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.

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Dates: 2026-01-26 to 2026-02-01

📋 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 Foreign Affairs Committee reviews Bill C-15 budget provisions related to sanctions and export controls: On February 3, 3:30-5:30 p.m., the Foreign Affairs and International Development Committee will examine clauses 460 to 462 of Bill C-15, featuring Minister Anita Anand and senior officials overseeing sanctions and strategic export controls.
• House Procedure and House Affairs Committee schedules further review of foreign election interference: On February 3, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., witnesses including David Morrison (Deputy Minister, Foreign Affairs), Tricia Geddes (Deputy Minister, Public Safety), and Nathalie Drouin (Privy Council Office) will appear to address critical election incident protocols.
• House International Trade Committee to review Bill C-13, implementing UK accession to CPTPP: February 3, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., International Trade Committee will hear from the Asia Pacific Foundation, Canadian Meat Council, Canadian Alliance of British Pensioners, and Canadian Cattle Association regarding UK’s CPTPP accession.
• Senate Foreign Affairs Committee to examine international development and budget bill provisions: On February 5, 10:30 a.m., the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade will review Divisions 18 and 27 of Bill C-15 and broader international development topics, with Deputy Minister Christopher MacLennan and multiple NGO leaders scheduled.
• Senate Foreign Affairs Committee addresses Canadians Abroad and consular services: February 4, 4:15 p.m., the Senate committee will receive presentations from the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Global Affairs Canada’s consular bureau, and demography experts, as well as sector analysts on trends for Canadians abroad.

Federal Government News

Minister Hodgson advances Canadian energy and mineral collaboration with India

On January 29, 2026, Minister Tim Hodgson concluded a visit to New Delhi for India Energy Week, where significant progress was made in bilateral trade and investment discussions with major Indian energy companies and government counterparts. The Canada-India Ministerial Energy Dialogue (CIMED) was relaunched, accompanied by the CIMED Action Plan. These efforts set out frameworks for supply agreements and investment opportunities in energy projects and critical minerals. Highlights include plans for joint ventures, participation in the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada Convention, and a joint statement on furthering conventional energy investments. An Indian delegation is scheduled to visit Toronto in March to formalize cooperation in critical minerals, reflecting India's position as a major importer—nearly 25% of its potash sourced from Canada—and commitments to collaborate on mining-related technologies.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada and Japan sign Equipment and Technology Transfer Agreement for defence cooperation

Minister of National Defence David J. McGuinty met Japanese Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi on January 27, 2026, to sign an Equipment and Technology Transfer Agreement (ETTA) between Canada and Japan. This agreement facilitates co-development projects requiring transfers of equipment, technology, or IP to Canada, and enables Japanese exports to the Canadian Armed Forces. The meeting addressed future defence materiel and industrial cooperation, supporting plans to increase collaboration between the Canadian Armed Forces and Japanese Self Defence Forces. Minister McGuinty reaffirmed support for expanding partnerships between NATO and Indo-Pacific allies, positioning the agreement within Canada's broader Indo-Pacific strategy.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada issues joint condemnation of UNRWA headquarters demolition in East Jerusalem

On January 28, 2026, Foreign Minister Anita Anand joined counterparts from the UK, Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Portugal, and Spain in a joint statement denouncing the demolition of the UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem by Israeli authorities. The statement calls for the protection of UN premises per the UN General Convention (1946) and urges the Government of Israel to halt all demolitions. It stresses the need for unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid across Gaza and the West Bank, lifting of restrictions on inbound humanitarian goods, reopening of crossing points, and removal of barriers for international NGOs working in Gaza.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Secretary of State Fuhr progresses defence supply chain partnerships in South Korea

Secretary of State (Defence Procurement) Stephen Fuhr announced a visit to South Korea from January 30 to February 6, aiming to deepen defence relationships and facilitate industry engagement. Meetings are scheduled with senior Korean defence officials and leading companies to expand bilateral supply chain integration and industrial cooperation. The trip builds on a recent bilateral security partnership and supports Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy by leveraging Korean technological capabilities for Canadian defence supply chains. The Defence Investment Agency will feature as a model for accelerated procurement and joint innovation initiatives.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian international merchandise trade deficit widens in November 2025

Statistics Canada reported a merchandise trade deficit of $2.2 billion for November 2025, expanding from $395 million in October. Merchandise exports dropped by 2.8%, while imports edged down 0.1%. The data reflects increased challenges in balancing Canada's trade portfolio, with imports and exports both totaling near parity.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Canadian international trade in services posts near-neutral balance for November 2025

