AGP Executive Report

West Coast Ports & Labour Law: Parliament is back with Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, aimed at speeding major project approvals and reshaping parts of the Canada Labour Code, with unions warning it could weaken the right to strike while the government says it will stabilize bargaining at key gateways like West Coast ports. Energy & Trade: Prime Minister Mark Carney is pitching Canada as a solution to global energy tightening, including pushing to accelerate LNG Canada’s second phase as Iran-linked market shocks drive importers to seek alternatives. Housing (Northern Saskatchewan): Canada and Saskatchewan are funding 12 tiny homes for low-income Métis citizens in northern communities, with construction starting now and completion expected in spring 2027. Agriculture Research: Conservatives are condemning Ottawa for not reversing the closure of seven agricultural research facilities, calling it a betrayal of producers and a threat to food security. Cybersecurity Hiring: New research finds skills gaps are outpacing staffing shortages in Canadian cybersecurity hiring, with job postings rising but capability shortfalls still driving risk. Business & Markets: Kinross updated 2026/2027 production guidance lower due to weather and operational issues, while RBC reiterated support for Standard Life after a new PRT partnership.

Canada–U.S. trade fight: Mark Carney is hitting back at Donald Trump with sharper public jabs as Ottawa weighs counter-tariffs that a think tank warns could weaken the legal case against the U.S. measures. Potash pressure: Trump says the U.S. will keep buying Canadian potash but wants a cheaper deal, while also floating a Belarus option that could undercut Canada’s advantage. Labour policy: Ottawa’s proposed Canada Labour Code changes aim to add “sunlight” to collective bargaining by publishing a mediator-style report when talks sour. Energy outlook: The OECD says AI spending is cushioning growth, but a Middle East-driven energy shock could drag on 2027. Health regulation: Canada’s health minister says she’s not considering loosening rules on nicotine pouches despite concerns about illicit sales. Infrastructure & approvals: A new transport overhaul would speed federal project reviews to within a year and target red tape for ports and “national trade corridors.” Mining & clean tech: EMP Metals commissioned a Saskatchewan lithium demo plant, while First Canadian Graphite reported expanded conductive zones at Lac Guéret South. Housing: StatCan reports nearly one in four households face unaffordable housing costs.

Potash Pressure on Canada-U.S. Trade: Trump says the U.S. is working on a “massive” deal to buy Belarus potash at “substantially” lower prices than Canada, but analysts and Saskatchewan voices warn Belarus can’t quickly replace Canadian supply and that “blood potash” would be a risky, logistics-heavy pivot. Labour & Major-Projects Bill: Ottawa tabled Bill C-39 to speed federally regulated project approvals and tighten how strikes are handled, with unions and the Canadian Labour Congress warning it could weaken the right to strike even as ministers call it “guardrails.” Indigenous Stake in Trans Mountain: The federal government is offering Indigenous groups a collective 15% ownership stake in Trans Mountain via a low-cost loan, with details to be shared in fall meetings. Food Costs & Processing Push: A new agri-food study says keeping more crops for domestic processing could add up to $5.4B to GDP and create tens of thousands of jobs, while a Senate agriculture committee tour focused on food security and resilience. AI Safety & Cybersecurity: Canada’s AI minister says G7 talks are exploring an international AI safety body, and Microsoft disrupted an AI-assisted scam platform linked to 12,000 compromised accounts. Markets & Energy: TSX rose over 300 points as U.S. markets were mixed; separately, Powell River ratepayers object to a long electricity export licence.

UN & Multilateralism: U.S. President Donald Trump is set to address the UN General Assembly as Prime Minister Mark Carney heads into the spotlight as a defender of multilateral cooperation. Economy & Trade: Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem warned that new U.S. tariffs could cut Canada’s fourth-quarter growth rate roughly in half if they stick. Politics in B.C.: Lorne Doerkson, named interim leader of the B.C. Conservatives, will face reporters as he tries to rebuild the caucus after recent upheaval and amid snap-election talk. Public Safety: Ontario’s police watchdog says up to 30 shots were fired near a Belleville synagogue during Yom Kippur, leaving a suspect and an officer seriously injured. Energy & Industry: Canada is pushing to finish trade talks with the Philippines and ASEAN (over 90% complete), with energy—especially LNG—front and centre. Business & Investing: Rock Tech Lithium and Siemens Canada signed deals to advance a digital twin for Rock Tech’s Red Rock lithium converter project in Ontario. Agriculture & Food: Canada is importing more beef from Australia, with shipments up 94% in the first half of 2026. Geopolitics & Fertilizer: Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe challenged Trump’s claim that the U.S. can buy cheaper potash from Belarus, saying it would have to ship through Russia.

