Labour Market News

The City of Brandon is spending $529,000 to build 24/7 public washroom facilities in the downtown core. The City will demolish the current transit information centre building on Eighth Street in order to construct the new washrooms.

Adventures on Wonderland, an indoor playground and family entertainment centre in London, is closing this month

Serres Guy Tessier in Saint-Damase closed after a bankruptcy that led to the loss of 25 jobs

P.E.I.’s Auditor General states that Health P.E.I. spent about $28.5M on travel nurses in the 2024-25 fiscal year. Travel nurses are employed by private agencies and are typically paid more than P.E.I.’s salaried nurses, to fill vacancies temporarily.

The Corporation de développement industriel de la région de Richmond is expanding its industrial park in the city of the same name. In the coming months, up to 10 companies will be able to move there.

FutEra Power Corp has been awarded a grant of up to $5M from Emissions Reduction Alberta to develop a closed-loop geothermal pilot project in Swan Hills. The facility is targeted to be operational by late 2026 or early 2027.

Health P.E.I. says wait times for non-urgent mammograms have increased due to the Island's growing population. There are 10 medical radiation technologists on the Island, and Health P.E.I. states that recruitment is ongoing for additional technologists.

UPEI’s one-year French second-language Bachelor of Education program has seen its enrolment double, as a result of word of mouth and with the help of financial incentives. Schools across Canada have struggled in recent years to find French teachers.

Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) University’s teaching assistants are on strike after negotiations have come to a halt. CUPE local 3912 is the union representing the 68 staff (as of the winter 2026 semester), which includes independent course appointees, research assistants, and teaching assistants.

The new provincial budget contains over $17M in cuts to four municipal infrastructure grant programs that are being eliminated – Flood Risk Infrastructure Investment Program (250K), Provincial Capital Assistance Program ($1.6M), Municipal Innovation Program ($578K), and Growth & Renewal for Infrastructure Development ($15M).

The Ville de Port-Cartier is receiving nearly $11M from the Government of Quebec to reduce erosion on the city's Rochelois beach. The overall project is valued at around $13M.

The Groupe de médecine familiale (GMF) Universitaire de Vaudreuil-Soulanges in Vaudreuil-Dorion is currently undergoing an expansion valued at approximately $8M

The Ville de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu will proceed with building a fire station in the Iberville sector. The project should begin in the fall and be finished by the end of 2027.

The Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Mauricie et du Centre‑du‑Québec is seeking 15 nurses, 14 auxiliaries, and 11 external students to strengthen the care teams in the region

The O’Brien House in the municipality of Chelsea will be converted into a boutique hotel with 11 rooms. It will also have a restaurant and a spa and sauna area, among other things. The hotel is scheduled to open at the end of the spring.

Montpak International, a veal, beef and lamb processing company, is investing more than $10M in modernizing and expanding its plant in Laval. Eight people will be recruited to join the team of roughly 400 employees.

Héma-Québec, an organization that collects and distributes blood products, is opening a plasma donation centre in Lévis. As a result, nearly 20 new jobs will be created.

At the end of the summer, the Conseil des Abénakis d’Odanak plans to open a shelter for Indigenous women who are victims of violence. The project required a $3.4M investment.

Logement HAN, a developer and social housing manager, is investing more than $3.6M in the construction of two buildings that will have 14 special needs housing units in Magog. Several donors, including the federal government, are contributing financially to the project.

The non-profit Piviniit Society has recently hired a new full-time executive director for its thrift store in Iqaluit. There are also plans to hire part-time staff for the store to help alleviate the demanding workload caused by high levels of donations.

The City of Yellowknife is closing its aquatic centre from April 5 to May 2, while the facility undergoes a comprehensive warranty inspection and related repairs. Over this period, swim lesson payments will be refunded, and flexi passes will be extended.

Artless Collective is currently training Tłı̨chǫ youth in livestreaming to cultivate a new generation of handgames broadcasters. The training aims create work opportunities for youth interested in broadcasting and digital technology, equipping them with skills needed to train future peers.

The Department of Family Services is currently accepting proposals for the 2026-2027 Targeted Labour Market Program (TLMP) for projects starting on or after April 1. The TLMP aims to support locals in gaining the skills needed to participate in the workforce through training and other employment initiatives, prioritizing those that expand access, reduce barriers, and strengthen the community.

The NWT government has provided an update on the Indigenous Recruitment and Retention Framework Action Plan, which launched in 2021. So far, the inclusion of Indigenous factors in job descriptions and unconscious bias training have been implemented but plans to launch a nine-month Indigenous mentorship program and a new Employee Assistance Program focused on Indigenous health and wellness are underway.

The Tłı̨chǫ and NWT governments have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly assess the potential for a hydroelectric generating station on the La Martre River near Whatì Falls. The project aims to support Indigenous ownership and leadership, in addition to providing reliable power, training, and employment opportunities for Tłı̨chǫ citizens and businesses.

The federal government is providing $1.5M to the Tłı̨chǫ Government to advance mineral exploration over three years. The funding will go towards identifying new mining opportunities through aerial surveys, ground-based prospecting, and data analysis in the Tłı̨chǫ Region.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic, which has campuses across the province is cutting 23 jobs and suspending its health information management program for the 2026‑27 school year due to budget shortfalls from deceased international student enrollment. The school says the measures aim to sustain programs, with current students allowed to finish. More than 120 staff have been laid off in the past year.

New Flyer Industries has completed an expansion to its Winnipeg bus manufacturing facility that will add 250 jobs and allow it to fully build its electric transit buses in Canada. Previously, the company built the shells of the vehicles in Winnipeg and then shipped them to the U.S. to be completed.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees is calling on the provincial government to increase minimum staffing ratios at personal care homes. Manitoba currently requires a minimum of 3.8 hours of daily care for each resident, and the union is recommending it be increased to 4.1.

According to the Manitoba Government and General Employees Union, Manitoba’s civil service has declined by about 2,300 people since 2016 even as the province’s population has risen from 1.27M to 1.5M. Currently, provincial government data shows a vacancy rate of 15.9%, and the union has highlighted shortages in corrections, wildfire services, IT, and snow plow operations.

Kingdom Home Building Inc. is planning a 16-unit apartment on Steinbach’s First Street, which has seen increased multi-family residential development in recent years.

A new Filipino eatery, Palm City, is opening on Winnipeg’s McPhillips St. this year. The restaurant itself launches in July, but the owners are offering catering and event services in the meantime.

Paramount Resources Ltd. Is doubling the raw handling capacity at its Alhambra Gas Plant to more than 20,000 barrels per day of liquids and approximately 100 million cubic feet per day of raw natural gas by Q3 2026.

A federal investment of $8.5M will fund 40 AI projects throughout Atlantic Canada. Many of the companies are located in N.S. and N.B., however Wellfish Tech in Charlottetown will receive $50K to engage expertise in AI training and validation.

P.E.I.’s minimum wage will increase from $16.50 an hour to $17 an hour on April 1, 2026. The increase is established annually by the Employment Standards Board.

A federal investment of $8.5M will fund 40 AI projects throughout Atlantic Canada. Among those receiving funds are CKF Inc. ($224K), FLOQER ($294K), Volta Labs ($557K), Dalhousie U ($200K), Kardio Diagnostix ($200K), Pluragon IT ($49K), Digital NS ($387K), CharliAI Inc. ($487K), Event Temple ($367K) and AGADA Biosciences ($576K).

EverWind Fuels has announced about $240M from Nuveen, an American asset management company, that will fund the start of construction this year on the first phase of 4 wind projects that could be operational by 2028. These include Windy Ridge and Kmtnuk (Colchester), Bear Lake (Hants) and Upper Afton (Antigonish).

The N.L. Government has reached a major milestone agreement to advance the Bay du Nord offshore project with partners Equinor and BP that will provide up to $6.4B in direct revenue to the province during Phase I and over 31M person-hours of work over 25 years. It includes employment targets for skilled trades apprentices and 1.9M person-hours of professional work in engineering, project and procurement management.

A federal investment of $8.5M will fund 40 AI projects throughout Atlantic Canada. Among those receiving funding are Aucure Inc. ($75K), trophi.ai ($950K), qualiTEAS Inc. ($60K), Expertise Hub Co-op ($131K), and Quidi Vidi Brewing ($50K).

A federal investment of $8.5M will fund 40 AI projects throughout Atlantic Canada. Among those receiving funding are Bulletproof Solutions, U de M, Liquid Health Data, LEXA Intelligence, Chick Pick, Mariner Partners, e-WorkSAFE, Spandrel and TechImpact.

The Quebec Beverage Container Recycling Association opened a new Consignaction point of service in Saint-Eustache

Rio Tinto, an aluminum smelter, will build a gallium production pilot plant in Saguenay thanks to a federal contribution of almost $19M. The total project cost is around $45M, and the plant is expected to be operational by 2027.

Ocean Group, a marine company, will build two additional tugboats for the Royal Canadian Navy at its Isle‑aux‑Coudres shipyard. The contract was increased to $213M and will maintain nearly 60 permanent positions and 50 subcontracting positions until 2028.

First Phosphate, a mining company, is receiving $16.7M from the Government of Canada to develop and produce phosphate from a deposit near the municipalities of Bégin and Lamarche

The Centre de services scolaire de Montréal is redeveloping two secondary schools in the Sud-Ouest borough. The Honoré-Mercier and Saint-Henri schools will therefore be able to accommodate a growing student population.

The Shield of Athena, an organization that helps women and their children, inaugurated the MH2 L’Odyssée transitional housing complex with 17 units in Laval after having received around $7M in funding from the three levels of government

The Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) announced that its point of service in Montréal's Place Vertu mall is closing permanently

The Downtown Stratford Business Improvement Area is hosting a community job fair on March 30 at Stratford City Hall

The Far Northeast Training Board will be hosting a job fair on April 8 at the Centre de Loisirs in Kapuskasing, north of Timmins

The Far Northeast Training Board will be hosting a job fair on April 9 at Université de Hearst in Hearst

Booster Juice has opened a new location in Simcoe, Norfolk County

The Town of Grimsby, with support form the provincial government will spend $9M on roadwork and wastewater projects starting this spring and continuing into next year

Cascadia Minerals Ltd. has announced plans for its 2026 exploration plans at the Carmacks copper-gold project in central Yukon. This will be the largest drilling program since 2004, with plans to conduct 15,000 metres of diamond drilling aimed at expanding sulphide mineralization at the Carmacks Deposit. Key contracts and permits have been secured, and crews are expected to be on-site in late April.

Sixty North Gold Mining Ltd. is set to begin gold production at its Mon Gold Mine in Yellowknife, with construction of the winter road now complete. A mill shipment from China is due to arrive in Vancouver on March 6, with the mill’s assembly in the territory planned for late April and the initial commissioning expected by late June or early July.

The NWT government has updated its Mining Incentive Program by conditionally removing the $500K lifetime funding cap for corporate projects that rank in the top 30% of applications. This change aims to enhance support for high-potential projects, especially those related to critical minerals, while ensuring the program continues to operate with clear limits.

