AGP Executive Report

Canada-U.S. Tariffs Talks: Canada and the U.S. are edging toward a deal to avert Trump’s planned 50% tariffs, with negotiators discussing possible Canadian concessions tied to energy, defense and critical minerals, while the U.S. would shelve Section 338 tariffs and ease steel and aluminum levies; still, officials say the sides are “far apart” and nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. Diplomacy Under Pressure: Iran’s foreign ministry is lashing out at Canada for joining the U.S.-led war on Iran, accusing Ottawa of acting like Washington’s “farm team” amid tariff threats and military integration. Petition to Expel U.S. Envoy: A Canadian parliamentary petition to declare U.S. ambassador Pete Hoekstra persona non grata has topped 200,000 verified signatures, sponsored by Elizabeth May, citing “51st state” annexation rhetoric. Immigration Scrutiny: CBSA flagged 12 international students in Calgary after a protest as “possibly inadmissible,” with some referred for status checks. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Ottawa awarded a $768.6M contract for a new science campus in Ottawa to strengthen health, food safety and border security. Sports: Canada’s women won flag football’s world title over the U.S., while Canada’s men also qualified for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Canada-U.S. Trade Pressure: Manitoba Pork leaders met Iowa officials at the Iowa State Fair as Ottawa races to reach an off-ramp before a looming tariff deadline, with pigs and pork at the centre of the stakes. Energy Deal Watch: Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador are set to make an “energy and economic development” announcement Monday in St. John’s after reports of progress on a Churchill Falls sharing deal. Fuel Cost Politics: Pierre Poilievre is urging PM Mark Carney to keep the federal fuel excise tax pause extended until at least Canada Day 2027. Labour Rights: The Canadian Labour Congress wants Ottawa to repeal Section 107, arguing federal power to intervene in legal strikes undermines free collective bargaining. Foreign Worker Protections: Saskatchewan’s first conviction under the Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act saw a Moose Jaw employer fined and ordered to pay restitution after charging a foreign worker to keep his job. Sports—Canada Qualifies: Canada’s men’s flag football team beat Mexico to clinch an Olympic berth for LA 2028. International Spotlight: A Canadian pipe band, Simon Fraser University, won the World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland for the first time in 16 years.

Canada-U.S. Tariffs: Ottawa and Washington are racing toward a deal to avert Trump’s planned 50% tariffs on $20B of Canadian goods starting Aug. 19, with talks described as “going quite well” and both sides pushing for an agreement before the deadline. Auto Sector Pressure: Brampton mayor Patrick Brown says “no deal is better than a bad deal” unless autos are included, as Stellantis discussions with Unifor raise fresh uncertainty for the Brampton plant. Diplomatic Fallout: A Canadian petition to expel U.S. ambassador Pete Hoekstra has topped 170,000 signatures, calling for him to be declared persona non grata over alleged interference. Public Safety Policy: Ontario will require people granted bail to pay full cash security deposits within two business days starting Aug. 17. Housing Signal: Saskatchewan leads Canada in building permit value growth, up 101.6% month over month in June. Wildfire Relief: B.C. continues supporting evacuees from the Bald Range fire, with 1,500+ hotel rooms available and ESS renewals required after a week. Sports: Summer McIntosh takes silver in the 200m individual medley at Pan Pacs, finishing 0.02 seconds behind gold.

Canada-U.S. Tariffs: U.S. Trade Rep Jamieson Greer says talks with Canada are “constructive,” but Canada must lift retaliatory measures to avoid new tariffs starting Aug. 19—while B.C. Premier David Eby says there’s “not a chance in hell” his province will drop its U.S. alcohol ban. Tax Reform: A key Carney budget adviser says Ottawa will tackle long-awaited tax code reform “one bite at a time,” with small-business changes a priority. Immigration Prep: IRCC lays out steps skilled workers must complete before applying for permanent residence via Express Entry, including credential checks and language testing. National Acadian Day: Ministers Marc Miller and Mark Carney mark the day, pointing to funding for heritage and French-language community support. Public Safety & Justice: An Indian student in Newfoundland convicted of theft and fraud is asking for a discharge to avoid deportation. Trade & Industry Pressure: Canadian honey producers brace for possible U.S. tariffs as harvest begins, and Finland’s first African swine fever case underscores Canada’s biosecurity vigilance. Sports & Culture: Yuk Yuk’s True North Comedy Festival lands in Sudbury in October; at the track, Markham IndyCar sessions resume after a Friday cancellation. Human Stories: Canadian aid workers describe the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history from the ground in Congo.

