AGP Executive Report

Federal Food Push: Prime Minister Mark Carney launched Canada’s first National Food Security Strategy with $3B over 10 years, aiming to boost competition, invest in food terminals and hubs, and strengthen domestic processing so independent grocers and restaurants can get more affordable supply. Local Business Support: Restaurants Canada backed the plan, saying it targets the links that matter for small operators—production, processing, distribution, and fewer regulatory barriers. AI Policy Backlash: Carney’s “AI for All” strategy is drawing sharp online criticism, even as it promises new legislation and programs to raise AI adoption and help small businesses compete. SME Inclusion Funding: Prairies EDC renewed $5.5M over five years for entrepreneurs with disabilities, funding training, mentorship and one-on-one support in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Business Sale Guidance: Convenience Store News Canada shared practical advice for owners considering a sale—get the business “sale-ready” early, keep financials clean, and don’t wait for perfect timing. Corporate Moves: NowVertical appointed Andre Garber interim CEO; Veteran Capital terminated its LOI with Powerhive after missed financing deadlines; Questor postponed its AGM amid filing and legal issues. Tech/Payments Watch: Reuters reports Nuvei is in advanced talks to buy Payoneer for about $2.7B, a potential boost for cross-border merchants and freelancers.

Quebec Industry Update: The Steelworkers/USW welcomed Quebec’s Bill 11, saying it clears the way for Glencore to move ahead with modernization at the Horne copper smelter and supports the future of Quebec’s copper supply chain, including the Montreal East refinery. Corporate Governance: Descartes Systems Group reported shareholder voting results from its June 11 annual meeting, including the election of nine directors. Executive Search Expansion: Intel2Talent Canada is joining forces with GlassRatner, creating a stronger Montreal presence and scaling executive search, including a push into private equity and industrials. Clean Tech Funding: Aduro Clean Technologies closed an underwritten public offering raising about US$15.6M (C$ equivalent) to fund its first-of-a-kind demonstration plant and R&D. Indigenous Entrepreneurship & Exports: Pow Wow Pitch will continue its partnership with Export Development Canada for the 11th season, adding mentorship and an export-focused award. Quebec Language Compliance: A Montreal brunch spot, Arthurs Nosh Bar, is facing an OQLF complaint over the word “nosh” in its storefront signage. Labour Contract: Rogers Sugar says its Montréal refinery union ratified a new five-year agreement, supporting stability as the company advances its LEAP project. Business Scaling Awards: Excellence Canada named 46 private-business award winners for 2026, with a new “Entrepreneurial Innovation” category. Tech for Small Business: Eastlink expanded internet services into select communities in New Brunswick and Newfoundland & Labrador, aiming to boost competition and choice.

Trade Diversification Reality Check: A Fraser Institute essay says Canada’s push to grow exports beyond the U.S. by 2035 will be hard because the U.S. is still the world’s biggest, closest market—and Canada’s transport and trade setup is built for it. Packaging & Compliance Pressure: “Hidden plastics” are showing up inside “plastic-free” drink packaging, raising recycling and health concerns and adding pressure for manufacturers to redesign—while alternatives face regulatory hurdles. Oilpatch Hiring Crunch: Careers in Energy says Canada’s oil and gas sector may need about 72,000 workers by 2035 (often to replace retirees), with shortages expected to start around 2027—good news for job seekers, but a risk for project delivery. World Cup Marketing for SMBs: Toronto and Vancouver businesses are spending on FIFA watch parties, menus and activations to win brand awareness and tourism dollars. B.C. Tax Hit for Builders & SMBs: British Columbia’s PST expansion to professional services starting Oct. 1 is set to raise costs across construction and small businesses. Local Business Disruption: A Manitoba storm flooded Stonewall, damaging a small-business home hair salon and forcing owners to scramble for alternate space. Tech & Security Demand: Market reports point to fast growth in forensic accounting, zero-trust security, and tablet PCs—signals of continued spend on risk, compliance and productivity tools. Data Centre Scrutiny: Terrace is considering zoning changes that could add extra public review for data centres, aiming for more transparency.

Quebec Language Compliance: Montreal café owner Maryam Rahimi says Quebec’s language watchdog (OQLF) audits everything from receipts to written materials, eating up hours of time and adding costs for a small business trying to grow. Retail & Consumer Spend: A new report finds domestic retailers are gaining share as online spending rose 10% in 2025, while another study notes shoppers love small businesses more but are spending less due to rising costs. Food Supply Pressure: Calgary health brand HelloAmino warns protein powder costs are climbing as Canadian whey supply tightens, forcing sourcing from the U.S. at much higher prices. SMB Tech & Marketing: Constant Contact’s Small Business Now report says more owners are adopting a “creator” identity and scaling AI to win attention. Telecom Consumer Rules: Canada’s telecom-TV complaints watchdog (CCTS) says over two-thirds of providers had some compliance issues with public awareness requirements. Local Business Life: A Bienfait garage sale weekend drew steady crowds, showing community events can still drive foot traffic. Business Climate: Canada ranks second globally for foreign investment confidence, ahead of major economies.

