Labour Market News

AtkinsRéalis, an engineering and nuclear power services firm headquartered in Montréal, is receiving a loan of up to $304M over four years from the Government of Canada. The loan will help the company design new nuclear reactors using natural uranium.

The Centre de pédiatrie sociale en communauté de Lanaudière (CPSCL) recently opened a new facility in Sainte-Julienne

Telus, a telecommunications company, announced another round of buyouts that will be offered to 571 employees in Canada, including 360 in Quebec. The cities of Rimouski and Sainte-Marie in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region are the most affected.

The Centre de formation professionnelle Lac-Abitibi received nearly $1M from the Government of Quebec to offer a training program in heavy equipment mechanics. Numerous mining companies will be involved in the program.

Telesat is a company that is implementing a network of low Earth orbit satellites. The company will create 300 jobs in Gatineau by the end of the year thanks to the construction of a campus, which will cost $25M. The governments of Quebec and Canada are involved in the project.

Les Publications Le Soir is a media company that has been established in Baie-Comeau through the collaboration of Journal Le Soir and Éditions Nordiques. The company acquired Médialo media, which allowed it to maintain 12 jobs and create nearly 10 positions in Eastern Quebec.

Groupe NARBO, a real estate developer, is investing $40M in construction on the Pavilla Delson realty project in Delson. The complex will include 176 apartments, as well as commercial premises and business incubators.

Société VIA, a company specializing in managing recyclable materials, invested an additional $2.7M in its new automated sorting line at its sorting centre in Rivière-du-Loup

Gibbys, a restaurant in Saint-Sauveur that is owned by Groupe Grandio, will close at the end of March. The company decided to close this location because the lease ended and the building is aging.

The Riverside School Board began construction on the REACH School, which will be for neurodivergent students in Saint-Lambert. The Government of Quebec is funding the project with over $36M.

AirBoss Defense Group, a company specializing in military equipment, was awarded a contract valued at over $82M from the U.S. Army to manufacture overboots resistant to chemical and biological threats at its plant in Acton Vale

Telus, a telecommunications company, announced another round of buyouts that will be offered to 571 employees in Canada, including 360 in Quebec. The cities of Rimouski and Sainte-Marie in the Chaudière-Appalaches region are the most affected.

Epgwa’s’g Temporary Shelter, a homeless shelter in Listuguj, ended daytime operations and is expected to shut down entirely by the end of March. As a result, around 15 people will lose their jobs.

MGE Groupe Immobilier, a real estate developer, received $21.6M in funding from the Government of Canada to build 72 rental units. These units are part of the third phase of its 400-unit TERRA residential project in Lévis.

The Ville de Granby is investing $76M over the next 10 years in renovating its drinking water treatment plant

Groupe MACH, the property manager of EXAL de la Concorde, is building 268 rental units with various partners, including the federal government. The project is scheduled to be complete in the summer of 2026.

The Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ), a network of liquor stores throughout the province, will close eight stores in Montréal, Baie-d’Urfé, Brossard, Stanstead, Gatineau, Québec, Saguenay and Rivière-Bleue

Transdev, a public transit company based in Belœil, is receiving more than $189M over 11 years from the Ville de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. A portion of this investment will be used to reroute buses to the Réseau express métropolitain in Brossard.

OïKOS Construction, a general contractor, received $42M in funding from the Government of Canada to construct a building called La Cour with 159 rental units in Québec. The project, which has already begun, should be complete in June.

The Ville de Sept-Îles completed work, which began in January 2024, to modernize its water treatment plant. The Government of Quebec invested over $6.7M in the $15M project.

The Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ), a network of liquor stores throughout the province, will open six micro-agencies in Montréal starting in May

Groupe MACH, the property manager of Central Parc Laval, is investing $132M in Phase 4 and 5 of the project. These phases include 419 rental units, which are scheduled to be complete in 2027. The federal government is funding a portion of the project.

Uniboard, a company specializing in engineered wood, is investing $2.5 M in acquiring autonomous guided vehicles for its plant in Val-d’Or

Technicolor, a special effects company, temporarily laid off 300 workers. A portion of these workers were employed at the company’s MPC Studio, Mikros Animation, and Montréal subsidiaries.

Recochem is a company specializing in refining, distilling, and designing chemical products. The company will cease operations at its plant and reduce operations at its distribution centre in Montréal. By the end of April at the latest, 95 employees will have lost their jobs.

Davie, a shipbuilder, was awarded a $3.25B contract from the Canadian Coast Guard to build an icebreaker by 2030. This project will create 2,000 jobs in Quebec, including 1,000 at the shipyard in Lévis, where the project will start in the fall of 2026.

The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), the largest banking institution in the country, laid off employees within its network

The Centre de la petite enfance Manche de Pelle is investing $1.9M in the construction of a new building, which can accommodate 100 children, in the borough of Fleurimont in Sherbrooke

The Ville de Bromont will invest $1.75M in redeveloping the Grégoire park. The project will be in progress until the fall.

The Government of Nunavut plans to open 72 new long-term elder care beds in Iqaluit and Cambridge Bay as part of the territory's Aging with Dignity strategy. The facilities are at the design stage, and they are expected to be completed in 2030 and 2028, respectively.

As part of its 2025-2026 budget, the Government of Yukon has proposed nearly $141M in funding for the Yukon Hospital Corporation, an increase of 21 percent over the previous year. The funding would cover increased operating expenses faced by the health care system, as well as $5M dedicated to capital funding.

The Federal Government will commit $1.5B over 10 years to implement the Nunavut land claim agreement. Included in the implementation agreement is $600M for job training, which seeks to increase Inuit representation among the territorial public service. Funding will also be made available for territorial institutions, as well as new resources for hunter, trapper and wildlife organizations.

A new $34M research and training centre will soon be built in Pond Inlet. Once complete, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, in partnership with Nunavut Arctic College, will offer courses on conservation, mining, research and Inuit traditional knowledge, with the possibility of some university-level education.

Veterinarians Without Borders, with assistance from Arctic Paws, are conducting a census of dogs in Tuktoyaktuk to evaluate need for veterinary services in the community.

The Government of Yukon proposes a 29.8% funding increase to insured health services as part of its 2025-2026 Budget, for a total of $206M. The funding includes the introduction of new health care cards, and medical travel for fertility treatments, in addition to medical services.

The Federal Government has announced a $420K contribution to a joint territorial initiative that seeks to encourage foreign and domestic investment in northern mining. Reports show that mining investment is down in Yukon, flat in the Northwest Territories yet has increased in Nunavut.

The CEO of Exchange Income Corp, which is set to purchase Canadian North airline, has stated there would be no service reductions or increases in price once the company assumes control of the carrier. Industry experts, meanwhile, cannot rule out eventual reductions in staff.

The Government of Yukon is putting aside $1M for an assistance program to support businesses impacted by U.S. tariffs, as well supporting “Buy Yukon" advertising campaigns run by local chambers of commerce.

Pending legislative approval, the Yukon Government intends to distribute nearly $13M to the City of Whitehorse under the Comprehensive Municipal Grant, an increase of nearly$4.9M from last year. The additional funds are intended to help municipalities with increased fiscal flexibility.

The Inuktitut-only daycare Tumikuluit Saipaaqivik has opened its new location in Apex. The centre, completed in collaboration with the YWCA, offers wraparound supports for early childhood and Inuktitut-language programming.

The Tlicho Government and federal government are investing more than $53M to plant 12M trees. The federal government will contribute nearly $45M to tree-planting efforts, which includes resources for job training and a greenhouse. The work will help reduce carbon dioxide and mitigate against future wildfires by adopting Firesmart principles.

Yellowknife City Council voted unanimously to use nearly $26M in federal funding to replace a failing pumphouse, allowing the city to make improvements in its drinking water infrastructure.

Legislative changes have resulted in the regulation of psychologists in the Yukon. The new regulatory framework requires registration of practicing psychologists and allows for professional oversight.

In a December survey by the Northwest Territories Medical Association, 64 percent of doctors reported they were planning to leave the territory or had considered it in the past year, a situation described as a looming crisis. However, the doctors also reported that the community and people encourage them to remain in the territory.

The Government of Yukon has announced an increase of $5.2M in funding for RCMP in Yukon as part of its 2025-2026 budget, for a total of $47M. Pending legislative approval, the funds will help create additional officer positions, fund pay raises and upgrading police equipment and infrastructure.

The Department of National Defence has designated Yellowknife, Inuvik and Iqaluit as northern operational support hubs, which will increase the presence of the Canadian Armed Forces in the Arctic. The increased investment may lead to the construction of "dual use" infrastructure that will also benefit civilians.

The Hamlet of Gjoa Haven has opened a shelter for women and children, as well as another shelter for men. The shelters are operated by Kitikmeot Friendship Society, who have been training staff. Follow-up care and connections to services will be offered to those housed in the shelter, as well as traditional food and therapists.

The Federal government announced $80M in funding over five years for affordable childcare as well as nearly $7.5M over three years for increased school meal programs in the Northwest Territories. The school meal funding is aimed at improving nutrition and the availability of food for school children, in part through improving kitchen equipment and facilities.

The Klondike Placer Miners' Association has urged the territorial government to address the backlog of water licence and land use plan extensions applications by issuing temporary renewals. The miners claim the delays threaten to shut down mining activity while they wait for approvals.

A new transitional housing program for addiction recovery in Yellowknife will open in April, thanks to a joint effort between the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Salvation Army, the City of Yellowknife and the Federal Government. The centre offers supports, life skills development and transition to long-term housing.

Construction of the Yellowknife Islamic Centre has been delayed as the organization faces increased logistical and material costs. Once open, the centre will allow for hosting of family activities and youth initiatives.

The Arctic Energy Alliance, an energy efficiency not-for-profit, will need to reduce its program delivery due to an end in federal funding. The not-for-profit provides energy efficiency programs and helps residents to upgrade their homes to reduce energy costs.

The CRTC approved $271.9M fibreoptic cable network to connect Iqaluit, Kimmirut, Kinngait and Coral Harbour to the Tamaani Internet network is expected to be complete by 2031. For next steps, the Government of Nunavut will start the permitting process and issue a tender for a proponent

The Federal Government has announced that Inuit Child First Initiative funding has been extended for one year. The initiative provides funding for the food voucher programs offered by many Nunavut hamlets.

After completion of an environmental assessment, the Hamlet of Pangnirtung will demolish the derelict Anglican church and nearby outbuildings as part of an agreement with the Diocese of the Arctic. A daycare, multipurpose structure, and parish hall will be built on the location.

The Government of Saskatchewan is providing an additional $15M to expand acute care services at the Saskatoon City Hospital to address capacity pressures. The money will go towards capital renovations, equipment upgrades and operations, including adding 100 acute care inpatient beds.

The Government of Canada is providing $15.8M over three years to boost school food programs in Saskatchewan through the National School Food Program. The funding supports training, tools for program providers, and additional support staff for program delivery.

The Government of Saskatchewan is receiving $700M from Canada's Historic Tobacco Settlement. The money will go towards ongoing cancer care and prevention through a federal compensation plan. The plan includes improving treatment and care within the provincial health care system, compensating individuals, and providing accountability to cigarette manufacturers.

The U.S. president has imposed 25% steel and aluminium tariffs beginning on March 12, 2025. Metal Supermarkets in Saskatoon is experiencing a slowdown, reporting that mills have reduced production slightly and are uncertain about determining prices as tariffs fluctuate. Many companies are facing challenges and uncertainties.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is recruiting for new police members in Saskatchewan. A new recruitment drive is expected to bring a diverse range of applicants. The RCMP hosts online and Mentor night sessions to support their recruitment. The next Mentor night is expected to occur at Buffalo Narrows, with dates to be determined.

The Government of Saskatchewan is providing $3.5M to build the Ronald McDonald House in Prince Albert. The facility plan includes 12 bedrooms, a communal kitchen, dining, living, and play spaces. When completed, it will provide housing for families and children with serious health issues undergoing treatments at nearby health care facilities. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2025, with completion set for early 2027.

The Government of Saskatchewan is developing a project to allow collaboration between municipalities and volunteer fire departments to demolish and remediate derelict buildings. Through the project, the government aims to improve safety, promote redevelopment, and encourage workers to live in rural municipalities. The plan is expected to be available for municipalities in summer 2025, with regulatory changes made this spring.

Winners recently opened a new outlet store in Winkler on March 10. The Winkler location represents store number 303 for the chain in Canada.

The Government of Canada is allocating more than $120M over 10 years to Winnipeg, Brandon, and Selkirk through the Canada Public Transit Fund. The funding will support the cities’ transit infrastructure upgrades, reducing transit greenhouse gas emissions, and increase housing supply and affordability in transit-oriented communities.