Mining company Rio Tinto has obtained prospecting licenses to explore copper in the Sahtu region. Should the initiative lead to further development, the surrounding communities could benefit from training and economic development opportunities, especially in light of the declining oil and gas industry in the area.

Regulators have approved the closure and reclamation plan for the NWT’s Diavik mine, with commercial operations set to end later this month. The closure work will continue until around 2029, followed by monitoring that could last into the 2040s. Staffing is expected to decrease from about 900 to between 100 and 250 by the end of the closure.

Applications are now open for the third cohort of the Learn Where You Live program, which allows licensed practical nurses in Yukon to earn a Bachelor in Nursing degree online while working. The program utilizes a combination of online learning, virtual reality simulation, and local clinical placements to prepare graduates for the national registered nurses licensing exam after completion.

The Yukon government is taking action to make the territory more competitive, predictable, and attractive for mineral exploration and mining investment. Key initiatives include establishing dedicated branches for major mines and mineral tenure permitting, launching a new oversight committee to streamline decision-making, and improving collaboration with neighbouring territories.

The Province of Saskatchewan is introducing a new high school course, Energy and Mines – Energy Production 20, available province‑wide for grades 10 to 12 students beginning in September of the 2026‑27 school year. The course is intended to help students understand how energy is generated, distributed, and managed, featuring content on Saskatchewan’s current and emerging energy sources.

The Government of Saskatchewan is opening another intake round for its primary care Nurse Practitioner (NP) contract initiative in March 2026. The program is intended to expand access to publicly funded primary care, and supports the goal of connecting all families with a primary care provider by the end of 2028. The government has signed contracts with 23 NPs serving at least 18,000 patients. Intakes for March 2026 close on March 30, further intake opportunities will be open in the future.

Cameco is supplying 22 million pounds of uranium ore concentrate to India over nine years in a deal worth about $2.6 billion. The agreement supports India’s Department of Atomic Energy and aims to bolster electricity generation, with benefits for Saskatchewan’s economy and export stability. The deal aligns with the Federal Government's new Strategic Energy Partnership recently announced by Prime Minister Carney.

Red River College Polytech is waiving application fees for Indigenous students in an effort to boost enrollment. The college piloted the concept in 2024 and 2025 and received a positive response, so has decided to make the policy permanent.

The provincial government is providing $2M to Minago Minerals for the first phase of its magnesium processing facility, which is expected to create more than 20 jobs. Minago is a project of Norway House Cree Nation and is the first fully First Nation-owned critical minerals operation in Canada. The Province is also providing $1.4M to eight new mineral exploration projects.

Free Ride EV has completed its Northern Gateway Project, an electric vehicle charging network between Winnipeg and Thompson. There are now charging stations in Warren, Grand Rapids, Wabowden, Thompson, and Pinaymootang First Nation in Fairford.

A new French-language school will open in Winnipeg’s St. Boniface neighbourhood this fall, at the site of the former Springs Christian Academy. The middle years school can accommodate about 375 students.

Whiteland Real Estate and the Town of Stonewall are partnering on the Quarry District, a mixed use development that will include housing, commercial space, and a Red River Co-op grocery store. The $40M first phase is the project’s commercial component and is slated to begin construction in the coming months. Future phases will include up to 500 residential units.

Gringo, a Vancouver taco restaurant, has announced that it will be closing its three locations. Both its Davie and Lonsdale restaurants will close on March 7. Afterwards, its Gastown location will close on March 14.

The Bridge Youth and Family Services in Rutland has given notice to Interior Health that it is ending its withdrawal management services contract. Without the operator, the Kelowna Withdrawal Management beds may shutdown. The Bridge says that ongoing nursing shortages have made the program impossible to run. Several dozen employees have received notice that they will be laid off.

The City of Calgary plans to shut down the Bearspaw south feeder on March 9 to complete planned reinforcement repairs. The work is expected to take about four weeks, and water restrictions will be in effect during the repair period.

There are currently 630 retired teachers working in the Newfoundland and Labrador school system as substitutes, broken-down by region as follows: 255 (Avalon), 219 (Central), 146 (Western), and 10 (Labrador).

Ottawa is looking to work with the N.B. government to help accelerate the timeline for the $579M Sisson Mine project. There has been little recent progress on the mine due to low mineral prices, but NATO allies want new sources of tungsten outside of China.

The N.B. government is hoping to revive its resource sector and generate economic growth with its new mining strategy. Mining has shrunk from 7% to about 0.5% of the economy and the strategy includes incentives to encourage exploration and mineral development.

The Fédération québécoise pour le saumon atlantique is receiving $4.2M from the Government of Quebec over the next three years to support the protection of that fish in the Rimouski River, among other places

The Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de Chaudière-Appalaches is recruiting students for more than 150 summer jobs in its facilities. Positions are available in housekeeping, food service and other departments.

The federal and NWT governments have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at enhancing regulatory coordination with Indigenous governments. The agreement emphasizes collaborative efforts to improve clarity, predictability, and efficiency in impact assessments and regulatory processes across shared jurisdictions.

Pembina Valley Child Care Centre has been expanding over the last two years and now operates 414 licensed space in Morden and Manitou. Its Westview site in Morden is planning to open another 16 spaces in summer 2026.

WorkBC Centre Vernon is holding its WorkBC Spring Job Fair on April 16 at the Prestige Vernon Lodge. The event will help local businesses connect with job seekers.

The Regional District of Nanaimo has announced it will be providing a total of $80K per year to Nanaimo Search and Rescue, double its previous contributions. Funds will go towards supporting training and operating costs.

Crumbl Cookies has announced that its new location at Ironwood Plaza in Richmond will open on March 6.

Pizza Rubato, a Vancouver pizza shop, is opening a new pizza restaurant at Park Royal in West Vancouver. The new shop will be opening in March 2026. The brand is also renovating a location on Thurlow Street for another restaurant opening soon.

The Centre de services scolaire des Laurentides will expand the Pavillon Lionel-Groulx in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts. The project, which involves adding seven new classrooms, should be finished by the fall of 2026.

The Centre de services scolaire des Laurentides will begin construction work on a new elementary school in Val-David. The school with 16 classrooms will receive its first students by the 2029-2030 school year.

Peel Pub, a restaurant and bar, reopened in downtown Montréal. The new employer is seeking staff to work there.

Dublin Calling, a pub, opened a new location in Toronto’s Danforth neighbourhood in February

The Government of Manitoba is spending $950,000 on upgrades to the landfill serving Marcel Colomb First Nation and the town of Lynn Lake. This includes improvements to site infrastructure and expanding recycling and waste diversion capacity.

Skewers Souvlaki Pita Bar, a Greek restaurant, is opening a new location on Commercial Drive in Vancouver. The new restaurant is planned to open in March 2026.

Meiten Japanese Katsu & Bar has closed its location on in Richmond’s Aberdeen Centre. No reason for the closure was given.

The Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District has approved over $3.1M in upgrades as part of its 2026 financial plan. Upgrades include renovations and replacements of equipment. The money will also support regional digital health initiatives.

Uber, a ride-sharing application, is expanding its services to 100 Mile House in spring 2026.

Construction of the 43rd Avenue Corridor Improvement Project in Vernon began on March 2. The project will help enhance road connections between the Alexis Park neighbourhood and Vernon’s downtown core. The work includes utility upgrades, a new multi-use pathway, intersection improvements and new traffic control features. Construction is expected to complete in summer 2026.

Calgary-based Lupin Platform Inc. is planning to open a new lupin processing facility in southern Westlock County near the end of March.

Be’o, a new dessert shop, is now open in southwest Calgary.

Last year was a big year for Port Saint John, with container volume reaching 239,364 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) in 2025. This represents a gain of 29.4% over 2024, and a 175.2% increase over 2021. The port has invested heavily in its infrastructure and in developing its workforce capacity.

Béton Provincial, a manufacturer of concrete products, is recruiting for various permanent jobs in Matane, Sainte‑Anne‑des‑Monts and Rimouski, particularly in payroll, accounts payable, the reception area and project management

The Carrefour du camion, a company that sells and maintains heavy vehicles, is opening a location in Rimouski. As a result, around 10 jobs will be created. The company will add other positions in the coming months.

Mila, the Quebec AI institute that is based in Montréal, received $36M from the provincial government to support its research

Residence Inn by Marriott Bromont opened its condo hotel with 134 units at the bottom of the mountain slopes

The National Bank will cease operations at its branches in Marieville, Acton Vale, Lac-Etchemin and Gatineau. The bank will announce other locations, including those in urban areas, in 2026.

11 Sports & Social Club, a new 10,000‑sq.‑ft. facility featuring four indoor pickleball courts and multi‑use space, opened in Orillia

Construction is set to begin this spring on Stratford Mall’s $1M food court redevelopment, which will create a new 2,700 sq. ft., 70 seat Pur & Simple breakfast and brunch restaurant. The restaurant is expected to open this fall.

Edificio Construction Management Inc. began construction on the $3.85M project in Walkerton, including a 3,900 sq. ft. McDonald’s, a 2,000 sq. ft. Shell store, and a four pump gas bar. It is opening this summer and creating 15 part time and full time jobs, along with employment during construction.

Bruce Power L.P. is investing $250M in partnership with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, supported by a loan guarantee from the provincial government, to expand medical‑isotope production at the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station in Kincardine

The owners of Yellowknife's Capitol Theatre building are seeking a new tenant, as the theatre is set to close on March 31. The Det’on Cho Group of Companies will be accepting proposals from potential operators, including community groups and non-profits, capable of managing the facility.

Phantom Light Distillery, a Saskatchewan vodka company, is securing beverage supply deals with the Calgary Flames, Calgary Stampeders, and Edmonton Oilers in Alberta sports venues. The company aims to broaden its market presence by expanding product lines and pursuing stadium and retail partnerships, featuring contracts with RAD Raceway, the Canadian Cowboy Association rodeos, several Alberta grocery chains, and eight Nevada casinos. The business has grown from 5 full-time and 10 casual employees to 15 full-time and 30 part‑time and seasonal staff.

Foremost Clean Energy Ltd., a uranium and lithium exploration company, has signed an exploration agreement with the Kiciwapa Cree Nation. It outlines a framework for mineral exploration in the First Nation’s territory, located in northwestern Manitoba near Flin Flon.

One of the owners of Winnipeg’s historic Fort Garry Hotel has opened a bakery in the downtown neighbourhood. The Bread Box employs two people and features some of the same items served at the hotel.

The City of Winnipeg approved building permits for 1,040 new housing units in the downtown area in 2025, the most in 15 years. The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ says there are currently about 3,000 units under construction or in the planning stages, which will mean an influx of new residents as those projects conclude around 2028 and 2029.

The Government of Manitoba has begun hiring for the upcoming wildfire season, with postings in February for radio operators, crew leaders, and warehouse staff. The Province is planning to recruit at least as many seasonal staff as last year, but union and First Nations leaders are concerned about potential labour shortages.

The federal and provincial governments, along with the Winnipeg Airports Authority, are spending $32M to develop 127 acres of land near the city’s airport. The partners hope that this infrastructure work will attract aviation, logistics, and manufacturing companies to the space, and say discussions are already underway with one possible tenant.

