AGP Executive Report

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.

Arctic Defence & Procurement: Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will buy Saab GlobalEye airborne early-warning planes to boost Arctic surveillance, shifting away from U.S. options. Health & Harm Reduction: B.C. health minister Josie Osborne says the downtown Vancouver overdose prevention site at 900 Helmcken St. won’t proceed “at this time,” while a mobile service continues. Public Safety & Crime: Investigators in Vancouver are asking Portland and Seattle communities to help identify a woman found dead in 2022 near Vancouver, with pollen suggesting she may have been in the Pacific Northwest. Human Trafficking: A 28-year-old Calgary man faces human trafficking charges after a Regina-led investigation, with alleged trafficking across western Canada. Local Governance & Community: Quebec launches a turtle-themed school zone safety campaign with reflective backpack covers for young students. Sports: Nyara Sabally posts a career-high 29 as Toronto Tempo beats Chicago Sky 111-104; Toronto Marlies extend their series lead over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Business & Energy: Canada signs a major LNG deal with Germany for one million tonnes annually from the Ksi Lisims project.

USMCA Tariffs, Canada Left Out: The U.S. says it will keep tariffs on Mexico and Canada even after the USMCA review, with Mexico talks starting this week and Canada notably excluded. Trade Tensions: Reuters reports U.S.-Mexico negotiating rounds won’t include Canada, while Canada’s trade team remains largely out of the process. Defence Pivot to Europe: Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will buy Sweden’s Saab GlobalEye early-warning aircraft instead of a U.S. option, aiming to reduce reliance on American defence suppliers. LNG Deal for Europe: Canada reached an agreement to supply Germany with LNG from the Ksi Lisims project, with up to 1 million tonnes a year for 20 years. Ebola Border Measures: Canada and the Bahamas imposed temporary travel restrictions tied to Ebola, including 90-day entry bans for residents of affected countries and 21-day quarantine rules for recent visitors. Toronto Heat Plan: Toronto expands cooling spaces, extends pool hours and adds a 24/7 cooling centre as heat warnings return. Water Warnings in Metro Vancouver: Metro Vancouver warns historic lawn-watering limits could hit as early as early June. Sports & Culture: Skate Canada names Thérèse Brisson CEO; Canada’s World Cup roster is set to be revealed Friday at 7 p.m. ET; and B.C.’s Christ Church Cathedral launches a fundraising push to restore a major pipe organ.

Ebola Border Clampdown: Canada will temporarily ban travellers from the Ebola-hit Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan for 90 days, and require a 21-day quarantine for some recent travellers without symptoms. World Cup Build-Up: North Vancouver is gearing up for Canada Soccer House with a massive 29-foot screen at Shipyards Commons, plus tiered programming and controlled access during the June 11–July 19 run. Food Insecurity Crisis: New Statistics Canada data shows 24% of Canadians—about 9.8 million people, including 2.4 million children—live in food-insecure households, while food banks report nearly 2.2 million visits in March. Trade & Diplomacy: India-Canada talks in Ottawa focused on trade, investment and tech, with a push toward USD 50B by 2030. Sports & Culture: The Ukrainian sci-fi film U Are the Universe lands in Canada for a June 12 screening at Saskatoon’s PUFF festival.

Middle East Tensions: Canada’s PM Mark Carney called the treatment of Gaza flotilla activists “appalling” and “unacceptable,” after Israeli far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir released a video showing seized foreign activists—including 12 Canadians—tied up and forced to kneel, with Canada pushing for an independent probe. Canada–India Trade Reset: In Toronto, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said “diversity” and trust are powering a fast CEPA push, as both sides target a year-end free-trade deal and a $50B trade goal by 2030. World Cup Leadership Shake-up: Hockey Canada says Gina Kingsbury won’t return as women’s team GM and coach Troy Ryan is also departing, while on the soccer side Jesse Marsch’s Canada camp continues amid uncertainty over Alphonso Davies’ availability for the June 12 opener. Economy Watch: The Bank of Canada warns of a “low-hire, low-fire” job market that could make rate decisions harder. Business & Industry: Kruger Nonwovens orders ANDRITZ equipment for Canada’s first plastic-free, chemical-free wipes line, aiming for production in 2028.

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.