AGP Executive Report

USMCA Shock for Canada: The U.S. says it won’t renew USMCA in its current form, setting up annual reviews and raising uncertainty for Canadian exporters and farmers. Canada–Philippines Diplomacy: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived in Vancouver for talks with Prime Minister Mark Carney and business leaders on energy, trade and other collaborations. Heat and Storms: Environment Canada heat warnings spread across Ontario, Quebec and into the Maritimes, while severe thunderstorms have triggered outages and Canada Day disruptions. EV Charging Compliance: ChargeLab says its charging station management system earned California CTEP certification with partners Zerova and Espen, supporting legal-for-trade metering. Tech and Finance Moves: moomoo Canada opens a second flagship store in Markham; Treasure Global says it gained access to a Canadian MSB registration to expand Oxi Wallet. Local Culture: Toronto’s free Salsa on St. Clair returns July 11–12, bringing Latin music and food to Hillcrest Village. Sports Spotlight: Canada’s World Cup run continues to dominate coverage, including reactions and fallout from the knockout stage.

Canada Day Weather Disruptions: Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Canada Day speech in Edmonton was cancelled after severe thunderstorms hit Ottawa, with heavy rain and lightning derailing travel and prompting fireworks cancellations. Local Celebrations: Despite uncertain skies, communities like Steinbach kept Canada Day festivities running while residents watched for possible thunderstorm impacts. Patriotism & Politics: Canadians reported a renewed sense of national pride after Trump tariff threats and “51st state” rhetoric, with polling showing a sharp jump in pride levels. USMCA Shockwave: The U.S. won’t renew USMCA in its current form, setting up annual reviews and potential renegotiations that could affect prices and jobs across North America. Youth Online Safety Debate: Canada’s new approach to social media safety for kids under 16 is gaining attention as countries worldwide consider or enact restrictions. Sports Spotlight: Canada’s World Cup run is already reshaping soccer at home, with major viewing numbers and growing momentum.

Canada Day & Unity: Prime Minister Mark Carney urged Canadians to stay united as separatist tensions simmer in Quebec and Alberta, with celebrations planned nationwide. Eurovision Milestone: CBC/Radio-Canada has become a full member of the EBU, confirming Canada will join Eurovision in 2027. World Cup Momentum: Canada’s historic Round of 16 run is boosting travel demand, with WestJet adding capacity on flights to Houston for the Morocco match. Trade Watch (CUSMA/USMCA): Canada, Mexico and the U.S. are set to meet virtually as the U.S. is expected to miss the July 1 extension deadline, starting a longer wind-down clock. Border Convenience: Three Canadian airports (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal) are rolling out a “free flow” transit process that can let connecting passengers skip border control. Tech & Industry: AVAX One signed a non-binding LOI to acquire an energy-advantaged data centre site in Alberta for AI/HPC expansion. Local Innovation: Victoria launched waterbikes in the Inner Harbour, turning cycling into a new waterfront attraction.

Supreme Court Appointment: Prime Minister Mark Carney named Glenn D. Joyal to the Supreme Court of Canada, filling the seat left by Sheilah L. Martin. Canada Day Rules & Cost of Living: Ontario’s July 1 auto insurance changes make nine accident benefits optional, while other new rules also kick in for tenants, health screening, and pharmacists. Economy Watch: Canada’s GDP rose 0.5% in April, easing recession fears, though economists say it may not move interest-rate decisions. Climate Politics: Carney says the Trudeau-era climate plan was “too expensive” and “divisive,” and admits emissions will be higher in the near term. Immigration Glitch: Ottawa says unclear guidance under the citizenship-by-descent process led to 100 people being told to surrender citizenship certificates after a review. Public Safety: Environment Canada issued severe thunderstorm warnings for the Sudbury area, with hail, damaging winds, and a tornado risk. Business & Trade: China slapped a 73.5% anti-dumping deposit on Canadian pea starch imports. Sports & Culture: Canada’s World Cup knockout win drew record TV audiences, and Canada Day events are ramping up nationwide.