Canada–Iran Tensions: Canada announced sanctions on five Iranian officials tied to Strait of Hormuz navigation restrictions, saying freedom of navigation is vital for global trade and energy security. U.S. Trade Pressure: A U.S. court upheld Trump’s move to end the $800 de minimis duty exemption, a ruling that could reshape cross-border shipping costs and Canada–U.S. trade dynamics. B.C. Politics: Peter Milobar quit the B.C. Conservative caucus to sit as an Independent, citing values misaligned with the party’s new direction. Energy Affordability: Alberta says about 1.2M of 3.4M eligible Albertans have signed up for its $100 energy rebate, with privacy and portal complexity concerns blamed for slower uptake. Labour Disruption: Unifor says Stellantis is considering closure or sale of its Brampton, Ont., plant, blaming U.S. tariffs. Public Safety: Canada issued a “do not travel” warning for Hawaii as Tropical Storm Lala threatens. Sports & Culture: Hockey Night in Canada’s Punjabi broadcast ends after 18 years, while Canada’s volleyball teams face the U.S. in San Diego and Irvine.

Wildfire Smoke Health: A UN-linked report says Ontario wildfire smoke left more than 19 million people in Canada and the U.S. exposed to “hazardous” air at its peak in mid-July, with tens of millions more facing unhealthy conditions. Air Travel: Air Canada adds short-term Airbus A321XLR service on the Montréal–Lyon route next spring, but only for about a month—so plan around the limited dates. AI for Business: KPMG Canada and OpenAI are teaming up to help Canadian organizations move past AI experiments into real, enterprise-wide workflows. Space & Defence: Telesat says it’s pushing a $7B Starlink rival with a major federal deal, expanding its satellite constellation for early-2028 commercial service. Trade Pressure: Canada-U.S. talks keep heating up as tariffs loom, with Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc set to brief provincial counterparts and the PM’s advisory committee. Food Safety: CFIA recalls certain Whole Foods guacamoles, salsas and prepared foods in Ontario over possible salmonella linked to contaminated jalapenos. Labour Watch: Delta Amazon workers rally over sealed ballots in a union decertification fight. Language Programs: Canada’s official languages sector reports a 13% drop in student numbers, blaming unpredictable visa policy.

Canada-U.S. Tariffs: Ottawa is scrambling in Washington to reach an interim trade deal before Aug. 19, when 50% tariffs on a wide range of Canadian goods are set to kick in—potentially hitting about $20B in exports, with negotiators meeting again as provinces warn the fallout could be severe. Foreign Influence & Immigration: Canada’s CBSA flagged 12 international students in Calgary after officers visited a protest site, while Ontario moves to deny social assistance to people without legal immigration status. B.C. Politics & Health: Finance Minister Brenda Bailey says she has early-stage, treatable cancer and expects to return for the fall session. Housing in B.C.: The B.C. housing minister says the ongoing operation of a single-tenant Granville SRO “not ideal,” after questions about $101,000 in July costs. Trade Evasion Claims: A new White House report accuses Canada and other countries of helping China “transship” goods to dodge U.S. tariffs. Business & Markets: RBC and BMO agreed to sell Moneris for about $2B, and Canada’s uranium sector gets a boost as a $2.2B project begins construction in northern Saskatchewan.

Canada–U.S. Tariffs: Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and chief negotiator Janice Charette meet U.S. Trade Rep Jamieson Greer again in Washington as a new round of 50% tariffs looms Aug. 19, with Ottawa pushing for relief and the U.S. demanding concessions. Diplomacy Backlash: More than 110,000 Canadians have signed a petition calling for the removal of U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra, accusing him of normalizing Trump’s threats toward Canada. Defence Policy: Canada’s defence minister orders a review of a 2025 directive on which languages are used inside military workplaces. Immigration Enforcement: A Canadian fugitive wanted since 1991 for sexual assault has been arrested by ICE in California after 30 years on the run. Consumer Safety: Costco Canada recalls Greek Gods’ Honey Yogurt and Organic Yogurt Plain over potential mould. Infrastructure & Travel: The Gordie Howe International Bridge opens, adding a major new Canada–U.S. crossing. Culture & Identity: Miss Universe Canada contestants apologize after Indigenous-inspired costume criticism. Sports Media: CBC expands curling coverage with new broadcast deals for Grand Slam of Curling and Rock League.

