AGP Executive Report

AI Strategy Rollout: Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled Canada’s long-awaited “AI for All” plan, aiming to boost AI adoption from just over 12% to 60% by 2034, create up to 250,000 jobs, and add $200B to the economy, with funding for a government-backed supercomputer, data centres, AI company support, and workforce training—while critics warn the plan doesn’t do enough on job impacts and AI rules. Energy & Trade Ties: Canada and South Korea expanded cooperation on energy security, critical minerals and strategic industries, with potential CA$100B economic impact. Aviation Safety: Transport Canada issued an emergency order over possible PW210 turboshaft cracks on Leonardo AW169 and Sikorsky S-76 helicopters, requiring inspections by set flight-time/start deadlines. Forestry Shake-Up: Forest ministers agreed old timber approaches won’t work, pointing to homegrown barriers like regulation and underinvestment as they prepare an action plan. Labour Update: Canada Post workers ratified new collective agreements through Jan. 31, 2029, ending a dispute marked by strikes and government intervention. Community & Culture: Canada Post unveiled new Places of Pride stamps honouring 2SLGBTQIA+ pioneers and sites. Sports: Canada’s women’s volleyball team beat the U.S. 3-0 for the first time in Nations League history, and Canada dominated FIBA U18 AmeriCup group play with record rebound totals.

AI for All: Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled Canada’s new national AI strategy, promising billions for AI adoption, a C$500M tech growth fund, and targets of 250,000 jobs and 3% GDP growth by 2031. Privacy & Security: Tech firms including Signal warned Canada’s lawful access bill could force them to weaken encryption, raising fears of broader surveillance and cyber risk. Trade & Tariffs: Canada is preparing for new U.S. “forced labour” tariff pressure, with Carney saying Canada will reinforce its own measures. Euthanasia Oversight: A case review says an Ontario man cried “help me” during a botched MAiD euthanasia because expected sedation didn’t work until later medication. Sports & Culture: Rugby Canada extended coach Stephen Meehan through the 2028 Olympics; McDonald’s Canada rolled out FIFA World Cup 2026 meals and collectibles; and the Sault will host the 2027 Canadian Masters Cross-Country Ski Championship. Business & Consumer: Walmart+ launches in Canada with delivery and Crave perks; Costco reported May Canada comparable sales up 9.2%.

Trade & Tariffs: Canada will extend US steel and aluminum tariff-rate quotas and tariff relief for another year, aiming to protect workers and give industry more certainty. Economy Watch: New GDP data has Canada meeting the “technical recession” definition after two straight quarters of decline, sparking fresh debate over what it means for everyday finances. Culture & Media: Ottawa ordered the CRTC to revisit its plan to triple required streamer contributions for Canadian content, saying it won’t raise costs for Canadians and will instead invest hundreds of millions to support music and media. Infrastructure: Canada and Quebec unveiled nearly $10B in infrastructure funding over the next decade, targeting transit, healthcare, housing-enabling projects and community facilities. Forestry Crisis: Federal ministers announced about $130M more for forestry as a task force warns the sector’s biggest problems are homegrown, with sawmill closures and job losses continuing. Northern Lights & Weather: Environment Canada reported heavy rainfall totals in the Airdrie area, while forecasts point to possible northern lights chances in eastern Canada. Wildlife: Canada endorsed a plan to move the last captive whales from Ontario’s Marineland to aquariums in the US and Spain. Business: Lockheed Martin Canada invested $9.5M in Air Inuit to upgrade Boeing 737-800 aircraft serving Nunavik. Food Security: Food Banks Canada gave Alberta a “D-” in its poverty report card, citing affordability pressures and gaps in healthcare and housing.

Forced Labour Tariffs: Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will soon introduce new forced-labour-in-supply-chains legislation after the U.S. proposed a 10% tariff on Canada and other partners, with a higher 12.5% duty on many countries, following a U.S. probe into enforcement gaps. Trade Pressure: Canada is also pushing the U.S. and Mexico to renew USMCA for 16 years as Washington weighs broader tariff moves and revives “51st state” rhetoric. Streaming Rules Under Review: The federal government has ordered a CRTC review of its decision to triple streaming contributions to Canadian content, as the Online Streaming Act review deadline nears and costs could flow to consumers. Dairy Transparency Fight: A new report questions consistency in Canada’s supply-management system after a Chinese-owned processor became a major milk buyer, while documents show at least $24 million in federal support—raising questions about how much more public money may be involved. World Cup Build-Up: Canada’s Alphonso Davies trained separately as he faces uncertainty for the opener, while Gabriela Dabrowski reached the French Open mixed doubles final. Economy & Labour: RBC warns of a looming labour squeeze driven by retirements and immigration cutbacks.

