This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning hotels, restaurants, casinos, gaming operations, event and sports venues, cruise lines, theme parks, ski resorts, outdoor spaces, RV and caravan parks, and all hospitality, travel and tourism professionals. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track GR news in adjacent industries related? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Arts & Culture.

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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

• HUMA Studies Bill C-15 Clauses and Seasonal Industry Employment Insurance Report – Feb. 9: The Human Resources, Skills and Social Development Committee will review various clauses of Bill C-15 and consider a report on seasonal industry workers and the Employment Insurance program, hearing from stakeholders including the Breakfast Club of Canada and the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations on February 9 at 3:30 p.m.
• TRAN Committee to Discuss Competition Act and Air Travel in Remote Communities – Feb. 9: On February 9 at 11:00 a.m., the Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Committee will meet to consider a draft report on the Competition Act and the state of air travel in northern, rural, and remote Canadian communities.
• Finance Committee Convenes on Bill C-15 Budget Provisions – Feb. 9: The Finance Committee will hold a session on Bill C-15 budget provisions on February 9 at 3:30 p.m., with appearances from Minister Marc Miller and senior officials from Canadian Heritage and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.
• Senate Agriculture and Forestry to Examine Food Security – Feb. 12: The Senate Agriculture and Forestry Committee will meet February 12 at 8:00 a.m. to continue examination of the agriculture and agri-food sector’s role in Canadian food security, with appearances from experts at Dalhousie University, Safe Food Matters Inc., and the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity.

Federal Government News

Senate Committee Reviews Aviation Safety Amendments in Bill C-15

The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications, chaired by Senator Larry Smith, examined Division 28 of Bill C-15, amending the Aeronautics Act to reinforce aviation safety and security. Representatives from the National Airlines Council of Canada, Air Transport Association of Canada, and Canadian UAV Association expressed support for the proposed legal protections for voluntarily shared safety data, with Shannon Saunders of the National Airlines Council noting alignment with international standards for a 'just culture' approach. The bill provides for the protection of voluntarily submitted safety information and proposes expanded interim orders as well as increased administrative penalties. Witnesses discussed possible effects of larger fines and the challenges these may present to smaller airlines. Committee members raised concerns about the effectiveness of enforcement tools, proportionality, and the implications of increased penalties on industry participants. Panel discussions also touched on Canada’s civil aviation oversight rating, regulatory quickness, and sectoral collaboration with Transport Canada.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Regulations for Administrative Monetary Penalties under the Official Languages Act

The Senate Standing Committee on Official Languages convened to examine proposed regulations introducing administrative monetary penalties tied to the Official Languages Act, with the maximum fine set at $50,000. Testimony from the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages, including Pierre Leduc and Patrick Wolfe, addressed the anticipated deterrent effect and the intention for penalties to be a measure of last resort. Concerns surfaced about the exclusion of port authorities and CATSA from the new regulations and the complexity and legal defensibility of penalty criteria. Presentations from Air Canada and VIA Rail addressed operational challenges in fulfilling language requirements and called for standard application of regulations across all passenger service carriers. The discussion included possible impacts on compliance levels and operational consistency in federally regulated transportation.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Senate Committee Examines Amendments to First Nations Taxation in Bill C-15

The Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples reviewed Bill C-15 provisions amending the First Nations Goods and Services Tax Act. Chief Commissioner Manny Jules of the First Nations Tax Commission stated the amendments would allow First Nations to expand their fiscal room and exercise greater economic self-determination, including potential extension of taxation to gaming and ATMs. Jules recommended pairing changes to the Fiscal Management Act for transparency in tax expenditure, and discussions with Finance Canada representatives focused on accountability, collection mechanisms, and jurisdictional arrangements. The session covered timelines for the amendments, possible effects on federal and First Nations tax collection, and considerations related to voluntary participation by First Nations.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Senate Committee Reviews High-Speed Rail Project and Competition Act Amendments

The Senate Committee on National Finance reviewed integration of High-Speed Rail (HSR) between Quebec City and Toronto within Bill C-15. Vincent Robitaille of Transport Canada provided information on federal jurisdiction arrangements, land acquisition policies, and project transparency, highlighting a budget of $90 billion and the project's commencement with the Ottawa–Montreal segment. The committee raised issues regarding landowner consultations and potential impacts from construction delays. Additionally, the committee reviewed Competition Act amendments targeting anti-greenwashing, removing the requirement for international verification of environmental claims and enabling direct substantiation standards. Stakeholders discussed flexibility in compliance and potential impacts on business communications.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Federal Funding Supports SME Trade Compliance under CUSMA

