GOVERNMENT FUNDING & NEWS

Any Canada-U.S. trade deal likely to contain tariffs on Canadian goods, Prime Minister suggests

Prime Minister Mark Carney said he sees little evidence that it’s possible to strike a deal with President Donald Trump that removes all U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods.

This is the first time Carney has acknowledged that a pact to end the Canada-U.S. trade war would likely leave some of Trump’s protectionist tariffs in place.

“There is not much evidence at this moment of agreements, arrangements or negotiations with the Americans for any country, any jurisdiction, to have a tariff-free deal,” Carney said.

Any future trade deal with the U.S. could include quotas on softwood lumber exports, he acknowledged.

The U.S. is preparing to double various duties of softwood lumber to 34.45 percent as early as September.

William Pellerin, a partner with McMillan LLP’s international trade group, said he and his clients must now prepare for the possibility that U.S. tariffs are here to stay for the long term and that any Canadian business that made a short-term decision to “eat the tariffs rather than passing them on” to U.S. buyers may have to rethink that.

Britain, which struck a trade agreement with Trump in June, still faces 10-percent baseline tariffs on products it sells to the U.S. Similarly, Vietnam ended talks with the White House with a residual 20-percent levy on goods it sells to the U.S. The Globe and Mail

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Prime Minister Mark Carney promises First Nations prosperity through federal government’s major projects law

Prime Minister Mark Carney promised First Nations rights-holders wealth and prosperity for "generations to come" at a summit last week designed to allay Indigenous leaders' concerns about the government's major projects law, which has ignited criticism because it allows for fast-tracked approvals.

Carney said the potential benefits that come from building new railways, ports and energy "corridors" will flow to First Nations because "Indigenous economic growth is at the centre" of the government’s new framework.

Carney's remarks drew mixed reviews from First Nations leaders in attendance, with some expressing tempered optimism and others panning the entire process.

"I'm leaving Ottawa with more concerns and more questions," said Gwii Lok'im Gibuu (Jesse Stoeppler) who is Gitxsan and deputy chief of Hagwilget Village Council in northern B.C. "I didn't have much faith in the process to begin with and I'm leaving very concerned."

Angela Levasseur, chief of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation in Manitoba, wasn't ready to dismiss the meeting as a failure, nor praise it as a success, calling it "a start."

"I'm not satisfied because once again, there's a lot of unfinished business that First Nations have with Canada," Levasseur said in response to the prime minister's speech.

"Our rights cannot be implemented or respected without us, in substance and in process," said Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak at a news conference in Ottawa. Woodhouse Nepinak said the over 600 First Nations from across the country have a diversity of opinion on the legislation and the summit should have occurred prior to the bill's passing.

"Until an appropriate process founded in free, prior and informed consent is established between First Nations rights holders and the Crown, the Crown's legal obligations will not be met," Woodhouse Nepinak said.

The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) which participated in the summit, said it “stands in continued opposition” to Bill C-5, now passed as the Building Canada Act.

Many leaders at the summit “emphasized that consultation without consent is not reconciliation, and expressed frustration with being asked for input only after decisions have already been made and development is underway,” UBCIC said in a statement.

UBCIC called on the federal government to revisit and amend Bill C-5 to ensure that rights holders are engaged from the outset, and to abandon its centralized, streamlined permitting regime “that risks sidelining Indigenous laws and environmental safeguards.” CBC News

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First Nations in Ontario ask Superior Court to strike down Ontario’s Bill 5 and parts of Ottawa’s Bill C-5

Several First Nations in Ontario have asked a Superior Court judge to strike down the Ontario government’s Bill 5 and parts of the federal government’s Bill C-5, both of which let their respective governments approve major infrastructure projects more quickly.

The First Nations argue that the legislation severely threatens their rights to self-determine their ways of life on their homeland territories, the environment and fundamental human freedoms. Both of these bills were introduced to push forward massive economic developments without the necessary information to understand and address what could be serious negative impacts, and without including First Nations – whose lands these projects would be built on and take up – in much if any of the decision-making process, the First Nations said.

“The waiver of protective rules and the ignoring of First Nation rights, means that these Bills are unconstitutional and must be struck down.”

"These laws authorize the Crown governments to approve on a fast track major projects like Ring of Fire mining and pipelines, by short circuiting the need to get critical information about human and environmental safety and impacts and without involving the very peoples whose lands these projects would eat up," said Alderville First Nation Chief Taynar Simpson.

"Our case is not a fight against development, it is a fight against dangerous development pushed ahead by fact-less, thoughtless and reckless decision making from government ministers behind closed doors with little accountability."

"We First Nations are not against development per se. This is not about a battle between development and not," said Chief Todd Cornelius from Oneida Nation of the Thames. "It is about doing things recklessly and doing things right."

"The Crown governments are using the Trump tariffs as an excuse to say that all of this development is suddenly urgent. But these tariffs are not likely to be around forever and may well be gone before anything can be built even on an expedited basis," said Chief Sheri Taylor of Ginoogaming First Nation.

"Panicking over the short term is not a reason to sacrifice the very values Canada says it holds dear and long term viability of lands and people,” she said.

“If Canada and Ontario are so worried about threats to Canada from a bullying U.S. President whose administration has been stripping human rights protections, then why are Canada and Ontario supposedly answering those threats with their own laws that bully First Nations and strip human rights and environmental protections here?”

In a letter, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario also voiced its concerns about Bill 5 and urged the Ontario government to consult municipalities before enforcing Special Economic Zones.

“Without limits on how SEZs [Special Economic Zones] are identified, and which bylaws would be exempt, municipalities are concerned that the use of SEZs to bypass local deliberation on proposed projects may not deliver on the promise of supporting economic growth,” the letter said. “Instead, SEZs may hinder or prevent these projects from moving forward.” Woodward & Co.

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The Government of Canada is strengthening its tariff rate quotas (TRQs) that allow a certain amount of steel to come into the country at a reduced tariff or tariff-free (after that limit, higher tariffs apply). The government is strengthening TRQs for steel products implemented on June 27, 2025. This move comes in response to both U.S. tariffs on steel and global steel overproduction, which are pushing foreign exporters to find new places to sell their steel – including Canada. Strengthening these import limits will help prevent the Canadian market from being overwhelmed with cheap steel, while still making sure Canadian businesses that rely on steel can continue to get the supply they need, the government said.

• Effective August 1, 2025, the TRQs will be extended to countries that have a free trade agreement in force with Canada, with the exception of the U.S. and Mexico. This will result in a 50-percent surtax being applied on steel imports above 100 per cent of 2024 levels.
• For those countries that do not have a free trade agreement with Canada, the quota for tariff-free imports will be reduced to 50 percent of 2024 levels. A 50-percent surtax will be applied on steel imports exceeding this threshold.

A 25-percent surtax will also be applied on imports from all countries other than the U.S. that contain steel melted and poured in China.

In addition, the government will provide up to $1 billion to the Strategic Innovation Fund to support the steel industry's transition toward new lines of business and to strengthen domestic supply chains. The government also is investing $70 million over three years for steel workers via Labour Market Development Agreements with provinces and territories. Also, up to

$150 million of the federal $450-million Regional Tariff Response Initiative will be targeted to projects by small and medium-sized businesses in the steel sector. Department of Finance Canada

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe encouraged all Canadian jurisdictions to join the New West Partnership Trade Agreement (NWPTA). Barrier-free internal trade is crucial to creating a competitive and resilient trade environment and the NWPTA is one more way government can prioritize their commitment to a strong domestic economy, he said. "For almost two decades, western provinces have enhanced free flowing trade through the New West Partnership Trade Agreement, fostered strong economic growth and created opportunities for communities and residents." The NWPTA was established in 2010 by Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia – with Manitoba later joining. Through the NWPTA, member provinces have committed to fully recognize or reconcile rules affecting trade, investment and labour mobility, allowing for Canada's largest barrier-free interprovincial market. It has lower procurement thresholds and fewer exceptions than the Canadian Free Trade Agreement. Govt. of Saskatchewan

A new Government of Canada procurement policy aimed at protecting Canadian businesses from unfair trade practices could actually end up limiting the ability of some Canadian companies to bid on government contracts, trade lawyers said. The new interim procurement policy, which came into effect on July 14, will restrict “suppliers from countries that limit Canadian access to their own government contracts” from accessing Canadian federal contracts. It will apply to all non-defence contracts worth more than $10,000. Previously, the government had a “open by default” procurement regime, in which companies from any countries could bid on contracts as long as the Canadian government hadn’t imposed sanctions on those countries. The new policy will  limit procurement to Canadian suppliers and firms from “an applicable trading partner.” However, an analysis by trade lawyers with Fasken raises concerns about the policy’s definitions of a “Canadian supplier.” Under the policy, a Canadian supplier must have a physical “place of business within Canada where it conducts business on a permanent basis” and is “clearly identified by name and accessible during normal business hours.” For Marcia Mills, a partner at Fasken, this definition uses a “brick-and-mortar” approach that could be a barrier to thousands of small Canadian businesses that are outside of the conventional business model and may not have a physical location. “They don’t fit the definition of Canadian supplier,” Mills said. Also, requirement that companies be from “an applicable trading partner” could exclude join ventures that involve Canadian companies, Mills said. “By reference, [the policy] appears to be removing smaller companies from opportunities at the federal level,” Mills added, noting that many small companies get their start with joint ventures with larger partners. “This definition of Canadian supplier doesn’t help them. It harms them,” she said. Ottawa Citizen

