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: 2026-02-02 to 2026-02-08

📋 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

• HUMA: Study of Provisions in Budget Implementation Act and Seasonal Industry Employment Insurance: The House of Commons Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities Committee will meet February 9 at 3:30 p.m. to review specific clauses of Bill C-15, with appearances by representatives from the Breakfast Club of Canada, Coalition for Healthy School Food, Council of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Schools of Ontario, Canadian Alliance of Student Associations, and the Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association of Canada.
• Finance Committee: Review of Bill C-15 with Justice and Canadian Heritage Officials: Finance Committee convenes February 9 from 3:30 p.m., including testimony from Canadian Heritage Minister Marc Miller and officials from Canadian Heritage and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. Minister of Justice Sean Fraser and Department of Justice witnesses are scheduled at 5:45 p.m.
• Justice and Human Rights Committee: Clause-by-Clause on Bill C-9 (Hate Propaganda and Hate Crime): The Justice and Human Rights Committee will meet February 9 at 11:00 a.m. for a detailed review of Bill C-9 amending Criminal Code provisions on hate propaganda, hate crime, and access to religious or cultural sites. Representatives from the Department of Justice will attend.
• Senate Committee on Human Rights: Employment Equity in the Federal Public Service: The Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights holds a session February 9 at 4:00 p.m. by videoconference to hear from The Enchanté Network, Pride at Work Canada, and the DisAbled Women’s Network of Canada on employment equity, with additional participation from Native Women’s Association of Canada and others.
• Senate Committee on Social Affairs: Border Security and Immigration System (Bill C-12): The Senate Social Affairs Committee meets February 9 at 2:00 p.m. by videoconference to study Parts 5-8 of Bill C-12 related to border security and immigration, with evidence from the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Canadian Bar Association.

Federal Government News

Government Introduces Build Canada Homes Act Establishing New Crown Housing Builder

The Government of Canada announced the introduction of the Build Canada Homes Act, intended to establish Build Canada Homes as a federal Crown corporation dedicated to constructing affordable housing nationwide. Since September, the program has moved forward with six direct-build projects in cities including Dartmouth, Longueuil, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, and Edmonton, and entered into four significant partnerships. Collectively, these partnerships are associated with over 7,500 new homes. The legislation positions Build Canada Homes to prioritize production efficiency, the use of Canadian materials, and collaboration with non-profits, Indigenous organizations, and private sector partners. It is designed to accelerate the delivery of affordable homes serving a broad spectrum of community needs, spanning supportive housing to homes for seniors and young Canadians. Build Canada Homes will also serve as the federal government’s permanent mechanism for affordable housing construction, supported by policy provisions that encourage domestic supply chains and the application of innovative building methods.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Investments Target Expansion of Apprenticeship and Trades Training

Employment and Social Development Canada announced two developments to expand trades training, with the Honourable John Zerucelli detailing nearly $10 million in new funding for the BC Construction Industry Skills Improvement Council (SkillPlan) to enhance national energy assessment skills for insulators. This program aligns with goals to support Canada’s low-carbon economy via the Union Training and Innovation Program. In parallel, the government is expanding flexibilities under the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy for training equipment acquisitions, increasing federal contributions to cover shipping and installation costs, with up to 70% support for remote or infrastructure-limited areas. The application window for apprenticeship equipment training funding is now open to eligible unions and training providers. The 2025 federal budget includes a proposed $75 million expansion of the Union Training and Innovation Program over three years, aimed at further raising union-based apprenticeship capacity in Red Seal trades.

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

Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion Launched by Federal Heritage Minister

Canadian Heritage Minister Marc Miller announced the formation of a new Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion, with a mandate to consult communities and combat all forms of racism and hate nationally. The Council will incorporate prominent figures from academia, civil society, and Indigenous leadership, charged with offering advice to the Minister on matters of social cohesion, identity, and public trust. Its responsibilities include producing reports and studies, developing a collaborative narrative for inclusion, fostering networks among stakeholders, and directly consulting with Indigenous Peoples. The composition of the advisory body is to be published at a future date.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Legislation Proposed to Enhance Digital Health Data Connectivity (Bill S-5)

The Government of Canada tabled Bill S-5, the Connected Care for Canadians Act, aimed at modernizing digital health records and interoperability obligations for technology providers in the health system. The Act would require IT vendors delivering digital health services to adopt common standards, enabling protected and secure health information exchange across systems. The legislation is intended to address issues such as limited provider data sharing and reliance on outdated technology like fax machines. Collaboration with provincial and territorial governments is anticipated regarding regulatory development. Bill S-5 is positioned as a foundation for digital innovation, privacy protections, and economic opportunity in the health care sector.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Expanded Federal Support for Community Volunteer Tax Clinics (CVITP Grant Extension)

The Canada Revenue Agency announced the renewal of the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) grant for three years, coinciding with the program’s 55th anniversary and the International Year of Volunteers. This enables continued financial support to community organizations operating free tax clinics for low-income Canadians. Last year, over 3,580 organizations and 19,810 volunteers processed more than one million returns through the CVITP and Quebec’s ITAVP. A new funding model rewarding organizations by the number of returns filed is expected by spring 2026. The Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson separately called for the restoration of supplemental grant amounts for organizations serving Indigenous and rural communities, noting the importance of stable funding for outreach to vulnerable populations.