Conservative Shuffle: Pierre Poilievre reshuffled his front bench, naming Ontario MP Michael Chong as finance critic. Humanitarian Aid: Ottawa will match up to $4 million in public donations for Venezuela earthquake relief, doubling gifts to the Red Cross and a coalition of charities. Economy Watch: Statistics Canada says real GDP grew 0.5% in April after March’s contraction, with oil and gas helping lead the rebound. Trade Tension: The U.S. is set to formally start a decade-long USMCA wind-down, kicking off a review as Canada and Mexico negotiate proposed changes. Labour & Health: With New Brunswick’s new long-term unpaid sick leave rules, all 10 provinces now offer job protection for extended illness recovery. Criminal Code Reform: Royal Assent has been given to Bill C-16, making coercive control and non-consensual sexual deepfakes crimes and upgrading related femicide cases. Energy & Industry: Methanex says it will idle its Titan methanol plant indefinitely after failing to secure a new natural gas contract. Tech & Society: Vector Institute launched UnBias-Plus, a free tool to detect and rewrite biased language.

Supreme Court & Justice: Glenn Joyal, Canada’s Supreme Court nominee, told MPs the judiciary must do more outreach to restore trust and stressed a “compassionate” rule-of-law approach. First Nations Water: First Nations leaders are challenging Bill C-37, arguing Ottawa still hasn’t clearly answered who ultimately decides what happens to water on their lands. Criminal Justice Reform: Federal Criminal Code changes now make femicide first-degree murder and add coercive control and easier-to-prove harassment rules, including new offences around non-consensual intimate images and deepfakes. Social Media & Youth Safety: A B.C. mother whose daughter died says platforms’ recommendation systems pushed self-harm content and calls for regulation plus independent oversight. Public Safety: RCMP say an escaped inmate from a B.C. prison has been found dead, and a fishing charter sinking off Richmond, B.C., has shifted to recovery after survivors were pulled from the water. Sports & Culture: Canada’s World Cup 1-0 win over South Africa drew 5.2M average viewers; in hockey, Brendan Gallagher was traded to the Canucks. National Spotlight: Donations topped $100,000 toward restoring 24 Sussex Drive, with a $50M fundraising goal set.

Northern Infrastructure Push: NOMA and FONOM back Ottawa’s plan for a deep geological nuclear waste repository near Ignace, but warn highways 11 and 17 must be upgraded too—arguing Ottawa can’t call some routes “nationally significant” while leaving key roads unsafe. AI at the UN: Canada’s UN ambassador David Lametti says Ottawa is pushing for safe, equitable AI governance at the UN, stressing benefits for all countries—not just the wealthy. Border Modernization: CBSA is rolling out “Free Flow” international-to-international transit at select airports, cutting kiosk stops for eligible travellers while keeping security checks. Public Service Return-to-Office: Federal departments are still moving toward the July 6 four-days-a-week onsite rule for non-executives, with some staggered flexibility where space is tight. Canada Day Tech Launch: Gander, a Canadian-built social network promising data sovereignty and Charter-guided moderation, launches nationally July 1. Business & Markets: GuideAI begins trading on Cboe Canada under ticker “GDAI,” while Volterra Digital touts a top-five global Clutch award for social media marketing. World Cup Canada Buzz: Canada’s Round of 32 win over South Africa continues to dominate sports talk, including reaction to coach Jesse Marsch’s on-pitch “Canadian heroes” message.

World Cup Shockwave: Canada reached the Round of 16 with a dramatic 1-0 stoppage-time win over South Africa, as Stephen Eustaquio scored in the 90+2nd minute; the next match is set for July 4 in Houston vs. the Netherlands or Morocco. Sports & Culture: Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz criticized the expanded tournament as “vulgar and ordinary,” while coverage also zeroed in on the World Cup’s border and visa headaches for teams and fans. Public Safety: STARS is urging Canadians to plan ahead for Canada Day, citing years of data showing July 1 brings major demand on emergency crews. Local Politics: A pro-separatist Alberta billboard in Taber became a rally focal point amid a dispute with town officials. Crime & Drugs: Nigeria’s NDLEA says it seized about 4,959 kg of Canadian “loud” cannabis and arrested a woman with 7.5 kg of cocaine bound for Beijing. Immigration & Integration: Justin Trudeau says successful immigration depends on “shared values,” not ancestry, as he discusses Canada’s post-pandemic admissions surge.

