AGP Executive Report

Jobs Report: Canada added about 88,000 jobs in May and the unemployment rate fell to 6.6% from 6.9%, with gains led by construction and other sectors, even as economists warn trade uncertainty could still bite. Childcare Funding: Alberta says it’s nearly hit CWELCC childcare space targets early, but a childcare group argues the province is over-subscribed and some operators may miss federal funding. AI Push: Ottawa launched “AI for All,” aiming to boost the economy by about $200B, create 250,000 AI jobs, and speed up work permits for AI professionals through a faster stream. World Cup Tensions: Toronto raised concerns with FIFA over a reusable water bottle ban, while ticketing glitches reportedly left some Toronto seats issued without payment. Immigration/Travel: Canada tightened sea-entry rules for travellers from Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, requiring eTAs for most visa-exempt arrivals. Local Watch: Kelowna’s jobless rate climbed again to 9% and remains the highest in Canada. Sports & Culture: Vancouver’s TransLink is selling a soccer-ball Compass pass for World Cup fans; Montreal’s free street-food festival Les Premiers Vendredis returns with 40+ trucks.

Aviation Safety: Transport Canada issued an emergency order over possible cracks in Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210 turboshafts used on Leonardo AW169 and Sikorsky S-76 helicopters, requiring urgent visual inspections. World Cup Buzz: FIFA is taking heat for spreading the 2026 tournament across the U.S., Mexico and Canada, with critics warning fans may face a tougher, pricier journey; meanwhile Vancouver is ramping up with Northern Lights viewing tips, airport upgrades, and World Cup-themed transit. Public Services & Labour: Canada Post workers have ratified new contracts through 2029, ending a long bargaining fight. Housing & Planning: North Vancouver rejected a proposed apartment project over size and parking-stall concerns. AI Push: Prime Minister Carney unveiled “AI for All,” targeting major adoption, jobs and skills. Culture & Community: New 2SLGBTQIA+ “Places of Pride” stamps were unveiled in Toronto. Crime & Courts: Police are seeking suspects after a mock beheading effigy of Quebec’s labour minister circulated online. Sports: The Blue Jays beat the Braves 7-2 in Chad Dallas’s MLB debut; Canada also set FIBA U18 AmeriCup rebound records.

AI Strategy: Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled “AI for all,” a national AI push promising 250,000 jobs by 2031, a C$500M Canadian Tech Growth Fund, and new support for small businesses and privacy protections. Privacy vs. Policing: Tech firms including Signal are warning they may exit Canada over the federal lawful access bill, arguing it could weaken encryption and force “backdoors” for police and CSIS. Public Safety: Toronto police charged four more people in drive-by gel blaster shootings targeting Jewish people earlier this year, using imitation firearms that victims believed were real. Health Care: Quebec’s cardiac surgery capacity is under strain, with 44 practicing surgeons and a growing backlog raising concerns about access to timely care. Crime & Risk: Ottawa police say a dangerous offender convicted in Toronto will live under day parole in Ottawa, with conditions aimed at protecting women. Economy Watch: The budget watchdog says Ottawa has less than a 1% chance of keeping its deficit-shrinking target year after year. Retail: Walmart+ launched in Canada with delivery and Crave Standard included, while Costco reported May sales up 9.2% in Canada. Sports: Rugby Canada extended coach Stephen Meehan through the 2028 Olympics after qualifying for the next World Cup.

Trade & Industry: Canada will extend U.S. steel and aluminum tariff-rate quotas and tariff relief for one year, with quota overages still hit by a 50% tariff, as Ottawa seeks longer-term certainty for workers and manufacturers. Infrastructure Push: Ottawa and Quebec unveiled nearly $10B in infrastructure funding over the next decade, targeting transit, healthcare, housing-enabling projects and community assets. Quebec-Canada Politics: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith met Quebec’s new premier to discuss interprovincial trade and separation, while the two premiers also floated closer economic and autonomy cooperation. Public Safety & Crime: Vancouver council voted not to sanction Mayor Ken Sim after an integrity finding on harassment, and Edmonton laid second-degree murder charges after a senior was found stabbed dead in a central condo. Local Life: North Vancouver set July 25 for the grand opening of the rebuilt Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre, and Calgary police reported a shooting in Connaught Park with the victim in serious but non-life-threatening condition. Sports & Culture: PWHL expansion protection lists are set for Ottawa and Vancouver, and Edmonton announced 97 free World Cup watch parties around Ice District.

