AGP Executive Report

Montreal Shooting: Prime Minister Mark Carney and Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette condemned a deadly attack in Côte-des-Neiges that killed a police officer and a civilian, with an emergency alert later lifted and flags set to fly at half-mast. World Cup Visa Drama: Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey says he’s “ready to play” after Canada denied him entry over UK criminal proceedings; he’ll face England in Boston, with Ghana’s other group games in the U.S. Food Prices: Canada’s food inflation hit 3.8% in May, keeping a 15-month streak above overall inflation and leaving grocery bills as the clearest hit to household budgets. Cyber Security: Five Eyes warned that frontier AI models could boost cyber attacks fast—officials say the timeline is months, not years. Housing & Cost of Living: Vancouver’s condo subsidy fight continues as B.C. MP Hedy Fry defends a plan to buy unsold condos for affordable housing. Business & Jobs: Air Canada ratified two new contracts with finance and clerical employees, while Unifor pushes Canada to be firm in CUSMA talks. Sports & Culture: Toronto’s free FIFA Fan Festival keeps rolling with Alessia Cara and Kiesza this week.

Arctic Defence Deal: Australia has signed a A$2.5B ($1.75B) agreement to sell Canada its long-range Over-the-Horizon Radar, with the system designed to detect aircraft, ships and missiles up to 3,000 km away—aimed at boosting Canada’s Arctic surveillance and response. Climate Diplomacy: Canada, the EU and China kicked off climate talks in Brussels, with China’s environment minister saying the global push won’t stall even if the U.S. stays out of Paris. Nuclear Energy Plans: Natural Resources Canada is set to make a major announcement on Monday, with a technical briefing ahead of Minister Tim Hodgson’s press conference. World Cup Culture & Controversy: FIFA’s tournament continues to spark debate and scams—while Iran’s team left a peace message for Los Angeles after matches, and CUJO AI warns of FIFA-branded fake job portals targeting corporate credentials. Local Environment Win: A Quebec town near Montreal has formally recognized trees as living beings with rights, calling them “our biggest ally.” Education Partnership: Royal Roads University is expanding B.C. Institute of Technology course offerings to Vancouver Island starting this fall, tied to a new military officer training partnership.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Prime Minister Mark Carney marked the 30th National Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Nanaimo, while communities across Canada held ceremonies and events tied to the summer solstice. Local Emergency: Heavy rain battered Montreal’s West Island and the South Shore, triggering flooding, road closures and power outages. Public Safety & Justice: Quebec has named an independent observer to oversee a police investigation into alleged racism and racial profiling in Montréal-Nord. International Security: The UN Security Council warned of an “imminent risk” of mass atrocities in Sudan as fighting intensifies around El-Obeid. Human Rights Watchdog: Canada has eliminated its corporate human rights oversight office, leaving advocates stunned. Cybercrime: RCMP says civilian investigators helped target Russian-linked SocGholish malware infecting WordPress sites, with international takedowns reported. Asylum Overhaul: Canada unveiled six major asylum reforms under Bill C-12, including a single online application and faster work-permit access. World Cup Canada: Canada’s historic 6-0 win over Qatar continues to ripple, with Ismael Kone’s injury and Canada’s next match against Switzerland in focus.

Labour Mobility Talks: Canada and Kenya are edging toward a formal Labour Mobility Framework to create safer, regulated pathways for Kenyan workers, with focus on skills, ethical recruitment, and worker protection. International Day of Yoga: Events marked “Yoga for Healthy Ageing” across Canada and abroad, including major gatherings in Toronto and Ottawa. Defence & Submarines: South Korea is ramping up diplomacy to win Canada’s next submarine fleet, as Ottawa nears a preferred bidder decision. Air Force Training Jets: Canada has opened negotiations to buy Leonardo’s M-346 jet trainer to close a domestic advanced training gap for RCAF pilots. NATO Tensions: U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a “NATO 3.0” review of U.S. force posture in Europe, drawing scrutiny from allies. Public Safety & Hate: A Muslim group and Culture Minister Marc Miller condemned an alleged attack on an imam in Victoria amid rising Islamophobia. World Cup Canada: Croatia’s PM Plenković is set to visit Canada for talks with Mark Carney and to support Croatia’s World Cup campaign. Agriculture Drought Watch: Nova Scotia is preparing for possible drought and is working with Ottawa on a $25-million relief package for farmers.

