CANADA · SECTION
News primarily affecting Canada nationally or across multiple provinces.
The Competition Bureau of Canada has finalized a legally binding consent agreement with Empire Co. Ltd., the parent company of Sobeys and other grocery banners, to address anti-competitive property controls in the Canadian grocery industry.
The shutdown of Pickering Nuclear Generating Station’s Unit 5 marks the beginning of a $26.8-billion refurbishment project that will take all four operational units offline by September 30. While industrial groups warn of skyrocketing electricity prices due to increased reliance on gas-fired generation, the Independent Electricity System Operator forecasts sufficient reserve capacity.
The Liberal government has introduced Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, which amends the Canada Labour Code to streamline project approvals and introduce new measures for resolving labour disputes. While the government argues the bill provides necessary guardrails and transparency, union leaders criticize it as an attack on workers' rights that formalizes government intervention in strikes.
The Canadian federal government has proposed a collective 15% ownership stake in the Trans Mountain pipeline to Indigenous groups, facilitated by low-cost loans. While officials frame this as economic reconciliation, some industry leaders criticize the offer's size and compensation terms.
New data from Statistics Canada shows a rise in households spending over 30% of income on housing and experiencing financial difficulty due to costs. The Atlantic provinces face severe pressures with low average incomes.
Average asking rents in Canada have declined for 23 consecutive months, with August recording the steepest drop since March 2026. Analysis shows that cities most exposed to U.S. tariffs are experiencing rent decreases nearly four times faster than those least affected, a trend linked to economic uncertainty following collapsed trade negotiations.
Industry Minister Melanie Joly cautions that U.S. tariff policies have bipartisan backing and may continue beyond the Trump administration, citing significant revenue gains and political consensus on trade protectionism.
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner has launched an investigation into a data breach at identity verification platform IDScan.net, which allegedly exposed millions of driver's license scans. While independent estimates suggest up to 153 million documents were stolen, official numbers remain unconfirmed.
Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne introduced Bill C-38 to extend the federal fuel excise tax suspension until January 31, 2027. The move aims to provide $2.9 billion in additional relief as global instability and Middle East conflicts keep fuel prices elevated.
The Government of Canada has introduced Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, aiming to accelerate project approvals through a one-year timeline and modernize federal labour relations. While the government argues the bill boosts competitiveness and worker protections, environmental groups and unions have raised concerns about weakened oversight and expanded government powers over strikes.
Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu announced that free trade negotiations with the Philippines and the ASEAN block are over 90% complete, targeting finalization before Prime Minister Mark Carney's November visit to Manila. The agreements aim to diversify economic ties and strengthen supply chains, with a focus on LNG exports and investments in Philippine infrastructure.
Canadian and U.S. authorities are investigating a significant data breach at IDScan.net, which may have exposed millions of driver's licences and government IDs. The FBI is also probing the theft, with reports indicating the data was sold on the dark net.
Newly disclosed agreements between the Trump administration and major pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Eli Lilly indicate plans to share increased revenue from drug sales in eight specified countries, including Canada, with the U.S. government.
Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem stated that persistent U.S. trade tariffs could reduce fourth-quarter economic growth to below 1 per cent, while Middle East conflicts threaten to keep inflation near the central bank's upper target range.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the United States is negotiating a deal to purchase potash from Belarus at prices significantly lower than those paid to Canada. The announcement comes as trade talks between Washington and Ottawa have collapsed, though experts question the immediate impact of the potential deal due to logistical challenges and existing supply levels.
On September 21, 2026, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act. The legislation aims to complete federal infrastructure reviews within one year, designate strategic trade corridors, and enhance worker protections by adding health and safety officers and clearing labour board backlogs.
European Union President Ursula von der Leyen has invited Canada to become the bloc's first "associate member," a new designation proposed by Prime Minister Mark Carney that aims to deepen economic, educational, and research ties while navigating complex trade relationships with the United States.
The Canadian House of Commons reconvened on September 21, 2026, as the Liberal government introduced Bill C-39. The legislation aims to accelerate project reviews and modify labour laws, drawing sharp criticism from unions and opposition parties while the government cites economic necessity due to escalating trade tensions with the United States.
Statistics Canada reports that housing affordability declined in 2024, with 23.2% of households spending over 30% of their income on shelter costs. Renters and homeowners with mortgages faced the most significant financial strain.
Montreal-based CAE Inc. has been awarded a $300 million contract to continue training U.S. Air Force crews on C-130 Hercules aircraft through 2035, despite a recent presidential decree banning federal procurement of Canadian items.
The Government of Canada has approved the expansion of FortisBC's Tilbury LNG facility in Delta, B.C., marking the third substituted impact assessment completed under a federal-provincial cooperation agreement.
Recent data from Robert Half Canada and Remitly shows a sharp decline in remote and hybrid job postings in Canada, with on-site roles becoming the dominant requirement. Despite this shift, surveys indicate that Canadian workers continue to prioritize flexibility, leading many to consider seeking new employment.
A new 50% retaliatory tariff on U.S. whey protein is causing significant supply chain disruptions for Canadian manufacturers, who rely on the U.S. for approximately 90% of their high-protein whey imports.
Hundreds of Iranian former conscripts living in Canada have received procedural fairness letters warning they may be inadmissible due to mandatory service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). While the UK and Australia have issued guidance distinguishing involuntary conscripts from active members, Canada’s approach has triggered legal challenges and personal hardships for those who self-disclosed their past military service.
The Liberal government plans to amend the Canada Labour Code, specifically Section 107, to facilitate collective agreements rather than prevent strikes. This move follows recent interventions in Air Canada disputes and comes alongside the 'Building Canada Strong Act' aimed at expediting federal project approvals.
The Government of Canada has announced a new five-year investment to support Black-led organizations, building on previous initiatives that funded over 3,000 projects.
The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians is examining Canada's foreign intelligence gathering capabilities as the Carney government prepares a new national security strategy. The review highlights ongoing debates about establishing a dedicated overseas spy agency, a proposal that has historically faced resistance due to cost and bureaucratic concerns.
The United States, Denmark, and Greenland have finalized a security deal granting Washington permanent control over island security. While NATO and allies welcome the pact as stabilizing, key details remain undisclosed, and parliamentary ratification is still required.
The Highwood UCP riding association has formally requested a leadership review of Premier Danielle Smith, citing her support for the 'stay' option in the upcoming referendum. While this single request cannot trigger a vote without 21 additional associations, it highlights internal party tensions ahead of the October 19 ballot.
Gen. Carsten Breuer of Germany has been elected as the next chair of the NATO Military Committee, defeating Canadian candidate Gen. Jennie Carignan in a secret ballot held on Saturday. The election marks a significant moment for the alliance, as Carignan would have been the first woman to lead the committee in its 77-year history.