AI Strategy & Jobs: PM Mark Carney’s long-awaited “AI for All” plan backs big AI adoption with a $500M fund for Canadian AI firms and support for data centres adding 850 megawatts of compute by 2030, aiming for 90,000 AI jobs (250,000 across the sector), but critics warn it’s short on worker protections and guardrails. B.C. Migration Shift: A Fraser Institute study says B.C. still drew net residents over the long run, but recent years show a sharp reversal—B.C. lost people in 2023/24 and 2024/25 after a decade of net inflows, raising pressure for local employers. SME Defence Tech Support: Ericsson Canada and EDC are expanding a $3B partnership to help Canadian SMEs in defence and dual-use tech scale and reach global markets. PropTech Launch in Alberta: Propurti Geeks unveiled Propurti, an AI property management platform built to streamline leasing, rent collection, maintenance, tenant communication and compliance. Payments M&A Watch: Nuvei is reportedly in advanced talks to buy Payoneer for about $2.7B, a potential consolidation move in cross-border payments. Sales Tech for Small Firms: Close launched Chloe, an AI sales agent inside its CRM that calls, qualifies, books meetings and updates records—positioned as “leverage” for smaller businesses. World Cup Spillover: New York’s World Cup drinking-law change lets bars and restaurants serve alcohol until 4 a.m., a reminder of how major events can quickly reshape local small-business operations.

Alberta AI Data-Center Clash: A proposed 7,000-acre “Wonder Valley” project backed by Kevin O’Leary’s O’Leary Digital is sparking a fight over power, water, land impacts, and whether locals are being properly consulted. Pride Funding for Small Business Impact: Ottawa is putting $3M over two years into Fierté Canada Pride to help festivals boost safety and security—events that also drive tourism and local spending. Ontario Immigration Program Reset: Ontario revoked all nine OINP permanent residence streams tied to the Entrepreneur and other categories, with replacement pathways still unclear—creating planning headaches for employers and applicants. Local B.C. Community Business Story: Revelstoke’s “TreeNet” greenbelt tree hammocks are being rebuilt after vandalism, with the entrepreneur behind Nate’s Nets saying the backlash is only growing community support. SMB Tech & Cyber: ESET’s SMB Cyber Readiness Index flags that Canadian organizations worry about AI-powered malware, but everyday scams like phishing and unpatched software are still the biggest real-world costs. Capital Markets Watch: Keel Infrastructure closed $458M in convertible notes, while South Star Battery Metals closed the final tranche of its graphite-focused private placement.

Tax Season Prep: Canada’s corporate tax (T2) filing rush is underway for about two million incorporated businesses, with returns requiring more paperwork than personal filings and often separate deadlines for income taxes after year-end. Local Business Impact: Vancouver World Cup fan-zone rules are forcing some nearby small businesses to close on match days, including an aquarium store saying limited access effectively shuts it down without compensation. Tech & Growth Funding (BC): A new Kootenay initiative is receiving about $100,000 to help local firms adopt digital and AI tools, with assessments and a regional tech report. Policy & Competitiveness: A new national AI strategy is being framed as a push to close an “adoption gap,” especially for sectors like agriculture where tools exist but uptake lags. Economic Outlook: Commentary warns Canada’s problems go beyond a technical recession, pointing to weak productivity and a risk of another lost decade.

Capital Markets: Fairfax Financial has closed a US$750M private offering of 6.200% senior notes due 2056, earmarking proceeds for general corporate use. SME Payments & Governance: SalesCloser issued the second and final tranche of 87,064 shares to a consulting partner under its AI sales consulting deal, with a four-month resale hold. Public Company Insider Moves: PyroGenesis CEO P. Peter Pascali filed an updated early warning report tied to his acquisition of 5,882,352 units in a private placement. Local Business & Community Marketing: LG Electronics Canada launched “Match Day Heroes,” a national contest and video series asking Canadians to nominate local “footy hubs” for an LG upgrade valued up to $10,000. Trade & Uncertainty: A survey of U.S. contractors (relevant to Canadian suppliers) finds 91% reporting cost increases from tariffs and says many are tightening bids and leaning on AI tools to protect margins. Immigration & Hiring (BC): British Columbia released details for a temporary rural/remote health support immigration stream for eligible cleaning and security workers already employed by public health authorities, with registration opening June 15. Education & AI Safety: The Canadian Teachers’ Federation welcomed Ottawa’s national AI strategy commitments, urging stronger protections for students and teachers as AI tools enter K-12 classrooms.