Clean-Tech Manufacturing: CIMtech Green Energy says it’s expanding CNC machining capacity after adding DMG Mori machines to support faster, engineering-led production for clean energy, hydrogen, aerospace, mining, marine and AI data-centre power systems. Canada Day Live Entertainment: Canada’s national celebration in Ottawa will feature Alessia Cara, Barenaked Ladies and other performers, with fireworks planned after the evening broadcast. Trade Talks: Dominic LeBlanc has formally asked the U.S. and Mexico to renew CUSMA/USMCA for 16 more years, ahead of a July 1 decision point, as Trump questions the deal and tariffs remain a sticking point. Energy & Security: South Korea and Canada agreed to deepen cooperation on energy and critical minerals, including more Canadian crude and additional LNG supplies. World Cup Build-Up: Canada named Alistair Johnston and Tani Oluwaseyi to its 2026 World Cup roster, with the team set to open Group B against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Economy Watch: Canada’s GDP decline for two straight quarters is being described as a “technical recession,” while the Bank of Canada urges caution about relying on one indicator. Civic Services: Statistics Canada says census workers will start contacting households that haven’t completed the 2026 questionnaire, including phone follow-ups and door visits. Public Health Scrutiny: Health Canada is examining concerns raised by the family of a student who died after plasma donation at a for-profit clinic. Business & Jobs: Tenaris Canada says a $306-million Sault Ste. Marie expansion is aimed at meeting oil-and-gas demand and creating direct and indirect jobs.

Trade Talks: Canada has formally asked the U.S. and Mexico to renew USMCA/CUSMA for another 16 years, with U.S. trade minister Dominic LeBlanc sending a letter ahead of the July review and pushing for parallel talks on sectoral tariffs. Economy Watch: Prime Minister Mark Carney says the government’s economic plan is “settling in” after Canada slipped into a technical recession, acknowledging “some weakness” while pointing to uneven data and continued investment. World Cup Update: Alphonso Davies rejoined Canada’s squad after a hamstring injury and returned to training, but it’s still unclear when he’ll be cleared to play; Canada beat Uzbekistan 2-0 in a rainy Edmonton warm-up. Finance & Markets: CIRO issued trading halts for Cygnus Metals (CYG) and later resumed trading for Strategic Metals (CAT) and Graycliff Exploration (GRAY). Business & Policy: The federal government launched a 2026–27 call for community projects under the New Horizons for Seniors Program, doubling max grants to $50,000. Tech/Investing: Robinhood moved deeper into Canada after closing its WonderFi acquisition, folding key crypto platforms under the Robinhood brand.

Caribou Crisis: The Syilx Okanagan Nation is asking Ottawa for an emergency Species at Risk Act order to protect the last three caribou herds in southeast B.C., warning old-growth logging is destroying critical habitat. World Cup Tune-Up: Canada beat Uzbekistan 2-0 in a rainy Edmonton friendly, with goals from Jonathan Osorio and Jayden Nelson, as Alphonso Davies returned to training running despite a hamstring issue. Antisemitism Response: Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a new federal advisory council to combat antisemitism after hate crimes surged, saying Canada is failing Jewish Canadians. Trade Talks: Canada’s trade minister Dominic LeBlanc heads to Washington for talks ahead of the CUSMA review. Economy Watch: Statistics Canada says GDP contracted again, putting Canada in a technical recession, renewing debate over what it means for households and markets. Public Safety: Toronto police seized more than 16,000 counterfeit soccer jerseys and flags tied to an alleged $3.5-million operation ahead of the World Cup.

Sports & Governance: The ICC has suspended Cricket Canada’s membership immediately after “serious breaches” of its obligations, though Canadian teams can still compete in sanctioned events. Economy & Politics: The Bank of Canada urged caution about putting too much weight on GDP data showing a technical recession, as Poilievre pressed Carney for answers after Statistics Canada reported a second straight quarterly contraction. Immigration & Public Opinion: A federal survey found 47% of Canadians think Canada is admitting “too many immigrants,” while 38% say the level is about right. Health & Travel: Montreal’s Congolese community says new Ebola travel restrictions have derailed plans, including blocking an international student’s return. Defence & Industry: Thales and Lockheed Martin Canada advanced River-class destroyer sonar work, while Canada is also weighing a possible shift from most F-35s toward a mixed F-35/Gripen fighter plan. Markets & Business: Apotex filed for a major IPO that could be Canada’s biggest since 2021. World Cup Build-Up: Canada’s men’s team faces a late roster shake-up after Marcelo Flores’ ACL injury ahead of friendlies.