The income gap in Canada reached a record high in the first quarter of 2025, according to a report by Statistics Canada (StatsCan). The highest income households gained from investments, while the lowest income households' wages declined. Lower borrowing costs and easing inflationary pressures facilitated household saving and debt management, while declining real estate values weighed on the average wealth of younger age groups and the least wealthy. The income gap is defined as the difference in the share of disposable income between households in the top 40 percent of the income distribution and the bottom 40 percent. This gap reached a record high of 49 percentage points in the first quarter of 2025. The income gap increased each year following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most wealth is held by relatively few households in Canada. The wealthiest (top 20 percent of the wealth distribution) accounted for almost two-thirds (64.7 percent) of Canada's total net worth in the first quarter of 2025, averaging $3.3 million per household. Meanwhile, the least wealthy (bottom 40 percent of the wealth distribution) accounted for 3.3 percent, averaging $85,700. StatsCan

The Government of Manitoba announced several investments to support health care and science training in the Westman region. The government will support the creation of 10 new doctor training seats, provide up to $52 million toward renovations to Brandon University’s (BrandonU) John R. Brodie Science Centre to ensure students have access to cutting-edge science facilities, and help create learning spaces in the Brandon Regional Health Centre’s library. The 10 training seats will be delivered through a satellite program that has been operated by BrandonU and the University of Manitoba’s Max Rady College of Medicine’s satellite program since 2013. Govt. of Manitoba

 Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) announced a federal investment of $11.7 million over four years to establish the Wildfire Resilience Consortium of Canada (WRCC). Funded through the Wildfire Resilient Futures Initiative, the WRCC will serve as a national centre of excellence and virtual hub for wildland fire innovation and knowledge exchange. The WRCC will advance many of the actions in the Kananaskis Wildfire Charter, agreed to by the leaders of the G7 this spring at Kananaskis in Alberta and endorsed by the leaders of Australia, India, Mexico, the Republic of Korea and South Africa. The Consortium will bring together domestic and international governments, communities impacted by wildfires, the private sector, and individual experts to share knowledge, facilitate collaboration and accelerate the use of cutting-edge science and technology in wildfire prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response. The WRCC will also support Indigenous fire stewardship and the cultural use of fire, recognizing and respecting traditional knowledge as a critical component of wildfire resilience. Environment and Climate Change Canada’s weather forecasts point to above-average temperatures across much of Canada from July through August, with dry conditions expected to intensify in the coming weeks, particularly in the West and North. Based on these weather forecasts, NRCan’s modelling predicts elevated wildfire risk from Yukon eastward to northwestern Ontario and in Nova Scotia and eastern New Brunswick. By August, wildfire activity is expected to continue to increase and persist to well-above-average conditions over much of western Canada, with the highest fire danger in southern British Columbia. NRCan

The Canada Water Agency announced a federal investment of $9.3 million in 26 freshwater projects in the Great Lakes. These projects are delivered through the Canada Water Agency's Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative. Each project addresses key environmental challenges affecting water quality and ecosystem health in the region. They are also key in advancing Canada's commitments under the Canada-United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The largest amount of funding – more than $1.6 million over four years – went to the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority for a project to improve the climate resilience of Oshawa Second Marsh, one of the last remaining large urban coastal wetlands on Lake Ontario. It will restore wetland structure, water flow and aquatic habitat connectivity between the marsh, Lake Ontario and Farewell Creek, while keeping out invasive carp. Canada Water Agency

The Government of Ontario is investing $7.5 million to protect small and medium-sized businesses across the province, helping them modernize and grow by adopting digital technologies. The Digitalization Competence Centre helps companies to transition and find made-in-Ontario digital solutions with expert guidance, training and up to $115,000 in targeted grants. The government is investing $5 million to support the Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan, delivered by the Ontario Centre of Innovation, which helps businesses assess their digital needs and work with a consultant to create a customized plan, with participating companies reporting $380 million in increased revenue. In addition, $2.5 million is being invested to support small businesses in the retail sector in areas like online payment systems, inventory management software, customer relationship management tools, digital marketing, cybersecurity solutions and artificial intelligence. Govt. of Ontario

The Government of Ontario is investing over $5.4 million in 28 agri-food projects through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance to help businesses commercialize new, cutting-edge research for Ontario’s $51-billion agri-food industry. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, these transformational research projects will lead to new discoveries and innovations that can help businesses grow, create jobs and boost their competitive advantage in the face of economic uncertainty from U.S. tariffs. The $5.4-million investment is part of government’s $40-million investment over six years into the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance’s tier 1 research programming. Govt. of Ontario

Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) announced an investment of $2.5 million to help businesses in Kelowna and throughout B.C. find opportunities for growth in new markets and manage the impacts of tariffs. Through this investment, $1.2 million will allow Community Futures British Columbia (CFBC) to continue delivering the Export Navigator program, which helps B.C. businesses become export-ready. Export Navigator pairs businesses with expert advisors in regions across the province who provide personalized guidance to help them achieve their export goals. To date, Export Navigator has helped more than 1,200 businesses begin their export journey, including 280 businesses in the Thompson-Okanagan alone. This initiative also received $1.2 million from the Government of British Columbia. The remaining $1.3 million of PacifiCan investment will help CFBC and the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade (GVBOT) support B.C. businesses as they adjust to a changing economy and meet requirements of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) through two specialized initiatives:

• $900,000 for CFBC to launch the CUSMA Compliance Advisory Services Initiative, delivered through Export Navigator. This initiative will provide expert advisory services and up to $5,000 to help businesses cover the costs of becoming CUSMA compliant.
• $380,500 for GVBOT to deliver a series of webinars and in-person workshops in six B.C. communities. These sessions will connect businesses with experts, including customs brokers, lawyers and other professionals, who will provide valuable guidance on CUSMA compliance. PacifiCan

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) announced that the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories are working together to advance a new geoscience research initiative that leverages artificial intelligence, digital scanning technologies and historic drill cores to unlock the North’s mineral potential and help solidify Canada’s position as a global leader in resource development and critical minerals. As part of this initiative, Canada and the N.W.T. will pilot a project to scan, digitize and analyze existing drill cores from the N.W.T. Geological Survey’s collection using cutting-edge techniques to highlight new areas of high critical-mineral potential. These core scans and their associated data will be made available through a centralized digital platform, helping to reduce exploration risk, re-evaluate existing discoveries and enable new mineral development opportunities across the North. This program will be centred on drill cores from the Slave Geological Province in the N.W.T., one of Canada’s most promising regions for mineral exploration and critical mineral development. This vast, underexplored area is home to past-producing mines and significant greenfield potential, particularly for critical minerals such as lithium, copper, cobalt and rare earth elements. This work will form the foundation for a future Canadian Digital Core Library and reflects both governments’ shared commitment to breaking down silos and building one Canadian economy. NRCan

Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, and Stéphane Séjourné, the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, met on July 11 to advance collaboration under the New Canada–EU Strategic Partnership of the Future. This partnership was announced at the Canada–European Union Leaders’ Summit in Brussels on June 23. Joly and Séjourné agreed to develop a joint work plan in the coming weeks that will determine specific areas of cooperation. They also committed to convening again within the next month to further advance their shared priorities. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

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Canada is becoming “digitally subservient” to the United States: international lawyer Barry Appleton

Canada is becoming “digitally subservient” to the U.S. in the global economy, says international lawyer Barry Appleton.

“As Canada enters trade and security negotiations with the United States, we face a stark choice: assert our digital sovereignty now, or risk becoming a permanent branch plant in America’s tech empire,” Appleton, a distinguished senior fellow and co-director at the Center for International Law at New York Law School and a fellow at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, wrote in an op-ed in The Globe and Mail.

Global powers are weaponizing AI algorithms and data to reshape economic dominance – and so the timing of the talks could not be more critical, Appleton said.. They will determine whether Canada controls its digital economy or cedes it to foreign platforms.

“The evidence suggests we’re already dangerously behind,” he said.

In early July, Canada resumed stalled talks with the Trump administration with a “humiliating cave-in” on the Digital Services Tax – “just one in a series of strategic misplays in our intangible economy over the years,” Appleton said.

When Meta blocked Canadian news content in 2023, “our government had to negotiate like a junior partner,” he said.

Though TikTok‘s Canadian offices have been ordered closed, the app continues to be accessible in Canada, operating under Beijing’s data rules, he pointed out.

Amazon Web Services hosts sensitive government data under U.S. surveillance laws. “Our AI companies train on U.S.-controlled datasets, then struggle to compete globally.”

“Today’s economy increasingly runs on algorithms we don’t control, through platforms we don’t regulate, and under rules we didn’t write,” Appleton added.

Digital governance now determines economic competitiveness, democratic legitimacy and national security simultaneously. “Countries that control their digital infrastructure control their economic destiny; those that don’t become digital colonies.”

In contrast to the U.S. and the European Union, Canada uses trade tools from a predigital economy, Appleton said. “Our copyright laws are silent on AI training data. Our competition framework cannot handle platform monopolies.”

The upcoming trade and security framework with the U.S. presents both opportunity and peril, he said.

“Done right, it could establish Canada as an equal partner in North American digital governance. Done wrong, we risk permanent technological dependence.”