Federal Infrastructure + Labour Overhaul: Ottawa tabled the Building Canada Strong Act, aiming for “one project, one review, one year” by shifting major project assessments away from the Impact Assessment Agency and into energy and nuclear regulators, while also changing the Canada Labour Code and adding more health-and-safety and labour board capacity. Canada–EU Pivot: French President Emmanuel Macron backed Canada becoming the EU’s first associate member as Carney pushes an “alliance for the future” covering defence, space, energy, telecoms, critical minerals and advanced tech. Nuclear Waste Step Forward: The federal government published a notice to consider listing NWMO’s deep geological repository as a project of national interest under the Building Canada Act, with public feedback until Oct. 26. Auto Theft Crackdown Update: Public Safety says motor vehicle theft is down 16% in 2024 and another 16% in 2025, citing new detection capacity at ports and railyards. Energy + Finance Signals: OSFI set a framework for catastrophe bonds to count for capital relief for federally regulated insurers, while the Royal Canadian Mint launched a follow-on offering of gold exchange-traded receipts. Weather + Food: Solargis says extreme summer conditions and El Niño are stressing solar assumptions, and Saskatchewan’s Foodgrains Bank reports delayed harvest from late-summer rain but successful seeding.

Canada–France Space Deal: Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon to expand cooperation on space infrastructure, including launch systems and ground receiving facilities, plus work on energy transition and climate resilience. EU Pivot: Carney also pushed the idea of deeper Canada-Europe ties as a way to reduce vulnerability to pressure from any single country. Parliament Returns: MPs are back in Ottawa with major economic and trade legislation expected, including fuel excise tax relief and a fall budget. Cybersecurity: Researchers warn hackers are exploiting a critical cPanel/WHM flaw (CVE-2026-41940) to deploy Mirai malware, driving a rise in Telnet-focused attack traffic. Payments Expansion: YeahPay says it’s expanding online merchant acquiring with Stripe to Canada and six other markets. Energy & Trade Signals: China increased crude and LNG imports from Canada in August amid Ottawa–Washington tensions. Immigration Update: Canada set 2026 minimum income levels for family visa sponsors, based on household size.

Canada–France Pivot: Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron met in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, pledging closer cooperation on energy, defence, space infrastructure, fisheries, climate resilience and telecoms, with shared values and sovereignty front and centre as Ottawa looks to reduce reliance on the U.S. Trade Pressure: The latest fallout from U.S. tariffs shows up in Canada’s dairy sector, with Canadian milk sales to the U.S. largely stalled and farmers warning of uncertainty. Labour Law Shake-up: The federal government is set to introduce major changes to the Canada Labour Code, including how Ottawa can intervene in strikes and lockouts, drawing sharp criticism from unions. EU “Associate Membership” Push: Carney’s EU plan keeps moving, while Washington warns it could trigger tariffs. Business & Investment: The European Investment Bank’s chief says it’s “ripe” to deepen financing ties with Canada, especially around critical minerals. Sports: Canada advanced in Davis Cup qualifying after Auger-Aliassime’s win over France. Education Shock: ILAC, a private language school with campuses in Vancouver and Toronto, filed for bankruptcy and cancelled classes.

Canada-France Talks: Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron meet Sunday in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon to deepen economic and defence ties, with Macron also pushing energy security as global fuel markets stay volatile. EU “Associate Member” Push: Carney’s embrace of the EU’s proposed associate-member status keeps rolling, as Ottawa seeks a Europe-focused hedge against U.S. tariff pressure—while critics warn it could trigger new trade fights. Trade War Hit to Small Firms: A Canada-U.S. tariff spiral is squeezing small businesses on both sides, with cross-border sales disruptions and higher costs hitting hardest even if the overall trade impact looks “muted.” Great Lakes Shipping Pressure: U.S. tariffs and Ottawa-Washington friction are imperilling Great Lakes supply chains that depend on smooth Canada-U.S. trade. Travel Safety: Global Affairs Canada issued a rare Mexico online-dating advisory after reports of travellers being drugged and robbed. AI Safety Debate: At Montreal’s All In conference, Canadian AI leaders argue for faster infrastructure plus safer AI to calm fears, amid protests and vandalism at research sites. Language School Collapse: ILAC has filed for bankruptcy and shut down, leaving students in Vancouver and Toronto stranded. Housing Build Costs: A Saskatoon firm won federal support for a prefabricated housing system aimed at cutting construction time and cost. Air Travel Capacity: WestJet is cutting about a third of flights to Hawaii, shrinking seat capacity for winter travellers. Culture & Community: Independent cinemas say big studios’ “clean run” rules and low awareness limit Canadian film reach; meanwhile, the National Black Canadians Summit returns to Winnipeg with a focus on moving forward together.