The Government of Manitoba is allocating $2.9M to infrastructure upgrades in Flin Flon. Most of the funding is for the construction of the city’s new pool, but $500,000 will go towards the planning and design of a new arts centre.

Little Karp, a restaurant on Alexandra Road in Richmond, has announced that it is closing on March 4.

Chipotle Mexican Grill is opening a new location at the University Heights complex in Saanich on March 6. The new location will hire to fill about 30 jobs.

A&W has opened a new location in Abbotsford.

Courtside Social, a new project from Wesgroup Properties, has been proposed for Vancouver’s River District. Courtside Social would be a temporary fitness centre focused on padel, a growing racket sport.

The Government of British Columbia has announced that Tomsett Elementary in Richmond is opening 225 new student seats. The project started in summer 2025 and construction completed in December 2025. The project received $13.5M of funding from the province.

The Ocean Startup Project has opened applications for the 2026 Ocean Idea Challenge, a national program supporting Canadian entrepreneurs in the blue economy. Selected startups will receive up to $8K and receive support to guide early decision-making.

Fairchild Radio, a Chinese-language radio station in Richmond, will be shutting down its Vancouver AM channel and extending its FM channel broadcasting hours starting March 5. Fairchild says that its broadcasts have been economically unviable for several years and expects costs and interference to continue to increase in the future.

Revelstoke Railway Museum is receiving nearly $108K from the Columbia Basin Trust to improve its exhibits, including increasing accessibility for visitors with mobility challenges. Another $45.6K will go to the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre to improve its facility’s accessibility. The work is expected to begin on both projects by the end of March.

The City of Vancouver has approved a rezoning application for a new Olympic Village Elementary School. The current plan for the school features 630 student spaces in a three-storey building. The Government of British Columbia will provide $150M to fund the project. The school is expected to open in 2029.

The Department of National Defence has announced $3.7B in new spending, including investments in CFB Esquimalt and Comox, which will receive 412 new housing units. These units are in addition to a 244-unit project for CFB Esquimalt announced in October 2025.

The qathet Regional District has launched new electric vehicle charging stations at the Shelter Point Regional Park and Campground on Texada Island and the Klah Ah Men Lund Gazebo Regional Park in Lund. The project cost a total of $80K and was covered through Aviva Canada and Earth Day Canada’s Charged for Change program. Any revenue will cover costs and support the parks’ budget.

The Government of British Columbia has announced regulatory amendments to simplify natural‑resource permitting to speed up wildfire‑rebuilds, new home construction and ecosystem restoration projects. The changes will benefit local economies by shifting staff capacity to high‑risk reviews and reducing project timelines.

The Government of British Columbia is launching a new mining and critical minerals testbed through its Look West economic strategy. The testbed will allow B.C. companies to test, deploy and scale their technologies. EMP Metals and Saltworks Technologies will partner to create a demonstration chemical plant as the first project through the testbed. This project supports about 18 new jobs.

TransAlta has partnered with the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and Brookfield on a data center development in Parkland County near Edmonton.

The Government of Alberta has announced 14 new school projects in Calgary as part of Budget 2026. These projects build on 31 previously announced projects already underway, bringing the total number of active school projects in the city to 45. The investment is part of the province’s broader effort to address rapid student population growth and increasing classroom pressures.

The Government of Canada is providing over $34M in federal funding to support the construction of 130 secure rental homes in Edmonton. The project, called Tweddle Place, will include two four‑storey buildings with commercial space suitable for childcare centres and is designed to provide an inclusive and accessible living environment.

Three P.E.I. doctors have told Health P.E.I. that they are closing their practices, leaving 4,500 patients without primary care. The president of the Medical Society of P.E.I. said that Island doctors are being pushed and asked to do more with less.

The Nova Scotia Community College is planning staff cuts following a $9.4M reduction to its provincial operating grants. The planned 3% reduction in workforce is equal to about 60 positions, which would be achieved through layoffs, attrition or restructuring.

Memorial University has received $31M from the Hebron and Hibernia projects to help improve student learning, research capacity and innovation with a focus on Engineering and Applied Science. Funding will support projects including the Student Design Hub, Centre for AI Placement Program, and the Canadian Network for Innovative Shipbuilding, Marine Research and Training.

The Riverhead Wastewater Facility in St. John's will undergo a $139M expansion upgrade through shared Federal, provincial and municipal government funding. The facility treats wastewater from St. John’s, Mount Pearl and Paradise.

The N.B. government will provide $1.7M in funding to expand its collaborative care clinic in the Nackawic-Millville area and improve infrastructure. More staff will be hired, including nurse practitioners, RNs, a social worker, and a physiotherapist.

The Town of Grand-Bouctouche will receive $1.5M in joint funding to go towards water infrastructure and allowing the construction of up to 30 new housing units. This investment will expand essential services and help address housing issues.

Library workers and school administrative assistants in three N.B. school districts will vote next month on a new tentative agreement which includes a $5 an hour wage hike and retroactive pay. Over 100 staff were laid off last spring or worked reduced hours.

Quincaillerie RR in Forestville closed permanently

Fituro Soudure, a company whose building was destroyed by a fire in 2024, reopened in Saint-Hugues after rehabilitation work valued at $1.6M. Among other things, the company received financial support from the Development Bank of Canada.

The Saint-Hyacinthe riding, which includes that city, Saint-Liboire and La Présentation, is receiving just over $3M from the Government of Quebec for road network repairs

The Centre de la petite enfance Les Contes de Fées is currently constructing a building in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville. It is scheduled to officially open in August 2026.

The Régie intermunicipale de l’eau de la Vallée du Richelieu is investing around $10M in installing a water pipe that will supply the city of Saint-Basile-le-Grand. The project is also being funded in part by the cities of Belœil and McMasterville.

La Belle Province, a fast-food restaurant on Paquette Boulevard in Mont-Laurier, was completely destroyed by a fire

ROYALMOUNT, a mall in the Town of Mount Royal, should see its various businesses hire new staff to accommodate extended opening hours

Rock’N Deli, a Montreal-based smoked meat sandwich chain, opened a location in Oakville

Weir Canada Inc., a mining technology solutions company, is investing $3M to expand its facility in the City of Elliot Lake with an additional 3,000‑sq.-ft. of floor space and the addition of a new autoclave. The project is expected to be completed in the summer.

Bubble Technology Industries Inc. in Chalk River, Renfrew County, has received a $5.5M contract from the federal government to develop the Canadian Active Neutron Spectrometer, a compact and autonomous instrument designed to measure neutron-radiation exposure in space

The federal government and six partner research organizations are investing more than $41M over five years to support 19 research teams across Canada in advancing cancer prevention, risk reduction, and early detection research

Ontario Science Partners has been awarded a $1.04B contract from the provincial government to build and maintain the new 400,000‑sq.-ft. Ontario Science Centre at Ontario Place in Toronto, creating over 1,000 construction and tourism jobs, with completion expected as early as 2029

The Yukon has a lower overall poverty rate than Canada, dropping from 12.9% in 2022 to 9.9% in 2023, while the national rate stands at 10.9%. Whitehorse has the lowest poverty rate in the territory at 7% due to strong labour force participation and higher median incomes. However, rural areas such as Dawson City (18.2%) and Watson Lake (13.3%), experience higher-than-average poverty rates.

Northwest Territories Tourism, Travel Nunavut, and the Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon have signed a memorandum of understanding to create the Arctic Canada Tourism Network. The new organization aims to enhance collaboration in promoting northern tourism, providing a unified voice to advocate for its role as an economic driver in the region.

Aurora Village is planning to expand their operations, aiming to create 100 new local jobs within the next few years. The business operates as a tourist area where guests can observe northern lights in heated teepees, or take part in snowshoeing, dog sledding, and other cultural activities.

The Yorkton Brick Mill Heritage Society is redeveloping the historic flour mill into a community and interpretive centre with $600,000 from the Government of Saskatchewan and $2.4M previously provided from various sources including the City of Yorkton and federal grants. The project aims to preserve the site and create a gathering space featuring exhibits and educational signs. Construction on the project is expected to finish by the end of June 2026.

The Government of Manitoba is increasing its Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit from $22M to $30M, hoping to encourage more investment by growing companies. Manitoba businesses are eligible for a 45% tax credit on investments up to $500,000.

Manitoba Hydro is reopening its downtown Winnipeg headquarters with new safety measures in place. The Crown corporation has hired seven new Institutional Safety Officers, which it says was planned even before a January 30 assault on an employee resulted in the temporary closure of the building to the public.

Steel Creek Developers are planning to begin construction this summer on a Blue Crescent hotel just outside the town of Stonewall. The building will include a gym, swimming pool, and more than 30 rooms. When complete, it will be the first full-size hotel in Stonewall.

Three new physicians have joined a medical clinic in Niverville, a rapidly growing community south of Winnipeg. Two of the new doctors at Open Health Niverville are offering same-day appointments, while the third is a family physician accepting new patients.

The City of Kelowna has launched a new Business Security Enhancement Rebate Program to provide up to $3K to local businesses that want to make security improvements. The total funding for the program is about $200K.

Browns Socialhouse has announced that it is closing its Lonsdale Avenue location in North Vancouver on March 27.

Oak Bay-based 49 Below Ice Cream has announced plans to open a new location on Craigflower Road in Victoria. The new location is expected to begin operating by April.

The Fraser Health Authority has announced that an $18M expansion for the Mission Memorial Hospital has begun construction. The project is expected to attract more physicians which will ease staffing issues. The work will also double the number of ER beds available. The project is expected to complete in spring 2027.

Aburi Market opened a new location on Granville Street in Vancouver on March 3. The store sells ready-to-eat items made in the kitchen and this location also adds a new bakery.

The City of West Kelowna is spending $1.5M to incentivize the creation of more rental housing. The city plans to legalize the creation of secondary suites and carriage houses. It will also waive development costs for non-market housing. The city is also launching the Grow a Suite Grant Program to provide up to $330K in grants to create up to 42 new units. Both programs launch spring 2026.

The Town of Qualicum Beach has awarded a nearly $1.2M contract to Grass Roots Enterprises for work to revamp the Eaglecrest Golf Course. Work began at the end of February and is expected to complete as soon as possible.

Pembina Pipeline Corp. is moving ahead with two conventional pipeline expansion projects totalling $425M to accommodate growing production in northeast British Columbia and Alberta.

A fire has destroyed the Big Valley Market in the town of Big Valley. Authorities have not yet released any information about the cause of the blaze.

The Airdrie Regional Chamber of Commerce is hosting its third annual Spring Job Fair at Genesis Place on March 11, offering local employers and job seekers an opportunity to connect.

Calgary-based Pembina Pipeline Corp. has approved two pipeline expansion projects in British Columbia and Alberta, representing a combined investment of $425M. Pembina says the new pipelines are expected to enter service next year, though the company has not indicated when construction will start.

The Government of Alberta’s 2026 budget commits $34.4B in total health‑care expense to expand system capacity, reduce wait times, and strengthen front‑line care. This represents an increase of $1.9 B compared with the 2025–26 forecast. The funding aims to support hospitals, surgical services, primary care, mental health and addiction treatment.

