AGP Executive Report

ICC Sanctions: Canada joined Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Denmark and the Netherlands in condemning U.S. sanctions on the International Criminal Court, warning they threaten the court’s work and staff. Canadian Sovereignty: Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canadians—not foreign governments or tech leaders—will decide the country’s future after Elon Musk backed separation for Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan. India also condemned what it called anti-India activities over a planned Khalistan referendum in Edmonton. Jobs and the Economy: Canada lost 68,000 jobs in September, with unemployment rising to 6.5 per cent. A Bank of Canada analysis says an aging population and lower immigration are reshaping the economy. Literature: Canadian poet Anne Carson won the Nobel Prize in Literature, a milestone Carney called a proud moment for the country.

Sovereignty: Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada’s future is for Canadians to decide, rejecting Elon Musk’s call for Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan to separate. Alberta’s referendum on remaining in Canada is set for Oct. 19. Assisted Dying: Ottawa will indefinitely block access to medical assistance in dying when mental illness is the sole condition, citing concerns about safeguards and a lack of medical consensus. Global Ties: Canada and Iceland are urging a stronger NATO presence in the Arctic and North Atlantic, while Ottawa and New Delhi have agreed to deepen cooperation on security, crime and extraditions. Canadians in the U.S.: Arrest and detention cases rose nearly 60 per cent in the latest fiscal year, even as Canadian visits south of the border fell 25 per cent. Literature: Toronto-born Anne Carson has won the Nobel Prize in Literature, with Carney calling the honour a proud moment for Canada.

Sovereignty: Mark Carney pushed back after Elon Musk urged Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan to separate, saying Canadians—not foreign governments or tech firms—will decide the country’s future. Security Ties: Canada and India agreed to strengthen cooperation on organized crime, terrorism and extraditions, following an officials’ security dialogue. U.S. Relations: Arrests and detentions of Canadians in the United States rose 60 per cent in the year to March, even as visits fell 25 per cent, Global Affairs Canada reported. Ottawa also withdrew from a disinformation conference after U.S. pressure. Diplomacy and Defence: Carney is set to visit Türkiye to advance trade, energy and defence ties. A budget watchdog estimates meeting NATO’s defence-spending target will require $163.6 billion by 2035.

India Ties: Canada and India agreed to deepen security cooperation on terrorism, cybercrime, trafficking and extradition, as officials work to rebuild relations. Negotiators also began a new round of trade talks, aiming to reach an agreement by year-end. Diplomacy and Defence: Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to make the first bilateral visit to Türkiye by a Canadian leader, with trade, energy and defence on the agenda. Ottawa also introduced legislation to give its Defence Investment Agency more independence and speed up military procurement. Energy Exports: Shell approved a second phase of LNG Canada in Kitimat, B.C., which is planned to double the facility’s capacity; operations are expected to start in the early 2030s. U.S. Relations: Canada withdrew sponsorship from a disinformation conference after U.S. pressure, underscoring the strain in relations with Washington.

Türkiye Visit: Prime Minister Mark Carney is preparing for the first bilateral visit to Türkiye by a Canadian prime minister, with trade, investment, energy and defence on the agenda. India Ties: Canada and India agreed to strengthen cooperation on security, cybercrime, trafficking and extraditions as they work to rebuild relations; trade negotiators are also advancing a proposed economic partnership. U.S. Trade Tensions: A Michigan Republican called for an end to the tariff fight, warning of costs for businesses and consumers, while President Donald Trump said he is in no rush to restart talks. Ottawa is also demanding Stelco’s U.S. owner protect jobs promised when it bought the Hamilton steelmaker. NATO and Defence: Defence researchers and industry leaders gathered in Halifax for a NATO innovation event, as Canada faces pressure to raise military spending and strengthen its defence sector. Jewish Canadians: On the third anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks, Carney said more work is needed to ensure Jewish Canadians can live safely and openly.