SME Banking & Founder Needs: Wealthsimple’s push into business banking (chequing, credit, cards, and planned USD options) signals how modern entrepreneurs want global, tech-first financial tools. Trade Rules of Origin Friction: Despite CUSMA sparing compliant goods from U.S. tariffs, some Canadian small firms say certification and brokerage costs are still a “nightmare,” reshaping where they can sell. Policy for Local Media Funding: Ottawa plans to direct the CRTC to roll back parts of the Online Streaming Act that require foreign streamers to fund Canadian local news and niche broadcasters—an issue that directly affects small media operators. AI Strategy for Growth: Canada’s national AI strategy and related “AI for All” plans aim to close adoption gaps and support jobs, while an APEC SME event in Taipei focused on helping smaller firms apply AI. Cybersecurity for Publishers: Entrepreneur Magazine hired CYPFER to protect its digital ecosystem, reflecting rising cyber risk for small and mid-sized media businesses. Inclusive Hiring Campaign: Enabled Talent Canada’s “One Company. One Talent.” urges employers to create at least one opportunity for people with disabilities or other underrepresented groups through Oct. 2026. NATO Innovation Fund Talk: Canada is again in discussions to join NATO’s innovation fund, with private-sector investors backing the push—potential upside for Canadian SME tech startups. Local Tech & Youth Ecosystems: Brampton and Onigbongbo LCDA partnered on recycling, youth development, and startup incubation links via BHive.

Inclusive Hiring Push: Enabled Talent Canada launched “One Company. One Talent.” urging Canadian employers to create at least one disability or underrepresented-community opportunity (jobs, internships, co-ops, apprenticeships, mentorships, volunteer roles) through October 2026. Restructuring Watch: GoHealth, Inc. filed for a voluntary prepackaged Chapter 11 in the U.S. to support a lender-backed restructuring plan while aiming to keep Medicare services running. Tech & Training for SMBs: Kelowna’s Accelerate Okanagan and Prospera Credit Union are bringing back “Level Up Local” grants (up to $3,000) to help small businesses upgrade websites, CRM, AI tools, and digital marketing. Local Business Wins: Sugar Dust Baking in Owen Sound took top chamber honours, including Entrepreneur of the Year and Business of the Year. Energy Innovation: Saint John Energy opened a virtual replica “sandbox” to test grid prototypes using real data for educators and innovators. Travel Deal: Air Canada and Abra Group signed an MoU to expand connectivity and codeshare across the Americas, with loyalty and cargo benefits. AI Strategy: Canada rolled out a national “AI for All” strategy targeting broader adoption, trust, and jobs.

AI Strategy for SMEs: Canada launched “AI for All,” aiming to boost AI adoption and competitiveness, with targets for jobs and growth that could shape how small firms buy tools and hire talent. Tech Grants for Local Businesses: Kelowna’s Accelerate Okanagan and Prospera Credit Union are bringing back “Level Up Local” grants (up to $3,000) for website, CRM, AI software and digital marketing upgrades. Healthcare Workforce Push in B.C.: B.C. Premier David Eby highlighted a historic $40M donation to SFU’s new medicine school in Surrey, aimed at training for urban, rural and Indigenous care. Business Investment Worry: A Fraser Institute report says private investment in productivity assets is still below 2015 levels, raising concerns for long-term productivity and living standards. Regional Economic Development Leadership: Red Deer D.R.I.V.E. named an interim CEO to attract investment and support ventures across Central Alberta. Immigration & Growth for Firms: Coverage notes business immigration is becoming a key growth area for modern law firms as employers need help with hiring, transfers and compliance. Entrepreneur Spotlight: Cheekbone Beauty’s Indigenous-led growth story highlights how representation and ethical production can scale into major retail.

Cost-of-living pressure in B.C.’s Interior: A new op-ed argues affordability isn’t just a Vancouver issue, pointing to housing costs, thin services, and workforce shortages in places like Merritt and Hope. Saskatchewan jobs hit again: The NDP says the Sask Party lost 6,100 jobs in May (after 10,000 the month before), with unemployment now at 6.2% and youth joblessness at 13.2%. Central Alberta economic push: Red Deer D.R.I.V.E. (Developing Regional Innovation, Ventures and Entrepreneurship) named Michelle Tetreault interim CEO to attract investment and support local business growth. Non-profit funding strain: Co-operators Community Funds reports record demand—132 applications in 2025 and its biggest grant distribution in 30 years—citing burnout and staffing shortages. Canada’s AI strategy lands: Prime Minister Mark Carney launched “AI for All,” targeting $200B in growth, boosting AI adoption, and creating 250,000 AI-related jobs. Young entrepreneur support: Saskatchewan opened the second intake of its Young Entrepreneur Bursary, offering $5,000 bursaries to up to 57 owners, with applications due July 17. B.C. medical school boost: The Stephens family donated $40M to SFU’s new School of Medicine, aiming to train more doctors in the province.

