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: 2026-03-29 to 2026-04-04

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

Qikiqtait and Sarvarjuaq Marine Protected Areas Established in Nunavut

On March 30, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association celebrated the creation of the Qikiqtait and Sarvarjuaq Marine Protected Areas in Nunavut. These areas, situated in the Qikiqtani Region, are recognized for their ecological value, biodiversity, and importance to Inuit culture and stewardship. Qikiqtait surrounds the Belcher Islands in Hudson Bay, while Sarvarjuaq sits in northern Baffin Bay near Pikialasorsuaq. Partners signed an Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement covering these marine and terrestrial regions, advancing shared-governance, supporting community benefits, and setting Canada closer to protecting 30% of its oceans by 2030. The SINAA Agreement marks these as the first new protected areas under its framework, delivering two percent towards marine conservation targets and over 2,180 km² of new terrestrial protection.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Alberta and Canada Finalize Major Project Assessment Co-operation Agreement

On April 2, Ministers Julie Dabrusin and Grant Hunter announced the Canada-Alberta Co-operation Agreement on Environmental and Impact Assessment. Building on the November 2025 Memorandum of Understanding, the agreement creates a joint, case-specific approach to assessing major natural resource and infrastructure projects. The arrangement aims to reduce regulatory duplication, shorten project timelines, and provide clarity for developers while reinforcing protections and upholding Indigenous participation. Both governments will now adopt flexible impact assessment processes, intended to increase regulatory certainty for investors in Alberta.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Early Federal Decision Concludes Point Rousse Port Expansion Impact Assessment

On April 2, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada issued its early decision, concluding the federal review of the Point Rousse Port Expansion Project in Newfoundland and Labrador. The agency determined that potential adverse effects under federal jurisdiction were limited or adequately addressed via existing regulatory frameworks. The proponent, Point Rousse Marine Terminal Ltd., will need to secure all required federal and provincial permits, with compliance to statutes including the Fisheries Act, Species at Risk Act, Migratory Birds Convention Act, and Newfoundland and Labrador's Environmental Protection Act.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Measures Strengthen Protection for Southern Resident Killer Whales

Transport Canada, with Ministers Steven Mackinnon, Joanne Thompson, and Julie Dabrusin, announced new vessel management requirements effective June 1, 2026. The mandatory minimum distance for vessels near Southern Resident killer whales off B.C. increases from 400 to 1,000 metres. Additional rules include speed restricted and vessel restricted zones off Swiftsure Bank and Pender/Saturna Islands, alongside ongoing voluntary slowdowns coordinated through the ECHO Program. Whale watching companies will no longer need specific authorizations but are encouraged to adopt best practices. Contaminant prevention activities will continue under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and Fisheries Act pollution provisions.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Ecological Restoration Investment at Moodyville Park to Support Biodiversity

North Vancouver’s Moodyville Park will receive over $249,000 in federal support for ecological restoration. The initiative includes removal of invasive species, planting about 10,000 climate-resilient shrubs and nearly 1,300 trees, targeted improvements for stormwater management, and stabilization of stream banks. The project aims to restore urban forest structure, improve soil health, and strengthen habitat connectivity for migratory birds and native wildlife.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative Funding Announcement

Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson will announce further details of renewed funding for the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative (PSSI) on April 7 at Capilano Park Road, North Vancouver. The event will detail upcoming actions to advance salmon conservation and restoration activities in British Columbia.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Largest Defence Infrastructure Investment in Newfoundland and Labrador’s History

On April 1, Minister Joanne Thompson and Philip Earle announced up to $8 billion in long-term investments at 5 Wing Goose Bay. A $187 million Energy Performance Contract has been awarded to MCW Custom Energy Solutions Ltd. to modernize heating with electric boilers, leveraging Labrador’s hydroelectric grid. Additional upgrades will reduce Wing energy costs by 77% and cut emissions by 94% (about 19,000 tonnes annually). Construction begins May 2026, set to finish by December 2030. Further EPCs are planned, as Canada advances towards net-zero and exceeded its NATO 2% GDP defence target this year.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Releases Natural Resource Sector Indicators for Q4 2025