Conviction in Sexual Assault Case: Ontario Superior Court found Canadian billionaire Frank Stronach guilty of sexual assault and indecent assault, with the judge calling parts of his conduct “gross and disgusting,” while acquitting him on other charges. World Cup Impact in Vancouver: Canada’s first-ever World Cup win over Qatar is driving major downtown business gains, with Granville Street seeing record foot traffic and sales spikes. Injury Update — Ismael Kone: Canada midfielder Ismael Kone has undergone successful surgery after a horrific leg break and is expected to make a full recovery, but will miss the rest of the tournament. Hate Crime Law Backlash: A coalition of 60+ Canadian rights groups says the rushed Combatting Hate Act is too vague and could chill peaceful protest, arguing it risks rights violations. Refugee Day — Canada’s Commitments: On World Refugee Day, Canada marked the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention while reaffirming support for people fleeing persecution. Citizenship Certificate Reversal: After requests to surrender citizenship certificates, Canada’s citizenship department has started issuing revalidation letters confirming certificates should remain active. International — Cuba vs. U.S.: Cuba’s foreign minister denounced the U.S. “total blockade,” comparing it to a military one amid renewed energy-related sanctions.

World Cup shocker: Jonathan David’s hat trick powered Canada’s first-ever men’s World Cup win, a 6-0 rout of Qatar at BC Place—then the night turned heartbreaking when midfielder Ismaël Koné suffered a gruesome leg injury and was stretchered off after a red-card challenge. Public safety: Toronto investigators say a youth gun-for-hire network is linked to recent shootings, using encrypted apps to recruit teens and young adults, with charges tied to multiple attacks including one involving the U.S. consulate. Immigration & rights: Canada tightened citizenship-by-descent rules, limiting reliance on third-party genealogy records, while legal experts warn a proposed under-16 social media restriction could face Charter challenges. Accountability: Activists are reeling after the federal government eliminated the Office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE), a watchdog for overseas corporate human-rights complaints. Global ties: NATO chief Mark Rutte says record defence spending must be turned into combat-ready capability fast—“cash alone won’t stop a missile or a tank.” Diplomacy & markets: Pakistan is seeking Canadian help on canola to cut a $5B edible-oil import bill, while markets wavered as US-Iran peace talks were called off and the yen neared multi-decade lows.

World Cup Fever: Canada made history with a 6-0 rout of Qatar, with Jonathan David scoring a hat trick and the sellout crowd in Vancouver roaring through a bittersweet night after Ismaël Koné suffered a broken-leg injury. Criminal Justice: Bill C-16 (Protecting Victims Act) received Royal Assent, restoring mandatory minimums and making femicide first-degree murder as major Criminal Code reforms become law. Trade & Tariffs: Ottawa moved to protect Canadian producers with a 10% safeguard tariff on canned vegetables, aimed at easing trade diversion pressures. Health Policy: A new National Advisory Committee on Preventive Health Services is set to replace the old task force and shape cancer screening and prevention guidance nationwide. Indigenous Relations: Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami is urging Ottawa to be a better partner on Arctic governance and self-determination, warning it may look abroad if ties sour. Public Safety Online: Canada is pushing ahead on youth social media restrictions, with a Safe Social Media Act expected to follow the global trend toward under-16 bans. NATO & Arctic Security: NATO defence ministers say they made “good progress” ahead of the Ankara Summit, while Norway plans a diplomatic mission in Greenland.

World Cup Glory: Canada made history with a 6-0 rout of Qatar in Vancouver, powered by Jonathan David’s hat trick, while the win was overshadowed by a serious injury to midfielder Ismaël Koné after a heavy challenge. Immigration & Sport Integrity: Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi’s Canada trip swung back and forth amid a match-fixing probe tied to suspicious betting around a yellow card; he was ultimately authorized after earlier denial. Hate Crime Law: Canada’s Parliament passed the Combatting Hate Act (Bill C-9), repealing the religious texts defence and expanding hate-crime penalties, drawing warnings from faith leaders. Ocean Diplomacy: Canada and Jamaica were named the next hosts of the Our Ocean Conference, with Halifax set for 2027 and Montego Bay for 2029. NATO Tensions: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attacked NATO allies as “shameful” and announced a six-month Pentagon review of U.S. forces in Europe. Luxury Tax Update: A luxury tax on cars, planes and boats brought in over $900M before being scaled back, with debate over whether it hit industries too hard.

