AGP Executive Report

Vaccine Review: Health Canada is reviewing a new mRNA flu vaccine that may help prevent hospitalisations. Farmworker Health: A USask study found lung changes in female mice after five days of exposure to glyphosate and bacterial toxins; researchers used high-resolution imaging at the Canadian Light Source. Crohn’s Research: A study from the universities of Calgary and British Columbia suggests changing meal times may ease Crohn’s symptoms, without calorie restriction or food exclusions. Quantum Technology: Canadian startup Q-Block says it has shrunk quantum lab equipment to shoebox size, potentially making the tools easier to use beyond specialist labs. Space Materials: Concordia researchers have made 3D-printed parts from recycled plastic and simulated moon dust, exploring materials that could support future lunar construction.

AI Infrastructure: A new poll finds 64% of Canadians want provincial governments to limit large data centres, rising to 70% in Saskatchewan. High water use and power costs are leading concerns, even as supporters point to investment and jobs. Volcanic Risk: Scientists and local agencies met in Squamish to turn Mount Garibaldi research into hazard maps and practical tools for emergency planning and land use. Youth Mental Health: Ottawa is investing more than $13 million in research and programs to improve mental health services for young people, amid high reported levels of anxiety and depression. Medical Research: A trial involving McGill researchers found that a low-calorie diet paired with structured exercise helped 54% of participants with early-onset type 2 diabetes reach remission after 24 weeks, while preserving muscle. Invasive Species: European wall lizards are spreading across Vancouver Island, with a B.C. Museum expert estimating their population at 800,000 to one million and warning of possible environmental harm.

AI and Infrastructure: Halton police are using AI simulations to screen and train 911 call-takers, saying the system halves candidate evaluation time. At the same time, a new poll finds nearly two-thirds of Canadians want data-centre development curbed, as security concerns grow around the facilities. Cybersecurity: A Canadian executive has been arrested in the U.S. over alleged ties to the ShinyHunters hacking group; the charges remain allegations. Medical Research: University of Waterloo researchers using the Canadian Light Source found a potential way to disrupt a COVID-19 protein essential to viral replication, pointing to a possible new drug target. Canadian Tech Capacity: General Fusion reported a plasma-heating milestone, while Canadian companies are pursuing the country’s first homegrown rocket-launch capability. Trade and Innovation: Ottawa is sending nearly 300 delegates to India on its largest trade mission there in more than 30 years, with clean technology and aerospace among the sectors targeted for new partnerships.

Arctic Science: At the Arctic Circle Assembly, Canadian and European officials stressed sovereignty, local interests and environmental protection, while U.S. delegates emphasized military capacity and resource development. Health Research: A large study involving more than 2.3 million older Canadians found medication side-effect cascades are common and often go unnoticed, potentially leading to unnecessary prescriptions. AI Infrastructure: Canada’s AI talent advantage faces a growing infrastructure gap, as data-centre expansion sparks public opposition and demands more electricity. Space Technology: Canadian companies are working to build domestic rocket-launch capability; Canada still can’t launch rockets independently. Clean Energy: Ottawa plans $2 billion in rebates for homeowners who install heat pumps, supporting lower energy costs and emissions.

AI in Health Care: Nova Scotia doctors say patients are increasingly turning to chatbots for diagnoses, but AI can miss crucial medical context and spread misinformation. Data-Centre Demand: Hydro-Québec is facing pressure as Google and other tech firms seek power for data centres, raising questions about how to meet the sector’s growing energy needs. Mining Technology: A student-led AI project aims to preserve critical mine-safety expertise as experienced workers leave the industry. Women’s Health Research: A Canadian analysis found just 6.4% of CIHR grants over 15 years supported research focused on women, much of it on pregnancy. Sturgeon Conservation: New research suggests some Great Lakes lake sturgeon may live for centuries, strengthening calls to protect habitat for a species reduced to a fraction of its historic population.

AI and Mine Safety: A Saskatchewan-led student team is developing FieldSync, an AI tool to capture and protect mine safety expertise as automation expands. Powering AI: Hydro-Québec’s proposed higher electricity rates for data centres have put Google’s stalled Beauharnois project at the centre of a wider debate over the power demands of AI. Trade and Tech: Nearly 300 Canadian delegates head to India next week, representing sectors including aerospace, clean technology, ICT and life sciences. Space Ambitions: Canadian companies are working to build domestic rocket-launch capability and reduce reliance on foreign providers. Energy Research: General Fusion reports a plasma-heating milestone, while BWXT Canada has been selected to build and deploy reactor technology in New Brunswick.