The Brandon Police Service is planning to retrofit an existing building into a new police operations centre. The administration is currently negotiating a property purchase but once operational, the new $4.5M building will house major crimes investigations and research teams.

The Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) recently laid off around 60 workers from their child and family services agencies due to budget constraints. The MMF anticipates an additional 100 to 150 staff at risk of being let go in the future.

The Niverville Open Health Clinic is planning to open a second clinic later this year. The clinic will also offer additional services such as physical medicine and physiotherapy.

The Government of Canada is providing an additional $27.3M to support service providers in preventing and reducing homelessness in Winnipeg, bringing the total funding to $174.7M. This initiative is part of the federal government's Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy, which supports prevention and reduction of homelessness across the country in urban, Indigenous, rural, and remote communities.

The Government of Canada is providing over $1.5M to three projects for the promotion of economic growth in Manitoba’s Francophone and bilingual communities. The projects will help create and maintain over 200 jobs across the province in addition to supporting Francophone tourism entrepreneurs.

The City of Winkler’s water treatment expansion will be operational by fall 2025. Once fully online, the facility's treatment capacity will increase to about 110 litres per second and raise the recovery rate of raw water from approximately 70% to the low 90s.

The College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba announced a new registration process for internationally educated nurses to work in Manitoba. The expedited process will allow nurses from select countries to forgo a clinical competence assessment, reducing overall processing times.

The West St. Paul Medical Clinic recently opened on March 10. The clinic offers walk-in services, chronic disease management, vaccinations, and other minor procedures.

The Turner building, a long-empty landmark building in Victoria, is set for demolition. The building is no longer up to safety code and will be torn down within a week. Once demolition work is completed, a six-storey residential building will be constructed in its place. Construction of the new building is anticipated for summer, once the city issues final approval.

Construction of a new six-storey apartment building in Salmon Arm is scheduled to begin in summer 2025. The building will have 73 rental units and feature some commercial units. Work has begun at the site to prepare for construction and remove the existing buildings.

Bar Down Bakery and Cafe is opening summer 2025 in Fort Langley.

The Government of British Columbia is launching a campaign to recruit doctors and nurses from the United States. The plan will fast-track the recognition of American health-care workers’ credentials and remove the need for further assessment, examination, or training. The campaign will begin this spring and will highlight job opportunities in key areas including cancer care, emergency departments, and rural communities.

Sea Breeze Vietnamese Cuisine, a Vietnamese restaurant in Sidney, is closing on March 29.

FortisBC has received approval for the Okanagan Mitigation Project, a new energy project that will help meet energy needs for the Okanagan. The project includes the construction of a small-scale liquefied natural gas storage facility. The project will begin in 2026 and is expected to finish construction in time for the 2026-2027 winter season.

Public Services and Procurement Canada has announced that Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards will be building one of the future polar icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard as part of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy. Construction of the ship will begin in April.

The Government of Canada is providing nearly $188K to eight Tri-City groups through the New Horizons for Seniors Program. The grant money will support seniors at risk with age-appropriate programming.

The University of Fraser Valley has signed a deal with the University of Western States in the U.S. to train additional chiropractors. Under the new agreement, the schools will connect some of their programming to allow for a more simplified education process. This new pathway looks to address ongoing shortages in both countries.

The Atlantic Power plant in Williams Lake will no longer be shutting down. The company previously issued a 12-month notice to shut down the plant due to fibre insecurity and insufficient electricity rates from BC Hydro. Atlantic Power and BC Hydro have since renegotiated, and the plant will continue to operate until 2029, when the agreement expires.

The Governments of Canada and British Columbia have announced an agreement to enhance school programs for 90K children in over 1K schools across the province. The Government of Canada will be providing about $39.4M over the next three years to support the expansion. These funds will go towards expanding the number of students served, purchasing equipment and increasing menu options.

The Government of Canada has announced over $4.8M in PacifiCan funding for 24 organizations to support local tourism as well as $500K for the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade to help more businesses diversify their export markets.

The Paul Myers Tower has opened at Lions Gate Hospital. The new acute care tower has 108 beds and eight operating rooms.

Toys ‘R’ Us is closing its store on West Broadway in Vancouver soon due to the expiring of the lease.

The Government of British Columbia is providing $10K to support the District of Kitimat's Indigenous cultural safety training. The training will be conducted by the Haisla Nation’s Culture and Language department and will include saksiwá (x?á’isla Haisla Cultural Awareness Training) and a Blanket Exercise.

The College of New Caledonia in Prince George will no longer be offering their Modern Classics program and English Language Programs starting next fall. The program closures are due to a loss of funding and decreasing student enrollment. Seven teaching positions will also be laid off as a result.

Energy company Enbridge Inc announced plans to expand the T-North natural gas pipeline connecting Fort Nelson and Fort St. John. The $400M project would increase the total capacity of natural gas egression to 3.7 billion cubic feet per day by 2028.

A social housing detox facility has begun construction in East Vancouver. The facility will have 97 rental units, a 51-bed detox centre and a 20-bed transition space. The project is estimated to cost over $109M and will open in 2026.

The Government of Canada has provided $416K of funding to two Kelowna companies to examine housing challenges across the country. The project aims to gather new data and design digital tools to solve challenges related to infill housing. The companies will work with governments in Kelowna, the Regional District of the Central Okanagan, Salmon Arm, Colwood and Calgary.

The Government of Canada has announced over $7.6M in funding for four projects in British Columbia under the Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund. These projects support aquatic restoration by helping to address the root causes of impacts to coastal and marine environments.

Canada Summer Jobs has announced that 70K job opportunities will be available through the program for summer 2025. People aged 15 to 30 are eligible to apply for the positions when they open on April 21. Jobs will be in recreation, the food industry, marketing and tourism, and other industries.

Pho Tam, a Surrey Vietnamese restaurant, has announced it will be closing on March 17.

Snuneymuxw First Nation is launching Sarlequun Transport Inc, a Vancouver Island-based company offering trucking services for general freight, forestry, construction, and mining industries. The trucking company will provide career opportunities to First Nation members with plans to reinvest profits into Snuneymuxw community programs. Sarlequun Transport Inc is currently looking to hire truck drivers, mechanics, and logistics staff.

The City of Kelowna is expecting to spend $150M on more than 100 infrastructure projects this year. The funds are going towards 52 transportation projects, 23 park projects, 38 utilities projects and 20 protection projects. These projects are focused on renewing existing infrastructure and making targeted investments to support population growth.

Oyo Korean Noodles, a budget-friendly noodle restaurant in Vancouver, has closed.

Casa de Nata is opening a new bakery in Vancouver.

The Government of Canada has announced 10 projects across British Columbia are receiving a total of $4.79M in funding from the latest round of the Canadian Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk. These funds will support conservation and recovery efforts for species at risk across the province.

The Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada has announced $6.4M in funding for seven organizations to help drive business growth in British Columbia. Of the funds, $5.1M will go towards three organizations through the Business Acceleration Pilot which will help them scale up and expand their markets. The remaining 1.3M will go to local non-profit organizations.

BC Ferries has posted several jobs on its company job board. Some available positions include terminal attendants, ticket agents, deckhands, and managers.

The Governments of Canada and British Columbia have signed an agreement to support people experiencing homelessness as part of the Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampments Initiative. Through this agreement, the governments will jointly contribute $39.9M over two years to support the municipalities of Vancouver, Abbotsford and Kamloops.

The University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Forestry has been awarded a US$790K grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation to study cultural and prescribed burning in partnership with four First Nations in British Columbia. The study will analyze the benefits to biodiversity, wildfire risk and forest ecosystem restoration.

The Okanagan Indian Band has received nearly $90K thorough a Wildfire Salvage Opportunity Agreement for a fibre recovery project to remove burned fibre. The project is one of 14 being pursued by the Government of British Columbia in the Thompson – Okanagan region with $6.5M of funding from the Forest Enhancement Society of B.C.

The Government of British Columbia has announced in its 2025-2026 budget that the interactive digital media tax credit program would be increasing to 25% from 17.5% and will effectively become permanent. The program allows video game, virtual reality and augmented reality studios to claim a credit on the production of their products and is expected to increase investment in the industry.

The Government of Canada is providing $7M to support tourism operations and local business expansions on Vancouver Island. Five tourism groups will be allotted $1M, while $6M will go towards three local businesses. The funding is part of the federal government's initiative to support businesses and create jobs in BC.

Nui, a new Korean restaurant, opened in Vancouver on March 11, 2025.

The Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada has announced $18.3M in funding to help seven British Columbia-based companies grow. HealthTech Connex, a life sciences firm, will get more than $3.7M to expand sales of its brain imaging device worldwide. The funds will create a total of more than 270 jobs while growing the B.C. economy.

The Government of British Columbia is providing $568K in grants to several community service projects and not-for-profit organizations in Greater Victoria. The funding is part of the provincial government's Community Gaming Grants program and will help recipients expand program delivery and complete facility upgrades.

Playsticity, a Vancouver child care space, has announced it has closed after less than three months of operations. The business closed due to high startup costs and low registration in January.

Iyara Thai Restaurant in Penticton has announced it is closing because the owners are retiring.

Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd. has announced it is undergoing restructuring that will result in changes and closures for some of its stores in Western Canada. 17 Atmosphere stores across British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan will be closing as part of the restructuring. Under the company’s new growth strategy, it will be investing $2B over the next four years to improve its financial performance.

The Sidney Employment Expo 2025 was held on March 12. The job fair featured over 30 employers conducting on-the-spot interviews and employment specialists offering career and interview advice.

The Columbia Basin Trust is providing over $3.3M to support eight projects as part of their Ecosystem Enhancement Program. The funding will support long-term and short-term projects focusing on restoring habitats, enhancing biodiversity, and strengthening ecosystem resilience within the region.

El Compañero in Abbotsford closed at the end of February. The business said that the current economic climate forced the closure.

North Saanich is opening the Centre for Plant Health, a new research lab focused on sustainable wine and fruit growth practices. The centre is Canada’s only post-entry quarantine, research and diagnostic facility for virus testing of grapevines, fruit-bearing trees, and small fruit.

KP Tissue Inc. has announced it will be delaying its decision about the location of its US$600M tissue manufacturing facility because of tariffs from the United States. The company has scouted locations in both Canada and the U.S. and had expected to make the decision in early 2025.

Natural Products Canada has announced $1.7M to seven early-stage companies to accelerate the commercialization of bio-based and natural products. Tersa Earth, a Vancouver-based sustainable mining company, is receiving $350K to support its work to recover valuable metals while remediating water in the resource extraction sector.

Two major infrastructure projects are starting in Kelowna this March. The North End Sanitary Catchment Realignment project will replace the existing sanitary sewer network to support the growing population by fall 2025. The Royal View Transmission Main project will include the installation of a new water transmission main to increase the supply of drinking water by spring 2026.

Thompson Rivers University is launching a new diploma in Computer Network and Cybersecurity starting September 2025. The two-year program will offer a practical, lab-based curriculum, industry certifications, and co-op placements in cybersecurity.

El Compa, a new Mexican restaurant, is opening in Vancouver.

The Government of British Columbia has announced it will be lowering the adaptable-dwelling requirements for new large multi-family residential buildings to 20% from 100% of all units. The government has said that the changes were made after consultations with the homebuilding sector and in recognition of the current economic uncertainty.

Rumble Fish, a new seafood restaurant, is opening in Vancouver soon.

Pizzeria Barbarella, a Vancouver-based restaurant, announced it would be permanently closing on March 2.

Nova Chemicals, which operates a polyethylene plant near Red Deer, has been acquired in an international merger. The merged entity Borouge Group International, headquartered in Austria, is buying Nova Chemicals for $13.4B. It is not yet known how the acquisition will affect the central Alberta plant.

The federal government is providing an additional $2M toward recovery efforts in Jasper, a community rebuilding following a 2024 wildfire. The funding will be used to increase temporary space for displaced businesses, speed up new home construction, and promote tourism in the community.

Enoch Cree First Nation is planning a $1B residential, commercial, and health sector development that is expected to support up to 800 jobs. The project is slated for completion in 2027 and will include a medical centre, a cultural centre, and an elders facility. The community, located west of Edmonton, has secured a $100M loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank to help with project costs.

The governments of Alberta and Canada have signed a $42M agreement to expand the national school nutrition program. The federal funding will be delivered over three years and supplements Alberta’s current nutrition program.

The Government of Canada is providing $2.9M to nine Alberta businesses, communities, and not-for-profits through its Tourism Growth Program. The projects being funded are expected to support about 120 jobs. They include events, tourist attractions, and cultural experiences.

Medicine Hat College is introducing a two-year pharmacy technician diploma program, offering 20 seats beginning in fall of 2025. The college says it is responding to increased demand for pharmacy technicians in the region.

