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S-230 (45-1) - National Strategy for Soil Health Act
Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-10-29 17:14:02.0
Tags: [National, Agriculture, Environment, Governance]Bill S-230, the National Strategy for Soil Health Act sponsored by Senator Robert Black, has progressed to debate at second reading in the House of Commons during the 45th Parliament, 1st session. The Senate Public Bill proposes the development of a comprehensive national strategy focused on soil health protection, conservation, and enhancement. Following its introduction and first reading in June 2025, the bill passed through the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry with amendments before receiving third reading in the Senate in March 2026. The legislation was subsequently introduced and read a first time in the House of Commons in April 2026, with ongoing second reading debate taking place in October 2026.
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N.W.T. minister says territory has few choices when it comes to ending net metering
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-28 00:20:19.0
Tags: [National, Energy, Environment, Governance]The Northwest Territories Power Corporation and Naka Power are petitioning the Northwest Territories Public Utilities Board to replace the current net metering system for independent solar power producers with a net billing model. Under the proposed structure, self-generators sending excess power to the grid would receive bill credits instead of a direct 1-to-1 compensation model, a change prompted by territorial government policy directives aimed at addressing projected annual utility net revenue losses estimated between $1.8 million and $2.7 million by 2030. Industry representatives like Mitch Dentinger of N.W.T. Solar Solutions Ltd. argue that the transition will reduce the financial viability of future residential solar installations and diminish environmental benefits.
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Minister to Yukon gov’t corporations: no more coal
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-26 11:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Energy, Environment, Mining, Governance]Yukon Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Ted Laking issued a directive to the Yukon Energy Corporation and the Yukon Development Corporation prohibiting them from pursuing or considering coal-fired power projects. The directive coincided with an opposition motion brought by NDP MLA Carmen Gustafson, which urged the territorial government to direct the Yukon Utilities Board under section 17 of the Public Utilities Act to reject any applications for energy projects using coal. The political debate was prompted by Vancouver-based Strategic Metals proposing a coal exploration project near Braeburn, Yukon, and evaluating coal-fired power generation despite the federal government's mandate to phase out coal-fired power by 2030.
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Minister directs Yukon gov’t corporations not to mull over coal-fired power projects
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-26 11:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Energy, Environment, Mining, Governance]Yukon Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Ted Laking issued a directive instructing the Yukon Development Corporation and the Yukon Energy Corporation to refrain from pursuing or considering coal-fired power generation projects. The ministerial directive coincides with an opposition motion brought by NDP MLA Carmen Gustafson, which urged the territorial government to direct the Yukon Utilities Board under section 17 of the Public Utilities Act to reject any applications for energy projects using coal. The debate highlights ongoing friction surrounding Vancouver-based Strategic Metals' coal exploration project near Braeburn, Yukon, and its potential application for power generation despite federal plans to phase out coal-fired power by 2030.
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Nature vs. bulldozers: The environment minister's balancing act at UN nature summit
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-24 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Environment, Governance]Federal Environment, Climate Change and Nature Minister Julie Dabrusin is attending the UN biodiversity conference COP17 in Yerevan, Armenia, highlighting recent Canadian conservation commitments including a 380,000-square-kilometre Indigenous-led project in the Northwest Territories and a 1.3-Toronto-sized forest conservation area near Kapuskasing, Ontario. However, the federal government faces domestic criticism from environmental groups like Greenpeace Canada and scientists over Bill C-39, also known as the Building Canada Strong Act, which proposes to amend federal environmental legislation to fast-track major projects such as pipelines, power lines, and mines. While critics accuse the administration of policy incoherence and creating environmental sacrifice zones, Minister Dabrusin defended the legislation by stating it focuses on project assessment processes rather than reducing core environmental standards.
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Nearly half of staff in N.W.T. and Yukon could be affected by layoffs: Parks Canada
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-24 00:11:21.0
Tags: [National, Environment, Labour, Governance]Parks Canada is undergoing a workforce adjustment requiring the agency to absorb nearly $145 million in budget reductions over the next three years following a federal comprehensive expenditure review. Across the country, the restructuring will eliminate the equivalent of 500 full-time jobs, with nearly 3,000 employees receiving workforce adjustment notices. In the North, 67 of 147 staff in the Northwest Territories and 58 of 137 staff in the Yukon are affected, representing approximately 45 per cent of Parks Canada's workforce in those two territories.
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Some of Canada's top scientists push for changes to Carney's new major projects bill
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-22 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, British Columbia, Environment, Infrastructure, Energy, Governance]More than 50 fellows of the Royal Society of Canada published an open letter urging Parliament to make six significant amendments to Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act. The 243-page bill aims to fast-track major energy and infrastructure projects by establishing a one-year review deadline and pre-approved regions of national interest, while amending over a dozen federal laws including those protecting species at risk, fisheries, and water quality. Scientists, including representatives from the University of British Columbia and Queen's University, warn that eliminating the five-year sunset clause from the original Building Canada Act (Bill C-5) and weakening environmental oversight could drive irreversible harm and species extinction, such as the endangered southern resident orca population. Federal ministers, including Dominic LeBlanc, defended the legislation before a special legislative committee, arguing that clearer timelines and robust oversight can coexist.