Quebec Politics: The separatist Parti Québécois won Quebec’s provincial election but fell short of a majority, setting up a new independence push and a likely need for opposition support to pass laws. Canada–U.S. Sports: The U.S. men’s team closed its international window with a 1-0 friendly win over Canada in Minnesota, with 19-year-old Justin Ellis scoring the only goal. Foreign Influence & Diplomacy: A Canadian disinformation expert urges Ottawa to tighten restrictions on Russian diplomats, including possible expulsions, after alleged embassy misconduct in Ottawa. MAiD Watch: Canada’s justice minister says next steps are coming on medically assisted dying, as debate continues over how it’s being implemented. Air Safety: At LAX, a Delta jet clipped an Air Canada aircraft on the tarmac; both planes were taken out of service and no injuries were reported. Business & Trade: Canada announced an expanded air transport agreement with Côte d’Ivoire, aiming to boost connectivity, trade and investment. Health/Tech: Bausch + Lomb says an FDA meeting clarified the development path for an oral dry AMD treatment candidate. Indigenous Services: A federal announcement is set for Oct. 7 on reforms to the First Nations Child and Family Services Program.

MAID Update: Justice Minister Sean Fraser says he’ll announce Wednesday the federal government’s next steps for medical assistance in dying after a parliamentary committee urged an indefinite pause for mental-disorder eligibility. Foreign Influence Scrutiny: Canada’s new foreign agents database has only about 30 registrations so far, far below Public Safety’s estimate of roughly 2,422 active foreign agents, drawing sharp opposition questions. Trade & Jobs Pressure: Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has sent Stelco’s U.S. owner a letter demanding a job-saving plan after the company warned of 500 layoffs tied to tariffs and market pressures. NATO & Diplomacy: Prime Minister Mark Carney will make his first dedicated bilateral visit to NATO ally Türkiye, meeting Erdoğan in Ankara and business leaders in Istanbul. Quebec Unity Test: Carney urged Quebec to focus on near-term economic issues, not a future independence referendum, after the Parti Québécois returned to power. Health Policy: Ontario’s medical regulator is proposing tighter rules for “safer supply,” including limiting prescriptions to use alongside opioid agonist therapy and adding an eight-week cap. Defence Spending Math: The Parliamentary Budget Office estimates direct military spending could reach $163.6B by 2035 to hit NATO’s 5% target, with major budget impacts.

Quebec Politics: The separatist Parti Québécois has won Quebec’s election but fell short of a majority, taking 59 seats and setting up a minority government under Paul St-Pierre Plamondon—while renewing promises of another independence referendum after Donald Trump leaves office, a direct new test for Prime Minister Mark Carney’s national unity push. Housing & Governance: A fresh argument for faster homebuilding points to “wartime-style” federal-provincial coordination, warning Ottawa can’t solve the crisis alone without new powers and partnerships. Arctic & NATO: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio begins a three-nation NATO tour with a stop in Iceland, amid lingering unease over Trump-era Arctic intentions. Economy & Rates: KPMG says bond-market stress could force the Bank of Canada to hike again this year. Health & Policy: Canada’s debate over ending the clock change is shifting to which permanent time to adopt, with research leaning toward standard time for health reasons. Northern Infrastructure: Ottawa is investing in health care in the Northwest Territories and expanding northern cargo capacity at Ottawa International Airport.

OSAP Oversight: Ontario Liberals are asking the auditor general to investigate whether OSAP spending at private career colleges was properly overseen, after reporting found a rapid rise concentrated in a small number of schools. Local School Governance: A Near North District School Board trustee candidate says the province should return control to locally elected trustees after the board was put under provincial supervision. Major Trial: A man accused in the 2023 Pearson airport gold heist has pleaded not guilty as the Brampton trial begins, after charges against two others were withdrawn. Tech & Connectivity: TELUS and AST SpaceMobile say they’ve completed an initial end-to-end satellite-to-smartphone integration test on TELUS’ network. Alberta Immigration Tool: Alberta launched an online Eligibility Explorer to help foreigners quickly match themselves to AAIP permanent residence streams. Energy & Business: Genesis Hospitality bought a two-hotel Marriott complex at Calgary International Airport, expanding its Alberta footprint. Global Watch: The UN Human Rights Council urged the Taliban to repeal restrictions on women and girls.