CRTC Showdown in Ottawa: Ottawa is telling the CRTC to reverse its plan to triple streamers’ Canadian-content payments, saying it will instead provide $600 million to audio and audiovisual sectors. Trade Tensions: Canada is also pushing the U.S. and Mexico to renew CUSMA/USMCA for 16 years, even as Trump revives “51st state” talk and forced-labour tariff threats. Immigration Enforcement: CBSA says 97 Nigerians were deported in 2026 as part of 5,260 total removals. Public Safety: RCMP says a suspected human smuggler was charged after an officer was injured during a border operation in Quebec. Quebec Weather: Researchers report Quebec’s first tornado of 2026 touched down in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, classified as weak. Culture & Media: TikTok is bringing back Quebec’s MusiquePlus on June 11. Sports & Community: Toronto’s Taste of Little Italy returns for a free weekend festival and World Cup watch parties.

Trade Talks: Canada has formally asked the U.S. and Mexico to renew CUSMA/USMCA for another 16 years, with Dominic LeBlanc saying the deal is “highly beneficial” and that Ottawa wants to avoid annual reviews; the parties have until July 1 to decide whether to renew or renegotiate. Water Restrictions: Metro Vancouver is tightening summer water rules ahead of expected heat, warning demand could spike while key infrastructure work is underway, and urging residents to keep usage under system limits. Public Safety Tech: Calgary police have rolled out real-time translation on body-worn cameras, aiming to help officers communicate in 50+ languages during calls and traffic stops. Health Oversight: Health Canada is examining concerns after a Winnipeg student died following a plasma donation at a Grifols clinic, with reports citing training and alarm-handling deficiencies. Local Wins & Community: Simcoe County students brought home 10+ awards at MusicFest Canada, while a Regina stop on a cross-country run raised funds for mental health. Sports & Culture: Canada beat Uzbekistan 2-0 in a World Cup tune-up in Edmonton; Vancouver’s Goldeneyes re-signed Sarah Nurse amid PWHL expansion.

World Cup & Sports: Canada beat Uzbekistan 2-0 in a rainy World Cup warm-up in Edmonton, with Jonathan Osorio scoring and Jayden Nelson adding the second; captain Alphonso Davies has joined the squad but isn’t cleared for full match fitness yet. Economy & Politics: Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada’s “technical recession” data shows “some weakness,” while insisting the government’s plan is “settling in.” Trade: Canada has formally asked the U.S. and Mexico to renew CUSMA for 16 years, with Dominic LeBlanc set to meet U.S. Trade Rep Jamieson Greer and Canada pushing for parallel talks on sector tariffs. Public Safety & Justice: A Quebec man who drowned his two children and assaulted his wife and daughter was sentenced to life in prison. City Watch (Toronto): A viral video shows Toronto police pinning a cyclist after a stop-sign incident, sparking debate over police use of force. Housing (Vancouver): Metro Vancouver home sales fell in May, dragged by weaker condo activity. Business/Investing: Robinhood completed its WonderFi acquisition to expand into Canada’s crypto market. Health & Harm Reduction (Ottawa): With Ottawa’s supervised consumption sites facing closure, some users are moving to a Gatineau site.

World Cup Tune-Up: Canada beat Uzbekistan 2-0 in a rainy Edmonton friendly as Jonathan Osorio scored in the 58th minute and Jayden Nelson added stoppage-time insurance. Sports Leadership: The Vancouver Canucks named Manny Malhotra their new head coach, while the Vancouver Goldeneyes fired coach Brian Idalski after an inaugural season that ended sixth in the PWHL. Hate and Safety: Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a new federal advisory council to combat antisemitism, saying hate crimes have surged to post-war levels and Canada is failing Jewish Canadians. Economy Watch: Statistics Canada reported Canada entered a technical recession after GDP shrank for two straight quarters, with investors reacting to the slowdown. Public Safety/Crime: Toronto police announced what they call the largest counterfeit soccer jersey seizure in Canadian history, arresting two men tied to a $3.5-million operation ahead of the World Cup. Interprovincial Politics: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is set to meet Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette in Quebec City, with energy and separatism on the agenda.

Canada-Ukraine Defence: Ottawa and Ukraine signed an arrangement to support production of Ukrainian drones in Canada, pairing Airlogix with a Canadian drone maker to speed delivery and boost Canada’s defence industrial capacity. World Cup Build-Up: Jesse Marsch’s Canada faces another late injury blow as Marcelo Flores is ruled out with an ACL tear; Canada still plays Uzbekistan in Edmonton Monday (9pm ET on TSN) and must name a replacement before the Bosnia opener. Quebec Police Oversight: Quebec’s domestic security minister has launched an administrative investigation into Longueuil police after the 2025 shooting death of 15-year-old Nooran Rezayi, including concerns about delayed notification to the watchdog. Ebola Travel Rules: A Congolese student says she was blocked from returning to Montreal due to Ebola-related travel document suspensions, despite arguing she should be exempt. Defence Procurement Watch: Reports say Canada may shift from an 88-strong F-35 plan toward a mixed fleet with about 60 Saab Gripens plus 30 F-35As to reduce reliance on US supply chains. Energy & Trade: South Bow secured multi-year shipper commitments to advance the Prairie Connector pipeline revival; and StatsCan says Canadian natural gas exports to non-US markets hit a record in March. Business Markets: Apotex Health is seeking up to C$1.2B in a Toronto IPO, aiming to revive Canada’s subdued listing market. Public Safety: Toronto police seized what they call the biggest fake soccer jersey haul in Canadian history ahead of the World Cup.

