AGP Executive Report

Canada-U.S. Tariffs: Ottawa and Washington are pushing to strike a deal to avert Trump’s threat of 50% tariffs, with negotiators still working as deadlines loom. Energy & Infrastructure: A federal clean-energy briefing is set for Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec, while Manitoba faces renewed debate over Churchill pipeline/LNG plans. First Nations & AI: Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation scored a key legal win in its challenge to an AI data centre water-licence approval, clearing the way for a fuller review in December. Mining & Critical Minerals: OceanaGold agreed to acquire Ausgold, and Euro Manganese signed an offtake term sheet with 6K Energy for high-purity manganese aimed at North American battery supply chains. Tech & Data Centres: HIVE’s BUZZ HPC signed a five-year GPU cloud services deal worth $350M with an investment-grade enterprise customer. Health & Policy: Canada’s workplace reality around AI and insurance coverage costs are both in focus, alongside a broader debate over health insurance-hospital rules. Sports & Culture: F1 bids farewell to Zandvoort; Montreal’s Emily Hampshire headlines a skin-cancer charity pickleball event.

Canada-U.S. Tariff Deadline: With new 50% U.S. tariffs looming Wednesday, Ottawa is racing to strike a deal that could lower duties on autos, steel, aluminum and forest products—while Canada pushes back on demands tied to alcohol, dairy and procurement; negotiators Dominic LeBlanc and Janice Charette remain in Washington as sources warn a deal may be hard to reach. Housing & Infrastructure: Ottawa and Ontario are putting $1B into a new Non-Development Charge Municipalities stream to help municipalities build and renew roads, bridges and water systems so more homes can be approved and delivered. Workforce Training: Federal funding tops up $2.1M to expand skilled trades apprenticeship training in Alberta and B.C., aiming to prepare 1,000+ young Canadians for Red Seal careers. Wildfire Fleet Move: Canada has conditionally sold 10 retired Hercules aircraft to Coulson Aviation in B.C. to convert into aerial firefighting tankers, boosting emergency response capacity. Agriculture Flood Support: Manitoba and Ottawa are enhancing AgriStability for producers hit by June/July flooding, including waiving late-filing penalties in declared emergency areas. Markets & Rates: Global bond yields are back near 2008-era highs as investors price faster tightening across multiple countries, lifting borrowing costs and adding pressure to assets.

Canada-U.S. Tariff Race: Ottawa and Washington are pushing to avert Trump’s planned 50% tariffs on about $20B in Canadian exports starting Aug. 19, with talks described as “going quite well” and both sides aiming for an agreement before the deadline. Auto Sector Pressure: Brampton’s mayor says “no deal is better than a bad deal” unless autos are included, as Unifor warns Stellantis is considering major changes to Brampton production. Trade Talks With Conditions: U.S. Trade Rep Jamieson Greer says Canada must lift retaliatory measures to avoid new tariffs, including provincial alcohol bans. Tax Reform Push: Prime Minister Mark Carney’s team is preparing “one bite at a time” tax code reform, with small-business changes flagged as a priority. Healthcare Fairness Debate: A new BC study finds immigrants face longer elective-surgery waits than Canadians born here, raising concerns about fairness and delayed care costs. Cannabis Consolidation: Curaleaf has made an unsolicited $272M bid for Aurora Cannabis, fueling speculation about further Canadian cannabis takeover targets. Afghan Activists in Canada: Afghan civil and political activists in Burnaby call for ending engagement with the Taliban and cutting financial ties. Wildfire & Climate: B.C. climate coverage highlights ongoing wildfire strain and federal climate adaptation funding.

Canada-U.S. Tariff Race: Ottawa and Washington are nearing a deal to avert Trump’s planned 50% tariffs on about $20B of Canadian exports, with talks focused on concessions across dairy, cars and alcohol while energy, defense and critical minerals are reportedly part of the bargain. B.C. Mine Fight: A cross-border coalition is pushing for an independent review of Glencore’s proposed Fording River coal mine expansion in Elk Valley, warning regulators may already be leaning toward approval amid selenium contamination concerns. Wildfire Tech in B.C.: Rogers activated free province-wide satellite-to-mobile service for more than 21,000 evacuees after wildfire damage severed cell towers, testing whether direct-to-device connectivity should be built into emergency plans. Crime Crackdown: RCMP’s Project NoCargo recovered nearly 400 stolen vehicles worth about $28M, targeting fraudulently financed cars before they could be exported. AI for Astronomy: Researchers demonstrated an AI-driven telescope scheduling system that can make observing decisions in real time, a potential boost for Canada’s growing AI and space ambitions. Tax Reform Push: Prime Minister Mark Carney’s team says Ottawa will tackle long-overdue tax code reform “one bite at a time,” with small-business changes high on the list. Agriculture & Food: UBC research points to a seaweed-based coating that could keep strawberries fresher longer without refrigeration, while farmers brace for tariff pressure on inputs and exports.

