This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news regarding the environment, climate change policies, fish and wildlife protection, habitat conservation, environmental activism, and forestry. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to see GR activities in areas of the economy related to the Environment channel? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Oil & Gas and Mining. Also consider subscribing to our Environment - Washington edition covering critical GR news south of the border.

Dates: 2026-03-15 to 2026-03-21

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• House Committee on Fisheries and Oceans Reviews Main Estimates for DFO, March 23: The House of Commons Fisheries and Oceans Committee will examine the 2026-27 Main Estimates for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, with Minister Joanne Thompson and department officials scheduled to appear on March 23 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Room 415, Wellington Building.
• Fisheries and Oceans Committee Meeting on Recreational and Traditional Softshell Clam Fishing, March 25: A House Fisheries and Oceans Committee session on recreational and traditional softshell clam (Mya arenaria) fishing will take place March 25, with witness presentations from regional fishers, researchers, and Indigenous fisheries managers; scheduled for 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in Room 425, Wellington Building.
• Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources to Examine Endangered Species and Emissions Reduction Planning, March 26: The Senate’s Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources Committee will meet March 26 at 8:00 a.m. to review the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, the draft 2026–2029 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, and the 2025 progress report on the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan.
• Senate Agriculture and Forestry Committee: Draft Report on Wildfires' Effect on Forestry Sector, March 24 and 26: The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry will convene March 24 at 6:30 p.m. and March 26 at 8:00 a.m. (in camera) to consider its draft report examining the impacts of wildfires on forestry, agriculture, and rural communities.
• Senate Fisheries and Oceans Committee to Study Pacific Coast Commercial Fisheries Licensing, March 24: The Senate Fisheries and Oceans Committee will conduct a hearing March 24 at 6:30 p.m., focused on Canada’s Pacific Coast commercial fisheries licensing regime, with witness input from the BC Shrimp Trawlers' Association and the Canadian Independent Fish Harvesters' Federation.

Federal Government News

Canada Releases National Freshwater Science Agenda for 2026–2036

On March 19, Environment and Climate Change Minister Julie Dabrusin released the National Freshwater Science Agenda, launching a ten-year framework to guide research and science priorities for Canada's freshwater systems. The Agenda draws input from more than 800 stakeholders, including science experts and Indigenous organizations, with explicit attention to western science and Indigenous knowledge. Key priorities include water availability, land-use stressors, water pollution, ecosystem resilience, biodiversity, and socio-ecological considerations. The Agenda is intended to align cross-sector efforts, respond to partner-identified challenges, and generate knowledge to inform decision-making governing water quality and ecosystem management. The Agenda’s development took place during Canada Water Week and represents a coordinated approach with partners across governments and sectors.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Thompson Represents Canada at Seafood Expo North America, Signals Renewed Fisheries Fund Negotiations

Minister of Fisheries Joanne Thompson led the Canadian delegation to the Seafood Expo North America in Boston from March 15 to 17, fostering trade ties and addressing stakeholder concerns related to international market access and fisheries fund renewal. Minister Thompson met with provincial representatives and signaled the federal government's readiness to negotiate a five-year renewal of Canada’s fisheries funds, with an emphasis on investment levels, innovation, and market adaptation. Discussions also included strategies to counter illegal fisheries practices and boost international exports. Additional engagement is planned with participation in the Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona from April 21–23.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Elder Sheila De Corte Awarded 2025 Canadian River Heritage Award for Water Stewardship Leadership

Parks Canada and the Canadian Heritage Rivers System honored Elder Sheila De Corte with the 2025 Canadian River Heritage Award on March 18 in Peterborough for her decades-long advocacy and leadership in water stewardship and cultural education. Elder De Corte, a founder of 'For the Love of the Rivers,' has conducted ceremonial water walks raising awareness of the cultural and ecological value of Canadian rivers. Her work bridges communities across provinces and has involved youth engagement initiatives designed to foster continued stewardship of waterways.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Reports January 2026 Energy Transportation and Storage Data

Statistics Canada published data for January 2026 energy transportation and storage, focused on crude oil and liquid petroleum product movements. This data provides benchmarks on current transport volumes and can support forecasting, regulatory review, and sectoral planning.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

StatsCan Releases Rural Industry Employment Dashboard for February 2026

New analysis and datasets from Statistics Canada now detail rural employment trends by industry for February 2026, supporting evaluation of labor market shifts in non-urban environments. This dashboard enables stakeholders to compare sectoral workforce changes and adapt to market conditions.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Monthly Mineral Production Survey, January 2026 Released

January 2026 results from the Monthly Mineral Production Survey and metal refinery reports are now available, providing a snapshot of mineral extraction volumes and processing activity at the beginning of the year. These statistics underpin ongoing assessments of sector health and resource supply.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario Announces $29 Million Investment in Perth and Wellington Water Infrastructure

The Ontario government has allocated nearly $29 million for rural water infrastructure projects in Perth and Wellington counties to expand capacity, cover upgrades for wastewater treatment, and support new housing construction.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

$120 Million Forest Tenure Transfer Finalized in British Columbia

British Columbia’s Minister of Forests has approved the $120 million tenure transfer of Weyerhaeuser’s Princeton assets to Gorman Group, representing 682,000 cubic metres of annual harvest rights and securing local supply for value-added wood manufacturing.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Ontario Invests in 68 Early-Stage Mining Exploration Projects

Ontario is supporting 68 junior mining and exploration efforts through the Ontario Junior Exploration Program, with funding designed to stimulate mineral discovery and build processing capacity, including new Critical Minerals Strategy consultations.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Nova Scotia, Federal Government, and Chester Municipality Plan $17.5 Million for Chester Basin Wastewater Upgrades

A tripartite investment from the federal, provincial, and municipal governments will finance wastewater system modernization in Chester Basin, supporting new residential development and improved climate resilience.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Québec and California Announce May 20 Joint Cap-and-Trade Emission Auction

The Government of Québec and the California Air Resources Board will conduct a joint cap-and-trade emission units auction on May 20, with bid information and requirements now available and the application window closing April 20.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation Open on Permitting Pesticide Application by Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems

Health Canada is seeking public and stakeholder input on proposed regulatory changes to allow approved pesticide application by drones for products already registered for aerial use; feedback is open until March 25.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Feedback Requested on Proposed Guidance for Asbestos in Drinking Water

Health Canada seeks comments on its draft guidance for managing asbestos in drinking water, with responses focused on the procedural approach and potential costs of guideline implementation.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Court grants interim injunction pausing Rossland magnesium mine construction: An interim court order has halted work at the Record Ridge mine in Rossland amid ongoing environmental assessment proceedings.
• Groups take opposite stands on Green Mountain National Forest logging in Vermont: Divergent viewpoints persist regarding ongoing logging operations in Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest.
• Highway 101 connector project sets off alarm bells for Ecology Action Centre: Advocacy group Ecology Action Centre raises concerns over the environmental assessment process for the Highway 101 connector project.
• Agricultural group 'concerned' by budget cut to Sask. water security agency: Saskatchewan agricultural stakeholders express concern regarding announced reductions to the provincial water security agency budget.

.