AGP Executive Report

Canada-India Reset: Trade minister Piyush Goyal met PM Mark Carney and said the relationship is back on track, with optimism for an early CEPA deal. World Cup Logistics: FIFA says base camps are set for all 48 teams—two in Canada, the rest split between the U.S. and Mexico. Small Business Mood: CFIB reports a sharp May drop in long-term optimism for small firms, with fuel costs and weak demand leading worries. Gaza Flotilla Fallout: Carney called Israel’s treatment of Gaza flotilla civilians “appalling” and demanded an independent investigation, while also pushing for humanitarian access. Sports—Jays Injury Jolt: Toronto’s Blue Jays took an 8-2 loss to Miami as Dylan Cease went on the IL and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is day-to-day. Public Safety—Bow River Search: Calgary police are using GPS-tracked pig cadavers to improve recovery searches in the Bow River. Politics—Alberta Separation: Carney warned Alberta’s independence vote could be a “dangerous bluff,” comparing it to Brexit. Crime—Extortion Crackdown: Peel police arrested 17 men tied to an extortion network targeting South Asian businesses.

CSIS Student Hiring: Canada’s spy agency is recruiting post-secondary students for paid work terms up to $34.32 an hour, with applications due June 19, 2026. Wildfire Readiness: Ottawa is leasing 10 new firefighting planes and helicopters for the summer surge, giving provinces and territories more surge capacity. Sports—Maple Leafs: Max Domi is out indefinitely after surgery complications, while Alphonso Davies is named to Canada’s World Cup training camp roster despite injury concerns. World Cup Build-Up: Canada Soccer has set a 32-player camp in Charlotte as the final roster gets closer. Toronto Politics: Mayor Olivia Chow confirms she’ll run for re-election on Oct. 26. Ontario Politics—Jet Backlash: Doug Ford says he’s “ticked off” about $200K in private jet-related costs, but won’t commit to personally repaying it. Public Safety: Police warn after a coyote bit a child in Markham, Ont. Crime Crackdown: Peel police arrest 17 men in an alleged Punjabi-linked extortion network tied to shootings and arson.

F1 Title Twist in Canada: George Russell’s Canadian GP ended early when a power-unit failure forced a retirement, handing Kimi Antonelli his fourth straight win and stretching Antonelli’s lead to 43 points—Russell now says the championship “feels like” it’s Antonelli’s to lose. Metro Vancouver Labour Fight: Hundreds of Metro Vancouver outside workers have started job action with an indefinite overtime ban and limits on standby and out-of-description work, escalating a dispute over safety, contracting out, and recruitment/retention. Gaza Flotilla Returns: Three Gaza-bound activists intercepted by Israeli forces returned to Vancouver, with one describing days of beatings and torture. World Cup Momentum: Canada crushed Slovakia 5-1 at the hockey worlds, while Canada’s World Cup build-up continues in Group B. Sports & Local Life: Pirates beat the Blue Jays 4-1 to avoid a sweep; a 50-year-old died in a scuba incident off Whytecliff Park. Trade Talks: India’s Piyush Goyal heads to Canada (May 25–27) to push CEPA talks with 100+ business leaders.

World Cup Hype in Ottawa: Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed FIFA boss Gianni Infantino to Ottawa for the 2026 World Cup trophy tour, touting $755M over five years for soccer development and urging Canadians to fly flags as Canada kicks off June 12 in Toronto. Alberta Separation Vote: A new campaign to keep Alberta in Canada launched as Danielle Smith moves toward an October referendum, with critics warning it could echo Brexit-style chaos. Crime Update (Sask.): RCMP say Edmonton police arrested Brett McCallum (also known as Nigel McCallum) in the Edmonton area, a day after he was charged with second-degree murder in Pelican Narrows. Sports Shock: Montreal’s Gabriel Diallo retired injured at the French Open in his opening match. Concert Weather Watch (Toronto): Bruno Mars’ Saturday show was postponed due to severe weather; Sunday’s concert is still expected, with drizzle and cooler temps in the forecast. Public Safety (Quebec): Two teens died and two others were hurt in a single-vehicle crash in the Eastern Townships.

