June 07, 2026 to June 13, 2026

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.

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📋 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

• Environment and Sustainable Development: Bill C-244 and Vessel Legislation – June 16, 2026: The House of Commons Environment and Sustainable Development Committee will review Bill C-244, which amends the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act, on June 16 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Witnesses scheduled include MP Patrick Weiler and senior officials.
• Natural Resources: Electrification, Energy Security, and Forestry Industry – June 16, 2026: The Natural Resources Committee will meet June 16, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., for studies on electrification and energy self-sufficiency. The panel will hear representatives from the Canadian Fuels Association, Electro-Federation Canada, Resource Works Society, and the Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force.
• Fisheries and Oceans: Atlantic Mackerel and Atlantic Herring Fisheries – June 15, 2026: The Fisheries and Oceans Committee convenes in camera June 15, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., to consider draft letters and reports on Atlantic mackerel and herring fisheries and other marine harvesting issues.
• Senate Committee on Energy, Environment and Natural Resources: Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Industry – June 16 and 18, 2026: The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources will hold in camera meetings June 16 (6:30 p.m.) and June 18 (8:00 a.m.) to examine and report on Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore petroleum sector, including review of a draft report.

Federal Government News

2026 Northern Cod Quota Increased by 55% Following Stock Recovery

Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced new management decisions for Newfoundland and Labrador’s northern cod, raising the total allowable catch (TAC) from 38,000 tonnes to 59,000 tonnes for 2026. This is the first instance since the 1992 moratorium that peer-reviewed scientific assessments place northern cod in the healthy zone, permitting a significant commercial harvest increase. For 2026-27, inshore fleets receive 70% of the TAC (41,300 tonnes), offshore and midshore fleets 20% (11,806 tonnes), and Indigenous and special allocations 10% (5,895 tonnes), each representing substantial increases over 2025 levels. Meanwhile, the capelin harvest in 2J3KLPs remains capped at 14,533 tonnes, consistent with a precautionary management approach due to its status as a primary prey species for cod. No directed commercial fishery will occur for northern Gulf cod, which remains in the critical zone, with annual total removals for rebuilding efforts capped at 500 tonnes. These quota changes follow years of science-based decision-making and industry collaboration, and are expected to support year-round supply chains for processors and export markets.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Northern Cod Fishery Drives Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador Coastal Economy

Data released by Fisheries and Oceans Canada indicate that the reopened northern cod fishery delivered strong economic outcomes in 2025. Landings doubled to 32,700 tonnes, valued at $75 million, accounting for 6% of the province’s total landed value. Nearly 1,175 fishing enterprises and 34 processing facilities were active, supporting thousands of fishers and plant workers. Newfoundland and Labrador exported almost 8,200 tonnes of cod products in 2025, worth $80 million, up from 3,800 tonnes at $40 million in 2024. Major international destinations included the United States (24%), United Kingdom (22%), and several European countries. The Department continues to support industry efforts toward Marine Stewardship Council certification. For the 2026–27 season, a TAC of 59,000 tonnes could raise landed value to around $200 million, with significant quota increases for all fleet segments.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Launches Fourth Annual High Seas Patrol Against Illegal Fishing in North Pacific

Fisheries and Oceans Canada commenced Operation North Pacific Guard 2026, deploying fishery officers, the Canadian Coast Guard, and RCMP to patrol over 15,000 km of North Pacific high seas. The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Sir Wilfrid Laurier, a biofuel-capable icebreaker, will serve as the enforcement platform. Partner organizations include the United States Coast Guard, NOAA, Japan Fisheries Agency, and Korea Coast Guard. Activities involve high seas boardings and inspections to identify illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which is estimated at 30% of global activity. The mission incorporates aerial surveillance based out of Hokkaido, Japan, targeting conservation infractions such as shark finning and unauthorized marine mammal harvesting. The patrol aims to uphold international law and support global marine resource sustainability.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Secures Fish and Seafood Market Access in Five Countries

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced expanded access for Canadian fish, seafood, and aquatic products in Vietnam, Oman, Brazil, Armenia, and Costa Rica. Vietnam will accept Canadian health certificates for chilled and frozen finfish fillets and steaks, reopening a market closed since 2022 due to regulatory changes. Oman now allows all live and processed Canadian fish products. Canada also obtained Brazilian approval for aquaculture finfish, extending export options beyond wild-caught species. Additional certificates enable Canadian products into Armenia and ornamental fish feed to Costa Rica, opening commercial options in a niche Central American market. These steps followed regulatory negotiations and demonstrate application of science-based export standards.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Support for New Brunswick Oyster Industry Targeted at Disease Recovery

