AGP Executive Report

Data Centre Power Demand: New Brunswick is weighing 10 proposed data-centre projects that could require up to 900 megawatts, while residents say key details are being withheld and the province lacks clear safeguards. Alberta Energy Politics: Voters are deciding whether to begin a process toward a binding independence referendum; separatist grievances include federal energy and climate policies, putting the province’s resource future in the spotlight. Fire and Wind: A fast-moving grass fire at CFB Wainwright killed four service members and injured 39 after winds shifted suddenly. Clean Energy: Ottawa pledged $100 million for Nova Scotia offshore wind, while Fort Simpson, N.W.T., is set to get a new power plant that will largely end its reliance on diesel. Urban Nature: Winnipeg tree-protection advocates are urging candidates to make privately owned trees an election issue.

Climate Policy: A new tracker says Canada is backsliding on climate action, while Ottawa explores international carbon-credit trading to attract emissions-reduction investment. Indigenous Youth: At a national climate gathering, Indigenous youth raised concerns that federal and Ontario bills could weaken protections for lands and waters. Coal’s Return: Alberta’s Grassy Mountain is again at the centre of a fight over reopening a former coal mine, with downstream water impacts a key concern. Cleaner Power: Fort Simpson, N.W.T., is set to get a new power plant designed to move the community mostly off diesel. Plastic Rules: The Supreme Court of Canada will hear an appeal challenging the federal single-use plastics ban.

Municipal Green Shift: Vancouver voters elected Green mayor Pete Fry, while Winnipeg tree advocates are urging candidates to back protection for private-property trees and the city’s urban canopy. Wildfire Readiness: De Havilland is calling for a national water-bomber fleet as global demand surges. In Alberta, a downed power line sparked a fire near Hilda amid damaging winds, nine years after a devastating blaze there. Energy and Climate: Nova Scotia residents are opposing a proposed AI data centre, even as its developer touts new wind power to supply it. Newfoundland and Labrador is weighing an equity stake in the Bay du Nord oil project, with a decision expected by year-end. Conservation and Accountability: Ottawa is advancing protection for northern Ontario forests and peatlands, while a federal court has rejected the government’s bid to block a youth climate case that is heading to trial.

Severe Winds: Environment Canada warned of gusts up to 100 km/h across parts of Alberta, with dust storms, difficult driving and power outages reported. Data-Centre Debate: Nova Scotians protested a proposed $10-billion campus at Point Tupper, warning that its planned 420-megawatt capacity could strain power and water supplies as some local wells already dry up in summer. Wildlife at Risk: Alberta has removed habitat protections for endangered greater sage grouse to support industrial development. Climate in Court: A federal court has rejected Ottawa’s bid to block a youth climate lawsuit, clearing the way for the case to go to trial. Conservation: Ottawa says it will advance nature protection and climate action at upcoming UN conferences, while federal, provincial and territorial environment ministers met to strengthen cooperation on wildlife and biodiversity. Alberta’s Vote: Voters on Monday will decide whether to start the legal process toward a future separation referendum—not whether to leave Canada—with oil and federal climate policies central to the dispute.

Conservation: Federal environment ministers met to strengthen coordination on wildlife and biodiversity, as Ottawa prepares to advance nature conservation and climate action at upcoming U.N. conferences. At-Risk Species: Alberta has removed habitat protections for endangered greater sage grouse to support industrial development. Plastics: The Supreme Court of Canada will hear an appeal challenging the federal ban on single-use plastics. Climate and Energy: A new tracker finds Canada is backsliding on climate action, while Ottawa is committing $100 million to Nova Scotia offshore wind projects. Water: Parts of B.C.’s Nicola River are running dry, worrying residents about what lies ahead.

Clean Energy: Nova Scotia is at the centre of two major announcements: Ottawa pledged $100 million for offshore wind, while EverWind announced a proposed $10-billion data-centre campus and renewable-energy portfolio. Local Energy: In Ontario’s Burk’s Falls area, some mayoral candidates vow to keep fighting a proposed battery-storage project over safety, environmental and consultation concerns. Project Approvals: First Nations leaders are rejecting Bill C-39, warning its fast-tracked timelines for major projects could sideline Treaty rights and meaningful consultation. Wildlife: Alberta has removed habitat protections for endangered greater sage grouse to support industrial development. Plastics: The Supreme Court of Canada will hear an appeal of the federal single-use plastics ban. Climate Readiness: A new assessment identifies flooding and extreme heat as leading climate risks for Humboldt, Sask.