Calgary-based Canadian Natural Resources Ltd posted its highest ever production numbers in Q4 of 2024, at 1,470,428 barrels per day. This was up from 1,419,313 the previous year. Due to falling oil prices, however, the company’s profit and revenue were down year-over-year.

The Government of Canada is providing a total $8.3M to 13 Alberta performing arts organizations. The funding is expected to support over 75 jobs.

The provincial government is providing $5M to 113 food banks across Alberta, or approximately $44,000 per organization. The funds are part of an effort to address affordability and food security concerns amid the Canada-U.S. trade war.

The Calgary Fire Department is recruiting 130-150 firefighters this spring, and is accepting applications until the end of March.

The Government of Alberta is spending $311M over three years to expand highway capacity out of Fort McMurray into the Peace River region. This includes funds for the planning and design of a new highway, as well as improvements to existing routes in the area.

The Government of Alberta’s 2025 budget increases funding to the province’s Emergency Medical Services by $56M. This is in addition to $40M specifically earmarked for replacing aging ambulances and other vehicles and equipment.

New home construction could increase in Red Deer following bylaw changes last year that will allow more variety in housing. Currently a 148-unit complex is being built in the Clearview Ridge neighbourhood, with 22 suites allocated to low-income tenants. The City is also processing a permit for a 28-unit apartment building with eight commercial units.

Whitecap Resources Inc. is acquiring Veren Inc. in a $15B dollar deal expected to close before May 30. The acquisition will make the combined firm the biggest landholder in the Montney and Duvernay regions. It will operate under the Whitecap name, producing about 370,000 barrels per day.

The Velvet Olive, a bar and music venue in Red Deer, is closing at the end of May. The business has been in operation since 2005.

The City of Calgary is contributing more than $20M from its downtown incentive program to five residential projects that will add 1,100 new homes to the city’s core. The projects include three new residential towers slated to open in 2027 or 2028, and two office-to-residential conversions opening this year.

The United Nurses of Alberta has reached a four-year tentative agreement with the Province that covers 30,000 nurses. The proposed deal includes an immediate 15% wage hike for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses. The government has also committed an additional $22.5M per year for staff recruitment and retention in rural Alberta.

The City of Edmonton and the Government of Alberta are partnering with the company that owns the Edmonton Oilers on a downtown rejuvenation initiative. The three parties have signed a memorandum of understanding agreeing to work toward three projects totalling $408.2M. These include a new event park beside the Oilers’ arena, the demolition of the former arena, and the creation of 2,500 new housing units in the area. Last week’s provincial budget allocated $106M toward this effort.

The Town of Whitecourt has received $3M in federal funding to improve its transit services. Over the next three years the town will add or upgrade bus stops, shelters, traffic signals, and other transit infrastructure, as well as purchasing a new transit bus.

The P.E.I. Department of Agriculture and the federal government will redirect $500K to help P.E.I.’s agriculture sector respond to U.S. imposed tariffs. The money is aimed to help develop markets and business plans.

The federal government announced $12M in funding to upgrade production at the Amalgamated Dairies Limited (ADL) dairy cooperative in P.E.I. The funding should cover about half of the project cost to upgrade ADL’s cheese production, which will be more automated. According to ADL’s president, this project will help the company adapt to the workforce of the future.

The Government of Canada has announced up to $6M in funding over 3 years to help the four Atlantic provinces improve and strengthen intra-regional air services as the sector continues to recover from the pandemic to support Atlantic Canada's economic growth, tourism, and connections.

P.E.I. is already feeling the affects of immigration cuts with some restaurants struggling to keep staff, who have moved away for better immigration opportunities. Rural fish processing plants and the province’s French daycares also rely on foreign workers.

Flair Airlines will offer three flights a week from Charlottetown to Toronto starting in April. Initially P.E.I. was not on Flair’s 2025 schedule, but made the change due to lower demand for U.S. flights and a lack of low-fare options on P.E.I.

All provinces except P.E.I. and N.L. have agreed to remove obstacles to allow their alcohol to be sold in other areas. Many Island producers want barriers removed in order to sell their product through a website, have more control and reach new markets.

The Atlantic Veterinary College has changed its admissions policy to put less emphasis on marks and more on life experience. In evaluating students, academics would weigh in at 40%, while the remaining 60% would come from an interview, essay, and personal suitability.

MetroWorks, a Halifax-based non-profit organization, has closed due to bankruptcy after nearly 5 decades of operation. It operated social enterprises Stone Hearth Bakery, The Ampersand Café and Common Roots Urban Farm and ran the Cunard Learning Centre and employment skills programs for newcomers.

The Government of Canada has announced $498,750 in funding to Dartmouth-based startup Freshr Technologies to expand the manufacturing capacity of its sustainable packaging. Freshr will also hire a local engineer to design and operate a new manufacturing line.

The Town of Amherst will receive $2.2M through the federal government's Housing Accelerator Fund to speed up construction of 67 homes over the next 3 years and help spur construction of 300 housing units over the next decade. Bridgewater and Mahone Bay also received a total of over $3.5M in funding.

The Government of Canada has announced up to $6M in funding over 3 years to help the four Atlantic provinces improve and strengthen intra-regional air services as the sector continues to recover from the pandemic to support Atlantic Canada's economic growth, tourism, and connections.

The N.S. Seafood Alliance, representing 135 processors and shippers, say the incoming 25% tariffs by China set to take effect on March 20 on seafood products including lobster, snow crab and shrimp, add more uncertainty to an industry already threatened by U.S. Tariffs (currently paused until April 2). China is Canada’s second largest fish and seafood export market.

The Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia have announced $36.8M in funding through the Atlantic Fisheries Fund for 142 projects in Nova Scotia’s fishing and seafood sector. The funding will help harvesters and processors modernize equipment and improve quality, productivity, and sustainability.

Northern Pulp has announced that its feasibility study has not reached the financial threshold to support the business case to build and operate a new mill in Liverpool. They have requested a 5-week extension to review the financial model which has been granted by the N.S. Government.

A first $8B contract was awarded to Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax to design and start construction on three future destroyers for the Royal Canadian Navy. The three ships should be commissioned between 2032 and 2036 and should cost a total of $22.2B. Five thousand workers in Halifax and elsewhere in the country are likely to be involved in building the ships.

New Business Openings: Hunky Dory and Margaret’s Café (Peggy’s Cove), Nayya Pizza (Tantallon), Taco Boyz (Bedford), Stacked Pancake House (Bedford), Mosobna Bar and Restaurant (Halifax), and Mobil gas station (Hammonds Plains); Closures: Pizza Girls (Tantallon).

The N.S. Government has announced $3M to the Sambro and Area Community Association to develop a new community centre that which will provide an accessible space for sports, recreation, meetings and educational activities. The building will integrate green energy practices.

The N.S. Government has announced $23.7M in funding to address the epidemic of intimate partner violence. This investment includes $17.9M over 4 years to stabilize operations at 10 transition houses and an additional $1.9M in project-based funding to advance initiatives that prevent or address gender-based violence.

China has announced a 100% tariff on Canadian canola, as well as a 25% tariff on pork and seafood. In 2023 N.S. exported $2.45B in seafood to China, while N.B. exported $1.68B. The Maritimes exported $2.63B in lobster to China in 2023 or 93% of the market.

N.S. recruited 189 more doctors than it lost during 2024 - an increase of about 50% over the previous year. As of February approximately 104,324 people in Nova Scotia were looking for a family doctor. About 50% of the province's recruits are Dalhousie University's medical school graduates and 30% are international medical graduates.

The N.S. Government has announced 23 organizations will receive a total of $13.8M over 3 years through a community wellness grant program of the Office of Mental Health and Addictions.

Transitional housing facility Horizons at 106 (formerly the Comfort Inn in St. John’s) is now fully staffed with full-time and casual support workers, security, hospitality staff, health staff and administration. The building's lease and facility operations cost the N.L. Government about $13M annually which has a capacity of 100 residents.

The Government of Canada has announced up to $6M in funding over 3 years to help the four Atlantic provinces improve and strengthen intra-regional air services as the sector continues to recover from the pandemic to support Atlantic Canada's economic growth, tourism, and connections.

The N.L. Government has reached a tentative agreement with the N.L. Medical Association that addresses remuneration and focuses on the retention and recruitment of physicians to the province. Details of the tentative deal will be released once the ratification process is complete.

Union representatives are worried about two major breweries in St. John's if the province joins on with the rest of the country to limit provincial trade barriers on alcohol. The N.L. Association of Public and Private Employees represents about 60 employees at Labatt while FFAW-Unifor represents over 50 employees at Molson Coors.

Saltwinds Coffee in Keswick doubled its production of roasted coffee beans in February as Canadian consumers look to support Canadian businesses. Stores can’t keep Saltwind’s coffee on the shelves and stores are placing some of the largest orders ever done.

The Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick’s (CCNB) is improving its heavy equipment operator training program to better adapt to the needs of companies in the northern part of the province. The federal and provincial governments announced a $1.4M partnership in modernizing the program. Starting on April 7, eight students will begin their 14-week training in heavy equipment operation.

The Fédération régionale acadienne des pêcheurs professionnels (FRAPP) received nearly $3.5M in financial support from the federal and provincial governments. The funding is intended to help shrimpers diversify and develop the redfish fishery on the Acadian Peninsula.

The N.B. government is adding $200M in funding to its child-care system, which is in addition to $876.3M from the federal government. The funding will subsidize over 17,000 child-care spaces and will require hiring 1,000 new early childhood educators.

Fredericton Transit-$8.29M, Moncton’s Codiac Transpo-$11.5M, and Saint John Transit-$6.3M will all receive funding over 10 years through the Canada Public Transit Fund. Money will be spent on new buses, expanding services, and hiring more drivers.

With looming tariffs Maritime ports are focussing on securing new markets, easing business regulations, and trying to adapt. Saint John’s mayor says with its railways running all the way into Mexico, non-stop shipments are not subjected to U.S. tariffs.

CUPE Local 1190 has signed a new agreement with the N.B. government, which will see wage increases totalling $5 per hour over four years for over 2,100 general labour and trades staff. The agreement also includes increases for boot and tool allowances.

The Government of Canada has announced up to $6M in funding over 3 years to help the four Atlantic provinces improve and strengthen intra-regional air services as the sector continues to recover from the pandemic to support Atlantic Canada's economic growth, tourism, and connections.

Ten internationally trained physicians who completed N.B.’s Practice Ready Assessment Program, will begin working in Moncton, Campbellton, Bathurst, Miramichi and Woodstock. The next group of physicians will go through the program in the fall.

China has announced a 100% tariff on Canadian canola, as well as a 25% tariff on pork and seafood. In 2023 N.S. exported $2.45B in seafood to China, while N.B. exported $1.68B. The Maritimes exported $2.63B in lobster to China in 2023 or 93% of the market.

Rural Kedgwick, a community whose economy relies heavily on two major sawmills, is concerned about U.S.’s tariffs and now face increased duty rates. N.B. exports 80% of its forestry exports to the U.S. and the forestry sector employs about 24,000 people.

In April, the Office municipal d’habitation de Saguenay will start construction on 39 affordable housing units, including 13 for people with an intellectual disability. The project, valued at over $13M, received $6.8M in provincial funding. The project will be complete by the end of 2025.

WE Terrebonne, a 94-unit residential and commercial complex project, received over $34M in funding from the federal government through the National Housing Strategy (NHS)

The Government of Canada is investing $87.1M in modernizing port infrastructure in Trois-Rivières. Pomerleau, a construction company, is carrying out the project. The total project cost is estimated at $312M, and it is expected to be complete in December 2026.

The Government of Canada is investing over $23M from the Affordable Housing Fund and Rapid Housing Initiative in building and renovating housing for Indigenous communities on the North Shore

Shango Canada, a multinational mining company, completed the second phase of construction on its plant in Port-Cartier. The plant is scheduled to begin production in September. The company will hire its first employees shortly.

Imprimerie Gauvin, a custom printing company in Gatineau, is investing $6.6M in purchasing new equipment to increase its productivity. The governments of Quebec and Canada are investing a total of $4.14M in the project.

The Trois-Rivières Port Authority laid off at least 13 unionized employees for two years as of December 31. The layoffs are due to the grain elevator shutdown during ongoing improvement work.

The Mont-Orford Ski & Golf Corporation, located in Canton d’Orford, is investing $10M in renovating the ski resort chalet. The project is scheduled to start in April, and it should be done before the next season.

The Ville de Drummondville started construction on a multifunctional complex in the Saint-Joachim sector. The $3.5M project should be delivered in the fall of 2026.

Bell Media, a media company, laid off 32 people in Quebec as part of a process to transform its services

TDF Canada, a non-woven textile manufacturer, is investing $190M in building a mill in Sorel-Tracy. The project will begin shortly, and it should be complete by the end of 2027. Ultimately, the site will help the company create 120 jobs.