AI for All Strategy: Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled Canada’s national AI strategy, aiming to lift AI adoption from just over 12% to 60% by 2034, add $200B in economic growth, and create 250,000 AI-related jobs—while promising new rules to build trust and protect personal information. SME Funding & Mentorship: Saskatchewan opened the second intake of its Young Entrepreneur Bursary, offering $5,000 to up to 57 entrepreneurs (ages 18–35) with applications due July 17. Health-Care Talent Boost: B.C. entrepreneurs Arran and Ratana Stephens pledged $40M to SFU’s new School of Medicine, backing training for future doctors in Surrey and across communities. Local Business & Innovation: Saint John Energy launched Plug‑In Labs, an online tool giving researchers and companies secure access to near-real-time smart grid data via a digital twin. Trade & Certainty Pressure: A Canadian manufacturer says U.S. tariff volatility forced costly supply-chain reroutes, underscoring how small firms are chasing clarity in trade talks. Energy Sector Watch: B.C. forest-sector leaders spar over blame for industry woes, with the federal report pointing to structural problems and provincial policy impacts. Capital Markets Moves: Several TSX/TSXV updates landed, including Purecore’s $1.5M private placement and SalesCloser’s first hospitality deployment using AI voice agents.

AI Strategy Launch: Canada rolled out “AI for All,” a national artificial intelligence strategy aimed at boosting adoption, jobs, and economic growth. Labour & Cost Pressure: A new B.C. report says a third of workers still earn below the living wage, widening the gap between pay and essentials. Housing Rules in Motion: Vancouver voted to repeal zero-emission heating requirements for new homes and to review multiplex policy—moves that could reshape local development costs and timelines. Trade Certainty for SMBs: Canadian manufacturers are warning that trade talks need clarity, not volatility, after tariff-driven supply-chain disruptions. Small-Business Finance & Growth: Alberta says it’s nearly hit childcare space targets under CWELCC, but advocates warn private operators may be left unfunded. Health-Care Workforce Push: B.C. entrepreneurs donated $40M to SFU’s new medical school to help train doctors for urban, rural, and Indigenous communities. Startup/Capital Markets: Alzai Health cleared TSX Venture listing requirements for its IPO; Grey Matters closed a first tranche of a private placement; Lithium Ionic filed audited statements and expects its cease trade order to be revoked. Business Expansion: SalesCloser entered the hospitality sector with an AI voice-agent rollout for after-hours room service.

Federal AI Push: Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled Canada’s long-awaited AI strategy, aiming to close an “adoption gap” with free AI literacy training, access to “trusted AI agents” for post-secondary students, and new privacy/online-harms legislation plus rules aimed at safer chatbot interactions and limits on misuse of personal data. Small-Business Tax Pressure: CFIB is urging Ottawa to cut the federal small business corporate tax rate from 9% to 6% and raise the income threshold, pointing to several provinces already moving ahead with relief. Ontario Export Support for SMEs: Ontario is running a targeted ICT export mission at COMPUTEX 2026, backing a small group of companies with funding, consulting, and turnkey exhibition support to drive real market entry. World Cup Trademark Rules: Businesses promoting the FIFA World Cup face strict trademark guidelines; one Canadian-area example described a social media account being blocked after FIFA flagged use of “#WorldCup.” Local Resilience Story: Toronto’s Fuzz hair removal reopened its flagship Queen West location after a 2023 fire, expanding from a single shop into a multi-location (including franchise) brand. Indigenous & Northern Infrastructure: Aecon and Indigenous-owned Arctic Gateway Group signed an MOU to explore strengthening the Port of Churchill corridor, with a focus on jobs, training, and Indigenous business participation.

AI Strategy: Prime Minister Mark Carney rolled out Canada’s national AI strategy, drawing quick pushback over details on safety, privacy and security, while business and labour leaders urged a focus on workers and small businesses. Privacy & Elections: Alberta’s privacy commissioner is weighing public support for stronger rules after an unauthorized leak and use of the Elections Alberta elector list raised alarm about voter-data handling. Payments & Compliance: Zoth secured FINTRAC MSB registration, aiming to scale regulated stablecoin cross-border payments with Canadian coverage. Agri-food Growth: Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma mapped a three-phase plan to grow the agri-food economy, pushing value-added processing and market access. School Food Demand: A new Ontario report argues school meal programs could unlock up to a $200M annual market for local food producers. Local Business Spotlight: A new community café and bakery is set to open in Dufferin Oaks, partnering with a disability-focused social enterprise for soup supply. Workforce & Training: Western Forest Products value-added workers in B.C. voted to join the United Steelworkers, seeking better wages and job security. STEM Scholarships: Two Kelowna students won major engineering scholarships, including a $120K Schulich Leader award.