Coast Guard responsibility transferred to Minister of National Defence, with new security mandate added

Responsibility for coast guard services has been moved from the Minister responsible for oceans to the Minister of National Defence. The coast guard's mandate now explicitly includes security functions, such as security patrols and the collection, analysis, and disclosure of information or intelligence — a new item added to the list of coast guard responsibilities. A new standalone provision allows the Minister of National Defence (or a designated Privy Council member) to collect, analyze, and disclose information or intelligence in carrying out coast guard duties. Separately, the oceans minister's general encouragement mandate has been narrowed by removing the reference to coast guard services, reflecting the transfer. Organizations that interact with the Canadian Coast Guard — including marine operators, port authorities, and those involved in search and rescue or marine pollution response — should be aware that their federal point of contact for coast guard matters has shifted to the Department of National Defence.

Air travellers security charge refunds no longer blocked by unfiled Digital Services Tax returns

The list of tax filings that must be completed before a security charge refund can be released has been updated. Specifically, the Digital Services Tax Act has been removed from the list of statutes whose outstanding returns can block payment of a refund. All other filing requirements — including the Excise Tax Act, Income Tax Act, Excise Act 2001, Underused Housing Tax Act, Select Luxury Items Tax Act, and Global Minimum Tax Act — remain in place as preconditions. Businesses or individuals awaiting a refund under the Air Travellers Security Charge Act who had outstanding Digital Services Tax filings may no longer be blocked on that basis alone. No other substantive rules around refunds or interest appear to have changed.

Major overhaul of Canada's Aeronautics Act: higher penalties, drone rules, new compliance tools and extended enforcement powers

Canada's Aeronautics Act has been significantly amended, affecting virtually every participant in the aviation sector. Maximum summary conviction fines for individuals rise from $5,000 to $150,000, and for corporations from $25,000 to $1,500,000; the ANS Corporation faces up to $1,500,000 per day for service-level violations. The Act now explicitly covers persons and goods on board aircraft bound for Canada, not just those already in Canada. New provisions create a formal framework for voluntary safety and security information programs with confidentiality protections, allow the Minister to issue corrective-measure notices for deficient safety or security management systems, and introduce compliance agreements as an alternative to immediate monetary penalties. Intentionally interfering with a remotely piloted aircraft system (drone) is now a specific offence, and the Minister may authorize certain interference activities. Interim orders can now be made to implement international standards or agreements and remain in force for up to one year (previously 14 days) before Governor in Council approval, with a maximum life of three years. Aircraft owners, operators, and pilots-in-command face explicit vicarious liability for offences committed in relation to their aircraft, and a due-diligence defence is codified for most (but not all) violations.

A section of the Budget Implementation Act, 2019 (No. 1) repealed before it came into force

One provision of the Budget Implementation Act, 2019, No. 1 — specifically the amendment it contained to the Aeronautics Act at section 272 — has been repealed before it ever took effect. This means the change that section 272 was intended to make to the Aeronautics Act will not happen. The amendment history of the Act has also been updated to reflect a new amending instrument. Organizations or advisors tracking aviation-related legislative changes stemming from the 2019 budget should note that this particular provision is now a nullity.

Canada Transportation Act gains ministerial interim-order power; Prairie extended interswitching rules removed

Two significant changes appear in the consolidated text. First, a new provision (s. 49.1) gives the federal Minister responsible for transportation the ability to issue interim orders that replicate, vary, or suspend existing transportation regulations when needed to implement an international standard or meet Canada's international obligations — provided the Minister consults appropriate parties first. These orders are treated as regulations for enforcement purposes (including offences and monetary penalties), must generally be made public, and automatically expire within three years or when a permanent regulation replaces them. Second, the extended interswitching provisions that previously allowed shippers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta to access competitive interswitching rates within a 160 km radius of an interchange have now been formally repealed and replaced with placeholder repeal notes throughout the Act. Shippers in Prairie provinces who relied on the expanded 160 km interswitching zone should be aware that only the standard 30 km interswitching entitlement now applies. Businesses subject to transportation regulations governed by this Minister should note the new interim-order mechanism, which could quickly alter regulatory requirements without going through the full Governor-in-Council regulation-making process.

Canada Customs Act updated: broader border facility obligations, new officer access powers for exports, and Indonesia free-trade rules added

Several practical changes have been made to the federal Customs Act. First, owners and operators of international bridges, tunnels, railways, airports, wharves and docks must now provide adequate facilities for any purpose related to administering or enforcing border program legislation — not just for detaining and examining goods or searching persons as before; airports, wharves and docks must now comply whether conveyances are arriving, departing, or expected to depart Canada. Second, customs officers gained explicit authority to access premises and open packages where goods destined for export are transported, loaded, unloaded or stored; entry into a dwelling-house requires consent or a warrant. A new obligation also requires sufferance and bonded warehouse operators to give officers free access to inspect export goods. Third, customs information may now be shared with persons authorized to receive it under the Sex Offender Information Registration Act. Finally, pending-not-yet-in-force amendments add Indonesia and the Canada–Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CICEPA) to the Act's free-trade framework, affecting origin certification requirements for exporters and importers trading with Indonesia.

Canada creates a new high-speed rail authority with streamlined expropriation and land-control powers

A new federal law establishes the legal framework for a high-speed passenger rail network between Quebec City and Windsor, operated through VIA HFR - VIA TGF Inc., a subsidiary of VIA Rail Canada. The Act gives the Corporation tools to control land along the proposed corridor before construction: it can register a right-of-first-refusal notice (lasting up to 8 years) that voids any third-party sale of affected land, and can trigger a prohibition-on-work notice (lasting up to 4 years) that bars owners, lessees, and occupants from making material changes to registered properties. Expropriation is significantly streamlined — the Corporation does not need to attempt a voluntary purchase first, the Minister of Transport can direct expropriation, and normal objection hearings under the Expropriation Act are bypassed, though affected parties retain a 30-day written objection right after Gazette publication. Landowners and occupants subject to a work-prohibition notice that expires without expropriation can claim compensation for actual losses, plus reasonable legal and appraisal costs, within one year of the notice lapsing. Indigenous knowledge shared in confidence with the government or Corporation in connection with the network is protected from disclosure except in limited circumstances, with a consultation requirement before any compelled disclosure.

Luxury tax on aircraft and vessels effectively suspended; registration and filing requirements wound down

The Select Luxury Items Tax Act has been amended to stop the luxury tax from applying to subject aircraft and subject vessels going forward. Any tax that would have become payable under Division 2 of Part 1 in respect of those items after November 4, 2025 is now explicitly not payable. Vendor registration obligations for aircraft and vessels are also removed after that same date, and all existing registrations covering aircraft and vessels will be automatically cancelled on February 1, 2028. Registered vendors who deal only in aircraft or vessels (and not subject vehicles) are relieved from filing returns for reporting periods beginning after December 2025, provided no tax became payable in that period. Separately, the Digital Services Tax Act has been removed from the list of Acts whose outstanding returns must be filed before a rebate or security payment can be made — the list of required filings for rebate eligibility is otherwise unchanged. Businesses that sold or imported luxury aircraft or vessels should confirm they have no remaining tax obligations and be aware that their vendor registrations will lapse automatically.

Bridge To Strengthen Trade Act officially added to the International Bridges and Tunnels Act schedule

A previously pending amendment to the International Bridges and Tunnels Act has now come into force. The schedule of that Act — which lists the bridges and tunnels subject to federal oversight — has been updated to formally include Entry 54, the Bridge To Strengthen Trade Act. This confirms that the bridge covered by that statute (the Gordie Howe International Bridge corridor) is now fully within the federal regulatory framework for international crossings. Operators, owners, and users of affected infrastructure should be aware that the full federal oversight regime under the Act now applies to that crossing. No entries were removed; the change integrates what was previously flagged as a not-yet-in-force amendment into the consolidated text.

Aircraft Services Directorate moves from Transport Canada to National Defence

The Aircraft Services Directorate, a unit within the federal public administration previously under Transport Canada, has been transferred to the Department of National Defence. This is a machinery-of-government change affecting the organizational home and chain of command for the Directorate and its staff. Employees and contractors working with or for the Directorate should note that their departmental authority and oversight now sits with National Defence rather than Transport Canada. Businesses or entities that contract with or interface with the Directorate for government aviation services should update their departmental contacts accordingly.

Gordie Howe International Bridge officially added to the federal list of regulated international crossings

The Gordie Howe International Bridge, connecting Windsor, Ontario to Detroit, Michigan, has been formally added to the schedule of international bridges and tunnels subject to federal oversight under the International Bridges and Tunnels Act. This means the bridge is now subject to the same federal regulatory framework — covering things like operations, maintenance, and changes to the structure — that applies to other listed crossings such as the Ambassador Bridge and the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel. Operators, owners, and users of the Gordie Howe bridge should be aware that federal rules governing international crossings now apply. What had previously appeared in the regulation as a pending 'amendment not in force' is now consolidated into the main text as a live requirement.