World Cup Shock: Canada’s Marcelo Flores is out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after tearing his ACL, leaving coach Jesse Marsch scrambling for a replacement ahead of the June 12 opener. World Cup Prep: Canada still has two friendlies to tune up, starting Monday vs Uzbekistan, with injury concerns also affecting other key players. Hockey Heartbreak: Canada fell 3-2 in overtime to Norway to miss the IIHF world hockey podium again, extending a rough stretch for the men’s team. Canadian Culture Wins: “Heated Rivalry” swept major prizes at the Canadian Screen Awards, while “North of North” took best comedy and “Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie” won best picture. Tech & Sustainability: Researchers say small sensors and camera systems could help cut Canada’s $58B-a-year food waste by catching spoilage earlier. Business & Industry: Entogo argues AI data center schedules are now constrained by power equipment lead times, not compute. Weather Watch: Alberta remains under heavy rainfall warnings with 50–100 mm expected into Tuesday. Travel Update: Air Canada is adding more winter nonstop flights from Edmonton and Winnipeg to Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Hockey Shock: Norway beat Canada 3-2 in overtime to win bronze at the world men’s championship, with Noah Steen scoring at 3:32 and Robert Thomas netting twice late to force extra time. Rugby Sevens: Canada’s women lost 14-12 to the U.S. in the semis, then fell 50-14 to New Zealand in the third-place match in Spain. Economy & Jobs: Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is pushing for an emergency debate after Canada entered a technical recession, while new data shows the share of young people without jobs keeps rising. Housing Pressure: Equifax reports mortgage delinquency up 32% year over year in Q1 2026, with Ontario and B.C. seeing the biggest jumps. Free Speech Fight: Civil liberties groups and others oppose Bill C-9, warning it criminalizes vague “hate symbols.” Trade Momentum: Canada and India renewed free-trade talks at a Regina summit, with officials saying a deal could come this year. Safety Recall: More than 80,000 vehicles were recalled in Canada due to crash risk.

World Cup Watch: Canada named captain Alphonso Davies to its 26-man FIFA World Cup squad despite a hamstring injury, with coach Jesse Marsch saying the team’s “best group” is close to full fitness as Canada opens June 12 vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto. Stanley Cup Run: The Carolina Hurricanes crushed the Montreal Canadiens 6-1 in Game 5 to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 20 years, ending Montreal’s season after a five-game Eastern Conference final. Rugby Sevens: Canada’s women advanced to the HSBC SVNS semifinals after a 40-5 quarterfinal win over Japan, setting up a semifinal vs. the U.S. Courtroom Justice: Kenneth Law, accused of selling lethal “suicide packets” online, pleaded guilty in Ontario to 14 counts of aiding suicide; prosecutors will withdraw murder charges and sentencing is set for September. Economy & Daily Life: StatCan confirmed Canada has slipped into a technical recession, while a separate report explains why gas prices can surge quickly even when Canada is a major oil producer. Road Safety: Saskatchewan police reported major enforcement during Canada Road Safety Week, including thousands of stops and charges or warnings for impaired, aggressive, distracted, and seatbelt violations.

Stanley Cup Spotlight: The Carolina Hurricanes crushed the Montreal Canadiens 6-1 in Game 5 to win the Eastern Conference final 4-1 and book a Stanley Cup Final matchup with the Vegas Golden Knights. Sports Canada: The win extends Canada’s hockey title drought to 33 years since the 1993 Canadiens, with Montreal’s season ending after a tough, one-sided series. World Cup Roster: Canada named Alphonso Davies to its 26-man FIFA World Cup squad despite a hamstring injury, alongside Jonathan David and Promise David, as coach Jesse Marsch said the team is built for a long injury-recovery grind. Soccer Injuries: Promise David rebounded quickly after hip-tendon surgery to earn a spot, while Marsch stressed the roster reflects “best group” options even if not everyone is at 100%. Public Safety & Justice: Kenneth Law, a Canadian accused of selling lethal “suicide kits” linked to deaths in the UK, pleaded guilty in Ontario to 14 counts of aiding suicide; UK authorities say they won’t seek extradition. Defence & Industry: Saab says Gripen fighter-jet production could be established at a Canadian plant if Canada chooses the aircraft for its forces, with delivery timelines discussed for Ukraine support. Trade & Diplomacy: Western Canada-India leaders met in Regina to push deeper economic ties and explore new partnership opportunities.

