AGP Executive Report

Alberta Referendum: Mark Carney urged Albertans to keep the province in Canada ahead of Monday’s nonbinding vote on whether to pursue a future separation referendum. He warned of deep division and uncertainty amid trade tensions with the United States. Calgary Crash: Three people were killed and 19 injured in a chain-reaction collision involving two transit buses; one bus caught fire. India Trade: Canada and India signed business agreements and set an end-of-2026 target for a trade pact. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected in Canada in December as both countries seek closer ties. Housing: Canadian home sales fell 2.3% in September from August, while the national home price index slipped 0.4%, as higher mortgage rates and uncertainty weighed on buyers. Wildfires: Canada’s 2026 fires burned about 4.5 million hectares and forced more than 33,750 people from their homes.

Alberta’s Unity Vote: Prime Minister Mark Carney urged Albertans to keep the province in Canada ahead of Monday’s non-binding vote on whether to pursue a future separation referendum. Indigenous leaders warn secession could threaten treaty rights. U.S. Tensions: Donald Trump again said Canada should become the 51st state. U.S. duties on Canadian softwood lumber are set to total about 35%, down from earlier announced rates. Trade Diversification: Canada’s largest trade mission to India in 30 years secured about $300 million in commercial partnerships as Ottawa works to conclude a trade pact by year-end. Food Affordability: Canada ranks among the G20’s top food producers, yet 24% of residents faced food insecurity in 2024. Ottawa is putting $50 million into food-sector technology and innovation. Bill C-39: Protesters in North Bay say the proposed infrastructure law could fast-track projects at the expense of Indigenous, labour and environmental rights.

Trade Diversification: Canada is racing to reach a trade pact with India by year-end, aiming to lift annual bilateral trade to $70 billion by 2030. Ottawa and the EU are also preparing closer cooperation on critical minerals, AI, digital security and Canadian-made water bombers. Alberta’s Future: Mark Carney is rallying support for Canadian unity ahead of Alberta’s Oct. 19 referendum, where voters will be asked whether the province should remain in Canada or pursue a path toward separation. U.S. Trade Tensions: Donald Trump again claimed Canada could become the 51st state as tariffs disrupt cross-border business. U.S. duties nearing 35% on Canadian softwood lumber and a ban on Canadian dairy products are adding pressure on exporters, including Ontario goat farmers. Indigenous Business: Indigenous entrepreneurs could help deliver Canada’s $125-billion nation-building investment agenda, but new research says they need better access to capital, contract financing and trusted advice. Women’s Rugby: Canada hosts world champion England in Toronto and Ottawa, with the opener expected to set a North American attendance record for a standalone women’s rugby match.

U.S. Trade Tensions: Ontario Premier Doug Ford says Canada must plan for permanent U.S. tariffs, while U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra warns Canadian politicians against influencing American elections. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly rejects the accusation. Toronto Kidnapping Probe: Three Canadian Armed Forces members are among seven men facing 82 charges after an alleged abduction targeting a cryptocurrency exchange owner. Police say thousands of rounds of ammunition seized were mostly stolen from the military. India Ties: Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed trade, energy and security, with both countries seeking progress on a trade pact. Canadian firm Fairfax is also set to buy a majority stake in India’s IDBI Bank for about $5.56 billion. Workforce Pressures: Liberal MPs say skills gaps could slow major projects, as Atlantic universities report foreign-student enrolment has fallen nearly 48% since 2024. Food Safety: A nationwide recall covers some Farm Boy, L’Ancêtre and Life Smart organic cheeses over possible listeria contamination; no illnesses have been reported.

India Trade: Mark Carney and Narendra Modi agreed to pursue concrete results in trade, energy and security as Canadian ministers visit India for talks and negotiations continue on a comprehensive trade pact. Defence: Canada’s military is accelerating work on surveillance, supply and targeting drones, while Ottawa has paused a planned purchase of 16 U.S.-made Black Hawk helicopters amid trade tensions and a review of military purchases. Health Care: Doctors and nurses joined provincial and territorial leaders in calling for predictable federal funding, warning that expiring support threatens care access and workforce planning. Jobs and Economy: September’s loss of 68,000 jobs erased Canada’s employment gains for the year and pushed unemployment to 6.5%, clouding the economic outlook. Alberta Referendum: Carney is heading to pro-Canada rallies ahead of the Oct. 19 vote, arguing the province is stronger within Confederation.

Alberta Referendum: Mark Carney will attend “Forever Canadian” rallies in Calgary and Edmonton this week, days before Albertans vote on whether to pursue a future separation referendum. India Ties: Carney and Narendra Modi agreed to advance cooperation on trade, energy, technology and security, as Canada prepares its largest trade mission to India in more than 30 years and pushes to conclude a trade pact. Jobs and Economy: Canada lost 68,000 jobs in September and unemployment rose to 6.5%, cooling expectations of a Bank of Canada rate hike. Child Care: Ahead of B.C.’s Oct. 24 election, ACE National is urging parties to spell out how more families can access $10-a-day care. Pipeline Investment: Five First Nations invested $65.3 million in B.C.’s Coastal GasLink pipeline, saying the returns and decisions will belong to their communities. Cuba Espionage: A report says Canadian diplomats used U.S.-smuggled satellite equipment to spy in Cuba in 2016 and 2018; Ottawa is seeking to keep information about the operations from public release. Space: Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk says his International Space Station mission showcases what Canada can contribute to space exploration.

