April 26, 2026 to May 02, 2026

This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news for professionals in the financial industry, banking, credit unions, insurance, payment processing, fintech, credit card issuing, asset management, venture capital, private equity, and crypto-currencies. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track other GR news in adjacent industries? Don’t miss this week’s updates in ICT & Cybersecurity. Also consider subscribing to our Finance - Washington edition covering critical GR news south of the border.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Parliamentary Calendar
• 🇨🇦 Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Provincial Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• House Finance Committee: Bank of Canada Monetary Policy Testimony Scheduled for May 4: The House of Commons Finance Committee will hear from Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem and Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn Rogers regarding the Report of the Bank of Canada on Monetary Policy, scheduled for May 4 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The session will be televised and webcast.
• Senate Committee to Examine Cyber Security Legislation on May 4: On May 4, the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs will review Bill C-8, concerning cyber security and amendments to the Telecommunications Act, with testimony from Minister Gary Anandasangaree and sector leaders. The session will include panels featuring regulators and industry representatives.
• Senate Banking Committee to Discuss Banking Sector Issues with Bank of Canada, May 6: The Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy is slated to meet May 6 to study matters relating to banking, commerce, and the economy. Witnesses will include Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem and Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn Rogers.
• Senate Foreign Affairs Committee to Study Special Economic Measures Act Amendment, May 6: The Senate Foreign Affairs Committee will examine Bill S-214, which amends the Special Economic Measures Act regarding the disposal of foreign state assets, on May 6. Testimony is expected from academic, financial crime, and sanctions experts.
• Senate Banking Committee to Address Access to Credit for SMEs, May 7: The Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy will meet May 7 to examine access to credit and capital markets for small- and medium-sized enterprises, featuring witnesses from organizations including The51, Evol, and Shorefast.

Federal Government News

Launch of the Canada Strong Fund: New Sovereign Wealth Fund for Strategic Investments

The federal government has announced the creation of the Canada Strong Fund, the country's first sovereign wealth fund, with an initial allocation of $25 billion over three years. The Fund will focus on market-rate equity investments in strategic Canadian projects and companies, ranging from infrastructure to advanced manufacturing, energy, and mining. The objective is to generate commercial returns and expand the wealth of Canadians, with the Fund structured as an arm’s-length Crown corporation governed by an independent board. The government intends to broaden access by offering a retail investment product, allowing the public to participate directly in the Fund. A specialized transition office will engage market participants and regulators ahead of the Fund's launch. The Major Projects Office will collaborate on regulatory approvals and potential project designations under the Building Canada Act. Comprehensive mandate reviews are planned for Crown financing entities to delineate roles within the federal financing ecosystem.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Secures Headquarters for the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB)

The Department of Finance announced the conclusion of multilateral negotiations for the Charter of the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) in Montreal. Canada will serve as the host country for the forthcoming DSRB headquarters, once ratified by participating nations. The DSRB is designed to provide long-term, low-cost financing for defence and security initiatives—including across supply chains—with support for small- and medium-sized enterprises and member states. The initiative intends to leverage pooled resources to address defence financing gaps, supported by investments outlined in Budget 2025 and the Defence Industrial Strategy, which includes an $80 billion rearmament plan.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Champagne to Discuss Spring Economic Update 2026 Measures in Winnipeg

François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, will visit Winnipeg Canadian Forces Base on May 4 to focus on federal defence sector investments outlined in the 2026 Spring Economic Update. Minister Champagne will also meet with the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce to present fiscal measures targeting global uncertainty and to engage the business community in a public armchair conversation. The events include opportunities for media engagement and are open by registration.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Spring Economic Update 2026: Key Measures Released

The Department of Finance published the Spring Economic Update 2026, detailing fiscal measures and priorities for the upcoming year. The release is intended to provide stakeholders with forward-looking guidance on federal economic policy and public finance, in a context of sustained fiscal responsibility.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Secretary of State Sarai Announces $51.5 Million for Global Impact Investing at G7 Meeting

Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), introduced $51.5 million in new programming at the G7 Development Ministers’ Meeting in Paris to support innovative financing, impact investing, and blended finance. Initiatives include a $28 million commitment to the Allianz Credit Emerging Markets Fund, $7 million for Convergence Blended Finance, and additional support for the SOURCE Platform and Global Innovation Fund Growth. Projects will mobilize capital for development, strengthen financial networks, and expand infrastructure in low- and middle-income markets. The funding package aims to aggregate private investment for development projects, boost market intelligence, and provide project pipeline support.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Advances Development Priorities at G7 Development Ministers’ Meeting

Secretary of State Randeep Sarai concluded his participation at the G7 Development Ministers’ Meeting in Paris, where discussions addressed new approaches to development and global infrastructure investment needs. Canada reaffirmed a commitment to mobilize over $13 billion in international climate finance for developing countries over the next five years, in part through FinDev Canada and Global Affairs Canada. During the meeting, Sarai held bilateral talks with several counterparts to advance priorities related to international financial architecture, humanitarian response, and opportunities for cross-country cooperation.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Statistics Canada Releases Survey Results on Suppliers of Business Financing, H2 2025

Data from the Biannual Survey of Suppliers of Business Financing for the second half of 2025 have been published by Statistics Canada. The release provides updated statistics on business lending, informing trends in credit conditions and financing sources available to enterprises nationwide.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Foreign Direct Investment: 2025 Data Show Net Position of $828.4 Billion

Statistics Canada reported a Canadian net direct investment position with the rest of the world of $828.4 billion at 2025 year-end, a decrease of $37.1 billion from 2024. For the first time since 2022, the growth of foreign direct investment into Canada outstripped Canadian investment abroad, suggesting new dynamics in cross-border capital flows.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Investment Banking Services Price Index Updated for 2025

The 2025 Investment Banking Services Price Index (2017=100) is now available from Statistics Canada. The updated index allows for price comparisons and informs stakeholders of shifts in investment banking services pricing on an annual basis.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

GDP by Industry: February 2026 Figures Released

Statistics Canada announced a 0.2% rise in real gross domestic product in February 2026, marking the fourth consecutive monthly increase. Sectoral performance details are included for further analysis of underlying drivers in the Canadian economy.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Industry Experts Cite Need for Enhanced Enforcement in Combating Financial Crime

Reports from national news outlets discuss expert calls for a new financial crimes agency to address ongoing challenges from fraud and financial scams, in response to perceived gaps within Canada’s current enforcement and anti-money laundering regime.

Sources: globalnews.ca

Provincial Government News

Banks Increase Lending for Indigenous-Led Projects

Banks in Canada are expanding their Indigenous-focused financial services as demand for project financing accelerates across resource and infrastructure development.

Sources: www.thestar.com

What We're Reading This Week

• New financial crime agency aims to improve Canada’s enforcement regime: Media discuss the launch of an agency with a mandate to improve financial crime oversight.
• Notice of Results and further details for Capital Markets Update: Results and updates related to Canadian capital markets.
• Bessent wants Americans to avoid easy-money traps and invest in financial literacy: U.S.-related financial literacy initiatives receive attention.
• Banks expanding further into Indigenous financing as project push accelerates: Market activity in Indigenous project finance highlighted by media.

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