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency initiated up to $4.6 million in non-repayable support over three years through CBDC Kent to New Brunswick oyster growers contending with MSX and Dermo diseases. Funding aims to help aquaculture operators cover costs for disease-resistant seed and facilitate resource restocking. Additional federal support includes a license buy-back program for wild harvesters, a $130,000 regional disease strategy, and customer support through Farm Credit Canada. These measures seek to address supply chain disruption and strengthen the industry’s resilience.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Set to Host 12th Our Ocean Conference in Halifax, 2027

Fisheries and Oceans Canada confirmed Canada will host the 12th Our Ocean Conference in Halifax during spring 2027. The event is slated to highlight international efforts toward marine ecosystem conservation and will draw from the priorities in 'A Force of Nature: Canada's Strategy to Protect Nature.' Discussions are expected to involve marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries, and engagement with Indigenous knowledge, in addition to multilateral approaches toward achieving conservation targets, including the proposal to protect up to 30% of Canada’s marine environment by 2030.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Releases Tap Water Metal and Trace Element Data from 2022-2024

Statistics Canada published new environmental laboratory measures from the Canadian Health Measures Survey, covering tap water samples collected between 2022 and 2024. The dataset provides concentrations of metals and trace elements in Canadian household tap water, contributing to ongoing monitoring of water quality. This release enhances data available for both public health and environmental impact research.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Fisheries and Oceans Scheduled Briefing to Update Newfoundland and Labrador Commercial Fisheries

Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced a virtual technical briefing on June 12, 2026, to provide media updates on key commercial fisheries management in Newfoundland and Labrador. The briefing, held under embargo until 11:30 a.m. NDT, was positioned as an attributional background session for subsequent management decision releases.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Infrastructure Economic Account Updated for 2025

Statistics Canada updated the Infrastructure Economic Account for 2025, including investment figures, infrastructure stock, remaining useful service life, and the linked economic and environmental impacts. The revisions are aligned with income and expenditure accounts released in the first quarter of 2026, offering a comprehensive reference for capital formation and environmental assessment within Canadian infrastructure.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

New Data on Rural Employment and Small Business Conditions

Statistics Canada published new interactive dashboards for both rural employment (May 2026) and business conditions in rural and small town Canada for Q2 2026. These platforms provide updated employment figures by industry sector, as well as analysis of business sentiment, liquidity, and operational outlook. The releases serve as reference points for rural economic trends and industry impact assessments.

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

Provincial Government News

Ontario Invests $1.6 Million to Modernize Forestry Operations in Mildmay

Ontario dedicated $1.6 million through the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program to expand Bernie McGlynn Lumber Ltd.'s sawmill in Mildmay, doubling production space, adding a thermal-treating kiln, and supporting regional forestry supply chains.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Convictions Issued in Ontario for Water and Environmental Violations

Ontario courts issued fines under the Environmental Protection Act and Ontario Water Resources Act: North West Rubber Ltd. was fined $105,000 for water discharge violations after a facility fire (Brantford); 2367408 Ontario Inc. received a $15,000 penalty for unauthorized soil waste disposal in North Kawartha; 1048547 Ontario Inc. (Skotidakis Goat Farm) was fined $270,000 for failure to report a dairy spill to the ministry (St. Eugene).

Sources: news.ontario.ca, news.ontario.ca, news.ontario.ca

B.C. Allocates Additional $20 Million for Forest Enhancement and Wildfire Risk Reduction

British Columbia committed annual funding of $20 million over three years to the Forest Enhancement Society of BC, supporting 60 projects led by First Nations, local governments, and industry targeting wildfire risk and forestry health.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Nova Scotia Aligns Environmental Assessment Regulations for Lead Acid Battery Manufacturing

The Nova Scotia government revised its Environmental Assessment Regulations for lead acid battery plants, removing the previous requirement for a Class II assessment and moving to an industrial approval-only model as of June 10, 2026.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Flood Protection and Infrastructure Completed in Okanagan, B.C.

B.C., along with federal and local governments, completed projects in Vernon and Penticton, improving creek capacity, embankments, and dam upgrades for flood protection while additional dike and bank armouring work is scheduled for Lumby.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation on Canola Oil, Garlic Oil, and Capsaicin-based Pesticide Registration

Health Canada is consulting on a proposed decision to register Captiva Prime Insecticide, with active ingredients canola oil, garlic oil, and capsaicin, for various agriculture and greenhouse uses until July 9, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Port Alberni’s workforce pivots from forestry to green construction: Port Alberni transitions workforce amid ongoing forestry sector shifts.
• Former munitions testing site in Connecticut redeveloped as urban forest: A Connecticut site is transformed from weapons testing to an urban forest.

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