Canada-U.S. Trade & Tariffs: The White House’s “Great Transshipment Scam” report flags major manufacturing hubs that could be used to reroute China-linked goods to dodge U.S. tariffs, grouping India with Canada and other large exporters as “diversified scale leaders” in a “shadow transshipment network.” Energy & Industry: NexGen Energy marked the start of construction on its $2.2B Rook I uranium project in northern Saskatchewan, targeting production in the second half of 2030 and about 1,300 direct jobs. Environment & Agriculture: A new national drought update says July conditions worsened, with drought extent more than doubling to 39% of Canada’s land area, hitting Central Canada hardest. Public Safety & Policy: Canada imposed sanctions on five Iranian officials tied to activities Ottawa says threaten navigation around the Strait of Hormuz. Wildlife: Six more belugas were moved from the closed Marineland in Ontario to U.S. aquariums, leaving just 11 whales at the park. Economy & Cost of Living: A Fraser Institute study says the average Canadian family spent 42% of income on taxes in 2025—more than housing, food and clothing combined.

Canada–U.S. Tariff Clock: With Trump’s Aug. 19 plan for 50% tariffs on about US$20B in Canadian goods looming, Canadian firms are mostly waiting and planning instead of rushing shipments, as talks continue to try to avoid escalation. Iran Sanctions: Canada announced new sanctions on five Iranian officials tied to activities that Ottawa says obstruct navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, freezing assets and warning about threats to global trade and energy security. CIRO Enforcement: CIRO accepted a settlement with Scotia Securities over reporting and complaint-handling failures, ordering a $275,000 fine plus $10,000 costs. B.C. Politics & Health: B.C. Premier David Eby shuffled his cabinet after Finance Minister Brenda Bailey revealed early-stage, treatable cancer—Josie Osborne moves to finance and Ravi Kahlon to health. Agriculture Spotlight: A three-day public hearing in High River (Aug. 18–20) will gather Canadians’ views on the state of agriculture, including costs, food safety, grocery prices and market access. Energy Markets: The IEA warns the global oil market faces a supply deficit of 1.8M barrels per day in Q3 as Middle East disruptions continue.

Canada-U.S. Tariff Deadline: Ottawa is racing Washington ahead of Aug. 19 as threatened 50% tariffs on a wide range of Canadian goods could hit about $20B in exports, with negotiators meeting again as talks continue and some sectors like energy and critical minerals are said to be exempt. Pipeline Protest: Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam backs B.C. First Nations’ call to halt a new tar sands pipeline to the West Coast, warning it threatens Indigenous rights and accelerates fossil-fuel expansion amid drought and evacuations in B.C. Energy & Industry Moves: Arrow Exploration buys its first producing Alberta asset in a C$12.15M deal for the Thorsby oil property; and Canada, Germany and Norway launch a trilateral effort to support Type 212CD submarine delivery. Health & Science: Pfizer and Valneva say the EMA has validated a Lyme vaccine application for review, while a Canadian primary-care trial finds relationship-based navigation improves access to needed health and social services. Business & Finance: Western Union and Intermex report regulatory progress on their pending acquisition, and Q-Gold refiles interim statements after a compliance statement was omitted.

Ontario Social Assistance: Ontario is tightening Ontario Works rules so people without legal immigration status can’t receive benefits, after a tribunal case involving an expired work permit. Alberta Water Security: Alberta says it will study water supply security 100 years ahead to support population, farming and industry growth. Alberta Data Centres: Alberta is facing local pushback as it tries to grow AI data centres without shifting costs or risks onto nearby communities. Ontario Data Centre Playbook: Ontario unveiled a framework requiring new large data centres to pay full electricity costs, with higher rates and no cash incentives, amid municipal moratoriums. Canada-U.S. Tariffs: Ottawa says talks are progressing and the U.S. also wants a deal before Aug. 19’s 50% tariff deadline. EQ Bank Promo: EQ Bank and Loblaw’s PC Optimum loyalty program are running “The Grand Scan Contest,” with one winner getting 25M points. Cybersecurity: A new report says ransomware attacks are up sharply and GenAI exposure is becoming a daily enterprise risk. PEI Industry: Old Dutch Foods opened an energy-efficient warehouse and office in Slemon Park, using solar and geothermal and aiming for zero emissions.