Canada–India Trade: Canada and India kick off the fifth CEPA round in Ottawa (Oct. 5–9), aiming to wrap up a deal by year-end 2026 and expand cooperation in energy, critical minerals, aerospace and AI. Pacific Link Pipeline: PM Mark Carney formally advances the West Coast oil pipeline as a “project of national interest” under the Building Canada Act, targeting 1 million barrels a day and $20B+ in GDP, while Washington state leaders raise spill-risk alarms. EU–Canada Security Partnership: Ottawa and the EU are preparing a broad strategic deal covering defense, energy, tech and critical raw materials, with continued support for Ukraine and Arctic cooperation. Air Ambulance Tragedy: The U.S. Coast Guard suspends the search for a missing Ontario air ambulance carrying four Canadians and two Bermudians off Nantucket, shifting to recovery. Lawful-Access Backlash: Toronto VPN firm Psiphon says it may leave Canada if Bill C-22 passes in its current form. Sports & Culture: Autumn Gold curling returns to Okotoks (Oct. 8–11) with top women’s teams; and Diaspora Arts Connection marks 10 years of Let Her Sing® with concerts in San Francisco and San Diego.

Missing Air Ambulance: The U.S. Coast Guard is searching off Nantucket after a Latitude Air Ambulance Gulfstream G100 flying Bermuda-to-Boston lost contact; debris tied to the aircraft has been found, with four Canadian crew and two passengers aboard. Canada–U.S. Trade War: Trump’s escalating tariffs and import bans are raising alarms in key U.S. battleground states, while Ottawa and Washington keep negotiations stalled. Canada–India Trade Talks: India and Canada kick off the fifth CEPA negotiation round in Ottawa, aiming to wrap by year-end, with energy and critical minerals in focus. Space & Defence: A Russian cosmonaut took command of the International Space Station as SpaceX prepares for undocking, while U.S. forces in Alaska are ramping up Arctic readiness with Canadian coordination. Travel & Aviation: Air Canada is set to launch new A321XLR Heathrow routes, and Caribbean Airlines adds a new nonstop Tobago–Toronto service. Honours: Michael J. Fox received Canada’s highest civilian honour, the Companion level of the Order of Canada, for Parkinson’s advocacy.

Missing Aircraft: The U.S. Coast Guard says debris from a missing Ontario air ambulance was found off Nantucket, confirming it’s linked to a Gulfstream G100 that vanished on a Bermuda-to-Boston flight; four Canadians and two Bermuda nationals were aboard, and the search continues. Public Safety & Crime: RCMP report five Indian-origin men arrested and charged in Canada over an alleged extortion campaign tied to shootings, arson, firearms trafficking and drug offences connected to an auto dealership. Canada in Sports: Canada beat Peru 2-0 in a friendly in Montreal, with Jacob Shaffelburg scoring twice in the first half; the win follows a recent victory over Chile. NHL on TV: Sportsnet launched “Saturday Night Hockey,” replacing “Hockey Night in Canada” after Rogers and CBC’s sublicensing deal ended. National Recognition: Michael J. Fox received the companion level of the Order of Canada for his Parkinson’s advocacy. International Diplomacy/Trade: A federal designation of the Pacific Link pipeline as a “project of national interest” is framed as both an energy push and politically loaded ahead of Alberta’s vote.

RCAF Training Boost: The Royal Canadian Air Force is partnering with London’s Fanshawe College to deliver Transport Canada-approved aviation maintenance training at CFB Borden starting January, building skills for technicians in avionics, aviation systems and aircraft structures. Canada-U.S. Trade Fallout: Ottawa’s new countertariffs on 629 U.S. goods took effect Sept. 8, but analysts say Ottawa may not collect much of the hit thanks to remission orders and limited relief rules. Missing Air Ambulance: The U.S. Coast Guard is searching off Nantucket for a Canadian-registered Gulfstream G100 air ambulance carrying six people, after U.S. authorities lost contact during a Bermuda-to-Boston flight. Quebec Sovereignty Watch: Party leaders are campaigning on “more power” for Quebec, with views ranging from full sovereignty to greater autonomy within a united Canada ahead of the Oct. 19 Alberta vote and ongoing Quebec debate. Labour Law Protest: Thunder Bay activists rallied against Bill C-39, warning it could give the jobs minister sweeping powers to end strikes. Global Security: North Korea fired a missile toward the Sea of Japan, as tensions continue on the peninsula. Sports: Canada hosts Peru in Montreal with a new goalkeeper debuting, while Nepal’s cricket team prepares for a key Oman series that also includes Canada.