Key issues on the table include data localization requirements, algorithmic transparency standards and cross-border data flows, and they expand into tax policy, broadcasting and financial decisions.

“How we negotiate these provisions will determine whether Canadian companies can compete, whether our citizens’ data stays protected, and whether our democracy remains insulated from foreign manipulation,” Appleton said.

The cost of getting this wrong compounds daily, he noted. “Canadian startups get acquired before they scale because we lack regulatory frameworks to nurture digital champions. Our citizens’ data flows freely across borders while our government struggles to audit the foreign-owned algorithms that shape everything from mortgage approvals to election outcomes.”

“If we do not act decisively, Canada will miss this generation’s defining wave of digital rule-making,” Appleton argued.

The federal government should immediately establish a Digital Sovereignty Commission with a mandate over cross-border data, algorithmic governance and strategic technology policy, to bring legal, economic and rights-based expertise to the negotiating table, he said.

“We need to embed digital governance expertise throughout our institutions: in universities, regulatory agencies, and the private sector.”

Recent investments in digital governance research represent important steps, but they’re just a down payment on what’s required, he added.

Canada has the democratic traditions, academic excellence and innovative capacity to lead global digital rule-making, Appleton said. “But we must match that potential with the scale of investment and institutional change required to realize it.”

The trade and security negotiations are a crucial test that will decide whether Canada owns its digital future, Appleton said. “The future of prosperity is digital. The question is whether Canada will seize control of that future while we still can.” The Globe and Mail

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U.S. Congress passes the country’s first major standalone crypto bill: A “Trojan Horse” for digital land seizure?

The United States Congress passed the country's first major standalone crypto bill, signalling a sea change in the U.S. stance toward these digital currencies.

The House approved the GENIUS Bill with a 308-122 vote with significant Democratic support, adopting regulations for a type of cryptocurrency known as stablecoins that proponents believe will fundamentally change the world of commerce.

The new legislation will put more formal regulations around stablecoins, viewed by many as a safer type of cryptocurrency. That's because companies selling stablecoins have to hold the equivalent dollars in reserve.

So if you buy $1 in stablecoin, the issuer that provided you with one has to keep $1 in reserve. That means that when you want to cash it, you can get paid back promptly.

President Donald Trump and his family stand to benefit from this crypto bill, given their financial interests in a crypto company that has issued its own stablecoin.

The GENIUS Bill, which stands for "Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoin," now heads to the president's desk for his signature, since the Senate had already approved it last month.

Matthew Ross, founder of INDOEDEN and an advisor at Blue Green Future, who has expertise in natural capital investment, argued in a LinkedIn post that the GENIUS Act is a “Trojan Horse for digital land seizure.”

The State of Wyoming’s Stable Token Commission released implementation guidelines for WYST, a state-backed digital currency positioned as "constitutional money" with "yield-bearing mechanisms tied to real-world assets,” he pointed out.

The GENIUS Act creates federal interoperability requirements for state-issued digital financial instruments, Ross noted.

Wyoming consists of 80-percent farmer-owned agricultural land, with the least institutional penetration in America, he said.

The carbon credit from potential from Wyoming grasslands alone is valued at $900 million to $3.6 billion annually, Ross said. “This isn’t cryptocurrency innovation. It’s agricultural standardization using constitutional legitimacy.”

Wyoming's farmer-owned landscape creates perfect optics for "decentralized" land tokenization while establishing legal precedent for nationwide replication, he said.
For investment professionals, this represents the early stages of a fundamental shift in how natural assets interface with capital markets, Ross said.
For agricultural stakeholders, “The question isn't whether this benefits farmers, but whether American food security becomes a tradeable financial instrument controlled by protocol owners rather than land owners.”

The convergence of institutional farmland acquisition, state-level token frameworks (WYST), and federal interoperability legislation (GENIUS Act) and a leading wallet provider for these types of crypto's moves to Wyoming last month “indicates systematic preparation for agricultural asset financialization at scale,” Ross said. NPR

RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

Several Canadian postsecondary institutions appeared in the 2025 World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI). These rankings were launched by a consortium of universities in 2020 with the goal of assessing universities according to the criteria of “innovation,” “implementability” and “impact.” Canadian institutions in the global rankings included: Simon Fraser University (a Canadian standout at #12), Queen’s University (#114), the University of Toronto (#133), the University of Waterloo (#152), McGill University (#199), McMaster University (#212), the University of British Columbia (#239), the University of Calgary (#246), and HEC Montréal (#364). Simon Fraser University made the top 20 (#18) in the Entrepreneurial Spirit category, while McMaster University made the top 50 (#47) in Student Support and Engagement. WURI (2025)

The Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) released its revised eligibility requirements for grant holders, which have been updated with the intent of simplification and harmonization with other Tri-agency definitions and processes. The new requirements will be effective on August 1, 2025 and will not be applied retroactively. Among the changes, NSERC said it has replaced references to “faculty” with “individual,” and removed references to “academic” appointments in order to broaden accessibility and ensure that researchers with different backgrounds or appointment types – such as Indigenous scholars – can access funding. NSERC has also altered select rules around contract duration, the role of collaborators, and research field requirements to better align with the definitions and processes used by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. NSERC

Canada’s Tri-agency Council announced that Dimensions Canada has created a new cohort consisting of 11 universities, five colleges and two polytechnics. Members of this cohort will share knowledge, experiences and materials with other institutions. They can also participate in the Dimensions recognition program, focused on advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in their environments. The Tri-agency also opened its Indigenous Innovation and Leadership in Research Network Grants competition for 2025, which awards funding to Indigenous not-for-profit organizations and postsecondary institutions in support of Indigenous-led research, strategies and structures. The funding will support multiple objectives, including increasing networking and collaboration among Indigenous researchers and communities, and efforts related to Indigenous knowledge systems and ontology, epistemology and methodology. Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

Calcul Québec, a non-profit organization that involves several postsecondary institutions across Quebec – officially launched a new supercomputer, called Rorqual, entirely dedicated to scientific research. The supercomputer, located at the McGill-Calcul Québec National Data Centre, is designed with specifications that will meet the scientific community’s computing needs and is equipped 324 latest-generation graphics accelerators specially adapted for AI, modelling, and big data processing. Rorqual will be available for use in projects in a variety of fields, including AI, health, the environment and the humanities. The launch of Rorqual involved teams from Concordia University, École de technologie supérieure, HEC Montréal, McGill University, Polytechnique Montréal, Université de Montréal, Université de Sherbrooke, Université Laval, and Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). UQAM

The University of Waterloo (UWaterloo), the Centre for International Governance Innovation, and the Centre for the Study of Living Standards partnered to launch the Canadian AI Adoption Initiative (CAIAI). CAIAI will bring together partners from academia, government and the private sector to develop approaches and policies for adopting and assessing AI. Co-directed by Joël Blit (UWaterloo) and Danielle Goldfarb (University of Toronto), CAIAI seeks to reverse Canada’s productivity decline and strengthen competitiveness by accelerating AI integration. “This initiative aligns with a growing government focus on AI adoption and will provide policymakers advice on best practices and support in developing the metrics that track country-wide adoption,” Blit said. The priorities CAIAI has laid out include developing recommendations to foster adoption, launching a data hub tracking AI adoption and equipping small and medium-sized enterprises  with AI starter packs. UWaterloo

Simon Fraser University (SFU) is partnering with Fraser Health to launch a new health research institute aimed at tackling some of the most pressing health issues across the region. The SFU-FH Health Research Institute will bring together expertise from the two institutions to build collaboration and expand research opportunities. The institute seeks to bridge the gap between health care and innovation to ensure people in the Fraser Health region can access sustainable care in the long term. With the fastest-growing population in B.C. and a diverse demographic, Fraser Health is an ideal environment in which to collaborate on new ideas and high-impact research. The new research institute will enable patients, clinicians and researchers to share knowledge and build an integrated culture of research and care across the institutions.  SFU and Fraser Health also are partnering on SFU’s new School of Medicine, along with the First Nations Health Authority, which is due to open in fall 2026. The two institutions also are working together on an SFU research facility, in Surrey Memorial Hospital, that provides a unique combination of high-field magnetic resonance imaging together with high-density magnetoencephalography. Simon Fraser University

A group of Canadian law enforcement and government bodies advised businesses to be wary of information technology workers deployed by the North Koren government and disguising their identity. “Employing these individuals could result in legal consequences under Canadian sanctions, expose your organization to data theft and corporate espionage, and indirectly contribute to North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs, which are prohibited by the United Nations Security Council,” the advisory says. State-affiliated IT workers from North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) seeking employment are known to pose as legitimate freelancers based in other nations offering IT development services to a wide range of sectors, which include but are not limited to: mobile/web application development (including in gaming and online gambling); general IT support; graphic animation; database and online platform development; and hardware and firmware development. To hide their identity, these individuals could use virtual private networks and servers which encrypts their online traffic, Voice Over Internet Protocol and encrypted messaging applications, AI-enabled deepfake technologies which disguise appearances, and pay nationals of other countries (also referred to as proxies) to use their personal information and/or accounts on employment platforms. The workers’ salaries may go to support Pyongyang's weapons programs, the advisory warned, while the access they gain to companies can facilitate espionage and money laundering. The advisory, from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Public Safety Canada, Global Affairs Canada, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, provides red flags to identify potential North Korean IT workers. RCMP

