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: 2026-03-01 to 2026-03-07

📋 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

• House Committee on Citizenship and Immigration Review of Canada’s Immigration System: Committee meets March 9 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with witnesses from Canada Border Services Agency and Immigration and Refugee Board to discuss system procedures.
• House Committee on Procedure and House Affairs Study of Civic Resilience: Scheduled for March 10, witnesses include Democratic Engagement Exchange, MASS LBP, and Resilient Societies; also reviewing actions related to election ballots from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• House Committee on Official Languages Examination of Regulations Advancement: Meeting set for March 10 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Witnesses include Rémi Léger, Société Santé en français, and the Fédération culturelle canadienne-française.
• House Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs Bill C-10 Study: March 10 session features witnesses from Deline Got'ine Government, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, Tlicho Government, Council of Yukon First Nations, Kitsumkalum Band Council, and Tsawwassen First Nation.
• Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs Bill S-209 and S-205: Senate committee convenes March 11 at 4:15 p.m. for clause-by-clause consideration of Bills S-209 (online access to pornographic material) and S-205 (Corrections and Conditional Release Act).

Federal Government News

Federal Funding Targets Gender-Based Violence Support and Systemic Change

Women and Gender Equality Canada delivered a combined investment exceeding $1.6 million to the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters for enhancing survivor-centered, trauma-informed tools and training frontline providers. Announced by Ministers Eleanor Olszewski and Rechie Valdez in connection with International Women’s Day, the initiative will facilitate cross-community partnerships, analyze outcomes, and share findings to improve support for survivors and expand sector capacity. Eight additional organizations nationwide collectively received $4.3 million to advance locally grounded projects such as legal navigation for separation, Indigenous wraparound supports, pediatric care for children affected by sex trafficking, and youth workshops on gender-based violence. This portfolio of funding supports expanded access to culturally responsive services and training, including coordinated justice and legal interventions. The investments build on a Budget 2025 commitment of $223.4 million over five years to advance a national response to gender-based violence.

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

Expanded Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Supported by Federal Funding

Health Canada allocated $5.4 million through the Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund for five national organizations, including Abortion Care Canada, Fertility Matters Canada, Canadian Association of Midwives, Endometriosis Network Canada, and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. The funding aims to reduce barriers to abortion care, fertility services, menopause management, and endometriosis treatment, as well as address stigma, discrimination, and geographic isolation for underserved groups. Projects supported will yield targeted resources, informational campaigns, and improved management protocols, affecting access and systemic equity in care delivery. In rural and remote communities, the initiative targets improved care and reduced wait times for essential health services.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Investment in Emergency Treatment for Substance Use Across Ontario

Health Canada issued more than $5 million across six Ontario projects through the Emergency Treatment Fund, supplementing previous allocations exceeding $30.4 million since October 2025. Municipalities and Indigenous communities receive funding for treatment, recovery, prevention, and harm reduction services delivered by trusted local providers. This effort is coordinated to address urgent needs arising from the toxic drug supply crisis, combining health, mental health, and housing supports with cultural programming. The ETF directs resources to immediate health interventions for affected populations.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Investment in Community Food Security Infrastructure

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada approved $30 million for 235 projects under the Local Food Infrastructure Fund to improve access to nutritious, culturally appropriate foods. Large-scale projects receive up to $17.5 million, supporting multi-component infrastructure upgrades, while small-scale projects gain $12.5 million for gardens, greenhouses, and food forests. The program enables organizations to address regional food insecurity through new equipment and partnerships, with additional $20 million announced for food banks in January 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

London Justice Centre Expansion Increases Access to Services for At-Risk Youth

Department of Justice Canada, in partnership with Ontario, launched the expanded London Justice Centre in Joan’s Place, a Youth Opportunities Unlimited facility. This centre, now operational, integrates mental health care, addiction treatment, education, employment, and housing supports for at-risk young adults aged 18-24. Federal funding of $13 million supports Ontario’s network of justice centres, which aim to reduce reoffending and consolidate service delivery for vulnerable populations.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Youth Crime Prevention Investment in Vernon

Public Safety Canada supplied $2.14 million through the Crime Prevention Action Fund to the Okanagan Indian Band for youth crime prevention. Targeting Indigenous youth aged 14 to 25, the community-led initiative fosters ties to syilx teachings, wellness supports, and arts-based programming. Leadership skills development and community safety protocols are central, addressing risk factors linked to crime among vulnerable populations.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Government Actions National Plan for Mining and Critical Minerals Workforce

