This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning the trucking, rail, and shipping industries, ports, storage centers, cargo and container terminals, international and inter-provincial logistics, fulfillment centres, courier and delivery services. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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

📋 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

• House Committee to Review Competition Act and Air Travel in Remote Communities: The House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities is scheduled to consider draft recommendations on the Competition Act as it relates to air travel in northern, rural, and remote communities on February 9, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• House Fisheries and Oceans Committee to Hear Presentations on Marine and Coastal Protections: On February 9, 2026, the House Fisheries and Oceans Committee will conduct hearings on marine and coastal protections, with witnesses including Anna Metaxas (Dalhousie University), Kendra MacDonald (Canada's Ocean Supercluster), and representatives from several Indigenous organizations, followed by in-camera review of redfish quotas and exploratory lobster licenses.
• Senate Transport and Communications Committee to Consider Bill C-15 Budget Provisions: The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications will meet in camera on February 10, 2026, for review of Divisions 1, 2, 24, 28, and 29 of Part 5 of Bill C-15, including relevant budget measures.
• Senate Committee on National Security to Review Border Security Legislation and Budget Elements: The Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs is scheduled for February 9, 2026, to discuss Bill C-12 and elements of Bill C-15 related to border security, with testimony from officials across Public Safety, RCMP, CBSA, Health Canada, and the Canadian Coast Guard.

Federal Government News

Government Approves Additional $1.01 Billion in Short-Term Funding for Canada Post

The federal government has announced up to $1.01 billion in repayable financial support for Canada Post covering the 2025–26 fiscal year, offered on an as-needed basis to maintain service continuity. This move follows previously announced repayable support of up to $1.034 billion in January 2025. Canada Post is expected to fully repay the funds once it restores solvency. The government has also formally directed Canada Post to launch a multi-year operational transformation focused on modernizing services and returning to financial stability, with reforms guided by the Industrial Inquiry Commission’s recommendations. Canada Post’s self-sustaining mandate remains in place, but significant accumulated losses have prompted this bridge financing to protect uninterrupted postal and parcel delivery nationwide while restructuring is ongoing.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Senate Committee Reviews Major Changes to Canada Post’s Mandate and Rate-Setting Authority

The Senate Standing Committee on Transport and Communications held hearings on Bill C-15, which proposes notable alterations to the Canada Post Corporation Act. Under the bill, Canada Post would gain authority to set letter mail rates without requiring government approval, aiming to respond more flexibly to declining mail volumes and ongoing financial losses exceeding $5.5 billion since 2018. Carrie Chisholm, Vice-President at Canada Post, testified that the corporation intends to maintain special postage rates for libraries and the visually impaired, despite the bill eliminating legislative requirements for these concessions. Public Service and Procurement Canada reported that Canada Post’s solvency may require government cash infusions by 2025. Senators raised concerns regarding rural service delivery, absence of statutory guarantees for discounted programs, and lack of community consultation. Canada Post has submitted a transformation plan to the government to align services with evolving financial realities. Other topics discussed included adjusting delivery frequency, operational efficiencies, and exploring new revenue opportunities.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Aviation Safety and Interim Order Provisions Considered in Senate Hearings

Division 28 of Bill C-15 was examined by the Senate Transport and Communications Committee, focusing on amendments to the Aeronautics Act. Representatives from the National Airlines Council of Canada and the Air Transport Association of Canada indicated support for the bill’s measures to protect voluntarily-shared safety data and better align with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. The proposed amendments introduce enhanced legislative frameworks for interim orders, increased maximum administrative penalties, and statutory protection for safety-critical information reported by operators. Wei Li of the Canadian UAV Association provided remarks advocating for a national industrial policy regarding remotely piloted aircraft systems. Senators questioned the frequency of interim order utilization and the proportional burden of fines on smaller carriers. Canada’s decline in ICAO oversight scores was noted, attributed to shifting global standards, while the industry called for expedited regulatory response and deeper engagement on future regulatory development.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

CBSA Initiates Dumping Investigation on Austrian Oil and Gas Well Casing Imports

The Canada Border Services Agency has opened an investigation into alleged dumping of oil and gas well casing imported from Austria, following a formal complaint by Tenaris Canada. The complaint alleges that steel casing is being sold below market value, undermining Canadian industry through lost sales, price depression, and a reduction in market share and profitability. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) will concurrently examine whether the imports cause material injury to domestic producers, with a preliminary CITT decision due April 3, 2026. The CBSA's initial determination on dumping is expected by May 4, 2026. Currently, Canada maintains 181 special import measures to address unfair import practices across various sectors.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Fisheries Modernization: New Federal Moves to Strengthen Independent Harvester Protections and Regulatory Flexibility

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has announced a regulatory review of inshore fishing rules to reinforce independence of licence holders, with provisions intended to ensure that economic benefits accrue locally rather than to corporate third parties. Additional measures include plans to repeal uniform gear-tending rules in Atlantic and northern fisheries, allowing alternative soak times tailored to specific fleets. A West Coast Commercial Fisheries Modernization initiative is proceeding, focusing on modernizing licence regimes and establishing a national licence and quota registry to improve business planning and sector adaptation. Early consultation is underway, with further engagement to shape subsequent phases. The department intends regulatory changes to deliver more responsive, efficient oversight while maintaining compliance.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Senate National Finance Panel Assesses High-Speed Rail Project and Competition Act Amendments