A coalition backed by Google, Stripe and Shopify will spend US$1.7 million to buy carbon removal credits from three early-stage firms on behalf of the tech giants to help scale up the nascent markets, an executive told Reuters. Halifax-based pHathom Technologies, which uses limestone and other minerals to separate carbon dioxide from industrial exhaust systems, then stores that CO₂ in seawater, is among the firms supplying the credits, according to a company post on LinkedIn. The coalition, called Frontier, is also backed by H&M Group, JPMorgan Chase and Salesforce, among others. The group, which aggregates demand from its members, will spend $1.7 million to buy credits from U.S.-firm Karbonetiq, Italy-based Limenet and pHathom. Frontier’s support for these early-stage firms, which aim to lock emissions away in the ocean or in rocks and industrial waste, marks its fifth series of commitments. Frontier, set up in 2022, aims to invest at least $1 billion in carbon removal credits between 2022 and 2030. It has already committed $600 million, some on the series of pre-purchases and the bulk on a series of off-take agreements with larger firms. Reuters

Montreal-based Deep Sky completed construction of a $110-million carbon removal innovation and commercialization centre at Innisfail, Alta., about 120 kilometres north of Calgary. It is a key piece of the company’s vision to build 100 large-scale facilities across Canada and become a pioneer in the emerging market for direct air capture (DAC) technology. Work began in August 2024 on the project known as Deep Sky Alpha, which aims to begin testing up to 10 different DAC technologies in real-world conditions. The facility is expected to be up and running this August. The Government of Alberta is investing $5 million in the facility through Emissions Reduction Alberta. Deep Sky’s facility will capture up to 3,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year over the next 10 years, with room for future expansion. Captured CO₂ will be transported by tanker trucks about 200 kilometres north to Sturgeon County where it will be injected more than two kilometres below the surface into the Meadowbrook Carbon Storage Hub. Operated by Bison Low Carbon Ventures, the project is the first approved under Alberta’s open-access carbon sequestration hub initiative and is expected to begin operations before year-end. Canadian Energy Centre

Calgary-based Carbon Upcycling won a prestigious international award for pioneering climate solutions. In eight years, the Keeling Curve Prize – part of the Global Warming Mitigation Project – has awarded $2.75 million to 80 organizations. Those winners have gone on to secure more than $2.75 billion in additional funding. Carbon Upcycling was one of 10 companies from around the world awarded $50,000 this year, to be put toward scaling its carbon capture and utilization technology. The company has amassed US$70 million in capital funding and grants since it was founded in 2014, largely with its “CUT CO2” system, which turns industrial waste byproducts into materials for low-carbon cement production. Steel slag, a byproduct of steel production, and fly ash, a byproduct from burning coal, are both often landfilled or stockpiled. Carbon Upcycling reclaims them to help create cement. The end product is an enhanced cement, with faster setting times and increased durability, and reduces the carbon footprint compared to regular cement. Calgary Herald

Indigenous representatives of an oilsands monitoring program say the Government of Alberta won’t increase funding to keep pace with oilsands expansion and inflation, according to a letter obtained by Canada’s National Observer. The joint oilsands monitoring group, comprised of industry, provincial, federal and Indigenous representatives, was created in 2013 to monitor the environmental impacts of oilsands development in Alberta. The budget for 2025 is $54.5 million, paid for by industry. However, the monitoring program received requests for about $76 million worth of monitoring work plans, leaving roughly $21.5 million of work requests unfunded.  On March 20, Indigenous representatives on the oversight committee wrote a letter to the monitoring program’s provincial and federal co-chairs, warning that the budget is not keeping up with inflation or monitoring demands created by oilsands expansion, and that this will negatively impact the quality of work. The funding formula that requires industry to pay up to $50 million annually for the program was developed in 2013 collaboratively by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and the Alberta government. Accounting for inflation, what cost $50 million in 2013 should now cost about $66.5 million, the letter signatories write. “Thus, the overall purchasing power of oilsands monitoring has shrunk roughly 25 percent, while the oilsands industry has nearly doubled in size.” In 2018, provincial government royalty revenues  from the industry were $3.2 billion. In 2023, that number reached $16.9 billion, according to the letter. Ryan Fournier, press secretary for Rebecca Schulz, Alberta Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, said the request for more than $70 million for monitoring encompassed “53 different work plans, including requests that are duplicative, overlapping or even potentially conflicting.” Canada’s National Observer

Australian mining giant BHP Group Ltd. slowed progress on its US$10.6-billion Jansen potash mine in Saskatchewan amid rising costs. BHP said it now expects capital expenditure for the project – expected to be one of the world’s biggest potash mines – to be in the range of US$7 billion to US7.4 billion, compared with the company’s original estimate of US$5.7 billion. First production from the mine, about 150 kilometres east of Saskatoon, is now expected by mid-2027, rather than late 2026. The Jansen Stage 1 project is 68 percent complete, the company said. BHP said it’s also considering an extension of first production from Jansen Stage 2 to fiscal year 2031 rather than 2029 as part of a regular review of capital expenditure sequencing. BHP

Toronto-based AI-powered drone maker ZenaTech, Inc. announced it will accelerate expansion of its Phoenix, Arizona-based facilities – including tripling the square footage size – to enable full U.S. drone manufacturing, assembly and testing. ZenaTech said this expansion comes earlier than expected due to the recent transformative U.S. policy directives from the White House, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the recently passed “One Big Beautiful Bill” that collectively have unlocked federal funding for domestic production, cut outdated certification and procurement barriers, and fast-tracked deployment directly to frontline units without requiring Blue or Green Unmanned Aerial System certification. These new directives make it “dramatically easier and faster” for American drone companies – especially those building Group 1 and 2 affordable drone systems – to sell directly to the military, scale production, and innovate without delays from traditional defense procurement bottlenecks, ZenaTech said. ZenaTech

Toronto-based AI company Cohere announced its expansion into the Asia-Pacific region, unveiling plans to establish a new office in Seoul, South Korea. The Seoul office will serve as a strategic hub for business growth and innovation throughout the region, reinforcing Korea’s rising importance in the global AI landscape. The new Seoul office will be led by Andrew Chang, the firm’s new president of Cohere APAC, who was hired in May. Cohere has already begun hiring top talent in Korea to accelerate the adoption of secure, multilingual AI solutions across regulated sectors that handle sensitive data, such as finance, health care and manufacturing. Cohere will also launch a research grants program, Cohere Labs, and strengthen partnerships with leaders like LG CNS, a Korean information technology solutions provider under LG Group, with whom it recently secured a major public sector AI project with the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Korea Herald

Brampton, Ont.-based MDA Space announced that it has digitally formed and steered multiple beams with its Ka-band direct radiating array (DRA) using direct sampling, a first in the industry. Digitally formed beams, multiple simultaneous beams, and electronically steered beams are among the key features of the MDA AURORA™ Ka-band DRA. Their successful validation marks a significant breakthrough in satellite communication systems that support broadband connectivity and 5G networks, MDA Space said. It also marks a key milestone in the development of the digital payload technology for the MDA AURORA™ software-defined product line for next-generation satellite constellations. Beam forming and steering with Ka-band DRAs has typically relied on intermediate frequency conversion whereas MDA Space’s use of direct sampling results in a more efficient and effective approach, allowing customers to save on satellite costs, mass and power consumption. MDA Space said its MDA AURORA™ enables the DRA to deliver signals where they are needed and when they are needed, while maximizing the use of the satellite resources. MDA Space

Quebec City-based electric vehicle charging company Flo is closing its manufacturing facility in Shawinigan, Que., pointing to trade tensions, shifting political dynamics in America, and inconsistent policy signals around EVs as major factors in the company’s decision. Flo is laying off about 80 employees at the plant. Flo has two other production sites, one in the Grand-Mère area of Quebec, plus another in Auburn Hills near Detroit. As first reported by La Presse, the company is refocusing its efforts away from production, instead choosing to invest more in operating and managing networks of charging station networks. According to Flo’s website, the company has over 600,000 members who log over 2 million charging sessions every month on Flo-branded chargers. Driving

Toronto-based sleep-tech startup Smart Nora  filed for bankruptcy following significant financial challenges exacerbated by increased tariffs. Founded by Behrouz and Behzad Hariri through a Kickstarter campaign in 2015, Smart Nora developed an anti-snoring device that gained recognition for its innovation. Despite achieving over $30 million in lifetime revenue and selling more than 100,000 units, the company struggled with investor sentiment shifting away from hardware startups and a sharp rise in tariffs. These factors led to funding gaps and shipment delays, particularly affecting their largest market in the U.S. Smart Nora’s assets are valued at $40,474 against liabilities exceeding $4.3 million, including significant loans from RBC, BDC, and Community Futures Eastern Ontario. Startup Ecosystem Canada

Startupfest 2025 in Montreal saw more than 10 startups secure collective investment commitments totalling over $1 million – the most in the tech festival’s history. The winners included:

• The winner of both the Best of Fest $100,000 award and the Audience Choice Award was Montreal-based mTatt, a medtech company building a new way to measure blood test biomarkers with temporary tattoos. The company has developed a painless, invisible micro-tattoo with fluorescent ink that generates signals to detect and measure biomarkers.
• Vancouver-based Tydra Laboratories, a biomaterials company, won the $100,000 Women in Tech prize -sponsored by woman-led angel network The Firehood – for its technology that harvests valuable materials from crustacean waste. Crab and lobster shells contain chitin, a valuable material with a dirty extraction process. Tydra has reengineered the process of extracting chitin with seawater and bacteria.
• For the first time, Startupfest awarded two $100,000 Black Entrepreneur Investment prizes to Black-led startups Serenity Power and Wosler, supported by the non-profit organization Rep Matters. Toronto-based Serenity Power is a cleantech startup looking to replace diesel generators to reduce harmful emissions. London, Ont.-based Wosler is a clinician co-founded healthtech company that has created SonoSystem, a technology platform that allows ultrasound sonographers to work remotely and serve patients in remote areas.
• Montreal-based, agentic AI-powered accounting software startup Ready Plan Gotook home the second-ever $100,000 2SLGBTQIA+ Prize presented by QueerTech and the $75,000 FinTech grant supported by Digital Commerce Group.
• Halifax-based Aruna Revolution, a startup tackling waste from menstrual products, was awarded the first-ever $100,000 Impact Investment Prize, supported by impact investment firm Spring and impact investment coalition CIVIC. Aruna is a “fibre-tech” company developing compostable menstrual pads with absorbent fibres to reduce the environmental impact of disposable menstrual products. The $100,000 investment was matched by the Business Development Bank of Canada Thrive Lab. 
• Cleantech company HyC Light took home the Student Entrepreneur prize for its solar energy solution that converts natural gas into clean hydrogen, developed out of the University of Toronto. The $100,000 prize was supported by Front Row Ventures and LOI Venture. BetaKit

VC, PRIVATE INVESTMENT & ACQUISITIONS

San Francisco-based, Canadian-founded Substack raised US$100 million in a series C funding round led by BOND and The Chernin Group, with participation from a16z, Klutch Sports Group CEO Rich Paul, and SKIMS CEO Jens Grede. The San Francisco-based company is now valued at US$1.1 billion, the New York Times reported. Substack was co-founded by Canadian Chris Best, a University of Waterloo alumnus, former journalist Hamish McKenzie, and UWaterloo alum Jairaj Sethi. Substack allows creators to independently publish content and manage subscribers in exchange for 10 percent of subscription revenue plus transaction fees. The company is a leading platform for writers, journalists and creators to publish and monetize newsletters, podcasts and other digital content directly to subscribers. Substack said it plans to use the funding to double down on its app, which allows for social networking, and “invest in better tools” for its publishers. It also plans to introduce support for advertisers on the platform. Reuters

Calgary-based GeologicAI raised US$44 million in a Series B funding round led by Blue Earth Capital, with participation from BHP and Rio Tinto, as well as continued support from Breakthrough Energy Ventures and other investors. GeologicAI’s technology combines cutting-edge sensors, advanced AI and deep geoscience expertise to intensively scan drill core onsite, and to analyze, interpret and visualize this enhanced data in real time. GeologicAI said it will use the funding to expand to more mining jurisdictions across five continents and advance the company’s proprietary AI tools and hardware. GeologicAI

The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) announced the addition of the Royal Bank of Canada to its Community Banking partners in its $800-million Business Accelerator Loan Program. Partner organizations issue debt financing through the Business Accelerator Loan Program and BDC guarantees up to 85 percent of the loans.  OECD research shows commercial financing to Canadian companies grew by 165 percent since 2011, but the percentage of these new loans going to small and medium-sized businesses decreased from 16 percent to 8.6 percent, BDC said. “This downward trend needs to change to ensure our country’s growth because SMEs are the drivers of Canada’s economic engine.” BDC already works with TD Bank, Meridian Credit Union, Desjardins and Vancity on the program, among others. BDC launched its Community Banking initiative in November 2024 to make it easier for entrepreneurs to access financing, to boost Canada’s active small business count, and to help grow the economy. BDC

Toronto-based GreenSky Ventures officially closed its sixth venture fund, raising $23.5 million to support early-stage business-to-business deep tech and enterprise software startups across Canada. Fund VI surpassed the midpoint of its initial target range of $20 million to $25 million. More than 100 limited partners contributed, including a mix of returning high-net worth individuals, family offices and wealth managers. The GreenSky team and their families also remained the largest investor group, reinforcing their hands-on commitment. Fund VI is targeting 12 to 15 investments in seed and Series A startups. So far, the firm has invested in six companies, including BioAlert Solutions, Edgecom Energy, Rivr, and Brickeye. The close coincided with the appointment of Jeff Brunet as a managing partner. A seasoned entrepreneur and angel investor, Brunet has exited several companies – including Clickfree and Wysdom – and holds about 30 patents in AI, wireless tech and consumer electronics. Founders Today

Vancouver-based Quandri, which offers an AI platform modernizing servicing work for insurance brokerages and agencies, raised US$12 million in a funding round led by Framework Venture Partners, with investors FUSE and Defined Capital doubling down on their existing investments in Quandri. The funding round also included an investment from Intact Ventures. Quandri said it will use these funds to accelerate its go-to-market efforts, increase engineering and AI investments, and expand operations in both Canada and the U.S. Quandri

Toronto-based AI pharmacy automation startup Asepha raised US$4 million in a seed funding round led by Glasswing Ventures and Core Innovation Capital. Panache, RedBud, and MGV also participated, with follow-on support from Ripple Ventures and Front Row Ventures. Asepha offers a growing stack of interoperable AI agencies to streamline pharmacy operations, speed up workflows and improve accuracy. Asepha said it will use these funds to continue growing its engineering and go-to-market teams and globally expand partnerships and its U.S. footprint with the opening of a New York office. Asepha

A British Columbia government-owned investment fund for startups  is studying how to recapitalize and grow, including the possibility of taking in private capital. The government launched InBC Investment Corp. in 2021 to provide money to new companies and venture funds, prioritizing climate technology and other themes such as supporting reconciliation with Indigenous people. Seeded with an initial $500 million, InBC has deployed about 35 percent of that so far into 15 businesses and nine venture funds, spanning recycling, robotics, carbon capture and agri-tech. About $200 million of InBC’s capital is earmarked for follow-on investments on existing holdings, which leaves about $135 million for additional investments, said Jill Earthy, chief executive of InBC Investment. Earthy wants the fund to be self-sustaining and eventually a profit centre for the province. The fund’s early investments include bio-printing startup Aspect Biosystems Ltd., carbon capture firm Svante Technologies Inc., robotics company Sanctuary AI, and Raven Indigenous Capital Partners. Bloomberg News

Regina-based Flowing River Capital, an Indigenous-owned and Indigenous-led private investment company, officially launched with the acquisition of the Four Seasons of Reconciliation educational platform. The firm is targeting private mid-market-size companies for First Nation and Métis communities to invest in. Flowing River Capital said it seeks to advance economic reconciliation by building capacity, creating Indigenous wealth, and strengthening Nation-to-Nation economic partnerships. The company was founded by Indigenous leaders Cadmus Delorme, former chief of the Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan, and Thomas Benjoe, who has worked in commercial banking and Indigenous investments. Since 2016, hundreds of historic claims have been resolved between First Nations and the Government of Canada, resulting in nearly $12 billion in capital flowing to Indigenous communities. Yet there remains a significant gap: few investment managers are equipped to help Indigenous Nations strategically invest this capital in alignment with their values, aspirations, and the country's growing demand for true economic reconciliation. Flowing River Capital aims to fill this gap. Flowing River Capital

Toronto-based Trusty, an AI-powered estate platform, announced the close of $1 million in pre-seed funding, co-led by Relay Ventures and Graphite Ventures, with participation from Mistral Venture Partners and strategic angel investors. Trusty said the investment will accelerate its product development and go-to-market expansion across Canada and the U.S., with a focus on advancing its AI asset detection wizard, in-app AI assistant, and growing its proprietary workflows with partnered wealth and estate professionals. Trusty’s digital platform helps families in the wealth-transfer process – offering AI tools for users to analyze documents, help them recognize images, and answer questions with a “conversational assistant.” BusinessWire

The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board announced an agreement with U.S. private equity firm Advent to acquire 100 percent of DONTE GROUP alongside its management team. The deal values the company at approximately €1 billion. DONTE GROUP is a leading dental provider in Spain, operating one of the largest clinic networks, with over 426 clinics and 2,200 dentists delivering general, premium and pediatric dental care across four brands. DONTE GROUP has built a strong reputation for clinical quality and patient experience. Ontario Teachers’ said the investment reflects its conviction in DONTE GROUP as a sector-leading platform with high quality service and brands, a first-class management team and a significant runway for growth. The company will become part of Ontario Teachers’ $6-billon global healthcare portfolio. Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan

Apple signed a US$500-million deal with Pentagon-backed, Las Vegas-based MP Materials for a supply of rare earth magnets, one of the first U.S. tech companies to ink an agreement that aims to centralize its supply chain inside the country. Apple will pre-pay MP Materials US$200 million for a supply of magnets scheduled to begin in 2027. The magnets will be produced at MP’s Fort Worth, Texas, facility using magnets recycled at MP’s Mountain Pass, California, mining complex. The deal is part of a broader push by Apple to bring iPhone production to the United States amid a push from the Trump administration to produce fewer electronics in China – also marking corporate America’s growing alignment with U.S. industrial policy. Earlier this month, MP last to a multibillion-dollar deal with the U.S. Department of Defense that will see the Pentagon become MP’s largest shareholder and financial backstop. BNN Bloomberg

San Franscisco-based AI startup Cognition announced it is acquiring California-based Windsurf, an AI coding company that lost its CEO Varun Mohan and several other senior employees to Google just days earlier. Cognition said it will purchase Windsurf’s intellectual property, product, trademark, brand and talent, but didn’t disclose the terms of the deal. Cognition is best known for its AI coding agent named Devin, which is designed to help engineers build software faster. OpenAI had been in talks to acquire Windsurf for about $3 billion in April but the deal fell apart. CNBC

REPORTS & POLICIES

Ottawa needs to consult with industry, chart a careful path to review of Canada-United States-Mexico agreement

The federal government needs to chart a careful path to the upcoming review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) on trade, according to a commentary from the C.D. Howe Institute.