Green Energy & Industry: LS Electric says its Power Testing & Technology Institute in Cheongju is now accredited by CSA as a Witnessed Manufacturer’s Testing Laboratory, letting it run certification tests in-house for the North American market. Sanctions & Foreign Policy: Ukraine’s sanctions commissioner Vladyslav Vlasiuk says Canada is leading on both the number and quality of sanctions decisions, with more expected. Energy Infrastructure: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel permit under the Straits of Mackinac, while critics say the process was rushed and doesn’t fully address spill risks. Trade & Jobs: A report warns a CUSMA breakdown could cost Canada over 100,000 jobs, with manufacturing hit hardest. Immigration & Protest: CBSA officers “raided” a Calgary protest by international graduates from Punjab over rejected PGWP applications, with demonstrators alleging document checks tied to immigration enforcement. Tech & Payments: EU leaders are pushing alternatives to U.S. card networks, warning payment-system dependence could become a geopolitical risk. Business & Finance: Air Canada shares jumped after it sold a 25% stake in Aeroplan for about $2.5B. Sports: Iga Swiatek beat Elina Svitolina to reach the Canadian Open final in Toronto.

Canada–U.S. Tariffs: Ottawa says it’s not ready to strike a tariff deal with Washington and is unhappy with the latest U.S. offer as Aug. 19 deadlines loom, with talks reportedly focused on critical minerals access and security/energy coverage. Small Business Pressure: CFIB warns Trump’s threatened 50% tariffs could hit two-in-five exporters, threatening major disruption for firms tied to U.S. buyers. Payments & Data Sovereignty: Canada’s payments leaders are sounding alarms after Moneris is set to be sold to U.S. private equity, warning the move could weaken Canadian control of financial infrastructure. Drone Warfare: The Canadian Armed Forces is accelerating drone adoption with a new Ottawa Valley showcase linking military teams and Canadian industry. Energy & Industry: Old Dutch Foods opened a new energy-efficient facility in P.E.I. using solar and geothermal systems. Climate Resilience: Ottawa announced $34.2M for 141 projects in 128 communities to cut risks from extreme heat, flooding and wildfires. Weather Alerts: Environment Canada rolled out polygon-based severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings near Edmonton. Sports: Elena Rybakina advanced to the Canadian Open semifinals after beating Naomi Osaka.

Air Canada: The carrier posted a C$178M net loss for Q2 as fuel costs jumped 49% year over year, even as it boosted revenue and moved to sell a 25% stake in Aeroplan for C$2.5B, aiming to strengthen its finances. Payments & fraud: A UK defence think-tank released a policy toolkit to help governments and regulators tackle rapidly escalating authorised payment scams, laying out practical interventions for policymakers, central banks and law enforcement. Wildfire update (B.C.): The Quilpituk Creek blaze near Westside Road stayed mostly smouldering with slow spread; crews are setting up water delivery lines and evac orders remain in place. Sports (Canada): Elena Rybakina rallied past Naomi Osaka to reach the Canadian Open semifinals, where she’ll face Coco Gauff. Local baseball: The Okotoks Dawgs dropped 7-2 in Game 1 of the WCBL division final series opener against the Sylvan Lake Gulls. Trade & diplomacy: Canada marked ASEAN’s anniversary and says it’s pushing to conclude an ASEAN free trade deal this year to deepen ties and diversify markets.

Trade & Culture: Inuit art sellers are urging a pivot as a looming 50% U.S. tariff on Canadian cultural goods (set to start Aug. 19) threatens higher prices for American buyers, with artists pointing to alternative European markets. Coastal Fisheries: Canada’s DFO is investing millions in Prince Edward Island’s Red Head Harbor, rebuilding key wharf infrastructure to improve safety, reliability and climate resilience for local harvesters. AI & Local Tech: A new Fraser Valley chapter, FV+AI, is launching under BC + AI Ecosystem to help businesses adopt AI in a practical, secure, responsible way, starting with a Sept. 9 gathering in Langley. Defence Finance: National Bank is bringing in retired Gen. Rick Hillier as a strategic adviser to expand defence and security financing, including dual-use firms. Wildfire Watch (B.C.): B.C. officials will update the public as 102 wildfires burn, with dry lightning and hot, windy conditions raising the risk of new starts. Housing Costs: A survey finds nearly half of Canadians renewing mortgages this year now spend half their budget or more on housing payments. Agriculture & Food Prices: Chicken supply management is under pressure as demand outpaces production, raising fears of higher prices by September. Markets & Economy: OMERS reported a 4.8% net return in the first half of 2026, while CIBC says consumer relief could start in 2027 as current constraints ease. Sports & Community: Windsor’s International Black Film Festival returns Aug. 13–16 with films, panels and humanitarian awards.

