April 26, 2026 to May 02, 2026

This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements, and other government-related news concerning power generation and transmission, wind and solar, utilities, midstream companies, batteries and energy storage, LNG, biofuels, as well as nuclear. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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📋 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

• Industry and Technology Committee: Federal Electric Vehicle Policy Review: On May 4, the House Industry and Technology Committee will hear from Minister Mélanie Joly and industry experts regarding the federal government’s electric vehicle policies. Witnesses from vehicle manufacturers and standards organizations are scheduled from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Room 415, Wellington Building.
• Public Accounts Committee: Review of Auditor General’s 2026 Spring Reports: The House Public Accounts Committee meets May 4 to review the 2026 Spring Reports of the Auditor General, with in-camera committee business to follow. Scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Senate Committee on Energy, Environment and Natural Resources: Clause-by-Clause Study of Bill S-4, Energy Efficiency Act Amendments: On May 5, the Senate’s Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee will conduct clause-by-clause review of Bill S-4 (Energy Efficiency Act amendments) at 6:30 p.m. in Room B30, Senate of Canada Building.
• Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs: Bill C-8, Cyber Security and Telecommunications: The Committee examines Bill C-8, updating cyber security law and the Telecommunications Act, on May 4. Panels will include ISED, Public Safety, the Intelligence Commissioner, Canada Energy Regulator, Bruce Power, Electricity Canada, and the Canadian Telecommunications Association.
• Senate Committee on National Finance: Main Estimates, Including Testimony from Atomic Energy of Canada Limited: On May 6, the National Finance Committee will review the Main Estimates for 2026–27, with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited and Natural Resources Canada among scheduled witnesses from 6:45 p.m. in Room W110, 1 Wellington St., via videoconference.

Federal Government News

Government of Canada Announces Comprehensive Nuclear Energy Strategy and $40 Million Microreactor Feasibility Investment

On April 29, Natural Resources Canada announced the upcoming Nuclear Energy Strategy, set to be released by the end of 2026. Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson, speaking at the Canadian Nuclear Association Conference, laid out four central pillars: enabling new nuclear builds, establishing Canada as a leading supplier and exporter of nuclear technology, expanding uranium and nuclear fuel opportunities, and fostering Canadian-led nuclear innovation including fission and fusion. The federal government, in collaboration with Defence, will invest $40 million in 2026–2027 to assess the feasibility of a Canadian-controlled microreactor to provide energy to remote and northern defence installations. In parallel, $2.2 billion over ten years was committed to Chalk River Laboratories for infrastructure and research improvements, supporting the modernization of Canada’s national nuclear labs. This program is expected to reinforce supply chain capacity, grid expansion, and opportunities for Canadian nuclear exporters. Industry stakeholders—including provincial utilities and Indigenous partners—will be engaged in the development of the national strategy and related projects.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Hodgson Previews Nuclear Policy Direction at Canadian Nuclear Association Conference

During his April 29 keynote, Minister Tim Hodgson reviewed the history and economic footprint of Canada’s nuclear sector, which currently employs 90,000 Canadians, contributes 13% of national electricity, and generates $17 billion annually through CANDU operations at home and abroad. He repeated the plan to make Canada the first G7 nation to host an SMR at Darlington, supported by $2 billion from the Canada Growth Fund and $1 billion from Ontario. Minister Hodgson also noted the federal approval of two new uranium mines in early 2026, the first since 2004, and plans for deep geological waste disposal. Canada’s role as the world’s second-largest uranium producer enables both national security and international exports. The Minister affirmed that the forthcoming strategy would include robust support for Indigenous participation and trade diversification, and that a parallel national electricity strategy is in development.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Joly Advances Canadian-International Collaboration and $23M Siemens Battery R&D Investment

Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly returned from meetings with German and Norwegian officials, highlighting new collaborative agreements and foreign direct investment attraction. Key outcomes include a federal $23 million investment for Siemens to enhance its AI Manufacturing Technologies R&D Center for battery production in Canada, and $60 million through the Advanced Manufacturing Cluster (NGen) for 14 new projects. In Norway, a joint statement was signed to facilitate secure and open Arctic data use, including climate-related data. These initiatives are positioned to strengthen Canada’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem, supply chain resiliency, and international research cooperation.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Releases February 2026 Energy Data: Primary Production Up 5.2% YoY