Canada’s approach to the review must be shaped with industry to ensure Canadian interests are appropriately reflected and negotiators are fully prepared, says the commentary by Meredith Lilly, professor and Simon Reisman Chair in International Policy at Carleton University.

Canada should respond pragmatically if the U.S. tries to involve new rules to limit investment from non-market economies (namely China) in sensitive sectors such as AI, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Lilly says. Canada should find ways to cooperate in exchange for gains elsewhere.

For example, as a condition of opening a discussion on investment rules targeting China, Dominic LeBlanc, Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade, must insist that current tariffs imposed on Canadian goods under U.S. national security exemption be lifted, Lilly says. “After all, how can Canada cooperate on national security proposals with the U.S. if we are subject to similar tariffs?”
On timing of negotiations, Canada will have to be judicious about when to move fast and when to go slow, Lilly says.

In the original CUSMA negotiations, Canada moved so slowly that it was cut out of negotiations during a critical period and then was handed a take-it-or-leave-it agreement largely concluded bilaterally between Mexico and the U.S., she notes.

“While Canada must not find itself outside of negotiations again, it is not clear whether a speedy renewal will be advantageous this time.”

A year ago, it seemed like failure to reach an agreement to renew CUSMA in 2026 would send an incredibly destabilizing signal to businesses because it would trigger annual reviews of the agreement for up to 10 years until CUSMA is renewed or ultimately expires in 2036, Lilly says.

However, Trump’s tariff actions over the past few months have already been far more damaging to business confidence than the prospect of missing the first opportunity to renew CUSMA in 2026, she says.

“If the review remains limited to a well-defined list of irritants, there is no reason the three countries cannot reach an agreement to renew early. However, Canada should not come under undue pressure to renew if faced with outrageous demands by the U.S. and may instead opt to pursue a slower timeline.”

Since March, Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service has done “outstanding work” to help Canadian exporters qualify for tariff-free treatment under CUSMA, dramatically increasing applications for CUSMA compliance certification to over 90 percent, Lilly says.

While it is a promising sign that the U.S. Court of International Trade found Trump’s use of International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to be illegal, tariffs remain in effect pending the outcome of appeals, she adds.

“Of course, this tariff relief offers little comfort to the Canadian sectors targeted for harsh treatment, notably 25 percent tariffs on non-U.S. content in autos and the doubling of tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50 percent during the first week of June,” Lilly says.

Several other sectors are likely to be targeted by section 232 tariffs in the coming months, including pharmaceuticals, lumber, aircraft parts, copper and semiconductors.

Section 232 tariffs are more likely to withstand legal challenges than those imposed under IEEPA, potentially making tariffs in sectors such as aerospace more problematic for Canada over the long term, she says.

Given the ease with which Trump has ignored the agreement in recent months by imposing tariffs under a national emergency rationale that has been rejected by the courts and trade experts alike, many are rightly asking whether Canada should expose itself to further U.S. aggression via a potential renegotiation of CUSMA, Lilly says.

Yet it must be acknowledged that it is the existence of CUSMA and associated compliance with the agreement that now protects Canadian exports from the harsher treatment being imposed on other countries by the White House, she points out.

“Thus, it is possible that CUSMA and compliance with its rules could become even more important for Canadian exporters in the coming years.”

One advantage of the review process is that it demands the involvement of technocrats with trade expertise, which reduces the influence of political appointees who seem to be throwing darts at a map to reach their current policy positions, Lilly says.

“By comparison, shifting discussions to a disciplined forum led by trade officials in the three countries to evaluate CUSMA’s implementation and goals for its future can only be positive.”

However, the review is unlikely to become a full-blown negotiation, she says. That would require the president to seek and attain Trade Promotion Authority from Congress.

Every indication suggests the White House has no appetite for this, especially as U.S. mid-term elections approach. This means Canada and Mexico have scope to limit negotiations to areas of concern under existing rules, moderating the U.S.’s ambition.

Lilly says Canada knows some of the key areas the U.S. will focus on with Canada: Canada’s Online Streaming Act, stricter auto rules of origin, marketing of U.S. beer and wine at the provincial level, Quebec’s new language labelling law, and Canada’s dairy tariff rate quota allocation process, and milk class pricing practices.

Provided that new rules of origin continue to preserve Canada’s capacity to export vehicles to the U.S., the list will be manageable, she says.

This includes revising Canada’s tariff rate quota (TRQ) dairy allocation process to comply with multiple international tribunal rulings which have found Canada to be in violation of its existing commitments to trade partners, she says.

“While the dairy sector will continue to cry foul, Canada should have introduced a more transparent TRQ allocation process years ago to comply with both the spirit and letter of its trade agreements,” Lilly says.

Canada will have its own list of grievances, including softwood lumber duties, U.S. agricultural protections on products such as sugar, and the treatment of Canadian products subject to current illegal tariffs should they remain in effect. 

Even in areas where Mexico and Canada are likely to disagree – such as over national security rules likely to be advanced by the U.S. – Canada can gain an advantage through its presence in those discussions, Lilly says. “But if talks devolve into two bilateral negotiations, there will be only one winner: the Americans.”

International trade lawyer Lawrence Herman told The Globe and Mail that any notion of free trade with the U.S. is over.

Herman warned that the CUSMA renegotiations in 2026 will bring more trade instability as the deal comes up for renewal. “My expectation is that the [CUSMA] review will face diktats by Trump for one-sided changes that, if not accepted by Canada and Mexico, could lead to the U.S. walking − which can be done with six month’s notice.” C.D. Howe Institute

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Federal government’s Emissions Reduction Plan will slow Canada’s long-term economic growth and result in job losses

The federal government’s Emission Reduction Plan (ERP) will slow Canada’s long-term growth and lower employment across Canada by 2.6 percent in 2050, representing a loss of over 712,000 jobs versus our baseline forecast in that year, according to a report by the Conference Board of Canada (CBoC).

The ERP’s negative impact on Canadian economic growth is driven by the redirection of capital from productive capacity toward emissions abatement (such as carbon capture and electrification) and a legal cap on upstream oil and gas sector emissions, curbing fossil fuel production that would otherwise occur, the CBoC said.

The ERP, released by the federal government in March 2022, establishes greenhouse gas emission-reduction targets across nine broad sectors of the economy out to 2030. The goal is to put Canada on a pathway to a net-zero economy by 2050.

“Implementing the plan will reduce emissions, but it comes with economic costs,” the CBoC said.

The CBoC estimates that the “realistic implementation” of the ERP will put Canada on track to reduce emissions by about 65 percent to 245 million tonnes (Mt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) emissions in 2050.

However, in achieving these emissions reductions, Canada’s real GDP would be 3.8 percent lower, employment would be 2.6 percent lower, and consumer prices would be 2.5 percent higher versus a world without the ERP, according to the CBoC’s report.

The largest economic consequences come from the ERP’s implementation of a legal cap on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the upstream oil and gas sector that is assumed to come into force in 2030, the report says.

This cap imposes constraints on production in that year and beyond. Under the ERP, the oil and gas sector’s GDP will be about 37 percent below the CBoC’s baseline forecast by 2050.

Other key findings in the report, Employment Impacts of Canada’s Emission Reduction Plan, are:

• Industries directly hit by the ERP include oil and gas extraction, for which employment could be 29,000 jobs lower than baseline by 2050.
• Lower employment is expected in the industries that are deeply integrated into oil and gas and other extractive industries. For example, employment in support activities to mining and oil and gas could be 49,000 lower by 2050, while professional and scientific services could be 126,000 lower.
• Truck transportation, which would be hit both directly by carbon pricing mechanisms as well as downstream supply chain impacts seeing less merchandise being transported across the entire economy, could see 43,000 fewer jobs.
• Specialty trade contractors and heavy and civil engineering construction, which include construction services related to large-scale fossil fuel infrastructure, could see 66,000 fewer jobs.
• Declining industries will see 756,000 fewer jobs overall in 2050, while industries with gains see an aggregate increase of only 44,000 positions.
• The utilities industry could see stronger growth under the ERP, gaining 24,000 jobs over baseline by 2050, driven by increased investments in electrification, renewable energy infrastructure and modernization of utility networks.

If fully implemented in its current form, the ERP would cause major changes in Canada’s industrial mix, the CBoC says.

These changes would greatly reduce GHG emissions, although the CBoC’s assessment is that Canada would fall short of its net-zero targets, with net GHG emissions reaching 245 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2050.

The economic shifts brought about by the ERP will have an outsized impact on several industries and the demand for their corresponding occupations, the report says.