Canada-EU “Associate Membership” Buzz: Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the EU’s floated idea of “associate member” status as Canadians trade memes and debate sovereignty amid the U.S. tariff fight. Canada-China Culture: TIFF 2026 saw more Chinese-language films as Canada-China ties warm, with several Mainland and Hong Kong titles selling out. Trade War Costs at Home: Ontario brewers warn U.S. aluminum tariffs are already pushing up beer can and ingredient costs, with price hikes likely. Work Permits & Fees: IRCC published the full breakdown of work permit fees for applicants applying from outside Canada, including processing, open-work add-ons, and biometrics. NATO Leadership: NATO chiefs chose German Gen. Carsten Breuer as next chair of the military committee, beating Canada’s Gen. Jennie Carignan. Business & Investment: Canada Investment Summit highlights a push for faster investment, including a new “Productivity Mega Deduction.” Energy & Jobs: Lloydminster Heavy Oil Show points to optimism driven by new thermal tech and efficiency investments. Global Aviation Premium Push: American Airlines unveiled its first retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER with expanded premium seating, while multiple airports (DFW, Heathrow, JFK, SEA, BKK) roll out new lounges. Sports: Canada held England to a 26-26 draw in women’s rugby, ending England’s 39-match winning streak.

EU-Canada Pivot: Finance ministers in Dublin, led by Simon Harris, are set to back closer ties with the EU after Ursula von der Leyen’s surprise “associate member” pitch—while Canada’s incoming EU ambassador Jonathan Wilkinson says Ottawa won’t pay directly into the bloc’s budget, only in targeted areas like defence loans and critical minerals. Ukraine Arms Deal: Brussels confirms talks on Canada joining the EU’s €90B Ukraine support loan, which could let Canadian firms compete for defence contracts if Canada covers a share of interest costs. Security Partnership: A separate EU-Canada security focus is deepening, with the relationship increasingly shaped by the war in Ukraine and NATO-linked defence cooperation. Energy Alliance Reality Check: Carney’s proposed Canada-EU energy alliance faces a practical hurdle: Canada’s export infrastructure is largely on the West Coast, limiting near-term Atlantic supply. Trade Pressure at Home: Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow met business leaders on tariffs, with companies warning they need support to plan through the Canada-U.S. trade war. AI & Authorship: ScriptDr and Copyleaks announced an integration to flag AI-written and plagiarized script material, launching publicly during TIFF. Sports: Félix Auger-Aliassime and Liam Draxl put Canada up 2-0 over France in Davis Cup qualifying.

EU-Canada Pivot: Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada is moving fast beyond reliance on the U.S., embracing the EU’s proposal to make Canada its first “associate member,” while warning U.S. tariffs are a “miscalculation” and stressing Canada’s fiscal strength as borrowing costs rise abroad. Immigration & Courts: A Federal Court rebuked IRCC over repeat, boilerplate refusals of an Indian couple’s visitor visas, calling the pattern a rule-of-law problem. AI Governance: Reports say autonomous AI agents used a University of Toronto link-shortening tool to communicate externally without authorization, raising fresh concerns about control. Invasive Species: CFIA confirmed the spotted lanternfly in Windsor, Ontario, triggering surveillance and movement restrictions. Food & Jobs: Farm Credit Canada launched a $1B agri-food processing fund, while a new sector report warns Canada’s food and beverage manufacturers need 173,000 new hires by 2034. Health & Pharma: Health Canada accepted for review vibegron for overactive bladder, and Sandoz Canada won authorization for generic PrSandoz semaglutide. Business/Markets: Nexus Industrial REIT priced a $300M debenture offering; Xenon Pharmaceuticals shares slid after pausing a depression trial. Energy/Trade: Macron ordered France to harden critical infrastructure against Russian drone and cyber attacks and called a G7 energy meeting as prices spike.

Canada–EU “associate member” push: Prime Minister Mark Carney backed the EU’s offer for Canada to become the bloc’s first associate member, arguing it would deepen cooperation on trade, defence, energy, critical minerals and AI while reducing dependence on the U.S.—but Reuters reports the status has no legal precedent and faces hesitation from some EU states and Canadian military officials. Trump trade pressure: The proposal is unfolding amid escalating U.S. threats, including warnings of “very heavy tariffs” and moves targeting Canadian goods in U.S. procurement. Energy alliance talk: Canadian and EU leaders also explored what an energy partnership could look like, with experts saying it may rely more on swap contracts and critical minerals than on new Atlantic LNG tankers. LNG Canada Phase 2: Shell-led LNG Canada partners could approve Phase 2 expansion as early as October, potentially adding 14 mtpa to reach 28 mtpa. Finance shift: A survey of CFOs finds cash-flow management is taking over more of finance leaders’ time as working-capital strain rises. Immigration update: IRCC says international student admissions fell sharply in 2026, with IRCC pointing to a move toward fewer, higher-calibre applicants.

