This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning social advocacy issues. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Dates: 2026-04-05 to 2026-04-11

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Parliamentary Calendar
• 🇨🇦 Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Provincial Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• Justice and Human Rights Committee to Hear Witnesses on Bill C-16 (Gender-Based Violence and Child Protection): On April 13, the Justice and Human Rights Committee will hear witnesses on Bill C-16, related to criminal and correctional matters, including gender-based violence and child protection, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Finance Committee Reviews Household Debt in Canada: The House Finance Committee will meet April 13 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to examine household debt, with participation from the Financial Consumer Agency, Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy, and Statistics Canada.
• Human Resources Committee Advances EI Amendment on Death of a Child: On April 13, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., the Human Resources Committee will conduct clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-222, amending the Employment Insurance Act and Canada Labour Code for death of a child. The meeting also includes in camera review of youth employment in Canada.
• Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee to Review Sterilization Procedures Bill: On April 14, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the committee considers clause-by-clause review of Bill S-228, amending the Criminal Code regarding sterilization procedures.
• Government Operations Committee Holds Comprehensive Expenditure Review Including Union Representation: On April 14, the Government Operations Committee convenes a televised session for comprehensive expenditure review, with appearances by the Department of Finance and major federal union representatives from 3:30 p.m. to 5:50 p.m.

Federal Government News

Launch of the $51 Billion Build Communities Strong Fund

The Government of Canada announced the Build Communities Strong Fund, a ten-year, $51 billion commitment starting in 2026-27, to accelerate investments in infrastructure tied to housing, health, education, sport, transit, and climate adaptation. Initial funding of $5 billion over three years will be dedicated to health projects, including hospitals and long-term care. The fund directs support to water, wastewater, and transit projects among others, and leverages nearly $17 billion in provincial matching funds. The first round of projects includes 13 new infrastructure initiatives totalling $300 million in federal funding, targeting upgrades in cities such as Iqaluit, Vancouver, Regina, Laval, and Headingley. The fund also incorporates requirements for provinces and territories to reduce development charges as a condition of access. Labour and economic benefits are expected through job creation—an estimated 42,000 jobs annually—and a projected $95 billion GDP increase over the decade.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Labour Ministers Advance Workplace Mobility and Safety

On April 10 in Québec City, labour ministers from all jurisdictions met to finalize a national workplan to accelerate recognition of occupational health and safety credentials in the construction sector. Endorsed actions set January 1, 2027, as the deadline for harmonizing 'Working at Heights' and 'Mobile Elevating Work Platforms' training, with consultations for 'Hoisting and Rigging' and 'Trenching and Shoring' also due by then. Implementation details are to be determined jurisdiction by jurisdiction. Ministers tasked officials to develop an interjurisdictional training approach for completion by fall 2026 and committed to more frequent meetings. The ministers also directed a newly formed working group to address misclassification in the trucking industry, aiming to report progress later this year. Internationally, ministers signaled progress towards ILO C155 ratification and renewed the Canada-ILO Strategy for 2026–2028.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada and Quebec Sign $122.5M Partnership to Support Tariff-Affected Workers

The federal and Quebec governments formalized a three-year, $122.5 million agreement to assist workers and industries navigating impacts from global tariffs, including sectors such as softwood lumber and steel. Announced by Minister Patty Hajdu and Quebec's Minister Pascale Déry, the partnership will provide skills development and retraining access for those facing economic displacement. Services will be delivered through Service Québec, ensuring tailored public employment services are available in all regions. Specialized supports aim to maintain workforce competitiveness and ease labour market transitions for directly and indirectly affected businesses.

Sources: www.canada.ca

National Caregiver Day: Federal Initiatives Target Caregiver Supports and Workforce Stability

Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel and Secretary of State (Seniors) Stephanie McLean issued a statement recognizing over ten million Canadian caregivers and outlining new supports. Recent actions include the launch of the Care Economy Alliance under the Workforce Alliances initiative and the introduction of a temporary personal support worker tax credit for 2026–2030, potentially worth up to $1,100 annually for eligible workers in provinces/territories without targeted amendments. Bilateral Aging with Dignity agreements continue to direct resources toward caregiver support and workforce retention in long-term care. The government has allocated $29.9 million for a pension pilot and reinforced the availability of benefits such as the Canada caregiver credit and specific Employment Insurance benefits for those providing care.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Actions to Boost Youth Employment Announced

On April 13, Minister Patty Hajdu will announce new measures to improve outcomes for youth employment. The event, to be held at the University of Ottawa, is expected to detail the federal government's approach to supporting young workers’ integration and skills access, with media availability to follow.