World Cup Visa Twist: Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi—previously denied entry to Canada amid a betting-related investigation—has now been authorized to travel for the match vs. Germany, after Canadian immigration said a Temporary Resident Permit can be granted in exceptional cases. Canada vs. Qatar Build-Up: Canada heads into its Group-stage clash with Qatar at BC Place in Vancouver, with streaming options widely available and Alphonso Davies’ injury status still being watched. Privacy vs. Surveillance: Canada’s Lawful Access Bill (Bill C-22) is moving fast toward a vote, with critics warning it would weaken encryption and expand surveillance powers. NATO Tensions: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth blasted NATO allies in Brussels and announced a six-month Pentagon review of U.S. forces in Europe, tying outcomes to how quickly Europeans take more responsibility. Housing/Infrastructure Push: PM Mark Carney and B.C. Premier David Eby announced a new 10-year partnership with $5B+ in federal investment for local infrastructure and housing-enabling upgrades. Sports & Safety Abroad: A Canadian tourist died in an apparent accidental shooting at South Africa’s Kruger National Park; police are investigating. Workforce Training: RBC and eCampusOntario expanded free upskilling through the Skills for Jobs Canada platform.

NATO Tensions: U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth met NATO ministers in Brussels and announced a six-month Pentagon review of America’s forces in Europe, warning allies to take primary responsibility for European defence and calling some Iran-war access denials “shameful.” Canada-US Friction: With World Cup co-hosting underway, many Canadians say they won’t set aside anger over Trump’s threats and tariffs, keeping the spotlight on strained relations. World Cup Discipline: Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi was barred from Canada for a match amid a match-fixing probe, while Canada prepares for Qatar in Vancouver. Refugee Rights Fight: A Federal Court challenge alleges Canada is failing to protect refugees turned back to the U.S. under the Safe Third Country Agreement. Sovereign AI Push: Bell and Cohere expanded plans to build more AI compute in Canada, aiming to reduce reliance on U.S. frontier models. Business & Tech: Samsung Bioepis and Organon expanded their Canada biosimilar deal for PYZCHIVA®, and Air Canada opened its first premium lounge in Québec City. Public Finance: A Fraser Institute study says debt interest will cost Canadians $1,845 to $3,348 this year, depending on province.

NATO Readiness: NATO’s Rutte says allies, including Canada, must bring “credible” defence-spending plans to next month’s summit in Turkey as the U.S. readjusts forces away from Europe. MAID Debate: A parliamentary committee recommends Canada “indefinitely exclude” people whose only condition is mental illness from medical assistance in dying, likely delaying expansion decisions. Trade Tensions: Trump tells reporters he’d rather not have CUSMA in place, adding confusion as the U.S. faces a July 1 review deadline. Taxpayer Pressure: Canada’s Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson reports CRA complaints jumped 27% despite a 100-day service plan. Health Care Access: A Squamish woman is fighting for coverage after being diagnosed with lipolymphedema and told Canada won’t cover treatment abroad. Energy & Power: B.C. is launching hydro upgrades aimed at boosting provincial power supply by about 7%. World Cup at Home: Canada prepares for Qatar in Vancouver as the tournament’s momentum keeps spilling into Canadian sports, tourism and business chatter.

G7 Diplomacy: Prime Minister Mark Carney left the G7 in Évian without a formal bilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, but said he still had “seven or eight” discussions over 36 hours on the economy, AI, Ukraine and the Iran peace deal. Trade Pressure: The Canada-U.S. CUSMA renewal clock is ticking toward July 1, with uncertainty hanging over whether the deal is extended or shifts to annual reviews. Ukraine & NATO: G7 leaders reiterated support for Ukraine and pledged tougher pressure on Russia’s war economy, while NATO chief Mark Rutte pushed back on claims the U.S. is pulling away, saying Europe and Canada must do more. Humanitarian Aid: Canada pledged another $100M for Gaza and the West Bank via UN and NGO partners, bringing total support to $500M amid UNRWA staff controversy. Canada in the Spotlight: A court fight over Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey’s Canada visa ended with a loss, dashing his World Cup opener hopes. Tech & Cities: Alberta and other cities showcased how AI can reshape public services at Global AI Cities 2026. Local Infrastructure: Toronto Pearson began a $3B overhaul to handle 65M passengers a year. Climate Court Challenge: Three young Canadians sued over alleged failure to deliver a credible 2030 climate plan. Global Watch: UN reports say 58+ countries still face landmine contamination.