The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance has reviewed budget measures enabling a High-Speed Rail (HSR) corridor between Quebec City and Toronto. Transport Canada’s Vincent Robitaille detailed that the project will operate under federal jurisdiction and a dedicated corporation—a subsidiary of VIA Rail—with an initial Ottawa-Montreal segment followed by an extension to Toronto. The projected $90 billion budget was discussed, along with transparency and accountability measures. The HSR initiative involves a consortium with international expertise and a commitment to prioritize Canadian materials. The committee also discussed Competition Act changes aimed at anti-greenwashing enforcement, including less reliance on international standards and provisions for third-party complaints. Business representatives supported the amendments, while some flagged ambiguities in evidence requirements.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Senate Committee Considers Administrative Monetary Penalties for Non-Compliance with Official Language Requirements in Transport Sector

The Senate Standing Committee on Official Languages reviewed proposed administrative monetary penalties, capped at $50,000, to enforce Part 4 of the Official Languages Act. Witnesses from the Office of the Commissioner for Official Languages explained that the penalties aim to strengthen compliance across the transportation sector, though port authorities and CATSA are currently excluded. Air Canada and VIA Rail described existing efforts to provide bilingual services, noting operational challenges and variations in regulatory standards among carriers. Concerns were raised by Senators and witnesses regarding the clarity and enforceability of penalty criteria, with industry requests for consistent standards throughout the sector.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Support Program for SMEs on CUSMA Trade Compliance in Ontario

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario has allocated $500,000 to the Toronto Region Board of Trade to deliver a CUSMA (Canada–US–Mexico Agreement) Compliance Series designed for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Participants will receive access to expert workshops and individualized coaching, intended to help Ontario exporters operate in line with CUSMA trade requirements. The initiative comes amid ongoing trends of trade rule complexity and shifting export market dynamics.

Sources: www.canada.ca

PacifiCan Allocates $5 Million for Centralized Food Distribution Infrastructure on Vancouver Island

Pacific Economic Development Canada has announced a $5 million grant to Loaves and Fishes, a Nanaimo-based food bank, for construction of a 24,000 square foot warehouse to serve over 40 communities across Vancouver Island and the BC coast. The new logistics facility features expanded storage and upgraded loading bays to facilitate increased shipments of surplus food sourced from retailers and wholesalers, including to remote communities with limited fresh food access.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan: Slight Increase in Screened Passenger Traffic at Major Canadian Airports

Statistics Canada published data for December 2025 showing 4.9 million passengers passed through pre-board security screening at the eight largest Canadian airports, an increase of 0.6% over December 2024 and nearly 5% above pre-pandemic December 2019 figures. This metric reflects sustained travel activity recovery in commercial aviation.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Natural Gas Financial Survey Results for 2024 Released

Results from Statistics Canada’s annual Natural Gas Financial Survey are now available, offering data on the financial status of Canadian companies engaged in transportation and distribution of natural gas for the year 2024.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario Ships First Batch of Locally Produced Steel for Canada’s New Coast Guard Icebreaker

Ontario celebrated Algoma Steel’s initial shipment of 600 tons of plate to Davie in Quebec, where the metal will be used in constructing the Canadian Coast Guard’s Polar Max icebreaker. The project is touted as part of the province’s supply chain resilience efforts.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Emergency Barge Service Restores Critical Goods Transport to Westham Island, British Columbia

British Columbia announced emergency barge funding for the transport of agricultural and essential supplies to Westham Island after a vessel strike closed the region’s only bridge, supporting over 700 hectares of farmland supplying seed potatoes and produce.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Super-Heavy Transport Move Scheduled on Alberta Highways

A 485-ton pressure vessel will be transported via public highways from Edmonton to Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, on February 8 and February 10, potentially creating substantial travel delays as it moves at 40 km/h under police escort.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Public Health Notice: Measles Case on Mexico-Montreal Flight

Quebec’s Ministry of Health issued a public alert regarding a confirmed measles case on Aeroméxico flight AM680, arriving at Montreal-Trudeau on January 21, 2026, with exposure details published for risk mitigation.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

BCIT Breaks Ground on Marine, Trades, and Technology Complex in Burnaby

British Columbia Institute of Technology has begun construction on three new buildings, including a Marine and Mass Timber Pavilion, to address regional skilled labor shortages in sectors like marine fitting and construction.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation Open on Lithium-Ion Battery Product Safety Requirements

Health Canada is conducting a consultation on proposed mandatory requirements for lithium-ion batteries and products containing them under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, with input accepted until February 14, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Engagement on Remote Telephone Border Reporting Sites Underway

The Canada Border Services Agency is seeking feedback from local stakeholders, including businesses and Indigenous communities, on new telephone reporting site locations in areas affected by the discontinuation of the Remote Area Border Crossing permit program, with the consultation period ending February 13, 2026.

Sources: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Supply Chain Safety: Western Powers Race for Domestic Mineral Sovereignty: Examination of global efforts to secure critical mineral supply chains amidst shifting geopolitical pressures.
• Transport Canada talking jet approvals with FAA after Trump’s threats: Canada and U.S. aviation regulators confer on aircraft type certifications after political signals of cross-border trade tension.
• Yachting: 18th Economic Symposium in Monaco, Sustainability Redefines the Future of Nautical Industry: Event coverage of changing trends and innovation in the global nautical sector.

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