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. Also consider subscribing to our Foreign Affairs - Washington edition covering critical GR news south of the border.

Dates: 2026-02-08 to 2026-02-14

📋 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

There are no scheduled committee meetings this week.

Federal Government News

Canada, India Formalize Security Cooperation and Bilateral Liaison Officers

Between February 6 and 7, Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree and Deputy Clerk and National Security and Intelligence Advisor Nathalie G. Drouin met with India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval in Ottawa. Both parties agreed to a formal workplan advancing cooperation on national security and law enforcement. The agreement includes the assignment of security and law enforcement liaison officers in each country to support operational collaboration. Priorities outlined include joint work on cybersecurity policy, countering the illegal flow of drugs, and action against transnational organized crime. Authorities committed to information sharing on fraud and immigration enforcement, provided it aligns with domestic and international legal obligations. The new arrangement is expected to support timely communication and bilateral engagement on cross-border threats, including fentanyl precursors and associated networks.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Senate Committees Intensify Scrutiny of Bill C-12 on Border Security, Immigration, and Anti-Money Laundering

Multiple Senate committees met from February 9–12 to study Bill C-12, which introduces changes to border security, immigration system integrity, information sharing, and anti-money laundering legislation. The Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs (SECD) heard from Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, who cited enhanced tools for combating organized crime, including expanded powers for the Coast Guard and Customs Act amendments. Immigration Minister Lena Diab raised updates affecting asylum processing and removal risk assessments. Stakeholders such as the Grand Chief Cody Diabo called for further First Nations engagement and raised concerns over policing and the J Treaty. The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs (SOCI) received evidence from the UN Refugee Agency and Amnesty International Canada, who questioned the bill’s fairness and compatibility with international obligations, notably in shifting from oral to paper-based hearings and on expanded ineligibility rules. The Canadian Bar Association and Immigration and Refugee Board discussed high caseload pressures and implications of expanded ministerial powers. Privacy and data governance provisions were also discussed, with concerns from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and others. Throughout, suggestions and concerns from advocacy groups, legal experts, and departmental witnesses centered on the intersection of security, process integrity, constitutional compliance, and privacy.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca, senparlvu.parl.gc.ca, senparlvu.parl.gc.ca, senparlvu.parl.gc.ca, senparlvu.parl.gc.ca, senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Senate Legal Affairs Committee Debates Privacy Regime for Political Parties Under Bill C-4

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs reviewed Part 4 of Bill C-4, which aims to regulate the handling of personal information by federal political parties. Chief Electoral Officer Stéphane Perrault detailed shortcomings in the bill, such as the absence of minimum standards for privacy, lack of breach notification obligations, and inconsistencies with provincial regimes. The Privacy Commissioner of Canada, Philippe Dufresne, recommended establishing baseline requirements and enforcement powers. Organizations like the Centre for Digital Rights and the BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association raised concerns over constitutional issues, risk of undermining trust in democratic institutions, and the lack of robust, uniform protections compared to previous and provincial standards. The committee debated a range of amendments, including deleting Part 4, splitting the bill, or adding a sunset clause for further development of the privacy regime. The subcommittee was mandated to finalize recommendations for the Senate.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca, senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Ottawa Announces $75 Million Market Diversification Program for Agri-Food Exports

On February 10, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Heath MacDonald announced the launch of two new AgriMarketing Program streams: Market Diversification for National Industry Associations and for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. The five-year, $75 million program begins accepting applications on February 13 and is open to agriculture, fish, and seafood exporters. These new streams are intended to address increased risks from trade barriers and are distinct from the $129.97 million AgriMarketing funds previously announced. Small and medium enterprises are newly eligible for support, which includes funding to expand into non-traditional global markets. Eligible organizations can find detailed application requirements online.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Global Affairs Canada Condemns West Bank Settlement Expansion

Global Affairs Canada issued a statement on February 10 expressing strong opposition to Israel’s security cabinet’s decision to expand control in the West Bank. Ottawa notes that the measures contravene international law and threaten prospects for a two-state solution. The government urged Israel to reverse its position and halt settlement activity, reiterating Canada’s view that lasting stability depends on Israelis and Palestinians living side-by-side. Canada affirmed continued work with allies to support peace and stability in the region.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Anand Addresses Political Transition in Haiti

On February 9, Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand acknowledged the end of Haiti's Transitional Presidential Council mandate. Minister Anand called for Prime Minister Fils-Aimé and cabinet to restore constitutional governance and improve security, stating Canada’s willingness to further assist Haiti in organizing elections and addressing local security conditions. The statement reinforces the importance of Haitian-led solutions in the transitional process.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Bolsters International Development Partnerships During IDW 2026

Secretary of State Randeep Sarai concluded International Development Week 2026 with a series of events and targeted funding to advance Canadian partnerships abroad. Sarai announced the Canada LIFTs – Connecting Communities Matching Fund in Winnipeg, and new investments through organizations such as ENGAGE and Coffee for Communities. The latter includes Tim Hortons as a co-financing partner to support coffee-growing regions and supply resilience. Activities spanned youth, Indigenous, and diaspora engagement, with events in multiple provinces and meetings with organizations focused on the Global South and public engagement. Development priorities for Canada’s North and Arctic regions were also addressed.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government Invests in Supply Chain Resilience for Auto Sector