Le Caveau des Trois-Pistoles, a microbrewery in the city of the same name, officially declared bankruptcy. As a result, around 10 jobs were lost.

The Kativik Regional Government will invest between $25M and $50M in maintenance and resurfacing work at the Puvirnituq Airport. The Government of Quebec is funding the project, which is scheduled to begin this summer.

The Salon de l’emploi et de la formation continue will take place on April 2 and 3 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. Hundreds of exhibitors will have thousands of jobs to offer.

The Brasse-Camarade, a convenience store in Saint-André-Avellin, is closing permanently due to economic reasons

Air Inuit acquired a plane for medical transportation, in collaboration with the Ungava Tulattavik Health Centre, which will pay $8M per year for 10 years to use this service

Ludia, a video game studio based in Montréal, plans to hire 50 people over the next year to join 130 existing employees

Services Soluwin, a company specializing in wind and solar energy in New Richmond, opened a new branch in Gaspé. The company employs around 30 people during the winter and over 60 during the summer.

Air Transat, a tour operator and airline, laid off 78 employees at its call centre in Montréal. The decision was prompted by the implementation of technology to improve customer service.

La Trappe à Fromage, a cheese factory and delicatessen in Gatineau, is investing $9.4M in expanding its factory and purchasing new equipment to increase its productivity. The Government of Quebec is contributing $3.68M to the project.

The Centre de Ressourcement pour la Famille de l’Outaouais, a community-based family support organization in Val-des-Monts, laid off 12 people after losing a subsidy from the Government of Quebec

The Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne, a CEGEP based in Montréal, is investing $14.5M in building a pavilion. The investment was funded by the provincial government. The first students will be welcomed to the building starting in the winter of 2026.

The Laiterie de l’Outaouais, a dairy products producer in Gatineau, will add 10 jobs to 35 existing positions following a plant expansion valued at $17M. The governments of Quebec and Canada are partners in the project.

Keurig Dr Pepper Canada, a company specializing in beverages, inaugurated its distribution centre in Beauharnois. The multi-million dollar project, which started in 2023, has helped the company create 130 indirect jobs.

The Centre Auto Amos Toyota, a car dealership in Amos, was recently inaugurated. The new building includes a touchless car wash and car rental kiosk, among other things.

L’Intermarché Coop, the only grocery store in the town of Notre-Dame-du-Lac in Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac, confirmed that it closed on February 24

Kruger, a paper manufacturer, is investing $6.5M in purchasing equipment to diversify production at its Wayagamack Mill in Trois-Rivières. The project will help the company maintain 285 jobs. The provincial government invested $2.5M in the project.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is investing $100M over three years in modernizing and rebuilding the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle border crossing. Pomerleau Inc., a construction company from Montréal, is carrying out the project.

La Maison l’autnid, a non-profit organization, inaugurated the Résidence Doris-Dickner, which is a nine-room residence for people with autism spectrum disorder in Rivière-du-Loup. The $5.4M project received funding from various partners.

The Ville de Waterville is investing over $6.6.M in restoring the Assomption-de-la-Bienheureuse-Vierge-Marie church to convert it into a multi-purpose centre. The project is made possible thanks to financial support from the Government of Quebec.

The Musée Gilles Villeneuve is closed for an indefinite period due to a disagreement with the late race car driver’s family

The Kativik Regional Government announced that several fire stations will be renovated. The regional government will also acquire fire trucks, which will be distributed across seven communities throughout 2025.

Le MileBrook is a real estate project in Montréal’s Rivière-des-Prairies—Pointe-aux-Trembles borough. Phase 1 will be delivered in June with 355 rental condos and a Valmont fruit market. Phase 2 will include 450 housing units. For these first two phases, the project will cost $64M.

DHL Supply Chain is a logistics company that is responsible for operations and shipments at the Keurig Dr Pepper distribution centre in Beauharnois. The company is looking to hire 130 employees following the inauguration of the distribution centre.

Restaurant Le St-Bazile, which specialized in Greek and Chinese cuisine in Saint-Basile-le-Grand, closed on February 22. Around 20 people lost their jobs.

La Cordée is a business offering a variety of products for outdoor sports enthusiasts. The company will temporarily close its location on Sainte-Catherine Street East in Montréal for around 18 months.

Vantage Data Centers, a data centre operator, is investing $500M in building a data centre on its site in Québec. This new centre will bring the total to four. Nearly 400 people will be working on the project. The centre will be operational in early 2027.

The Ville de Québec is investing $204.5M in infrastructure projects, including $136M in improving its facilities. The City is allocating $10M to preliminary work for the tramway project, which will run until 2029.

The Qinnirvik Country Food and Bulk Store in Iqaluit has opened for business. The store offers locally-harvested food that it acquires in partnership with hunters, as well as produce and other grocery items. The store uses a sliding scale to keep prices low and improve local food security.

Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai has indicated that the 2025-2026 Yukon Budget will be a "disciplined" budget with minimal new spending. However, increased investments are expected in key areas, including child care, housing and sustainability.

The GNWT is working with school authorities to determine how recent changes to the Jordan's Principle eligibility criteria may affect funding for educational support assistants. Two-thirds of support assistants are funded through Jordan's Principle, and several provinces have recently announced cuts to their support staff.

Early childhood educators, management, and support staff will receive a 7.5% wage increase starting in April to keep pace with the cost of living. This change comes as part of an update to the Nunavut Early Learning and Child Care division's wage scale, which applies to licensed child care centres serving children aged 0-6.

Starting in 2026, the Government of Canada will contribute $2.3M over ten years toward public transit in Whitehorse. Funds will go towards capital expenditures to upgrade, replace and maintain the city's transit infrastructure.

The federal government will commit $1.9M to the Tlicho Friendship Centre's No One Left Alone project. The project aims to provide harm reduction, counselling and recovery coaching for people recovering from addiction in the Tlicho region, as well as training for recovery coaching to build a system of community support.

The federal government is contributing $1.9M towards smoking cessation projects in the Northwest Territories. The Supporting Tobacco Cessation project will operate in primary care clinics and hospitals as part of routine care.

The federal government will contribute $200M to Inuit-led conservation efforts in the Qikiqtani region, with an additional $70M from private donors. The projects are expected to attract $318M in investment over 15 years and create job opportunities for the region.

The Queer Yukon Society has signed its first-ever collective agreement, retroactive to July 2022. The new agreement includes provisions for gender-affirming care sick leave and Indigenous-led dispute resolution. Programming at the centre was paused during the ratification process but is set to resume.

The Government of Yukon will increase the Comprehensive Municipal Grant to $29.5M in its upcoming 2025-2026 budget. Individual municipalities will see their funding levels increased. The Association of Yukon Communities is also set to receive $88,000 in annual funding to support training and development for municipal government employees.

A new hotel will be built on Astro Hill by Nunastar Properties Inc. after Iqaluit City Council voted to approve its development application. The 85-room hotel is slated to be completed in 2027, and a portion of the rooms will be designed to accommodate longer-term stays.

The Hay River Youth Centre will be closed temporarily in March due to a reduction in anticipated funding. The Centre offers services, evening courses, and after school programs to support youth aged 12 to 18.

The City of Whitehorse is hosting a career open house on Friday, March 7. Participants will be able to discuss opportunities with managers and receive information about the advantages of working for the city, including health and pension benefits.

The Yukon Government's paid sick leave rebate program has been proposed for another fiscal year as part of the budget process. More than 1,100 workers have accessed paid sick leave so far through the program, with most from retail, accommodation and health care sectors.

The federal government is contributing $400K to Pairijiit Tigummiaqtikkut for the development of an elder care complex. The funds will assist the Inuit not-for-profit organization develop technical drawings for the proposed facility, with a target open date of late 2027.

The use of visiting doctors to fill temporary vacancies has increased by 75% in Yukon since 2022. However, of the 153 locum physicians who came to the Yukon in 2024, none remained in the territory. Recruitment efforts are ongoing to attract physicians ahead of expected retirements.

The Government of Nunavut has shut down the Nunik Care Services group home following an investigation. The facility served children aged 5 to 19. The Department of Family Services will notify affected youth once a transition plan to another facility is finalized.

The federal government will contribute up to $6M to Sakku Properties Ltd. to build a modular housing factory in Arviat by late 2025. Once completed, the factory will provide 40 full-time jobs, produce 40 houses per year, and offer a skilled trades training program aimed at increasing Inuit employment in the Kivalliq region's construction industry.

The federal government is contributing $4M to five local food initiatives in the Northwest Territories. These funded projects, focused in food production, storage and distribution will help increase food security and reduce the territory's dependence on food imported from the south.

The Naha Dehe Park Corporation will receive $150K as part of federal funding for 32 mining development projects across Canada. The Nahanni National Park Reserve funding will go toward training environmental guardians, who will monitor the access road to the future Prairie Creek mine.

The federal government is contributing $7M to conservation efforts in the Northwest Territories. The funds will support indigenous-led initiatives to protect natural areas and species at risk. The territorial government will work with First Nations to protect up to 9.6% of the territory by 2035.

The Government of Nunavut has signed on to a National School Food Policy funding agreement, which will see the federal government contribute $7.6M over three years to provide school meals. Funds will go towards staffing and upgrading kitchen facilities, as well as providing local foods for school children.

The Government of Yukon plans to invest $75.5M in the upcoming budget to complete the final phase of main runway construction at the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport by fall 2025. Upgrades to airport utilities will also take place to prepare for an eventual new maintenance facility. Passenger traffic increased by 22.5% in 2024 compared to the year prior.

Housing NWT and the T???cho? Investment Corporation have partnered to open ten housing units in Behchok??, Gamètì, and Whatì. The energy-efficient, modular duplexes, consisting of a mix of unit sizes and some seniors' housing, will be dedicated to people on the public housing waiting list, and were designed with the needs of seniors and people with disabilities in mind.

The federal government has approved an increase of the GNWT's borrowing limit from $1.8B to $3.1B, as the territory faces the impact of U.S. tariffs and the cost of natural disasters.

Tree Canada and Let's Plant Trees Ltd. will hire support staff for a tree-planting project on Tlicho land. An estimated 1.7M trees will be planted this year as part of the project to protect boreal caribou habitat and remediate wildfire damage near Behchoko and Wekweeti.

The new Saskatchewan Marshals Service recruited 10 new police officers to start working later this year after completing seven weeks of training. The new service aims to support RCMP and other law enforcement to address rural crime. The Saskatchewan Marshals Service will be fully operational in 2026 with a team of 70 marshals.

Team Power Solutions, a Saskatoon-based electrical and automation industrial manufacturer, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Westinghouse Electric Company to support nuclear reactor projects in Canada and internationally. Team Power Solutions could manufacture key components for Westinghouse's reactors, using technology that could generate electricity as early as 2035.

The Government of Canada is providing $3.2M to support four agriculture projects in Saskatchewan. Projects include enhancing food ingredient cluster capacity and programming, creating a processing facility, expanding manufacturing capacity, and commercializing an autonomous system.

The City of Regina plans to renovate the Kinsmen Park South in 2025, making it suitable for all-season use. The proposed upgrades include a playground, all-gender washroom, seating area and landscaping, a toboggan hill and a pleasure skate area. The City of Regina is also upgrading cross-country ski trails. Renovations are pending budget approval.

The Government of Saskatchewan is providing $1.09M for four technology development projects to advance agriculture, mining, manufacturing, health care and energy industries. By supporting innovation, the Government of Saskatchewan aims to boost greater economic and employment growth in the province.

Île-à-la-Crosse boarding school survivors are receiving a $27M settlement through an agreement in principle with the federal government, after being denied Indian Residential School settlements. The federal government is also providing a $10M legacy fund for cultural, language and treatment programs.

The Ukrainian United School in Morden is set to reopen on March 22 after closing five years ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The school will offer a comprehensive curriculum, integrating Ukrainian culture, language lessons, and folk arts.

VIA Rail Canada is launching a new 24-month paid apprenticeship program in Northern Manitoba. Participants will have opportunities to build long-term careers with VIA Rail upon graduation. Applications for September 2025 are now open until April 4.

Garden City Cinemas in Winnipeg reopened on February 21 after closing 15 years ago. The theatre plans to focus on Indian language films.

Valley Fiber has partnered with the City of Morden and the Manitoba Institute for Trades and Technology to launch a new Network and Systems Administrator Pilot Program. The 12-month course was created in response to a regional need for more IT employees.

The federal and provincial government have finalized a 10-year agreement under the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund, allocating $209.8M to improve Manitoban infrastructure related to drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste. Winnipeg’s North End Sewage Treatment Plant upgrade project will also receive $150M through this fund over four years starting in 2026-2027.