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

Federal Investment in AI and Digital Literacy Initiatives in Northern Canada

The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) is providing $2.8 million in funding for four AI-focused projects in Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon, with recipients including Prosper NWT, Inuvik Tech Society, Nunavut Economic Developers Association, and DeltaVue Inc. The funded projects address business support, digital literacy, AI curriculum development, community-level economic planning, and data standardization for Arctic sensors. Initiatives range from the launch of an AI business support centre to digital safety and AI awareness campaigns in remote communities, and the creation of tools for municipal economic development planning in Nunavut.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Parliamentary Budget Officer Reports on Budget 2025 Fiscal Measures and Workforce Reductions

Interim Parliamentary Budget Officer Jason Jacques briefed the Senate's National Finance Committee on the implications of abandoning the debt-to-GDP anchor, the broad definition of capital introduced in Budget 2025, and workforce reductions. The committee discussed topics including the government’s new capital budget, reductions in non-executive federal roles, information sharing with Library and Archives Canada, and the efficacy of investment returns. Jacques indicated that over 80% of the fiscal plan is substantiated, and that further clarity on capital investment and staffing effects remains subject to Parliamentary oversight.

Sources: SOURCE NOT FOUND

StatsCan: Labour Force Survey and Persistent Low Income Statistics Released

Statistics Canada reported that in January 2026, employment fell by 25,000 positions and the employment rate stood at 60.8%. The national unemployment rate decreased to 6.5% as fewer job-seekers entered the market. Separately, a study covering 2016–2022 showed 9% of Canadian tax filers aged 15 and over experienced persistent low income, defined as being below the after-tax low-income threshold for at least four out of seven years.

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

StatsCan: Perinatal Health Care Access Data Published

Statistics Canada’s Parental Experiences Survey for 2024 indicated that 87% of mothers and birthing parents reported having a regular health care provider postpartum. However, 13% reported at least one unmet health care need after giving birth, with results illuminating current access levels for perinatal and mental health services nationally.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

BC Government Opens Over 150 New Homes for Women and Children Fleeing Violence

The BC government announced the opening of over 150 new homes for women and children leaving violence in Vancouver and Langley—its largest such development to date—funded through the Women’s Transition Housing Fund in partnership with YWCA BC and Ishtar Women’s Resource Society.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Ontario Launches Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hubs in Sudbury and Renfrew County

Ontario opened new HART Hubs in Sudbury and Renfrew County, expanding access to mental health, addictions, and supportive housing services as part of a $550 million investment in integrated care and recovery.

Sources: news.ontario.ca, news.ontario.ca

New Nova Scotia Disability Support Transition as Care Facility Closes

Nova Scotia closed Harbour Glen care facility, enabling ten residents with disabilities to transition to independent, community-based living. This shift fulfills a requirement under the Nova Scotia Human Rights Remedy for all such institutions to close by March 2028.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

BC Announces $12.7 Million for Youth Housing in Prince George

BC Housing allocated $12.7 million for the purchase and renovation of a property in Prince George, establishing the 34-bed Reconnect Youth Village for youth at risk of homelessness and young adults aging out of care.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Manitoba Acts to Preserve Seniors’ Care Home Capacity

The Manitoba government initiated expropriation proceedings for the Golden Door Geriatric Centre in Winnipeg to maintain 78 public long-term care beds following a closure notice by the operator.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Bike lanes, police funding and youth initiatives: Your Toronto budget questions answered: An overview of Toronto's budget allocations for community programs and policing.
• More than 800 people supported through rural immigration pilot in Thunder Bay, Ont.: Rural immigration pilot supports hundreds of newcomers and families outside major urban centres.
• Daycares slam Quebec’s new secularism bill, say it will have direct impact on services: Quebec daycares raise alarm about impact of new secularism legislation on their services.
• Quebec immigration minister pledges to prioritize health-care workers’ applications: Quebec government signals new priority processing for health care worker immigration applications.
• Small care homes to support seniors: Coverage on a shift to community-based care homes for seniors.
• Organizations pushing Quebec to adjust immigration targets to ease labour shortage: Advocacy groups urge Quebec to increase immigration targets to fill workforce gaps.
• B.C. government announces nearly 160 new homes for women and children leaving violence: Details on BC’s new homes for women and children escaping violence.
• How high-speed rail will strengthen local communities across Ontario: Analysis of high-speed rail’s role in community economic and social integration.
• Manitoba needs to fund safe housing for women, gender diverse people, advocates say: Advocacy groups in Manitoba call for increased budget allocation for safe, inclusive housing.
• Why protecting Canadian digital sovereignty must be near top of agenda in CUSMA talks with Trump: A commentary on strategies to safeguard Canadian cultural protection laws in upcoming trade negotiations.

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