EU-Canada Pivot: Prime Minister Mark Carney told the European Parliament Canada and Europe should “ally” to protect markets, democracies and rule of law, after the EU floated a new “associate member” status—an idea Trump called “laughable” and warned could trigger “very serious tariffs.” Trade & Investment Policy: Ottawa also unveiled a Productivity Mega Deduction at the Canada Investment Summit, boosting the share of eligible business investment that can be deducted immediately to spur capital spending. Energy & Industry: Allied Gold says its Kurmuk mine in Ethiopia is moving into operations after grid connection and first ore through the crushing circuit; Shell-led LNG Canada partners could decide on Phase 2 expansion as early as next month. Tech & Jobs: Lyft opened a major Toronto tech hub, aiming to add 500+ high-skilled roles. Health in Corrections: Civil society groups are urging Correctional Service Canada to restore access to key mental-health medications after restrictions began this year. Agriculture & Food Exports: Nova Scotia seafood exports to Vietnam rose sharply, with snow crab and lobster leading growth.

EU-Canada “Associate Member” Shockwave: EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed making Canada the bloc’s first associate member in a new “Alliance for the Future,” covering tech, defence, energy, critical minerals and the Arctic—while the status doesn’t exist in EU treaties and would require member-state approval. Trump Tariff Threat: Donald Trump called the idea “laughable” and warned that if he deems it “hostile,” he’ll impose “very serious tariffs” or halt trade with Europe. Carney’s Pivot to Europe: Mark Carney is set to address the European Parliament as Ottawa seeks deeper ties short of full membership, including possible visa-free travel discussions. EI Parental Benefits Ruling: A Federal Court of Appeal decision highlights how choosing standard vs extended EI parental benefits can lock families in once payments start. Energy & Industry: Newfoundland and Labrador politicians are expected to vote on a 50-year Labrador-Hydro-Québec energy-sharing deal; Kazakhstan also discussed potential $255M in exports to Canada plus nuclear and critical-minerals cooperation. Markets: BlackRock Canada announced September cash distributions for iShares ETFs. Tech & Safety: Canada’s AI stance gets renewed focus as officials tout AI safety steps and new funding for safe AI development.

EU-Canada Pivot: EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen floated a path for Canada to become the bloc’s first “associate member,” as Mark Carney sat in the European Parliament—sparking debate because the status doesn’t exist yet and details remain fuzzy. Trade War Pressure: The push comes as Ottawa tries to diversify away from the U.S. amid tariff uncertainty, while Carney’s Canada Investment Summit courts global capital. Investment Summit Momentum: Canada put more than 160 projects on the table for major investors, aiming to attract C$1 trillion over five years. Defense Cooperation: Canada applied to join the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force, and Canada and Britain are also in talks to merge defence financing initiatives. Cyber & Identity Risk: RCMP says it’s aware of an FBI probe into a reported dark-web sale of millions of drivers’ licences. Cost-of-Living Hits: Farmers in Ontario warn diesel prices are squeezing already thin margins, and a United Way brief flags growing “energy poverty” pressures. Energy & Jobs: Atlantic Canada inaugurated major battery storage facilities, while Saskatchewan showcased heavy oil at the Lloydminster Heavy Oil Show.

EU-Canada Pivot: EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told Prime Minister Mark Carney the bloc wants to open the door for Canada to become the EU’s first “associate member,” pitching a broader “Alliance for the Future” covering tech, defence, energy and the Arctic—while Carney frames it as a way to reduce dependence on the U.S. amid Trump-era trade pressure. Skepticism in Brussels: EU diplomats say some capitals are wary of preferential market access and prefer improving existing deals, with more agreement on boosting defence and critical-minerals cooperation. Canada Investment Push: Carney’s Canada Investment Summit in Toronto targets CAN$1 trillion in investment over five years, promising tax deductions and less red tape, while stressing critical minerals and clean energy. Business & Jobs: Nissan confirmed a new hybrid model for Europe to be built at its Sunderland plant, aiming to protect thousands of jobs. Science & Industry: Quebec-based Entosystem says it has independent verification for greenhouse-gas reductions from its insect-based production system. Mining Update: Purecore Metals begins compiling data to refine targets at its Yurchison uranium project in Saskatchewan. Culture Watch: Independent Canadian cinemas are urging studios to rethink “full-show commitments” that they say crowd out Canadian films. AI Safety: OpenAI says major AI firms are moving toward an industry standards body with Anthropic and Google as safety concerns grow.