Sources: www.canada.ca

$8 Million for Revitalizing Laval’s Cartier Sector and Enabling Housing Growth

The federal government allocated $8 million under the Build Communities Strong Fund to upgrade municipal infrastructure in Laval’s Cartier sector. The redevelopment covers several key streets, updating sanitary sewer and underground networks to prepare for residential densification. The improvements are projected to support the creation or retention of 1,790 housing units and enhance service reliability for local residents. The initiative forms part of a coordinated response to housing and community development needs in the region.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Joint Rural Transit Solutions Fund Agreement Enables Transit in 14 Quebec Communities

Canada and Quebec signed a bilateral agreement under the Rural Transit Solutions Fund, directing $6.7 million to rural transit infrastructure planning and implementation in 14 communities. The funding, jointly announced by Minister Gregor Robertson and Quebec’s Minister Jonatan Julien, will support flexible and context-appropriate transit solutions, including fixed routes and on-demand services. The aim is to expand equitable transportation access and help rural communities connect to jobs and essential services.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Three New Supported Housing Projects in Quebec for Vulnerable Groups

Canada and Quebec confirmed the construction of 77 new housing units in Morin-Heights, Joliette, and another location, as part of larger efforts to create nearly 865 affordable housing units province-wide. Projects include independent living for seniors, transitional and permanent units for people with disabilities or experiencing homelessness, and secure accommodation for women escaping violence. Total investment exceeds $37 million, drawn from the joint Quebec Affordable Housing Program and the federal Build Canada Homes initiative.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Releases Labour Force Survey for March 2026

Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey for March 2026 reports employment holding steady, with a change of +14,000 positions (+0.1%), while the unemployment rate remains at 6.7%. The employment rate stayed fixed at 60.6%, signaling ongoing stability in national labour market conditions during the period.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Housing Economic Account Shows 2.9% Rise in Residential Investment in 2025

Data from Statistics Canada shows nominal investment in residential dwellings rose by 2.9% in 2025, contributing to a 1.6% increase in the total stock of dwelling units. The upward trajectory marks a second consecutive year of rising residential investment, sustaining near-term expansion in Canada’s housing supply.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

StatsCan Examines Recent Immigrants’ Labour Market Integration

Two new studies from Statistics Canada provide fresh data on the labour experiences of immigrants and non-permanent residents arriving since 2019. The research furnishes detail on employment rates, sectoral participation, and integration patterns relative to Canadian-born cohorts, with implications for policies targeting labour market access and community engagement.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario Expands WSIB Coverage to Private Residential Care Facilities

Ontario will expand mandatory Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage to include workers in all privately operated residential care, retirement, and group homes, covering an additional 29,000 care workers. The change is intended to level workplace protection with publicly operated facilities.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Nova Scotia Passes Budget and Powering the Economy Act

Nova Scotia concluded its spring legislative sitting by passing a budget focused on healthcare, housing, and energy, alongside the Powering the Economy Act enabling offshore wind energy development and related infrastructure modernization.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

BC Housing Opens 384 New Homes in March, Targets Diverse Populations

British Columbia funded and opened 384 new homes in March, serving working families, people with disabilities, First Nations elders, and individuals experiencing homelessness. Additional investments support affordable housing, partnerships for rental projects, and supportive units in various communities.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Ontario and Canada Announce New Affordable and Supportive Housing in Guelph

With $1.75 million in joint funding, the 'Welcome 2 Waterloo' project will add 10 supportive housing units and three transitional units for at-risk youth, with additional emergency shelter beds and transitional units at 23 Gordon Street, funded through federal, provincial, and municipal programs.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Launches New HART Hub in West Ottawa

Ontario opened a Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub in West Ottawa as part of a $550 million initiative to deliver 28 such hubs, aimed at delivering integrated housing, treatment, and support services for individuals with addictions and unstable housing.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• The Globe and Mail: Coverage of federal infrastructure spending linked to housing supply.
• CBC News: Report on national labour mobility agreements and their impact on construction workers.
• Toronto Star: Ontario government extends WSIB coverage to thousands of private care workers.
• National Post: Analysis of the Canada-Quebec tariff-impacted workforce agreement.
• CTV News: Federal budget's introduction of a caregiver tax credit for support workers.
• La Presse: Details on Quebec's affordable housing projects and government partnerships.
• Global News: Nova Scotia's Powering the Economy Act and investments in energy and housing.
• Vancouver Sun: Overview of new housing units delivered by BC Housing.
• Radio-Canada: Joint affordable housing projects in Quebec communities announced this week.
• The Tyee: Analysis of housing and homelessness responses in British Columbia.

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