AGP Executive Report

MAID Showdown: Parliament is bracing for fresh legal fights over Canada’s assisted-dying rules after the Supreme Court’s long shadow on eligibility and safeguards. First Nations Water: Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty is set to table long-awaited drinking-water legislation for First Nations, with debate likely to spill into the fall. Thomas Partey Visa Standoff: Ghana is taking Thomas Partey’s Canada visa refusal to Federal Court, arguing it undermines presumption of innocence while he faces rape and sexual-assault charges in the UK. G7 Foreign Policy: Prime Minister Mark Carney’s G7 day includes meetings with Zelenskyy and others as leaders focus on Ukraine peace efforts and Middle East conflict, amid shifting foreign-aid priorities. Privacy & Kids Online: Canada’s privacy push and the broader North American trend toward tighter rules for children’s online access are in the spotlight, with regulators and industry warning about unintended effects. Space & Sovereignty: NordSpace opened Rocket Factory 1 in Markham to scale Canadian light/medium-lift launch production. Energy Politics: Carney’s push for an “energy superpower” raises the big question: where the capital comes from and what tradeoffs Canada will accept.

Privacy & Kids Online: Ottawa tabled a new privacy bill that would treat privacy as a fundamental right and let people request deletion of children’s data, while the UK moved to ban under-16s from major social media apps like TikTok and YouTube, raising the same Canada-wide debate about safety versus unintended harms. First Nations Water: Carney’s government is set to introduce a First Nations clean drinking water bill that drops language recognizing a human right to clean water, a major shift from the earlier C-61 approach. Opioid Crisis: Health Canada reported opioid overdose deaths fell 23% in 2025, but officials called the situation “fragile” and warned the crisis is far from over. Small Business Pressure: As Parliament heads for summer break, CFIB says Ottawa has ignored cost relief for small firms, with many owners saying they feel unsupported. G7 & Trade/Defense: Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived at the G7 with no confirmed Trump bilateral, highlighted SAFE defence procurement progress (Marconi radios for Poland), and signalled Canada’s role in reinforcing any Iran-U.S. shipping deal. World Cup Visa Fight: Ghana escalated diplomacy after Canada denied Thomas Partey entry, with Ghana saying it’s racing against time before the opener. Public Safety/Crime: RCMP Musical Ride returns to Prescott, while IRB ordered deportation of a Bishnoi gang gunman tied to extortion violence on Vancouver Island. Regional Power: B.C. is re-examining a Peace River “Site E” dam plan after Site C backlash and cost overruns.

G7 & Iran: Prime Minister Mark Carney heads to the G7 in France as the U.S. says it has reached an Iran peace deal, with no confirmed Trump bilateral meeting. Privacy & Water: Ottawa plans major legislation this week, including a privacy update (with child-data protections and limits on “surveillance pricing”) plus measures to ensure First Nations access to clean drinking water. Online Safety: Canada’s proposed Digital Safety Act would restrict social media for kids under 16 and regulate AI chatbots, as the UK moves toward a similar under-16 social media ban. AI Sovereignty: Carney warns U.S. export controls on Anthropic’s top AI models show the risks of overreliance on a few American providers. Judicial Pay Fight: A court battle over judges’ compensation is escalating, with procedural disputes showing how contentious the government’s approach is. Military Justice: Military police stop taking Criminal Code sexual offence complaints as reforms move cases to civilian authorities. World Cup Politics: Trudeau faces backlash for skipping Canada’s opener, citing “boyfriend duties” while Ghana protests Canada’s visa denial for Thomas Partey. Defence Trade: Estonia’s economy minister visits Canada as the EU’s new defence procurement framework opens to Canadian firms.