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Supreme Court will hear appeal of federal ban on single-use plastics
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-15 14:56:24.0
Tags: [National, Environment, Justice, Governance]The Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to hear an appeal regarding the federal government's ban on single-use plastics under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. In 2021, the Liberal government classified plastic-manufactured items—such as grocery bags, cutlery, styrofoam containers, stir sticks, and straws—as toxic, prompting a legal challenge by the industry group Responsible Plastic Use Coalition. While a 2023 Federal Court ruling struck down the ban as sweeping and an overreach into provincial jurisdiction, the Federal Court of Appeal subsequently overturned that decision in January, upholding the toxic classification and restoring the regulations.
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Q&A | Years in the making: Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in chief weighs in on proposed Dawson regional land use plan
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-15 01:16:47.0
Tags: [National, Indigenous, Resources, Mining, Environment, Governance]Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation Hahke (chief) Darren Taylor expressed hope that a final agreement on the Dawson regional land use plan will be reached with the Yukon government in 2027. The proposed plan outlines acceptable land uses across 40,000 square kilometres in north-central Yukon, balancing environmental protection, stewardship, and historic preservation with economic development and critical mineral resource extraction. Chief Taylor emphasized that without the plan, the First Nation will withhold support for regional mining and development projects unless companies negotiate direct Impact Benefit Agreements (IBAs).
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Alberta Court of Appeal says Impact Assessment Act is still unconstitutional
Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-09 22:16:10.0
Tags: [Alberta, National, Environment, Energy, Resources, Governance]In a 4-1 decision, the Alberta Court of Appeal ruled that the federal government's Impact Assessment Act (originally passed as Bill C-69) remains unconstitutional because it still grants federal authorities the power to halt projects entirely within provincial jurisdiction based on minimal federal impacts. The legal challenge was brought by Alberta with backing from Ontario and Saskatchewan, following previous rulings by the Supreme Court of Canada. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called on the federal government to accept the ruling and avoid another appeal, while federal officials stated they are reviewing the decision. Meanwhile, the federal government is attempting to transfer energy project reviews to the Canada Energy Regulator through Bill C-39 while maintaining compliance with the Impact Assessment Act.
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C-37 (45-1) - First Nations Clean Water Act
Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-10-09 13:20:48.0
Tags: [National, Indigenous, Infrastructure, Environment, Governance]Bill C-37, titled the First Nations Clean Water Act and introduced by the Minister of Indigenous Services, has completed second reading and was referred to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs (INAN) on October 9, 2026. The legislation establishes a comprehensive federal framework regarding water, source water, drinking water, wastewater, and related infrastructure on First Nation lands. The bill builds upon previous class-action litigation settlements concerning safe drinking water in First Nations communities and is accompanied by a historic funding commitment and a departmental Charter Statement tabled on September 25, 2026.
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Yukon wildland firefighters welcome plan to expand presumptive cancer coverage
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-09 11:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Labour, Public Safety, Governance, Environment]The Yukon government tabled a bill to amend the territorial Workers' Safety and Compensation Act to extend presumptive cancer coverage to wildland firefighters. Previously, only full-time and part-time structural firefighters received this coverage under the legislation. The proposed amendment covers all wildland firefighters equally, including government employees and independent contractors, with industry representatives aiming for formal legislative passage prior to the winter legislative break.
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C-241 (45-1) - National Strategy on Flood and Drought Forecasting Act
Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-10-09 10:10:14.0
Tags: [National, Environment, Climate, Emergency, Governance]Bill C-241, titled the National Strategy on Flood and Drought Forecasting Act, is a Private Member's Bill sponsored by Liberal Member of Parliament Tatiana Auguste representing Terrebonne. The legislation successfully passed second reading in the House of Commons with a 303 to 22 vote on December 3, 2025, and was subsequently reviewed by the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, which reported back with amendments on June 17, 2026. Following concurrence at the report stage on October 9, 2026, the bill is currently undergoing third reading debate in the House of Commons to establish a coordinated national forecasting framework across Canada.
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Proposed framework would nearly double land available for mineral exploration in Whitehorse
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-08 00:41:19.0
Tags: [National, Municipal, Mining, Resources, Governance, Environment]City of Whitehorse staff have tabled proposed amendments to municipal policies, zoning bylaws, and the official community plan to establish a new mineral framework. The framework will nearly double the amount of land available for mineral exploration from 1,128 to approximately 2,200 hectares through the inclusion of "future planning areas," while implementing explicit regulations such as a 500-metre buffer between homes and exploration sites, a 100-metre setback from watercourses, mandatory bonding, and site reclamation standards.