FedDev Ontario, through its Regional Tariff Response Initiative, is investing up to $9.3 million in Kumi Canada Corporation to modernize manufacturing operations. Minister Evan Solomon announced the support on February 9. The funding enables the company to adopt advanced technologies, respond to tariff-induced cost pressures, and strengthen domestic supply chain resilience. The investment forms part of the government’s broader auto strategy intended to protect sectoral competitiveness and advance modernization in response to evolving international market conditions.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Atlantic Canada Defence Innovation Supported Through Vimy Forge Accelerator Launch

On February 9, Parliamentary Secretary David Myles announced nearly $1 million in Regional Defence Investment Initiative funding to Vimy Forge Corp for a new accelerator program in New Brunswick. The program seeks to advance early-stage Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises developing defence-related technologies, with a focus on export readiness and integration into national and global supply chains. The cohort includes ten firms from across Canada, with technology areas spanning marine, aerospace, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. The initiative supports strategic capacity building in key technology domains.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada-Pakistan Trade: Canola Exports and Future Investment Agreement Negotiations

Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu spoke with Pakistan’s Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, on February 9. The two ministers discussed the recent arrival of Canadian canola at Karachi Port, the first shipment of its kind following bilateral agreements to facilitate such exports. Further dialogues included Canadian interest in expanding business activity in agriculture, clean energy, and mining, as well as advancing towards a foreign investment promotion and protection agreement. Pakistan’s strengths in textiles, apparel, and non-traditional sectors were also noted as potential areas for diversified trade.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Anand Meets with Denmark and Greenland Counterparts to Discuss Arctic Affairs and Consular Expansion

Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand met with Greenland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Research and Denmark’s Minister for Foreign Affairs in Nuuk on February 8. Agenda items included the opening of a Canadian consulate in Nuuk, support for a planned Greenlandic representational office in Canada, economic cooperation, Arctic Council priorities, and issues surrounding Indigenous inclusion and mobility. Defence cooperation and regional security were discussed in the context of Canada’s Arctic Foreign Policy. Minister Anand maintained that decisions about Greenland are for Greenland and Denmark, with Canada working in partnership on Arctic security and resilience.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

British Columbia Advances Bid for Vancouver as Global Defence Bank Headquarters

B.C.’s government declared support for a proposal to host the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank in Vancouver, citing its Indo-Pacific links, existing infrastructure, and potential to create around 3,500 specialized finance and research jobs.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Manitoba-Government Strengthens Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Trade Through Hong Kong Partnership

Manitoba exchanged letters with the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association and Hong Kong Trade Development Council to boost market access for provincial agriculture producers and processors in Asia-Pacific.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Manitoba and Nunavut Cooperate on Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link Supporting Arctic Sovereignty

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and Nunavut Premier John Main advanced joint initiatives to develop the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link connecting Nunavut to Manitoba’s grid, underlining calls for federal support to realize the corridor.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Nova Scotia Premier Courts Offshore Wind Investment

Premier Tim Houston addressed the Oceantic Network International Partnering Forum in New York, presenting Nova Scotia’s offshore wind resources and plans for transborder energy export to potential global investors.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation Opens on Nuclear Import/Export and Safeguards Guidance

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission launched consultations on REGDOC-2.13.2 (Import and Export regulations for nuclear items) and REGDOC-2.13.1 (Safeguards and Nuclear Material Accountancy), accepting feedback on import-export and nuclear material controls until late February and late April, respectively.

Sources: www.cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca, www.cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Canada urges NATO to make Arctic Sentry initiative permanent: Coverage of Ottawa’s push within NATO on Arctic military initiatives.
• Carney government to select private-sector ‘strategic partners’ in new defence industry strategy: source: Developments in the federal defence industrial policy.
• Canada’s Muscular New Anti-Trump Strategy Debuts in Greenland: Canada launches a new foreign policy approach in Greenland in response to Trump-era pressures.
• Quebec political, business leaders backing Montreal’s bid to host NATO defence bank: Political developments in Canada’s efforts to host the NATO defence bank.
• Inuit look to Greenland’s social model as Canada pursues military buildup in Arctic: Commentary on Inuit perspectives and cross-border social comparisons.
• Opinion: The rupture is here: Why Canada needs an economic security act like Japan's: Analysis of proposals for Canadian economic security legislation.
• Innovation below the surface could reinvent Canada’s naval presence: Assessing undersea innovation in the Canadian Navy.
• Empowering Europe’s Public Sector: Learning Tree Partners with Abilways to Deliver Advanced Training for the European Commission: Developments in EU public sector training agreements.
• Opinion | Why Toronto is the clear choice as Canada’s bid city for the global defence bank HQ: Perspectives on Toronto's merits as a financial headquarters.
• Survey says democracies’ anti-corruption efforts are slipping and raises concern about the U.S.: International survey on global anti-corruption trends.

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