Labour Rights Clash: A new Senate report on “Keep Canada Moving” is pushing a workaround to limit workers’ ability to bargain and strike in federally regulated sectors, echoing employer demands for a federal backstop. Child Safety Online: Kamloops MP Frank Caputo backs stronger protections for kids online but warns Bill C-34 (Safe Social Media Act) may go too far, including a minimum age framework and new rules for AI chatbots plus a Digital Safety Commission. Public Services Strain: After Ottawa’s $10-a-day child care rollout, waitlists in Waterloo Region reportedly jumped from about 5,600 to over 15,000, turning affordability into a shortage of spots. Canada in the World Cup Spotlight: Knockout play starts Sunday with South Africa vs Canada, while Canadian space hardware gets a major update: Canadarm2’s wrist joint repair spacewalk is set for June 30. International Links: Kurdish President Nechirvan Barzani met a Canadian parliamentary friendship group, with both sides stressing stability and coexistence in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Wildfire Emergency: Northwestern Manitoba’s Lynn Lake ordered a mandatory evacuation as a rapidly advancing wildfire threatened the community, with residents airlifted and a reception centre set up in Brandon. Prairie Storm Watch: Environment Canada warned of heavy rain and possible tornadoes across Alberta and Saskatchewan, with some roads already closing due to flooding. Taxpayer Pressure: The Canada Revenue Agency ombudsman opened an investigation into delays on complex T1 adjustments, citing potential breaches of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Immigration Crackdown: Canada deported 81 people tied to alleged extortion-linked crime and opened hundreds of new immigration investigations, with most identified cases linked to India. World Cup Focus: Canada’s Round of 32 match vs South Africa is set for Sunday in Los Angeles with captain Alphonso Davies declared healthy and ready, while South Africa’s first-ever knockout qualification has them riding momentum. Calgary Stampede Truce: A noise-and-hours feud between Alberta’s premier and Calgary’s mayor was quashed, with reduced concert hours and decibel levels agreed for this year’s festival. Social Media Rules: Australia moved to toughen its under-16 social media ban after weak compliance, joining a growing list including Canada.

MAiD and mental illness: The Canadian Civil Liberties Association is urging Ottawa to protect the right to seek medical assistance in dying for patients whose only underlying condition is mental illness, warning Parliament can’t impose an indefinite exclusion without violating Charter rights. Crime and justice: A federal about-face has brought tougher criminal justice measures, including restored mandatory minimums and tighter bail rules, as the Liberals push new online crime-fighting tools and other crackdowns. Public safety and social media: Police warnings across Canada follow the “door-kick challenge,” with a Nanaimo homeowner saying the prank escalated to threats and property damage. Canada-UK asylum ties: The UK is set to introduce Canada-inspired refugee sponsorship routes, letting community groups and “trusted” universities sponsor refugees, with employer sponsorship expected next year. Canada-US bridge: Prime Minister Mark Carney says the Gordie Howe International Bridge opening may take longer than planned, after Trump-linked trade pressure and ongoing coordination. World Cup fallout: Canada’s visitor visa approvals for the tournament are under 30% for India, as immigration rules tighten. Defence procurement: CBC reports an $800M Griffon helicopter upgrade has been paused over technical issues, with the scope being redefined. Human rights museum row: Winnipeg’s Canadian Museum for Human Rights is defending its Nakba exhibit after a trustee resignation and protests.

MAiD Anniversary: Canada’s Catholic bishops marked the 10th anniversary of the euthanasia law, urging Catholics and “people of goodwill” to oppose MAiD and push for more support for the sick and vulnerable. Khalistan/India Ties: Ottawa has formally acknowledged Khalistani extremists’ role in the 1985 Air India Kanishka bombing, a long-sought admission that reshapes Canada–India diplomacy after decades of denial. Housing: A Canada–B.C. condo-conversion plan to turn thousands of vacant units into affordable homes is sparking debate over whether it’s a fast fix or a taxpayer-backed bailout for developers. Safe Social Media Act: Federal officials are holding a roundtable on Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, aimed at making social media and AI chatbots safer for children. World Cup Fever: Vancouver soccer shops report a sudden sell-through of Team Canada jerseys as FIFA excitement drives demand. Eurovision Door Opens: CBC/Radio-Canada becoming a full member of the European Broadcasting Union clears Canada to participate in Eurovision, with uncertainty remaining over whether Canada will actually take up the invitation. Travel Simplified: CBSA is making it quicker for international passengers to connect through Canada without in-person border check-ins. Bail and Sentencing Reform: Royal assent has been granted for sweeping bail and sentencing changes, with key provisions set to take effect July 15.