Workers seeing a large decrease in demand for their occupation will need to reorient their career, whether by changing industries, switching occupations or moving to areas experiencing job growth.

The shifts in industrial structure and labour market demands are likely to introduce large labour market frictions as employment demand booms in some areas while declining precipitously in others, according to the report.

“The declines far outweigh the gains. Without additional investments to offset the expected losses, the ERP implementation will mean fewer Canadian jobs. Canada needs to act now to mitigate these impacts.”

If the ERP is implemented as currently envisioned, leaders concerns about the potential impacts should consider the following actions:

For university and college leaders:

1. Expand select programs to meet future demand in careers related to occupations expected to grow under the ERP, such as in electrical engineering and power systems technicians, or in secondary sectors that are expected to grow, such as the manufacturing of direct air capture equipment and other clean technologies.
2. Progressively reduce enrollment and training programs for careers that are in decline, such as oil and gas occupations.
3. Deliver new programs tailored to retraining specific workers from industries highly impacted by the ERP, particularly oil and gas. These programs should be tailored to reskilling workers and leveraging their work experience to transition into similar roles that are growing (for example, oil and gas drilling workers may shift toward mining labour or to residential and industrial construction). Wherever possible, these reskilling programs should require minimal time for program completion and be flexible enough in delivery to accommodate people who want to transition before they may lose their jobs.

For the federal government:

1. Create dedicated funds to support workers transitioning out of affected industries, such as temporary income support and training benefits to redeploy displaced workers to growing sectors. This could be administered through an expansion of the Employment Insurance program.
2. Launch a marketing and public awareness campaign to put the spotlight on occupations that will be in high demand, such as in clean energy and residential construction, and on options that are offered to those who are vulnerable.
3. Introduce new funding for initiatives to incentivize young people to pursue training in fields likely to benefit from the ERP, such as occupations in fields tied to electrical power generation and distribution.
4. Adjust immigration rates to accommodate lower employment levels and prevent rising unemployment. Conference Board of Canada

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Policy responses to climate change need a “smarter, more balanced approach:” Fraser Institute

There is a need for cost-effective solutions to climate change that prioritize human well-being, economic growth, and technological innovation over costly and inefficient mandates, according to a study from the Fraser Institute.

The study, Hot Air and Cold Truths, consists of 10 commentaries on the “myths and realities of climate change” by Bjørn Lomborg, a visiting fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution and author of the books: False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet; Best Things First; and The Skeptical Environmentalist.

Lomborg, a Danish political scientist and president of the think tank Copenhagen Consensus Centre, argues for a “smarter, more balanced approach” to environmental policy.

Contrary to activist claims, the planet is not “on fire, ” he says.

While climate change is real and requires action, the rhetoric surrounding it is frequently hyperbolic and detached from empirical evidence, Lomborg maintains.

Wildfires, for instance, have declined globally over the past century and extreme weather events are not becoming more frequent in most regions, he says.

“Overstating risks leads to fear-driven policies that waste resources and divert attention from more pressing global challenges, such as poverty, disease, and malnutrition.”

[Editor’s Note: Extreme wildlife has more than doubled worldwide, according to NASA. By looking back at 35 years of weather data, U.S. Forest Service scientists found that fire seasons are starting earlier in the spring and extending later into autumn. Parts of the Western United States, Mexico, Brazil, and East Africa now have fire seasons that are more than a month longer than they were 35 years ago].

Much of the climate debate fixates on rising temperatures, yet cold weather kills far more people than heat, Lomborg notes.

Even with global warming, temperature-related mortality continues to decline because warming reduces cold-related deaths more than it increases heat-related ones, he argues.

Common climate policies, such as aggressive emissions cuts that raise energy costs, can paradoxically increase suffering by making both heating and cooling less affordable for the poor, he says.

Renewable energy sources like wind and solar are often touted as the solution to climate change, but they remain expensive and unreliable, Lomborg contends.

Despite decades of subsidies, they still provide only a small fraction of global energy and their intermittency necessitates costly backup systems, often powered by fossil fuels, he says.

[Editor’s Note: In many regions, the cost of solar and wind energy is now lower than that of fossil fuels like coal and natural gas, especially when considering the lifetime costs of power plants, according to Renewall Energy. This cost reduction is largely due to technological advancements, economies of scale in manufacturing and increased deployment. According to the International Energy Agency, about US$2.2 trillion is being invested in renewables, nuclear, electricity grids, energy storage, low-emissions fuels, efficiency and electrification in 2025 – twice as much as the US$1.1 trillion going to oil, natural gas and coal].

“Electric vehicles are another example of poor climate policy: they are heavily subsidized yet deliver minimal emissions reductions at a high cost,’ Lomborg says.

Activists often blame climate change for hunger but the data tells a different story, Lomborg says.

Agricultural productivity has soared over the past century and famines today are overwhelmingly caused by conflict and poor governance, not climate, he maintains.

“Overemphasizing climate as a driver of hunger distracts from solutions that could actually improve food security, such as free trade, better infrastructure and access to modern farming technologies.

[Editor’s Note: Climate change could potentially interrupt progress toward a world without hunger, according to an international study published in Science. A robust and coherent global pattern is discernible of the impacts of climate change on crop productivity that could have consequences for food availability, the authors said. “The stability of whole food systems may be at risk under climate change because of short-term variability in supply. However, the potential impact is less clear at regional scales, but it is likely that climate variability and change will exacerbate food insecurity in areas currently vulnerable to hunger and undernutrition.” The evidence supports the need for considerable investment in adaptation and mitigation actions toward a “climate-smart food system” that is more resilient to climate change influences on food security, the authors said].

The net-zero agenda – which is likely to cost about Cdn$38 trillion per year over this century – is politically unsustainable, Lomborg says.

Poor nations will not adopt costly climate policies without trillions in aid, which will not materialize, he says.

Even if wealthy countries like Canada bankrupt themselves pursuing net zero, the impact would be negligible (less than 0.02° C by 2100). “The math simply does not justify the economic sacrifice.”

Well-intentioned but poorly designed climate policies disproportionately harm the world’s poorest, Lomborg says.

Expensive green mandates in rich nations drive up costs for necessities, while restrictions on fossil fuel investment in developing countries deny billions access to affordable energy, “the very thing they need to escape poverty. If we truly care about equity, we should prioritize economic growth and energy access over symbolic climate gestures.”

Rather than pursuing costly and ineffective climate policies, Canada – and other nations – should adopt pragmatic strategies:

• Invest in green innovation. Instead of subsidizing today’s inefficient technologies, governments should fund R&D to make renewables and other low-carbon solutions cheaper and more scalable. “Breakthroughs, not mandates, will drive real change.”
• Focus on adaptation. Climate-related risks can be dramatically reduced through adaptation measures like better infrastructure, flood defenses and early-warning systems. These are far more cost-effective than drastic emissions cuts.
• Embrace human development. Eliminating poverty is not only beneficial for human flourishing – less death and hunger, more education and opportunity – but it also strengthens resilience against climate threats. Wealthier nations can invest in robust health care systems, social safety nets and adaptive infrastructure. Greater financial resources also enable enhanced environmental protection, including forest conservation and sustainable ecosystem management.

“The current approach to climate policy is driven more by symbolism than effectiveness,” Lomborg says.

“We must move beyond alarmism and recognize that economic growth, technological innovation and adaptive measures offer the best way to address climate change without sacrificing human prosperity,” he says.

“By focusing on smart, cost-effective solutions, rather than expensive virtue signalling, we can create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.”

“The goal should not be to meet arbitrary emissions targets, but to maximize human flourishing in a warming world.” Fraser Institute

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International Capital Market Association committee releases guide to sustainable bonds for nature

The executive committee of the Green, Social, Sustainability and Sustainability-Linked Bond Principles (the Principles), supported by the International Capital Market Association, released Sustainable Bonds for Nature: a Practitioner’s Guide.

The Principles are the voluntary standard for the global $6-trillion sustainable bond market that represents the largest source of market finance dedicated to sustainability and climate transition, available to corporates and financial institutions, as well as supra-nationals, agencies and sovereigns.

The new guide is meant to be used in conjunction with the Principles and is intended for use by all types of issuers (private and public sector). It acts as an additional thematic guidance for use of proceeds bonds such as green bonds or sustainability bonds to finance projects supporting nature, considering that such activities span all eligible green project categories.

The guide also provides issuers of green bonds with proceeds exclusively applied to finance nature-related projects, with the option to use the secondary designation of a “Nature Bond.”

The guide otherwise points to the potential for sustainability-linked bonds to incorporate nature-related key performance indicators.

The table in the appendix provides a list of indicative nature-related projects under the 10 eligible green categories of the Green Bond Principles, as well as relevant impact reporting indicators including some from the Harmonised Framework for Impact Reporting, as well as new ones.

