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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Dates: 2026-02-02 to 2026-02-08

📋 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 Fisheries and Oceans Committee on Marine and Coastal Protections, Feb. 9: The Fisheries and Oceans Committee will meet on February 9 to study marine and coastal protections. Witnesses include Anna Metaxas (Dalhousie University), Kendra MacDonald (Canada's Ocean Supercluster), Dwan Street (Fish, Food and Allied Workers - Unifor), Aaron Heidt (Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Areas Network), Richard Paton (Qikiqtani Inuit Association) and Francis Skeard (Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation).
• House of Commons Finance Committee considers Bill C-15 budget implementation, Feb. 9: The Finance Committee will examine Bill C-15, with presentations from the Minister of Justice and officials from the Department of Justice and Department of the Environment. Meetings scheduled for 5:45–7:45 p.m.
• Senate Fisheries and Oceans Committee reviews Division 33 of Bill C-15, Feb. 10: The Senate Fisheries and Oceans Committee will convene on February 10 to consider elements contained in Division 33 of Bill C-15. Witnesses to be determined.
• Senate Energy Committee reviews climate change and oil and gas industry, Feb. 10: The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources will consider a draft report on climate change and Canada's oil and gas industry. Meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
• Senate Energy Committee examines Newfoundland offshore petroleum industry, Feb. 12: The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources will hear from Unifor Local 2121, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, among others, regarding Newfoundland and Labrador's offshore petroleum industry on February 12.
• Senate Agriculture and Forestry Committee examines food security, Feb. 12: The Senate Agriculture and Forestry Committee will discuss the role of agriculture and agri-food sector in food security, with witnesses from Dalhousie University, Smart Prosperity Institute, Greener Village and Safe Food Matters Inc., Canadian Centre for Food Integrity.

Federal Government News

Fisheries modernization: Harvester independence and regulatory efficiencies

Fisheries and Oceans Canada Minister Joanne Thompson announced new policy initiatives aimed at supporting independent fishing enterprises and reducing regulatory complexity. The department will review inshore regulations to ensure licence holders maintain independence from third-party control, with early stakeholder engagement underway. The proposed changes include repealing uniform gear tending rules to provide flexibility for soak times, responding to fleet-specific needs and prioritizing crew safety. On the West Coast, efforts are focused on strengthening harvester control and modernizing the licensing regime, with plans to establish a licence and quota registry to improve transparency. These actions reflect extensive feedback from harvesters, Indigenous communities, and partners and are intended to keep economic benefits within local fishing communities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada launches Whalesafe Fishing Gear Strategy

The federal government announced a five-year Whalesafe Fishing Gear Strategy, intending to guide the implementation of innovative and safe fishing gear technology to reduce whale entanglements, particularly for endangered North Atlantic right whales. The strategy involves deployment of on-demand or 'ropeless' gear, with engagement from harvesters, gear manufacturers, Indigenous organizations, NGOs, and whale experts. An adaptive and region-specific approach is planned as new gear is tested with input from practitioners before wider implementation. This strategy supports both healthy whale populations and sustainable fisheries, reflecting broader federal efforts to improve coexistence between the industry and protected species.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Environmental impact assessment finds Manitoba all-season road project not likely to cause significant adverse effects

Impact Assessment Agency of Canada determined that the Project 6 all-season road connecting Manto Sipi Cree Nation, Bunibonibee Cree Nation, and God's Lake First Nation in Manitoba meets requirements under CEAA 2012, and is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects if mitigation measures are implemented. Legally binding conditions obligate Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure to reduce project impacts on Indigenous health, heritage, and traditional land uses, as well as effects on fish habitat and migratory birds. These include erosion control, follow-up programs for verifying environmental assessment accuracy, and monitoring for noise, vibration, and air quality.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Estee Lauder Cosmetics fined for Canadian Environmental Protection Act violations

Estee Lauder Cosmetics Ltd. received a $750,000 fine following a conviction under CEPA 1999 for failing to inform the government about a significant new activity and not complying with a compliance order. The violations related to sales of eyeliner products containing Perfluorononyl Dimethicone, a PFAS ingredient subject to notification requirements. The company was ordered to notify shareholders and its name will be added to the Environmental Offenders Registry. The fine will be deposited in the Environmental Damages Fund, which supports environmental protection projects.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada supports innovation in river-current energy

Natural Resources Canada committed $4 million to ORPC Canada for a river-current energy technology demonstration in the St. Lawrence River, running from 2026 to 2029. The project aims to test RivGen Power System's integration with river environments, determining its viability for clean electricity production in urban and remote communities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan release: Lumber production declines in November 2025

Statistics Canada reported a 7.7% decrease in lumber production from October, yielding 3,675.3 thousand cubic metres in November. This represents an 8% drop compared to November 2024 and offers a view of ongoing challenges in the forest sector.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

StatsCan release: Sea ice extent reaches new low in 2024

Minimum sea ice extent in Canadian waters fell to 900,000 km2 in 2024, continuing a downward trend from 1.53 million km2 in 1980. The reduction affects Arctic and Northwest Atlantic marine ecosystems and communities, including the Inuit, whose traditional transportation and hunting rely on sea ice.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