USMCA Tensions: Mark Carney says the Trump administration wants to avoid a congressional vote by not “fundamentally” changing USMCA’s architecture, even as new U.S. duties keep trade friction high. G7 Focus: Carney tells reporters Iran is “topic number one” for the G7, with Ukraine next, as he pushes a “middle powers” approach and warns against global “rupture.” AI Over-Reliance: Carney compares the U.S. export restrictions that forced Anthropic to take models offline to 2008-style “model risk,” urging Canada to diversify AI supply. Privacy & Online Safety: Ottawa is moving ahead with a Protecting Privacy and Consumer Data Act briefing, while Culture Minister Marc Miller’s under-16 social media ban faces privacy and enforcement questions. Health & Safety at Home: Manitoba expands violence-prevention coverage for health-care workers, adding institutional safety officers and zero-tolerance measures. Eye Care Strategy: Federal officials table Canada’s first national strategy for eye care to improve access and prevent avoidable vision loss. World Cup Politics: Justin Trudeau defends skipping Canada’s opener for “boyfriend duties” while Carney’s Ireland trip continues to dominate his headlines.

Canada–Ireland Pivot: Prime Minister Mark Carney wrapped a Dublin push for a “third path” ahead of the G7, arguing middle powers shouldn’t compete for U.S. favour and should team up with Europe; Ottawa and Dublin also agreed a new framework to deepen trade, investment, security and tech cooperation, including annual foreign-ministry consultations and closer AI work. Safe Social Media Act: Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller said Canada won’t “capitulate” to U.S. pressure over Bill C-34, insisting “kids just aren’t on the bargaining table” as the under-16 ban moves toward passage with enforcement details still to come. World Cup Visa Clash: Ghana escalated its protest after Canada denied Thomas Partey entry over ongoing UK legal proceedings, calling the decision “high-handed” and threatening legal action; the row is now a diplomatic headache for Ottawa. Carney’s G7 Message: Carney told audiences the G7 can weave “strands” of a new world order, while warning the rules-based system is under strain. Elections Watch: Elections Canada fined a Hamilton poll worker $1,250 for voting twice in 2021, underscoring how tightly ballots are tracked. Alberta NDP Shake-up: Four Alberta NDP MLAs, including two Calgary members, announced they won’t seek re-election. Trudeau Backlash: Justin Trudeau defended skipping Canada’s World Cup opener to watch Katy Perry at the U.S. match, sparking online outrage.

World Cup Visa Clash: Ghana has formally protested Canada’s refusal to issue a visa to midfielder Thomas Partey, calling it “high-handed and extremely unfair” and saying the decision appears tied to pending UK rape and sexual-assault proceedings despite his not-guilty plea; FIFA says he can’t travel to Toronto for the June 17 opener vs Panama. Diplomacy vs Press Releases: Ghana’s deputy foreign affairs committee member Nana Asafo Adjei Ayeh urged Ottawa to use diplomatic channels to resolve the dispute so Partey can play. Canada-Ireland Pivot: Prime Minister Mark Carney met Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheál Martin, pitching closer Canada-EU alignment and “middle power” cooperation ahead of the G7, while announcing expanded work on AI, life sciences/biotech, and food security. Forced-Labour Imports: Canada introduced legislation (Bill C-35) to strengthen the ban on goods made with forced labour, adding a high-risk goods list and tougher importer tracing and detention powers. Streaming Rules Funding: Ottawa pledged $600M for Canadian audio/audiovisual sectors while directing the CRTC to review rules that could raise streaming costs. AI Security Spillover: Reuters reports Amazon CEO Andy Jassy raised concerns with Trump officials about security risks in Anthropic’s advanced AI models as the US moved to restrict access. Alberta NDP Shakeup: Four Alberta NDP MLAs announced they won’t seek re-election after the current term.