Alberta’s Future: Advance voting has opened at more than 300 locations ahead of a referendum asking whether Alberta should stay in Canada or hold a binding vote on separation. Prime Minister Mark Carney is urging unity, while former premiers Rachel Notley and Jason Kenney are joining forces against leaving Confederation. India Trade Mission: Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is in India as Canada leads its largest trade delegation there in more than 30 years. Talks will cover trade, energy and security, with both countries aiming to conclude a comprehensive economic agreement by year-end. Economic Pressure: Canada lost 68,000 jobs in September, pushing unemployment to 6.5 per cent. Meanwhile, the military faces proposed operating-cost cuts even as Ottawa increases defence spending. Foreign Affairs: Canada joined more than two dozen countries in condemning Iran over an alleged plot targeting a U.K. airbase.

Alberta’s Future: Prime Minister Mark Carney urged Albertans to stay in Canada, warning a separation vote would launch a long, uncertain process. The referendum is set for next week, as B.C. Premier David Eby also voiced support for unity. Foreign Affairs: Canada joined more than two dozen countries condemning Iran over an alleged plot targeting Britain’s RAF Fairford air base. Household Costs: Nova Scotia reopened its $400 heating rebate, but advocates say the payment and tightened income limits leave many struggling families without enough help. Trade and Industry: Ottawa is considering tougher rules to keep goods made with forced labour out of Canada, including requiring importers to show products are free from exploitation. A Canadian trade delegation is also heading to India as both countries push to advance talks on trade and energy. Economy: Statistics Canada reported a loss of 68,000 jobs in September, with unemployment rising to 6.5%. A separate survey found 44% of working Canadians are financially stressed, with grocery costs and debt among the leading pressures. Canada-EU Ties: The EU has floated a new associate-member relationship with Canada, potentially expanding cooperation on defence, cybersecurity and energy; the proposed status has no precedent in current EU treaties.

Space Industry: Toronto-area startup Canada Rocket Company has raised $22.5 million and is building toward a made-in-Canada rocket, with an orbital launch target of 2032. Auto Market: China’s Geely plans to begin selling vehicles in Canada in 2027 and is developing local sales and service networks. Trade: Nearly 300 Canadian business delegates are heading to India on Ottawa’s largest trade mission there in more than 30 years, as both countries pursue a trade pact and a $70-billion trade goal by 2030. Alberta Politics: Economic frustration is adding momentum to Alberta’s independence debate ahead of a vote this month on whether to pursue separation. Health Policy: Ottawa plans to keep assisted dying unavailable to people whose sole underlying condition is mental illness; meanwhile, some Canadian women are going abroad for endometriosis care after long waits at home. Jobs: Canada lost 68,000 jobs in September, with unemployment edging higher. Travel Alert: Global Affairs Canada is urging Canadians to avoid non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia after attacks on airports. Arts: Canadian poet Anne Carson’s Nobel Prize in Literature brought a major international honour to the country.

Stelco Dispute: Cleveland-Cliffs’ CEO says he is ready to fight Ottawa in court over planned layoffs at the Hamilton steelmaker, disputing the government’s claim that the 2024 sale included job guarantees through 2029. He says the cuts are temporary and tied to U.S. tariffs. Trade Tensions: A U.S. ban on nearly $1 billion in Canadian imports, including alcohol, dairy and motorcycles, has taken effect. Its direct economic impact may be limited, but it adds to the strain on the countries’ trade relationship. Cybersecurity: Canadian ransomware negotiator Edward Dubrovsky has been arrested in Pennsylvania on federal charges. Authorities have not confirmed whether his case is connected to the FBI’s probe of the ShinyHunters hacking group. Jobs and Growth: Canada lost 68,000 jobs in September and unemployment rose to 6.5 per cent, adding to concerns about the economy. Data Centre Debate: CSIS warns that data centres pose growing cyber and supply-chain risks as they become more strategically important; a poll found 64 per cent of Canadians favour limiting their development. Historical Records: Ottawa has released a largely unredacted report detailing how U.S. intelligence operations helped people with suspected Nazi backgrounds enter Canada after the Second World War.

