AGP Executive Report

Trade Tensions: Trump says the USMCA deal with Canada and Mexico could expire in 2036, raising fresh uncertainty for Canadian exporters as renewal talks loom. Border Infrastructure: The Gordie Howe bridge opening is delayed again after unresolved cross-border “issues,” adding more friction to trucking and supply chains. Food Security: Prime Minister Mark Carney launched a National Food Security Strategy with up to $3.2B aimed at lowering grocery costs, boosting competition, and building new food terminals and hubs. Wildlife Funding Crunch: Canada’s endangered-species watchdog says budget cuts have forced cancellations and left a backlog of more than 1,000 at-risk species waiting for assessment. Consumer Advocacy: Ottawa is phasing out key consumer-protection funding, leaving groups warning Canadians’ voice could weaken. Energy & Industry: PTRC and Oil India signed a clean-energy collaboration on CCUS and geothermal, while Alberta pushes ahead on a west-coast pipeline proposal despite hurdles. Sports Spotlight: Canada opens World Cup Group B in Toronto vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, but captain Alphonso Davies is out with a hamstring injury.

Trade Uncertainty: U.S. President Donald Trump says he’s “not looking to renew” USMCA, kicking off annual review talk as Canada and Mexico co-host the 2026 World Cup—raising fresh questions for exporters and supply chains. Border & Agriculture: Canada confirmed a second New World screwworm case in South Texas and temporarily halted certain Texas livestock imports, a precaution aimed at stopping the parasite from spreading. Energy & Climate: Ottawa backed Canada’s first national deep geothermal roadmap with $468,000, while meteorologists say El Niño is now officially underway and could be among the strongest on record. Business & Investment: PharmaEssentia is buying Canadian partner FORUS Therapeutics for US$36.5M to expand its North American footprint. Tech & Youth Safety: Canada’s proposed under-16 social media ban is moving forward, with tech firms asked to block access unless safeguards are met. Infrastructure: The Gordie Howe bridge opening has been delayed as outstanding issues are resolved. Sports & Culture: Canada’s World Cup coach Jesse Marsch says the team’s drive is uniquely “Canadian,” and the UK, Australia and Canada launched a new peace fund for Israelis and Palestinians.

Digital Safety Push: Canada proposes a “Safe Social Media Act” that would bar social media use for kids under 16, while letting platforms avoid penalties if they prove strong safeguards; the bill also targets harmful content and adds rules for AI chatbots, backed by a new Digital Safety Commission with fines up to $10M or 3% of global revenue. Energy & Economy Watch: The Bank of Canada held its key rate at 2.25% for a fifth straight time, citing a dilemma between slowing growth and energy-driven inflation risks. Courtroom Impact: B.C.’s Supreme Court ordered a review of a key approval for the $5-billion KSM mine after finding First Nation consultation failures. Trade Tensions: U.S. President Trump said he’s “not looking to renew” USMCA, adding uncertainty for North American agriculture and broader business planning. Public Safety & Health: Canada restricted certain Texas livestock imports after a second New World screwworm case was confirmed in South Texas. Local & Community: Vancouver’s World Cup fan festival beer prices were posted, and a contest in the city sent winners to Taiwan.

Bank of Canada Holds Line: The Bank of Canada kept its key rate at 2.25% for a fifth straight meeting, saying the economy is weak and inflation is rising from higher energy prices, with officials warning they won’t allow those increases to become persistent. Trade Tensions: U.S. President Donald Trump said he’s “not looking to renew” CUSMA/USMCA, arguing the U.S. doesn’t need anything from Canada or Mexico while claiming trade deficits should be addressed. USMCA Agriculture Push: An American Soybean Association leader urged lawmakers to protect long-term USMCA stability, citing duty-free access and science-based rules that help farmers plan amid uncertainty. Canada-U.S. Infrastructure: The $5B Gordie Howe International Bridge is set to open Friday, despite Trump’s earlier threats to block it, adding a major new Windsor-Detroit crossing. Aviation Shock: Police charged former Air Canada captain Geoffrey Wall, accused of flying 900+ trips over nearly 17 years without the required licence. World Cup Kickoff in Canada: Canada’s World Cup party begins Friday in Toronto as they host Bosnia & Herzegovina, with Alphonso Davies spotlighted as the face of the host team. Livestock Biosecurity: Canada temporarily restricted entry of certain Texas livestock after a second New World screwworm case was confirmed in South Texas. Telecom Watchdog: Canada’s CCTS found more than two-thirds of telecom/TV providers had at least some compliance issues with public complaint-awareness rules.