Stay22, a Montréal-based software development company, plans to hire around 50 people over the next year to join its team of over 100 employees

The Ville de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu is repairing the exterior cladding and windows of the Centre culturel Fernand-Charest. The project should be finished by December 2026.

TAG E-Karting & Amusement, an entertainment centre, will open in the Promenades Beauport mall in Québec in the spring of 2027. The $18M project should create more than 120 jobs.

The Centre de pédiatrie sociale en communauté Main dans la main is investing $1.5M in relocating in the same city of Cowansville by June

The City of Windsor is laying off 57 temporary part‑time Recreational Facilities Attendants working in community centres and arenas in April

Nami Restaurant Limited, a Japanese restaurant in downtown Toronto, has closed

Eggslut, a US‑based breakfast chain, will open two new downtown Toronto locations this spring and summer

Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation, west of Sudbury, opened the new Waasakwa Children’s Centre, providing 40 licensed child‑care spaces in February

The Cambridge Self‑Help Food Bank Inc. is receiving a $1.5M investment from the City of Cambridge to support the construction of its new 31,000‑sq.-ft. facility, which is expected to open in 2027

Intellijoint Surgical Inc. and Vena Medical Holdings Corp., both Kitchener‑based medical technology companies, are investing a combined $5.8M to expand their production capacity, supported by a $1.9M investment from the provincial government. The project will create 16 new jobs and retain 43 existing positions.

The NWT government is reminding business owners that business licenses are up for renewal, due April 1. Business owners can obtain licences through the GNWT eService portal, by mail, or by email. However, certain communities issue their own licenses and will require direct contact.

The Yukon and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in governments have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly plan for four land parcels in Dawson. The partnership will allow the two governments to work on a single plan for coordinated and compatible development, incorporating both Dënezhu and western knowledge.

Winnipeg Transit is making changes in response to recent passenger feedback, adding more buses on busy routes beginning this spring. Some routes will also run later in the evening, and further changes are expected this summer.

Electronic Arts has announced layoffs at Full Circle, a Burnaby-based video game studio. While the number of layoffs has yet to be announced, the studio currently has between 51 and 200 employees.

Unique Green, a Taiwanese tea brand, is opening a new location at CF Richmond Centre. An opening date has yet to be announced.

Chez Christophe has announced plans to open a new location in West Vancouver soon. The patisserie will be located on Marine Drive and will serve as the company’s primary chocolate production kitchen. The new location is expected to open in mid-May 2026.

Loon Fong Hotpot opened a new location at Empire Centre in Richmond on February 25.

The City of Vancouver has announced changes to its patio program that would reduce renewal fees for private patios by 50% while not increasing fees for public patios. This change is expected to support restaurants and other businesses before the FIFA World Cup this summer.

Railtown Café & Catering in Vancouver is hosting a hiring fair on March 13 for hospitality professionals. Hiring roles include café team members, event servers, bartenders, event managers, delivery drivers, an administrative assistant, and an event sales manager.

TrueWave Integrative Health Clinic, an urgent primary care clinic, has opened in Qualicum Beach.

The Williams Lake City Council has approved a $202K contract to NAPP Enterprises to complete demolition and site remediation work at a damaged structure on Sixth Avenue.

The Northern Edge Sports Association plans to start phase two of its expansion project in Smithers this March. The project has a total cost of $450K and received funding form the Northern Development Initiative Trust Recreation and Infrastructure Grant, Provincial Capital Gaming Grant, and the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako. Phase two is expected to complete later in 2026.

The City of Prince Rupert has begun developing a five-to-10-year retrofit plan to upgrade the Prince Rupert Recreation Complex. Initial studies indicated that the facility needs a new ice plant chiller and several other upgrades to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The City of Prince Rupert has awarded an over $2.3M contract to Surespan Construction for the 2nd Avenue Bridge Project. The project is estimated to have a total cost of nearly $2.9M.

The City of Kelowna has passed and updated several regulations around new developments to address climate change, including mitigating wildfire risks, providing more green space and supporting energy efficient construction.

The City of Abbotsford has begun the replacement of Fire Hall No. 6 in its Historic Downtown. The new facility will be a four-bay fire hall and will include expanded training and program space, a classroom, sleeping quarters, kitchen and common area and recovery facilities. Construction of the facility will begin in August and is expected to complete by the end of 2027.

The District of Hope council has voted to fund the archaeological permitting and construction required for the Hope Station House project. The work is expected to cost from $160K to $315K and will require coordinating with First Nation communities.

The City of Port Moody council has voted to make BC Housing’s minimum unit sizes mandatory. The new guidelines also introduce a range of design expectations intended to improve multi-family housing.

The City of New Westminster has announced that a village of 30 tiny homes will be constructed on River Drive by the end of 2026. The project will provide transitional housing for up to six years.

The City of Vancouver council has given preliminary approval to a proposal to increase the road and sidewalk maintenance budget to $104M over four years. This would triple the current $34M allocated over the 2023-2026 capital plan. This draft plan will be considered in June 2026 and a final decision will be made.

Pender Island Parks and Recreation Commission is constructing the over $117K Thieves Bay Park Community Pavilion on Pender Island with funding support from the Island Coastal Economic Trust. The project will be the island’s first covered outdoor venue and will expand opportunities for events. Construction is expected to begin this spring.

The City of Nanaimo has voted to approve work on two new public works buildings for about $80M. The project includes a crew and administration building with 229 offices and a fleet maintenance building. Both buildings are expected to be finished by January 2029.

Tamarack Valley Energy Ltd. plans to use a single‑rig program to drill 10 wells in the Pipestone and Wembley areas over the course of 2026.

Saint John has developed a revitalization plan with the aim to bring more housing, business and recreation to the city’s north end. The plan will be voted on in March and has housing as one of its biggest priorities.

The federal government will lend $930K to three maple syrup producers in northern N.B. to buy technology to help with production. Sucrerie du Petit Camp Inc. will get $55K, $750K will go to Érablière Yves Plourdes Inc., and $125,000 for Gino Cayouette Inc.

The Ômage Hotel, Montréal Laval, has opened after having renovated 190 rooms on the former Hilton site in Laval

Habitat for Humanity Kingston Limestone Region will open a new ReStore, a store that sells donated home and building goods, in the Town of Greater Napanee in March

The provincial government is investing $9M over three years to support training and implementation in 17 long term care homes across Ontario. It is also providing $3.35M in 2025–26 and $9.82M annually starting in 2026–27 to add up to 153 new dementia care beds in five homes.

The federal government is investing $3.7B in Phase 2 of its national military‑housing program to support construction of up to 7,500 new Residential Housing Units for Canadian Armed Forces members across all 25 Canadian Forces Housing Agency locations in Canada

Denison Mines Corp. has received regulatory approval to construct a uranium mine east of Cree Lake in northern Saskatchewan as part of the Wheeler River Project, with the licence valid until February 2031. The project aims to mine and mill high‑grade uranium from the Phoenix deposit, featuring the first Canadian approval for the use of in‑situ recovery mining. The project also includes a partnership with the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan that signed a signed an impact benefit and exploration agreement that will provide employment opportunities and royalties. The mine is expected to take two years to build and is expected to begin production in mid‑2028.

The Government of Saskatchewan has awarded a contract to the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation (STF) to deliver literacy‑instruction training for Kindergarten to Grade 3 teachers, with the three‑day program beginning in March. The training aims to strengthen early reading skills through structured literacy practices, featuring modules led by STF educators and other sector professionals. The program is being offered in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert, with potential expansion to the Northern Lights School Division in the future.

Construction is underway on an Indigenous healing space at the Health Sciences Centre Children’s Hospital in Winnipeg. The $2.2M project is the first of its kind in Canada, and will include library and ceremony spaces. It is expected to be complete within a year.

The Government of British Columbia has put forward legislation to create the $400M B.C. Strategic Investment Fund. If passed, this legislation would create a fund to support major private-sector projects through investments. The fund would invest in projects selected for up to $20B in defence investments from the Government of Canada.

Quinn Nail Spa opened Vancouver Island’s largest nail salon on March 1 at the Hillside Mall in Victoria.

C Market Coffee opened a 5K sq. ft. Vancouver flagship location on March 1. The location will be the largest café in the city, with seating for over 150 guests.

Odd Burger, a vegan burger restaurant, closed its Victoria location at the end of February. Several other plant-based restaurants have faced recent closures in the region.

Marriott Victoria Airport Sidney is opening the 129-room TownePlace Suites this spring along Beacon Avenue West. The hotel will replace the Cedarwood Inn which closed in 2024.

Driftwood Chinese Buffet & Bar opened on Yates Street in Victoria.

The Town of Smithers council has approved $50K for a new knife aerator and $26K for a new ice system in its 2026 budget. The more efficient ice system will reduce costs and will be mostly covered by rebates from Pacific Northern Gas and BC Hydro. The knife aerator would help maintain turf, improve field drainage and extend their lifespans, and would be funded by the town.

According to the Mayor of North Cowichan, the 58-unit Elliot Street Affordable Housing project in Chemainus may be put on hold following the Government of British Columbia’s announcement that it was pausing the BC Community Housing Fund in its 2026 Budget.

The Government of Canada and the A-Tlegay Member Nations have signed a Reconciliation Agreement for Fisheries Resources. The agreement aims to support economic diversification and development of the A-Tlegay Member Nations. The agreement supports the growth of sustainable shellfish aquaculture and commercial fishing while providing fisheries training.

On February 24, the Government of Canada opened the 2026 B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program to fund projects that address labour shortages and improve farm processes through technology. Applications for this round of funding will be open until April 6.

Mission New Generation, a community organization in Candiac, is receiving $2.7M from the Government of Quebec to acquire a new building. The overall project is valued at $8.6M.

The Centre des générations de Boucherville, a philanthropic organization, received over $3.5M from the Government of Quebec to buy a new building to move its operations. The overall project is valued at around $7.8M.

The Société immobilière BSV and Immeubles William Savard are starting construction on 80 housing units in Saguenay. The Adrien Desbiens & Fils Construction and Groupe Alfred Boivin companies are contributing to the $20M project. Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2028.

The Centre de services scolaire des Draveurs is investing $28M in building the Apprentis-Sages elementary school in Gatineau. The school will be constructed from a prefabricated building, and it will have 23 modular classrooms. The centre is aiming to open it by the 2027 school year.

The Defence Minister announced that $3.7B will be spent to build 6,000 more housing units for Canada's military in 25 communities. CFB Gagetown in New Brunswick is slated to get 500 new units, which is expected to help with recruitment.

The N.B. government will provide $1.5M in funding to the Fundy Health Centre in Blacks Harbour, allowing it to expand and hire more staff. The facility has four nurse practitioners and will hire another three health-care support staff.

Yukon University and the Yukon University Employees Union have reached a tentative agreement, avoiding a potential strike on March 2. While details of the new agreement have not been disclosed, union members will vote on the deal on March 4-5. The university will finalize the agreement on March 6 if approved.

The Cities of Yellowknife, Whitehorse, and Iqaluit have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen collaboration among the northern capitals. The agreement outlines a joint commitment to work with the federal government in addressing infrastructure needs, collaborating on Arctic security and defence operations, and establishing a structured framework for funding and data sharing.