Canada enacts sweeping border security and immigration overhaul covering asylum rules, drug enforcement, and money laundering

A new federal Act introduces broad changes across several intersecting areas. On immigration, it tightens refugee claim eligibility rules, adjusts how asylum claims are processed and referred, expands information-sharing between immigration authorities, and amends how certain applications and documents are handled. On border enforcement, it removes mutual financial liability between the Crown and owners or operators of facilities used for customs and border purposes. On drugs, it strengthens police enforcement powers under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and Cannabis Act, and consolidates fentanyl-precursor controls. On money laundering and terrorist financing, it makes extensive amendments affecting compliance, violations, and administrative penalties under the Proceeds of Crime framework, with some provisions pending proclamation. Sex offender information registration rules and financial institution supervisory committee arrangements are also updated. A parliamentary review of the whole Act is required five years after royal assent.

Federal access-to-information exemptions updated: new laws added, one provision expanded

Schedule II of the Access to Information Act, which lists laws whose confidentiality provisions override the general right to access government records, has been updated in several ways. Three new statutes have been added to the exemption list: the Consumer-Driven Banking Act (open banking secrecy provisions), the High Speed-Rail Network Act (specific subsections on confidentiality), and, through related provisions, the Canada Development Investment Corporation Act and the Stablecoin Act. The Aeronautics Act entry has been expanded to cover an additional section. The Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act entry now also covers a new subsection on confidentiality. The Digital Services Tax Act entry has been removed from the list. Practically, this means information held under these laws is now more clearly shielded from—or, in the DST case, no longer shielded from—ATI requests directed at federal institutions.

Digital Services Tax Act removed from list of tax laws trustees must account for in bankruptcies

The Digital Services Tax Act has been repealed from the list of federal tax statutes that a bankruptcy trustee must account for before distributing dividends to creditors. Previously, trustees were required to hold back funds to cover potential claims under that Act (along with other listed tax laws) and wait three months after filing returns before declaring a dividend. With that Act's entry removed, trustees no longer need to factor Digital Services Tax liabilities into that holdback calculation. Trustees administering estates and creditors awaiting dividends should be aware that the scope of required tax reserves has narrowed slightly. The remainder of the dividend-holdback rule — including the three-month waiting period and obligations under all other listed tax statutes — remains unchanged.

Canada's federal borrowing ceiling raised to $2.541 trillion

The statutory cap on the total amount the federal government may have outstanding in borrowed money at any one time has been increased from $2,126,000,000,000 to $2,541,000,000,000. The ceiling covers borrowings by the Minister of Finance, Canada Mortgage Bonds guaranteed by CMHC, and borrowings by federal agent corporations. This change affects how much the federal government and its agent corporations can have borrowed in aggregate at any given moment. Organizations that monitor federal debt capacity, financial institutions that hold or trade Government of Canada securities, and Crown corporations should take note of the revised limit.

Canada gets a new standalone statute governing the Canada Development Investment Corporation

A new federal Act formally continues the Canada Development Investment Corporation (CDEV) — previously incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act — as a statutory Crown corporation and agent of the federal Crown. CDEV's mandate is to help create and develop Canadian businesses, resources, property and industries, operating in a commercial manner in Canada's best interests. The Corporation can invest in companies and ventures, provide strategic and financial advice to government, manage assets assigned by the government, and issue guarantees subject to Finance Minister approval. Its governance structure (board, chair, CEO) is set out in the Act, along with rules on share capital, borrowing from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and strict confidentiality obligations for investment-related information. Existing directors, property, contracts, liabilities and by-laws of the predecessor corporation carry over automatically.

CDIC deposit insurance extended to cover asset acquisitions by federal credit unions from provincial credit societies

The Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act has been amended to extend federal deposit insurance protection to deposits held by provincial cooperative credit societies when a federal credit union acquires their assets. A new section creates a transition period during which pre-existing deposits at the acquired society continue to be insured up to the amount they would have been covered for under provincial law. Those pre-existing deposits are treated as separate from new deposits made after the acquisition date, and withdrawals are deemed to come from the pre-existing deposit first. Additionally, when a federal credit union acquires all or substantially all of a local cooperative credit society's assets, that transaction is now treated as an amalgamation for deposit insurance separation purposes, and premiums on the acquired assets are calculated as if those assets belonged to a member institution on the acquisition date. A related provision for credit union continuation into federal status was also updated to align schedule references. Depositors at provincial credit societies being acquired by a federal credit union, and compliance officers at federal credit unions pursuing such acquisitions, should be aware of these new coverage and premium calculation rules.

Consumer-Driven Banking Act repealed in full

The Consumer-Driven Banking Act has been repealed. The entire substantive text of the Act — including its provisions on consumer data sharing, the participating entity registry, the technical standards body, prohibitions, offences, and regulation-making powers — has been removed from the consolidated statutes. Only a short citation block remains, noting the repeal. Organizations that were monitoring or preparing for the consumer-driven banking framework should be aware that this legislation no longer exists in its prior form. Anyone who was relying on this Act or planning compliance programs around it will need to reassess their approach.

Canada creates a new consumer-directed financial data-sharing framework

A new federal law establishes a formal system — called consumer-driven banking — that lets consumers (including businesses) instruct their bank or other accredited financial institutions to share their financial data with other accredited entities of their choosing. Banks listed in the attached schedule are automatically covered; other financial institutions, payment service providers, and other entities can apply to the Bank of Canada for accreditation to participate. Participating entities must follow strict rules on consent (express, limited to 12 months, renewable), data security, breach reporting, complaints handling (including an external ombudsman body), and liability — with consumers generally protected from financial losses arising from unauthorized data access. An accreditation and enforcement regime, including administrative monetary penalties up to $10 million for entities and criminal fines up to $5 million, is in place. Screen-scraping — using a consumer's login credentials to access their data directly — is prohibited subject to future regulatory exceptions.

Federal Digital Services Tax Act text removed from consolidated publication — law remains in force

The full operative text of the Digital Services Tax Act has been removed from this consolidated document, leaving only the title and enacting citation. This is a publishing change to the consolidated text, not a repeal of the law itself — the Act continues to apply. Large multinational groups with significant Canadian digital services revenue (from online marketplaces, targeted advertising, social media platforms, or user data) remain subject to the 3% digital services tax regime. Affected entities should continue to rely on the official standalone version of the Act and any applicable regulations for compliance purposes. Those who are unsure whether this change affects their obligations should review the standalone statute directly.

Digital Services Tax Act removed from list of laws EDC can share privileged client information to support

Export Development Canada (EDC) is no longer permitted to share privileged client information with the Minister of National Revenue for the purpose of administering or enforcing the Digital Services Tax Act. The permitted list of tax statutes for which such sharing is allowed now covers the Excise Tax Act, the Income Tax Act, the Select Luxury Items Tax Act, and the Global Minimum Tax Act only. Businesses and exporters whose information is held by EDC should be aware that their data cannot be disclosed to federal tax authorities in connection with the Digital Services Tax Act. No other information-sharing permissions under the Act have changed.

Consumer-driven banking oversight removed from FCAC's mandate; Senior Deputy Commissioner role abolished

A set of amendments strips out all provisions in the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada Act that related to consumer-driven banking. The Senior Deputy Commissioner for Consumer-Driven Banking position has been repealed, along with the Agency's objects for supervising participating entities and the technical standards body under the Consumer-Driven Banking Act. The Agency's stated purpose is narrowed to overseeing financial institutions, the external complaints body, and payment card network operators. Conflict-of-interest, confidentiality, immunity, and no-liability rules that previously covered the Senior Deputy Commissioner and consumer-driven banking entities have been removed or trimmed accordingly. The Consumer-Driven Banking Act has been removed from the Schedule 1 list of statutes the Agency administers. Organizations that were previously classified as 'participating entities' or 'technical standards body' under that framework are no longer subject to FCAC supervision under this Act.

Federal financial administration rules updated: Digital Services Tax removed from set-off exemption, new trade deals added, Crown corporation deleted

Several targeted changes have been made to Canada's core financial administration legislation. The Digital Services Tax Act has been removed from the list of tax statutes whose amounts are exempt from the government's ability to set off debts — meaning amounts under that Act may now be subject to federal set-off rules. The Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation has been removed from the Schedule of Crown corporations. Schedule VII, which lists Canada's free trade agreements, has been expanded to include the Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and updated to capture future accession protocols to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Businesses and individuals with amounts owing or receivable under the affected tax statutes, or those dealing with the listed Crown corporation or trade agreement schedules, should review how these changes apply to their situations.

