AGP Executive Report

Quebec Election: Quebec’s five main party leaders make their final pitches to undecided voters ahead of Monday’s vote, with the separatist Parti Québécois promising a referendum in 2029 and polling ahead as rivals warn it could destabilize the economy. Quebec Sovereignty: A look at where parties stand on “more power” for Quebec, from sovereignty to autonomism within Canada. Canada-U.S. Trade & Politics: Canadian political analyst Eric Ham says Canadians should watch how U.S. midterms could reshape Canada’s treatment as a political scapegoat. Housing & Mortgages: More Canadians are stuck with higher borrowing costs after switching to shorter fixed-rate mortgages, and the housing market is being described as too big to fix with interest rates alone. Payments & Business: Pesa becomes a member of Payments Canada, aiming to plug into Canada’s payments infrastructure. Public Safety: Coast Guard searches for a Canadian-registered air ambulance missing off Nantucket with six aboard. Crime: RCMP arrests five men in a BC auto-dealership extortion probe, including one arrested at Toronto Pearson. Culture & Sports: Fehn Foss wins silver for Team Canada at the IFMA Muay Thai World Championships.

Energy & Trade: G7 leaders agreed to release 100 million barrels of oil, starting with “substantial” diesel, as fuel prices bite—while the U.S. also moves to restrict Canadian alcohol imports, leaving New Brunswick’s Campobello Island scrambling after a truck was turned back. Pipelines & Industry: Prime Minister Mark Carney is pushing the Pacific Link oil pipeline as a national interest project to cut dependence on the U.S., and LNG Canada says its $33B Kitimat expansion will still rely on Chinese steel for specialized fabrication. Economy & Cost of Living: Ontario and four other provinces raised general minimum wages on Oct. 1, and a new federal Productivity Mega Deduction is being promoted as a way to spur business investment. AI & Cybersecurity: Researchers report AI agents tried to hack Canadian government sites, including Library and Archives Canada, using tactics like SQL injection. Indigenous & Reconciliation: Iran’s foreign ministry criticized Canada over Indigenous children taken from families, as Fort McKay Chief Raymond Powder urged Indigenous self-determination in shaping Canada’s energy future. Space: Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk is aboard ISS for Crew-13 after a record-fast U.S. launch-to-docking.

Energy & Industry: Prime Minister Mark Carney fast-tracked the West Coast “Pacific Link” oil pipeline as a project of national interest, aiming to cut U.S. dependence and boost exports as Alberta’s separatist vote nears. Trade & Diplomacy: Canada’s trade push with India is heating up, with talks on a CEPA deal and a target of $50B in bilateral trade by 2030. EU Relations: Ottawa and the EU are set to announce a sweeping partnership pact, including plans to link next-generation payment systems. Economy & Jobs: A new report says electrifying Canada’s economy could add 1.6M jobs and $3.1T GDP by 2050 if the grid and investment keep pace. Tech & Security: Researchers say AI agents tried to hack Library and Archives Canada to pull divorce records, with attempts failing. Space: Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk launched on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 to the International Space Station on the quickest U.S. express flight yet. Politics (Alberta): The Alberta NDP is holding a “Vote to Save Canada” rally in Medicine Hat ahead of the Oct. 19 referendum.

Child Care Policy: Parents and operators told an ACE national town hall they want a real say in the future of Canada’s child-care system, warning affordability and access vary wildly under CWELCC. Wealth & Banking: Canada Life launched IPC Wealth by amalgamating IPC and Quadrus, aiming to boost wealth-management tech and advisor support nationwide. Payments & Business Tech: BMO and Mastercard rolled out embedded commercial payments with virtual card management inside enterprise software across Canada and the U.S. Cybersecurity: Fortinet launched a free national campaign (P.A.U.S.E.) to help Canadians spot phishing, deepfakes and AI scams; meanwhile, a report says AI agents made failed attempts to probe Library and Archives Canada. Space: Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk launched to the ISS on SpaceX Crew-13 for a six-month mission. Energy & Industry: LNG Canada advanced Phase 2 expansion plans, while a Reuters report said Canadian manufacturing grew at the slowest pace in six months as tariffs and energy prices weighed on orders. Trade Tensions: The U.S. import ban on Canadian goods took effect, adding pressure to cross-border businesses.

