Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning social advocacy issues. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to see GR activities in areas related to Social Issues? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Arts & Culture and Indigenous Affairs.

Dates: 2025-12-22 to 2026-01-18

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Provincial Government News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

Government of Canada Seeks Project Proposals to Advance Workplace Equity and Safety

Employment and Social Development Canada announced two calls for proposals aimed at supporting innovative projects to create safer and more equitable workplaces in federally regulated private sectors. The Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity (WORBE) program and the Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Fund (WHVPF) will distribute up to $16.5 million through joint funding streams. Selected applicants can receive up to $500,000 annually for up to three years beginning June 2026. Projects are designed to improve representation of designated groups, build inclusion tools, and develop sector-specific resources for harassment and violence prevention. Final projects must be made publicly available to benefit workplaces nationwide. The application deadline is February 13, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Workplace Accessibility Projects Funded through Enabling Accessibility Fund

Minister Patty Hajdu launched a call for proposals under the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF), committing $12 million over three years to improve accessibility in Canadian workplaces and communities. Eligible projects will receive between $500,000 and $1 million each, targeting renovations, construction, and retrofits that enable persons with disabilities to participate in the labour market and community life. Roughly $2 million is allocated for Indigenous projects. The initiative will support 12 to 24 accessibility projects nationwide and is set to begin in the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Innovation Funding Announced

Employment and Social Development Canada opened its fourth call for proposals for Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Quality Improvement Projects. Nearly $47 million in federal funding is available, with projects able to receive up to $2 million for up to 36 months commencing 2026-27. Funded themes include defining high-quality Indigenous early learning, ongoing education for care staff, strengthening licensing rules, and developing supports for children with special needs. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, governments, and organizations may apply by March 25, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Detailed Plan for Reform of First Nations Child and Family Services Program Submitted to Tribunal

Indigenous Services Canada declared the submission of a detailed plan to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) aimed at overhauling the First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) program. The new framework incorporates regional agreements, supports First Nations-driven solutions, and is funded with $35.5 billion through 2033-34, plus $4.4 billion annually. This approach builds on regional successes and includes additional supports for First Nations Representatives to uphold children’s rights and maintain familial and cultural connections. Discussions with regional First Nation entities will begin early in the new year.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Top-Up Allocations Target Homelessness and Mental Health Services in Kelowna

Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada provided funding increases for Kelowna's streams under Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy through agreements with the Central Okanagan Foundation ($3.9 million) and the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society ($2 million). These resources will sustain existing projects through 2027-28 and focus on delivering targeted programming for individuals at risk of or experiencing homelessness, including Indigenous populations. Supported activities involve mental wellness, food insecurity, and holistic cultural services designed by regional organizations.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Targeted Investments Support Indigenous-Led Youth Crime Prevention in Prince George

Public Safety Canada committed over $6.6 million through the Crime Prevention Action Fund for three Indigenous-led youth crime prevention initiatives in Prince George, B.C. The Tsay Keh Dene Nation, Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, and Takla First Nation will each develop culturally relevant programs that offer case management, restorative justice, life skills, and supports for at-risk youth. The B.C. First Nations Justice Council previously received $7.5 million for diversion and post-release programming, bringing federal crime prevention investments in the region to $14 million.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Youth Gang Prevention Initiative Launched in Rexdale

A federal contribution of $1.89 million was announced by Public Safety Canada for a four-year youth gang prevention initiative in Toronto’s Rexdale community. Delivered in partnership with the Rexdale Community Health Centre, the United Nations Association in Canada’s project engages youth aged 16 to 19 in pre-employment training, skills workshops, and peer mentorship, supplemented by Model United Nations training focused on crime prevention. Funding supports implementation under the National Crime Prevention Strategy.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Mental Health and Substance Use Response Projects Funded in Vancouver

Minister Marjorie Michel visited Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, confirming grants through Health Canada's Emergency Treatment Fund (ETF) and Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP). All Nations Outreach Society receives $492,000 for overdose prevention, harm reduction, and culturally grounded services for Indigenous populations, while Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation gains over $626,000 for a reentry support initiative. Support focuses on coordination between frontline organizations, cultural programming, and harm reduction strategies.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Support for Youth Crime Prevention in Scarborough Announced