Mandatory annual audit of Government Annuities accounts by the Auditor General has been removed from the law

The provision requiring the Auditor General to conduct an annual audit of the accounts and financial transactions under the Government Annuities Act and the Government Annuities Improvement Act, and to report results to the Minister, has been repealed. No new audit requirement replaces it in this legislation. Entities or individuals holding existing government annuity contracts are not directly affected in terms of their contract terms or payout rules, which remain unchanged. Those who relied on the annual audit report as a source of financial transparency information about the Government Annuities Account should be aware that this reporting obligation no longer exists under this Act.

Canada's Insurance Companies Act overhauled: longer sunset, higher ownership thresholds, stronger security oversight, and new e-document rules

The federal Insurance Companies Act has been updated in several significant ways. The sunset date by which insurance companies, fraternal benefit societies, and insurance holding companies must either wind up or receive parliamentary renewal has been pushed from June 30, 2026 to June 30, 2033, giving the industry a longer runway. The equity threshold that triggers mandatory public float and ownership-diversification requirements for large insurers has been doubled from $2 billion to $4 billion, meaning fewer companies will automatically face those share-distribution obligations. The Superintendent of Financial Institutions now has broader authority to supervise not just whether companies have adequate security and integrity policies, but also whether they actually follow those policies — and can issue directions, enter prudential agreements, and conduct examinations on that expanded basis. Confidential supervisory information may now also be shared with any federal government agency for national security or financial stability purposes, not just with traditional regulatory bodies. Finally, new 'notice-and-access' rules let distributing companies and insurance holding companies post meeting documents online instead of mailing paper copies to shareholders and policyholders, subject to specific notice and paper-copy-on-request requirements.

OSFI's information-sharing committee gains FINTRAC Director; Superintendent gets broader powers to share and receive information

The Director of the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) has been added as a member of the financial institutions advisory committee, joining the Superintendent, the Bank of Canada Governor, the CDIC CEO, the Deputy Minister of Finance, and the Financial Consumer Agency Commissioner. The Superintendent now has explicit authority to share confidential supervisory information with any federal government agency or body for purposes related to supervising financial institutions, including matters involving threats to their integrity or security, or risks to national security. A new provision confirms, for greater certainty, that the Superintendent may receive any information relevant to the exercise of their powers or duties. The heading of the confidentiality section has been relabelled from 'Confidentiality' to 'Information,' reflecting the broader scope of these provisions. Financial institutions and their compliance and legal teams should be aware that regulators now have a clearer and broader basis for information exchange within the federal government, including with Canada's anti-money-laundering and financial intelligence agency.

Canada's anti-money-laundering law overhauled: higher fines, tougher compliance orders and new enrolment regime

The Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act has been significantly amended in two main waves. First, criminal fines for most compliance offences have been sharply increased — for example, general offences now carry summary-conviction fines up to $2.5 million (previously $250,000) and indictable fines up to $5 million (previously $500,000), while reporting failures can attract fines of up to $10 million. Second, the administrative-penalty framework has been restructured: the old 'compliance agreement' model is replaced by a formal compliance-order regime, with new defined terms ('prescribed violation' and 'compliance order violation'), higher penalty ceilings (up to $20 million per entity for prescribed violations and up to $30 million for compliance order violations), and a new ability-to-pay factor in penalty calculations. Compliance officers and senior management at regulated businesses — banks, money-services businesses, currency exchanges, real-estate professionals and others covered by section 5 — must ensure their anti-money-laundering programs meet a new explicit standard of being 'reasonably designed, risk-based and effective.' A new 'enrolment' obligation (not yet in force) will require virtually all section-5 persons and entities to register with FINTRAC on a separate roll, with denial, revocation and Federal Court appeal rights. FINTRAC can now share intelligence with the Commissioner of Canada Elections, and certain seizure-review decisions have been reframed around whether the seizing officer had reasonable grounds, rather than a final determination on the nature of the goods.

Retail Payment Activities Act updated: tighter anti-money-laundering grounds for refusing or revoking PSP registration

The Act has been amended to sharpen the anti-money-laundering criteria that allow the Bank of Canada to refuse or revoke a payment service provider's (PSP) registration. The language now refers to being found guilty of an 'offence' (rather than 'contravening a provision') under the Proceeds of Crime Act, and adds section 77.01 as a new triggering offence. Administrative penalty history that can trigger refusal or revocation is also expanded to include 'compliance order violations,' not just serious or very serious violations. Two future amendments (not yet in force) are flagged: one would bring certain encrypted or tokenized payment instrument transmission into the definition of 'payment function,' and another would require PSPs to notify additional prescribed parties about operational incidents. PSPs applying for or holding registration should review their compliance history under the Proceeds of Crime Act — including any compliance order violations — against these updated grounds.

Canada's sanctions law gains a new Part 2 requiring banks to report and remit profits earned on sanctioned foreign assets

The Special Economic Measures Act has been restructured and expanded. The original sanctions provisions are now grouped under Part 1, while a brand-new Part 2 creates specific obligations for federally regulated financial institutions. Under Part 2, the Minister of Finance can require federal financial institutions to report foreign property they hold that is subject to a sanctions order, along with any profits earned on that property, and can then direct those institutions to pay those profits to the Receiver General. A new consultation requirement also means the Minister of Finance must be consulted before a sanctions order is made targeting certain systemically important foreign banks, foreign institutions operating in Canada, foreign payment service providers, central banks, or foreign stock exchanges and clearing systems. The Minister of Foreign Affairs retains responsibility for Part 1 enforcement, while the Minister of Finance is responsible for Part 2. A transitional provision limits retroactive application of Part 2 profit-remittance rules to profits derived from Russia-linked property as defined in the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations.

Canada's new Stablecoin Act creates a federal registration and oversight regime for stablecoin issuers

The Stablecoin Act establishes a mandatory federal framework for anyone who creates and makes a stablecoin available for purchase in Canada (with interprovincial or international reach). No one may issue a stablecoin unless their name appears on a Bank of Canada public registry, which requires submitting a detailed application — including ownership structure, technology descriptions, redemption policy, independent legal and accounting statements, and governance policies — along with a Bank-determined fee. Registered issuers must maintain a fully backed reserve of high-quality liquid assets held with qualified custodians, segregated from other assets and unavailable to general creditors; they are prohibited from paying interest or yield on stablecoins and from representing them as legal tender, deposits, or government-insured instruments. Issuers must publish and file ongoing reports (including monthly reserve statements), notify the Bank promptly of incidents and significant changes, and comply with governance, risk management, data security, and recovery-and-resolution policies. The Bank of Canada supervises compliance and can issue directions, require undertakings, impose conditions, and recommend that the Minister of Finance prohibit an issuer from operating; the Minister holds separate national-security powers including the ability to review applications, impose conditions, and order a prohibition. Financial institutions and central banks are generally exempt, and transitional regulations may provide a grace period for issuers already operating when the registration requirement takes effect.

Federal trust and loan companies get seven-year sunset extension, higher equity thresholds, and stronger security oversight rules

The sunset date allowing federal trust and loan companies to continue carrying on business has been pushed from June 30, 2026 to June 30, 2033, giving the industry a seven-year extension before re-authorization is required. The equity threshold that triggers public float and ownership-diversification requirements (and related investment limits) has been doubled from $2 billion to $4 billion, meaning fewer companies will be subject to those rules. The Superintendent's oversight powers have been broadened: annual examinations and compliance directions now explicitly cover whether companies adhere to their integrity and security policies, not just whether adequate policies exist. The Superintendent gains a new power to order companies to reduce portfolios of commercial loans, real property interests, or certain equity interests on prudential grounds. New notice-and-access rules allow companies to send shareholders a website link to meeting documents instead of paper copies, subject to specific conditions and paper-copy-on-request obligations. The Superintendent may now share confidential supervisory information with any federal government agency for purposes related to financial institution oversight, including national security threats.

Mortgage administrators, brokers and lenders now trigger client identity verification at first transaction, matching real estate rules

The regulations now require mortgage administrators, mortgage brokers, and mortgage lenders to verify a client's identity the very first time that obligation arises — the same standard that already applied to real estate brokers, sales representatives, real estate developers, and title insurers. Previously, most reporting entities outside that real estate group had to verify identity a second time before a formal business relationship was deemed to exist. This change means mortgage sector firms must treat the initial verification event as the start of a business relationship, bringing their compliance processes in line with other real estate-adjacent entities. Separately, the description of non-profit organizations subject to enhanced scrutiny has been adjusted from those that solicit "charitable donations" to those that solicit "financial donations" from the public, slightly broadening the language. Mortgage administrators, brokers, and lenders should review their client onboarding and record-keeping procedures to ensure business relationship obligations are triggered from the first verification.