Space & Science: NASA and SpaceX are targeting a 11:10 a.m. Thursday launch for Crew-13 to the ISS, with Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk flying for about six months. Brain Health Funding: CABHI (powered by Baycrest) is launching a new program to grow and commercialize Canadian brain health breakthroughs, adding to $243M+ in funding for innovators. Indigenous Reconciliation: Canada marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, highlighting residential school harms and ongoing searches for unmarked graves. Cybersecurity: AI agents attempted to hack a Canadian government website tied to Library and Archives Canada; officials say there’s no sign systems were compromised. Trade & Tariffs: The U.S. continues escalating its Canada trade dispute, including a new ban on Canadian alcohol and broader import restrictions. Energy & Jobs: LNG Canada says it’s moving ahead with Phase 2 to double capacity in Kitimat, B.C. Politics (Alberta): With the Oct. 19 separation referendum nearing, a poll finds most Albertans plan to vote to stay in Canada. Business/Travel: Air Canada is ending its Montreal–Algeria nonstop service, with Air Algérie taking over.

National Reconciliation Day: Canadians marked the sixth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, with Gov. Gen. Louise Arbour urging people to face an “unsettling” past to build a more just future, as survivors and families remember those who never made it home. Energy & trade: Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed LNG Canada’s Phase 2 go-ahead, a $33B expansion that would double capacity to 28 million tonnes annually and deepen ties with Asia; Fluor and JGC also landed $7.5B each for the work. U.S. trade pressure: The U.S. moved ahead with a ban on nearly $1B in Canadian imports, including booze, dairy and motorcycles, adding fuel to the broader tariff fight. Housing in the North: NGen backed the grand opening of Nunavut’s first modular housing factory in Arviat, aiming to tackle a major housing shortage with year-round Inuit-led production. Wildlife enforcement gap: A report says illegal wildlife keeps slipping into Canada, pointing to weak enforcement of rules banning imports of illegally taken animals. Aviation updates: Icelandair ends its KEF–Halifax route, while Air Canada adds new nonstop service to Tenerife starting Oct. 25.

U.S.-Canada Trade War: A new U.S. ban on nearly $1 billion in Canadian imports is now in full effect, hitting items like alcohol, dairy, molasses and certain motorcycles, with businesses warning the real pain may hit when shelves need restocking. Quebec Politics: Separatists are poised to return to power in Quebec’s Oct. 5 vote, with the Parti Québécois leading polls and promising an independence referendum. Energy & Jobs: LNG Canada’s Phase 2 expansion in Kitimat, B.C. has been approved, setting up major investment and construction work, while BC Greens criticize it as “nation-draining.” Economy Watch: Canada’s GDP stalled in July, adding pressure on policymakers as trade tensions and uncertainty weigh on growth. Public Safety & Oversight: The federal government appointed a permanent Correctional Investigator, David Paradiso, effective Oct. 13. Cyber Resilience: Ottawa and CSE convened a new advisory council to strengthen Canada’s cyber defence partnerships. Tech & Payments: Verto and Visa launched multi-currency corporate cards that can include Canadian dollars for African businesses.

U.S.-Canada Trade War: The U.S. has started a ban on nearly $1 billion in Canadian imports, including alcohol, dairy and motorcycles, adding pressure to already tense relations. Public Safety & Hate Crime: A hate-motivated synagogue shooting in Belleville, Ont., left an officer seriously injured, with Jewish groups calling for armed security at Jewish institutions. Energy Expansion: LNG Canada is moving ahead with Phase 2 expansion at its B.C. terminal, aiming to nearly double output and boost Canada’s LNG position. Business & Investment: AutoCanada has launched a strategic review of its collision repair operations, while Nexus Industrial REIT completed a $300M debenture offering. Healthcare Innovation: Manulife Canada is partnering with Sword to offer AI-enabled physiotherapy for eligible members on disability leave. Immigration Policy: Canada extended Ebola-related temporary border measures for 60 days, keeping processing suspended for residents of the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan. Sports: Thomas Müller signed an extension with the Vancouver Whitecaps through MLS’s 2027 sprint season.