Immigration Crackdown at Protest: Canada’s CBSA “raided” a Calgary demonstration by more than 1,000 international graduates from Punjab, checking immigration documents as they push back against PGWP rejections they say were based on earlier guidance. Hockey Canada Discipline: Hockey Canada extended suspensions for three of the five players acquitted in the 2018 world junior sexual assault case—McLeod until 2030, Dube until 2028, and Hart until 2027—while Cal Foote’s ends this November and Alex Formenton is reinstated. Wildfire “New Normal”: B.C. Premier David Eby says the Bald Range wildfire’s speed may be a “new normal,” after it forced 20,000+ evacuations, destroyed homes, and killed an 80-year-old woman. U.S. Ambassador Pressure: A petition backed by tens of thousands calls for removing U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra as persona non grata, alleging diplomatic interference. Trade & Tariffs Watch: Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew reiterated “no CUSMA, no booze-ma” while Canada braces for the next tariff round. Finance Strain Signals: Insolvencies rose more than 11% in June, with consumer filings driving the increase.

Canada–Philippines defense ties: Canada’s defence pact with New Zealand and a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement with Canada cleared the Philippines Senate, setting rules for joint training, intelligence sharing and disaster response. Trade pressure: With a U.S. tariff deadline looming Aug. 19, a CFIB survey says many Canadian exporters could lose big revenue, and Ottawa and Washington are reportedly drafting a deal to head off the 50% tariffs. Wildfire fallout: Western Canada’s smoke is pushing some communities into “very unhealthy” air, with Nelson topping pollution rankings as Environment Canada issues severe weather and wildfire-related warnings. Immigration updates: IRCC rolled out temporary measures for foreign workers, students and visitors whose status was disrupted by disasters, extending restoration time and easing re-entry steps. Cannabis & health research: Ottawa announced $24M for a Canadian Cannabis and Brain Health Consortium, while Organigram reported record quarterly revenues after buying a German medical cannabis firm. Public safety tech: Ontario’s procurement minister is urging a federal “all-out ban” on AI deepfakes and impersonations after major scam losses. Sports & culture: TIFF returns to Toronto with 293 titles, and a Montreal youth flag football team won an international championship in Canada.

Trade & Diplomacy: Canada is pushing to conclude an ASEAN free trade deal this year, with Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand saying Ottawa wants deeper Southeast Asia ties and more market access for Canadian business. Public Safety & Health: Manitoba opened its first Indigenous-led supervised drug-use site in Winnipeg after delays, aiming to reduce harm by offering medically supervised injection and inhalation. Housing Cost Shock: In Vancouver, B.C. is reported to have spent about $101,000 in one month to house a single tenant in an SRO, renewing scrutiny of provincial homelessness and housing spending. Policing & Racism: Montreal residents are calling for an independent investigation into racism allegations involving officers, after a patrol unit was dismantled and suspensions followed. Wildfire Aftermath: Summerland evacuees say they’re hunting for reliable updates as officials warn about misinformation, with online videos filling gaps. Aviation Finance: Air Canada is selling a 25% stake in Aeroplan for $2.5B to Blackstone and Canadian pension funds to help pay down debt and fund share buybacks. Energy & Geopolitics: Pakistan says it’s close to an arrangement over the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions continue around shipping and Iran’s blockade.

Indo-Pacific Defence Ties: Canada’s first Status of Visiting Forces Agreement in the region clears a key step in the Philippines, setting a legal framework for training and exercises. Wildfire Relief & EI: If evacuations stop you from working, Employment Insurance may still be available even without a record of employment. Trade Pressure: Canada’s trade team is in Washington again to push for a U.S. deal before Aug. 19 tariff deadlines, aiming to avoid new costs. Jobs Snapshot: Statistics Canada reports July employment jumped by 75,100 and the jobless rate fell to 6.4%, beating expectations. Food Safety Oversight: A Mexico-linked cyclosporiasis outbreak farm reportedly went years without FDA inspection, highlighting gaps in foreign food checks. Infrastructure for Communities: Ottawa is investing up to $3.8M in upgrades to the William Street Sanitary Pumping Station to support wastewater capacity and growth. Health & Climate: Quebec City gets $354,500 to strengthen preparedness for extreme heat impacts on health. Border Traffic: The Gordie Howe bridge saw about 18,900 Canadian return trips in its first five days. Safety Crackdown: Alberta removed 20 unsafe trucking companies from its roads as part of tougher enforcement. Indigo Alert Push: Saskatchewan groups rally to expand Indigo Alert after the death of an autistic Calgary boy.

