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: 2026-04-19 to 2026-04-25

📋 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 of Commons Committee: Fisheries and Oceans—Review of the Fisheries Act: Scheduled for April 27 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the Fisheries and Oceans Committee will meet in camera to consider the draft report on the review of the Fisheries Act, Room 420, Wellington Building.
• House of Commons Committee: Fisheries and Oceans—Recreational and Traditional Fishing for Softshell Clam & Act Review: On April 29, the Fisheries and Oceans Committee will hold public hearings on softshell clam fishing and then meet in camera to discuss the draft report for the Fisheries Act review; witness panels include officials from CFIA, DFO, and Environment Canada.
• House of Commons Committee: Public Accounts—Follow-up on Programs for First Nations, Auditor General 2025 Fall Reports: Public Accounts Committee convenes April 27, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., televised, to review the Auditor General's findings on First Nations programs; officials from Indigenous Services and the Auditor General's Office will testify.
• Senate Standing Committee: Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources—Bill S-4 Energy Efficiency Act, Clause-by-Clause: On April 30 at 8:00 a.m., the Senate committee will conduct clause-by-clause study of Bill S-4, Energy Efficiency Act amendments, at Room B30, Senate of Canada Building (in camera, with interpretation available).
• Senate Standing Committee: Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources—Federal Sustainable Development Strategy & Endangered Wildlife: On April 28 at 6:30 p.m., the committee will hear witnesses on Bill S-4, the Endangered Wildlife committee, and review drafts for the 2025 Progress Report on the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan and the 2026–2029 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (in camera).
• Senate Standing Committee: Fisheries and Oceans—Pacific Coast Fisheries Licensing Review: The Senate Fisheries and Oceans Committee meets April 28 at 6:30 p.m. to examine commercial fisheries licensing on Canada’s Pacific Coast; the session will be held by videoconference (in camera).

Federal Government News

Canada Releases 'A Force of Nature' 2030 Nature Strategy With $3.8 Billion Investment

On April 24, Environment and Climate Change Canada announced 'A Force of Nature: Canada’s Strategy to Protect Nature.' Prime Minister Mark Carney committed $3.8 billion for nature protection initiatives, aiming to conserve 30% of lands and waters by 2030. The plan includes expanding protected terrestrial areas, advancing marine conservation, enhancing Indigenous Guardians Programs, and launching the Canada Nature Protection Fund. Over $1.6 billion will support conservation partnerships and Indigenous-led efforts, $444 million will create new marine protected areas, and $266 million is directed toward establishing new national protected areas. Additional strategic funding targets fish and habitat protection ($326 million), species at risk ($283 million), wild salmon and Atlantic salmon recovery ($412.9 million and $81.7 million, respectively), and the modernization of ghost gear removal. The strategy will deploy natural capital accounting and attract private sector investment and is structured around three pillars: protecting nature, aligning infrastructure with ecosystem health, and mobilizing capital for long-term conservation.

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

Canada and Japan Deepen Bilateral Initiatives on Methane, Plastics, and Biodiversity

At the Canada–Japan Ministerial Dialogue on Climate and Environment in Paris on April 24, Minister Julie Dabrusin and her Japanese counterpart Hirotaka Ishihara established new collaborative steps for climate action, targeting methane reduction, ocean microplastic research, and biodiversity. Initiatives include a Canadian industry event in Tokyo focused on methane regulation, joint research for inclusion in Japan’s Atlas of Ocean Microplastics, and coordinated scientific cooperation ahead of COP31 and COP17. Both countries plan to advance implementation of the Kunming–Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework, maintain technical exchanges at PICES in Vancouver this fall, and work on a legally binding global plastic pollution treaty. These measures align with the Canada–Japan Comprehensive Strategic Roadmap.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Dabrusin Positions Canada on International Climate and Environment Stage

Minister Dabrusin attended both the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin and the G7 Environment Ministers’ Meeting in Paris during the week. Canada advanced support for scaling up climate finance, nature investment, and international collaboration against IUU fishing. The G7 meetings solidified agreements on building capital for conservation, protecting water resources, and expanding marine protected areas. Discussions included new international partnerships and investor relations aimed at clean technology and energy. Bilateral side meetings with Japan and France addressed future trade and investment in the environment and resource sectors.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Major Projects Office and Pipeline Expansion Approvals Mark New Infrastructure Approach

