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: 2026-03-01 to 2026-03-07

📋 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

• Fisheries and Oceans Committee: Atlantic Mackerel and Herring Fisheries Update; Redfish Quotas and Marine Protections: On March 9, the Fisheries and Oceans Committee will hear from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, with witnesses including C. Gaudet (Gulf Region), B. Vigneault (Ecosystem Science), and T. Williams (Resource Management) for an update on Atlantic Mackerel and Herring (11:00–13:00), followed by an in camera session on quota attribution and marine protection (13:00–13:30).
• Environment and Sustainable Development Committee: Canada's 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: On March 10, the ENVI Committee will hold an in camera meeting from 3:30–5:30 p.m. to consider draft reports on the effectiveness and potential improvements to Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan.
• Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Committee: Supporting and Modernizing Quebec and Canada’s Ports: On March 9, TRAN will host Montreal, Saguenay, Trois-Rivières, and Windsor Port Authorities, among others, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to discuss port support and modernization initiatives.

Federal Government News

Government of Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk: 25 Years, 31 New Projects Funded

On March 6, Environment and Climate Change Canada marked the 25th anniversary of its Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP) for Species at Risk with the announcement of up to $5.2 million for 31 new projects in 2025-2026. Since 2000, the HSP has invested over $241 million in more than 3,800 projects, supporting species-atrisk and natural habitats. Notable 2025–26 projects include $404,884 to Rivershed Society of BC and local First Nations for riparian restoration near Chilliwack, $59,000 to Conseil régional de l’environnement du Centre-du-Québec to protect five at-risk bird species, $143,039 to Université du Québec en Outaouais for Blanding’s turtle recovery, and $332,350 to the Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan for site-specific management in sand dune and prairie ecosystems. Funding will support projects spanning invasive species removal, habitat restoration, threat mitigation, educational initiatives, and Indigenous partnership.

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

Canada, Alberta Announce Agreement-in-Principle for Faster Environmental and Impact Assessments

On March 6, the governments of Canada and Alberta announced a cooperation agreement-in-principle designed to recognize Alberta’s jurisdiction in major project approvals and to reduce duplication with federal environmental assessment requirements. The agreement provides a framework in which Alberta will act as the primary decision-maker for projects under provincial jurisdiction, while projects that include federal elements will see integrated reviews where feasible. When both federal and provincial processes apply, reviews and conditions will be coordinated and, where possible, federal requirements will defer to Alberta’s under certain regulatory situations. The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada will post the draft agreement for a 21-day public comment period before finalization, with negotiations on methane emissions reduction and carbon pricing ongoing.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Canada Secures 30 New Critical Minerals Partnerships, Unlocks $12.1 Billion in Mining Project Capital

Natural Resources Canada, on March 2, announced 30 additional partnerships through the Critical Minerals Production Alliance, unlocking an estimated $12.1 billion in capital for mining projects across Canada. Projects include strategic alliances such as Regen Resources’ synthetic graphite facility in Welland, Ontario; Regeneration’s site restoration collaboration with Pacific Economic Development Canada and offtake agreements with Apple and Mejuri; and Frontier Lithium’s processing facility, which signed a supply agreement with Panasonic Energy in Japan. International collaboration was expanded via Canada’s MOUs with India (critical minerals), the EU (joint declaration), and Greenland. Funding outlays include support for research, rare earth recycling, battery materials, Indigenous engagement, and regional supply chain enhancements.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Investments in Forest Sector Innovation and Indigenous Leadership Across the Prairies

On March 6, Natural Resources Canada announced more than $4.4 million for ten projects in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Funding targets new mass timber manufacturing (Western Archrib Enterprises, $2.3M in Sturgeon County), seed network development (Manitoba Métis Federation), feasibility studies, youth training in forestry, and projects supporting Indigenous-led forest stewardship and business planning. The Green Construction Through Wood program provided $450,000 to the University of Alberta for construction research and $393,150 to Athabasca University for online training on embodied carbon and forest-based biomaterials. NRCan is also accepting calls for its renewed forest sector transformation programs, part of a wider $500 million commitment—prioritizing domestic use of wood and Canadian supply chains.

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

$165 Million in Federal Investments for 22 Critical Minerals Projects Announced at PDAC 2026

On March 3, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson announced at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada Convention over $165 million for 22 projects aimed at critical minerals supply chains. Larger segments include $114.9 million allocated to First and Last Mile infrastructure, with conditional funding for projects such as BC Hydro transmission upgrades supporting Teck’s Highland Valley Copper Mine and the Northwest Transmission Line for the Red Chris expansion. Additional investments flow to Northern Saskatchewan’s grid, rare earth elements (Wicheeda), and clean energy innovation. Under the Energy Innovation and R&D programs, supported projects demonstrate advances in decarbonization, battery supply chains, and low-carbon recovery from mine tailings. Indigenous participation is funded through partnership programs in Ontario, New Brunswick, and British Columbia.