World Cup Shock: Canada’s men’s soccer team faces a fresh blow days before kickoff as Marcelo Flores is ruled out with a torn ACL, with coach Jesse Marsch weighing replacement options after Monday’s friendly vs Uzbekistan in Edmonton. Hockey Heartbreak: Canada’s IIHF run ends again without a medal—Norway stunned the team in overtime to win bronze, extending Canada’s podium drought. Concert Buzz in Toronto: Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh announced he’ll headline London’s Wembley Stadium after packing Rogers Centre on his AURA Tour, while one Toronto resident shared “free” condo-view clips that went viral. Ottawa Recession Debate: StatsCan’s back-to-back GDP contractions spark a political fight over whether Canada is in a recession, with Poilievre pushing for an emergency debate. Quebec Hate Condemned: Quebec politicians denounced a Shawinigan photo of masked people holding a racist banner. Weather Watch: Heavy rain warnings keep Alberta on alert, with Edmonton and Calgary bracing for major totals. Public Safety: Vancouver firefighters rescued a disabled man from an adult care home fire; in Toronto, police investigate a shooting after a man was found shot. Health & Policy: Advocates urge Ottawa to crack down on youth nicotine use as vaping rates climb. Travel Update: Air Canada adds more nonstop flights to Jamaica’s Montego Bay as Cuba remains absent from schedules.

Economy & Politics: Pierre Poilievre is demanding an emergency debate after Canada slipped into a technical recession, following Statistics Canada data showing GDP fell 0.1% (annualized) in Q1 2026, while economists debate whether it truly counts as a recession. Housing Pressure: Equifax says mortgage delinquency rose 32% year-over-year in Q1 2026, with sharp jumps in Ontario and B.C., pointing to higher renewal costs and household strain. Trade & Diplomacy: Canada and India are pushing ahead on a free trade deal at a Regina summit, with officials saying CEPA talks could wrap up this year and targeting big growth in bilateral trade. Defence & Arctic: Ottawa is moving fast on submarine procurement and is also negotiating with Saab for GlobalEye surveillance aircraft to bolster Arctic/NORAD capabilities. Ukrainian Drones: Canada announced a North American production hub for Ukrainian combat drones, aiming to scale battlefield-proven manufacturing. Transportation: WestJet and Air Canada are cutting flights from Saskatchewan starting in July, citing higher jet fuel costs. Public Safety: More than 80,000 vehicles were recalled in Canada due to a safety risk. Sports (Canada): Canada’s women’s rugby sevens team fell to the U.S. in the semis, and Canada lost to Finland in men’s hockey worlds, setting up a bronze-medal game vs Norway. Toronto Incident: A pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle near Old Park Road and Eglinton Ave W.; police are asking for dashcam or witness info.

Transit & Cost of Living: Metro Vancouver riders’ group is pushing the province to create low-income transit passes as fares rise July 1, arguing other major cities have already discounted rates for eligible residents. City Safety & Infrastructure: Calgary will spend $2.4M to repair nearly 300 tree-damaged sidewalks after residents raised safety concerns, including risks for kids, seniors, and wheelchair users. Public Safety Policing: Saskatchewan RCMP and traffic units report 5,271 stops and 2,013 driver charges, suspensions, tickets, or warnings during Canada Road Safety Week. Quebec Community Safety: A Quebec Muslim advocacy group is urging authorities to investigate hateful online threats posted after an Eid gathering in Trois-Rivières. Economy Watch: StatCan confirmed Canada has slipped into a technical recession, with debate intensifying over Ottawa’s spending and the impact on business investment. World Cup Focus: Canada named its 26-man FIFA World Cup squad, with Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David among the headline selections despite injury concerns. Toronto Crime: Police are investigating a North York shooting that left a man in his 20s dead after a vehicle fled the scene. Health & Privacy: A Toronto plastic surgeon has been ordered to pay $21.5M after a judge found he violated patients’ privacy with clinic cameras.

