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.

Also consider subscribing to our Social Issues - Washington edition covering critical GR news south of the border.

Dates: 2026-01-26 to 2026-02-01

📋 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: Workers in the Seasonal Industry and Employment Insurance Program: The Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities Committee meets February 2 from 3:30–5:30 p.m. to discuss the Employment Insurance Program’s impact on seasonal industry workers. Witnesses include executives from Build Canada Homes and the Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.
• Justice and Human Rights Committee: Bill C-14 (Bail and Sentencing): On February 2, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., the Justice and Human Rights Committee will hear from representatives of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, Canadian Urban Transit Association, National Police Federation, and legal and academic experts regarding Bill C-14 amendments.
• INAN Committee: Issues Related to Federally Recognized Indigenous Communities Without a Land Base: Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee convenes February 3 from 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. to address issues for Indigenous communities lacking a land base. Witnesses will include officials from the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, and several Chiefs.
• FEWO Committee: Study on Antifeminist Ideology: Status of Women Committee holds a meeting February 3, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. for its study on antifeminist ideology, with witnesses from Les 3 sex*, Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres, Interligne, and university researchers.
• CHPC Committee: Effects of Influencers and Social Media Content on Children and Adolescents: Canadian Heritage Committee meets February 3, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. to examine effects of influencers and social media content on youth. Witnesses include advocacy groups, academic researchers, and youth representatives.
• Senate Human Rights Committee: Employment Equity in the Federal Public Service: Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights meets February 2 at 4:00 p.m. to assess employment equity in the federal public service, with Treasury Board Secretariat, Public Service Alliance of Canada, and labour association officials slated as witnesses.
• Senate Indigenous Peoples Committee: Budget Act Considerations: Senate Indigenous Peoples Committee is scheduled for February 3, 9:00 a.m., to discuss the budget act’s provisions affecting Indigenous communities; witnesses include Chief Louise Nattawapio and Public Safety Canada officials.
• Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee: Bill S-209 and Budget Bill Divisions: On February 4, 4:15 p.m., the Senate Committee will review Bill S-209 (youth online access restrictions), select budget bill divisions, and hear from Minister Sean Fraser, Justice Canada officials, and representatives from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.
• Senate Social Affairs, Science and Technology Committee: National Strategy for Children and Youth: On February 5, 10:30 a.m., the Senate Social Affairs, Science and Technology Committee will conduct clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-212, An Act respecting a national strategy for children and youth in Canada.
• Senate Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee: International Development and Budget Act Elements: February 5, 10:30 a.m., Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade examines international development in the current global climate and budget act elements, with testimony from Global Affairs Canada and NGO executives.

Federal Government News

Federal Government Outlines Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit

Minister Rechie Valdez, Secretary of State Randeep Sarai, Minister Rebecca Chartrand, and Health Minister Marjorie Michel, in separate releases and events across Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Quebec, explained the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. Announced on January 26 by the Prime Minister, the proposed benefit is intended to provide support for more than 12 million low- and modest-income Canadians, including significant numbers in the provinces cited. Legislation introduced in Parliament would grant a one-time top-up payment equal to a 50% increase in the annual 2025-26 GST Credit, deliver $3.1 billion in immediate assistance, and boost the benefit’s value by 25% for five years starting in July 2026. This will result in up to an additional $402 for a single individual, $527 for couples, and $805 for families with two children. The package includes $500 million from the Strategic Response Fund for supply chain disruptions, a $150 million Food Security Fund under the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, immediate expensing for greenhouse buildings, $20 million to the Local Food Infrastructure Fund, and development of a National Food Security Strategy, incorporating unit price labelling and Competition Bureau efforts focused on food supply chains.

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

Ministers Release National Commitments to Combat Antisemitism

Ministers Gary Anandasangaree (Public Safety) and Sean Fraser (Justice) on January 26 released 'National Commitments to Combat Antisemitism,' advancing work initiated by the National Forum held in 2025. The commitments address enforcement and prosecution via strengthened police training, expansion of hate crime units, improved data collection, and enhanced prosecution coordination. Other initiatives include raising awareness, cross-government actions, and protections for communities at risk, notably students and those in academic settings. The government’s support structures are informed by Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate, and linked legislation (Bill C-9, Combatting Hate Act) proposes amendments to the Criminal Code, including making hate-motivated crime a specific offence and codifying a definition of “hatred.” The process for hate propaganda charges will be simplified by removing the Attorney General’s consent requirement. Progress will be reported semi-annually.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Child Care Ministers Meet on Canada-wide Early Learning System

On January 30 in Ottawa, federal, provincial, and territorial ministers responsible for early learning and child care met to review system progress and discuss sustainability as Canada enters a new phase of Canada-wide agreements. Co-chaired by Minister Patty Hajdu and Manitoba’s Minister Tracy Schmidt, the meeting cited fee reductions by at least 50% since 2021, with nearly 155,000 new spaces reported and investments supporting 210,000 additional spaces. About 900,000 children and families benefit currently. Agreements extended in 2025 reaffirmed commitments to affordability and access beyond March 2026, with a focus on efficient administration and territory equity (accounting for northern realities). Quebec participates as an observer, maintaining exclusive jurisdiction.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Court of Appeal Decision Upholds Plastics Regulation

On January 30, the Federal Court of Appeal overturned a prior decision that invalidated Canada’s 2021 Order listing 'plastic manufactured items' under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). The announcement by Minister Julie Dabrusin signals that the Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations remain active. The decision affirms the federal authority to address plastic pollution risks identified in the Science Assessment of Plastic Pollution. The government intends to continue coordination with provinces, territories, Indigenous leaders, and industry to develop long-term solutions in line with the objectives articulated in CEPA.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Statement on National Day of Remembrance of the Québec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia

Minister Marc Miller and Amira Elghawaby, Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia, marked the National Day of Remembrance, referencing the 2017 mosque attack. The statement reviewed support measures such as financial backing for at-risk communities, efforts to protect gathering spaces, local initiatives to combat racism, and guidance provided by Canada’s Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia. The government cited resources including the Canadian Guide to Understanding and Combatting Islamophobia and the 'Green Square campaign.'