In a keynote at the Empire Club on April 24, Minister Tim Hodgson of Natural Resources Canada detailed a shift toward expedited infrastructure approval. The Major Projects Office, now overseeing 15 projects valued at $126 billion, aims to centralize regulatory review and accelerate project delivery. The Sunrise Expansion pipeline in B.C., owned by Enbridge and 38 First Nations, gained immediate federal and provincial approval, adding 300 million cubic feet/day to the province’s natural gas transmission. The Major Projects Office’s portfolio now spans critical minerals, pipelines, and data infrastructure, with plans for new national forest and energy strategies and significant export deals for Canadian natural resources.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Safeguard Inquiry Initiated into Wood Products Imports

On April 20, Minister François-Philippe Champagne ordered the Canadian International Trade Tribunal to begin a safeguard inquiry on imports of wood cabinets, engineered flooring, and storage furniture following a request from the Canadian Wood Products Alliance. The tribunal will have 270 days to determine whether a surge in these imports is causing or threatening to cause injury to domestic manufacturers and, if so, recommend remedies in compliance with international trade rules. The outcome may alter access to the Canadian market for foreign forest product suppliers.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Expands EU Ties on Marine Conservation and Fisheries Trade

Minister Joanne Thompson, following Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona, met in Brussels with EU Commissioners covering fisheries and the environment on April 23. Topics of discussion included joint strategies against IUU fishing, mutual marine conservation targets, and Canadian seafood’s access to EU markets. Minister Thompson also addressed the regulatory environment for the seal harvest, advocating for clearer, more efficient rule implementation in the EU. Both sides reaffirmed their intent to continue dialogue supporting ocean resilience and fisheries management.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Alty at UN Forum Details Indigenous-Led Climate Approaches

Minister Rebecca Alty participated in the 25th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York on April 22, joined by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis delegates and Governor General Mary Simon. Canada underscored its recent $3.8 billion investment in the nature strategy and connected it to Indigenous-led stewardship models. Meetings with international counterparts and hosted side events focused on regulatory frameworks, specifically the application of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to health and climate adaptation.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan: Data on Environmental and Clean Technology R&D Published

Statistics Canada released new figures on research and development expenditures by Canadian businesses in environmental and clean technology products for 2022 and 2023. The dataset includes breakdowns of business activities and investment levels across sectors engaged in environmental protection or offering clean technology services and products. Organizations are able to use this data for benchmarking R&D activity and assessing broader industry trends.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

StatsCan: Greenhouse, Sod and Nursery Industries Report 7.5% Sales Growth in 2025

Statistics Canada reported that sales for greenhouse, nursery, and field-grown sod and cut flower operations in Canada reached $6.5 billion in 2025—a 7.5% increase over the previous year. This marks the fifth consecutive year of growth for the sector. The new figures provide insight into production trends and commercial activity for these related agricultural industries.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Alberta Advances Red Tape Reduction and Modernizes Conservation Legislation

On April 23, Alberta introduced its 11th Red Tape Reduction bill, including updated parks legislation, iGaming advertising reforms, and measures to ease irrigation and waste management rules. The bill proposes shifts such as removing monetary adjudication caps for public works disputes and streamlining recycling program administration.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Ontario Issues Fine and Suspension for Illegal Fishing

A Manitoba resident received a $2,700 fine and a one-year fishing suspension in Ontario for licensing and size-limit infractions on the Winnipeg River, as announced by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources on April 24.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

B.C. Invests in Organic Waste Diversion Infrastructure

The B.C. government allocated $2 million for organics waste processing and curbside collection in Kispiox, Revelstoke, Tl’etinqox, and New Denver, part of a broader $14 million CleanBC fund. Awarded projects expect to serve 11,000 residents and reduce emissions by an estimated 655 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Upper Afton Wind Project Clears Environmental Assessment in Nova Scotia

The Upper Afton Wind Project in Antigonish and Guysborough counties secured provincial environmental assessment approval on April 22. The anticipated 224 MW project, set to begin construction in 2027, will supply power for green hydrogen production under 58 compliance conditions.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Manitoba Expands Disaster Financial Assistance Program to Support Wildfire Mitigation

On April 21, Manitoba announced the Disaster Financial Assistance program will now include funding for risk reduction and wildfire mitigation. Twelve municipalities affected by 2025 wildfires will receive mitigation grants equal to 25% of their DFA-eligible expenses.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Government Consultations

Health Canada Opens Consultation on AQUABAC II XT Biological Larvicide Registration

On April 20, Health Canada initiated a consultation for the registration of AQUABAC II XT, a biological larvicide for greenhouse ornamentals, with the comment period running until June 4, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• From collapse to abundance? Why Northern cod could soon get sustainability certification from the Marine Stewardship Council: A report on the possible sustainability certification for Northern cod fisheries and the repurposing of fishing vessels in Newfoundland.
• Meet the unsung heroes of conservation this Earth Day: Media coverage of individuals advocating for environmental stewardship across Canada, India, and the U.S.

.