World Cup Roster: Canada unveiled its 26-man FIFA World Cup squad with coach Jesse Marsch saying it’s the best group the country has ever assembled, even as injuries linger—Alphonso Davies makes the team despite a hamstring issue, and Promise David returns after a ruptured hip tendon. Stanley Cup Drought: The Canadiens’ run ended with a 6-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, extending Canada’s Stanley Cup drought and guaranteeing another American champion. Crime & Courts: Saskatchewan RCMP charged a 53-year-old in a “grandparent scam” probe and also arrested an Alberta man after a high-speed Highway 1 flee over 200 km/h; in Calgary, a family marked the 3-year anniversary of a fatal police shooting while seeking changes to threat assessment. Business & Economy: Canada Post reported a $205M quarterly loss as mail volumes fall and labour uncertainty weighs on revenue. Politics (Quebec): Québec solidaire named candidates for October’s provincial election in Laval. Tech & Cities (Vancouver): TELUS plans AI data centres in Vancouver, raising questions about sustainability and power use. Public Safety (North Vancouver): RCMP are investigating a Molotov cocktail thrown into a home where a family was inside.

Recession Watch: Canada slipped into a surprise technical recession as Q1 GDP fell 0.1% annualized, with economists pointing to tariff uncertainty and knock-on effects hitting investment, hiring and prices. Public Finance: Ottawa posted a $55.28B deficit for 2025-26, per the monthly fiscal monitor, with revenue at $500.02B and program expenses up year over year. World Cup Fallout: Canada, the U.S. and Mexico announced aligned Ebola-related travel rules for fans ahead of the 2026 tournament, while ticket-price scrutiny is growing as U.S. attorneys general move to subpoena FIFA over pricing practices. Security & Crime: In a deportation case tied to extortion, testimony says the Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed it had “upwards of 1,000” shooters in Canada, though investigators in India put the total far lower. Local Economy: Casino Nova Scotia plans to relocate from Halifax’s waterfront to Dartmouth Crossing, targeting a new complex opening by 2029. Tech & Health: Ottawa’s EV rebate program shows $122M in claims, but dealers say many are still waiting on reimbursements. Sports: Canada beat the U.S. 4-0 to reach the hockey worlds semifinals against Finland, while Bryan Adams, Wyclef Jean and Nora Fatehi headline Toronto’s FIFA countdown concert.

Hockey Worlds: Macklin Celebrini scored again and Jet Greaves made 34 saves as Canada routed the U.S. 4-0 to reach the semifinals, setting up a Finland matchup. Trade & Food Security: The Canadian Cattle Association urged Ottawa to block any expansion of beef access in Mercosur talks, warning it could hurt farmers and strain future trade with the U.S. Ebola Measures: Canada, the U.S. and Mexico announced aligned travel steps for World Cup arrivals, including Canada’s 90-day entry ban for residents of the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan and quarantine rules for recent travellers. Transit Strike Watch: Metro Vancouver transit workers at Coast Mountain Bus Company voted 99% for strike action, raising the stakes for service disruptions ahead of the FIFA World Cup. Vancouver Development: Oakridge Park’s luxury mall opened to huge crowds, marking the first phase of a major redevelopment. Health & Courts: A Toronto judge ordered plastic surgeon Dr. Martin Jugenburg (“Dr. 6ix”) to pay $22.5M after finding he filmed patients without consent. Weather: Metro Vancouver braces for rain after a sunny stretch, with showers possible Friday.

Canada-U.S. Trade Pitch: Prime Minister Mark Carney is in New York telling business leaders Canada is a “better ally” as Ottawa pushes to diversify trade and reduce reliance on the U.S., ahead of CUSMA review talks. Alberta Separation Referendum: Alberta’s fall vote on separation is framed as “dangerous” by critics after a court ruling tied to Indigenous treaty rights blocked a direct referendum push. Ebola Travel Measures: The U.S., Mexico and Canada announced aligned public health travel steps for people coming from high-risk Ebola regions, with Canada also tightening entry and quarantine rules. Bank of Canada Watch: The central bank says the financial system is resilient but warns vulnerabilities are rising amid global shocks, tariffs, AI disruption and cyber risks. Energy Deal: Canada signed a landmark LNG agreement with Germany for one million tonnes annually from B.C.’s Ksi Lisims project, aiming to boost Europe’s energy security. Sports & Culture: Canada’s Evan Bouchard left the hockey world championship quarterfinal vs. the U.S. after a head hit; Toronto’s Summer Music in the Garden returns for its 25th season along the waterfront. Public Safety: Nav Canada is set to get an Indra Group drone integration platform, with initial traffic management capabilities expected in 2029.