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: 2026-03-01 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

• Foreign Affairs and International Development Committee to Study Venezuela Crisis: The Foreign Affairs and International Development Committee will hear from Ambassador Stuart Savage and DG Wendy Drukier on the situation in Venezuela on March 10 from 3:30–5:30 p.m.
• International Trade Committee Reviews Mercosur Relations: The International Trade Committee will meet March 10, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. to discuss Canada’s trade with Mercosur countries, hearing from Canadian Cattle Association, Les Éleveurs de volailles du Québec, Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, and Canadian Pork Council.
• Procedure and House Affairs Committee Assessing Civic Resilience: On March 10, the Procedure and House Affairs Committee reviews the current state of civic resilience in Canada, with witnesses from Democratic Engagement Exchange, MASS LBP, and Resilient Societies; a second session considers the 'Longest Ballot Committee.'
• Public Safety and National Security Committee on Foreign Nationals with Criminal Records: The Public Safety and National Security Committee meets March 10, 3:30–4:30 p.m., focusing on Canada’s ability to remove foreign nationals with criminal records, hearing from Dr. Peter German of the International Centre for Criminal Law Reform.

Federal Government News

Canada Responds to Escalation in the Middle East

On March 2, Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand issued a statement condemning Iranian strikes on civilian targets in multiple Gulf States, characterizing them as a severe risk to regional security and stability. Canada deployed surge consular resources via the Standing Rapid Deployment Team to areas affected across the Middle East, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Israel, Jordan, Turkmenistan, and Türkiye. Canadians in the region were urged to register with Global Affairs Canada and retain contact with consular support. On March 4, Minister Anand scheduled a press conference and technical briefing in Ottawa to outline Canada’s diplomatic and operational posture amid the ongoing hostilities. These briefings were open to the media and focused on providing updates to Canadian stakeholders regarding evacuation procedures, consular support, and implications for Canada’s international obligations and global affairs posture.

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

Canada and China Agree on Market Access and Tariff Reductions

On March 4, Global Affairs Canada announced renewed commercial arrangements with China, including Beijing’s suspension of anti-discrimination tariffs on Canadian canola meal, peas, lobster, and crab until the end of 2026. China also reduced tariffs on canola seed from nearly 85% to an applied rate of 14.9%, impacting approximately $4 billion in annual Canadian exports. Additionally, China reopened beef market access for 20 Canadian facilities as of January, and resumed access for porcine and bovine genetics. Canada implemented a new quota of 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles at a 6.1% tariff and extended remissions on Chinese steel and aluminum products. These actions mark progress in increasing Canadian exports to China and advancing Ottawa’s broader trade diversification agenda.

Sources: www.canada.ca

G7 Critical Minerals Production Alliance: $18.5 Billion in Canadian Mining Deals Finalized

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson, speaking March 3 at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada convention, presented details from Canada’s second investment round under the G7 Critical Minerals Production Alliance. Thirty new deals, covering ten allied countries, the EU, and the UN, have generated $12.1 billion in fresh capital commitments, bringing the Alliance’s total to $18.5 billion since its launch under Canada’s G7 presidency. The agreements cover equity participation, offtake arrangements, and synchronized policy measures intended to reduce execution risk and anchor supply chains. Hodgson reported that Canada supplies 60 minerals from around 200 mines, with mining exports now accounting for 21% of all Canadian exports. Government initiatives—such as an expanded permitting guide, sovereign funding, tax credits, and province-federal ‘One Project, One Review’ deals—underpin Ottawa’s contemporary industrial strategy in a highly contested global resource environment.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada-Australia Defence Relations Advance with New Ministerial Dialogue

On March 5 in Canberra, Defence Minister David J. McGuinty met with his Australian counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, to build out a formal Defence Ministerial Dialogue between Canada and Australia. The framework will include regular meetings and efforts to facilitate the movement of defence equipment and personnel, possibly through a Status of Forces Agreement. Both countries pledged to pursue deeper industrial and scientific collaboration—particularly in Over-the-Horizon Radar technology—and to strengthen conditions for joint procurement and innovation. The current strategy aligns with the recent release of Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy and recent trade and critical minerals agreements signed by both countries.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government of Canada Plans New Investments for Defence Industrial Base

Ministers Mélanie Joly (Industry), David McGuinty (Defence), and Secretary of State Stephen Fuhr will announce new investments on March 9 to support the goals of Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy. These measures target capacity-building and increased industrial capabilities in Canada’s defence sector. The location for the event is Ottawa, and media registration details have been provided to ensure secure facility access.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada-India Strategic and Economic Ties Strengthened During High-Level Visits

During a visit to New Delhi with Prime Minister Mark Carney, Minister Anand held her sixth bilateral with India’s External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, since September 2025. Discussions centered on implementing priorities from the joint road map and recent progress in trade, energy, and security dialogues. Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu met with India’s Minister of Commerce, Piyush Goyal, reiterating both governments’ intention to pursue a comprehensive economic partnership agreement and to increase bilateral missions. A reciprocal trade and investment delegation visit to Canada is planned for spring 2026.