USMCA Uncertainty: Trump says the Canada–Mexico–US trade deal could expire in 2036 unless renewed, throwing a fresh cloud over July talks. Indo-Pacific Defence: Canada and the Philippines signed new logistics and intent agreements in Ottawa to expand cooperation on cybersecurity, information sharing, and maritime activity. Social Media for Kids: Ottawa’s Safe Social Media Act heads into Parliament, aiming to restrict under-16 accounts while creating a Digital Safety Commission. Religious Freedom Clash: Canada’s Senate approved Bill C-9, removing a long-standing Criminal Code protection for good-faith religious expression, sparking backlash from faith groups. World Cup Visa Fight: Ghana’s Thomas Partey was denied entry to Canada and will miss Ghana’s opener; Ghana is pushing for a review while FIFA says immigration is up to host governments. Public Safety: A Toronto police officer was killed during a raid tied to a broader investigation that includes a prior US consulate shooting. Immigration Policy: Manitoba retired its student pathway to PR (Career Employment Pathway), effective immediately, steering eligible grads toward other streams. Carney in Ireland: Prime Minister Mark Carney begins a two-day visit to Ireland with meetings in Dublin and Co. Mayo, plus security road closures.

World Cup Visa Clash: Canada has refused Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey’s visa, ruling him out of Ghana’s opener vs. Panama in Toronto, with FIFA stressing immigration decisions rest with host governments and Ghana’s sports minister saying Ottawa is being challenged. Defence & Intelligence: Prime Minister Mark Carney met France’s Emmanuel Macron in Paris and announced a deeper security of information deal to expand classified exchanges across defence, space, and AI, alongside broader trade and industrial cooperation. Parks Canada Cuts: Parks Canada has begun workforce adjustment job cuts tied to $145M in spending reductions, including positions in Banff and other park units, without disclosing how many roles are affected. Food Prices Push: Carney launched a national food strategy aimed at lowering grocery costs by expanding year-round Canadian produce production, but experts warn scaling greenhouses and controlled farming won’t be quick. Energy Drink Fight: Quebec’s rushed ban on energy drinks for under-16s drew pushback from the convenience industry, which argues for education-first enforcement. Sports Ticketing Friction: Resale sites removed tickets for Canada’s opener vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina hours before kick-off, with FIFA blamed for transfer cutoffs. Seniors Scam Response: A federal seniors official met a victim of a deepfake-driven crypto scam and said new anti-fraud steps and a planned financial crimes agency are meant to better protect older Canadians.

Trade Tensions: Trump says the USMCA with Canada and Mexico could expire in 2036 unless renewed, throwing a fresh cloud over July talks and Canada’s push to keep the deal locked in. Online Safety Law: Ottawa tabled Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, to bar under-16s from social media accounts and regulate AI chatbots, backed by a new Digital Safety Commission and platform compliance rules. Border Infrastructure: The Gordie Howe International Bridge opening between Windsor and Detroit was delayed again over “outstanding issues,” after Trump previously threatened to block it. World Cup Politics: Canada kicks off its home World Cup opener vs Bosnia in Toronto, with ceremonies and visa disputes keeping the tournament’s off-field politics in focus. Public Health & Agriculture: Canada temporarily restricted certain Texas livestock imports after a second screwworm detection in South Texas, aiming to stop the parasite spreading. Environment & Industry: Quebec passed Bill 11 to give Glencore’s Horne Smelter clearer emissions timelines, letting the company restart air pollution reduction projects. Diplomacy: PM Mark Carney met France’s Macron in Paris ahead of the G7, framing it as advancing a strategic partnership.

Canada-U.S. Trade: Trump says USMCA with Mexico and Canada could expire, raising fresh uncertainty for Ottawa as renewal talks loom. Border Infrastructure: The Gordie Howe bridge opening is delayed again as Canada and the U.S. work through “outstanding issues,” despite completion. Online Safety & AI: Ottawa moves ahead with a bill to bar kids under 16 from social media unless platforms meet safety standards, while also tightening rules for AI chatbots. Provincial Consumer Rules: Quebec becomes the first province to ban energy-drink sales to youth under 16, requiring ID checks. Food Policy: Liberals unveil a national food strategy with major funding for infrastructure, greenhouses and faster approvals to boost local supply and lower prices. Labour & Trade Reliability: A Senate report urges binding arbitration to curb rail and marine labour disruptions that can hit supply chains. Agriculture Biosecurity: Canada restricts Texas livestock imports after a second screwworm case, while officials push containment. Public Services: Canada Post plans more community-mailbox rollouts, with hundreds of thousands losing door delivery. World Cup Politics: The tournament kicks off amid visa disputes and political tension, with Canada’s team and officials navigating the fallout.

