This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news coverings Canada's foreign affairs and international relations. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track other GR news in related areas? Don't miss this week's updates in Defence and Social Issues.

Dates: 2026-01-19 to 2026-01-25

📋 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

• Foreign Affairs and International Development: Canada’s Africa Strategy, Jan. 27: The committee will review Canada’s Africa Strategy on January 27, 3:30–5:30 p.m., featuring officials from DFATD, Development Finance Institute Canada, and the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business.
• Foreign Affairs and International Development: Canada’s Arctic Strategy, Jan. 29: Scheduled for January 29, 3:30–5:30 p.m., witnesses include Premier R.J. Simpson (Northwest Territories) and Premier John Main (Nunavut) to discuss Arctic policy.
• Public Safety and National Security: Bill C-8 cyber security, Jan. 27: Committee meets January 27, 3:30–5:30 p.m., to examine Bill C-8. Minister Mélanie Joly, along with Department of Industry officials, will provide testimony on cyber security legislation.
• Public Accounts: Cyber Security of Government Networks, Jan. 26: On January 26, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., officials from the Office of the Auditor General and Communications Security Establishment will discuss government network security.
• International Trade: Committee Business, Jan. 27: The International Trade Committee meets in camera January 27, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., to address committee business.

Federal Government News

Canada commits $123M to development projects across Vietnam, Indonesia, and Fiji

Secretary of State Randeep Sarai announced more than $123 million in funding for projects in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Fiji, following a visit to the region from January 6–16. The support includes $20 million to the UNDP for climate-resilient Vietnamese coastal communities, $10 million to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for climate-resilience in urban Vietnam, and $10 million to SOCODEVI and Desjardins International for biodiversity-focused socio-economic inclusion. Additional projects target inclusive governance, impact investment, and women's political participation ahead of Vietnam’s May 2026 elections. In Indonesia, initiatives encompass SME support in processed foods, capacity-building for export readiness, youth engagement for climate action, and strengthening midwifery services. In Fiji and the Pacific, the funding will improve climate resilience for women-led businesses and support the Pacific Resilience Facility. Under the ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action Trust Fund, $4.2 million will advance research on digitalization, responsible AI governance, CCUS deployment, and harmonized food safety standards, enhancing trade and technical collaboration throughout Southeast Asia.

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

Canada advances commercial ties with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates

Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu completed visits to Saudi Arabia and the UAE aimed at expanding Canadian trade and investment. In Riyadh, Sidhu and Investment Minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih witnessed the signing of approximately $600 million in agreements, including $580 million in contracts by Niagara College. Partnerships feature Canadian firms in defense, AI, and technology with companies such as BlackBerry and OpenText. In the UAE, Sidhu participated in a delegation that witnessed the signing of the Canada-UAE Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement and a contract between Alexa Translations and Al Tamimi & Company for AI-driven legal translation. National Bank of Canada and Novisto both announced openings in Dubai, signaling increased foothold for Canadian financial services. Meetings with UAE industry leaders and government officials focused on market expansion, investment, and the launch of comprehensive economic partnership negotiations. A UAE business delegation will visit Canada later in 2026, reinforcing bilateral momentum.

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

Launch of Mutual Recognition Agreement for Architects between Canada and European Union

Minister Sidhu announced the launch of the Mutual Recognition Agreement for Professional Qualifications of Architects (MRAA) under the Canada-EU CETA framework. The agreement simplifies procedures for recognizing qualifications of architects across Canada and the EU, promoting professional mobility and opening new avenues for collaboration in construction, engineering, and related sectors. The MRAA, the first of its kind for Canadian professional services in a trade agreement, demonstrates progress in Canada's trade diversification and enhances competitiveness for Canadian architecture firms in EU markets.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Mélanie Joly to join World Economic Forum panel on global growth prospects

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly will participate at the World Economic Forum 2026 panel, 'Where Can New Growth Come From?' on January 20 in Davos, Switzerland. The session will bring together international and industry experts to discuss pathways to global economic growth. Media access to the panel was made available via request.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Travel trends: Cross-border movement with the United States down in November 2025

