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.

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: 2026-01-19 to 2026-01-25

📋 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 Committee: Study of Bill C-15 budget provisions, compensation disparities, Canada Without Barriers initiative: On January 26, the Human Resources, Skills and Social Development Committee will hear from Minister Gregor Robertson and senior officials on the budget implementation bill’s sections regarding housing and infrastructure. Afternoon session topics include union and non-union worker parity and progress towards Canada Without Barriers by 2040.
• TRAN Committee: Changing Landscape of Truck Drivers in Canada: Scheduled for January 26, the Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Committee will receive testimony from individual truck drivers and advocacy groups, as well as organizations supporting labour and road safety, with witness participation both in-person and via videoconference.
• ETHI Committee: Challenges Posed by Artificial Intelligence and its Regulation: On January 26, the Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics Committee will convene a session with experts in AI governance, technology ethics, and safety, including Canadian and international CEOs and researchers.
• FAAE Committee: Canada's Africa Strategy: Foreign Affairs and International Development Committee will hear from senior departmental officials, the African Union's Canadian envoy, and business development leaders regarding Canada’s Africa Strategy on January 27.

Federal Government News

Government invests $3.45 million in senior inclusion project in northeastern Nova Scotia

Employment and Social Development Canada has allocated up to $3,452,962 over five years from the pan-Canadian New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) to St. Francis Xavier University. Announced by Jaime Battiste, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, the funding will support collaborative efforts to boost the social inclusion of seniors aged 55+ with disabilities in northeastern Nova Scotia. The project will map and increase access to existing programs, support intergenerational connection, and encourage volunteerism. NHSP has previously funded over 43,000 projects since its inception and invested more than $970 million. The recent call for pan-Canadian concepts focused on collective impact initiatives to address barriers to senior participation and enhance community capacity through collaboration and innovative approaches.

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

Federal support for preventing hate-motivated crimes in Mount Royal community organizations

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and Anthony Housefather, Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Management, have announced $913,111 via the Canada Community Security Program (CCSP) for 11 organizations in the Mount Royal area, Montreal. Beneficiaries include schools, places of worship, and other community spaces, with funds allocated for security hardware, minor renovations, assessments, training, and time-limited licensed security personnel. CCSP provides year-round application opportunities for organizations requiring financial support to address rising hate-driven incidents. Further information and enrollment options are available through the CCSP portal.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Comprehensive pan-Canadian investments in housing, infrastructure, and homelessness prevention

Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada reports that in 2025, investments resulted in nearly 59,000 housing units nationwide and billions directed into infrastructure, public transit, and climate resilience projects. Regional coverage includes Ontario ($3.29B and 30,000 homes), Atlantic Canada ($444M and 3,800 homes), Prairies ($878M and 10,000 homes), Quebec ($2.81B and 4,810 homes), British Columbia ($2.36B and 8,867 homes), and the North ($133M and 1,186 units). The Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampments Initiative (UHEI) has allocated funds across multiple provinces, including $50M in Prairies and $39.9M in BC, to implement local response plans. Additional Canada Infrastructure Bank loans support clean energy, broadband access, Indigenous infrastructure, and regional development.

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

Sexual harassment response services expanded for British Columbian workers

The Department of Justice Canada, via Minister Sean Fraser, has announced $1.5 million in federal funding for the SHARP Workplaces project administered by the Community Legal Assistance Society. This initiative, highlighted by MP Hedy Fry, offers up to five hours of free legal advice to workers facing sexual harassment in BC, including rural and remote regions. Services also encompass referrals to counseling, housing, and employment support. Legal resource materials, public education, and trauma-informed lawyer training are planned, with attention to male-dominated industries amid an increase in workplace violence and harassment complaints.

Sources: www.canada.ca

National disparities in mental health care service usage

A new Health Reports study using the 2022 Mental Health and Access to Care Survey examines which population groups are most likely to access professional help for mood and anxiety disorders. Findings indicate persistent challenge in timely mental health services across subpopulations.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Employment Insurance recipients rise in November 2025

StatsCan’s latest release shows the number of Canadians receiving regular Employment Insurance increased by 8,900 (+1.6%) in November 2025 to reach 566,000.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Canada and Manitoba renew support for Farmer Wellness Program

A two-year, $300,000 extension to the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program has been made official through joint federal and provincial investment, as announced by Minister Heath MacDonald. Services include confidential, farm-focused counseling for farmers and families, targeting stressors such as extreme weather and operational pressures. The program emphasizes accessibility and agricultural literacy, now supporting farm employees through both federal and cost-shared provincial funding.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Nova Scotia launches HomeShare program for Disability Support participants

HomeShare, a new supported living model under the Human Rights Remedy, offers persons with disabilities choice in community housing and individualized support services. Recruitment for providers is underway and funding is supported by the provincial commitment.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Manitoba introduces Security Enhancement Fund for Places of Worship

Manitoba’s $1-million fund will help community organizations equip facilities with security hardware and develop safety plans against hate-motivated crimes, with oversight from an expert security team.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Ontario opens new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hub in Dufferin County

The Orangeville HART Hub delivers integrated mental health, addictions care, housing support, and employment services, part of a $550 million provincial strategy establishing 28 hubs province-wide.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

New Brunswick, federal government invest $4.3M in dementia-care training for caregivers

The U-First! program will expand with $4.3 million funding, delivering dementia-care training to front-line workers and caregivers, complemented by an additional $1 million for the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick to support wider program implementation.

Sources: www2.gnb.ca

Quebec allocates $2.5M for 22 projects in Nord-du-Québec through Fonds d'initiatives nordiques

Projects include infrastructure and community development, food service, culture, and knowledge transfer across northern municipalities and Indigenous communities, representing a total investment of $9.4 million.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Government Consultations

Health Canada consults on proposed risk-based authorization approach for specialized infant food

Stakeholders can provide comments on the regulatory approach to infant formula and medical foods for infants until January 25, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• No date set yet by Canadian Human Rights Tribunal on claims of discriminatory funding by FN police chiefs: FN police leaders await hearing dates for claims over discrimination in federal funding.
• Nipissing social services board chair wants grant program expanded: Calls for expanded funding to support more local social services in Nipissing.
• Lincoln’s Life Mattered Foundation encourages youth to speak up: Advocacy organization promotes youth voices on social injustice.
• Canadian Awards Program Recognizes Nationbuilding and Immigration Are Intertwined: Awards event connects the themes of immigration and national development.
• Peel Region shortchanged when it comes to funding for community services, report says: New report finds Peel Region receives less funding than other Ontario communities.
• New housing in Sarnia aims to tackle disproportionate homelessness: Sarnia initiative targets higher rates of homelessness with new housing units.
• Winnipeg Humane Society pushing for more pet-inclusive housing: Animal welfare group calls for rental policies supporting pet owners.
• New Glasgow town council revokes tax exemption for controversial shelter: Tax exemption removed for shelter in Nova Scotia following local council vote.
• Child welfare, major projects on Dene National Assembly’s agenda: Dene National Assembly to discuss child welfare challenges and community projects.
• Ontario Investing to Protect Rural Communities: Ontario allocates funds for rural infrastructure and housing development.

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