Land Conservation: More than 1,100 acres in Quebec’s Laurentians are now protected, including wetland habitat for an endangered orchid and a new trail in Lachute. Offshore Wind: Ottawa is putting $100 million toward Nova Scotia offshore wind projects, backing clean-energy development on the Atlantic coast. Climate Accountability: A federal court rejected the government’s bid to block a youth climate case, while a new tracker says Canada is falling behind on climate action. Nature Protections: Conservation groups warn that endangered species face long delays in receiving protection as Ottawa weighs faster approvals for major projects. Mining Risks: A new analysis warns that climate change could increase the risk of toxic mine waste reaching coastal waters, threatening marine ecosystems and communities. Plastics Rules: The Supreme Court of Canada will hear a challenge to the federal single-use plastics ban, putting a key pollution measure under review.

Data-Centre Watch: Ottawa is considering a $1.5-billion to $1.8-billion facility for Canada’s cyber agency. Federal guidelines call for data centres to limit water use and environmental harm and avoid raising electricity costs for Canadians. Offshore Wind: Ottawa is putting $100 million toward Nova Scotia’s proposed Wind West project, including studies of wind conditions, the seabed and potential power links to Quebec and Ontario. Plastics Law: The Supreme Court of Canada will hear Ottawa’s appeal over the federal single-use plastics ban, putting the government’s authority to regulate the items back in question. Climate on the Campaign Trail: B.C.’s only televised election debate included no questions on climate or the environment, despite the province facing major environmental choices. Indigenous Rights: Protesters in North Bay say Bill C-39 could speed major projects while weakening environmental safeguards and Indigenous and treaty rights. Federal Compliance: CFB Kingston failed to test air conditioners for refrigerant leaks; documents cite more than 100 kilograms of halocarbon releases in two years.

Clean Energy: Ottawa is set to commit $100 million to help develop Nova Scotia offshore wind, including funding for buoys to measure wind and ocean conditions ahead of future project bids. Climate Justice: A federal court has cleared the way for a youth climate case against the Carney government to go to trial, despite Ottawa’s effort to block it. Public Land: The Supreme Court of Canada is hearing a challenge to Ontario legislation that clears the way for Ontario Place redevelopment and exempts the project from some environmental and heritage rules. Arctic Research: Scientists warn wildlife monitoring is in retreat after federal research at an Arctic migratory bird sanctuary was shut down in 2024; eider numbers have since fallen sharply. Mining and Indigenous Rights: Briefing notes show Ottawa urged Ecuador to speed permits for Canadian mining projects as Indigenous protesters faced government crackdowns. Emissions: A recent report says Canada’s emissions rose in 2025 as clean electrification lagged.

Climate Litigation: A federal court rejected the Carney government’s bid to block a youth climate case, clearing the way for the landmark lawsuit to go to trial as Canada faces scrutiny over missed emissions targets. Data Centre Pressure: A proposed Moose Jaw AI data centre has been withdrawn amid power-supply uncertainty and new rules requiring developers to secure their own electricity; Carry the Kettle First Nation is also asking governments to pause a data-centre project. Forest Protection: More than 81,000 hectares of northern Ontario taiga forest and peatlands are set to be conserved, an area larger than Toronto. Clean Energy: Canada’s clean-power push faces grid constraints, while a new map points to 110 clean-energy projects as alternatives to pipeline-focused nation-building.

Climate-Ready Work: A University of Victoria study finds financial pressure can keep Canadian delivery riders working in dangerous rain and snow, leaving workers with little protection to bear growing weather risks. Clean Energy: Nova Scotia is putting $100,000 toward replacing an oil-fired boiler with a heat pump at North Preston Day Care Centre, with other efficiency upgrades under consideration. Nature Protection: Ottawa is supporting conservation of northern Ontario taiga forests and peatlands across an area larger than Toronto. Data Centre Pressure: B.C. Premier David Eby promises tough rules for data centres and watershed protection, as municipalities push Ottawa for housing and infrastructure funding and Saskatchewan residents voice concern about large facilities. Climate Policy: A recent report says Canada’s emissions rose in 2025 as clean electrification lagged; meanwhile, Ottawa’s fast-tracked West Coast oil pipeline plans face opposition from Washington state’s governor.