The Louis Riel Bridge in Ritchot’s Ste. Agathe neighbourhood is closing over the next few weeks to undergo major foundation and construction work. The Government of Manitoba has provided $48.6M to support the bridge improvement project which began in August 2024.

The Port of Churchill is aiming to ship 20,000 tonnes of zinc concentrate in 2025, double the amount of critical minerals it shipped last year. Plans are also underway to triple the port's storage capacity to 30,000 tonnes. Nearly $80M in federal and provincial funding was announced in February 2025 to support the railway's completion and the port's redevelopment.

Winnipeg's former Sherbrook Inn vendor and bar recently reopened in late January under the name Kyoto Kat Club after closing in May 2024 for renovations. The bar plans to increase their hours of operation by mid-March.

The Government of Canada is providing over $240M to support 105 housing projects in building, repairing, and renewing 3,765 homes across Manitoba. The funding is part of the National Housing Strategy initiative to address housing needs for diverse communities and vulnerable populations.

The Rural Municipality of Ritchot is receiving $566K through the federal government's Housing Accelerator Fund to address housing gaps in the municipality. The rural municipality is aiming to build 51 housing units. Should they meet performance targets, the funding could increase to $2.27M over the next four years.

The Government of Canada is providing $478K to Winnipeg's Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre project to research and develop strategies to prevent gender-based violence against newcomers, young men, and boys within Manitoba.

Manitoba Innovates, an organization created by Manitoba Technology Accelerator and Tech Manitoba, has recently launched. The organization aims to support local entrepreneurs and jobs by connecting startups with business development resources and funding opportunities.

Multi Cook, a Ukrainian food franchise specializing in homemade-style semi-processed meals, recently opened on February 22 in Brandon.

Studio Serenity, a tattoo parlour and hair salon, recently opened in Brandon on March 1. The shop offers a training program to certify individuals facing employment barriers due to recovery or incarceration. Once certified, participants will help with tattoo removals.

Manitoba Hydro is proposing to build a $1.36B fuel-burning generation station with a capacity of 500 megawatts of electricity to keep up with electricity demands. The company predicts power shortage could arise in the next five years so immediate planning is necessary to ensure the project is completed in time.

The Government of Canada is spending $23M through the Youth and Employment Skills Strategy to support over 35 projects helping youth facing employment barriers. Four participating organizations in Winnipeg will provide opportunities to 315 youth to develop job skills and gain work experience.

The Government of Canada is providing $10M to the Women’s Health Clinic in Winnipeg. The funding will support essential upgrades to the clinic’s infrastructure and aging systems by improving accessibility and enhancing energy efficiency.

The Government of Canada is providing $7.5M over two years through the Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampments Initiative to support individuals in Winnipeg living without homes. The funding will go towards expanding winter services at nine drop-in spaces and establishing a 20 to 30 bed supportive housing facility.

The provincial government is providing $110K to the North Coast Regional District to support the development of Prince Rupert and Port Edward's culturally sensitive emergency management plan. The plan will focus on effective disaster response that incorporates Tsimshian teachings to better serve Indigenous communities. The organization is looking to hire a project consultant.

Tolko Industries, a Vernon-based forestry company, has announced it is reducing the size of its consultant workforce. The company says that these cuts are not due to U.S. tariffs but instead are related to high costs and limited access to economic fibre.

A new urgent and primary care centre recently opened in Williams Lake on February 25. The centre will employ 18 healthcare professionals, including family doctors, nurse practitioners, and other specialists. The clinic is part of British Columbia’s initiative to establish 50 urgent and primary care centres throughout the province.

The Government of Canada has partnered with the s?lilw?ta? (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) to provide $10.1M for erosion and flood protection improvements. These improvements will help preserve the Nation’s shores while promoting biodiversity.

Selkirk College is laying off eight people on July 31 due to funding constraints tied to the federal government’s limit on international students studying in Canada. The college is anticipating more layoffs as they assess enrolment impacts, with a projected 15% reduction in staff. The total number of layoffs will not be known until mid-March, but a second round of layoffs is anticipated for September.

A new hydrogen research lab has opened on the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus. The facility will support research and work in the sector. The lab was funded by $2.3M from the university, $500K from FortisBC and $800K from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

The Township of Langley has released its 2025 budget which includes funding to increase the number of emergency services staff employed. The new budget provides for two new RCMP officers, two bylaw officers and 11 firefighters, as well as additional staff for sidewalk snow and ice control.

The Government of British Columbia is requiring biofuels added to gasoline and diesel to be Canadian-made. The province has required biofuels be added to gasoline and diesel for some time already, but by requiring the biofuels be Canadian-made, the province hopes to reduce its reliance on foreign energy.

4AG Robotics Inc., a Salmon Arm-based robotics company, has received $1.47M in grant funding to support a pilot project using its AI-enabled robots to harvest mushrooms. The robots are expected to boost yields by 15% and halve the production costs.

Sweet7 is opening a tea shop in Richmond on March 6.

The University of Victoria is launching a new Computing Gateway program at the new West Shore campus. The program will cover the first two years of courses for students pursuing degrees in Computer Science, Data Science, and Software Engineering. Applications for the September 2025 entry will open on April 15.

The Prince George Community Foundation is receiving $790K through the Community Prosperity Fund, a $25M provincial initiative focused on reducing poverty and increasing social inclusion across British Columbia. The funding will support 33 Northern BC nonprofit organizations and allow recipients to utilize the funds for up to three years.

Nanaimo-Ladysmith Public Schools is launching a new mentorship program this spring to recruit and retain education assistants. The six-month program will accommodate up to 25 participants, providing classroom instruction and mentored internships focused on topics such as crisis intervention, supporting students on individual education plans, and understanding students with diverse needs and disabilities.

The Government of Canada is providing $1.35M in PacifiCan funding to the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus to create an airborne sensing lab. The lab will help businesses develop remote sensing technologies for environmental monitoring, security, and hazard detection. These funds will support more than 10 local businesses and will create new training opportunities and jobs.

Grieg Seafood, an international Atlantic salmon farmer, is halting its investments in British Columbia. The company cites economic and political uncertainty for the stoppage.

Grindrod Water Treatment Plant in the Regional District of North Okanagan is undergoing upgrades to extend the life of the system. The project is expected to cost $311K which will come from the Government of Canada through the Canada Community-Building Fund.

Diana Lake Provincial Park, located 16km east of Prince Rupert, has temporarily closed for facility upgrades. The upgrades include constructing a day-use shelter, an expanded and accessible parking area, renovated toilets, and relocating the park’s gate. The park is scheduled to reopen in April 2025.

Big Way Hot Pot has opened a new location in Vancouver on March 1.

Central Restaurants is opening a Vancouver location on March 6. The new restaurant, called Central Bentall, will be open Monday to Sunday from 11 am to midnight.

Blenz Coffee has opened a new location in Oliver.

Stackhouse Steak Sandwich has opened a sandwich shop in Vancouver.

The B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy has announced a $3M funding call to bolster carbon removal technology in Vancouver. The initiative will help climate tech startups to develop technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while driving economic growth and job creation. The funding is available until April 30, 2025.

The City of Nanaimo is spending $1.8M to obtain detailed designs and cost estimates for potential upgrades to their public works facility. The detailed designs will provide clarity on the project's scope and costs, helping to minimize contingency and inflation expenses down the line.

Pressato, a Vancouver sandwich shop, opened on February 28.

Espressotec, a Vancouver coffee bar and equipment store, has announced it will be closing its physical store location soon. An online shop will continue to operate.

VRIFY, a Vancouver AI-driven mineral exploration company, has secured $12.5M in funding to accelerate the adoption of its AI-assisted mineral discovery platform, DORA. DORA is designed to provide geologists and geoscientists with insights to improve mineral exploration efficiency.

The Government of British Columbia has provided $28M to the Forest Enhancement Society of BC to support 43 new and expanded fibre-recovery projects and 31 new and expanded wildfire-mitigation projects. These projects will create jobs across the province, reduce wildfire risk, and support the pulp and biomass sector. The projects are expected to complete by the end of March 2025.

Yuen Foot Massage & Spa has opened two new locations across Metro Vancouver. The new facilities are operating in Richmond and North Vancouver.

The Government of Canada has announced $2.3M in funding to improve vessel safety across 12 B.C. Indigenous communities through the Marine Safety Equipment and Training Initiative. These funds will be used to purchase marine safety equipment and provide training to community members.

The City of West Kelowna has received nearly $8M from the Government of Canada’s Housing Accelerator Fund. The funds will be used to fast-track 233 additional homes in the municipality over the next three years.

Parks Canada is hiring for over 3K student and temporary workers for seasonal roles as well as several permanent full-time positions. The positions available cover a wide variety of roles such as marketing, accounting, recreation and human resources. The deadline for applications is May 1.

The Government of Canada is providing $5M in PacifiCan funding to Konscious Foods, a Richmond-based sustainable food producer. The funds will support Konscious Foods to scale-up their manufacturing and to expand to international markets. The expansion will help create 40 jobs in B.C. and generate demand for the company’s suppliers.

Mon Paris Pâtisserie, a French pastry shop, is opening a new location in Vancouver. The official opening date has yet to be announced but is expected in spring 2025.

Katherine’s Place, a youth-focused supportive housing development, has opened in Kamloops. The facility has 39 units and will provide residents daily meals, life-skills training, and employment and education supports. The facility has received $13M from BC Housing and will continue to receive $1.6M in annual operating funding.

According to the 2024 B.C. Labour Market Outlook, British Columbia’s health-care and social assistance sector is projected to generate more job openings through to 2034 than any other industry in the province. The sector is expected to account for 16% of the projected total job openings over that period, due in part to an aging population.

The Government of Canada has announced $18.3M in PacifiCan funding for seven companies across British Columbia to scale up their operations, create more jobs and accelerate growth. These funds are expected to create over 270 jobs.

École La Grande-ourse, a K-7 French school in Smithers, recently opened their new permanent facility in February 2025. The $5M prefabricated, five-unit school and a gymnasium was funded by the province through the Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique.

A new maternity clinic recently opened at the GR Baker Hospital in Quesnel. The clinic will offer maternity care and interprofessional supports through a team of physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers and mental health clinicians.

Defense Metals Corp., a mine exploration and development company, is receiving $853K in federal funding to support construction and infrastructure improvements for the Wicheeda Rare Earth Element deposit located northeast of Prince George. A recent pre-feasibility study confirmed the project's economic viability and potential as a leading supplier of critical rare earth elements.

Nexera Robotics, a Vancouver-based robotics company, has raised $4.5M in investment funding to support its advanced robotic grasping project, NeuraGrasp. The investment will help the company grow, including expanding its research and development efforts, and strengthen its global partnerships.

The Keefer House hotel in Vancouver is set to open summer 2025. Construction of the 10-storey project has been ongoing since 2023.

Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre is adding two new cardiac catheterization labs as part of an $1.8B redevelopment. An interim cath lab is expected to open in 2027, with the full labs set to be operational by 2031.

The Tilley Solar Project, a $52M solar farm located 200km southeast of Calgary, is scheduled to begin operations this spring. The 23.6-megawatt project will generate enough electricity to power 20,000 homes annually and is expected to create 280 full-time jobs at peak production. The project is a partnership between the Alexander First Nation and First Nation Power Development Inc.

The Government of Alberta has increased its education budget by 4.5% in 2025-2026, and has allocated $184M to hire 4,000 new education staff. This includes teachers, bus drivers, and educational assistants. About $55M is set aside to address classroom complexity, which includes both the training and recruitment of educational assistants.

Olds College is discontinuing several of its programs due to an anticipated loss of $5.1M in tuition revenue in 2025-2026. Programs being cut include hospitality and tourism management, agricultural technology integration, and craft beverage and brewery operations. The funding shortfall is partly the result of the federal government’s cap on international students.

The Government of Canada is providing a total $1.8M to four non-profit organizations that support Alberta’s value-added agriculture industry. The funded projects focus on research, developing new technologies, and expanding markets. They are expected to maintain and support about 50 jobs.

Construction is underway on the new La Crete Maternity and Community Health Centre, in northwestern Alberta. The $86M facility will include a birthing centre, a midwifery program, and an ambulance bay. It is expected to open in 2027.

Renovalia will begin construction this month on the Pteragen Peace Butte wind farm, a project originally proposed in 2006. The 20-turbine, 120-megawatt project is located near the hamlet of Seven Persons, about 22km south of Medicine Hat. It is expected to come online in mid-2027.

Calgary-based Pembina Pipeline Corp. is partnering with Kineticor Holdings LP to build an 1,800- megawatt natural gas power plant northeast of Edmonton. The Greenlight Electricity Centre may include carbon capture, and could potentially accommodate a data centre on its land base. The Government of Alberta has set a goal of attracting $100B in data centre investment to the province over the next five years.