According to Statistics Canada’s April 29 Daily, primary energy production in February 2026 rose 5.2% year over year. The main contributors were natural gas, increasing by 9.0%, and crude oil and equivalent products, up 5.8%. Secondary energy output remained unchanged, with gains from refined petroleum products balancing out declines elsewhere. These figures provide context for ongoing assessments of Canada’s energy supply mix and ongoing transition efforts.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Upcoming Strategic Investment in Critical Minerals Processing for Battery Supply Chain

On May 1, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada pre-announced a major Strategic Response Fund investment to support battery-grade cobalt sulfate production in Temiskaming Shores, Ontario. Parliamentary Secretary Pauline Rochefort will officially unveil details on May 4. The project is connected to federal priorities on strengthening domestic critical minerals processing and supply chain initiatives linked to battery manufacturing.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Hodgson Keynote Scheduled at CNA2026 Conference

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson will deliver opening remarks at the Canadian Nuclear Association’s CNA2026 annual conference on April 29 in Ottawa. The Minister’s speech will focus on the future landscape for nuclear energy policy, with sectoral participants invited for agenda-setting discussions.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario Achieves Construction Milestone on G7’s First Small Modular Reactor at Darlington

Ontario announced the installation of the basemat module for Unit 1 at Darlington’s Small Modular Reactor project, marking significant progress toward generating 1,200 MW from four SMRs. Over 100 Canadian companies are now part of the SMR supply chain, and project activities are expected to add $38.5 billion to GDP over 65 years.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Invests $91 Million in Industrial Transformation Challenge for Energy Innovation

Alberta committed $91 million through Emissions Reduction Alberta’s Industrial Transformation Challenge to support cost-saving technologies in energy, smart grid, hydro-battery, geothermal, and construction sectors, with applications open for the next round of up to $50 million.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Premier Smith Applauds EOR and CCUS Provisions in Federal Economic Update

Premier Danielle Smith welcomed the inclusion of Enhanced Oil Recovery in the Investment Tax Credits for CCUS, following advocacy as part of the Canada–Alberta Energy Agreement.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

B.C. Adds $88B in Major Project Investments and Streamlines Clean Energy Permitting

British Columbia’s Look West plan announced 17 new priority projects, clean energy regulatory updates, accelerated major mine permitting, and $6 billion in new wind and solar investment, increasing annual construction job expectations and strengthening grid supply.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Nova Scotia Back in Offshore Oil and Gas Sector After $210M Exploration Bid

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston announced that Inceptio Oil and Gas won the right to explore two offshore parcels with over $210 million in committed work, moving the province back into offshore resource development.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Brookfield looks to simplify corporate structure for renewable power, infrastructure businesses: Brookfield to overhaul its corporate setup for clearer renewable infrastructure operations.
• Terra Clean Energy Corp. Announces Revised and Improved Earn-In Terms and Upcoming Drill Program at South Falcon East Uranium Project: Terra Clean amends earn-in terms for a Saskatchewan uranium project and prepares a new drill program.
• Carney says clean electricity strategy promised weeks ago is still on its way: Mark Carney confirms the federal clean electricity plan remains pending.
• N.S. grid operator insists natural gas power plants cannot be replaced with batteries: Nova Scotia’s transmission operator discusses grid limitations and battery alternatives.
• Solar and wind energy, a big opportunity for Canada | The Current | On Demand | CBC Listen: National radio program profiles major prospects for wind and solar power in Canada.
• Global Instability Accelerates Push for Domestic Energy Security: International instability is seen impacting decisions on homegrown energy systems.
• India's Heat Exposes a Fragile Grid as Energy Crunch Deepens: The Indian power grid faces sustained stress due to extreme heat and energy demand.
• Clean Energy ETF Attracts Giant Investor Inflows: ESG Investing: Investor flows into clean energy ETFs surge during 2026.
• Student-led solar panel project to reduce CO2, inspires others to act on climate change: New Brunswick students complete a solar installation project at a local high school.
• Japanese Public Wants Energy-Saving as Takaichi Holds Back: In Japan, energy policy debates expand amid consumer calls for greater efficiency.

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