Canada: Government Policy & Public Finance

Santé Canada a publié les résultats de sa consultation sur la modernisation du cadre des essais cliniques et annonce une politique provisoire qui introduit des changements importants concernant les approbations éthiques, la définition de chercheur qualifié et les méthodes de consentement éclairé. Ces modifications entreront en vigueur progressivement jusqu'au printemps 2028, avec la publication finale de la réglementation prévue pour le printemps 2027.

The Government of Canada has introduced Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, which aims to transform federal project reviews by consolidating decision-making authority, implementing a two-year approval timeline, and establishing a mechanism for designating "Regions of National Interest." These reforms seek to accelerate infrastructure, energy, and mining projects while maintaining environmental protections and Indigenous consultation requirements.

The Canadian government has introduced Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, proposing to compress federal project approval timelines from five years to one year through consolidated permitting and streamlined processes. The legislation also modernizes transportation infrastructure through National Trade Corridors and reforms labour relations by strengthening collective bargaining while clarifying ministerial powers to intervene in work stoppages.

British Columbia's snap election on October 24, 2026, brings unprecedented compliance challenges for businesses seeking to engage in policy discussions. With some of Canada's strictest lobbying rules, stringent election financing laws, and new foreign influence regulations all converging during the campaign period, organizations must navigate a complex web of registration requirements, spending caps, and reporting obligations while avoiding significant legal and reputational risks.

Canada's carbon markets are undergoing significant transformation as federal and provincial governments reshape their climate policies. The federal consumer carbon tax has been eliminated while industrial carbon pricing remains in effect, and provinces like Québec and Alberta have introduced major regulatory reforms to their cap-and-trade and emissions reduction systems.

The Canadian federal government is proposing a transformative Productivity Mega Deduction that would allow businesses to immediately expense the full cost of eligible investments rather than spreading deductions...

Canada's Intellectual Property Office has introduced a new expedited examination program for patent applications in critical technology sectors. The Key Technology Expedited Program waives the advanced examination fee and promises first office action within seven months for qualifying applications related to critical minerals supply chain innovations.

The Government of Canada has proposed a permanent Productivity Mega Deduction that would allow immediate expensing for most depreciable property and Canadian development expenses acquired or incurred on or after September 15, 2026. This significant tax policy change aims to reduce the marginal effective tax rate on business investment from 13% to 6.4%, though certain exclusions and restrictions apply to specific asset categories.

Canada's federal government has introduced the Productivity Mega Deduction, a groundbreaking tax measure offering immediate expensing for approximately two-thirds of capital asset investments. This initiative aims to reduce Canada's marginal effective tax rate on new business investments to 6.4%, positioning it as the most competitive among G7 nations. The measure extends to Canadian Development Expenses in the energy and mining sectors, potentially transforming the economics of major capital-intensive proj