Construction begins this spring on a $21.7M recreation centre in Springfield. The Council for the Rural Municipality of Springfield has awarded the Phase One contract to Bird Construction.

The Rural Municipality of Hanover has approved a dairy farm expansion south of Steinbach. Greenkey Farms plans to expand its herd from 200 to 360 and to construct new animal housing and manure storage facilities.

The City of Nelson has entered a partnership with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to deliver the HomeSave Program. The program provides energy retrofit guidance and financial assistance to help homeowners upgrade their homes.

Calgary-based Fathom Nickel Inc. is launching its winter drill program at its Gochager Lake project in Saskatchewan. If the full drill program is not completed by spring break-up in mid-April, Fathom intends to complete the full 3,000-to-4,000-meter drill program in late-May/early- June 2026.

InPlay Oil Corp. is planning a 2026 capital program of $66 – $74M that includes drilling 12-14 horizontal wells.

WestJet has announced the discontinuation of its year-round, non-stop scheduled air service between Lethbridge and Calgary, as well as Medicine Hat and Calgary. The decision is due to low demand. The last date of service for these routes is June 24, 2026.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency will close its lab in Longueuil, which will result in the loss of 17 jobs by March 2028

The Government of Quebec is granting more than $2.5M to the municipalities of Dégelis and Notre-Dame-du-Portage to carry out road work as part of the Programme d’aide à la voirie locale

The Township of Huron‑Kinloss, in partnership with the County of Bruce, is hosting a job fair on March 12 at the Lucknow Community Centre

M.D. Steele Construction Ltd. has begun construction on a new permanent bridge across the Berens River, located north of Red Lake in Northwestern Ontario. The project is supported by the federal and provincial governments, Pikangikum First Nation and the Whitefeather Forest Community Resource Management Authority and is expected to be completed in 2028.

The Quebec Beverage Container Recycling Association officially opened a Consignaction+ location in Baie-Comeau

The Ville de Saint-Basile-le-Grand inaugurated its U-Art cultural centre, which was restored at a cost of just under $2M

Oceania, an indoor waterpark, officially opened on February 28 in Belœil. The park will employ about 50 employees and around 150 lifeguards. Construction, which started in February 2020, required an investment of nearly $48M.

The Centre de services scolaire de la Région-de-Sherbrooke is making a multi-million dollar investment in expanding the Jardin-des-Lacs elementary school in Saint-Denis-de-Brompton. The centre is aiming to complete the project by the 2026 school year.

Mission Unitaînés, an organization that builds social housing for seniors, inaugurated a 100-unit apartment building in Drummondville. The three levels of government and private partners contributed to the project.

ALIAR Fabrication & Structures, a manufacturer of welded structures and components, is investing $4M in acquiring robotic equipment and expanding its facilities in Saint-Ambroise. The project should start in the spring and be completed in the fall.

The Corporation d’habitation Laval will house 31 formerly homeless people at Habitation Palerme starting in November. The project of around $14M was delivered thanks to funding from the three levels of government.

The N.B. government is looking to cut up to $50M from post-secondary education and is proposing to possibly close, merge, or privatize institutions. N.B. has a population of 860,000 and provides funding to over 20 university and community college campuses.

APM Group is expecting to begin construction on a 49-unit apartment on the Charlottetown waterfront by mid-May, after a permit appeal was denied. The $34M seven-storey structure will be built at 15 Haviland St. and will take about 20 months to complete.

The N.S. budget contains over $300M in cuts as the province confronts a $1.2B deficit. Over 1,000 full-time civil service jobs could be removed this year, achieved primarily through attrition and retirements. The departments expected to take the biggest hit are Justice (83 full-time equivalents) and Social Development (78 full-time equivalents).

Iqaluit Housing Authority and the Nunavut Employees Union have ratified a new three-year collective agreement, retroactively effective July 1, 2025. The agreement includes a 7.5% wage increase in the first year, followed by a 3% raise in the second and third years. In addition to other enhanced benefits, employees will become permanent staff after two years under the new contract.

The Islamic Centre of Yellowknife recently opened in the city’s Old Town neighbourhood after six years of planning and construction. The mosque can accommodate about 400 men and features an additional room for women.

The federal government and the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) are jointly providing up to $353K over two years to enhance defence and security in the North. The funding will support CYFN in providing coordination and resources for Yukon First Nations to participate in sovereignty and Arctic security decision making with the federal and territorial governments.

Sandvik Mining and Construction is building a $51M mining equipment facility in Saskatoon. The project will feature a 51,000 square foot facility that combines mechanical cutting, parts, services and support in one location, featuring partnerships with Indigenous communities and plans to expand Canadian component manufacturing. The facility is expected to open by late 2026 and create about 30 jobs.

The Government of Saskatchewan is conducting in‑person accessibility assessments on more than 500 provincially owned buildings across the province. The work is intended to identify barriers in interior and exterior spaces, featuring audit reports that will guide planning and improvements that are aligned with the Government of Saskatchewan Accessibility Plan 2024‑2027. All assessments are expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

The Government of Saskatchewan is sending a delegation to Brazil from February 22–28, 2026. The mission aims to expand trade opportunities and strengthen partnerships with Goias, focusing on fertilizers and agriculture, with support from the province’s Mexico-based trade office.

Brandon-based rail infrastructure company Cando Rail & Terminals has acquired Savage Rail, a Utah firm with assets in the U.S. Midwest, Gulf Coast, and Southeast corridors. Cando has hired Savage Rail’s 736 employees and now has a workforce of about 2,000 people, including 150 in Manitoba.

The Rural Municipality of Ritchot has approved the construction of a wedding and special event venue at an equestrian facility near Grande Pointe. The new owners of Misty River Ranch are planning a barn-style building on two acres of property that will accommodate about 150 people.

Assiniboine College is spending $24M to build a medical lab at its Victoria Avenue East campus in Brandon. Beginning in the fall of 2027 the space will host two new programs, in medical laboratory technology and combined laboratory and X-ray technology.

The Koko Platz Recreation Club has fully reopened to the community after a recent rebuild. The facilities were damaged in a fire in 2021 and the community club has fundraised $800,000 to reconstruct the clubhouse.

Onalee Ames Film Studio is hiring 30 background actors for a snowmobile race scene filming in Beausejour at the end of February. The company is currently shooting a feature film called “Northern Lights.”

A new eatery, Heavenly Coco Café, has opened in Winnipeg’s North Kildonan neighbourhood. The café features Chilean and Portuguese cuisine and baked goods.

The Williams Lake Fire Department is recruiting for paid-on call firefighters. Recruits will receive training in emergency response and teamwork skills. Applications are open until March 13.

Aura, a Vietnamese restaurant and bar, is opening on Davie Street in Vancouver. An opening date has yet to be announced.

Chef Hung Taiwanese Beef Noodle has announced that its Aberdeen location in Richmond closed on February 23.

Shamrock Storehouse, an Irish pub, is opening two new Vancouver locations on Nelson Street and Beatty Street. An official opening date has yet to be announced for either location, but the Beatty Street location is expected to open sometime around March 17.

MACU Tea closed its locations in Burnaby and on Robson Street in Vancouver on February 23.

Loblaws has announced it will invest $2.4B into the Canadian economy in 2026, including opening 70 new stores and creating over 9K jobs. Of these new stores, 24 will be located in British Columbia.

The Government of British Columbia has issued Mines Act and Environmental Management Act permits for the New Ingerbelle expansion at the Copper Mountain mine near Princeton. The permit allows the mine to continue operations beyond 2040 and will support economic stability and about 800 jobs in the region. The mine will undergo a three-phase project to expand the existing pit.

Snaw-Naw-As First Nation has partnered with Island Coastal Economic Trust to establish a community-led regional farm hub. The trust provided $200K to develop the site into a training farm for skills in agriculture, processing and eco-tourism. Development will start in March and once completed will create three businesses and expand two existing businesses, and eight new jobs.

Bridger Photonics and Highwood Emissions Management are partnering to deliver methane detection, monitoring and mitigation solutions for oil and gas operators across the globe. Together the companies aim to provide a coordinated solution for methane reporting that is aligned to OGMP 2.0, the EU Methane Regulation, and MiQ.

CEMATRIX Corporation, a Calgary-based manufacturer of cellular concrete, has secured $5.2M in new contracts for projects in the U.S. and Canada. Some of the work will be completed in 2026, with the majority scheduled for 2027.

Whitecap Resources Inc. is executing an elevated drilling program in Q1 2026 with drilling peaking at 18 operating rigs as part of an active winter program.

Edmonton-based Techno Canada Inc. is partnering with GLJ Ltd. to create a new joint venture, GLJ WW Private Limited. The joint venture intends to expand geological and geophysical services, engineering, well servicing and testing and other services to the energy sectors in India.

Spartan Delta Corp. has started operations on its 2026 capital program with four rigs working in Alberta - three in its Duvernay asset and one in the Deep Basin.

SuperQ Quantum Computing Inc., specialists in one-click quantum optimization, is partnering with the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM in Germany to open new industrial markets in Europe and forge new research programs.

Climeworks a Swiss carbon removal company specializing in direct air capture and sequestration technology, is establishing its new Canadian headquarters in Calgary. Climeworks already has employees operating in the city with additional local hiring expected soon.

Fazoli's restaurant has opened a second Canadian location in Okotoks.

Dobré Café is now open at Westbrook CTrain Station in Calgary.

The Forest Enhancement Society of BC has approved $125K to complete fuel management treatments in the Ellison area of Vernon. After completing this project, the total treatment area will reach 72 hectares. The project is expected to complete by March 31, 2027.

New/Coming Soon Business Openings: Yeah Yeah’s (Halifax), Sante (Dartmouth Crossing), Buttercreme Cafe (Halifax), Tiara Kebabs & More (West Bedford), ONEOFFDSIGN (Halifax), Bar Bar Bar (Halifax) and PayMore (Halifax); Closures: 2 Crows Brewing (Halifax), The NSLC Express and Bell (Scotia Square-Halifax), and Citadel Music (Halifax).

Arctic Co-operatives Limited is constructing a new Issatik Co-op store in Whale Cove after the previous store burnt down in August 2024. Currently, a make-shift store has been set up in the community hall, however the new building expected to be completed by the second half of 2026.

Winnipeg will host the 2027 International Indigenous Tourism Conference next June. The three-day gathering of Indigenous leaders and industry representatives is expected to generate about $2.7M in economic impact.

Nomad, a North Vancouver café, is opening three new locations by 2027. The expansions will be located in Kitsilano and the Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre, with the third location a Nomad Lab opening on Pemberton Avenue. The Kitsilano location is expected to open soon, and the Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre location will open sometime this spring.

Kos, a Norwegian waffle spot, has closed its Vancouver location on Robson Street.

Hey! I Am Yogost, a Chinese drink chain, closed its Kerrisdale location in Vancouver on December 31, 2025. The location closed after its lease came to an end.

Hundy, a burger spot, has closed its Yaletown location in Vancouver. Its speakeasy The Stock Room also closed. The Freehouse Collective, owners of this restaurant and several other recent closures, is undergoing restructuring following filing for creditors protection in 2023.