Capitol Power Corp has completed $2.6B in upgrades to its Genesee Generating Station near Edmonton, enabling it to run on natural gas instead of coal. The change boosts the power plant’s capacity by 60% and reduces its emissions by 40%, positioning it to pursue partnerships with data centre developers. Capital Power says it is able to take on a project of up to 1.5 gigawatts, and that it has one potential project in the early stages.

The owner of downtown Edmonton’s 1910 Union Bank building is redeveloping the space, adding business headquarters and a new restaurant. Union Financial Corporation is moving its operations into the upper two floors of the building early in 2026. Roca by Sabor, a fine-dining establishment, will open on the main floor next spring.

Red Deer Polytechnic is expanding its practical nursing program to Camrose, reserving half of its 16 seats in 2025-2026 for students from the area. The partnership with Campus Alberta Central allows students in Camrose to attend courses online and complete labs locally.

Canary Biofuels is spending $18M to quadruple biofuel production at its Lethbridge area plant, and is receiving $1.7M in tax credits through a provincial agri-processing investment program. The expansion is expected to create 15 temporary and 40 permanent jobs at the plant, which converts agricultural byproducts such as grains and meat into low-emission fuel.

Alberta’s 2025 provincial budget includes $106M for revitalization efforts in downtown Edmonton. This includes $52M toward a public event park near Rogers Place, $36.5M toward the demolition of the former Coliseum arena, and $16M for housing in the area. The budget also sets aside $179M for Edmonton’s light rail transit projects, and includes several multi-million investments in the city’s universities and colleges.

The Government of Alberta is transferring 425 staff from Alberta Health Services to Acute Care Alberta, one of four new agencies created by the Province’s restructuring of its health care system. The Province stated that it has eliminated five positions as part of the transition, none of which are front-line staff.

Vecova, a disability services organization, will be closing its main facility in Calgary in June, citing funding shortfalls and increasing maintenance costs. However, the charity has opened a new location in Airdrie that it hopes will meet the demand for services outside the city. The organization also operates a centre in Canmore.

The City of Calgary and Rocky View County have approved the Prairie Economic Gateway agreement, which paves the way for the development of a new inland port. The project, located just east of Calgary, is expected to create 30,000 jobs and generate $7B in economic activity over the next 10-12 years.

PACE Canada Development LP is moving forward with a 42,000-panel solar farm near Killam, following approval by the Alberta Utilities Commission.

Calgary City Council has approved a plan to update its aging recreation facilities, which could cost up to $6B over the next 25 years. The City will now develop a funding strategy for the project, which aims to double bookable hours at indoor recreation fields and ensure that 86% of residents live within 5km of an aquatic facility.

The Government of Canada is providing $3M to Red Deer County to upgrade its fleet of transit vehicles. The funding, along with $1M from the county’s budget, will go toward the purchase of new compressed natural gas buses.

A new partnership between the University of Lethbridge and the University of Calgary aims to alleviate the physician shortage in Alberta’s rural communities. The Southern Alberta Medical Program will start in July 2026, enrolling 20 to 30 medical students who have expressed an interest in practising in rural areas after graduation.

The fishing industry in the Maritimes is disappointed with the two-year extension to the moratorium on herring announced by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). The DFO imposed this moratorium in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in 2022 to give the stocks a chance to recover. The DFO estimated that the herring stock in the Gulf of St. Lawrence would be 28,000 tonnes in 2023. The critical zone is set at anything below 52,000 tonnes, and the DFO is not optimistic about the coming years.

Transportation East will receive $650K in funding to buy four accessible and two hybrid vehicles to expand their transit services in Kings County. This will improve accessibility to affordable transit in order to attend work or other daily activities.

Summerside will take over ownership of the Silver Fox Entertainment Complex and its debt in April. Volunteers have been running the curling club, marina, and complex. The city will maintain the building and lease the bar and grill to a private operator.

The federal minimum wage will increase to $17.75 per hour as of April 1, 2025 and is in line with the year-over-year inflation rate, which rose by 2.4%.

The Maritime Electric substation in Sherbrooke continues to have problems, which has resulted in Summerside Electric having to start its generators again to have enough power to supply the city. The power issue has cost the city $450K to date.

The P.E.I. government has begun its first phase of its U.S. tariff response program, including the review of U.S. contracts and removal of U.S. liquor. P.E.I. will also double its trade missions abroad, work on new markets, and provide money to impacted sectors.

Clearwater Seafoods has laid off employees at 2 of its N.S. facilities due to recent changes to its inshore lobster business. These include its processing plants in Arichat, where the layoffs are temporary, and Lockeport, where about 72 employees working on the seasonal lobster processing line have been permanently laid off, though the plant itself will remain open.

On April 1, 2025, Macdonald and MacKay bridge tolls in Halifax will end with expected layoffs that will impact both customer service staff as well as side toll workers contracted by Gardaworld Securities. The Halifax Harbour Bridge commission will transition into a Crown corporation with a 2025/26 budget of $86M for bridge maintenance and $15M for operating costs.

New Business Openings: West End European Market (Halifax), Janes Next Door (Halifax), BarBurrito (West Bedford), Venture Thrift Boutique, Churned, and The Commons on Portland (all in Dartmouth); Closures: Cassaroma Wellness and Portland Street Pets (both in Dartmouth), Brooklyn Warehouse (Halifax), and Bloom & Wander (West Bedford).

N.S. Health will be hiring 20-30 full-time registered nurses for the provincial internal travel nurse team that will receive an additional $6/hr. or 15%, whichever is higher. The pilot program’s travel nurse team will be sent to emergency departments around the province to fill staffing gaps and help limit the hiring of private agency nurses.

The N.S. to N.B. Intertie project, a 160-km electricity transmission line between the two provinces between Onslow and Salisbury, will receive $217M from the Canada Infrastructure Bank. Construction is scheduled to start in 2026 and conclude in late 2028. The joint project (NS Power/NB Power) is expected to create 587 jobs.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) confirmed that there will be an elver fishery in the Maritimes this year, under the new regulations announced in February. The total allowable catch is set at 9,960 kg (nearly 22,000 pounds), which is the same as in 2022 and 2023, according to the Department.

The Government of Canada has announced over $55M over 10 years (starting in 2026) in transit funding for the Halifax Regional Municipality. Funding will be used to upgrade, replace, or modernize the municipality’s public transit infrastructure helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Grieg Seafood has paused construction on a large-scale salmon farming facility in Marystown that would expand the company’s operations in Placentia Bay. Reasons cited include the inability to find a financing partner and potential economic tariffs from the United States. The company does not expect layoffs among the 111 local employees.

Workers at the Icewater Seafoods plant in Arnold’s Cove can now process cod caught by the provincial offshore fleet. On February 24, the plant received fresh northern cod caught locally by people from N.L. for the first time since 1992. The president says that he hopes his plant will buy 2,500 to 3,000 tonnes of cod from offshore fish harvesters, which is enough for 10 to 12 full work weeks for his staff.

The number of travel nurses in N.L. is currently down by 42%. Between April of 2023 and December of 2024, 1,133 nurses were recruited to the province with 761 of those being registered nurses (RNs). During the same time 146 physicians were added to the system. The province will graduate 246 new RNs in 2025.

N.L. Health Services haven’t been able to fill an ultrasound technologist position in Happy Valley-Goose Bay since recruitment efforts began last October and no new graduates are expected until 2026 from the College of the North Atlantic’s ultrasound program. They now plan to move ahead with the use of a private agency as a last resort.

Many N.B. municipalities are offering "return-to-service" scholarships to medical school students to entice them to practice locally upon graduation. Faced with vacancies across N.B. and looming retirements, the need to recruits and retain staff is crucial.

The N.S. to N.B. Intertie project, a 160-km electricity transmission line between the two provinces between Onslow and Salisbury, will receive $217M from the Canada Infrastructure Bank. Construction is scheduled to start in 2026 and conclude in late 2028. The joint project (NS Power/NB Power) is expected to create 587 jobs.

The federal minimum wage will increase to $17.75 per hour as of April 1, 2025 and is in line with the year-over-year inflation rate, which rose by 2.4%.

The N.B. government has laid out a $162M tariff relief plan, which aims to help exporters impacted by U.S. tariffs, as well as protect workers and the economy. N.B. relies heavily on the U.S. market and the tariffs could result in up to 6,000 N.B. jobs lost.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) confirmed that there will be an elver fishery in the Maritimes this year, under the new regulations announced in February. The total allowable catch is set at 9,960 kg (nearly 22,000 pounds), which is the same as in 2022 and 2023, according to the Department.

Five organizations and one community in northern N.B. will receive a combined $2.6M in government funding. EcoRock Dalhousie will receive $1.9M for exploratory drilling, and the other groups will invest in automation, upgrades, consultants, and tourism.

A new tentative agreement has been reached for nearly 10,000 N.B. health care workers. The contract still needs to be voted on by its members who include patient care attendants, tradespeople, admin, and Ambulance New Brunswick workers.

The Picadilly Mine near Sussex is bustling with activity to meet the increasing demand for road salt. Workers, who lost their jobs in 2016 when potash prices dropped, are back at work in the mine about a kilometre under the Earth's surface. The mine currently employs over 80 people. This is the highest number since 2016, when 430 people lost their jobs.

Maple syrup producers across N.B. are tapping tress as sap begins to flow with the warmer daytime weather. Operators use more technology, like vacuum pumps and reverse osmosis machines, to quicken the process. Visitors can also buy various maple products.

A new digital centre run by Thales Canada has opened in Knowledge Park in Fredericton. The National Digital Excellence Centre will provide industries with security against digital identity theft and cyber attacks on digital, communication and other systems.

N.B. manufacturers have been stockpiling inventory and accelerating shipments to the U.S. and have paused hiring and major spending due to the threat of impending U.S. tariffs. Provincial governments are discussing potential assistance measures to assist.

Vitalité Health has cancelled the remaining shifts of travel nurses employed by Canadian Health Labs (CHL), even though the contract doesn't expire until February 2026. CHL charges about $300/hr per nurse or almost six times that of a staff nurse.

Cassius Cucina Contemporanea, an Italian restaurant, will open in Toronto’s Fashion District this spring

Flosonics Medical has secured a $7.5M loan to support the expansion of research activities at its Sudbury facility

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit opened in Oshawa

The Swatch Group (Canada) Ltd., will open a store at Conestoga Mall in Waterloo this July

JobFairX is hosting a virtual job fair for entry-level positions in Burlington on March 24

Nanny & Bulls cocktail bar opened in Hamilton

Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto has added new seasonal routes to popular tourist destinations and expanded its cargo network with China Airlines Cargo

St. Thomas, a restaurant and wine bar, has closed in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood

Amadeu's Restaurant in Toronto’s Kensington Market has closed

The federal government has invested about $677K in support of six tourism projects in Algoma and Northern Ontario

Mary Brown’s Chicken has opened in Carleton Place, west of Ottawa

JobFairX is hosting a virtual job fair for veterans in London on March 31

JobFairX is hosting a virtual job fair for healthcare jobs in St. Catharines on March 26

The Donegal Arms Irish Pub opened in Mississauga’s Port Credit neighbourhood

7 Wonders Diner opened in Hamilton in February

Express Shawarma opened in downtown Orillia

Opportunities Northwest Job Fair will take place March 27 in Thunder Bay

JobFairX is hosting a virtual job fair for veterans in Hamilton on March 25

Guelph General Hospital, in partnership with Bayshore Integrated Care Solutions, launched GGH@Home, a program providing home care and medical equipment to patients with complex needs

The City of Toronto, in partnership with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, is investing $146M to renovate BMO Field for the FIFA World Cup, featuring a 1,000-person rooftop patio, 17,000 temporary seats, and other enhancements, with completion expected by March 2026

Mandy’s Gourmet Salads will open two locations in Toronto and Ottawa this June, with an additional location planned for Toronto's Canary District by spring 2026

Canadian Blood Services is opening a new plasma donation centre in Thunder Bay in April

The federal government invested $2.3M in 23 southern Ontario tourism organizations to enhance programs and expand infrastructure

A.L. Blair Construction Limited was awarded a $5.8M contract to widen County Road 22 between Highway 138 and Maxville, near Cornwall, with completion expected by October

JobFairX is hosting a virtual job fair for veterans in Burlington on March 31

Ten manufacturing businesses in Southern Ontario will receive $24M from the federal government to support the development of new products and solutions

Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc. has opened a new location with an in-store Starbucks in Woodbridge and will open another in Vaughan this April

The Victorian Order of Nurses opened a new nurse practitioner-led clinic in Port Elgin, adding five staff members

The federal government invested over $7.2M to construct a net-zero carbon Skills Training Centre in Scarborough to train individuals in skilled trades and trucking in partnership with employers