Food-Tech: Regina’s food bank has opened the city’s first modular indoor farm, using hydroponics to grow up to 800 heads of lettuce a week for families and school programs. Medical Research: York University researchers say cardiac-rehabilitation programs remain scarce worldwide despite their proven health benefits—and have declined since the pandemic, even as cardiovascular disease rises. Clean Energy: Ottawa is backing new measures to lower energy costs and emissions, while a separate federal investment aims to strengthen domestic radiopharmaceutical production. Electric Vehicles: China’s Geely plans to enter Canada in 2027, making it the first Chinese mass-market EV brand to launch in North America. Space: Canadian companies are pushing to build the country’s own rocket-launch capacity, with one firm breaking ground on an advanced testing facility in London, Ont. AI Oversight: Canada’s financial regulator has flagged advanced AI as a growing risk, as public debate intensifies over accountability and the expansion of energy-hungry data centres.

Electric Vehicles: Geely is setting up Canadian operations and a sales and service network ahead of its first vehicle launches in 2027, bringing a major new competitor to the market. AI and Finance: OSFI warns that fast-moving AI and cyber threats are adding pressure to Canada’s financial system, while broader AI adoption is outpacing accountability. Clean Energy: Ottawa’s $2-billion home retrofit plan includes heat-pump rebates for up to 820,000 households. Medical Technology: Jubilant plans to invest $94.5 million to double Canadian production of a key radiopharmaceutical. Space and Fusion: Canadian firms are pushing to build domestic rocket-launch capability, while General Fusion reports a milestone in plasma heating.

AI Infrastructure: Canadian and international church groups are weighing data centres’ demands for energy, water and critical minerals, as Ottawa rolls out principles for responsible data-centre development. Climate & Energy: Canada’s emissions rose in 2025 as clean electrification lagged; the federal government also announced a retrofit investment targeting one million homes and plans a $2-billion heat-pump rebate program. Health Research: A University of Manitoba-led international team published two studies showing how some breast-milk components respond to maternal nutrition while others reflect lactation biology and infant growth. Fusion: General Fusion reported a technical milestone in plasma heating. Space: NordSpace says its first satellite has succeeded in orbit, making it the first Canadian launch company with hardware operating in space.

Clean Energy: Ottawa is launching $2 billion in heat-pump rebates, aiming to help up to 820,000 households cut heating costs and emissions over eight years. Fusion Research: General Fusion reports a 1 keV electron-temperature milestone with UKAEA, a step in its push toward commercial fusion power. Critical Minerals: Laurentian University’s new five-year strategy puts mining research, technology and workforce training at the centre of its plans, with a focus on Northern Ontario’s role in the sector’s transformation. Quantum Skills: Qubo Consulting and Mitacs are teaming up to provide quantum training for post-secondary students in Canada. Agritech: Ottawa is investing nearly $2 million in biodegradable fertilizer-coating technology, supporting efforts to develop lower-impact farming tools.

AI Infrastructure: Bell plans to buy 895 acres outside Regina for a major AI data-centre expansion, as Ottawa sets principles for responsible data-centre development. Quantum Talent: Qubo Consulting and Mitacs are launching six bilingual workshops to prepare Canadian post-secondary students for quantum careers. Nuclear Energy: SaskPower outlined studies and timelines for a proposed small modular reactor site near Estevan, including plans to assess two 300-megawatt units. Clean Technology: Ottawa is investing nearly $2 million in biodegradable fertilizer coating technology. Wildlife Research: A new online archive lets people explore decades of recorded orca calls, with researchers hoping the sounds can help identify whales and reduce vessel strikes.

Defence Technology: Hundreds of defence researchers and industry leaders are in Halifax for NATO’s Innovation Continuum, where operational exercises will test emerging technologies. Canadian drone makers are also seeking overseas sites to test electronic-warfare systems, as Ottawa bars domestic jamming. AI & Infrastructure: Canada has launched principles for responsible data-centre development, while a First Nation says Bell must consult it over a proposed AI data centre near Regina. AI-generated deepfakes are also being used to promote Alberta separatism. Food & Agriculture: Nine companies have joined a program to develop Canadian-grown ingredients and food products, with the initiative projecting up to $5.4 billion in added GDP and 34,000 jobs. The federal seed unit will begin shifting from Indian Head to Saskatoon in 2027, with the move completed in 2028. Climate Research: New projections warn that, under high warming, winter temperatures could exceed 10 C across much of Nunavut by century’s end, while western Canadian glaciers could lose over three-quarters of their ice. AI Policy: Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new 13-member National AI Council will advise on adoption, safety and Canadian control of the technology.