Statistics Canada reported a 23.6% drop in Canadian-resident return trips from the United States, and a 9.0% decrease in travel to Canada by US residents, year over year for November 2025. These figures may indicate shifting dynamics in bilateral tourism and cross-border mobility.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Monthly energy transportation and storage data available for November 2025

Statistics Canada published new data sets for November covering the transportation and storage of crude oil and other liquid petroleum products, providing up-to-date market intelligence on energy flows.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Alberta focuses on agricultural trade with UAE during Min. Sigurdson's visit

Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, RJ Sigurdson, is visiting Dubai to promote the province as a key agri-food trading partner and participate in Gulfood, engaging with importers and buyers to open new export channels.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Canada and Ontario launch $20 million Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative

A joint federal-provincial investment will support Ontario farmers and agribusinesses in expanding market access for local products, focusing on both domestic and foreign trade opportunities.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Quebec unveils 2025–2031 strategy for critical and strategic minerals

The Quebec government announced a $88.1 million plan to accelerate the development and processing of critical and strategic minerals, positioning the province as a reliable partner in North American supply chains.

Sources: www.quebec.ca, www.quebec.ca

Ontario launches bid to host the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank in Toronto

Ontario is preparing its bid to host the headquarters of the new Defence, Security and Resilience Bank. The bid is backed by provincial and municipal leaders and supported by Toronto’s financial and manufacturing sectors.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Manitoba convenes U.S. Trade Council ahead of CUSMA negotiations

The Manitoba government gathered its U.S. Trade Council to identify priorities and coordinate responses in advance of Canada–US–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) negotiations, aiming to align provincial interests.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Government Consultations

Consulting Canadians on a potential free trade agreement with UAE

Global Affairs Canada is gathering feedback through the Canada Gazette on a proposed free trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates; consultations end January 27, 2026.

Sources: international.canada.ca

Consultations open on a potential Canada-Mercosur trade agreement

Canadians are invited to comment on the resumption of Canada–Mercosur free trade negotiations (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay) via Global Affairs Canada until January 27, 2026.

Sources: international.canada.ca

Consulting Canadians ahead of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement talks with India

Global Affairs Canada is seeking input in anticipation of upcoming trade agreement negotiations with India. Canadians may submit views until January 27, 2026.

Sources: international.canada.ca

Consultations on possible Canada-Thailand Free Trade Agreement underway

Stakeholders have until January 27, 2026 to provide input on the potential resumption of free trade negotiations between Canada and Thailand, as announced by Global Affairs Canada.

Sources: international.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Q+A: Danish Ambassador Nikolaj Harris on resilience, security and the Arctic in a time of global upheaval: Interview addresses evolving security concerns in the Arctic.
• Davos diplomacy: Tentative moves made towards bringing Russia-Ukraine war to an end: Analysis of diplomatic efforts at Davos concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• Opinion: As the old order fractures, middle powers must seize the moment: Examining global shifts and the role of middle powers.
• Letters to the editor for Jan. 22: ‘Our Prime Minister identified a changing world order’: Public responses to PM’s statement on global order.
• Opinion: Mark Carney’s survival plan: Canada and other ‘middle powers’ must co-operate in order to thrive: Commentary on Prime Minister Carney's speech at Davos.
• Bryan Brulotte: Carney’s Davos speech is eloquence, not foreign policy: Opinion piece separates speech content from foreign policy.
• Why Trump revoked Canada’s invitation + the cold truth about Finch West LRT delays: News digest includes discussion on Canada-US relations.
• Mark Carney’s Davos speech boosts Canada’s push to host new defence bank, Toronto supporters say: Reporting on Toronto’s campaign for multilateral defence bank HQ.
• Mark Carney seeks new friends and trading partners in Davos as Donald Trump upends the global order: Analysis of Canada’s diplomatic activity at Davos.
• Critical and Strategic Minerals: A Strategy to Create Wealth: Overview of Quebec’s minerals strategy.

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