Online Safety Law: Canada tabled a Safe Social Media Act to ban most social media access for kids under 16, with exemptions for platforms that meet safety standards, plus a new digital regulator for AI chatbot and platform oversight and penalties up to 3% of global revenue or $10M. Privacy & Tech Pushback: The bill is already sparking a fight over who should enforce age limits—app stores vs platforms—while privacy concerns grow as Parliament reviews related measures. Public Health Accountability: Conservative MP Dean Allison launched a citizen-led inquiry into vaccine injuries, arguing Canadians deserve transparency and better recognition of adverse effects. Crime Guns: RCMP internal reports obtained via access to information say most traced crime guns in 2023-24 originated within Canada. Trade & Security: U.S. lawmakers proposed blocking Chinese-connected vehicles entering via Canada/Mexico over data and surveillance risks. Energy & Industry: Oil India and Canada’s PTRC signed a framework to collaborate on CCUS, geothermal and clean tech. Regional Politics: PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon vowed to pull Quebec funding from the Alto high-speed rail project if elected. World Cup Politics: FIFA’s visa controversies and ticket pricing dominate the tournament’s start, with politics spilling onto the pitch across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Digital Safety Push: Ottawa introduced Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, to bar Canadians under 16 from social media and to regulate AI chatbots, including 24-hour takedown rules for certain child sexual content and a new Digital Safety Commission. Monetary Policy: The Bank of Canada held its key rate at 2.25% as growth stays soft, inflation edges up, and trade risks plus higher energy prices cloud the outlook. Trade Uncertainty: Prime Minister Mark Carney met premiers to prep for CUSMA talks after Trump said he’s “not looking to renew” the deal ahead of the July 1 review. Privacy vs Policing: Parliament’s Bill C-22 metadata retention fight is heating up, with privacy-focused tech firms warning they may leave Canada. Energy & Industry Tensions: Quebec’s auditor general says $2.2B in battery subsidies were poorly planned, while Cenovus CEO Jon McKenzie calls Alberta’s west-coast pipeline-and-CCS “unfinanceable.” Food & Biosecurity: Canada temporarily restricted Texas livestock imports after a second New World screwworm case in South Texas. World Cup Politics: FIFA president Infantino defended visa handling as immigration disputes and security concerns swirl around the tournament. Protest Politics: Farmers and rural residents marched on Parliament Hill to oppose the Alto high-speed rail project.

Canada–US Border & Trade: Prime Minister Mark Carney says the Gordie Howe Bridge will open “at the end of the week,” despite Trump’s earlier threats over ownership and “fair compensation,” with the Windsor-Detroit crossing financed by Canada and jointly owned with Michigan. Digital Safety & Privacy: Ottawa moves to introduce the Digital Safety Act and Digital Safety Commission Act, with a likely ban on social media for kids under 16 (exemptions possible), while privacy advocates warn Bill C-22 could undermine Canadians’ rights and push back on lawmakers blocking the Privacy Commissioner from testifying. AI Policy & Labour Backlash: Canada’s long-awaited national AI strategy is out, pitching major investment in AI compute and jobs, but critics say it’s light on worker protections and guardrails. Economy Watch: Statistics Canada data and commentary point to slowing growth and job losses, with concerns that Canada is sliding toward recession conditions. Public Safety & Law Enforcement: Tributes follow the death of an OPP constable in northern Ontario, as federal and provincial officials offer condolences. Energy & Industry: Cenovus CEO says Alberta’s proposed west-coast pipeline is “unfinanceable” under current rules; ADNOC is also scouting upstream and LNG opportunities in Canada via XRG. Agriculture Biosecurity: A second New World screwworm case in South Texas triggers Canada to temporarily restrict certain Texas livestock imports while officials contain the parasite. Protest Politics: MPs, farmers and citizen groups plan to protest Alto’s high-speed rail project on Parliament Hill over federal expropriation powers and community impacts. World Cup Politics: Canada’s ambassador to Qatar says Canada is drawing lessons from Qatar 2022 on security and fan experience as FIFA 2026 kicks off amid broader North American political friction.