The federal government invested nearly 14.3M for four projects to strengthen Canada's healthcare workforce, including two projects in Ontario

Piano Piano, an Italian restaurant, opened in downtown Toronto

JobFairX is hosting a virtual job fair for technology jobs in Hamilton on March 14

JobFairX is hosting a virtual job fair for technology jobs in London on March 21

La Bartola, a Mexican restaurant in Toronto’s Little Italy Neighbourhood will close this month

Symposium Restaurant in west Mississauga has closed

JobFairX is hosting a virtual job fair for healthcare jobs in Hamilton on April 2

Parks Canada is hiring over 3,000 students and temporary workers for seasonal and permanent full-time positions

Bell Media laid off 98 positions in its services and corporate departments in Toronto and Montreal

The Aviary Brewpub closed in Toronto's Canary District

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Northwestern Ontario will receive $838K from the federal government for the Substance Use and Addiction Support Services project, operating at two transitional homes in Thunder Bay

Algonquin College will close its Perth Campus by August 2026 and suspend admissions to 37 programs at its Ottawa and Pembroke campuses in fall 2025

The Pickleplex Social Club is opening a location in Belleville this spring

Bramalea City Centre in Brampton has begun renovations on its South Food Court, with completion expected by 2026

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment eliminated 80 positions as part of a company-wide restructuring

Match Eatery and Public House opened at the Casino Rama Resort in Orillia

Broken Barrel Bistro closed in Hamilton

Burdock Brewery will open a new location in Toronto's Kensington Market

Shree Akshayam, a South Indian restaurant in Burlington, will be hiring up to 5 people in the coming months

JobFairX is hosting a virtual job fair in St. Catharines on April 3

Six artificial intelligence and tech companies in Ottawa will receive over $7M from the federal government to help scale and commercialize new products and services

JobFairX is hosting a virtual job fair for entry-level positions in Hamilton on March 17

JobFairX is hosting a virtual job fair for veterans in St. Catharines on March 18

JobFairX is hosting a virtual job fair for technology jobs in Burlington on March 21

Uniqlo, a clothing retailer, is hiring 35 full-time and part-time staff at Burlington's Mapleview Centre

YA YA Foods Corp., a packager of shelf-stable drinks and foods, will open a 186,000-sq.-ft. facility in Belleville later this year

Grey County Council will discontinue three transit routes connecting Owen Sound to Dundalk and Owen Sound to the Town of The Blue Mountains at the end of March

The Town of Innisfil Economic Development Office, in partnership with Agilec Innisfil, will host a Job and Career Fair at the Innisfil ideaLAB & Library’s Lakeshore Branch on March 19

JobFairX is hosting a virtual job fair for entry-level positions in London on March 24

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection museum in Vaughan has received $25M to expand its exhibit space and meet net-zero carbon building standards

The Municipalité de Cayamant will invest over $3M in rehabilitating Lac-à-Larche Road thanks to a contribution from the Government of Quebec

EPIQ Machinery, an industrial machine manufacturer in Saguenay, will invest over $8M in acquiring and expanding vehicle production facilities for aluminum smelters. The project is receiving over $2.4M in provincial funding.

QcGoldtech, a cannabis processing company in Saint-André-Avellin, laid off 18 people

The Ville de La Prairie began work on its future ecodistrict, which is designed with a focus on public transit. The first phase of the 10-year project will start in March 2025, and the first housing units will be delivered before the end of the year.

The Ville de Longueuil is investing nearly $55M over four years in modernizing the electrical equipment at the Louise-Gravel drinking-water plant

Agnico Eagle is a gold mining company in Preissac and has other locations. The company received $2M from the Government of Quebec to work on projects to develop strategic and critical minerals.

The Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal invested $6.9M in rehabilitating the bike path between Sainte-Catherine and the Estacade at the Samuel-de-Champlain Bridge. The federal government is funding 60% of the project, which will be carried out by Roxboro Excavation.

Groupe Somac, a Tendal window manufacturer, invested $1.2M in quadrupling production at its plant in Mirabel. The new production line is scheduled to be operational in May 2025.

Fouquet Morel, a fine foods store, inaugurated its location in L’Ouvrage, an agri-food innovation centre in Trois-Rivières. The store required an investment of nearly $1.8M. The company currently employs 85 people in its three local boutiques.

Groupe Réfraco, a refractory parts manufacturer in Saguenay, will invest $9.8M in building a new production facility and installing an automated section. The project is receiving over $4.9M in support from the Government of Quebec.

Phare Médica, a manufacturer of medical products and equipment in Saguenay, invested $3M in building a distribution centre and automating production operations. The project has already started, and it should be complete by June.

The expansion of the Centre local de services communautaires (CLSC) de Chertsey was recently inaugurated. The project required an investment of nearly $1.8M.

The Municipalité de La Doré is investing nearly $2.5M in adding a new street. The project will be carried out by Les Entreprises Rosario Martel Inc. from Alma. Construction is scheduled to start at the end of March, and it will be complete by the end of the summer.

C76 Investissements, a real estate developer, will begin construction on a 142-unit carbon-neutral building with commercial spaces called Le 401 in Québec this fall. The $52M project is receiving financial support from the City, and it should be complete in the spring of 2027.

The Ville de Sept-Îles is investing over $62M in building a new arena. EBC is carrying out the project, which will start in April and should be complete in the fall of 2026.

DistriQ, the Quantum Innovation Zone in Sherbrooke, will invest $5.2M in purchasing new equipment for its shared laboratory after receiving funding from the Government of Canada

Trudel Innovation Inc., a property manager, has signed a $109M, 12-year contract with the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec-Université Laval. The aim of the contract is to establish an outpatient hemodialysis centre at the Fleur de Lys shopping centre in Québec by the end of November.

The Ville de Montréal will invest over $24M in renovating the arena at the Complexe sportif Saint-Jean-Vianney in the borough of Rivière-des-Prairies—Pointe-aux-Trembles. All levels of government are funding the project.

Cuisine du Domaine, a pasta sauce production company in Chertsey, invested nearly $1M in automating and increasing its production from 100 to 5,000 litres per day

The Cégep de Chicoutimi in Saguenay invested $3.2M in acquiring new equipment and refurbishing the facilities for its electrical engineering technology program in automation and controls

La Ressource le Phare in Port-Cartier is currently rebuilding its centre following a major fire in December 2024. The organization with around 40 employees expects to reopen this fall.

Nord Quantique, a company dedicated to building quantum computers in Sherbrooke, will build a computer assembly lab after receiving $1.8M in funding from the Government of Canada

The Ville de Longueuil plans to invest $5.7M in rehabilitating the Centre Lajeunesse. This investment will help the City renovate the roof and modernize the electromechanical systems.

The Ville de Québec has temporarily laid off 570 out of 900 employees in the recreation sector due to the blue-collar workers' strike. The affected positions include instructors, lifeguards, and park or rink supervisors, among others.

The Collège d’Alma rebuilt its school-farm in the town of Alma for its farm management and technology study program. The new facility, valued at $1.2M, will be operational as of the next fall semester.

Ocean Group, a marine services company, is building two tugboats for the Department of National Defence at its shipyard in Isle-aux-Coudres. The company is looking to fill 25 positions for welders, welder-fitters, mechanics, and labourers.

Yukon Metals plans to explore for copper at its AZ project near Beaver Creek, following up on favourable sample results. The company will search for deposits of this critical mineral at Chair Mountain using a combination of past data, geology, drilling, and airborne magnetic and electromagnetic detection methods.

The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation has secured a $100M loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank to develop the Inuvialuit Energy Security Project in the NWT. The gas plant and well project will replace imported LNG and propane, ensuring local energy security. It will create jobs, provide long-term energy, and benefit six Inuit communities. Construction starts this year, with gas production expected by the end of 2026.

Nunavut Housing Corporation provided an update on the Nunavut 3000 housing plan, reporting that 350 units have been completed and another 500 are under construction. The Nunavut government is working toward a $2.6B goal to build 3,000 housing units by 2030. So far, $600M has been spent, with the Nunavut Housing Corporation having completed most of the units built to date.

The federal and Yukon governments are contributing a combined $2.9M toward new facilities in Whitehorse for Biathlon Yukon, in anticipation of the 2026 Arctic Winter Games. The facilities will also serve as community recreational spaces after the conclusion of the games.

The Nunavut government released its 2025-2026 budget, which includes a deficit of $124M. Planned spending totals $3.3B, including operating expenditures and a $350M capital plan for various construction projects, renovations, and purchases. The budget also includes a $66M increase for healthcare, with Education and Housing seeing increases, along with the new Departments of Transportation and Infrastructure and Community Services.

Sitka Gold Corp. will begin a new drilling program at its RC Gold project in the Tombstone Gold Belt, Yukon, more than doubling the amount of drilling conducted at the site so far. The program will focus on expanding existing sites as well as exploring new prospects.

The Da Daghay Development Corporation, along with the Governments of Canada, Yukon, and the City of Whitehorse, are contributing $37M toward building 105 housing units in Whitehorse, the largest affordable housing development in Yukon history. The project will consist of both one- and two-bedroom units and is set to be completed in 2026.

Yellowknife Airport has reported an 18% year-over-year increase in passenger volumes in 2024, bringing traffic totals closer to pre-pandemic levels. The airport is planning upgrades to passenger spaces and parking in anticipation of greater passenger volumes. In particular, the territory's tourism industry is supported by the increase in air passenger traffic.

The Northwest Territories is opening its territorial nominee program for one week, from February 27 to March 6. Due to reduced immigration quotas, 90 nominees will be chosen randomly from those who apply, in addition to 60 retained from last year.

The Government of Yukon and Every Student Every Day are jointly spending $200K on projects to encourage school attendance. The funding will go toward improving school kitchens, acquiring supplies to help feed students and supporting related programs.

The federal government is providing $23M in payments to the Northwest Territories government to assist with the costs of responding to natural disasters experienced in the territory from 2021 to 2024, including floods and wildfires. The funding will go, in part, toward improved disaster mitigation, hazard awareness, and risk reduction.

The Government of Canada will contribute over $185k to the Société des immeubles franco-yukonnais, which will be used for repair and renovation of the Centre de la francophonie in Whitehorse, a community hub. More than 14% of Yukon's population speaks both English and French.

The Government of Canada and Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce are contributing $300K to Northern Mosaic Network for entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and the development of a business skills curriculum, focusing on 2SLGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs in the Northwest Territories.

Canadian North, the airline serving Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, is set to be sold to Winnipeg-based Exchange Income Corporation, an aerospace acquisition company, for $205M. The owners, Makivvik and the Inuvialuit Development Corporation, stated that the sale will not impact the airline's current operations.

The Government of Saskatchewan is providing $6.5M for Ronald McDonald House Charities to build a housing facility in Regina for families whose children are undergoing medical care. Located near Regina General Hospital, the Ronald McDonald Home facility will include 20 bedrooms, children’s play spaces, and a communal kitchen. Construction is expected to begin in March 2025 with completion set for early 2027.

The Government of Saskatchewan is providing $800,000 to Eagle Heart Centre for a new mental health group home for youth in Regina. The centre provides short-term residential care and a 24-hour mental health and addictions support to youth ages 12 to 18.

According to a 2025 Health Canada report, the country currently faces a shortage of 22,823 family physicians, leading to 6.5 million Canadians without a family doctor. Saskatchewan began licensing physician assistants in 2023 to support physician workloads. The University of Saskatchewan plans to accept 20 applicants for the new Master of Physician Assistant Studies program in the fall of 2025, with intentions for future expansion.

International student enrollment decreased this winter by over 50% at the University of Regina, and by about 20% at the University of Saskatchewan compared to January 2024. This means the number of incoming international students is not keeping pace with the number of continuing students who will soon finish their programs.

The Government of Saskatchewan is planning to pause intake for the Saskatchewan Immigration Nomination Program (SINP), impacting employers' ability to hire foreign workers. The Government of Canada cut the 2025 SINP allocation by 50% to 3,625 spots, the lowest allocation since 2009.

The Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre and Harvest Manitoba are partnering to retrofit a former Winnipeg factory into a grocery store-style food bank and resource hub. The $14M centre is expected to open by 2026 and will offer community and office spaces for cultural programs, support resources, and laundry services. Harvest Manitoba currently operates a Meals2Go program on the first floor.

EnerPure Inc., a Winnipeg-based recycling and energy transition company, completed their 15-year recycling technology development project. The $40M project was funded through provincial and federal grants in addition to fund-raising initiatives. The recycling company is aiming to deploy 21 recycling plants and reduce cumulative green house gas emissions by one million tonnes within six years.