Maximum fines for anti-money-laundering violations raised dramatically, with some violations reclassified as more serious

The maximum administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) for violations of Canada's anti-money-laundering and terrorist financing rules have been significantly increased. Minor violations now carry a maximum penalty of $40,000 (up from $1,000), serious violations up to $4,000,000 (up from $100,000), and very serious violations up to $20,000,000 (up from $500,000). The threshold at which a series of minor violations is treated as a single serious violation has also been raised, from $10,000 to $400,000 in total penalties on a notice. Several violations related to certain reporting and compliance obligations (items 196–201 in Part 2 of the schedule) have been reclassified from 'serious' to 'very serious', and a new 'very serious' violation category has been added for contravention of section 9.6(1.1) of the Act. Businesses and individuals subject to these regulations—including financial institutions, money services businesses, and other reporting entities—should review their compliance programs in light of the substantially higher penalty exposure.

Federal tribunal support service expanded to cover territorial bodies and gains a new Environmental Protection Tribunal

The Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada Act has been amended to allow the Service to support bodies established under territorial legislation, not just federal tribunals. The Minister of Justice can now add territorial bodies to a new Schedule 2 by ministerial order (published in the Canada Gazette), provided there is a satisfactory funding arrangement in place; for bodies with federally-appointed members, the relevant federal minister must be consulted first. The Service can also now spend revenues it receives from providing services to territorial bodies to offset its own costs. Separately, the Environmental Protection Tribunal of Canada has been added to Schedule 1 (the main list of supported federal tribunals). Organizations or bodies operating under territorial legislation that may seek support services from the federal Service should watch for ministerial orders adding them to Schedule 2.

Broadcasting Act updated: individual privacy added as interpretation principle, official-language minority community wording revised

The Broadcasting Act has been amended in two ways. First, a new explicit requirement has been added that the Act must be interpreted consistently with the right to privacy of individuals — a principle not previously listed. Second, the existing interpretation clause about official language minority communities has been revised: the enhanced description referring to their 'uniqueness, diversity and historical and cultural contributions to Canadian society' now applies specifically to official language minority communities in Canada, replacing language that previously split this description between English/French linguistic minority communities and a separate official language minority communities clause. Broadcasting undertakings, broadcasters, and anyone subject to CRTC oversight should be aware that privacy considerations are now a stated interpretive lens alongside freedom of expression. Legal and compliance teams reviewing broadcasting decisions or regulatory submissions should factor in this new privacy principle.

A previously pending amendment in the 2018 Budget Implementation Act has been formally repealed before it ever took effect

One section of the Budget Implementation Act, 2018, No. 1 that had never come into force has now been officially marked as repealed before coming into force, by a subsequent act. This means the change that section was meant to make will never apply. The amendment history for the act has also been updated to reflect a new amending instrument. Organizations that were tracking or relying on that uncommenced provision should note it is permanently removed from the legislative text.

Cooperatives can now be dissolved immediately if flagged as a terrorist-listed entity

The Canada Cooperatives Act now includes a new ground for administrative dissolution: the Director can dissolve a cooperative without notice if the Minister of Public Safety notifies them that the cooperative is a listed entity under the Criminal Code's terrorism provisions. This bypasses the normal 120-day notice and publication process that applies to all other dissolution grounds. The standard dissolution grounds (e.g., not carrying on business, missing filings, no directors) remain unchanged and still require the full notice period. Cooperatives that are not subject to any terrorism-related designation are unaffected by this change. Any cooperative at risk of being flagged as a listed entity should be aware that dissolution can happen swiftly and without prior notice.

Immigration department gains new powers to share personal information with other government bodies

The Department of Citizenship and Immigration can now formally share personal information it holds — such as identity details, immigration status, and document records — both internally within the department and externally with other federal or provincial government bodies, agencies, and Crown corporations. External sharing requires a written agreement that spells out what data can be shared, why, and limits on how recipients can use or pass it on. Provincial and territorial recipients are prohibited from sharing that information with foreign entities without the Minister's written consent and in a way that respects Canada's obligations against complicity in mistreatment. Regulations can be made to impose further conditions or limits on any of this sharing. Organizations that receive immigration data from the department should review their data-handling agreements and internal policies to ensure they comply with the new written-agreement requirements and re-transfer restrictions.

Corporations linked to terrorism can now be dissolved immediately without prior notice

The Canada Business Corporations Act now adds a fifth ground for the Director to dissolve a federal corporation: being notified by the Minister of Public Safety that the corporation is a "listed entity" under the Criminal Code's terrorism-financing provisions. Unlike the existing dissolution grounds — such as failing to carry on business or missing filing obligations — this new ground bypasses the normal 120-day notice and public publication requirements entirely. The Director can issue a certificate of dissolution immediately upon receiving that ministerial notification. Companies and their directors should be aware that there is no advance warning built into this process; the corporation ceases to exist on the date shown in the dissolution certificate. This change does not affect the standard dissolution rules that continue to apply to all other grounds.

Canada Infrastructure Bank's capital ceiling raised from $35 billion to $45 billion

The maximum amount the federal government can pay to the Canada Infrastructure Bank from the Consolidated Revenue Fund has been increased from $35 billion to $45 billion in aggregate. This change expands the Bank's potential capitalization, meaning more public funds could flow through it to support infrastructure projects. Organizations that partner with or seek financing from the Bank — including municipalities, Indigenous communities, and private project sponsors — may find a larger pool of capital available for eligible projects. No other operational rules governing the Bank were substantively changed by this amendment.

Federal not-for-profit corporations can now be dissolved without notice if flagged as a listed terrorist entity

The Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act has been amended to allow the federal Director to dissolve a not-for-profit corporation immediately—without the usual advance notice to the corporation or its directors, and without waiting for a prescribed period—if the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness notifies the Director that the corporation is a "listed entity" under the Criminal Code's terrorism financing provisions. All other grounds for Director-initiated dissolution (e.g., inactivity, missing filings, lack of directors) continue to require prior notice and publication before a dissolution certificate is issued. Not-for-profit corporations should be aware that this new ground bypasses the procedural safeguards that apply in every other dissolution scenario. Organizations that believe they may be incorrectly listed should seek legal advice promptly, as dissolution can proceed without warning.

Canada overhauls immigration enforcement powers: officers can cancel visas, refuse or terminate applications, and Cabinet can act by order in the public interest

A wide-ranging set of amendments to Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act introduces several new enforcement tools. Officers now have explicit authority to terminate application processing, and to cancel, suspend or vary visas and other immigration documents in circumstances set out in regulations. A new Cabinet order-making power allows the Governor in Council to halt intake of applications, suspend or terminate pending applications, or cancel and vary immigration documents in bulk when it considers doing so to be in the public interest, subject to parliamentary reporting requirements. Refugee eligibility rules tighten: claims filed more than one year after entry to Canada, or made after crossing the land border outside a port of entry beyond a prescribed deadline, are now ineligible for referral to the Refugee Protection Division. The Refugee Protection and Appeal Divisions must also suspend or abandon hearings when a claimant is not physically present in Canada. Anyone holding an immigration document who is outside Canada may be required to answer questions and appear for examination to confirm they still meet the requirements attached to that document. Businesses sponsoring foreign workers, individuals with pending visa applications, and refugee claimants are all directly affected and should consult the associated regulations as they are promulgated.

Federal public service pension rules updated to add workforce-reduction early allowance and operational-service changes

The Public Service Superannuation Act has been amended in two main ways. First, a new time-limited annual allowance option is created for public servants who leave during an active workforce reduction initiative: Group 1 contributors aged 50 or older with at least 10 years of service, and Group 2 contributors aged 55 or older with at least 10 years of service, can receive an unreduced immediate allowance rather than the standard reduced one, subject to Treasury Board approval. Both the window for employees to exercise this option and the window for Treasury Board to approve it are strictly limited in duration. Second, the definition and rules for 'operational service' (covering roles such as Correctional Service workers) are restructured, clarifying who qualifies, how elections to count or exclude such service work, and how annuities are adjusted on re-employment. The Environmental Protection Tribunal of Canada and Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation are also added to the Act's schedules of covered bodies. Affected employees and HR teams should review whether the workforce-reduction window applies to their situation and act promptly given the strict approval timelines.

RCMP pension injury-award claims now handled by Veterans Affairs Minister; annual CPI adjustments added

Several changes have been made to how injury and disability award claims under Part II of the RCMP Superannuation Act are administered. The authority to decide those claims is now explicitly assigned to the Minister of Veterans Affairs (rather than a generic adjudication process), and past claim decisions made by that Minister are retroactively authorized. Starting January 1, 2027, certain awards — including those under the special duty and disability provisions — will be adjusted annually based only on the Consumer Price Index, and the Governor in Council gains regulation-making power to govern those adjustments with potential retroactive effect. A reference to the 'Solicitor General of Canada' in the special duty area designation provision has been updated to 'Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness,' reflecting current government structure. RCMP members receiving or potentially entitled to awards under the affected provisions, and their representatives, should be aware that the administrative process and indexing rules for those benefits have changed.