Livestock Health Alert: Canada has temporarily halted imports of certain Texas cattle, horses and other livestock after a second New World screwworm case was confirmed in South Texas, with the CFIA blocking animals that were in Texas within 21 days of entry. Energy & Markets: Oil prices eased after reports of increased supply through the Strait of Hormuz, while FX moves stayed modest; the NZD edged higher versus the AUD. Business & Work: A new report finds Canada’s gender wage gap is even wider for white-collar freelancers, with women earning about 16% less per hour on average. Public Safety: Environment Canada warned of an extreme severe weather risk in southeast Saskatchewan and southern Manitoba, including possible strong tornadoes, giant hail and damaging winds. Aviation Crime: Peel police charged former Air Canada captain Geoffrey Wall, alleging he flew 900+ flights for years without the required licence. Energy Transition in Alberta: Meadowbrook Carbon Storage Hub opened near Legal, targeting up to 500 kilotonnes CO2/year in phase 1 with expansion plans. World Cup Canada Buzz: Canada Soccer House is bringing free watch parties and programming to North Vancouver’s Shipyards during the 2026 tournament.

Health Care: Health Canada has approved GSK’s Nucala (mepolizumab) as an add-on maintenance treatment for adults with COPD who have raised blood eosinophils and are not adequately controlled on standard inhalers. Public Safety & Agriculture: Canada has temporarily restricted livestock imports from Texas after a second case of the flesh-eating New World screwworm was confirmed in South Texas; cattle, horses and other animals tied to Texas within 21 days of entry are denied. Courts & Aviation: A former Air Canada pilot has been charged for allegedly flying as an airline captain for 16 years without the proper licence, despite holding a commercial pilot licence. Economy & Trade: Canada’s merchandise trade surplus rose to $2.7B in April as higher oil prices lifted exports, though some categories like metals fell. Energy & Industry: Alberta is pitching cheap natural gas for data centers tied to the AI boom, a move critics say clashes with Canada’s push for clean power. Politics & Foreign Policy: Canada is adding more sanctions over “extremist settler violence” in the West Bank, as Israel pushes back. Business & Tech: HCLTech launched a Cybersecurity Fusion Center in Mississauga to expand Canada’s cybersecurity capacity.

Livestock Health Alert: Canada has temporarily halted imports of certain Texas livestock after a second New World screwworm case was confirmed in South Texas, with CFIA restricting animals that were in Texas within the past 21 days. Federal Support for Cost of Living: Ottawa has started one-time payments under the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, topping up eligible GST credit recipients by 50% of the 2025-26 GST credit value, with enhanced quarterly payments set to begin in July. Workplace Equality: New equal pay rules for federally regulated employers take effect Oct. 20, 2026, requiring equal pay for substantially similar work. Local Economy & Jobs: Algoma University has reopened first-year admissions to five previously paused programs after financial strain tied to international student caps. Energy & Industry: JGC Holdings was selected to provide engineering services for Mozambique’s Coral Norte LNG project, including FLNG topside work. Tech/Finance: Thoma Bravo has made a $650-million offer to buy Toronto software firm Kneat.com. Sports & Community: Vancouver mayoral candidate Kareem Allam proposes renaming YVR after Terry Fox.

AI & Food Systems: A new national AI push has people excited, but one food-policy expert says the real bottleneck is data: fragmented info, weak supply-chain visibility, and inconsistent reporting mean AI can’t fix the problem it’s fed. Air Travel Relief: Ottawa is offering loans up to $150M per airline to offset soaring jet-fuel costs tied to Middle East disruptions, with conditions like buying Canadian and keeping jobs. Defense Procurement: Canada is weighing a bigger mixed fighter plan—up to about 140 jets—pairing F-35s with Saab Gripen E aircraft to reduce U.S. supply-chain dependence. Energy & Agriculture Security: G7 agriculture ministers met on fertilizer supply risk after Strait of Hormuz disruptions, warning nitrogen prices are rising and food security is at stake. Trade Watch: U.S.-Mexico-Canada talks are looming, and agriculture leaders warn changes could disrupt integrated North American pork supply chains. Criminal Tourism Crackdown: Durham police say they’ve busted a “criminal tourism” network, charging dozens and naming 12 Indians tied to high-profit theft and fraud in Canada. Housing vs. Events: In Yellowknife, councillors argue core housing needs should come before funding for the 2035 Canada Winter Games.