Prison Safety Alarm: A union says violence is escalating inside Correctional Service Canada facilities, citing rising stabbings and contraband at places like Springhill, while CSC says staff were treated and “appropriate actions” follow incidents. Missing Teen Update (Toronto): Police released a new photo and launched a new website as the search for 14-year-old Esther hits the one-week mark; she was last seen near Highway 401 and is described as being on the autism spectrum. Border/Asylum Tension: A new report says some people turned away at the Canada-U.S. border are later detained by ICE, fueling concern about how the Safe Third Country rules are playing out in practice. Water Worries (Metro Vancouver): Officials warn Stage 3 outdoor water restrictions could start in June as key infrastructure work affects supply. Alberta Separation Referendum: Danielle Smith’s referendum plan is drawing backlash and counter-campaigns, with a “Forever Canadian” push underway in Edmonton. Sports (F1 & Soccer): George Russell grabbed Canada GP sprint pole in a tense Mercedes title battle with Kimi Antonelli; in MLS, Chicago’s Lod and Gutman scored as Fire beat Toronto 2-1.

Canada–India Trade Reset: Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal lands in Canada May 25–27 with a 150-person business mission, aiming to revive free-trade talks and push CEPA forward—plus meetings with Mark Carney and Canadian pension funds. Weather Watch (GTA): Environment Canada warns of heavy rain across the Greater Toronto Area this weekend, with up to 50 mm possible. Labour Update: Air Canada and Unifor reached a tentative deal covering about 6,000 workers, with details to be released after a ratification vote. Housing for Homelessness: North Vancouver and the province will build 40 affordable units on district land in Norgate, targeting people living in vehicles or encampments. Sports Spotlight: Gabriela Dabrowski wins women’s doubles in Strasbourg; in F1 Canada, George Russell grabs sprint pole after McLaren briefly parked a new front wing. Tragedy: “Virgin River” actor Stewart McLean, 45, is found dead in B.C., with homicide investigators confirming it’s being treated as a homicide.

F1 Canada (Sprint pole): George Russell roared to pole for Saturday’s sprint in Montreal, edging Kimi Antonelli by 0.068s, with Lando Norris third and Lewis Hamilton fifth after a strong session. Hockey Worlds: Canada kept rolling at the IIHF tournament, beating Slovenia 3-1 for a perfect 5-0 start, with Emmitt Finnie leading the scoring and Jet Greaves solid in net. Arctic Security: Canada and Arctic Allies (Denmark/Greenland-Faroe, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the U.S.) issued a joint statement pledging deeper Arctic security cooperation amid rising Russia and China attention. Toronto (World Cup tourism jitters): Hoteliers say FIFA’s earlier reservation cancellations left Toronto bookings far below expectations, even as the city prepares for the tournament. Metro Vancouver (Transit strike risk): A union filed a 72-hour strike notice against Coast Mountain Bus Company, with essential services promised to continue. Sports (CFL): Ottawa’s Jake Maier impressed in the Redblacks’ pre-season win over Montreal, while Edmonton’s Kyle Wilson is back in full swing at camp.

Alberta Separation Vote: PM Mark Carney vowed to “build a better Canada” as Danielle Smith’s government locks in an Oct. 19 public vote on whether Alberta should stay in Canada or start the legal process for a binding separation referendum. Unity vs. Pressure: Carney framed the federation as “renovating” while insisting Alberta is “essential” to Canada’s future, even as activists push for faster action. Privacy Fight: ExpressVPN joined growing backlash against Bill C-22, warning the Lawful Access Act could undermine encryption and privacy. Public Health Watch: Canada’s top doctor is set to update Canadians on Ebola and hantavirus as officials monitor new risks tied to travel. Safety Reminder: A Quebec coroner urged swimming lessons after a mother and her three-year-old son drowned in Montreal, recommending closer supervision around pools. Local Life: Toronto’s TTC is again offering free rides home after Rogers Stadium concerts, and hotel groups say the World Cup should still help the city despite weaker booking surges.