Two stores in Victoria, Westcoast Appliance Gallery and Capital Iron Home Store, have closed following their loans being called by their banks.

A new dressing room at Oceanside Place in Nanaimo has begun construction. The project is funded by the Regional District of Nanaimo. Construction is expected to complete by spring 2026.

Moncton is proposing to develop a 1,400-acre parcel of undeveloped land, known as Vision Lands, to create around 14,000 residential units, a park, and commercial development. It is hoped that the plan will help meet the needs of Moncton’s growing population..

The Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists has reported that about 27% of the radiation therapists in Atlantic Canada will be eligible to retire over the next decade. N.S. currently has 6 permanent vacancies and some short-term vacancies as well. There are currently no training programs on the East Coast.

The NWT Power Corporation plans to start the final stages of bringing the Taltson hydro plant back online in early March after being offline since summer 2025 due to corrosion in the surge tank. The $37M repairs are nearly finished and the commissioning process set to begin on March 1.

The City of Steinbach will soon begin work on a $7.4M wastewater project that will double the existing system’s capacity. The $1.5M first phase involves the twinning of the force main, which will be completed by Southwood Ventures Inc.

Workers at Red River Co-op locations across Manitoba have voted to ratify a new five-year collective agreement. The contract contains the highest wage increases in a decade, including additional increases for pharmacy assistants.

The City of Kamloops has signed over $86M of contracts to build the Dufferin arena multiplex. The project is estimated to have a total cost of $140M and will create four additional rinks. Construction and roadwork are expected to start in 2027, with construction expected to finish in 2030.

The City of Victoria is replacing three washrooms along Dallas Road. Washrooms at Holland Point Park and Southeast Beacon Hill Park will begin construction soon, while the Ross Bay Cemetery washroom is expected to begin construction later in 2026. The new facilities will be modern, more accessible and gender neutral.

Group Bel Canada, a company that processes dairy products, is investing $3.7M in reducing carbon emissions at its Sorel-Tracy plant

Developer Investissement Ray Junior is starting to build Nordéa, a mall in Cité Mirabel. The project includes two commercial buildings.

Queen’s University is investing $4.5M, with $3M in support from the City of Kingston, to build a 10,000‑sq.-ft. wet lab and biomanufacturing facility at Botterell Hall

The Centre de services scolaire des Phares is looking to hire around 10 educators in the Rimouski‑Neigette and La Mitis areas

Les Maisons de l’Ancre, an advocacy organization, will build 24 rooms for women, trans and non-binary people in Montréal. The project was made possible thanks to over $10M in funding from the three levels of government.

The Government of Quebec is investing $3.5M in developing plans and specifications for the future university district in Terrebonne. Ultimately, the project will help the university accommodate 1,200 students by 2030.

The Université de Montréal launched construction on the new Laurentides campus in Saint-Jérôme. The campus will be able to accommodate 50 people. The first cohort is expected in the fall of 2026.

Chaussures Roger, a retail shoe store in Saint-Eustache, closed in early March due to a lack of succession

The Ville de Gatineau will open its new Lucy-Faris library in the Aylmer sector in late April after having invested around $50M in the project

L2Dev, a real estate project developer, started constructing commercial spaces in Bromont. The first of three phases of the project named Place Natura will be completed this fall.

The governments of Canada and Quebec, the Ville de Granby, Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ, as well as Réseau bon voisinâge are investing $41.5M in constructing 101 housing units in Granby. The project includes social housing units.

The N.B. government will provide $1M in funding to a 30-unit transitional housing project in Bathurst, which is set to open April 1 on Maple Street. The units will be built in 11 shipping containers, which will be retrofitted by Elevation Enterprises.

P.E.I. restaurant owners have struggled to find chefs and cooks in recent years but say that new immigration rules are making it even harder to find staff. It is particularly difficult in Atlantic Canada, with more rural areas and an older population.

Renovations to the Veterans Affairs Canada office in Charlottetown are slated to be ready for staff by 2027, at a cost of more than $100M. The newly renovated building will have a higher capacity than before, capable of handing 1,000 workers.

The Government of Canada has announced over $600k in funding for Stelia North America - an aerospace and defence company in Lunenburg specializing in the design, development, and manufacturing of composites. The funding will support new advanced manufacturing and inspection equipment and create 15 full-time jobs.

The new Carefield Manor residential care facility is now open in Dominion (Cape Breton), replacing the Dominion Community Guest Home and the former Carefield Manor, in Sydney.

The Government of Canada has announced $4M in defence industry spending for Halifax-area companies, including Sensor Technology, helping to create 24 jobs. A total of $38.2 million will be distributed throughout the Atlantic region over three years.

The N.S. government has announced they will be closing some museums and most visitor information centres across the province. The closures will affect the jobs of 30 visitor information centre employees and 10 museum employees. Additional budget cuts include 11 agricultural lab workers, 7 enumerators, 5 meat inspectors, 3 environmental planners, 2 finance and treasury employees and 1 inspector specialist.

The Government of Canada has announced combined federal/provincial/municipal funding of $4M to upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure in Antigonish that will enable the construction of up to 323 housing units.

N.L.’s wind-to-hydrogen industry has been dealt another setback as the provincial government has stripped World Energy GH2, EverWind and Toqlukuti’k Wind and Hydrogen of their Crown land reserves for $34M in unpaid land reserve fees. Meanwhile, North Atlantic’s project near Arnold’s Cove and Exploits Valley Renewable Energy Corporation in central N.L. are progressing.

The Government of Canada has announced over $6.8M in combined federal/provincial/municipal funding to support expanded water and sewer infrastructure in Conception Bay South. The upgrades will support new home construction, higher density housing, and improved environmental impacts in the municipality.

Nunatsiavut Construction Inc. will be winding down operations over the coming year. The 100% Inuit-owned company confirmed that all employees have been informed. The closure is not expected to impact any other business interests or partnerships tied to the Nunatsiavut Group of Companies.

De Beers has confirmed that the NWT’s Gahcho Kué diamond mine is discussing potential job cuts, with about 5% of its 500 employees being affected. The discussions aim to minimize the impact on local workers after a recent decision to pause the Tuzo Phase 3 expansion project. Currently, the mine is slated to close in 2031.

Housing NWT will be demolishing a 24-unit apartment complex in Yellowknife sometime this week. Hilltop Apartments is currently undergoing abatement to remove mold and asbestos, however once demolition work is complete, new public housing units will be built on the site. The construction timeline and number of units have not been announced.

The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are providing continued funding for the 2026 Crop Insurance Program. The program is intended to help producers manage production losses with over 85% of seeded acres insured. Administration is provided by the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation which has introduced new tools such as satellite forage insurance, and increased supports through programs such as AgriStability and Livestock Price Insurance.

The Government of Saskatchewan is leading a mission to the Philippines and Thailand from February 20 to 28, 2026. The trip aims to broaden education, research, and labour‑market partnerships, featuring meetings with government, industry, and institutions and the signing of several memorandums of understanding supporting Saskatchewan’s International Education Strategy.

The ownership group of the Port of Churchill has partnered with Fednav, a Montreal-based marine transport company, to explore the possibility of year-round shipping. The research focuses on what steps are needed to extend the shipping season, and is expected to conclude this summer.

A driver shortage is causing school bus cancellations in the St. James Assiniboia School Division. The division has some of its own buses but also contracts from a private provider, which is having difficulty recruiting and retaining staff.

Initiatives for Just Communities has received approval from the Rural Municipality of Hanover to open a group home in the community of Mitchell. The facility will support up to six women living with intellectual disabilities and have two staff on site 24/7.

The Government of Canada is providing $600,000 to the redevelopment of the Gas Station Arts Centre in Winnipeg. The project’s $3M first phase includes a redesigned lobby, courtyard, and entranceway along with a new café and wine bar.

ACCESS Credit Union is closing six branches across Manitoba, though layoffs are not expected as the affected locations are being consolidated with other branches. The closures, scheduled for June and October, include locations in Moosehorn, Sanford, Plum Coulee, and Emerson, along with two branches in Winnipeg. The credit union is also opening one new branch at Winnipeg’s Kenaston Crossing in summer 2026.

PacifiCan is providing over $46.6M to eight defence projects in British Columbia to speed up innovation and grow local businesses. These funds go to the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University to support research in life sciences, quantum technologies and artificial intelligence. Over $6M will support training for workers looking to enter the defence supply chain.

The Vancouver Police Department has created a new policing district for Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. The new district will have 88 officers posted to it. Renovations to the Woodward’s building at Abbott Street and West Hastings Street will create a new permanent office. Staffing of the new district occurred by reorganization and the rehiring of some retired officers.

The Government of British Columbia is expanding its Long-term Care at home program to provide virtual and proactive care management to more seniors. The program’s pilot phase will support more than 275 seniors to receive care virtually in their homes. The program will support up to 2.7K seniors by 2028.

Now & Then Supply Comp., a niche retailer focusing in 1990–2010 nostalgia items, opened on Trunk Road in Duncan.

Lake Country council has voted to approve a rezoning and Official Community Plan application for an attainable housing development on Bond Road. The development will have around 40 units. A development permit is still required before the development can begin construction.

The Government of British Columbia has announced that construction is underway on 116 below-market rental homes at the Reign on Cassie Avenue in Burnaby. Through BC Housing, the province has provided almost $20M to the project. Other project partners include Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the City of Burnaby and the Waterleaf Housing Society.

The Government of British Columbia has announced that Northisle Copper and Gold Inc.’s North Island Project, Surge Copper Corp.’s Berg Project and Defense Metals Corp.’s Wicheeda Project will receive support from the Critical Minerals Office as advanced project proponents. The Critical Minerals Office works with proponents to accelerate project’s permitting process.

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has announced they are hiring for various summer and co-op student positions. The application deadline is March 20.

The Ville de Vaudreuil-Dorion started construction on its outdoor refrigerated rink. The project cost is valued at $14.6M.

Terminal & Cable TC, a company established in Carignan that operates in the defence and aerospace sectors, received $1.5M from the Government of Canada to improve its productivity

The Centre de services scolaire de Saint-Hyacinthe is expanding the Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix school in Saint-Simon. The project, valued at nearly $10M, will be completed in March.

Mission Unitaînés, an organization that builds affordable housing for seniors, started construction on 100 units in Saguenay. The $32.5M project, which is funded by the three levels of government, is expected to be completed in the spring of 2027.

LG Cloutier, a manufacturer of machining parts in L’Islet, is looking to fill around 15 positions in its facilities

Les Immeubles Perron, a real estate developer, will start construction on Le Pôle, a commercial and industrial development, in the borough of Chicoutimi in Saguenay this spring. The first units of the $35M project should be delivered in November.

The Centre de services scolaire des Mille-Îles inaugurated the new Trait-d’Union school in Sainte-Thérèse. The 24-classroom school required a $41.9M investment from the Government of Quebec.

Bromont, montagne d’expériences, a ski resort in the city of the same name, is investing $3.8M in adding mountain bike trails and modernizing a ski lift. The project is scheduled to start in the spring.