Malvern Family Resource Centre (MFRC) secured more than $1.16 million from Public Safety Canada for 'On the Rise: Building resilience in at-risk youth across Malvern and Scarborough'. The five-year plan involves school-based prevention, counselling, and partnership activities with agencies such as Strides Toronto and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Programming is designed for youth aged nine to 30 across the Toronto District and Catholic District School Boards.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Funding for Francophone Integration and Community Vitality

Minister Marc Miller announced a $640,000 investment over three years in the Culture d’entreprise project, supporting tools and resources for French-speaking newcomers through Fédération culturelle canadienne-française, Culture pour tous, and the Ministers’ Council on the Canadian Francophonie. The initiative aims to facilitate employment, intercultural relations, and the social participation of French-speaking minorities in Canada.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Mental Health Helpline Funding Extended for 9-8-8 Services

Minister Sean Fraser confirmed up to $120.2 million in federal funding over two years for the continued operation of Canada’s 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline. The network, coordinated by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), comprises 37 partners delivering crisis support across the country, with involvement from Kids Help Phone, Hope for Wellness, and local services.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Nova Scotia Launches First 2SLGBTQIA+ Action Plan

Nova Scotia introduced its first 2SLGBTQIA+ Action Plan under the Dismantling Racism and Hate Act, aiming to improve equity, access to services, and community safety for 2SLGBTQIA+ residents through participation from over 600 individuals and community organizations.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Ontario Opens Indigenous-Led Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hub in Sault Ste. Marie

Ontario launched a new Indigenous-led HART Hub run by Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services, providing integrated mental health, addiction recovery, housing, employment, and culturally grounded care across three locations in Sault Ste. Marie, Blind River, and Sagamok Anishnawbek.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Manitoba Unveils Five-Year Poverty Reduction Strategy

Manitoba implemented ‘Pathways Forward: Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy’, focusing on babies and children, youth leaving child welfare, and seniors. Measures include enhancements to EIA earning exemptions, universal school nutrition, increased housing investments, and the establishment of a seniors advocate.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Ontario Brings Extensive Labour Mobility and Social Program Reforms Into Force for 2026

Ontario enacted wide-ranging changes effective January 1, 2026, including 'As of Right' labour mobility for professionals and health workers, updated income eligibility for housing programs, expanded midwife scope, new consumer protection measures, and regulatory amendments to support healthcare access and Indigenous physicians.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

New Brunswick Announces Plan to Address Racism

The Government of New Brunswick detailed its response to the commissioner on systemic racism’s final report, launching an anti-racism office and reporting progress on 86 recommendations with policy and transparency measures led by the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour.

Sources: www2.gnb.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation Open on Draft 2026-2029 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy

Environment and Climate Change Canada is soliciting public feedback on the 2026-2029 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy. Responses will inform the version tabled in Parliament in November 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Nova Scotia government announces LGBTQ+ action plan aimed at equity, community safety: Province introduces roadmap targeting equity and safety for LGBTQ+ communities.
• Ontario treatment programs are ‘discriminating’ against kids in Children’s Aid’s care, internal government document reveals: Ontario treatment programs face allegations of discrimination against children under Children’s Aid.
• Immigrants more likely to cite human rights, diversity as ‘Canadian values’: survey: Survey shows immigrants frequently identify human rights and diversity as core Canadian values.
• A look at the workings of Canada’s immigration system — through the eyes of a longtime insider: Insider offers perspective on operations of Canada’s immigration system.
• Why it’s going to take all hands on deck to tackle Peel’s wave of extortions targeting South Asian communities: Peel faces increasing extortion cases targeting South Asian neighborhoods.
• Ontario looks to pause affordable housing requirements near transit hubs in Toronto, Mississauga, Kitchener: Affordable housing requirements near transit hubs may be paused in parts of Ontario.
• Advocate wants N.L. to eye re-establishing ‘valuable resource’ for child crime victims: NL advocate recommends restoring supports for child crime victims.
• I showed up to help Toronto’s most vulnerable children. Why the empty warehouse I arrived at left me awestruck: Volunteer experience highlights challenges facing support for vulnerable children in Toronto.
• The nation’s 250th anniversary arrives with a call for year-round community service: U.S. marks 250th anniversary with renewed push for community service.
• Ontario treatment programs are ‘discriminating’ against kids in Children’s Aid’s care, internal government document reveals: Ontario programs scrutinized for fairness toward children in care.

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