US-Canada Trade Clash: Trump’s sweeping import bans on Canadian alcohol, dairy ingredients and some motorcycles kick in at midnight Sept. 29 unless a last-minute deal is reached, as Washington and Ottawa trade blame and talk of “fair” terms. Skilled Trades Push: Georgian College is set to benefit from $880M in federal funding for paid pre-apprenticeship placements, aiming to speed young people into skilled trades. Manitoba Politics & Cost of Living: Manitoba MLAs return Tuesday with affordability front and centre after PC leader Obby Khan quit, leaving the house split between 19 PCs and 34 NDPs. Trans Rights Inquiry Demand: Advocates in Ottawa are urging a federal inquiry into Alberta and Saskatchewan school rules requiring parental consent for under-16 name/pronoun changes, plus other restrictions they say harm mental health. Air Travel Disruption: Air Canada cancels its Toronto–Dubai route until end of March 2027 amid ongoing Middle East instability. Right to Know Week: Saskatoon marks Sept. 28–Oct. 4 with reminders of residents’ access-to-information rights under municipal freedom-of-information rules. Climate Policy Linkage: Washington finalizes rules to link its cap-and-trade market with California and Québec, setting up a major cross-border carbon system.

Canada-EU Talks: Mark Carney is floating the idea of Canada becoming an “associate member” of the EU as Ottawa looks for options amid U.S. trade pressure, though the EU has no clear template for non-European associate status. AI Safety Debate: Canadian AI pioneer Yoshua Bengio and Geoffrey Hinton warn governments to prepare for an “intelligence explosion,” urging pauses and licensing for advanced AI systems. Travel & Trade: WestJet is cutting three 2027 Europe routes from Canada—Toronto-Glasgow, Halifax-Copenhagen, and Toronto-Madrid—citing high jet fuel costs and route performance. Sports Broadcasting: CBC’s “Hockey Night in Canada” is returning with PWHL games, starting Dec. 5, replacing NHL coverage after the Rogers sublicensing deal ended. Immigration Policy: Canada will issue temporary study permit options for eligible foreign workers, allowing short courses up to six months without a separate study permit until Dec. 31, 2027. Public Safety & Rights: Indigenous leaders are calling for action to end deaths of Indigenous people in custody as an inquest begins into the death of Kendal Campeau in federal custody. Cost of Living Support: The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit is set to pay out Oct. 5 for eligible Canadians.

Canada-U.S. Trade Tensions: New U.S. import bans on Canadian alcohol, dairy (including whey) and certain large-engine motorcycles take effect Tuesday, adding pressure as Ottawa keeps retaliating and talks remain tense. Energy & Cost of Living: Pierre Poilievre calls diesel a “vital fuel” and wants Ottawa to remove federal taxes on it to narrow the Canada-U.S. price gap within five years. Competition Watch: The Competition Bureau is set to dig into grocery pricing, including algorithmic pricing and shrinkflation/skimpflation. Business & Industry: Morguard launches a $145M fund for energy-efficiency retrofits targeting 30% emission cuts; Stellantis faces a Unifor standoff over the Brampton plant’s future. Foreign Policy: Canada warns Arctic threats have “shifted significantly” since Russia’s Ukraine invasion, while also stressing continued Canada-U.S. cooperation. International Diplomacy: Canada and India signal a push to “take ties to a higher level” ahead of CEPA talks. Culture & Community: Big Brother Canada 2027 heads to Montreal as casting opens, and a Toronto-Irish pub plans a new Vancouver location.

Canada’s UN message: Foreign Minister Anita Anand told the UN General Assembly the global order is facing “rupture, not transition,” with Ottawa pushing “strategic autonomy” and new issue-based coalitions. Quebec politics: A look at Quebec’s lesser-known parties shows many ideas but far fewer resources than the big five as the election campaign heats up. Health policy: Health Minister Marjorie Michel and Sport Secretary of State Adam van Koeverden marked Concussion Awareness Week, citing 117,500 Canadian concussion diagnoses in emergency departments (ages 5+). Trade pressure: A new report says Canada-U.S. tariff fighting is hitting protein—Canada’s whey tariffs and U.S. bans are squeezing consumers and producers. International ties: Canada and Vietnam opened the door to nonstop passenger flights, with up to 14 weekly services allowed each way. Sports: Canada beat Chile 1-0 in a men’s friendly in Toronto as Jonathan David scored early. Travel advisory: Global Affairs Canada issued an “avoid non-essential travel” warning for parts of Mexico’s Baja California Sur due to Hurricane Polo. Business & housing: Nova Scotia is now Canada’s priciest rental market by asking rents, with tenant protections criticized as too weak.

