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: 2026-02-08 to 2026-02-14

📋 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

• Senate Social Affairs Committee: In Camera Study of Bill C-12 Border and Immigration Reforms: The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology will meet February 17, 2026 at noon in Ottawa (Room W110, 1 Wellington St.) for an in camera session on the subject matter of Bill C-12. Interpretation available.

Federal Government News

Senate Committees Advance Review of Bill C-12: Border Security, Immigration, and Rights Protections

Multiple Senate committees undertook detailed consideration of Bill C-12 during the week. Public Safety Minister Anandasangaree and Immigration Minister Diab described proposed amendments to the Customs and Oceans Acts, targeting organized crime, illegal trafficking, and modernizing refugee claim processing. The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology (SOCI) heard concerns about broad ministerial powers, privacy, and expedited removals from stakeholder groups including the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group and the UN Refugee Agency. Constitutional questions surfaced regarding reduced access to oral hearings and judicial review, as well as the impact on 2SLGBTQIA+ applicants. The Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs discussed implications for First Nations, with Grand Chief Cody Diabo flagging potential infringement on Indigenous rights and urging direct engagement. Representatives from the National Police Federation, FINTRAC, and Canadian Bankers Association discussed anti-money laundering provisions, enforcement changes, RCMP operations, and Coast Guard involvement in border security. The SOCI committee continues its study, with witness testimony highlighting pressure for legislative amendment and safeguards.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca, senparlvu.parl.gc.ca, senparlvu.parl.gc.ca, senparlvu.parl.gc.ca, senparlvu.parl.gc.ca, senparlvu.parl.gc.ca, senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Senate Committees Examine Privacy, Oversight, and Reforms in Political and Electoral Law (Bill C-4)

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (LCJC) reviewed Part 4 of Bill C-4 relating to privacy standards for federal political parties. Witnesses including Elections Canada’s Stéphane Perrault, the Privacy Commissioner, and stakeholders from OpenMedia and the Centre for Digital Rights critiqued gaps in privacy governance, lack of uniform breach notification, and overlapping regimes. Bill C-4 has been criticized for lacking minimum requirements for data handling, selling, and sharing, and for possibly pre-empting stricter provincial privacy laws, leading the committee to debate either removing Part 4 or introducing sunset clauses. The committee empowered a subcommittee to finalize a report, leaving open several avenues for future amendment.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca, senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Federal Government Marks International Development Week with New Investment Partnerships

Secretary of State Randeep Sarai concluded International Development Week with a series of partnership and funding announcements, including the Canada LIFTs—Connecting Communities Matching Fund to support Canadian small and medium organizations working in the Global South, the ENGAGE national program for public engagement, and Coffee for Communities with TFO Canada and Tim Hortons. These measures fund women’s economic initiatives, youth leadership, diaspora support, and North-focused Indigenous entrepreneurship.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Investment in National Women’s Organizations Announced by Minister Valdez

The Hon. Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality, announced $15.5 million in funding to strengthen national women’s organizations, including up to $1 million for the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women (CRIAW). Funds are allocated to organizations advancing justice, sexual health, gender-based violence response, and leadership.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Support Initiatives for Women Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Set

Parliamentary Secretary Marie-Gabrielle Ménard will announce new federal support targeting women entrepreneurs with disabilities. The initiative aims to increase accessibility and economic opportunity, with event details made available for February 13, 2026, in Winnipeg.

