Recherche civique
The third session of Manitoba’s 43rd legislature included more than 50 bills on affordability, health care and protections. Measures included expanding rent control, removing provincial sales tax from grocery-store food and using a levy on crypto operations and data centres to lower residential hydro bills by about $50 a year. The next session is scheduled to begin Nov. 17.
Manitoba introduced legislation that would use revenue from a new levy on cryptocurrency operations and large AI data centres to lower residential Hydro bills by about $50 a year. The bill would also return the Workers Compensation Board to summary government financial reporting while protecting its independence.
The B.C. Coroners Service reports 239 preliminary deaths from unregulated drug toxicity in July and August 2026. Fluorofentanyl was detected most often in expedited testing this year, and the service says the figures may change as test results and investigations are completed.
Bell says construction is progressing on its 300-megawatt data centre campus in the RM of Sherwood, with more than 500 people on site and the first data hall expected to come online in the first half of 2027. Bell also announced a $1 million mental health investment in Saskatchewan; details will come later.
Saskatchewan’s new plan sets a goal of at least 2,600 megawatts of nuclear power by 2050. SaskPower will plan for two potential large reactors in the northwest, with the first expected online by 2042, and continue studying small modular reactors near Estevan.
During Tô Lâm’s September 24–25, 2026, visit to Canada, the two countries elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership covering eight areas, from trade and transportation to clean energy, security and education. Their foreign ministers will coordinate with relevant agencies on an action plan to carry out the partnership’s objectives.
Canada pledged $82 million over five years, and the EU pledged €92 million, to support the Global Ocean Observing System through a new international alliance. The event secured more than $339 million in financial and in-kind pledges from partners to maintain observation platforms, fill data gaps and strengthen coordination.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre met in Ottawa to widen their partnership across defence, Arctic security, economic ties, and science. Key outcomes include Canada joining the German‑Norwegian Type 212CD submarine cooperation, creation of a bilateral Arctic Dialogue, strengthened coast guard and research links, and joint work on space, AI, critical minerals and ocean conservation—actions that affect defence planning, northern communities, industry, and international support for Ukraine.
Prime Ministers Mark Carney and Jonas Gahr Støre met in Ottawa to strengthen bilateral cooperation on Arctic security, defence procurement, and technology. They announced Canadian participation in the German‑Norwegian Type 212CD submarine effort, a new bilateral Arctic Dialogue, expanded coast guard training, and joint work on critical minerals, space, AI, and ocean climate commitments—actions that affect defence, northern communities, industry partners, and international coordination on Ukraine.
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development is investing nearly $3.9 million through Round 6 of the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream to support four projects that will train over 310 women across Ontario. Projects provide hands-on trades training, mentorship, employment supports and employer connections, and include targeted supports for survivors of gender-based violence. The SDF round includes new monitoring and transparency measures, and is funded exclusively by the Government of Ontario.
The Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism named 20 young leaders ages 15–24 as recipients of the 2024 and 2025 Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers. The Lieutenant Governor will present the medals at a ceremony at Queen’s Park on October 19, 2026. Recipients are recognized for sustained volunteer work in areas such as healthcare, mental health, education, environment, reconciliation and community leadership.
The Ministry of Francophone Affairs is investing $3 million through the 2026–27 Francophone Community Grants Program to fund 75 projects across the province. The package — which includes a $1 million federal contribution under the Canada‑Ontario Agreement on Minority‑Language Services — supports French-language services, cultural activities, employment and economic development, health and newcomer integration.
At the AMO conference the Premier announced measures affecting municipalities: a Data Centre Playbook that bars financial incentives and requires projects to cover electricity costs and meet environmental and community benefit rules; new housing-infrastructure funding tied to lower development charges and an October 29 intake for a $1 billion stream; and investments in northern roads and an all-Canadian energy corridor. He also highlighted wildfire spending and new firefighting resources, job and investment figures, and public-safety actions municipalities may partner on.
The government released a Data Centre Playbook framework that will guide approvals for new data centres, require them to pay the full cost of electricity, and limit support to non-financial incentives. Projects above 1 megawatt would face a new, higher electricity rate, be encouraged to generate their own power, meet strict water and noise standards, and must demonstrate economic and community benefits. A 30-day public comment period begins August 13, 2026, to refine the draft framework.
Ontario launched a fourth round of the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant (CEPG) with $5 million available, bringing the program total to $20 million over four years. Eligible small municipalities, local services boards, Indigenous communities and organizations, and fire protection providers in unorganized territories can apply Aug 19–Oct 7, 2026; applicants must have an ontario.ca login and register in Transfer Payment Ontario. Funds may pay for equipment (generators, drones, radios), emergency operations centre upgrades, training, exercises and awareness initiatives; past CEPG recipients are not eligible for this round.
Ontario Power Generation will provide $500,000 in growth readiness funding to Haldimand County to explore opportunities for new energy generation, including small modular reactors, at the 900-acre Nanticoke site. The site is already zoned for up to 3,000 megawatts; the work could lead to a formal memorandum of understanding and identify local benefits such as jobs, Indigenous equity participation, and community funding.