Order of Canada: Christine Sinclair and Michael J. Fox have been promoted to the Order of Canada’s highest level, with Gov. Gen. Louise Arbour adding dozens of new Canadians to the honour list. Public Safety & Youth Online: Ottawa is moving ahead with the Safe Social Media Act, with a Friday roundtable on making platforms and AI chatbots safer for children. Crime & Community: Calgary police released photos of 15 Indian-origin suspects tied to extortion cases, including links police say may involve the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Aviation & Airports: Canada’s debate over selling airports heats up as the federal government weighs options for foreign investment. International Diplomacy: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan toured Canada’s Darlington nuclear facility with Anita Anand, as Ankara looks to expand nuclear cooperation. Terrorism Accountability: CSIS publicly acknowledged “Canada-based Khalistani extremists” in the 1985 Air India Kanishka bombing, decades after the attack. Sports: Canada’s World Cup run continues after a 2-1 loss to Switzerland, setting up a knockout matchup vs. South Africa.

World Cup & Diplomacy: Canada made history as the first World Cup host forced to play knockouts outside its own borders after a 2-1 loss to Switzerland, setting up a Round of 32 clash with South Africa in Los Angeles. Federal Politics: Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government is set to announce plans to “restore” 24 Sussex, ending years of uncertainty over Canada’s official PM residence. Health & AI: Ottawa is backing a national health-data platform, VITAL, with $100 million to expand secure real-time clinical data sharing across hospitals. Public Safety: Canada signed a public-safety cooperation memorandum with Qatar to boost police-to-police collaboration. Energy & Environment: Doctors are urging Ottawa to step in after the Competition Bureau closed its probe into alleged “greenwashing” claims by the Canadian Gas Association. Sports (NHL Draft): The Leafs head into the NHL Draft with their first pick set, while the Canadiens’ Jeff Gorton says they’ll make “calculated decisions” as Buffalo begins. Tragedy: A firefighting plane crash in Canada’s Northwest Territories killed all three people aboard.

Space & Industry: NASA will brief media on a June 30 spacewalk to replace a wrist joint on Canadarm2, with CSA experts joining from Houston. Small Business & Tourism: Rechie Valdez told Lethbridge entrepreneurs that Canada’s economic strength is built locally, ahead of funding aimed at women entrepreneurs. Workplace Privacy: TD plans to use software to monitor staff activity across work apps and browsers, raising concerns that Canadian workers have limited legal protections against workplace surveillance. Cybersecurity: The NSA and Five Eyes warn that AI is compressing the time between new cyber flaws and attacks from years to months, pushing security to the top of business risk. Health Care Workforce: Health Sciences North cut employee turnover from 15% to 8% by “connecting the dots” across existing programs, not adding new ones. Tech & Learning: Cognota acquired Learnexus, an AI-powered marketplace for deploying specialized learning “flash teams.” Mining & Energy: Q2 Metals kicked off a major summer drill program at Quebec’s Cisco Lithium Project, while NANO Nuclear said the U.S. NRC has started formal review steps for its KRONOS MMR reactor at the University of Illinois. Public Pride Poll: A survey finds Canadians’ pride in national institutions is up, with Armed Forces pride at 74%.

World Cup Shock: Switzerland spoiled Canada’s home-field hopes with a 2-1 win in Vancouver, finishing first in Group B and sending Canada to the round of 32 in Los Angeles; Johan Manzambi starred with a goal and an assist in his first start. Nuclear Policy: Ottawa is considering new “projects of national interest” under the Building Canada Act, including the NWMO’s deep geological repository near Revell Lake—sparking debate over whether oversight would change. Local Governance: Yellowknife voted to shut down public comments on its official social media accounts for at least six months after complaints about hate speech and moderation burdens. Energy & Industry: Canadian Solar’s e-STORAGE will supply a 75 MW / 381 MWh battery system for Apex Clean Energy in Michigan, with deliveries starting in early 2027. Sports & Community: Banff skijoring is cancelled going forward after traffic gridlock, parking chaos and unruly behaviour; organizers say the business case and safety management couldn’t keep up. Public Safety: Police are investigating a Montreal shooting and possible motivations, including whether the attack targeted police and Pornhub.