Wildfire Emergency in B.C.: British Columbia declared a province-wide state of emergency as the fast-moving Bald Range fire forced more than 20,000 people to evacuate, with officials warning losses could be “devastating” and RCMP launching a criminal probe into the blaze’s cause. Federal Defence Standby: Defence Minister David McGuinty says Canada’s military is on standby while Ottawa works with B.C. on accommodation and wildfire support. Deep-Sea Mining Rules Delayed: The UN-linked International Seabed Authority extended a disputed exploration contract tied to a Canadian firm but again failed to finalize commercial mining rules. Canada Sanctions Streit Group: Ottawa imposed sanctions on the Canadian-owned armoured vehicle maker Streit Group over alleged Russian National Guard use. Payments Deal: RBC and BMO agreed to sell Moneris to Francisco Partners for about $2B, aiming to speed modernization. Jollibee Expansion: Jollibee is set to nearly double its Canadian footprint, adding franchise commitments that could bring its network to 54 stores in five years. Air Travel Disruption: Air Canada resumed China flights after Typhoon Dolphin disruptions.

Steel Support: Ottawa is launching a $100M rebate to cut the cost of shipping Canadian steel between provinces and territories by rail or marine—paying 50% of eligible freight for up to a year as U.S. tariff pressure looms. Wildfire Reality Check: Wildfires are still raging across western Canada and the U.S., with evacuations and worsening smoke risks tied to hotter, drier conditions. Trade Talks: Canada-U.S. negotiations are reportedly shifting toward possible concessions, including tweaks around dairy quota rules, as both sides look for a workable path. Immigration Focus: IRCC has published seven Express Entry target profession categories for 2026, spanning healthcare, trades, STEM, educators, transport, and French-language skills. Security Alert: Global Affairs Canada issued a warning about North Korean IT workers using false identities and targeting companies through data theft and crypto scams. Business & Tech: LoanOrigination.ca unveiled a multi-tenant loan management platform for Canadian community lenders and Indigenous financial institutions. Sports & Culture: Ottawa Rapid named Carmelina Moscato as head coach; Rayssa Leal won the Rio leg of the International Street Skateboarding League. Quick Hits: Porter Airlines cancelled a Toronto-bound flight after a child wouldn’t fasten a seatbelt; Jollibee secured franchise commitments for 26 new Canadian restaurants over five years.

Wildfire Emergency in B.C.: British Columbia says the Bald Range blaze is still not under control, though it’s slowing near Okanagan Lake. More than 20,000 people have been forced to flee, with thousands of homes threatened around Summerland and Peachland; officials are still investigating the cause and a possible fatality. The federal government has approved help for shelter and accommodation, while crews face hot, dry weather and thick smoke, with international support arriving from Mexico, Australia and New Zealand. Travel Disruptions: Wildfire smoke is also hitting flights, including cancellations and delays at Kelowna International Airport. Airline Incident: Porter Airlines cancelled a Canada flight after a child refused to sit and buckle up, forcing a return to the terminal and pushing the departure past runway closure. Canada-Global Links: Canada and Nigeria expanded their air deal for direct flights, with up to 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly cargo slots. Politics & Trade: A fresh debate is swirling around whether Trump has turned USMCA into a “zombie agreement,” as tariff threats and legal fights loom. Public Safety Data: StatsCan reports Canada’s murder rate fell to its lowest in 40 years, driven by a sharp drop in lethal violence in the Greater Toronto Area.

Wildfire Emergency in B.C.: Canada is sending federal help to British Columbia after the Bald Range wildfire triggered evacuations of more than 20,000 people, with the fire growing past 10,300 hectares and officials warning conditions are dangerous and fast-changing. Trade Tensions with the U.S.: Ottawa is scrambling as a new 50% tariff on some Canadian goods is set for Aug. 19, with concerns about knock-on costs for agri-food, including dairy and whisky. Access to Information Fight: Lawyers and rights groups are alarmed by proposed changes to Canada’s Access to Information Act that could restrict access to certain “ephemeral” records like emails. National Peacekeepers’ Day: Veterans Affairs, National Defence, Foreign Affairs and Public Safety ministers marked the day with a statement honouring Canadian peacekeepers. Saskatchewan Exports: Merchandise exports in Saskatchewan rose 11.6% in the first half of 2026, reaching $24.4B. Ontario Gas Tax Pressure: Doug Ford urges Prime Minister Mark Carney to make the federal gas excise tax pause permanent or extend it beyond Labour Day. International Engagement: Vermont and New England leaders are meeting Canadian counterparts to discuss relations amid tariff uncertainty. Inuit Travel Rights: Inuit leaders renewed calls for barrier-free travel across the Arctic, saying border rules can treat them like criminals. Sports Spotlight: Canada won the Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold over the U.S., led by Landon DuPont’s big performance.