The École nationale d’administration publique du Québec inaugurated a new higher education institution in Gatineau

Pan American Energy Corp. has mobilized field crews for its winter drilling program at the Tharsis Project located in the NWT. Activities include moving personnel and equipment to site, establishing field logistics and camp services, and preparing supports for drilling and technical work. Drilling will begin once the site is setup and ready.

Banyan Gold Corp. has begun its 2026 diamond drilling and exploration program at the AurMac Project located in Yukon’s Tombstone Gold Belt. The 40,000 metre drilling program will focus on advancing and expanding high grade gold and silver zones, in addition to exploring additional regions within the AurMac and Nitra projects.

A new movie theatre has recently opened at the Aven Pavilion seniors facility in Yellowknife on February 12. The theatre offers weekly movie nights, sports screenings, and space for community events.

The NWT government is planning to provide additional training for staff handling Student Financial Assistance to address a months-long payment delay. While the program’s administration will remain unchanged, the government will enhance resources during high-demand periods. In October 2025, five new positions were added to manage the surge in applications.

The federal government is providing over $220M to support Inuit communities across Canada. The funding includes allocations of $50M to help build an Inuit-led university in Arviat, $115M to renew the Inuit Child First Initiative, $30M for the Nutrition North Canada subsidy, and $27M over five years to enhance efforts in tuberculosis prevention, screening, and treatment in the North.

The federal government is providing over $2.3M to support three housing construction projects in Yukon. The funding will go towards helping three businesses in purchasing new manufacturing equipment, constructing a new prefabrication facility, and expanding commercial aluminum operations in Whitehorse.

Artsvest Saskatchewan is launching its 2026 program with $100,000 from the Government of Saskatchewan, with applications open until March 12. The program aims to increase private‑sector investment in arts, culture and heritage groups, offering training and matching funds, and includes webinars, workshops and mentorship. Since 2011, it has supported 1,756 partnerships and created over $10 million in economic impact.

The Government of Canada is allocating up to $248,600 to conduct a study on the potential expansion of the Port of Churchill. The market-sounding study will seek input from exporters, such as grain and mining companies, on whether improvements to the port will generate more business.

The Government of Manitoba has created 128 positions for institutional safety officers at health care facilities across the province. This includes five new officers starting at Thompson General Hospital next month.

Grocery retailer FreshCo is opening another location in Winnipeg, on Burrows Avenue in the city's North End. The building is a former Sobeys that closed several years ago and has been vacant since then.

Flin Flon’s new swimming pool is expected to be complete by the end of March 2026. The total project cost is about $24M.

A $280M investment in Thompson’s nickel mine could see production double in the next five years. Vale Base Metals, which owns the mine, is partnering with three other firms to form the Exiro Nickel Company, a consortium that aims to boost output and increase staffing. Currently, the operation employs 700 people.

The Anarchist Mountain Fire Department east of Osoyoos is currently hiring new paid on-call recruits ahead of annual wild land fire training.

The Waffle Co. is opening a new location on Robson Street in Vancouver. This location is expected to open during the first week of April.

Panda Pancakes & Ice Cream has opened a new location at Metropolis at Metrotown in Burnaby.

Matcha Tea Lab has opened a new location in Burnaby’s Crystal Mall.

The Government of British Columbia has announced $18M in additional funds to support its take-home naloxone program. The program will distribute over 400K kits to 150 community sites and 2.4K take-home sites and pharmacies.

On February 19, the Government of British Columbia introduced the post secondary international education act to legally enforce the province’s Education Quality Assurance program. This will enable the government to inspect institutions and take enforcement action against bad actors to protect international students. Uncertified institutions will be unable to enroll international students.

Researchers at Simon Fraser University have received over $4.4M from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research through its Project Grant: Fall 2025 program. These grants will help advance health research and outcomes.

The Government of British Columbia has announced that it is providing $1.9M to the University of Victoria to support research infrastructure upgrades as part of the Look West economic plan. The funds also support quantum computing research and skills training.

Castlegar city council has approved a plan to borrow $5M to expand the passenger spaces inside the West Kootenay Regional Airport. The project will cost a total of $10M and will expand the terminal’s interior. Construction is expected to begin by 2027.

BC Transit has announced that upgrades to the Rutland Transit Exchange completed on February 19. The City of Kelowna is also adding 6 electric vehicle charging stations at the park and ride lot by the end of March. The Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia and the City of Kelowna provided a total of $9.2M for this project.

Construction of the SkyTrain’s Millennium Line Broadway extension has reached a major milestone with the completion of the running rail installation. Crews have now begun installing the linear induction motor rail. The Millennium Line extension reaching Arbutus is set to open in fall 2027.

The Government of British Columbia has announced that construction has begun on a new school addition at Nelson Elementary in Burnaby. The new addition will add 100 new seats to the existing school. The province has contributed $6M to this project.

Island Health has announced that construction is beginning this summer on a new energy centre at Victoria General Hospital. The upgrade will ensure the hospital can meet the needs of the growing population. Early site preparation work began this month. The project will receive $75.6M from Island Health and the Capital Regional Hospital District and is expected to complete in 2029.

On February 19 the Government of British Columbia launched the Social Housing Energy Savings Program to make it quicker and easier for housing operators to apply for energy-efficient upgrades. The program will provide up to $800K to support energy upgrades in social and non-profit housing.

Peyto Exploration & Development Corp. is planning a 2026 capital budget of $450–$500M that is expected to add between 43,000 and 48,000 bpd of new production by year end. Approximately 80% of the 2026 budget will be used to drill 70–80 horizontal wells.

Cenovus Energy Inc.is planning to bring three new well pads into production in 2026 at its Sunrise oil sands project. Its Christina Lake North expansion project is in progress and on schedule to deliver increased production volumes by 2028.

Petrus Resources Ltd. is planning a 2026 capital budget of $50M to $60M that will include new well drilling, facility and infrastructure projects and land acquisitions.

The Government of Alberta has announced a $1.5M investment to the Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service for a new satellite detachment to strengthen local policing and community safety. This detachment project is expected to reduce emergency response times and enhance police presence in key areas.

The Government of Alberta has announced an investment of $61M over three years to build a new drug preparation centre, construction starting in 2026. This investment will provide many benefits including improving access to essential medication, strengthening capacity to respond to health needs, and centralizing preparation and distribution of pharmaceuticals to one location.

The Government of Canada has announced an investment of more than $1.7M for a shared-use pathway and pedestrian bridge in Sturgeon County. This funding comes after the county’s December 2021 report which identified this project as a priority for an active transportation network.

Prairies Economic Development Canada has announced a repayable investment of over $6.5M to support two Alberta-based businesses through the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII). The funding will be used to expand Canadian production of critical defence equipment, creating high-quality jobs, driving economic growth in the Edmonton area, and supporting Canada’s sovereignty.

Cadillac Fairview, a developer and property manager, is offering 512 rental housing units in the 35-storey high-rise apartment called Carré Windsor in Montréal's Ville-Marie borough. It is a multi-million dollar project.

The Canadian Marine Careers Foundation estimates that the marine industry will have to hire 8,300 new employees, including 3,600 sailors, across the country by 2029

Wabi Iron & Steel Corp., Claymeer Farms Ltd., and Mid North Recycling Inc. are receiving over $4M from the provincial government to expand their operations in Temiskaming Shores

Novika Solutions, a college centre for the transfer of technology associated with the Cégep de La Pocatière, received $1.3M from the Government of Canada to increase its applied research capabilities in the defence sector

Hôtel Levesque and C4 Immobilier will start a multi-million dollar project in Rivière-du-Loup. The project, which will create around 20 jobs, includes 51 residential units and 78 Marriott brand hotel rooms. Construction will start this spring.

The Quebec Metallurgy Center is a college centre for the transfer of technology, which is part of the Cégep de Trois-Rivières. The centre is receiving over $1.64M from the Government of Canada to strengthen its innovation capabilities.

The National Bank will close its location in Acton Vale this August

La Memphré, a microbrewery in Magog, will open a new pub in Orford in March. Beer will be brewed at this site, and the business plans to serve food.

C2MI, a microelectronics research centre in Bromont, received $1.6M from the Government of Canada to increase its high-technology defence production capacity

Sitka Gold Corp. has begun its 2026 diamond drilling program at the RC Gold Project located in Yukon’s Tombstone Gold Belt. The 60,000 metre drilling program aims to expand the Rhosgobel, Blackjack, and Eiger gold deposits, in addition to following up on several other high-priority targets.

The federal government is allocating 197 spots for the 2026 NWT nominee program. The selection process for this year has been amended, requesting that employers submit expressions of interest on behalf of the nominee. Applications open on March 9, and the first expression of interest draw, which will select up to 65 applicants, will take place March 25.

The Government of Manitoba is providing $3.8M to the City of The Pas for upgrades to its arts and recreation facilities. About a third of the funding is earmarked for improvements to the community’s arena and recreation complex. The remainder will be used to build a new arts, cultural, and learning centre, replacing a building that was lost to a fire in 2024.

The Government of British Columbia has introduced the Trade Recognition Act (Bill 5) which will make B.C.’s interprovincial recognition framework permanent. Bill 5 would ensure goods and services approved in other provinces can be sold or used in B.C., eliminating a barrier to interprovincial trade.

VanCity Pinball and Arcade is opening a new location in Vancouver on Venables Street. The location is expected to open in March.

The mayor of 100 Mile House has announced that the CN Rail corridor through the community will not be removed after an assessment from a consultant. This announcement follows a July 2025 announcement from CN Rail that it would be discontinuing service between Squamish and 100 Mile House, leading to fear in the community that the rails may be removed.

Mill Bay Power Products Ltd., located in the Cowichan Valley, is closing.

Connector Brewing, a Westside craft brewery, closed on February 21.

The Peace River Regional District and the Northern Development Initiative Trust have launched the Business Façade Improvement Plan. This new grant program will provide up to $5K to support businesses to improve the exteriors of their commercial buildings. The program is open until March 31.

The City of Vancouver has finalized plans for the upgraded and expanded W.C. Shelley Park in the Commercial Drive neighbourhood. The park will grow by about 50%, with most of this new space being used for an off-leash dog area, and food and culture garden.

The City of Coquitlam is opening nine new tennis courts by the summer of 2027 to meet demand and Tennis Canada standards. Courts will be located at Cottonwood Park, Burke Mountain Joint School and Park, and Town Centre Park.

Build Canada Homes has partnered with BC Housing to build over 700 supportive and transitional homes. Projects are set to start within the next 12 months. Governments will explore delivering another 400 affordable rental homes using B.C.’s Digitally Accelerated Standardized Housing program. Build Canada Homes is contributing $170M and BC Housing is contributing $640M to the project.

The Government of British Columbia has paused funding through the Community Housing Fund and will reallocate nearly $1.4B from the program as part of its new budget. The fund supported the construction of rental homes throughout the province. Projects that previously applied for funding will be on hold while the government works with proponents on a case-by-case basis.

Coxey, a Montreal-based furniture company, has opened its largest retail store in Calgary.