In November 2025, exports of services declined 1.5% to $19.8 billion, while imports rose 0.5% to the same level. The resulting services trade balance was essentially flat, at +$11 million, down from a $0.4 billion surplus in October.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Minister Anand marks five years since Myanmar military coup with call for international action

On January 31, 2026, Foreign Minister Anita Anand released a statement condemning ongoing human rights violations by Myanmar's military regime. The conflict has displaced over 3.6 million internally and left 16 million in need of humanitarian assistance. Anand called for democratic processes, release of political prisoners, adherence to international law, and support for ASEAN's diplomatic efforts in Myanmar. Canada advocates for international involvement in securing humanitarian aid access and protection of civilians in the region.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Tim Hodgson discusses supply chain cooperation with India's Ministry of Mines

Minister Hodgson met with Piyush Goyal, Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, on January 29, 2026, to advance critical minerals cooperation between Canada and India. Discussions involved supply chain development for lithium, potash, rare earth elements, and graphite. Both sides agreed on formalizing their partnership in upcoming weeks and presenting joint mining projects at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada Convention in Toronto.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Hodgson outlines agricultural mineral supply ties with India

On January 30, Minister Tim Hodgson met India's Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Jagat Prakash Nadda, to discuss mineral supply partnerships critical for food security. India procures nearly a quarter of its potash through Canadian producers. Talks covered long-term supply agreements, competitive investment climates, collaborative innovation, and deepened mining technology transfers.

Sources: www.canada.ca

HMCS Yellowknife deploys for Operation CARIBBE in the Caribbean

National Defence announced the deployment of HMCS Yellowknife for a seven-week mission under Operation CARIBBE beginning January 29, 2026. The vessel will support US-led multinational operations targeting narcotics trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific, including maritime interdiction and joint operations with partner nations and US Coast Guard assets, aiming to disrupt illicit drug movements in North America.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Secretary of State Sarai presents new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit and supply chain support package

Secretary of State (International Development) Randeep Sarai on January 30 announced the proposed Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, offering one-time top-ups starting spring 2026 to 12 million Canadians, alongside a 25% increase for five years. The measure would allocate $3.1 billion in short-term support, plus $8.6 billion over 2026–31. Additional funding of $500 million for Strategic Response Fund and $150 million for a Food Security Fund was announced, plus a $20 million allocation to the Local Food Infrastructure Fund and measures including immediate expensing for greenhouse buildings and development of a National Food Security Strategy.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Alberta ministers affirm province’s energy ties with India following Canada-India joint statement

On January 29, Alberta's Ministers Rajan Sawhney and Brian Jean recognized the renewed Canada–India Ministerial Energy Dialogue, asserting Alberta’s leadership in oil and natural gas production and ongoing trade missions. Alberta shipped 81,000 barrels per day of crude to India through the Gulf Coast in 2025.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Ontario and New Brunswick record 153% increase in Ontario exports moving through Port Saint John

Premiers Doug Ford and Susan Holt, on January 28, met with Port Saint John and industry stakeholders in Ottawa to report Ontario exports through the port rose 153% year-over-year in 2025, largely bound for Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Port Saint John strengthens Canadian export gateway role for Ontario

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt announced a 600% five-year increase in Ontario goods moved through Port Saint John, which in 2025 accounted for 31% of the port’s exports, supporting national trade diversification.

Sources: www2.gnb.ca

Ontario secures Massilly North America’s $85 million manufacturing investment to reshore steel packaging supply chains

On January 27, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced an $85 million investment by Massilly North America in Brantford, sustaining 228 jobs and creating 50 new manufacturing positions to bolster domestic can production and reduce reliance on imported steel packaging.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Union questions why Global Affairs issuing layoff warnings before policy review: Coverage of union concerns about preemptive layoffs at Global Affairs Canada.
• Opinion: How Canada can move away from its ‘whack-a-mole’ national security strategy: Views on reforming Canada's security posture.
• Opting out of F-35 purchase would be 'three ways from Sunday stupid,' says retired major general: Commentary on Canadian defense procurement and NORAD protocols.
• Algoma Steel and Hanwha Ocean Sign Binding MOU for Canadian Patrol Submarine Project: Canadian manufacturing partnership for naval defense project.

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