Canada's Red Tape Reduction Act gains new regulatory sandbox powers for innovation and competitiveness

The Act has been restructured and significantly expanded. The existing one-for-one administrative burden rules are now grouped under Part 1, with minor wording updates but no substantive change to those obligations. A new Part 2 allows federal ministers to grant time-limited exemptions (up to three years, extendable to six) from most federal regulatory requirements to individual businesses or commercial entities in the clean technology or financial technology sectors, provided conditions around public interest, risk management, public consultation, and Treasury Board approval are met. When an exemption is granted to one business, competing businesses in the same sector can request the same exemption. Ministers must publish orders and supporting information in the Canada Gazette within 30 days, table a report in Parliament within 90 days, and the President of the Treasury Board must publish an annual report on all active exemptions. Businesses in clean tech or fintech that want to test products, services, or processes outside normal regulatory constraints should assess whether they qualify to apply to the responsible minister for an exemption order.

Canada adds four Iranian entities and five individuals to its Iran sanctions list

Canada has expanded its Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations by adding four Iranian companies and five individuals to the sanctions schedules. The four newly listed entities are Chekad Sanat Faraz Asia (also known as Shakad Sanat Asmari), Saad Sazah Faraz Sharif (also known as Sadid Sazeh Parvaz Sharif and Daria Fanavar Borhan Sharif), Kimia Part Sivan Company (also known as KIPAS), and Sarmad Electronic Sepahan Company. The five newly listed individuals are Ehsan Imaninejad, Hadi Zahourian, Mohammad Shahab Khanian, Ehsan Rahat Varnosfadrani, and Rahmatollah Heidari. Any person or business in Canada, or Canadians abroad, is prohibited from dealing in property of or providing services to these newly listed parties. Organizations that have or suspect they have a business relationship with any of these entities or individuals should review their exposure and consult compliance counsel.

Review of enforcement orders now goes to the Environmental Protection Tribunal of Canada, not the Chief Review Officer

The amendment replaces all references to the "Chief Review Officer" in this Act with the "Environmental Protection Tribunal of Canada." In practical terms, anyone who receives an enforcement order under this Act and wants to challenge it must now direct their written review request to the Environmental Protection Tribunal of Canada rather than to the Chief Review Officer. The 30-day window to request a review remains the same, but the authority to extend that period now rests with the Chairperson of the Tribunal (or a designated member) rather than the Chief Review Officer. The definition of "Chief Review Officer" has been repealed and a new definition of "Environmental Protection Tribunal of Canada" has been added. Enforcement officers can still amend, suspend, or cancel an order before the Tribunal receives a review notice, as before.

Building Canada Act registry must now cover a fifth project outcome, and Schedule 2 gains a new regulatory entry

Two practical changes appear in this amendment. First, the public project registry that the Minister must maintain now has to disclose how each national interest project is expected to meet a fifth category of outcomes (paragraph 5(6)(e)) — previously only outcomes (a) through (d) were required. Operators and proponents of projects listed under the Act should expect that additional disclosure in the registry. Second, a citation trail and effective date have been formally added to the consolidated text for the existing registry provisions and for the Schedule 2 list of regulations, with the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 entry now carrying full amendment attribution. No substantive new obligations appear beyond the expanded registry disclosure requirement.

LNG export licences get a new 50-year validity cap, separate from other natural gas licences

The Canadian Energy Regulator Act now contains a dedicated provision for liquefied natural gas (LNG) export licences, capping their maximum validity at 50 years from a date set in the licence itself. Previously, the regulations governed validity periods for all natural gas licences without distinguishing LNG. The regulation-making power for licence validity is now carved out so it no longer covers LNG licences — those are governed by the new statutory provision instead. The Act also now defines 'liquefied natural gas' and 'natural gas' directly in the statute for purposes of this section. Companies holding or applying for LNG export licences should note this fixed 50-year ceiling now appears in the primary legislation rather than in subordinate regulations.

CEPA enforcement review body replaced: 'Review Officers' become the Environmental Protection Tribunal of Canada

The amendment replaces the informal roster of Review Officers and the Chief Review Officer role with a formally constituted tribunal — the Environmental Protection Tribunal of Canada. The Tribunal takes over all functions previously held by Review Officers, including hearing requests to review enforcement orders, summoning witnesses, issuing decisions, and making procedural rules. Existing Review Officers and the Chief Review Officer automatically continue as members and Chairperson of the new Tribunal for the remainder of their current terms, and any pending review requests carry over to the Tribunal without interruption. Two other substantive changes remove the previous five-year automatic expiry on federal-provincial equivalency and administration agreements (agreements now continue until a party gives three months' notice), and tighten the test for equivalent provincial provisions from 'equivalent' to 'equivalent in effect.' Regulated entities, corporate directors and officers, and ship owners and masters should note that their compliance duties and liability exposure now reference the Tribunal rather than Review Officers, with no change to the substantive obligations.

Reviews of environmental penalty notices now go to the Environmental Protection Tribunal, not review officers

The body that handles challenges to administrative monetary penalty notices under federal environmental laws has changed. Previously, requests for review were directed to the Chief Review Officer and handled by review officers under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act framework. Those roles have been repealed and replaced: reviews are now conducted by the Environmental Protection Tribunal of Canada, with the Tribunal's Chairperson presiding or designating Tribunal members or panels. Procedural steps — requesting a review, cancelling or correcting a notice, summoning witnesses, rendering a written decision within 30 days, and the finality of determinations — remain largely the same, just with the Tribunal substituted throughout. Anyone who receives a notice of violation under a covered environmental law and wants to contest it should direct their review request to the Tribunal, not to a review officer.

Compliance order reviews now go to the Environmental Protection Tribunal of Canada, not the Chief Review Officer

References to the Chief Review Officer throughout the compliance order review process in the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act have been replaced with the Environmental Protection Tribunal of Canada. Anyone who receives a compliance order issued by an enforcement officer under this Act must now direct any request for review to the Environmental Protection Tribunal of Canada, not to the Chief Review Officer. The 30-day window to request a review remains unchanged, but extensions of that period may now be granted by the Chairperson of the Tribunal (or a designated member) rather than the Chief Review Officer. Immunity from civil proceedings previously extended to review officers now applies to members of the Environmental Protection Tribunal of Canada. Businesses or individuals subject to enforcement orders under the Act should take note of where and how to direct a review request.

Review of enforcement orders under the International River Improvements Act now goes to the Environmental Protection Tribunal of Canada

The body that handles requests to review enforcement orders issued under this Act has changed. Previously, reviews were directed to the Chief Review Officer (a role now repealed); they are now handled by the Environmental Protection Tribunal of Canada. Persons who receive an enforcement order and wish to challenge it must send their written request to the Tribunal within 30 days. The power to extend that 30-day deadline now rests with the Chairperson of the Tribunal, or a member the Chairperson designates, rather than with the Chief Review Officer. Enforcement officers may still amend, suspend, or cancel an order before the Tribunal receives a review request. Operators subject to enforcement orders under this Act should ensure they direct any review requests to the correct body.

Review of migratory-bird enforcement orders now goes to a new federal tribunal, not the Chief Review Officer

The body that handles requests to review enforcement orders issued under this Act has changed. Previously, affected parties sent review requests to the Chief Review Officer; they now send them to the newly established Environmental Protection Tribunal of Canada. The role of the Chief Review Officer has been repealed from this Act entirely, and references throughout — including order notices, time-extension requests, and variation/cancellation procedures — have been updated to name the Tribunal. Anyone who receives an enforcement order under this Act and wants to challenge it must direct their written request to the Environmental Protection Tribunal of Canada within 30 days. Extensions to that deadline may be granted by the Tribunal's Chairperson or a designated member, rather than by the Chief Review Officer.

Wildlife Act enforcement reviews now go to the Environmental Protection Tribunal of Canada, not the Chief Review Officer

The Canada Wildlife Act has been updated to replace all references to the 'Chief Review Officer' with the 'Environmental Protection Tribunal of Canada' (EPTC) as the body that handles reviews of compliance orders issued to individuals or organizations under the Act. Any person who receives a wildlife compliance order and wants to challenge it must now direct their written review request to the EPTC within 30 days. The ability to extend that 30-day deadline now rests with the Chairperson of the EPTC (or a designated Tribunal member) rather than the Chief Review Officer. Wildlife officers may still amend, suspend, or cancel orders up until the EPTC receives a review request. The definition of 'Chief Review Officer' has been formally repealed and a new definition of the Environmental Protection Tribunal of Canada has been added to the Act.