The Urban Circle Training Centre and Red River College Polytechnic have partnered to run an accredited early child-care educator diploma program. The Government of Manitoba is providing $220K to train up to 30 Indigenous students. The two-year, tuition-free course will include an internship and in-class lessons incorporating land-based learning, such as medicine-picking and sharing circles.

Huddle, a mental health and social services hub, is receiving $10M through the federal government's Youth Mental Health Fund. The funding will go towards expanding support services and opening two new centres in northern Manitoba and rural southern Manitoba over the next four years. The centres will offer counselling, mental-health support, primary care, and other services.

The Government of Canada is providing $1.9M to Le Musée de Saint-Boniface Museum in Winnipeg. The funding will support the building's ongoing renovation and restoration project which began in June 2024. Work is expected to be completed in 2026.

A new medical clinic will be opening on Gambler First Nation in March 2025. The clinic will employ a nurse and health staff in addition to a physician who has signed a five-year contract with Gambler First Nation.

Assiniboine College recently opened their rural rotating Practical Nursing site in Beausejour. The temporary site aims to provide accessible training opportunities to those in rural Manitoba through classroom instruction, lab experiences, and clinical placements. Permanent Practical Nursing programs are offered at the college's four other main campuses.

Regenesis Centre for Recovery will be opening in Winnipeg's Linden Woods neighbourhood in mid-March. The addiction recovery centre will serve six women and non-binary members of the LGBTTQ+ community, providing wraparound secondary care for six to 12 months. The provincial government will provide $350K annually to support the program.

The Government of Canada is providing $1.85M to support nine projects that support tourism and cultural initiatives across Manitoba. The provincial tourism sector supports over 20,000 jobs and contributes $1.8B in visitor spending annually.

The Seine River School Division is launching a pilot project to help students in grades seven to 12 access mental health and addictions services. The project will connect students with mental health and addictions supports such as non-diagnostic screening and assessments, treatments options, and other support services. The program will run for one year, with plans to evaluate the program’s success and continuation.

Mineral exploration company, NiCAN Limited, recently received a work permit for its initial exploration program at the Pipy South Project in Manitoba's Thompson area. NiCan is finalizing exploration plans and will soon begin drilling to test for nickel mineralization.

Prairie Mountain Health plans to build a new 140-space daycare on the Brandon Regional Health Centre campus. The new daycare is part of the federal and provincial government initiative to add 324 new child-care spaces in various health-care facilities. Once operational, two-thirds of the new centre's staff will consist of early childhood educators.

The new RCMP detachment in Niverville is now operational but will remain closed to the public until summer. The office will staff five individuals: one corporal, three constables, and one detachment service assistant serving in an administrative position. Officers are currently working out of the office, but the administrative role is yet to be filled.

Red River College Polytechnic will receive federal and provincial funding to add 74 new childcare spaces at the Notre Dame Campus. The funding is part of the $60.5M Canada-Manitoba initiative to add over 800 new affordable childcare spaces in Manitoban post-secondary institutions.

Lee’s Donuts is opening a new location in Coquitlam. An opening date has not been announced yet. The company is also working on new locations in North Vancouver and Burnaby.

Jay Nok Modern Thai, a Thai restaurant in Olympic Village, opened on February 27.

The Government of Canada is providing $6.2M through the Indigenous Natural Resource Partnership Program to support seven Indigenous-led projects across British Columbia. The program aims to increase Indigenous economic participation in the development of natural resource projects. The funding is directed to several First Nations communities, economic development companies and organizations.

Several municipal firefighting agencies across the Lower Mainland are hiring. The City of Burnaby is hiring for a full-time fire prevention inspector, the City of Richmond is hiring firefighter recruits and the Backwood Wildfire Corp in Kamloops is hiring for wildland firefighters. The Regional District of East Kootenay is also looking for eight firefighters to join its work experience program.

The City of Abbotsford has made $20K in Neighbourhood Small Grants now available to support local community projects. Eligible projects will bring neighbours together to foster a sense of belonging and community spirit.

North Shore Bike Park, a North Vancouver indoor bike park, has announced it is closing on March 30.

Rainbow Cafe Bubble Waffle in Richmond closed on February 26. The operators decided to retire.

The Government of British Columbia and industry partners are providing over $15M in joint funding to 19 agritech projects and nine training programs. These projects will create nearly 200 jobs and support the training of hundreds of people. These projects will help companies scale up their technology and create more local technological solutions.

Reverb Therapeutics, a British Columbia-based research company, has raised $17M to support its work to develop a platform that harnesses natural immune system responses to treat diseases. The funds directly support advancing a candidate compound to the preclinical stage.

Pho Anh Vu, a Toronto-based Vietnamese restaurant, opened its first Metro Vancouver location on February 9. The restaurant is in Richmond and open seven days a week.

The Government of British Columbia is providing $10M to help B.C. tree fruit farmers to rebuild after several difficult seasons. The funding will be available to farmers throughout the province and will be based on acreage. Eligible uses for the one-time payment includes tools, training, capital for farm improvement, farm debt repayment and farm wages.

Loblaw Companies Limited has announced that it will open 80 stores across Canada and create around 8K jobs. These announcements are part of Loblaw’s $2.2B Canadian spending for 2025.

The City of Kamloops has announced it will begin construction work on the Pacific Way off-ramp expansion on March 15. The project is expected to be completed by the end of June and will improve road safety and capacity.

The Government of Canada has provided $10.3M to the City of Port Coquitlam through the Housing Accelerator Fund. The funds will be used to accelerate the construction of 287 homes, many of which will be affordable as defined by the provincial government. The money will be paid out over the next several years.

Glacier Media has announced that the Burnaby Now, New Westminster Record and Tri-City News would be closing. Both the Burnaby Now and New Westminster Record are closing no later than April 21, and the Tri-City News will be closing by May 21. The three community news websites had been operating online-only since August 2023.

BC Housing has announced that a 42-unit affordable apartment building will be opening at 435 Cherry Avenue in North Kamloops in fall 2025. Renovations to the location have been ongoing for the last two years.

Angus T, a Vancouver bakery, will be opening two new locations in Vancouver this year. A South West Marine Drive location is expected to open in fall of this year with a River District location set to open around Christmas.

Variational AI, a Vancouver-based generative-AI company, has raised US$5.5M in funding to expand the company. The startup plans to use the money to hire 9 new employees and to increase the company’s compute capacity.

The City of Port Alberni is spending $400K to improve the Clutesi Haven Marina this summer. The proposed features include a gazebo, a small courtyard, vendor spaces and a small stage. Construction is set to begin soon.

Granite Creek Copper, a Vancouver-based mining company, has been approved to receive up to $2.28M from Natural Resources Canada’s Energy Innovation Program. The company will use these funds to support its work with technology development to extract metals while sequestering a high level of carbon through the carbonation of magnesium silicate minerals.

The Government of Canada is providing over $11M to the Tsay Keh Dene Nation to support community priorities. Those priorities include economic development, governance, wellness and other socio-economic opportunities.

The Government of Canada is providing over $1.1M through PacifiCan to support two projects that will boost Vancouver Island’s sustainable aquaculture economy and create jobs. Over $881K will go to North Island College to establish a Seaweed Innovation Hub. The remaining $250K will support the B.C. Shellfish Growers’ Association, a non-profit that represents shellfish industry stakeholders.

BNA, a Kelowna-based brewing company, opened a new location in Vernon on February 13.

BabyGoRound, a Vancouver-based baby supply charity, opened a new location between Langley and Surrey on February 22.

Mr. Tonkatsu, a Japanese pork cutlet restaurant, has announced it will be closing its Surrey location on March 9. The closure was due to personal reasons.

Las Shilas, a new Mexican restaurant, has opened in New Westminster.

The Government of Canada is providing more than $25.9M to the Village of Lytton to support the construction of a Community Hub. The new facility will replace infrastructure lost in the 2021 fire.

Cofu Pressed Sushi will be opening a new Vancouver location before summer 2025.

Accelerate Okanagan, with support from PacifiCan, is launching Ascend BC, a nearly $4M business acceleration project. The program will operate over three years and provide entrepreneurs with access to mentorship, executive services and networking opportunities. The program aims to create high-quality jobs, grow industry clusters and accelerate successful businesses.

Romer’s Burger Bar is opening a new location at YVR Airport. An opening date has yet to be announced.

The Government of Alberta is expanding its recovery college model, adding a new location in Medicine Hat. The Province has allocated $3.6M over three years to establish and support these colleges, which provide free courses in mental health and addictions recovery.

Fox Meadows Wind is planning a 165-megawatt wind farm in central Alberta that would include up to 25 turbines, a substation, and an energy storage facility. If approved, the project could create 200 jobs in the municipal districts of Wainwright and Provost. The Alberta Utilities Commission is currently holding public hearings on the proposed project.

Residential construction is increasing in Edmonton, with 50% more residential building permits issued in 2024 than in the previous year. This is partly due to changes in zoning rules, as well as the city’s expanding LRT system.

A new courthouse is opening in Red Deer in early March, replacing the city’s current facility. The Red Deer Justice Centre will have 12 courtrooms, technology upgrades, and the potential to add two more trial spaces if needed.

Obsidian Energy Ltd.’s is selling its operating assets in Alberta’s Pembina oil field to InPlay Oil Corp. for $320M (CAD). This includes 498 net sections of land and associated facilities. Obsidian Energy plans to focus its business on light oil development in the Duvernay Formation. InPlay says the acquisition will allow it to increase production by over 100%.

The Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation has opened a new office on Enoch Cree Nation. The Crown Corporation was formed in 2019 to encourage economic development in First Nations and Métis communities.

Princess Auto is opening a warehouse in Balzac, just outside Calgary, in 2026. GWL Realty Advisors will design and construct the 605,000-sq.-ft. building as part of its larger Stoney North Logistics Centre project. When complete, the centre will house numerous warehousing facilities for major retailers, offering a combined 2M sq. ft. of space.

The Government of Alberta is providing a one-time funding increase of $500,000 to the Fire Services Training Program, bringing total funding to $1M in 2025. The program provides grants to municipalities and Indigenous communities for firefighter training. An additional $85,000 is earmarked to help the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association with long-term planning and assessment.

The Realm, a new fitness facility, is opening next month in Calgary's Inglewood neighbourhood. The 33,000-sq.-ft space includes a gym, spa, hot tub, kitchen and seating, and supplement store. The Realm will employ fitness trainers, and there are also dedicated rooms for massage therapists, physiotherapists, and an on-site physician.

The City of Edmonton will begin construction on three bridges in 2025. This includes rehabilitation and repair work on the Dawson and Low Level bridges, and the complete replacement of the Wellington Bridge.

A new community media platform, Rocky Mountain Live, recently launched to promote local live music in Alberta. The website includes artist profiles, upcoming concerts, and information on local music venues. It seeks to cover the Rockies region, which includes Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, Canmore, and the Kootenays.

A $50M affordable housing development, Cecil Bellrose Manor, is scheduled to open in Edmonton this spring. The 127-unit complex is a project of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government and will offer housing to Indigenous families. A childcare facility in the building will offer spaces for 48 children immediately, with plans to expand to 72 spaces within five years.

The Government of Alberta is spending $180M over the next three years to open two involuntary drug treatment facilities: one in Calgary and one in Edmonton. Construction on the 150-bed facilities will begin in 2026 and they are scheduled to open in 2029. In the meantime, the Province is opening 50 new mandatory care beds at existing centres.

Alberta will be hosting five national and international sport events over the next two months, including the FIS Snowboard Slopestyle and Halfpipe World Cups and the 2025 Nordiq Canada Ski Nationals. The provincial government is contributing $440,000 to assist with hosting costs through its Major Sport Event grant program.

The Government of Alberta is providing a combined $5.5M to 19 organizations across the province working to address human trafficking. Funded projects include public awareness initiatives, emergency support for victims, and services to assist in their recovery.

Edmonton City Council has voted to approve a rezoning application for a proposed nordic spa. Scandinave Group Inc. plans to build Edmonton’s first such facility, in the southwestern neighbourhood of Brander Gardens.

Calgary’s Rockyview General Hospital is expanding its coronary care and intensive care units as part of an $84M project aimed at increasing services in the facility. Both units are reopening this April in a new space, with five additional beds in the coronary care unit and three in the ICU.

Three psychiatrists specializing in addiction have opened a private treatment clinic in Edmonton. The Brick House Recovery Centre offers outpatient treatment and immediate admissions to its programs.

The Government of Canada and Saddle Lake Cree Nation are providing a combined $5M to upgrade infrastructure in Saddle Lake. The community’s cultural centre will undergo an energy efficiency retrofit, and its main road bridge will receive repairs to protect against future flooding.

Rural Victoria has put in place a five-year development plan, with its main goal to increase housing and expand its tax base. The area needs a daycare and seniors home to help attract more families to the area, which has an aging population of 139 people.