Canada Flood Recovery: Ottawa’s “Ottawa Strong: After the Storm” group is proposing a Citizen Recovery Fund that could make up to $200 million available for gaps in support after the July 1 flooding. AI Finance & Chips: Lambda is selling a $917M leveraged loan to fund an Nvidia GPU deal, showing how debt markets are fueling Canada-linked AI infrastructure buildouts. Payments Deal: Francisco Partners has agreed to buy Toronto-based Moneris from RBC and BMO for about C$2bn ($1.44bn), a major shift for Canadian merchant payments. Housing Cost Pressure: A new report says Ontario minimum-wage workers may need to work about 145 hours a month to afford a Toronto one-bedroom. Energy & Pipelines: Trans Mountain is set to cut shipping fees for long-term oil contracts, pending regulator approval. Wildfire Response: In B.C.’s Interior, evacuees are being told to brace for major destruction as RCMP investigate the Bald Range fire. AI Infrastructure in Canada: Bell has started work on a massive Saskatchewan AI data centre, with Brandon’s Behlen Industries supplying large pre-engineered buildings.

Auto Talks: Unifor and General Motors kicked off bargaining in Toronto, with job security and matching the Ford deal in focus; the union wants a tentative agreement by Aug. 21. Housing & Land: A new push to protect Canada’s prime farmland warns it’s being paved over fast, arguing for stronger laws. B.C. Finances: British Columbia’s deficit for 2025/26 fell to $7.7B, $3.3B below forecast, helped by higher revenues and slower capital spending. Wildfire Impacts: Wildfire smoke is landing multiple B.C. cities on Canada’s most polluted list, with Metro Vancouver areas flagged at very high risk. Industrial Real Estate: Metro Vancouver’s industrial crunch continues as Grosvenor Property Canada signs Doka Canada to a 10-year Annacis Island lease. Women’s Health: Women’s Health Collective Canada and GreenShield launch a partnership and a national menopause study to improve access and equity. Labour Market: LMIA processing times rose across most temporary worker streams, while the permanent resident stream saw a drop. Energy & Markets: Suncor announced CEO succession, and analysts highlighted energy-stock risk as Middle East tensions keep supply tight. Food & Retail: Jollibee secured franchise commitments for 26 new Canadian restaurants over five years, including its first BC franchise deal.

Wildfire Crisis: Thousands have been forced to flee fast-moving wildfires across western US and Canada, including more than 20,000 in B.C.’s Okanagan region, as climate change makes extreme fire weather more likely. Labour Market Watch: Canada’s July job gains were strong on paper (+75,000 jobs, unemployment down to 6.4%), but the Prairies are driving most of the momentum, with Alberta leading. AI Skills Pressure: A new Pearson/AWS report warns of an “AI readiness gap” in Canada—employers struggle to find graduates who can apply AI in real-world settings. Nuclear Debate: An opinion piece backs nuclear energy’s role but argues Ottawa shouldn’t pick “winners,” after the federal strategy leans toward CANDU. Trade & Travel: Canada expanded its air deal with Nigeria for direct flights, while a new travel advisory warns tourists about Taiwan’s mandatory drills and potential fines. Energy & Policy: A report says fossil fuel firms had unprecedented access to Carney’s government, with hundreds of lobbying meetings.

Pipeline Protest: B.C. First Nations chiefs are calling on Ottawa and Alberta to halt advancement of the West Coast pipeline, saying it wasn’t consulted in good faith and will worsen climate impacts and disasters. Trade Pressure: Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre urges PM Mark Carney to stop conceding to U.S. demands in tariff talks, arguing Canada has “backed down” without getting relief. Energy Jobs: Unifor condemns HF Sinclair’s plan to end base oil refining at its Mississauga site by 2027, warning it could weaken Canada’s supply chain and cost skilled jobs. Wildfire Context: Canada’s wildfire crisis continues to drive evacuations, with B.C. declaring a state of emergency as tens of thousands flee. Economy & Work: Saskatchewan reports the third-lowest unemployment rate in Canada at 6%, adding about 2,600 jobs. Culture & Health: A Canadian-led study finds full-fat dairy doesn’t harm weight or blood lipids, while Calgary hosts the Canada HealthTech Innovation Symposium in November. Sports: Demi Vollering wins the Women’s Tour de France again, holding back tears as she extends her overall lead.