Watershed Protection: B.C. NDP Leader David Eby says the province will bring AI data centres under the Water Sustainability Act and maintain watershed funding, promising some of North America’s toughest rules. Flood Prevention: Warman, Sask., will receive $3.5 million from federal, provincial and municipal governments for drainage upgrades in flood-prone areas. Forest Conservation: Ottawa is backing protection of northern Ontario taiga forest and peatlands across an area 1.3 times the size of Toronto. Extreme Rain: A storm could dump up to 60 millimetres across parts of Ontario and Quebec, with a rainfall warning issued for Montreal. Oilsands Wastewater: An expansion of oilsands production could worsen the industry’s wastewater problem, raising questions about how growth plans will address environmental risks. Climate Progress: Canada’s emissions rose in 2025 as clean electrification lagged, while the federal government has announced $2 billion in home-retrofit support to cut energy costs and emissions.

Oil Sands Wastewater: Ottawa’s push to expand oil production is sharpening the need to address toxic tailings ponds, which grew by 50 per cent from 2014 to 2024. The ponds already hold an enormous volume of mining wastewater, and more production could deepen the challenge. Fisheries Rules: A proposed federal red-tape bill would amend the Fisheries Act, including allowing fish to be moved during routine repairs to fishways. The government says protections will remain; the changes warrant close scrutiny. Nature Protection: Ottawa is proposing to list several aquatic species under the Species at Risk Act, as concerns grow over gaps in Canada’s wildlife protections. Home Retrofits: Carney’s $2-billion plan aims to retrofit one million homes, cutting household energy costs and emissions.

Data-Centre Debate: A new poll finds 64% of Canadians want limits on large data centres, rising to 70% in Saskatchewan; water use and pressure on electricity supplies are leading concerns. Wildlife at Risk: Experts warn invasive lizards are spreading on Vancouver Island, while a report says a loophole in Canada’s species-at-risk law can leave wildlife unprotected. Fossil-Fuel Expansion: Ottawa has listed a west coast pipeline as being in the national interest, prompting a First Nation to take the federal government to court over the fast-track decision. Emissions and Wildfires: Canada’s emissions rose in 2025 as clean electrification lagged, while a study warns climate-driven wildfires could cost future generations trillions. Home Energy: The federal government has announced a $2-billion program to retrofit one million homes and says heat-pump rebates are coming early next year.

Wildlife at Risk: A study found 153 of 288 species assessed as at risk were still awaiting federal listing decisions past recommended timelines. The Species at Risk Act has no statutory deadline for a key stage, leaving species such as caribou, belugas and lake sturgeon waiting for potential protections. Energy and Emissions: Canada’s emissions rose in 2025 as clean electrification lagged. The federal government has also designated a west coast pipeline a national-interest project, drawing objections from First Nations. Data Centre Demand: Nearly two-thirds of Canadians surveyed want data centre development curbed, as power demand puts pressure on electricity systems. Home Energy: Ottawa’s $2-billion plan aims to help retrofit one million homes, with heat-pump rebates expected early next year. Nature Protection: The federal government has proposed listing several aquatic species under the Species at Risk Act, while advocates are pressing B.C. to address water scarcity amid drought concerns.

Data Centre Pushback: A new poll finds 64% of Canadians want provinces to limit large data-centre projects, citing water use, electricity costs and benefits flowing to big tech. Arctic Priorities: At an Iceland assembly, Canada and other U.S. allies stressed sovereignty and environmental protection as Washington emphasized military expansion and resource development. Climate Targets: Canada’s emissions rose in 2025 as clean electrification lagged, while a climate report warns the country risks missing its targets. Home Efficiency: Ottawa has announced $2 billion to help retrofit one million homes, cutting energy costs and emissions. Pipeline Dispute: Ottawa has designated a west-coast pipeline a national-interest project, drawing Indigenous leaders’ concerns over water, toxic waste and opportunities for their communities. Water Pressures: B.C. advocates are urging the next government to address scarcity as drought concerns grow.