Sources: www.canada.ca

National Meeting on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ People

The fourth annual National Indigenous-Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ People is convened in Ottawa, with the Hon. Rebecca Alty and partners providing opening remarks. Media registration is required.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Expansion of Veteran Family Telemedicine Service Announced

Veterans Affairs Canada is expanding access to the Veteran Family Telemedicine Service (VFTS) for all CAF Veterans released on or after April 1, 2025, and their families. Registration for the virtual healthcare program is now open, with application intake until March 31, 2027.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Appointment to the Board of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Minister Gregor Robertson announced the appointment of Rita Virk, a Chartered Professional Accountant, to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Board. Ms. Virk brings experience in finance, risk, governance, and ESG, supporting efforts to address the housing crisis.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Releases New Data: Income Taxes, Social Trends, Justice, and Social Diversity

Statistics Canada released version 34.0 of the Social Policy Simulation Database and Model, enabling the study of federal/provincial tax and benefit impacts through 2030, based on 2022 data and all announced policy changes to December 17, 2025. Updated statistics include data on court proceedings, criminal court for adults and youth, a study on the Chinese communities using intersectional measures, and a dataset on crimes related to the sex trade post PCEPA.

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

Cultural, Infrastructure, and Arts Projects Supported by Federal Funding

Minister Marc Miller announced a $51,838 federal investment through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund for dressing room renovations at Théâtre Saint-Eustache. Infrastructure Canada opened application calls for Crown corporation board director appointments, including at CMHC and CIB. The new federal building in Shawinigan, with $223 million in spending and Atikamekw cultural design, is now operational.

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

CBSA Intercepts Child Sexual Abuse Material

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reported seizing a parcel at Hamilton International Airport containing material classified as child sexual abuse. The recipient in Kingston, Ontario, was arrested and charged under several Criminal Code sections.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

BC Expands Disability Supports for Children and Youth with $475 Million Investment

British Columbia launched new benefit and supplement programs for children and youth with disabilities, replacing previous autism funding, and increasing support access across more demographics.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Manitoba Government Invests in Gender-Based Violence Interventions

Manitoba allocated over $767,000 to nine community projects under the Safe Healthy Communities for ALL program, including $100,000 for upgrades at Velma’s House—a 24/7 safe space for women and gender-diverse people.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Quebec Tables Bill 20 Targeting Housing Access and Efficiency

Quebec’s Minister for Housing and Minister for Status of Women introduced Bill 20 to simplify administrative processes and improve affordability for families amid the housing crisis.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Nova Scotia Secures Affordable Housing Units in Halifax

The Province supported the Housing Trust of Nova Scotia’s purchase of three apartment buildings, ensuring 62 units remain affordable and keeping rents below market rates.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

BC Announces Additional Rules Protecting Consumers

Amendments to the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act take effect August 1, 2026, enhancing clarity for contracts, restricting high-pressure sales tactics, and improving rights on renewals and cancellations.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Government Consultations

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Opens Consultation on Indigenous Engagement

The CNSC is consulting on REGDOC-3.2.2, which sets expectations for Indigenous community engagement when nuclear projects may trigger consultation requirements. Submissions are open until March 9, 2026.

Sources: www.cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Ontario lifts tuition freeze + questions about firearms used in B.C. mass shootings: Tuition changes and firearm policy debated in Ontario and B.C.
• Canada falls behind on poverty reduction as its economy undergoes structural change: Economic transformation and its implications for anti-poverty efforts.
• Complex learning needs: Canadian families share challenges of supporting children with complex learning needs.
• Canada’s prosperity paradox: Why are we locking out the very 'wise elder' wisdom we need most?: Debate on demographic trends and utilizing older workers.
• Opinion | Canada’s working-age population is shrinking. Should we keep immigration near zero or rethink the plan?: Opinion on immigration targets and workforce size.
• From immigration programs to 'brownies' report, this week in Quebec politics: Quebec political developments include updates on immigration programs.
• What’s changing in Quebec’s immigration system — and why it's sparking backlash: A look at Quebec’s evolving immigration framework.
• Opinion | Rotten eggs, bad apples and the Toronto Police Service: Torontonians respond to ongoing police oversight issues.
• ‘Everyone Deserves To Smile’ campaign aims to provide dental care for Victoria’s most vulnerable: Community initiative on dental care for vulnerable populations.
• Ottawa looking to squash hate with symposium on kindness: Ottawa hosts a kindness symposium following community incidents.

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