Real GDP for Canada’s natural resources sector fell by 0.2% in Q4 2025 after rising 0.9% in Q3. This closely matches the economy-wide GDP, also a 0.2% decline after a 0.6% rise in the previous quarter.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

StatsCan Sawmills Report: Sharp Monthly Output Increase, Year-on-Year Decline

Canadian lumber production climbed 16.2% between December and January to 3,374.5 thousand cubic metres, but was down 12.8% compared to January 2025.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Census of Environment Ecosystem Profile Explorer Launch

StatsCan’s Census of Environment has released the Ecosystem Profile Explorer tool, allowing access to detailed regional environmental data and climate variable tables. Latest datasets are accessible for users to map and analyze ecosystem profiles.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Municipal Operating Costs for Water, Waste, Recreation Released

Experimental estimates covering municipal operating expenses for water supply, wastewater management, waste management, and cultural/recreational services from 2020-2023 are now available from Statistics Canada, providing new data for municipal operations benchmarking.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

BC Timber Sales Expands Fibre Access and Contract Opportunities

BC has amended the Forest Act and Forest and Range Practices Act to enable BC Timber Sales to expand fibre access, increase contract opportunities—including salvage licences—and deepen partnerships with First Nations. These changes are expected to boost fibre supply by up to 800,000 cubic metres and accelerate access for value-added mills.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

BC Amends Environmental Assessment Act for Improved Issue Resolution

British Columbia’s Environmental Assessment Act will now include a new protocol for resolving issues with First Nations early in environmental assessments, aiming to increase transparency and reduce the need for dispute resolution.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Alberta Signs Final Cooperation Agreement for Major Project Reviews

Alberta and Canada signed a finalized agreement to align major project reviews and minimize regulatory overlap. The agreement enables one-project, one-review processes and maintains Indigenous participation.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Ontario Prepares Resources for 2026 Wildland Fire Season

Ontario has added 68 permanent staff and purchased six new waterbombers to bolster preparedness for the 2026 wildland fire season, supported in part through federal investments.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

B.C. Opens 2026 Clean Industry Fund Intake

British Columbia has opened applications for its 2026 Clean Industry Fund, offering grants for projects that cut emissions and improve energy efficiency. The emissions performance stream now carries a $10-million project funding cap.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation: Proposed Changes to Canada’s Regulated Pest List

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is seeking comments until June 5 on proposals to remove certain organisms from the List of pests regulated by Canada under the Plant Protection Act.

Sources: inspection.canada.ca

Consultation on Sedaxane Maximum Residue Limit PMRL2026-01

Health Canada’s PMRA is inviting submissions until April 5 regarding the proposed maximum residue limit for sedaxane.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Consultation on Etofenprox Premise Spray Registration Decision

Health Canada’s PMRA is proposing registration for Etofenprox Technical, RF2129 EC, and RF2220 Premium Aerosol II-M Premise Spray. Comments are invited through April 11.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Consultation on Famoxadone and Associated End-use Product

Health Canada is accepting feedback on the proposal to continue registration, with label updates, for famoxadone and its associated product until June 29.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Carney unveils nature strategy, new conservation areas: CTV covers Ottawa’s recent nature strategy and new protected areas.
• Ottawa announces $3.8-billion nature strategy, laying out path to protect 30% of lands and waters by 2030: Globe and Mail reports on federal plans to protect a third of Canada’s ecosystems.
• Carney leans on private money, alternative approaches in nature strategy. Will it work?: CBC analyzes the reliance on private investment in Canada’s nature strategy.
• The Critical Materials Mining Projects That Check Every Box Right Now: Toronto Star discusses priority mining projects in critical materials.
• Trump officials exempt drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from endangered species act, putting rare whale at risk: CBC details regulatory exemptions affecting marine mammal protection.

.