Federal-Provincial Unity Debate: Pierre Poilievre says Alberta separatist concerns can be eased by changing Ottawa’s policies, arguing the province should “lock arms” with other provinces to regain control over areas like immigration and to speed up development, including pipelines. Energy & LNG Legal Risk: A new report warns B.C.’s LNG push could raise legal exposure for governments and fossil-fuel firms, as climate-related cases and rights claims mount. Streaming Rules Shift: Ottawa is set to direct the CRTC to scrap requirements that foreign streamers fund Canadian local news and niche broadcasters, after the Online Streaming Act became a trade irritant. Defence Spending: Prime Minister Mark Carney marked Canadian Armed Forces Day by touting record defence investment and the biggest pay raise in a generation, aiming to meet NATO targets. Canada-Ireland-France Trip: Carney will visit Ireland (Dublin and Mayo) and France ahead of the G7, with talks spanning agri-food, digital innovation, AI, pharma and climate. World Cup Build-Up (Local): North Vancouver’s Shipyards area is gearing up for FIFA World Cup 2026, with nearby cultural stops highlighted for fans without cars. AI Governance Pressure: An IBM study says tech leaders are accountable for AI systems they don’t fully control, while governance struggles to keep up as AI agent deployments accelerate.

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Europe trip: Carney is set to visit Ireland next week to meet Taoiseach Micheál Martin and President Catherine Connolly, including a “homecoming” stop in Co Mayo, then head to France for the 2026 G7 summit—talks expected to focus on trade, defence, clean energy, AI and quantum. Wildfire firefighting classification: In B.C. and Alberta, many wildland firefighters are still treated as forestry/silviculture workers, not firefighters, raising concerns about recognition and support for people who fight fires on the front lines. Data centres’ environmental strain: A UN University report says data centres’ energy use already rivals major countries and predicts water and pollution impacts will double in four years as AI demand grows. Saskatchewan water protection: Conservation groups and K+S Potash Canada expanded a Buffalo Pound Lake native grassland conservation area, aimed at protecting drinking-water supplies for about a quarter of the province. World Cup build-up: FIFA World Cup 2026 is underway across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with attention also turning to stadiums, travel warnings about counterfeit goods, and the tournament’s soundtrack. Canada economy debate: Economists say Canada’s “technical recession” label doesn’t capture the full picture—unemployment and broader conditions matter more than two quarters of GDP contraction.

Air Travel Watch: Global airline chiefs meeting in Rio face a double hit: Iran-driven fuel shocks and aircraft delivery delays forcing carriers to keep older, costlier planes in service, with IATA warning profits could fall. Energy & Food Security: Canada temporarily banned Texas livestock imports after New World screwworm was found in U.S. cattle, a move aimed at protecting Canada’s herd while officials coordinate with U.S. counterparts. Cyber & Critical Infrastructure: Canada’s Senate passed Bill C-8, creating a mandatory cybersecurity framework for telecom, finance, energy and transportation—while privacy watchdogs warn the new powers may be too broad. Economy & Jobs: Canada Post reported a $205M loss before tax in Q1 as volumes and revenue fell, underscoring pressure for its transformation. Trade Tensions: The U.S., Mexico and Canada are set to miss the July 1 USMCA review deadline, extending uncertainty for supply chains and tariffs. Indigenous & Community: Canmore’s Two-Spirit Takeover kicks off National Indigenous History Month and Pride with drag and burlesque performances. Sports: Canada named its 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup as preparations enter the final stretch.

Energy & AI in the spotlight: An Abu Dhabi energy-focused AI firm, AIQ, is pitching its industrial model in Calgary—arguing the real advantage is not generic software, but the know-how to deploy it safely in Canada’s different operating realities. Forestry urgency in B.C.: A B.C. task force co-chair says the province needs faster regulatory and fibre-supply changes, as lumber export drops underline how urgent the forest sector’s transformation is. Clean power logistics: Sixteen wind turbines are being hauled along Highway 104 to Pictou County for the Weavers Mountain project, aiming to power up to 33,000 homes by year-end. Local jobs update: Greater Sudbury added 900 full-time jobs in May, even as unemployment ticked up to 6.4%. Crime—Canada-linked case: Three men extradited from Scotland admitted roles in the death of an Ontario restaurant owner after an altercation over an unpaid bill. World Cup ripple effects: FIFA has scrapped its controversial water-bottle ban for U.S. and Canada matches after backlash. Agriculture biosecurity: Canada is restricting Texas cattle imports after a flesh-eating screwworm outbreak, with a second case confirmed in Texas.