Employment and Social Development Canada convened sector leaders at the PDAC convention to advance the new Mining and Minerals Workforce Alliance. The alliance’s mandate includes addressing workforce shortages across exploration, extraction, processing, and supply chain development—targeting resource sovereignty, national security, and skills alignment with emerging technologies. The plan forms part of a broader industrial strategy spanning advanced manufacturing, housing and construction, transportation, care economy, and energy, engaging employers, unions, post-secondary institutions, and Indigenous partners to respond to ongoing labour market pressures.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Launches Support for Community Infrastructure in Saint-Quentin

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency issued a $500,000 non-repayable contribution for expanding La Moisson public library in Saint-Quentin, New Brunswick. The library will add three multi-purpose rooms, providing space for expanded community programming, workshops, and training that boost local business productivity and civic engagement.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government of Canada Announces Investment in Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program

Employment and Social Development Canada scheduled a March 9 Ottawa announcement on a significant workforce development investment via the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program. Minister Patty Hajdu and MP Marie-France Lalonde will detail the initiative during the event.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Area-Level Measures Report for Monitoring Social and Health Inequality

The latest Statistics Canada Analytical Studies: Methods and References series report defines key area-level measures for assessing social and health inequality across Canadian neighbourhoods. The publication offers a methodology framework for population health research and practical recommendations for selecting appropriate metrics.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Federal Action Against Immigration Fraud

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued a statement for Fraud Prevention Month, outlining ongoing measures and resources available to protect against immigration fraud, including advice and reporting channels for suspected scams.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Manitoba Implements Clare’s Law Against Intimate Partner Violence

Manitoba proclaimed the Disclosure to Protect Against Intimate Partner Violence Act, broadening disclosure protocols to include family and sexual violence and connecting applicants to community-based supports.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

BC Announces Amendments to Residential Tenancy Act for Supportive Housing

BC is modifying the Residential Tenancy Act to enable new tools for addressing health and safety risks in supportive housing, including measures to keep weapons out and clarify the Act’s legal classification.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Manitoba Expands Women's Health Programs and Services

More than 700 breast cancer screening appointments, 36,000 women receiving menopause treatment monthly, and over 55,000 women accessing free birth control mark Manitoba government’s priority investment in women’s health.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

BC Launches Mental Health Screening Tool in East Kootenays

HealthIM, a digital public-safety tool, is now deployed across East Kootenay police agencies to improve response in mental health and addiction crises, with ongoing provincial investments supporting its rollout.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Ontario and Peel Complete Emergency Training Project

Peel region piloted Ontario’s online Incident Management System course, training 3,384 staff for digital emergency management response, with expansion planned for municipalities province-wide.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Government Consultations

Public Consultations on Canada-Colombia Human Rights and Free Trade Annual Report

Global Affairs Canada announced a call for submissions regarding Canada’s annual report on human rights and free trade with Colombia, open March 3 through April 3.

Sources: international.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Supreme Court rules asylum seekers eligible for Quebec’s subsidized daycare: Supreme Court’s decision extends access to subsidized daycare for asylum seekers in Quebec.
• Families slam budget cuts for harming the most vulnerable: Families express concerns that recent budget cuts disproportionately impact vulnerable groups.
• Opinion | NDP leadership candidate Avi Lewis’s socioeconomic proposals are pie-in-the-sky ideas: Opinion piece analyzes proposals from NDP leadership candidate Avi Lewis.
• 'We feel betrayed': Disability community says provincial budget 'punches down': Disability advocates criticize Nova Scotia’s budget changes affecting community supports.
• Nova Scotia pledges to open long-promised child and youth advocate office next year: Nova Scotia commits to establishing a child and youth advocacy office in 2027.
• Cuts to benefits for caregivers in N.S. will hurt people with disabilities: advocates: Advocates comment on negative effects of benefit reductions for caregivers in Nova Scotia.
• Benjamin Errett: Champs ‘n Chumps: Do our social programs need to be privately funded?: Contributor examines the role of private funding for social programs.
• Supreme Court rules that asylum seekers can access subsidized Quebec daycare: Analysis of Supreme Court’s decision on Quebec daycare accessibility.
• ‘Everything has been a struggle’: More questions from Lapu Lapu victim about donations - BC: Story addresses ongoing questions about donation management for crime victims.
• Nova Scotia pledges to open child and youth advocate office: Nova Scotia government moves ahead with long-promised advocate office.

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