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

Canada Charts Path for Mining Sector with New Funds, Regulatory Guidance, and Strategic Agreements

At PDAC 2026, the federal government unveiled new funds, including a $1.5 billion First and Last Mile Fund and up to $2 billion for the upcoming Critical Minerals Sovereign Fund. An additional $40 million was committed to the Canadian Digital Core Library, with a non-binding declaration of intent signed with mining companies and academic partners for a public geological core repository. The government launched a 'Mine Permit Navigator' to provide guidance for proponents through federal regulatory requirements, intended to increase certainty and reduce timelines. The week involved formalizing international partnerships and advancing the 'One Project, One Review' vision. Funding of $59 million for project acceleration, $96 million for R&D, and $8.27 million for critical minerals stockpiling was also announced in support of critical minerals as a national security priority.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government of Canada Supports Conservation Area Expansion—31 Habitat Projects Announced

Through the Habitat Stewardship Program and related announcements on March 6, the federal government committed to a slate of new conservation initiatives designed to safeguard habitats for species at risk. These projects, distributed nationally, involve direct work with Indigenous communities, utilities, universities, and environmental non-profits. Interventions range from nest-site protection using telemetry in Quebec to site management strategies in Saskatchewan native prairie. Funding addresses both direct recovery action and community-driven landscape stewardship.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Completion of Federal Impact Assessment: Matane Port Facilities Expansion Project, Quebec

On March 5, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada announced an early decision on the Matane Port Facilities Expansion Project. The review concluded that potential adverse effects under federal jurisdiction are expected to be limited or addressed under existing laws such as the Fisheries Act, Species at Risk Act, Canadian Navigable Waters Act, and Migratory Birds Convention Act. Further progress now depends on the proponent obtaining necessary permits from relevant federal and provincial authorities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Statistics Canada: 13.7% of Canadian Land and Freshwater Under Conservation

According to the March 6 Census of Environment, nearly 1.4 million square kilometres—13.7% of Canada’s terrestrial area and freshwater—was conserved through protected areas or other effective conservation measures in 2024.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Statistics Canada: Sawmills Production Down 12.8% Year-Over-Year in December

StatsCan data released March 4 shows Canadian sawmills produced 2,905.2 thousand cubic metres of lumber in December 2025, representing a 21% decrease from November and a 12.8% decrease year-over-year compared to December 2024.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Alberta Announces $46 Million for Oilsands Tailings Cleanup Technology

Alberta is allocating $46 million through its TIER fund to commercialize technologies that reclaim tailings ponds and reduce mine water volumes, supporting nine projects led by industry and academic partners.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Ontario Launches Critical Minerals Strategy, Adds High-Purity Iron and Aluminum to Provincial List

Ontario announced a renewed Critical Minerals Strategy with an expanded list including high-purity iron and aluminum, aiming to further integrate critical minerals into the province’s manufacturing supply chains.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Nova Scotia Approves Landrie Lake Water Pipeline Project

Nova Scotia’s Department of Environment and Climate Change approved an environmental assessment for a new pipeline to improve water security in Port Hawkesbury and Richmond, featuring 41 conditions for operation.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Alberta Launches Wildfire Mitigation Strategy

Alberta released its Wildfire Mitigation Strategy on March 5, setting a framework for risk reduction through landscape planning, community partnerships, legislative review, and technology enhancement.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

BC Invests Additional $15 Million in Wildfire Resiliency Programs

British Columbia dedicated $15 million to FireSmart Community programs and $5 million each to wildfire equipment support, Indigenous forestry scholarships, and service provider compensation, as part of Budget 2026.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Government Consultations

CFIA Launches Consultation on Susceptible Aquatic Species List Amendments

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is seeking stakeholder comments until May 1, 2026, regarding changes to the Susceptible species of aquatic animals list. Input is being collected via the CFIA's official consultation portal.

Sources: inspection.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• B.C. forestry workers, other sectors hurt by tariffs to get $70M in jobs training: B.C. workforce development funding to offset tariff impacts.
• Ottawa accused of preferential treatment with coming rail subsidies for steel, lumber: Rail subsidy policy draws scrutiny from competitors.
• ‘It’s too warm’: Greenland’s fishermen are under threat from climate change: Warmer waters challenge Greenland’s commercial fishing sector.
• B.C. wood pellet concerns: Environmental and local economic questions raised over B.C. wood pellet production.
• Alaska Natives, advocates hail state's new restrictions aimed at helping chum salmon recover: Conservation efforts receive support from Indigenous and advocacy groups.
• Osisko Development Announces Resumption of Planned Site Activities at the Cariboo Gold Project: Project work resumes on Cariboo Gold mine in B.C.

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