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

Canada Backs Artisanal Mining and Community Security Initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa

At the PDAC convention, Secretary of State Randeep Sarai announced $8.1 million for three Canada-led projects aimed at increasing security, resilience, and transparency within artisanal and small-scale mining sectors in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, and Côte d'Ivoire. The projects support conflict prevention, improved governance, compliance enhancement, and the formalization of supply chains in regions vulnerable to violence and illicit trade. The funding supports a Stability and Security initiative in the DRC, an Artisanal Mining & Community Resilience program in West Africa, and a peace and stabilization mining fund in Burkina Faso in partnership with local organizations.

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

Canada Takes Prominent Role in Arctic Diplomacy at Rome Forum

Parliamentary Secretary Mona Fortier attended the Arctic Circle Rome Forum from March 3-4 to participate in discussions on economic development, Arctic sovereignty, and multilateral scientific cooperation, with officials and industry representatives from Europe and Indigenous leaders. Fortier was scheduled for both opening and panel sessions pertaining to sovereignty and economic dynamics in the Arctic, reflecting ongoing strategic interest as the circumpolar region gains prominence in global affairs.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Anand Outlines Canada's Global Strategy to Business Leaders

On March 3, Minister Anand addressed the Toronto Region Board of Trade, joined by John Stackhouse of RBC, to deliver a keynote on 'Canada’s Global Strategy: What It Means for Business.' The event focused on the government’s current trade, investment, and industrial strategy in the context of global uncertainty, and provided a platform for dialogue with business stakeholders regarding opportunities and challenges for Canadian companies abroad.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Anand to Present Defence and Security Keynote at Ottawa Conference

Minister Anand is scheduled to deliver the opening keynote at the 94th annual Ottawa Conference on Defence and Security on March 4. The conference, focusing on 'The road to five per cent,' will center on shifts in defence spending, resource allocation, and allied security cooperation, with participation from senior military and policy officials.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Supports Treaty Commemoration Projects

On March 5, Parliamentary Secretary Jaime Battiste will announce funding for two projects marking the 300th anniversary of the 1726 Treaty of Peace and Friendship on behalf of Minister Marc Miller. The projects support historical awareness and reconciliation initiatives. The announcement will follow remarks by Minister Rebecca Alty, with all media registration coordinated through Canadian Heritage.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario Expands Critical Minerals Strategy and Updates Minerals List

Ontario's government released a forward-looking plan to overhaul its Critical Minerals Strategy during the PDAC convention, adding high-purity iron and aluminum to the province's critical minerals list and inviting feedback from stakeholders to bolster supply chains.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Alberta and Ottawa Reach Agreement-in-Principle on Project Approvals

Alberta and the Government of Canada announced an agreement-in-principle giving Alberta greater control over environmental assessments for projects under provincial jurisdiction, with a draft posted for 21 days of public comment.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

B.C. Broadens WorkBC Eligibility for Military Families

British Columbia expanded access to WorkBC employment services for military spouses and adult children relocating to the province, allowing them to access support prior to residency as part of the federal Seamless Canada initiative.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Government Consultations

Call for Submissions: Annual Human Rights and Free Trade Report on Colombia

Global Affairs Canada opened public consultations on the annual report addressing human rights in the context of the Canada-Colombia free trade agreement. Submissions are open from March 3 to April 3.

Sources: international.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Politics Insider: Ottawa working to help Canadians stranded in Middle East, Anand says: Summary of Canada's diplomatic and consular response to the Middle East crisis.
• Expert warns that Canada’s involvement in the Middle East conflict could have global ramifications: Analysis of Canada’s diplomatic considerations amid regional hostilities.
• Canada’s top soldier, European counterparts to discuss supporting Gulf states in Iran conflict: Military leadership meetings on joint support amid conflict.
• Critical minerals alliance with Australia an example of middle power strength, Carney says: Review of Canada-Australia cooperation in mining and strategic sectors.
• How Western countries are handling getting citizens out of the Middle East: Report on evacuation efforts by Western governments.
• Mark Carney says Canada could be asked to help a NATO ally in escalating Middle East conflict: Prime Minister Carney addresses potential NATO requests.
• Trump’s about-face on foreign wars poses great risks to the world and his presidency: Commentary on shifts in U.S. foreign policy.
• Politics Insider: Canadian troops to be relocated from Middle East operations: Coverage of Canadian military repositioning.
• Foreign Affairs Minister Anand says NATO must turn its focus to the North: Minister Anand calls for increased Arctic attention.

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