Pacific Link Pipeline Fallout: Prime Minister Mark Carney has listed the West Coast oil pipeline (Pacific Link) as a project of national interest, but Washington state leaders warn it could fast-track limited environmental review and raise spill risks for the Salish Sea and Southern Resident Killer Whales. Canada–Ukraine Support: Ontario pledges $1 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund as Ukraine heads into a fifth winter of Russian strikes on energy infrastructure. Canada–India Trade Push: Canada and India will resume trade negotiations Oct. 5, aiming to wrap a deal before year-end and build toward $70B in trade. AI Governance: Carney launched a 13-member National Council on Artificial Intelligence to guide “AI for All,” with a focus on adoption, safety, and sovereignty. Energy & LNG Industry Moves: LNG Canada’s $33B Phase Two expansion will use Chinese-built modules for the Kitimat project. Public Safety & Justice: RCMP says five Indian-origin men were arrested in a B.C. extortion probe tied to shootings and arson at an auto dealership. Culture & Community: k.d. lang was honoured in Ottawa with performers covering her songs, and Victoria International JazzFest faces a $250,000 fundraising push after TD ended its title sponsorship.

Canada-Turkey Diplomacy: Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to visit Turkey this month to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, with talks expected to cover free-trade negotiations plus potential energy and defence cooperation—part of Carney’s push to diversify away from the U.S. Energy & Trade: Canada’s Pacific Link oil pipeline has been listed as a Project of National Interest, aiming to streamline approvals and speed design and construction. LNG Expansion: LNG Canada’s $23B Phase 2 expansion in Kitimat has cleared a final investment decision, with Fluor-JGC set to handle the $15B EPC work and the project expected to double capacity. Housing & Travel Policy: CBSA says Nexus interview scheduling will tighten for new applicants starting April 1, 2027. Sports Governance: Canada failed to win a seat on the IIHF council, leaving the country without representation after Hockey Canada’s Katherine Henderson was eliminated. Public Recognition: Michael J. Fox has been named a companion level of the Order of Canada at Rideau Hall. Real Estate: BST Canada bought a 122-unit Toronto rental building, adding to its multifamily expansion.

Energy & Investment: Prime Minister Mark Carney says LNG Canada’s Kitimat Phase 2 is a $33-billion bet that could double LNG capacity to 28 million tonnes a year, positioning Canada as an “energy superpower.” Oil Pipeline Politics: Carney fast-tracked the Pacific Link pipeline as Canada’s first “national interest” project under the Building Canada Act, aiming to cut reliance on the U.S. and speed approvals as Alberta’s separation vote nears. Trade Talks (Canada–India): At the G20, Canada and India pushed CEPA forward with a target to lift bilateral trade to $70 billion in five years, with negotiations set to continue in Ottawa. U.S. Trade Friction: U.S. Trade Rep. Jamieson Greer says issues with Canada are “quite difficult,” with tariffs and disagreements still blocking a deal. Health Policy (U.S.-style drug pricing): Medicare finalized the GLOBE model tying some Part B drug rebates to foreign prices, but with smaller savings than first hoped. Tech & Security: Researchers report AI agents repeatedly probing a Library and Archives Canada database and then attempting basic hacks. Space: NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 reached the ISS, including Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk. Prairies (AI Infrastructure): Bell Canada is building a major AI data centre near Regina, with early operations targeted for 2027. Justice (Quebec): A Punjab-origin truck driver got six years for a fatal 2022 crash while playing a phone game.