The Government of Canada committed $500,000, delivered through the Toronto Region Board of Trade and its World Trade Centre Toronto, to provide programming for Ontario's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to navigate compliance requirements under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). MP Chi Nguyen announced the funding on behalf of Minister Evan Solomon, noting that targeted workshops and individualized coaching will focus on trade readiness and regulatory compliance, streamlining cross-border operations for Ontario businesses engaged in North American trade.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Black Entrepreneurship Program Reports Milestones and Receives New Funding

Minister Rechie Valdez reported the renewal of the Black Entrepreneurship Program with $189 million in federal investment. Since its launch in 2021, the program has supported over 24,000 Black entrepreneurs nationwide, with more than $70 million in loans approved across over 800 businesses. The program provides mentorship, training, and capital access, addressing longstanding barriers to business growth and scaling for Black-owned businesses. The current investment aims to further expand these supports in the hospitality and retail sector, among others.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan: Retail Sales and Air Passenger Numbers Edge Up

Statistics Canada reported that November retail sales amounted to $72.3 billion, a year-over-year increase of 1.8%, with 13 out of 18 commodity classes showing gains. In December, 4.9 million passengers were processed through security at the nation’s eight largest airports, a 0.6% increase over the same period last year, and nearly 5% above the level recorded in December 2019. These trends reflect ongoing recovery and activity in consumer spending and travel demand.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca, www.statcan.gc.ca

Weekly Aircraft Movements Data Released by Statistics Canada

New weekly data from Statistics Canada covers aircraft itinerant movements for January 17 to 23, 2026. The dataset is available for industry analysis and comparison of aviation activity at national airports.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Federal Statement Marks Start of Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games

Secretary of State Adam van Koeverden issued a statement in Milan as Team Canada commenced competition at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Flag bearers Mikaël Kingsbury and Marielle Thompson lead the Canadian contingent, backed by the Canadian Olympic Committee and Sport Canada. The government's official message acknowledges athlete preparation and the national significance of the Games for sports communities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario Announces Business Succession Planning Services Hub

Ontario is investing nearly $2 million to launch an online hub—Succession Ontario—providing entrepreneurs with tools and advisory services to support business ownership transition, delivered by the Kingston Economic Development Corporation.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Tourism Spotlighted in Netflix Production

Alberta's government announced the province's prominent role in the Netflix series 'Can This Love Be Translated?', which features locations in Calgary, Drumheller, and the Rocky Mountains and is expected to lift interest in Alberta tourism and local businesses.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Manitoba Funds Renovations at Churchill’s Camp Nanuq

The Manitoba government is allocating $57,000 for renovations at Camp Nanuq in Churchill through the Safe Healthy Communities for ALL program, supporting expanded youth and elder programming and community infrastructure.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Alberta Athletes Compete at Milano-Cortina Winter Games

Forty-five Alberta athletes are representing the province at the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Milan. Provincial support includes the Podium Alberta grant, which distributed $750,000 to athletes in 2025 for training and competition expenses.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Alberta Consults on Private-Sector Privacy Legislation

Alberta has begun public consultations on a modernization of its Personal Information Protection Act, inviting business and resident feedback through an online survey running until February 17.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Government Consultations

Visitor Use Management Consultation in Lake Louise Area

Parks Canada is seeking feedback on visitor use management for the Lake Louise area in Banff National Park, where visitation has increased by 31% over the past decade. Stakeholders are invited to comment on congestion and visitor services.

Sources: www.letstalkmountainparks.ca

Telephone Reporting Sites in Remote Border Areas Consultation

The Canada Border Services Agency is engaging local stakeholders on the placement of new telephone reporting sites in areas previously under the Remote Area Border Crossing permit program, with consultation open until February 13.

Sources: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• The Hidden Revenue Drain in Hospitality—and How AI Robotics Is Finally Closing the Gap: Analysis of how robotics is addressing longstanding revenue challenges in the hospitality sector.
• Business Brief: Olympic housing that deserves a medal: Overview of Olympic-related housing developments and their business impact.
• How Automation Is Transforming Service Speed, Revenue in High-Demand Hospitality Environments: Examination of automation’s effects on service delivery and revenue in hospitality settings.
• Nightfood Holdings Inc. (NGTF) Subsidiary Developing Key Hospitality-Centered AI Robotics Platform: News on the development of AI robotics platforms aimed at the hospitality sector.
• Brandon looks to create tourism strategy: Brandon explores new initiatives geared toward destination tourism development.
• CGTN: More than a journey: How Spring Festival travel rush reflects a changing China: Features how evolving travel patterns during Spring Festival are shaping consumer and hospitality dynamics in China.

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