Jobs and Economy: Canada lost 68,300 jobs in September, pushing unemployment to 6.5% and wiping out this year’s employment gains. The Bank of Canada says slower immigration and an aging population are reshaping the economy. Foreign Policy: Israel’s ambassador and a Canadian Jewish advocacy group criticized Ottawa’s recognition of a Palestinian state after the Palestinian Authority delayed elections until 2027. Canada also joined seven countries in defending the International Criminal Court against U.S. sanctions. Trade: Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu will lead nearly 300 business delegates to India next week as the two countries work toward a trade pact. Assisted Dying: Ottawa will indefinitely keep mental illness alone from qualifying someone for medical assistance in dying. Hockey: Montreal ended a three-game skid with a 1-0 shootout win over Detroit, as Zachary Bolduc scored and goalie Jacob Fowler made 30 saves.

International Justice: Canada joined seven countries in condemning U.S. sanctions on the International Criminal Court, warning they could undermine the court’s work and independence. Trade: Nearly 300 Canadian business delegates are heading to India on the country’s largest trade mission in more than 30 years, as Ottawa targets $70 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. Jobs and Economy: Canada lost 68,000 jobs in September, pushing unemployment to 6.5% and renewing questions about the labour market’s direction. National Unity: Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected Elon Musk’s support for separatism, saying Canadians will decide the country’s future as Alberta referendum debate intensifies. Assisted Dying: Ottawa plans to indefinitely keep mental illness alone from qualifying someone for medical assistance in dying.

Jobs: Canada shed 68,000 jobs in September, pushing unemployment to 6.5% and erasing the year’s employment gains. Young workers were hit hardest. National Unity: Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canadians will decide the country’s future, rejecting Elon Musk’s call for Quebec and western provinces to separate. Steel and Trade: As tariff-related layoffs mount at Stelco in Hamilton, a legal expert urged Ottawa to consider nationalizing the U.S.-owned plant. A separate coalition of workers, local managers and First Nations is seeking to buy a Quebec paper mill. Assisted Dying: Canada has indefinitely ruled out MAID eligibility for people with mental illness alone. Former Quebec premier Philippe Couillard, who helped pass the province’s first law, says he is now uneasy about how far the practice has expanded. International Law: Canada backed the International Criminal Court after the U.S. announced sanctions aimed at isolating it; Canadian jurists are urging Ottawa to strengthen its support. Culture: Toronto-born poet Anne Carson won the Nobel Prize in Literature for work the Swedish Academy called “bold and inventive.”

Labour Market: Canada lost 68,000 jobs in September, pushing unemployment to 6.5%. The labour-force participation rate fell to 64.8%, its lowest level since 1997 outside the pandemic years. ICC Sanctions: Canada joined seven countries in condemning U.S. sanctions on the International Criminal Court and reaffirming support for the tribunal. Energy Investment: Shell agreed to buy a 30% stake in the Bay du Nord offshore oil project, deepening its Canadian investment. National Unity: Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada’s future will be decided by Canadians after Elon Musk voiced support for separatism; Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre plans to make a unity speech in Alberta ahead of its referendum. Literature: Canadian poet Anne Carson won the Nobel Prize in Literature, a recognition Carney called a proud moment for the country.

Literature: Toronto-born poet Anne Carson won the Nobel Prize in Literature for work the Swedish Academy praised as “bold and inventive,” drawing on classical traditions to create new forms. Prime Minister Mark Carney called the award a proud moment for Canada. Assisted Dying: Ottawa will indefinitely bar eligibility for people whose sole underlying condition is mental illness, citing concerns about medical consensus and safeguards. Travel: Global Affairs Canada warned against non-essential trips to parts of Mexico’s Pacific coast as Tropical Storm Simon approaches, and urged travellers to Kenya to take extra precautions following a confirmed Ebola case. Economy: Deloitte expects slower growth ahead, trimming its 2027 forecast to 1.6% amid tariff pressures. Statistics Canada is due to release September jobs figures today; economists expect a modest rebound after August losses. Public Safety: Federal officials warned that Hikvision surveillance equipment could be used to monitor Canadians; separate scrutiny of the food inspection agency has followed reports of non-compliant chemical residues in Driscoll’s berries, though no recalls were issued.

Literature: Toronto-born poet Anne Carson won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature for work blending classical traditions and modern forms. Prime Minister Mark Carney called the award a proud moment for Canada. Tumbler Ridge Investigation: U.S. authorities arrested a Washington state man accused of helping plan the February school shooting in British Columbia that killed five children and an educator. Consular Affairs: Ottawa reports arrests and detentions of Canadians abroad rose 60 per cent, even as visits to the U.S. fell 25 per cent; the cause is unclear. MAiD: The federal government says mental illness will remain ineligible as the sole basis for assisted dying, while proposed advance-request rules continue to spark debate. Trade and Jobs: Layoffs have begun at Hamilton’s Stelco plant amid U.S. steel tariffs, with 300 to 350 jobs expected to go. A new poll finds 51 per cent of Canadians avoid U.S. products when possible. Energy: Construction has started on LNG Canada’s Phase 2 expansion, which is set to double the facility’s capacity and bring up to 4,000 construction jobs at peak. National Unity: Carney and several premiers rejected Elon Musk’s call for provinces to leave Canada.