World Cup Court Fight: A Canadian federal court dismissed Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey’s emergency bid to enter Canada, ending his hopes of playing in Ghana’s opener vs Panama in Toronto on Wednesday. G7 Diplomacy: Prime Minister Mark Carney met South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung at the G7 in Evian, with both sides highlighting fast-moving cooperation on defense, investment and culture. AI Power Strain: Hamilton advanced a proposed data-centre moratorium to city council after residents pushed for time to study impacts amid Canada’s rapid AI buildout. Public Safety & Crime: Border Force seized a record 12-tonne cannabis shipment worth £139m from Canada; three people were arrested. Sports Rules: FIFA’s mandatory hydration breaks are drawing criticism for changing the flow of matches, even as they’re meant to protect players in summer heat. Health Research: A UVic-led study adds to evidence linking alcohol use to higher risk of deadly pancreatic cancer. Business & Markets: Canada’s TSX pushed to new highs as oil slipped below US$80 and optimism grew around a tentative US-Iran deal.

G7 Diplomacy: Prime Minister Mark Carney met Zelenskyy in Évian and announced fresh Canada sanctions on Russia’s shadow fleet, energy revenues, defence-industrial and disinformation actors, as G7 leaders tackle Ukraine and the Middle East. EU Defence Deal: The EU formally concluded an agreement letting Canada participate in SAFE procurement, opening a new defence-buying channel for Canadian firms. Canada–Italy Security & Industry: Carney met Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, with talks moving toward Canada’s purchase of Leonardo’s M-346 advanced jet trainers and cooperation on critical minerals and supply chains. World Cup Visa Fight: Ghana escalated Thomas Partey’s Canada entry dispute to Federal Court, arguing due process and presumption of innocence after Canada denied his visa ahead of the opener. MAID Update: Canada’s assisted dying debate continues as Parliament awaits legal challenges after the Supreme Court’s Carter-era shift. Housing/Markets: CREA reports May home sales up 5.5% month-over-month, with prices largely stabilizing after earlier softness. Food Security: Carney unveiled Canada’s first National Food Security Strategy, aiming to boost domestic processing and lower costs, including for seafood. China Claims: China alleged foreign “spy turtles” and other monitoring tech are being used to collect marine data, calling for stricter inspections.

Privacy Overhaul: The Liberals tabled Bill C-36, the Protecting Privacy and Consumer Data Act, giving Canadians the right to ask companies to delete personal info tied to AI deepfakes and other uses, with enforcement to be handled by a new digital regulator. Digital Payments Deal: Nuvei is buying Payoneer for US$2.75B, aiming to expand Canada’s role in cross-border B2B payments. Ghana-Canada Visa Fight: Ghana is heading to Federal Court over Thomas Partey’s denied entry for the World Cup, with a hearing set Tuesday as diplomatic pressure ramps up. Citizenship Certificates Pulled: IRCC has abruptly suspended “Lost Canadians” citizenship certificates, asking some recipients worldwide to surrender documents during reviews. Health-Care Pressure: A new national survey finds 91% want major health-care change, with 70% feeling worried or frustrated. Energy & Infrastructure: B.C. is “seriously” re-examining a new Peace River dam (Site E) after Site C backlash, while Saskatchewan opened a $3.1M Moosomin truck pullout to boost highway safety. World Stage: Prime Minister Carney arrived for the G7 in France amid the U.S.-Iran breakthrough, saying Canada stands ready to help restore shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Business/Markets: Court monitors flagged Monette Farms’ “unprecedented” Saskatchewan land sale scale, and IPC reported first oil at Blackrod Phase 1 ahead of schedule.

G7 & Iran Deal: G7 leaders are in France for talks dominated by wars, with the US-Iran peace push and Strait of Hormuz “toll-free” claims drawing global attention. Canada-Europe Defence: The EU formally concluded its SAFE security procurement deal with Canada, making Canada the first non-European country in the program. AI Sovereignty: Prime Minister Mark Carney says US export controls that took Anthropic’s Fable 5 and Mythos 5 offline show the danger of relying on a few American models—and Canada must diversify. UAP Research: A major 2026 UAP conference is set for Toronto, aiming to bring scientists and government experts together around data and transparency. Air Canada Labour: Air Canada reached tentative agreements with IAMAW and welcomed Unifor’s customer-service contract ratification. World Cup Visa Fight: Ghana is pushing back hard after Canada denied Thomas Partey entry, escalating a diplomatic dispute beyond football. Economy & Currency: Analysts warn a lower loonie could hit Canadian investors, while debate continues over whether Canada’s slowdown is a recession. Business & Travel: Canada’s AI data-centre boom faces cost-and-power-grid concerns, and a survey finds many workers change or shorten vacations due to workload pressure.