New reporting and record-keeping obligations for holders of uranium, plutonium-239 and thorium now in force

Anyone in possession of uranium, plutonium-239, or thorium must now file annual inventory reports with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) detailing the items held, their masses, and their chemical and physical forms. Any inventory change must also be reported to the CNSC within one business day. Those conducting nuclear fuel cycle-related research, development, or manufacturing under a safeguards agreement must file a yearly activity report by March 15. Supporting records must be kept for the duration of possession and for five years after ceasing to hold the material or conduct the activities. Exemptions apply for naturally occurring uranium or thorium in soil, rock or ore, materials merely in transit through Canada, and materials in a non-nuclear end-use form that is practicably irrecoverable. All persons subject to these reporting requirements must also allow verification activities by both the CNSC and the IAEA. Separately, the rule requiring a licence to be presented to a customs officer on import or export now applies only to nuclear substances and prescribed equipment, no longer covering prescribed information.

Canada's nuclear import/export control list updated to align with latest IAEA non-proliferation standards

The schedule listing controlled nuclear substances, equipment, and information under Canada's nuclear non-proliferation import and export rules has been substantially revised. The controlled-items lists are now aligned with newer IAEA reference circulars (updated revision numbers for all three source documents). Practically, this means the range of items requiring a licence to import or export has changed: several exemptions have been expanded (e.g., biological samples added to contamination exclusions; thorium in consumer goods like welding rods now exempt; small graphite and tritium shipments carved out), new items have been added to the controlled lists (e.g., rhenium alloys, pulsed carbon monoxide lasers, neutron sources based on specific alpha-emitting radionuclides, ammonia synthesis units for heavy water production), and numerous technical thresholds and definitions have been updated (e.g., centrifuge component diameter limits raised from 400 mm to 650 mm, maraging steel strength threshold lowered, pressure transducer criteria expanded). Businesses and researchers who import or export nuclear-related materials, equipment, or technical data should review the updated schedule carefully to determine whether items they trade in are newly controlled, newly exempt, or subject to revised technical thresholds.

Nuclear penalty schedule updated: new safeguards reporting violations added, one item repealed

The schedule of violations subject to administrative monetary penalties under the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission's rules has been revised. A previously listed reporting violation (Item 41, related to filing a full report within a specified period) has been repealed and replaced with six new or restructured violations covering: reporting on possession of uranium, plutonium-239 or thorium; reporting inventory changes; reporting on specified safeguards activities; retaining relevant records; continuing to retain records for required periods; and consenting to and submitting to verification activities. These changes affect nuclear licensees who handle controlled nuclear substances and safeguards equipment, and who are subject to reporting and record-keeping obligations under the safeguards rules. Licensees should review their compliance programs to ensure they are meeting all the specific reporting deadlines and record-retention obligations now individually listed in the penalty schedule, since each now carries its own penalty category.

New Qikiqtait Marine Protected Area designated in Hudson Bay, Arctic Ocean

A new Marine Protected Area (MPA) has been formally established in a portion of Hudson Bay in the Arctic Ocean, covering the seabed, subsoil to five metres depth, the water column above, and sea ice. Most activities are prohibited within the MPA unless they fall within a defined list of permitted ongoing activities. Permitted activities include fishing, hunting and trapping, marine navigation, tourism, recreation, education, scientific research, national defence, Coast Guard operations, and certain Inuit-led research and travel over sea ice. Any activity not on that permitted list that disturbs, damages, destroys, or removes living marine organisms, their habitat, or unique geological or archaeological features is strictly prohibited. The Order does not limit rights held by Inuit under the Nunavut Agreement or the Nunavik Agreement. Operators conducting any commercial, industrial, or other activities in or near this area of Hudson Bay should confirm whether their activities fall within the permitted classes before proceeding.

New Sarvarjuaq Marine Protected Area designated in Baffin Bay and Nares Strait

A new Marine Protected Area (MPA) has been formally established in the Arctic Ocean, covering parts of Baffin Bay and Nares Strait, including the seabed, subsoil to five metres depth, the water column, and sea ice. Most everyday activities—such as fishing, hunting, tourism, marine navigation, scientific research, and Inuit community-based research—are explicitly permitted as ongoing activities and are not restricted. However, any other activity that disturbs, damages, destroys, or removes unique geological or archaeological features, living marine organisms, or their habitat is prohibited. Foreign states are allowed to lay, maintain, and repair cables and pipelines in the area, and Inuit rights under the Nunavut Agreement are fully preserved and unaffected by this Order.

Federal protection now applies to Plains Minnow critical habitat in Canada

A new federal order formally activates the Species at Risk Act's prohibition on destroying critical habitat for the Plains Minnow, a threatened freshwater fish. The critical habitat is defined in the species' recovery strategy, which is publicly available on the Species at Risk Public Registry. Any person or business whose activities could damage or destroy that habitat — such as land use, water extraction, construction, or agricultural operations near relevant waterways — is now subject to federal prohibitions. Operators and landowners should consult the recovery strategy on the Public Registry to determine whether their land or operations fall within the mapped critical habitat and take appropriate steps to avoid prohibited activities.

Canada's Budget 2025 Implementation Act No. 1 is now law, touching tax, housing, banking, transport and more

The federal government has enacted a wide-ranging budget implementation statute that makes changes across dozens of areas of federal law. Key practical effects include: repealing the Digital Services Tax (with refunds payable to anyone who already paid it), sunsetting the Underused Housing Tax on January 1, 2035, authorizing up to $11.5 billion for a Build Canada Homes program and up to $1.515 billion for Canada Lands Company to support housing supply, and enacting a new framework for consumer-driven (open) banking. The Act also modernises rules for federally regulated financial institutions (banks, insurers, trust companies), establishes a new High-Speed Rail Network Act framework, dissolves the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation, creates a new Stablecoin Act framework, and strengthens the Superintendent of Financial Institutions' oversight powers. Businesses and individuals affected by any of these areas should review the specific provisions relevant to them, as many sections have staggered or order-in-council coming-into-force dates.

Digital Services Tax Act removed from Canada Revenue Agency's list of administered tax laws

The Digital Services Tax Act has been repealed and its entry in the Canada Revenue Agency Act's list of federal tax legislation administered by the CRA has been replaced with a note marking it as repealed. This means the CRA no longer has a statutory mandate to administer the Digital Services Tax under this Act. Businesses or individuals who were subject to the Digital Services Tax should be aware that the legislative framework supporting its administration by the CRA has been removed. The Select Luxury Items Tax Act and Global Minimum Tax Act remain on the list and are unaffected by this change.

Digital Services Tax Act removed from excise duty refund filing checklist

The Excise Act, 2001 has been amended to remove the Digital Services Tax Act from the list of federal statutes whose returns must be filed before a person can receive an excise duty overpayment refund or have an overpayment applied on assessment. Businesses and individuals seeking excise duty refunds still need to be current on filings under a range of other federal acts — including the Income Tax Act, Excise Tax Act, Customs Act, Global Minimum Tax Act, and others listed in the provisions — but outstanding Digital Services Tax Act returns will no longer block payment. Anyone managing excise duty refund claims should review their outstanding filing obligations against the updated list to confirm eligibility.

First Nations tax law gains a new Part 3 letting eligible First Nations impose tax on alcohol, fuel, cannabis, vaping and tobacco products

A new Part 3 has been added to the federal First Nations Goods and Services Tax Act, creating a framework that lets qualifying First Nations governing bodies (bands or bodies with equivalent legislative power) enact their own tax laws on specified products — alcohol, fuel, cannabis products, vaping products, and tobacco products — sold or brought onto their lands. The new rules mirror the structure already used in Parts 1 and 2: a First Nation must enter into an administration agreement with the federal Minister of Finance before the tax can come into force, and Canada administers and enforces the tax and pays the First Nation its share of revenue out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. A new Schedule 3 has been added to list participating First Nations, their governing bodies, lands, and which specified products are covered; the schedule is currently empty and the Minister (not the Governor in Council, as previously required for Schedules 1 and 2) can amend it by order. Several housekeeping changes were also made across existing Parts 1 and 2: gender-neutral language replacing references to 'Her Majesty' with 'His Majesty', updated publication rules (laws may now be published on a website instead of only in the First Nations Gazette), clarified definitions of 'administration agreement', 'governing body' and 'lands' to distinguish Part 1 and Part 3 uses, and a new provision allowing minor administration-agreement amendments without Governor in Council approval. Businesses operating on First Nation lands, and suppliers of alcohol, fuel, cannabis, vaping or tobacco products to customers on those lands, should monitor Schedule 3 for when specific First Nations are added, as their products could become subject to a First Nations tax at that point.

