legislative Building, with Minister Nahanni Fontaine pledging continued support for survivors and referencing recent joint federal-provincial investments in violence prevention.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Government Consultations

Health Canada Consults on Proposed Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Requirements

Health Canada opened a consultation on December 2, 2025, seeking comments on mandatory safety requirements for lithium-ion batteries and related consumer products under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act. Submissions are accepted through February 14, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• First Nations group prepping competing proposal for child welfare reform: A First Nations group in Canada is preparing an alternative proposal for national child welfare reform.
• ‘Only the tip of the iceberg’: Calls to human trafficking hotline hit record high: Calls to Canada’s national human trafficking hotline reached a new record high, signaling ongoing concerns.
• Protest continues over Ford government suspension of immigrant skilled trades program: Protests persist in Ontario following the suspension of a program aiding immigrant skilled trades workers.
• Gunpoint and sexual harassment: Manitoba union calls for better safety legislation at cannabis stores: Manitoba union advocates for enhanced safety legislation in cannabis retail stores.
• Mayors urge Ontario to declare state of emergency to address homelessness, addiction: Ontario mayors call for a state of emergency to address homelessness and addiction.
• Compassionate intervention legislation for addictions treatment introduced by Sask. government: Saskatchewan introduces new legislation for compassionate intervention in addiction treatment.
• Opinion | Ford government is an obstacle to highly affordable, high-quality child care: Opinion article discusses barriers to affordable child care in Ontario.
• Unlocking every potential: Papua New Guinea’s drive for an inclusive workforce: Papua New Guinea pursues policies for workforce inclusion.
• Education Department workers targeted in layoffs are returning to tackle civil rights backlog: US Education Department reinstates staff to address civil rights complaints.
• Study: The diverse volunteering contributions of racialized Canadians, 2023: StatsCan reports 70% of racialized Canadians volunteered in 2023.

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