The executive committee of the Principles also released various guidance documents and updates that complement existing publications, specifically:

• An update of the Green Bond Principles with a clear reference to the Green Enabling Projects Guidance and an extension of the definition of Green Projects to include “activities.”
• A new example checklist to provide support to users in demonstrating how their projects align with the Green Enabling Projects Guidance document. It contains illustrative examples and counterexamples for four out of the five sectors listed in the Guidance.
• Dedicated FAQs added as an annex to both the Guidelines for Sustainability-Linked Loans financing Bonds and the Guidance for Green Enabling Projects, originally published in June 2024.
• Additional impact reporting metrics and sector-specific guidance concerning access to essential services, as well as a new annex regarding potential environmental and/or social risks associated with eligible project categories included in the Harmonised Framework for Impact Reporting for Social Bonds.
• An expansion of the SLB Illustrative KPIs Registry, related to environmental and social themes as well as additional key performance indicators (KPIs) for sovereign issuers and a revision of the definition of secondary KPIs.
• A single document integrating all guidance on allocation reporting, the Guidance on Allocation Reporting, to facilitate its understanding and application.

The executive committee of the Principles also updated its Guidance Handbook (Q&A) confirming the likely ineligibility of defence projects for Green, Social and Sustainability Bonds while underlining the role of Social Bonds in supporting vulnerable populations with dedicated projects in fragile and conflict states.

The standards and guidance from the Principles are developed with the input of over 340 market participants and stakeholders, as well as the participation of many other organizations through technical working groups. The Principles are the de facto market standard referenced by over 98 percent of sustainable bond issuance. International Capital Market Association

THE GRAPEVINE – News about people, institutions and communities

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) announced that Dr. Rae Yeung was appointed scientific director of the CIHR Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis for a term of four years, starting October 1, 2025. Yeung is one of the world’s leading experts on childhood inflammatory diseases. She is a professor of Paediatrics, Immunology and Medical Science at the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine, and a staff physician and senior scientist at The Hospital For Sick Children (SickKids). Her research focuses on precision medicine in childhood arthritis and rheumatic diseases, tailoring treatments to each patient based on presentation and biology. CIHR

Longtime Liberal staffer Lisa Jørgensen joined the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) as director of global affairs. Jørgensen had most recently served as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s senior advisor for Canada-U.S. relations, which followed stints as chief of staff to Liberal ministers David McGuinty and Arif Virani. A graduate of the University of British Columbia’s law school, Jørgensen worked as a litigator for several years before joining Parliament Hill in 2020. Also in the PMO, Yash Nanda joined the office as a new senior advisor, following a long period serving under former deputy prime minister and finance minister Chrystia Freeland. Also joining the PMO is Mike Maka, who will become the office’s new director of tour and strategic planning after spending nearly five years as chief of staff to various ministers. iPolitics

British Columbia Premier David Eby shuffled his cabinet, naming Rick Glumac (MLA for Port Moody-Burquitlam) Minister of State for AI and New Technologies. Jessie Sunner (MLA for Surrey-Newton) was appointed Minister of Post Secondary Education and Future Skills. The cabinet features a majority of women (19), holding some of the most significant and complex portfolios. The word “science” in ministerial titles has now disappeared in all federal and provincial Cabinets, including in Quebec. Govt. of B.C.

Montreal-based nonprofit LawZero announced the appointment of Philippe Beaudoin as senior director, research. With a history of impactful work in the field of artificial intelligence, Beaudoin’s addition to the research team will help advance LawZero’s mission to develop safe-by-design AI systems, said LawZero, whose co-president and scientific director is AI pioneer Yoshua Bengio. A seasoned researcher, developer and entrepreneur, Beaudoin worked as a senior engineer at Google, contributing to the recommendation systems for the Chrome browser. In 2016, he co-founded the pioneering Quebec-based artificial intelligence company Element AI. Before joining LawZero, Beaudoin was the founder and CEO of Waverly, a startup to explore how language and dialogue can create more enriching social networks. LawZero

The board of regents at Memorial University appointed Dr. Stuart Carney as dean of the Faculty of Medicine for a five-year terms, effective January 1, 2026. Carney, a psychiatrist by training, comes to Memorial from the University of Queensland where he served as dean of the medical school in the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioral Sciences for the past nine years. There, his responsibilities included clinical research and education for one of the largest medical programs in Australia. Carney is an experienced clinical teacher, examiner and curriculum developer and has a distinguished record of educational leadership across the entire medical training continuum. Memorial University Gazette

Toronto-based password management company 1Password announced that Jeff Shiner, after 13 years as CEO and most recently as co-CEO, was appointed executive chair of the board of directors. David Faugno will continue leading the company as CEO and was also appointed to the board of directors. 1Password said this transition reflects a natural progression as the company continues to scale its business, deepen its cybersecurity leadership, and deliver on its vision for seamless, secure access across every app, device and identity with 1Password Extended Access Management. 1Password

Abraham Tachjian, previously Canada’s lead on open banking efforts, joined Toronto-based fintech startup Brim Financial as chief regulatory affairs officer. Brim Financial, a certified credit card issuer founded in 2017, focuses on technology infrastructure to help financial institutions manage credit card and loyalty programs. Tachjian will also serve as senior vice-president to CEO Rasha Katabi. Tachjian’s move to Brim follows his tenure at PwC Financial and his role in consulting for the Canadian government on open banking. Despite advocacy and consultations, Canada’s open banking framework is still in progress, with the launch pushed to 2026. Startup Ecosystems Canada

The Government of Québec should negotiate rather than slap a $30-million penalty on LaSalle College for having too many English-program students, the association representing the province’s private colleges said. The Association des collèges privés du Québec is calling for a “reasonable, fair and realistic solution to avoid irreversible consequences for LaSalle College and all its students.” Political affairs consultant and political analyst Raphaël Melançon wrote an op-ed arguing that LaSalle and the Quebec government share responsibility for the situation. He concluded that a reasonable solution would be to require the college to repay the subsidies in full, while reducing or outright cancelling the financial penalty. In her column, Allison Hanes decried the student cap and penalties as unfair and punitive. InfoBref reported that LaSalle is appealing the fine in the Superior Court of Québec. Montreal Gazette

The University of New Brunswick (UNB) and the McKenna Institute will receive $1 million from the Jane and Michael Wilson Family Foundation to support digital and environmental sustainability, excellence in engineering and digital literacy education for K-12 students. The donation will support the renovation of the Allison D. McCain Commons, the creation of the Wilson-McKenna Fellow in Digital Sustainability (with inaugural Fellow Dr. David Foord), and the expansion of an after-school mentoring program called UNB’s Promise Partnership. The Allison D. McCain Commons is the first of a series of planned renovations that will transform Head Hall into a state-of-the-art facility for 21st century engineering research and education. UNB

Ontario Tech University partnered with Palette Skills to launch the Nuclear Career Accelerator, a 12-week rapid upskilling hybrid program. The accelerator is designed to fast-track mid-career engineers and technical professionals into Canada’s growing nuclear sector. Supported by Upskill Canada and the Government of Canada, the program aims to address workforce gaps by offering technical training, career coaching and job-placement support at a subsidized cost. Ontario Tech has Canada’s only full-scope CANDU control room simulator in an academic setting, offering students real-world operational experience and training. Canada’s nuclear sector faces a 30-percent retirement rate and an expected 20-percent demand for workforce growth. Ontario Tech University

The University of Calgary (UCalgary) will launch a new energy science program aimed at preparing students for the future of the energy sector. The bachelor of science in energy science, set to begin in September, is far from the siloed approach of a traditional geoscience or oil and gas degree. Instead, the multidisciplinary program includes courses in economics, communication, government policy and Indigenous relations. UCalgary cancelled enrolment in its bachelor of science in oil and gas engineering in 2021, after a massive decline in student interest. Key to the new program is a recognition that the global energy demand will continue to grow – in part because of a shift toward power-hungry data centres – and the sector will rapidly change as new technologies emerge. UCalgary also relaunched its undergraduate oil and gas engineering last year with an updated curriculum. Classes in that program will begin in September for those students who pick oil and gas as their major. The Globe and Mail

Université de Sudbury launched l’Académie de leadership et de gouvernance, a national hub for professional learning tailored to organizational leaders and board members in Canada’s non-profit and public sectors. Beginning in the fall 2025, the Académie will launch more than 20 online, synchronous microprograms. The Academy's programming is developed in partnership with Discitus – a recognized leader in training managers and administrators – and the Centre for Excellence in Organizational Governance, an authority on governance. The programs will cover topics such as governance, non-profit financing, government relations and change management. Each offering will emphasize applied learning with practical tools and coaching-focused pedagogy, with students learning from a team of professionals with field expertise. Université de Sudbury

The University of Regina (URegina) established a five-year partnership with the Washington, D.C.-based Howard University that will expand international learning and research opportunities for faculty and students. As a top-tier Historically Black College or University, Howard University offers significant academic and research expertise. The partnership agreement covers several initiatives, including: educational and research activities; academic material and publication exchange; and reciprocal study, lecture and discussion opportunities. URegina and Howard University said they anticipate that the partnership will strengthen cross-cultural engagement through the arts and create new opportunities for arts and theatre students. URegina

Astronomy researchers in Canada celebrated the opening of the $500-million NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile this summer. The first-of-its-kind observatory – jointly funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science – is atop the summit of Cerro Pachón in the Andes Mountains of Chile. The observatory is equipped with an 8.5-metre mirror and the largest digital camera ever built, and will create a time-lapse record of the southern hemisphere’s skies over the course of the next decade. Researchers from institutions such as Bishop’s University, the University of Toronto, and the University of Waterloo are supporting the development of the software and computing infrastructure that will process the observatory's raw images. In exchange for this support, Bishop’s said that Canadian researchers and students will have early access to observatory data. Rubin Observatory, Bishop’s University

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