Definition of 'First Nation law' expanded and Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation removed from Schedule I

Two changes have been made to the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act. First, the definition of 'First Nation law' now references additional subsections (39(1) and 40(1)) of the First Nations Goods and Services Tax Act, broadening the range of Indigenous tax laws that can be covered by administration agreements between Canada and provinces. Second, a not-yet-in-force amendment will remove the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation from Schedule I of the Act, which lists entities relevant to fiscal arrangements. Organizations involved in tax administration agreements with federal or provincial governments, particularly those touching on First Nations taxation, should be aware of the expanded definition. The removal of the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation from Schedule I is flagged as not yet in force.

Global Minimum Tax Act updated to remove Digital Services Tax Act cross-references in transfer-pricing and filing rules

Two provisions in Canada's Global Minimum Tax Act have been revised to remove references to the Digital Services Tax Act. First, the joint-and-several liability formula for non-arm's-length property transfers no longer counts amounts assessed under the Digital Services Tax Act when calculating the transferee's offset (variable B). Second, the rule blocking refunds until all required returns are filed no longer lists the Digital Services Tax Act as one of the statutes whose returns must be cleared before a refund can issue. These changes narrow the scope of two compliance gating mechanisms. Multinational enterprise groups subject to the global minimum tax should review whether these removals affect how they calculate transfer-related liabilities or manage outstanding refund claims. The amendment also records a new legislative chapter citation, indicating the changes were made through a subsequent federal bill.

Tax Court jurisdiction updated: Digital Services Tax Act references removed, Global Minimum Tax Act section numbers adjusted

The Tax Court of Canada Act has been amended to remove the Digital Services Tax Act from the list of statutes over which the Tax Court has exclusive jurisdiction for appeals, question determinations, and extension-of-time applications. At the same time, the specific section numbers referenced for the Global Minimum Tax Act have been renumbered throughout the Act. Businesses or individuals who had matters under the Digital Services Tax Act routed to the Tax Court should be aware that those pathways have been removed from this statute. Parties with Global Minimum Tax Act matters before the Tax Court will find that the applicable procedural sections now carry updated numbering. Anyone involved in Tax Court proceedings touching these two statutes should confirm which forum and which procedural provisions now apply to their situation.

Underused Housing Tax effectively ended: no tax owed and no returns required from 2025 onward

Two new provisions have been added to the Underused Housing Tax Act that together shut down the tax going forward. First, no tax is payable under the Act for 2025 or any later calendar year. Second, owners of residential properties are no longer required to file annual returns for 2025 or any later year. A separate provision (not yet in force) formally repeals the entire Act. The reference list for returns that must be filed before the Canada Revenue Agency will release refunds has also been updated to remove the Digital Services Tax Act. Anyone who was previously tracking Underused Housing Tax obligations — including non-resident owners, certain corporations, partnerships, and trusts — no longer has filing or payment obligations for 2025 and beyond.

Digital Services Tax Regulations have been repealed

The Digital Services Tax Regulations, which set out prescribed interest rates, revenue thresholds, the tax rate, and the deduction amount under the Digital Services Tax Act, have been repealed in their entirety. All substantive content — including the €750 million global revenue threshold, the $20 million in-scope revenue threshold, the $10 million registration threshold, the 3% tax rate, and the $20 million deduction amount — has been removed from the consolidated text. Businesses or groups that were monitoring obligations under the Digital Services Tax Act should be aware that the associated regulatory framework no longer exists in its prior form. Those with compliance programs or assessments tied to these thresholds and rates should review the current state of the Act and any replacement measures.

New regulations set out exclusions, export rules, and transition relief for the federal luxury tax on aircraft, vessels, and vehicles

Canada has enacted formal regulations under the Select Luxury Items Tax Act covering four main areas. First, aircraft and vessels sold under written purchase agreements signed before 2022—or with qualifying pre-2022 deposits—are excluded from the definition of 'subject aircraft' or 'subject vessel,' meaning the luxury tax does not apply to those sales. Second, where only partial ownership of a luxury item is sold, the regulations specify how the taxable amount is calculated and confirm that a second partial-ownership sale linked to the same pre-existing written agreement attracts zero additional tax. Third, registered vendors selling aircraft for export can avoid charging luxury tax if the aircraft is exported promptly, not used in Canada beforehand, and the vendor retains satisfactory evidence of exportation; buyers can also provide a signed exemption certificate to achieve the same result and take on personal tax liability. Fourth, registered vendors who deal solely in subject vehicles must file an information return for each reporting period. Businesses selling or importing high-value aircraft, vessels, or vehicles—especially those with legacy pre-2022 contracts or export sales—should confirm whether these exemptions and calculation rules apply to their transactions.

Police undercover officers can now be exempted from Criminal Code conspiracy and related offences during cannabis operations

The Cannabis Act has been amended to allow regulations to exempt designated police officers (and people acting under their direction) from Criminal Code provisions covering conspiracy, attempt, accessory after the fact, and counselling offences related to cannabis. Previously, regulatory exemptions for undercover or covert operations only covered provisions within the Cannabis Act itself and its regulations. This new provision closes a gap by extending potential exemptions to these specific ancillary Criminal Code offences. Law enforcement agencies conducting authorized cannabis-related operations should be aware that regulations may now be made to provide this broader protection for designated officers. Cannabis licence holders and compliance teams are not directly affected by this change.

Policing provisions for Naskapi Category IA-N land repealed from federal Act

Two sections of this federal Act that governed policing jurisdiction and policing-services agreements on Naskapi Category IA-N land have been repealed. Section 195, which extended the Naskapi village municipality's territorial jurisdiction for Quebec Police Act purposes to include Category IA-N land, is gone. Section 196, which allowed the band to enter policing-services agreements with Quebec, the Cree Nation Government, the Kativik Regional Government, or other bodies, is also removed. Organizations or parties that relied on those provisions to establish or maintain policing arrangements on Category IA-N land should review whether separate authority now governs those arrangements.

Two more Ontario Court of Appeal judges added; judicial complement limits reshuffled across provinces

The Judges Act has been amended to increase the number of salaried Justices of Appeal for Ontario from 14 to 16. At the same time, the national cap on additional superior court judge salaries (excluding appeal courts) has been reduced from 79 to 69, while the separate cap reserved for unified family court judges has been raised from 58 to 66. These changes shift how federally funded judicial positions are allocated across provincial superior and family courts. Court administrators, provincial attorneys general, and legal organizations tracking judicial capacity should note the revised headcounts when planning appointments or resource requests.

Sex offender registry expanded: more agencies can access data, new reporting duties added, disclosure rules broadened

The Sex Offender Information Registration Act has been updated to extend access to the registry beyond police services to include 'other law enforcement agencies,' including the Canada Border Services Agency, which now has explicit authority to consult the database and share travel information about registered sex offenders. Offenders must now also report changes to their registered vehicles (plate number, make, model, colour, etc.) within seven days, and the annual re-reporting window has shifted to a fixed 30-day period before each anniversary of the original reporting date rather than an 11-to-12-month window. The definition of recorded physical characteristics is expanded to include tattoos and distinguishing marks, and the word 'gender' is replaced with 'sex' throughout. New disclosure permissions allow registry information to be shared with victims or witnesses of sexual crimes, with other government departments and Indigenous governing bodies, and with law enforcement outside Canada, in all cases where there are reasonable grounds to believe it will assist prevention or investigation. A good-faith defence is added so that a person who genuinely believed they were acting within the permitted disclosure rules cannot be convicted of an offence under the Act.

Police undercover exemptions expanded to cover Schedule V substances; related provisions confirmed retroactively

The amendment extends the 'holding out' exemptions for police officers and their civilian agents to cover substances in Schedule V, in addition to Schedules I through IV that were already covered. Previously, a police member or a person acting under their direction could only claim the exemption when representing a substance as being in Schedules I to IV; the exemption now applies across all five Schedules. Separately, a related legislative provision retroactively confirms the legal validity of provisions in these regulations — and in the Cannabis Act (Police Enforcement) Regulations — that deal with conspiracy, attempt, accessory, and counselling offences, back to the date each regulation was originally made. Law enforcement agencies using these exemptions in undercover operations should review how the expanded Schedule V coverage and the retroactive confirmation affect their current and past activities.

Green-claims rule for businesses narrowed: 'internationally recognized methodology' standard removed, private complaints blocked

The amendment makes two connected changes to the Competition Act's environmental claims provisions. First, the substantiation standard for business-level environmental representations (such as net-zero or sustainability claims about a company or its activities) has been softened: the previous requirement that claims be backed by 'internationally recognized methodology' has been deleted, leaving only a general 'adequate and proper substantiation' standard. Second, a new carve-out means private parties who obtain leave from the Competition Tribunal cannot use this provision to launch reviewable-conduct complaints — only the Commissioner of Competition can pursue these business-level green-claims cases going forward. Businesses making environmental claims about their overall operations face a less prescriptive evidentiary benchmark, but those claims remain reviewable by the Commissioner. Compliance teams should review existing environmental messaging to confirm it still meets the (now less defined) substantiation standard, and should note that competitor or consumer-driven Tribunal applications on this ground are no longer available.