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government Funds Projects Supporting People Living with Dementia and Caregivers

On January 28, Health Minister Marjorie Michel announced more than $4.7 million in funding for six organizations—Art Gallery of Hamilton, Canada’s National Ballet School, Conestoga College, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, and University of Northern British Columbia—for projects targeting wellbeing of people with dementia and caregivers, plus advancing knowledge on the disease. The investments fall under the Dementia Community Investment program and support implementation of 'A Dementia Strategy for Canada: Together We Aspire.'

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada and Nova Scotia Invest in Wastewater Infrastructure Supporting Housing Growth

MP Kody Blois, Minister John A. MacDonald, and Mayor Mike Trinacty announced joint federal, provincial, and municipal investments exceeding $6.9 million in Berwick, Nova Scotia. The funding, delivered through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund, is targeted at wastewater treatment plant upgrades that will increase capacity and support development of new housing. This forms part of broader intergovernmental efforts to address the housing crisis by expanding infrastructure required for residential growth.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Joint Statement on Demolitions Affecting UNRWA Facilities

On January 28, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs joined ministers from Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom in a joint statement condemning Israeli authorities’ demolition of UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem. The statement calls for respect of UN premises, unrestricted humanitarian aid access, and lifting of operational restrictions on international NGOs, referencing previous agreements regarding Gaza and current implications for humanitarian delivery and community services.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day

On January 27, Ministers Anita Anand and Marc Miller issued a statement to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day, acknowledging the six million Jewish victims and other groups targeted by the Holocaust. The statement cited recent increases in antisemitism globally and domestically, highlighting that Jewish Canadians were the most frequently targeted group in police-reported hate crimes in 2024. The government referenced ongoing investments in education and survivor testimony preservation, as well as new legislative initiatives such as Bill C-9 to bolster hate crime protections.

Sources: www.canada.ca

National Video Contest on Workplace Health and Safety for Youth

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) began accepting submissions for its 2026 Focus on Safety Youth Video Contest as of January 29. Youth from across provinces and territories are invited to submit original videos about workplace safety. Winners will be announced during Safety and Health Week in May 2026, with cash prizes awarded to top entries and their schools.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Releases Data on Overrepresentation of Indigenous and Black Adults in Custody

Statistics Canada released updated indicators for the 2019/2020 to 2023/2024 fiscal years detailing representation of Indigenous, Black, and other racialized adults in provincial and federal custody. The new dataset provides further context for assessing equity in the administration of justice and monitoring demographic trends.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

British Columbia Launches Digital Mental-Health Crisis Screening Tool

British Columbia implemented HealthIM, a digital risk-screening system to aid police response for people in crisis, focusing on South Vancouver Island, with $2 million annually dedicated to its rollout; expansion to additional RCMP detachments is scheduled in the coming months.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Mental-Health, Addiction Support Expansion for Youth in B.C.

The Province of British Columbia announced $1.7 million in funding to expand Foundry mental-health and addiction services to five more communities, providing youth ages 12 to 24 with access to physical and mental health care, social services, and peer support.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Ontario Opens Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hub in Lambton County

Ontario launched its newest HART Hub in Lambton County, as part of a $550 million initiative to open 28 hubs, offering integrated recovery, mental health, and housing services in partnership with local agencies.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Invests $14.5 Million in Youth Care Facilities

Alberta committed $14.5 million to improve campus-based care facilities for youth in northern communities, including 10 placements in renovated Lac La Biche and upcoming facility planning for Grande Prairie.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Manitoba Donates $4 Million from U.S. Liquor Sales to Child Nutrition and Health

Manitoba announced a $4 million donation from U.S. liquor sales proceeds, with $3 million for the Child Nutrition Council and $1 million to the Children's Hospital Foundation, supporting school food programs and pediatric care.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation on Telephone Reporting Sites in Former Remote Area Border Crossing Program Areas

Canada Border Services Agency opened consultations on the location of new telephone reporting sites in areas previously covered by the RABC program, engaging Indigenous communities and other local stakeholders until February 13.

Sources: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Larry Maher: Weak leadership and lax immigration policy is tearing the fabric of Canadian society: Opinion piece examining impacts of federal immigration policy changes.
• Abortion, MAID, CBC: Here’s what Conservatives are debating at Calgary convention: Article covering social issues discussed at the Conservative party convention.
• Immigration: Quebec reveals skilled workers selection criteria and confirms abolition of experience program: Quebec announces updated immigration criteria affecting skilled workers.
• Opinion: It is the right time – socially and economically – to scale back extended health benefits for refugees: Commentary regarding possible changes to refugee health benefits.
• Canadian Centre for Food Integrity issues Statement on Government’s Food Affordability Measures: Stakeholder response on recent food affordability policies.
• Premier’s statement on National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia: B.C. Premier David Eby addresses Islamophobia and provincial programs supporting affected communities.

.