Trucking & migrant workers: New Canadian research spotlights how pressure to move goods fast and cheap leaves immigrant drivers facing long days, uneven pay, and added vulnerability tied to immigration status. Food safety: A new Australian supermarket probe found pesticide residues and “forever chemicals” (PFAS) across produce, renewing concerns about chemical “cocktails” reaching shoppers. Bird science funding: Margaret Atwood donates $1M to Western University to create the Graeme Gibson Chair in Avian Biology, backing bird migration research. Energy efficiency awards: LG Canada earns its sixth ENERGY STAR Canada Award for Commercial Products, highlighting efficiency-certified tech and education efforts. Investor protection: Canada’s securities regulators urge long-term investing, verifying online info, and tougher fraud prevention during Investor Education Month. AI data centre backlash: Two Saskatchewan First Nations demand more consultation on Bell’s AI data centre project, citing treaty, water, and environmental concerns. Security & lawful access: Signal says amendments to Canada’s Bill C-22 still don’t protect encryption enough, and it may withdraw. Pension stability: A new report says Canadian defined-benefit plans hit an all-time median solvency high, helped by higher interest rates.

Space Connectivity: TELUS and AST SpaceMobile completed their first integration test, aiming to bring satellite-to-phone broadband, voice and texts to Canadians within a year. AI Governance: Cohere rolled out North 2, adding “lockdown” access controls for enterprise AI agents so companies can automate work without handing over sensitive data. Health Tech: A large study accepted for publication finds a small skin biopsy can often diagnose mitochondrial disease, potentially reducing the need for more invasive testing. Cancer Advocacy: Michael J. Fox was promoted to companion level in the Order of Canada at Rideau Hall, recognizing decades of Parkinson’s advocacy. Energy & Indigenous Business: Four First Nations advanced a Greenstone Gold Mine solar plan in Ontario, targeting up to 8.5 MW and possible construction in 2027. Payments & Retail Tech: Skip and Instacart linked platforms so Canadians can shop groceries and essentials plus access restaurant partners through either app. Environment & Travel: The Trans Canada Trail is lobbying to keep federal funding steady as its current commitment runs out. Domain Diversity: ICANN expanded rules for second-level internationalized domain names, adding Javanese and Unified Canadian Aboriginal Syllabics scripts.

Quebec Politics: The Parti Québécois won Quebec’s election and will form a minority government, reviving the independence debate and setting up a likely third referendum—though not a clear majority yet. Public Accountability: Winnipeg mayoral candidate Kevin Klein pledges to restore an independent city ombudsman to investigate complaints and curb “closed doors” decision-making. Health Tech in Canada: Canadian experts released national guidance on prostate cancer PSMA PET/CT imaging and ¹⁷⁷Lu-PSMA-617 targeted radioligand therapy. Digital Health & Kids: The Lancet warns current digital systems are governed in ways that raise health risks for children and young people, calling for coordinated global rules. AI & Fraud Risks: IRCC warns newcomers about AI-enabled immigration scams using realistic fake videos and voices, urging people to verify through official channels. Nuclear & Energy Security: A new debate in Canada’s nuclear future pits building domestic reactor capability against importing U.S.-linked designs and supply dependencies. Space & STEM: Students across Canada and beyond connected with astronauts via amateur radio, highlighting hands-on STEM engagement. Climate Policy Debate: A Fraser Institute report argues climate change is real but challenges claims about impacts and stresses economic trade-offs from climate policies. AI Infrastructure Cooling: LG Canada-linked reporting points to major North American AI data-centre cooling deals, underscoring Canada’s growing role in the AI buildout.

Steel & Power: Algoma Steel says power issues are fixed and it’s preparing to restart with a second electric arc furnace, though it expects a third-quarter loss as shipments and earnings take a hit. Sask. Energy & Nuclear: Saskatchewan lays out plans for major new power capacity and large-scale reactors plus SMRs, but timelines remain fluid as site decisions and planning run in parallel. Health Equity: New Canadian research in CMAJ finds Black people face a much higher risk of severe maternal morbidity than White people, even after accounting for income and immigration factors. Space & Research: NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 launches to the ISS with Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk aboard, continuing Canada’s growing role in space missions. Weather Watch: Environment Canada issues the GTA’s first frost advisory, warning of damage to cold-sensitive plants and crops. Food Tech at UBC: UBC Food Services will harvest greens from a compact indoor hydroponic growing pod, using it as a real-world research prototype for building-integrated agriculture. AI & Media Jobs: Tech publisher Future cuts roles again, blaming declines in search traffic tied to AI Overviews. Dairy Nutrition: A review suggests naturally occurring trans fats in dairy behave differently than industrial trans fats, with no clear link to major heart and diabetes outcomes. Space Security: Experts flag how little is publicly known about “space weapons,” even as multiple countries develop counterspace capabilities.