Farm Credit Canada Act now requires periodic parliamentary review of the agency's operations

A new section has been added to the Farm Credit Canada Act requiring the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, in consultation with the Minister of Finance, to review the Act and Farm Credit Canada's operations on a recurring schedule. A report of each review must be tabled in both Houses of Parliament within one year of the review being undertaken, and that report must then be referred to and examined by a parliamentary committee. This change creates a formal accountability mechanism for Farm Credit Canada that did not previously exist in the legislation. Agricultural lenders, borrowers, and stakeholders who deal with Farm Credit Canada should be aware that the agency's activities will now be subject to structured parliamentary scrutiny on an ongoing basis.

Canada overhauls Human Pathogens and Toxins Act: new registry, tougher penalties, and stricter security rules for labs

The federal Human Pathogens and Toxins Act has been significantly restructured. The previous system of static numbered schedules listing regulated pathogens and toxins is replaced by a new Minister-maintained online registry that can be updated without regulation-making; only a single 'prohibited' schedule (formerly Schedule 5) remains in force by legislation. The definition of 'controlled activity' is now embedded directly in the Act, and new exceptions from licensing requirements apply differently depending on risk group and whether a facility also conducts activities outside transport-law coverage. Licence applicants and holders must now be resident or incorporated in Canada, designate a named representative (for organizations) and a biological safety officer, and disclose foreign funding and foreign-entity influence for higher-risk pathogens and toxins. Penalties have increased substantially — intentional release can now carry a life sentence if death results, and knowingly communicating prescribed sensitive information to a foreign entity or terrorist group is an indictable offence carrying up to life imprisonment. A new administrative monetary penalty regime (up to $250,000 for organizations) covers reporting and information-provision violations without requiring criminal prosecution. Facilities and persons dealing with Risk Group 3 or 4 pathogens or prescribed toxins face tighter access controls, including restrictions on remote access and on handling 'sensitive information,' with security-clearance requirements extended accordingly. Licence holders and labs working with regulated biological materials should review residency, representative-designation, foreign-funding-disclosure, and access-control obligations and update compliance programs accordingly.

Veterans' pension basic rates locked in retroactively from 1985 to end of 2026, with new Schedule IV listing exact amounts

The amendment formally establishes the dollar amounts of the basic pension payable to disabled Canadian Forces members for every year from April 1, 1985 through December 31, 2026, consolidating them in a new Schedule IV. All pension and allowance amounts that were linked to, or calculated from, the basic pension during that same period are deemed to have been set on the same basis — this retroactive fix overrides any conflicting provision in this or any other federal Act. Starting January 1, 2027, the existing annual cost-of-living adjustment mechanism resumes as the operative rule. Three regulation-making powers are also restored: the Governor in Council can set rules for wage and tax calculations used in adjustments, can amend Schedule IV (including adding a January 1, 2026 entry), and can make those regulations retroactive. Veterans, survivors, and dependants who receive pensions or allowances under this Act may want to confirm that the amounts they have received align with the Schedule IV figures for historical periods.

New power added to define 'province' in Veterans Health Care Regulations, with retroactive reach

The Act now includes a new section giving the Governor in Council the authority to make regulations that define what "province" means for any provision of the Veterans Health Care Regulations. Importantly, those regulations can be made retroactive if they explicitly say so. This change affects how veterans' health care benefits may be interpreted across provincial contexts and could have backward-looking implications. Organizations administering veterans' health programs and legal counsel advising on veterans' benefits should be aware that future regulatory definitions of "province" under these rules may apply to past periods.

Veterans Well-being Regulations updated to clarify first-year proration of earnings loss benefit adjustments and repeal transitional CPI provisions

Two sets of changes were made to the Veterans Well-being Regulations. First, two subsections dealing with Consumer Price Index adjustment mechanics (subsections 21(1.1) and 21(1.2)) have been formally repealed, tidying up transitional provisions that are no longer operative. Second, new rules clarify how the first annual CPI adjustment to an earnings loss benefit is calculated: when a benefit starts part-way through a calendar year, the first adjustment must be prorated to cover only the days remaining in that year, rather than applying as a full-year adjustment. Corresponding transitional provisions (subsections 27(1.1) and 27(2.1)) are then themselves repealed once their purpose is served. These changes are deemed retroactive to various dates going back to 2006, meaning the proration approach is treated as having always applied. Veterans and Canadian Forces members receiving earnings loss benefits, and the administrators calculating those benefits, are directly affected.

Human Pathogens and Toxins Regulations updated: security added to public-risk tests, licence renewal tied to new Act requirements, and toxin thresholds replaced by ministerial registry

Several practical changes have been made to the regulations governing facilities that handle human pathogens and toxins. The standard for assessing risk to the public now consistently reads 'health, safety or security' rather than just 'health or safety,' broadening the criteria used when issuing, renewing, suspending, or revoking licences and security clearances. Licence renewals are now explicitly conditional on meeting specific requirements set out in the Act, rather than being at the Minister's discretion alone. The fixed quantity table that determined when certain toxins were 'prescribed' (and therefore subject to stricter controls) has been removed; instead, toxins will be prescribed based on whether they appear in a ministerial registry and meet a risk threshold set by the Minister related to potential use as a biological weapon. A new obligation requires licence holders to notify the Minister without delay if a licensed pathogen is modified so that it poses a lower risk, replacing the previous regulatory exemption framework for risk-reduced pathogens. References to specific Act schedules for toxin lists have been updated to refer to 'the schedule to the Act.'

Veterans health care regulations clarify which provinces count for accommodation charge calculations

Two additions clarify what "province" means when calculating maximum monthly accommodation and meal charges for veterans in long-term care. A new subsection explicitly limits the definition of "province" to the ten named provinces (Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Newfoundland and Labrador), excluding territories. A transitional provision also retroactively deems that same limited definition to have applied for an earlier multi-year period. Veterans receiving long-term care benefits and facilities billing under these regulations should note that only costs in the named provinces are captured by the relevant charge-cap calculations.

Canada's National School Food Program gets its own stand-alone law, locking in federal funding and reporting duties

A new federal Act formally establishes the National School Food Program in statute, setting out the government's long-term vision that all children and youth in Canada have access to nutritious food at school. The law commits the federal government to maintaining ongoing funding, delivered through agreements with provinces, territories, and Indigenous governing bodies rather than operating programs directly. Six guiding principles—accessibility, health promotion, inclusivity, flexibility, sustainability, and accountability—must shape every federal investment and related agreement. The Act also requires the designated Minister to prepare and table an annual report in Parliament summarizing federal spending and progress against those principles. School boards, provincial and territorial governments, and Indigenous communities that run or seek funding for school meal programs should watch for new or renewed funding agreements that will flow under this framework.

Federal student aid blocked for private, for-profit foreign schools — with a phase-out window for current students

A new rule (s. 6.31) prohibits the federal government from providing Canada Student Financial Assistance to students enrolled at private, for-profit designated educational institutions located outside Canada. A delayed-application provision means students already enrolled in an ongoing program at such an institution as of the 2025–26 loan year can continue receiving aid until August 1, 2029, provided they stay in the same program at the same school. A second new provision (s. 6.5) lets the federal Minister align with a provincial decision to suspend or deny student aid for a class of students, institutions, or programs, if there are compelling reasons the aid would risk program integrity, enable offences, or expose students or the Crown to financial risk. Affected students and institutions should review whether current or planned enrolments fall within the new ban and plan accordingly.

Co-op housing corporations carved out of purpose-built rental GST/HST rebates unless equity-transfer rules are met

Amendments to Canada's Real Property (GST/HST) Regulations introduce the concept of an "excluded equity housing supply," which blocks certain co-operative housing transactions from qualifying for the enhanced GST/HST rebates available to purpose-built rental housing. Specifically, a sale of a residential complex to a corporation is excluded from rebate eligibility if the corporation issues shares that give the buyer a right to occupy a unit (a proprietary-lease arrangement) and there is no statutory or contractual cap preventing the shareholder from reselling those shares at a higher price. New section 3.1 clarifies that co-operative corporations are treated as corporations for these purposes, and that the total consideration for a share includes all amounts paid for related interests in the complex or unit. A new condition (section 4.1) is also added for co-operative housing corporation rebates under the Act, requiring that the supply not be an excluded equity housing supply. Operators of co-operative housing projects or advisers structuring such transactions should review whether their share-transfer arrangements include price-limitation restrictions, as that determination will govern rebate eligibility.