Alberta Independence Referendum: Premier Danielle Smith says Alberta will hold an Oct. 19 referendum, but the question won’t be a direct “separate now” vote—Albertans will instead decide whether to start the legal process for a binding referendum, after a court blocked a separatist petition over Indigenous consultation. Energy Politics: Prime Minister Mark Carney tells B.C. the world is in an “energy crisis,” warning Ottawa may focus elsewhere if provinces resist new oil development. Cybercrime Crackdown: Edmonton police teamed with “ethical hackers” and the U.S. Secret Service to stop scammers and freeze money in real time, while a separate Ottawa arrest targets the Kimwolf botnet linked to attacks on millions of devices. Public Safety: Toronto police investigate a stabbing that left one teen in life-threatening condition. Health & Travel: Ebola fears triggered diversions to Canada after a passenger boarded in error, with officials later saying the traveller was asymptomatic. Sports: Mark Scheifele’s overtime hat trick lifts Canada 6-5 over Norway at the hockey worlds.

Missing Person Search: Toronto police have upgraded the search for 14-year-old Esther (“Esti”) to Priority 1, deploying major resources after she was last seen May 15 near Earl Bales Park. Public Safety & Health: Vancouver Fire and Rescue says the Downtown Eastside is overwhelmed by call volume, and Firehall 2 will limit low-acuity responses to focus on fires. Supreme Court Showdown: The Supreme Court of Canada will hear B.C.’s appeal over whether DRIPA and the province’s mineral claims regime are “inconsistent,” a case tied to Indigenous consultation and mining access. Arctic Infrastructure: Ottawa says it will shutter and sell the Nanisivik naval port, citing cost and operational problems. Economy & Markets: The TSX climbed nearly 100 points as oil pushed past US$100 a barrel. Ebola Border Move: An Air France flight bound for Detroit was diverted to Montreal after a Congo passenger boarded “in error” under new U.S. Ebola entry rules. Energy/Industry: Heavy-duty truck dealers warn new model imports could stall unless Ottawa fixes U.S.-Canada emissions paperwork.

PWHL Finale Shock: The Montréal Victoire won their first Walter Cup title, routing the Ottawa Charge 4-0 in Game 4 with Abby Roque scoring twice and Ann-Renée Desbiens making 23 saves. Sports Injuries: Toronto Blue Jays ace Jose Berrios is out at least another year after Tommy John surgery, with a 12-to-14 month recovery timeline. Crime & Public Safety: Edmonton police seized more than $8 million in drugs, cash, and weapons after an interprovincial investigation. Local Governance: Edmonton says it needs six new fire halls to cut response delays near the Anthony Henday ring road—but doesn’t have the money to build them on its own. Housing & Courts: North Vancouver is being sued for flood damages tied to a culvert failure. World Cup Watch: Canada is set to spend just over C$1B to host the World Cup this summer, according to a budget watchdog. Tech & Business: HIVE bought $58M worth of Toronto land for an AI data-centre push as shares jumped.

Ebola Update: Global Affairs says it’s not aware of any Canadians affected by a fast-spreading, hard-to-treat Ebola outbreak in the DRC and neighbouring Uganda, noting thousands of Canadians are registered but numbers may be outdated. Trade Pressure: U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and 14 colleagues urge the Trump administration to keep American workers central in the USMCA review and push back on China’s role in jobs and investment. Federal Spending Watch: A budget watchdog puts Canada’s World Cup bill at just over $1B across all levels of government—about $82M per game for 13 matches in Toronto and Vancouver. Immigration Plan: Ottawa is consulting on express entry changes to add points for high-paying job offers and domestic experience. Public Safety Glitch: Toronto says “technical issues” rerouted just over 200 911 calls for a short period. Sports: Ottawa forces Game 4 in the PWHL Walter Cup Finals with a late rally win over Montreal.