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Liberal MP calls for more safeguards in new bill to fast-track development projects
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-07 22:35:17.0
Tags: [National, British Columbia, Infrastructure, Energy, Environment, Governance]Liberal MP Patrick Weiler publicly raised concerns in the House of Commons regarding Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, which grants the Carney government sweeping powers to fast-track major infrastructure projects like pipelines, mines, and ports within one year. Weiler flagged shortcomings including excessive ministerial discretion to exempt projects from environmental regulations, compressed timelines limiting Indigenous and public input, and provisions allowing preliminary construction before environmental assessments are complete. The legislation, overseen by Transport Minister and House Leader Steven MacKinnon, is being studied in the House of Commons via a rare legislative committee structure covering its more than 200 clauses. Environmental groups and labour unions have also pushed back against the bill, warning it threatens environmental protections, at-risk species like caribou, and labour standards.
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Gov't consultations underway on shutdown of N.W.T.'s Ekati diamond mine watchdog
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-07 11:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Mining, Environment, Indigenous, Resources, Governance]The Northwest Territories and federal governments have initiated consultations on the proposed dissolution of the Independent Environmental Monitoring Agency (IEMA), the watchdog organization that has monitored developments at the Ekati diamond mine for nearly three decades. The mine, operated by the now-receivership Arctic Canadian Diamond Company, ended production earlier this year and is currently a public liability managed by PricewaterhouseCoopers using a $326-million reclamation security fund. Territorial and federal officials are considering whether funds allocated to IEMA should be redirected directly to site reclamation activities. Indigenous governments—including the Tłı̨chǫ Government, Yellowknives Dene First Nation, Łutsel K’e Dene First Nation, North Slave Métis Alliance, and Kitikmeot Inuit Association—alongside IEMA executive director Mark Casas, are participating in the input process regarding the future of the environmental agreement and independent oversight.
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N.W.T. minister won't reconsider wind-down of Diavik oversight board
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-09-29 18:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Environment, Resources, Mining, Governance]The Northwest Territories' Environment and Climate Change Minister, Jay Macdonald, has rejected a formal request from the Environmental Monitoring and Advisory Board (EMAB) to reconsider the scheduled wind-down of the Diavik diamond mine oversight board by March. EMAB chair Charlie Catholique and advocacy groups like Alternatives North argued that terminating independent monitoring before full site remediation is complete violates the mine's original social licence and public commitments. Meanwhile, the Ekati diamond mine remains under public receivership managed by PricewaterhouseCoopers, raising ongoing concerns among policy analysts and former legislators regarding the adequacy of territorial oversight, Indigenous co-management resources, and long-term environmental protection.
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Canada led a 2022 deal to protect the world's nature. Has there been progress since then?
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-29 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Environment, Climate, Resources, Infrastructure, Governance]Following the 2022 UN COP15 biodiversity conference in Montreal where Canada helped broker a global agreement to protect 30 per cent of land and oceans by 2030, a new assessment reveals current commitments will likely achieve only 27 per cent of terrestrial and 12 per cent of marine protection. International biodiversity financing for developing nations currently stands at $1.1 billion US annually against the agreed $30 billion US target. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney's federal government introduced Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, to fast-track environmental reviews and major resource projects, drawing criticism from environmental groups such as Greenpeace Canada and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society regarding potential conflicts with domestic climate goals.
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Speed over species? What experts are saying about Ottawa's new major projects bill
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-28 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Environment, Infrastructure, Energy, Resources, Governance]The federal government has tabled Bill C-39, titled the Building Canada Strong Act, containing over 300 clauses designed to expedite major project decisions to one year in response to U.S. economic pressures. The legislation amends more than a dozen federal statutes, including the Species at Risk Act, the Fisheries Act, the Impact Assessment Act, and the Labour Code, while permanently removing sunset clauses from the temporary powers established under Bill C-5. Critics, including the Sierra Club Canada Foundation, World Wildlife Fund Canada, and Ecojustice Canada, warn that the bill weakens environmental safeguards by allowing preliminary construction before impact assessments are completed and granting broad ministerial exemptions for sensitive water bodies and wildlife habitats.
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Carney to co-host UN event with European Commission chief von der Leyen
Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-09-23 12:24:25.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Economy, Environment, Climate, Governance]Prime Minister Mark Carney is co-hosting the OceanEye International Alliance event at the United Nations General Assembly alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to foster data-sharing and collaboration on ocean observation. The engagement follows European Commission proposals for Canada to attain associate member status, coming amid fractured trade negotiations between Canada and the United States under President Donald Trump. The summit marks Carney's first diplomatic visit to the United States since bilateral trade discussions broke down the previous month.
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