Firearms Policy: Ottawa extended the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program amnesty while a Supreme Court of Canada case plays out, keeping banned-gun owners in limbo as the compensation window runs alongside the court timeline. Public Safety & Tech Oversight: Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree signaled openness to shortening the proposed one-year metadata retention period in Bill C-22, as critics warn the rules could sweep up ordinary Canadians’ private digital traces. Consumer Protection: The CRTC’s new telecom rules start Friday, banning activation, plan-change and cancellation fees so Canadians can switch phone and internet plans without penalty. Cross-Border Infrastructure: Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed the Gordie Howe Bridge will open by the end of the week, calling it a symbol of Canada-U.S. cooperation despite earlier Trump threats. International Sanctions: Canada joined coordinated sanctions targeting Israeli individuals and groups accused of financing or carrying out settler violence in the West Bank, alongside travel bans including France’s entry ban on Finance Minister Smotrich. Health & Services: A federal bill from Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns would fold mental health, addictions and substance-use services into the public health system to cut out-of-pocket barriers. Regional Politics: Alberta’s UCP appointed a former Conservative cabinet minister and lobbyist to help redraw electoral boundaries, drawing NDP claims the process is rigged. Agriculture & Biosecurity: Canada temporarily restricted certain Texas livestock imports after a second New World screwworm case was confirmed in South Texas.

Canada-Taiwan Ties: Liberal MP Judy Sgro says a cross-party delegation of MPs will visit Taiwan in October, despite China’s ambassador warning such trips are “hurtful” and New Zealand reporting Beijing barred MPs after similar visits. Energy & Politics: The Global Energy Show opens in Calgary with federal Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson, plus talks featuring Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and B.C. Energy Minister Adrian Dix, as pipeline politics and Middle East-driven market jitters stay front and centre. Trade: Canada and Türkiye agree to launch exploratory talks toward a free trade agreement, building on recent leader-to-leader contact and expanded air links. Food & Agriculture: Ottawa says it has gained or renewed market access for fish, seafood and aquatic products in five countries (Armenia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Oman and Vietnam). Public Services: First Nations leaders in northwestern Ontario are demanding urgent fixes to the Non-Insured Health Benefits program after complaints about late or missing travel arrangements. Animal Health: A second New World screwworm case in South Texas has prompted Canada to temporarily restrict certain Texas livestock imports. Economy: New data adds fuel to the recession debate after Statistics Canada reported negative real GDP growth in Q1. Security & Crime: A report alleges transnational gang networks in India are operating from the U.S. and Canada using asylum and student visa routes.

Air Travel & Cost Relief: Ottawa is offering airlines up to $150M in jet-fuel loans, with conditions like “buy Canadian” and limits on dividends, as carriers cut schedules amid Iran-war-driven fuel spikes. Online Safety & Rights: The government is set to table an online harms bill that would ban social media for kids under 16, with possible exemptions for platforms meeting safety standards. Parliament & Justice: Bill C-9 (anti-hate) cleared the Senate with amendments that may force a return to the House, while the Commons passed a law criminalizing forced or coerced sterilization. Governor General: Louise Arbour’s first speech warned that extreme polarization and inequality are undermining Canada’s democracy and leaving young people behind. Alberta Referendum Prep: Elections Alberta has kicked off a massive hiring drive for Oct. 19, including work for a separation referendum question. Housing Pressure: With condo sales at multi-decade lows, advocates are pushing governments to convert unsold units into social housing. Health & Environment: Saskatchewan health groups are urging the province to abandon extending coal-fired power to 2050, citing major public-health costs. Regional Hardship: New Brunswick announced $9M over three years for food banks as demand keeps rising. Canada-U.S. Tensions: Poilievre says separation voters aren’t “enemies,” aiming to keep national unity messaging front and centre. Cuba Flights: WestJet and Sunwing are indefinitely suspending flights to Cuba, offering refunds and rebooking options.