Vancouver West End Rampage: A 34-year-old man, Tadd Bali, has been charged with four counts of dangerous driving after a vehicle rammed through Nelson Park and hit a senior on a mobility scooter, leaving the rider seriously injured; police say the suspect then crashed into a police cruiser, injuring two officers, and he’s been in custody with a history of police interactions in B.C. and Saskatchewan. Union & Aviation: Air Canada aircraft maintenance engineers rallied at YVR after a Canada Industrial Relations Board ruling they say blocks members from leaving their union and wipes out thousands of ballots. Health & Pharma: Canada approved generic Ozempic (semaglutide) after Novo Nordisk didn’t pay a $250 annual fee, with Dr. Reddy’s and Apotex versions now in the mix. Weather Watch: Environment Canada tracked a fast-moving severe thunderstorm near Lake Dalrymple with damaging wind gusts (90–110 km/h) and possible outages. Politics: B.C. Premier David Eby warned Canada “can’t work” if Ottawa focuses on “separatist premiers,” as he prepares to meet PM Mark Carney. Sports: Vancouver Canucks fired coach Adam Foote and his staff after one season, as the team prepares for a rebuild.

PWHL Expansion: The league has completed a major growth push by adding a fourth expansion team—San Jose—bringing the PWHL to 12 teams for its next season. Senators Goaltending: Ottawa is hunting for a true No. 2 behind Linus Ullmark after last season’s backup plan didn’t hold up, with the NHL schedule expansion making reliability even more urgent. U.S.-Canada Assisted Dying & Costs: Some advocates warn the U.S. model of assisted dying could be used to squeeze elder and health-care spending north of the border. Canada-U.S. Defence Tension: The U.S. has paused a long-standing joint defence board with Canada, adding to alliance friction. Wildfire Update: Alberta’s Clearwater County wildfire is now listed as “held,” and an emergency alert was cancelled as crews made progress. Economy Watch: StatCan says inflation hit 2.8% in April, with fuel and energy still doing the heavy lifting.

Hockey (PWHL): Ottawa’s Charge forced Game 4 with a 2-1 comeback over Montreal Victoire, capped by Rebecca Leslie’s winner with 56 seconds left after Peyton Hemp tied it late in the third. Hockey (Men’s Worlds): Canada erupted late to beat Denmark 5-1, with Sidney Crosby racking up four assists in the final-period surge; Canada next faces Norway. Sports (NHL): Mitch Marner’s Vegas Golden Knights keep rolling, setting up a Western Conference final against Colorado. Transit/Labour: The TTC and CUPE Local 2 announced a tentative one-year bridge deal to avert a strike ahead of the FIFA World Cup. Border/Travel: CBSA says airport inspection kiosks and commercial systems are back online after an outage hit major ports including Pearson and Billy Bishop. Canada-U.S. Defence: The U.S. is pausing a WWII-era joint defence board with Canada, citing “failed” defence commitments. Culture/Community: Diljit Dosanjh brought Vancouver history to Jimmy Fallon, tying his BC Place performance to the Komagata Maru story. Tech/Reading: Rakuten Kobo and StoryGraph announced reading-progress syncing coming in June.

Canada–U.S. Defence Rift: The Trump administration says it’s pausing the Permanent Joint Board on Defence, accusing Canada of not making “credible progress” on defence commitments—an abrupt move that’s already sparked pushback from Canadian politicians. Local Governance: North Vancouver is fighting back against B.C.’s Ports Property Tax Act, saying capped port taxes are costing it about $4.6M a year. Transit & Accessibility: Vancouver’s plan to remove 13 bus stops along Hastings Street is drawing concern from Downtown Eastside groups, who warn it could block access to essential services. Business & Jobs: Canfor’s Vida AB will permanently close two sawmills in Sweden, cutting capacity as it concentrates production. Tech & Policy: Bill C-22 is again in the spotlight, with critics warning it could scare off AI and cloud investment. Health & Weather: Environment Canada has issued a “first heat event” warning for parts of southern Ontario. Sports: Toronto Tempo notch a first-ever road win over the Sparks as Brittney Sykes scores 38.