StatsCan release: Canadian environmental–economic intensities for 2022

New figures for 2022 show that Canadian economy-wide average energy intensity (direct plus indirect) was 3.75 gigajoules per $1,000 current dollars of output, with greenhouse gas emissions intensity at 0.26 tonnes CO2 equivalent per $1,000 output.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Senate committee debates transition from oil and gas to renewables and Indigenous consultation

The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources convened on February 5 with representatives from Sierra Club Canada and Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn Inc. Sierra Club Executive Director Gretchen Fitzgerald discussed the feasibility and economic risks of moving Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore petroleum sector toward renewables, highlighting worker retraining and grid investments. The Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn Inc. witnesses detailed a legal challenge regarding inadequate consultation over the Bay du Nord project, advocating for Indigenous-led impact assessments.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Senate committee reviews measures for soil health strategy

On February 5, the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry reviewed Bill S-230 to establish a national strategy for soil health. Discussions included standardized measurement and reporting, soil information system development, data privacy concerns, affordable testing access, regional benchmarking, and integrating Indigenous knowledge. Witnesses from Canadian Standards Association and the Soil Health Institute promoted partnership-based practical assessments.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario launches commercial carbon storage project applications

Ontario is accepting applications for commercial geologic carbon storage projects following passage of its Geologic Carbon Storage Act, opening new investment and emission reduction opportunities for energy-intensive industries.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Manitoba funds feasibility study for national marine conservation area in Hudson Bay

Manitoba invested $250,000 and Oceans North pledged $1 million to explore creation of a national marine conservation area in western Hudson Bay, in partnership with Indigenous nations, Parks Canada, and local stakeholders.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

New Brunswick confirms commitment to protected natural areas

New Brunswick Natural Resources Minister John Herron stated protected natural areas will not be opened to logging; the province will increase protected land by identifying new areas rather than altering existing protections.

Sources: www2.gnb.ca

Ontario court orders habitat replacement and monitoring for Chimney Swift

Bloor Dufferin Development Holding Corp. and Lockhart Construction Ltd. were convicted for destroying Chimney Swift habitat. Court orders included payments totaling $330,000 to Birds Canada, plus monitoring and building new habitat structures.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Extension of rabies prevention measures in Quebec

Quebec's wildlife ministry extended until April 6, 2026, the ban on transporting certain animals in raccoon rabies outbreak zones. Species affected include raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes and hybrids. Penalties for non-compliance are in place.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation on amended recovery strategy for Piping Plover melodus subspecies

Environment and Climate Change Canada is seeking comments on the amended recovery strategy and action plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies until February 8, 2026.

Sources: species-registry.canada.ca

Public consultation on amendments to Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations at Scully Mine

ECCC is soliciting input on proposed authorizations for mine waste disposal in fish-frequented waters at Scully Mine; comments are open through February 15, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Comments invited on Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 hunting amendments for 2026–2028

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a consultation for biennial hunting amendments, including open season dates and bag limits for migratory bird species.

Sources: gazette.gc.ca

Input requested: Environmental Emergency Regulations review

ECCC is engaging stakeholders about challenges with Environmental Emergency Regulations, 2019, to assess potential regulatory amendments for improved effectiveness.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Public comment period open for Fording River Extension environmental guidelines

Impact Assessment Agency of Canada is inviting comments on draft guidelines and plans for the Fording River Extension Project, a coal mine northeast of Elkford, BC, until February 15, 2026.

Sources: iaac-aeic.gc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Natural resources minister says logging already-protected areas off the table: Minister confirms no logging in established protected areas in New Brunswick.
• More stability in lumber industry key to ‘weather this storm’: N.B. Forest Products Commission: Forest Products Commission discusses need for stable operations amid industry challenges.
• N.L. terminates MOU that could have seen south coast fjords become conservation area: Newfoundland and Labrador ends a memorandum of understanding on fjord conservation.
• Axing N.L. ocean conservation site a ‘blow’ to national goals, say environment groups: Environment groups respond to the withdrawal from a proposed ocean conservation area in NL.
• New Greenland consulate sparks hopes for joint action on climate change, defence: Diplomatic developments raise climate cooperation prospects.
• From Alberta's oilfields to geothermal drilling in Scarborough: Changing energy sector prompts workforce transitions.
• Protected lands on the chopping block under J.D. Irving's proposed forest swap: Proposed forest land swap raises conservation issues in New Brunswick.
• ‘Avian influenza is one of the biggest challenges we’ve ever faced’: Poultry producers celebrate innovation amid industry challenges: Poultry producers cite innovation in facing avian influenza.
• Ottawa launches five-year fishing strategy to protect whales, reduce entanglements: Coverage of federal whale-safe gear strategy.
• N.L. terminates MOU that could have seen south coast fjords become conservation area: Additional coverage of NL fjords conservation MOU termination.

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