Charter Courtroom Delay: Ontario’s Court of Appeal upheld a stay for a drug-trafficking case after the Crown mistakenly set trial dates beyond the Jordan ceiling, and the Supreme Court-style “reasonable time” analysis found no error in how complexity was assessed. Economy Watch: Statistics Canada says Canada slid into a technical recession in Q1, with annualized GDP down 0.1% as tariff uncertainty weighs on investment, hiring and spending. Public Finance: The federal government posted a $55.28B deficit for 2025-26, per the monthly fiscal monitor. Defence & Industry: Canada and Ukraine signed an agreement to co-produce drones in Canada for Ukraine’s military, while Plurilock launched a CPCSC readiness program for defence cybersecurity compliance. Trade & Cars: China-made EVs are starting to enter Canada under Carney’s Xi deal, allowing up to 49,000 vehicles in a year at about a 6% tariff. Justice System: Kenneth Law, who sold “suicide packets” online, pleaded guilty to aiding suicide in Ontario; prosecutors say UK victims will be included in the Canadian sentencing, but he won’t face UK trial. Sports: Canada advanced at the hockey worlds and now faces Finland in the semis, while the Canadiens-Hurricanes Game 5 looms with Montreal trying to avoid elimination.

Ebola Measures: Canada, the U.S. and Mexico aligned travel rules for people arriving from the highest-risk African regions as FIFA World Cup 2026 nears, with Canada banning entry from DRC, Uganda and South Sudan for 90 days and requiring a 21-day quarantine for arrivals. Hockey Worlds: Macklin Celebrini scored again and Jet Greaves made 34 saves as Canada beat the U.S. 4-0 to reach the semifinals. Stanley Cup Playoffs: The Hurricanes host the Canadiens in Game 5 Friday with Carolina up 3-1, after a 4-0 win in Game 4. Trade & Diplomacy: Prime Minister Mark Carney told New York business leaders Canada should be a “true partnership” ally to the U.S. as it diversifies trade; meanwhile India and Canada are pushing CEPA talks while keeping sensitive sectors off the table. Defence Industry: Airbus signed new Canada defence collaboration deals with CAE, L3Harris and Pratt & Whitney Canada, while Saab says Gripen production could be possible in Canada. Public Safety: A Canadian accused of selling poison linked to over 100 UK deaths will plead guilty in Canada and won’t face extradition to the UK.

Banking & Markets: The Bank of Canada says the financial system is resilient but warns of a sharp asset-price correction risk, especially as markets concentrate in AI-linked stocks and hedge funds play a bigger role in debt-market liquidity. Defence & Procurement: Prime Minister Mark Carney says Ottawa is in talks to buy Saab’s GlobalEye airborne early-warning platform, choosing a European option over U.S. rivals and aiming to boost Canadian industrial work tied to Bombardier. Trade & Diplomacy: Carney also pitched a “new partnership” with the U.S. in New York, arguing Canada’s diversification makes it a stronger ally as CUSMA talks loom. Public Health: Canada, the U.S. and Mexico announced aligned Ebola travel measures for World Cup travellers from high-risk African regions. Sports (Hockey): Evan Bouchard left Canada’s world hockey quarterfinal vs. the U.S. after a head hit; Montreal’s playoff hopes face elimination pressure in the East final. Community & Business: Tim Hortons plans 80 new Canadian locations in 2026 and 400 renovations; Saskatchewan RCMP stopped 5,271 vehicles during Canada Road Safety Week.

NHL Playoffs: The Carolina Hurricanes crushed the Montreal Canadiens 4-0 in Game 4 to take a 3-1 series lead, scoring three times in a late first-period burst and getting a shutout from Frederik Andersen as Montreal fell into a must-win spot for Game 5. Trade & Diplomacy: India’s Piyush Goyal met Canadian ministers and business leaders in Toronto, pushing to wrap India-Canada CEPA talks by year-end and aiming to grow bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030. Energy: Canada’s LNG deal with Germany is a major first for Europe, with one million tonnes a year tied to the Ksi Lisims project, expected to start in the early 2030s. Public Safety & Justice: A Canadian man was sentenced to 33 years in the U.S. for a sextortion scheme targeting 145 children. Sports Business/Tech: BYD says it will enter Canada by late 2026 and open 20+ dealerships, with first models expected to arrive before later shipments. Community & Skills: Skills Canada launched the Skills Canada National Competition 2026 in Toronto, bringing 500+ youth competitors to compete in trades and tech.