Canada-U.S.-Mexico Trade Talks: Business leaders are split as Ottawa weighs a July 1 CUSMA review deadline—some want speed to reduce uncertainty, others warn rushing could mean costly concessions. Currency & Rates: The loonie slid near an eight-week low as traders looked to upcoming jobs data and the Bank of Canada rate decision, with oil prices and trade worries adding pressure. Energy & Climate Costs: A report says the Iran conflict could add about $648 to the average Ontario household’s fuel bill this year, while cities are pushing Ottawa for cleaner energy investment after extreme-weather impacts. Solar in Saskatchewan: Ottawa is putting $15M into the Turning Sun Solar project near Estevan, a 100-megawatt build with 10% Indigenous ownership. Food & Agriculture: CFIA backed away from proposed beef traceability changes after industry backlash, while Canada also moves to limit livestock imports from Texas after a confirmed screwworm case. Travel Disruption: Sunwing and WestJet suspend all Cuba vacations indefinitely, citing the deepening crisis. World Cup Culture: The official FIFA 2026 album lands with 45 artists and major collaborations, as Canada prepares for the tournament with a home friendly draw against Ireland.

Jobs & Economy: Statistics Canada says Canada added 88,000 jobs in May and the unemployment rate fell to 6.6%—but economists warn trade uncertainty and a “technical recession” still loom. AI & Immigration: Ottawa unveiled an “AI for All” strategy and plans a faster work-permit stream for AI professionals via the Global Talent Stream, aiming to speed approvals and support permanent residence pathways. Public Safety Online Scams: The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre says deepfake investment fraud is rising fast, with reported losses topping $1.2B since 2022. Telecom Policy: A new argument for rebuilding Canada’s public telecoms points to big gaps in fiber deployment and public ownership versus other OECD countries. Energy & Industry: Spartan Controls opened a new Kitimat facility to support growing industrial and energy demand; and Canada’s steel sector gets a one-year tariff rate quota extension while unions push for tighter protections. Childcare: Alberta says it nearly hit CWELCC space targets early, but a childcare group warns funding may not cover all new licensed spots.

Canada–South Korea Energy Deal: Ottawa and Seoul expanded cooperation on energy security, critical minerals and strategic industries, with potential CA$100B economic impact and tens of thousands of jobs. AI Push: Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled “AI for All,” aiming to lift business adoption, build data-centre capacity, fund Canadian AI firms and create up to 250,000 jobs—while critics warn about worker impacts and weak rules. Forestry Shake-up: Forest ministers agreed old timber approaches won’t work, pointing to tariffs, weak demand and internal barriers; a federal action plan is coming. Major Projects Review Backpedal: Ottawa says it will delay and soften proposed changes to how major projects are assessed, drawing environmental criticism. B.C. Housing Court Fight: A lender is seeking court oversight for a troubled Burnaby townhouse project, asking for interim financing and a restructuring officer. Canada Post Settles: Postal workers ratified new contracts through Jan. 31, 2029, ending a long bargaining standoff. World Cup Safety: Tournament crowds are expected to bring pickpocketing risk; organizers urge simple bag-and-phone habits. Caribbean Development Financing: Canada-backed CDB guarantee cleared a major step, expected to unlock up to US$400M in additional lending capacity.

AI Strategy Launch: Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled Canada’s “AI for all” plan, aiming to boost AI adoption, create 250,000 jobs, and lift GDP by about 3%, with a new $500M tech growth fund for homegrown firms. Public Finance Watch: Ottawa’s budget watchdog says deficits will run higher than the government projected, casting doubt on hitting a key fiscal “anchor” as the deficit-to-GDP ratio is expected to fall only with low odds year to year. Energy & Industry: Oil and gas drilling in Canada hit its busiest May since 2014, with 160 rigs active and analysts pointing to higher prices driving renewed activity. Investor/Regulator: CIRO accepted sanctions against Surrey, B.C. rep Sanjeev Kumar Tejpal over unsuitable mutual fund purchases, ordering a $20,000 fine plus costs. Fraud Alert: North Bay police charged a Toronto man in a door-to-door scam using fake claims of expired government energy rebates. Trade & Jobs: Manitoba businesses met U.S. trade reps in Washington to highlight export impact under CUSMA. Skilled Trades Pipeline: Ottawa launched a Mining and Minerals Workforce Alliance to build “talent pipelines” for the sector.