UN Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Anita Anand told the UN General Assembly that the world is facing “a rupture, not a transition,” pushing Canada toward “strategic autonomy” as major powers retreat from economic cooperation. Canada-India Ties: Anand met India’s EAM S. Jaishankar on UN sidelines as both countries move to take their relationship “to a higher level,” with trade, energy, tech and security on the agenda. Healthcare Immigration: Canada opened two new permanent residency pathways for foreign-trained medical doctors and created a dedicated Express Entry category plus 5,000 PNP spaces, with faster work-permit processing. Quebec Election Claims: Coalition Avenir Québec leader Christine Fréchette renewed allegations of possible U.S. interference ahead of Oct. 5 advance polls, while rivals dismissed the claims. Trade & Economy: A tariff cut on U.S.-made vehicles backfired, with U.S.-assembled car purchases down 14% as buyers shifted to Asia and Europe; meanwhile the OECD downgraded Canada’s growth outlook. Public Safety: A helicopter crash southeast of Montreal killed four people; the Transportation Safety Board is investigating. Sports: Canada beat nine-man Chile 1-0 in a men’s friendly as Jonathan David scored; at the Presidents Cup, the International team held a 10½–7½ lead after Saturday foursomes.

U.S.-Canada Trade Fallout: Trump’s order banning Canadian imports like whiskey and other goods starting Sept. 29 is expected to hit New Jersey retailers and ripple into higher prices and fewer Canadian brands. Canada-EU Push: Carney and EU leaders outline an “Alliance for the Future,” with talk of an associate membership model and deeper cooperation on critical minerals, defence, digital trade and energy. Security & Diplomacy: Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand will speak at the UN General Assembly on Ukraine, the Middle East and Arctic sovereignty, echoing Carney’s “middle powers” approach. Immigration Rules: Canada published updated open work-permit eligibility for international students’ spouses, plus fee exemptions for study permits for three vulnerable groups. Public Safety: MADD Canada unveiled a new roadside memorial sign in Warman, Sask., for Sophie Schnurr, killed in an impaired-driving crash. Alberta Referendum: Ipsos polling suggests most Canadians want Alberta to stay in Canada as Oct. 19 voting nears. Business & Investment: Canada’s Investment Summit drew nearly $500B in commitments, spotlighting energy, critical minerals, tech and infrastructure.

Canada–U.S. trade fight: Ottawa is renaming “Trump Avenue” in the capital, voting unanimously to remove the U.S. president’s name from a neighbourhood as tariffs and stalled talks keep straining relations. Aviation & aerospace: StatsCan says transborder air traffic to the U.S. “started to take off” in August, while SIIT in Saskatoon opened a new aviation learning centre with Boeing funding and Stephenville International Airport is set to reopen. Defence procurement: Canada signed a nonbinding term sheet with Saab for GlobalEye talks, and Bombardier says it’s in advanced discussions to build the surveillance aircraft in Canada. Economy & jobs: Mitacs will fund 10,000 AI-related work placements for young Canadians, and Canpotex is investing $500M at the Port of Vancouver to boost potash exports. Politics & culture: A Canadian Jewish group criticized the government for equating anti-Zionism with antisemitism. International ties: Vietnam’s top leader To Lam urged the Vietnamese community in Canada to contribute to national development as ties are upgraded to a Strategic Partnership.

Canada–US tensions: Prime Minister Mark Carney says Ottawa examined the “extreme tail risk” of a U.S. military attack, while U.S. trade chief Jamieson Greer says Washington feels “no urgency” to strike a deal. Foreign policy & diplomacy: Canada authorized Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s plane to fly through Canadian airspace for the UN General Assembly despite an ICC arrest warrant. Public safety: Police in Belleville, Ont., say a synagogue shooting was a deliberate anti-Jewish attack; one officer was injured and the suspect died. Housing & homelessness: Nova Scotia is cutting funding to a New Glasgow emergency shelter, with operators warning it could endanger hundreds of people. Business & jobs: Walmart workers in Mississauga win a two-year contract after unionization, a rare win that could reshape organizing elsewhere. Tech & AI: Dextr AI raises a $6.7M seed round to expand its hospitality AI agents; FreshBooks adds Anthropic’s MCP connector for small-business AI admin. Economy & immigration: Canada’s citizenship fees include cheaper tiers for minors and some stateless adults; BC issued 714 invitations in its Innovate High Economic Impact PNP draw. Local growth: Multiple Canadian firms land on The Globe and Mail’s Top Growing Companies list, including SafetyCo, PomeGran, PointClickCare, KITS and Propel.