Prairies Economic Development Canada has announced a $3M investment through the Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund to support Black-led businesses and entrepreneurs across Alberta. Two not-for-profit businesses will each receive an investment of $1.5M. The projects are expected to provide over 250 employment and skill training opportunities.

The City of Calgary has announced $29.3M investment through the Housing Capital Initiative (HCI) to create 566 non-market homes. The funding will be used to support eight non-market housing projects. The HCI fund is intended to increase urgently needed non-market housing supply in Calgary by delivering timely capital investment in housing projects.  

Innovation P.E.I. is creating a defence strategy advisory panel to help industry on the Island to capitalize on over $80B in defence funding. The federal priority is to buy mostly from Canadian defence manufacturers, while investing in jobs and the economy.

A CFIB report found that 41% of Canadian owners plan to leave their businesses within five years, with the top reason being retirement. More businesses are closing down than are being created, with factors like insurance costs, rising wages, and higher building and product costs having an impact.

Kelly Cove Salmon Ltd. has gotten approval from the N.S. Aquaculture Review Board to expand its Liverpool Bay fish farm, with 6 additional cages, bringing the total to 20.

Nova Scotian will soon be home to a new menopause clinic, the initial phase of what will be Canada’s first Menopause Centre of Excellence. It will be staffed by a range of providers, including a general practitioner, registered nurse, pelvic floor physiotherapist, dietitian and gynecologist. The clinic is expected to open in winter 2026-2027.

A CFIB report found that 41% of Canadian owners plan to leave their businesses within five years, with the top reason being retirement. More businesses are closing down than are being created, with factors like insurance costs, rising wages, and higher building and product costs having an impact.

A CFIB report found that 41% of Canadian owners plan to leave their businesses within five years, with the top reason being retirement. More businesses are closing down than are being created, with factors like insurance costs, rising wages, and higher building and product costs having an impact.

CFB Gagetown is slated to receive $1B in new infrastructure spending from Ottawa, as part of the country's new defence industrial strategy. About a quarter of the increase will be on pay increases, while some spending will also be geared towards new equipment and infrastructure.

Stantec Architecture has been awarded the $3.2M contract to provide design and construction management services for the Rothesay Intergenerational Community Complex. The project is expected to start in the spring, once the final design is approved.

A CFIB report found that 41% of Canadian owners plan to leave their businesses within five years, with the top reason being retirement. More businesses are closing down than are being created, with factors like insurance costs, rising wages, and higher building and product costs having an impact.

Dykeman's Hardware and Marine Ltd in Saint John is looking to sell, but most interest for the 115-year-old business is not local, coming from outside Canada and other provinces. The CFIB says 40% of Atlantic business owners are over 55 and there are not enough young entrepreneurs to take over.

The University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon has eliminated seven positions in its Information and Communications Technology unit. The reduction of staff occurred after a review to ensure role alignment and efficient operations as well as to meet the requirements of the university’s financial sustainability plan. The university has offered transition supports to affected employees.

Building construction investment in Saskatchewan rose 21.8% year-over-year in December 2025 while increasing 10.1% from November 2025. The province's real GDP increased by $2.5 billion to $83.6 billion in 2024.

Eguana Technologies Inc., a Calgary-based manufacturer of high-performance energy storage systems, is partnering with one of Alberta's Investor-Owned Electricity Distributors on a project that will deploy Eguana's advanced battery energy storage systems in new residential developments while working closely with home builders.

Marvel Biosciences Corp. has received funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program to support research and development of a pediatric-friendly liquid formulation of its lead compound, MB-204.

The Government of Alberta has announced a $400M investment to purchase five De Havilland Canadair DHC-515 waterbombers. The investment is expected to create jobs and assist with protecting communities and infrastructure during wildfire season. The first aircraft is slated to arrive by spring 2031.

HMSHost, a global restaurateur, will revamp 57,500-sq.-ft. of dining space at Lester B. Pearson International Airport under a new 12‑year contract, adding new Canadian restaurant concepts and upgrading existing venues starting in early 2026

Groupe Rémabec, a forestry company, plans to restart its Rivière‑aux‑Rats Arbec plant in La Tuque by May. This reopening will help the company add around 40 jobs to 75 existing positions once construction ends.

The Bureau de projet du tramway de Gatineau will have to close due to the withdrawal of provincial funding. All 50 employees will lose their jobs.

The Oakwood Café, a restaurant in Winnipeg’s South Osborne neighbourhood, is permanently closing in March. The business has struggled financially since the COVID-19 pandemic, and rising costs and supply chain issues have contributed to the decision to close.

TURF, a fitness studio and café hybrid spot, is opening a new location on Main Street in Vancouver. An official opening date is yet to be announced but it is expected to open sometime in summer.

The 2026 Sooke Job Fair will take place at the Edward Milne Community School on March 20.

The Government of Canada has launched Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy to support national security while growing Canadian defence industries. The strategy projects $180B in defence procurement opportunities and $290 billion in defence-related capital investment opportunities in Canada over the next 10 years. The government expects the funding to create 125K jobs.

Innovate BC’s 2026 New Ventures BC Competition has opened for applications, with over $250K available. Winning applicants will also be eligible for six months of mentorship, education and investor exposure. The competition acts as a proving ground for startups attempting to increase the scale of their operations. Applications close March 12.

Lumiere Café closed its 2815 West Broadway location on January 29. No reason was given for the closure, but the business still operates at its original 521 West Broadway location.

Freshslice Pizza will soon open a new location on Saanich Road in Victoria.

The British Columbia Automobile Association’s (BCAA) Evolve E-Bike Share program has expanded to the District of West Vancouver. A total of 16 bike parking stations have been added already, with more e-bikes and parking locations expected to roll out through April.

The Columbia Basin Trust has launched its Basin Job Experience Trail Crew Program to create 47 short-term jobs for unemployed or underemployed people. Members of the program will receive skills development and training as they complete projects to maintain local trails. The program is funded through $320K across 15 organizations in 13 communities.

The Government of British Columbia has announced it will be slowing the construction of new housing and major infrastructure projects as part of cuts in its 2026 budget. Projects being delayed include phase 2 of the Burnaby Hospital redevelopment, several long-term care projects and the expansion of student housing at the University of Victoria.

The Canada Energy Regulator has approved Pouce Coupé Pipe Line’s pipeline project from Taylor, British Columbia to Gordondale, Alberta. The project will install 88 km of pipe and provide upgrades to Taylor’s gas park Pouce Coupe block valve. The project is expected to cost about $340.9M. Pouce Coupé may now begin pre-construction activities, though a construction timeline has yet to be announced.

Toronto-based New Gold announced on February 17 that 85 positions were eliminated at the New Afton mine, located just west of Kamloops. The company stated that the layoffs were because most of the work on the mine’s C-Zone block project completed. The company is continuing to look for opportunities to extend the life of the mine beyond 2031.

HEYTEA, a global tea brand, has opened an 1,800‑sq.-ft. location at Toronto’s CF Eaton Centre

Coca‑Cola Canada Bottling Limited is investing $141M, supported by the provincial government, to renovate and expand its flagship manufacturing, distribution and sales centre in Brampton, creating up to 500 jobs during construction

The Ville de Baie-Comeau is awarding more than $6.1M to Construction Nicolas Avoine in Pointe-Lebel to renovate its sports centre. Construction will take place throughout the year, and the centre is scheduled to be delivered in 2027.

Jack le Coq, a chicken restaurant chain, will open a location soon in Baie-Comeau

Topla!, a pasta restaurant chain, opened a location in Baie-Comeau, and the owners are looking for staff

Hydro-Québec, a Crown corporation that produces hydro-electricity, is investing $125M in repairing the spillway at the Rapide-des-Îles power plant in Saint-Eugène-de-Guigues. The project is set to begin in June and be completed in November.

The Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue inaugurated a birth centre near Val-D’Or

Toromont Cat, which specializes in heavy equipment for the mining industry, among other things, is building a real estate development with 100 rooms for its employees in Fermont. The project is valued at $15M.

The Quebec Beverage Container Recycling Association officially opened a Consignaction drop-off location in Saint-Hyacinthe. Another site will open soon in the same city.

Services Québec, the multi-service window for government services, closed its locations in the eastern part of Montréal Island and Acton Vale. In a few days in March, the Ahuntsic branch in Montréal will close as well.

Services Québec, the multi-service window for government services, closed its locations in the eastern part of Montréal Island and Acton Vale. In a few days in March, the Ahuntsic branch in Montréal will close as well.

P.E.I. home sales are down 20% in January, compared to the same time last year, and new home listings are also down 12.5%. Meanwhile home prices have levelled off, with the benchmark price of a home being $371,700, compared to $365,500 last year.

The Government of Canada has announced $475K in funding to Dartmouth-based food manufacturer CanaPacking. The contribution will support a major facility expansion, strengthen CanaPacking's workforce with 7-10 new full-time positions, and add new automated equipment.

WSP, a global company headquartered in Canada, has been awarded a $1.1M contract to produce preliminary design work for Highway 102, between exits 0 (Bayers Road) and 4C (Highway 107) in Halifax Regional Municipality. The work is expected to take one year.

The N.B. government will provide up to $54.3M to seven companies to help modernize, support and create up to 162 jobs. Irving Paper will get $45M, Agropur-$2.4M, Kelly Cove Salmon-$3.8M, Stantec-$800K, Marwood-$250K, Organigram-$2M, and Alliance Seafood-$115K.

Li-FT Power Ltd. has begun drilling at its Yellowknife Lithium Project in the Northwest Territories. A 6,770m resource drill program is planned for the BIG East spodumene pegmatite, aiming to expand the deposit and increase its mineral resource capacity.

The federal government is pledging over $13M to support 23 substance use projects across Northern and Western Canada, of which $2.13M will be allotted to two Yukon-based projects. The funding will help the communities respond to illegal substance use by expanding its outreach services and allowing continued support for traditional and land-based recovery programs.

The NWT government, along with its school boards and the Home Base Yellowknife charity, are launching a new program to support youth experiencing mental health and addiction challenges in healing and re-engaging in learning. The initiative will start this September and will allow up to 12 students at a time to receive education, housing, clinical care, and cultural supports.

The Northwest Territories faces potential early closure of its diamond mines, Ekati in 2029 and Gahcho Kué in 2031, raising concerns about the labour market and the need for economic diversification. If both mines close within a short period of time, over 1,000 job losses could strain the economy and prompt population declines as workers seek opportunities elsewhere.

Biathlon Yukon, a new athletic training facility, has recently opened in Whitehorse on February 16. The $3.8M building features indoor heating, washrooms, a small office space, and a secure gun vault. The new facility is expected to host the upcoming Arctic Winter Games in two weeks.

The Government of Saskatchewan is providing $1.46M in funding for 10 organizations to aid in addressing and preventing gender-based violence. The funding will be dispersed in 2026 and 2027 and is being provided through the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence. Recipient community based organizations will use funds to develop tools to support outreach, programming and advocacy.

Aecon Group Inc. has been awarded the construction contract for a new wastewater treatment facility to be built in Niverville. The Red-Seine-Rat Cooperative Wastewater Treatment Facility will serve more than 30,000 people in the municipalities of Niverville, Taché, Hanover, Ritchot, La Broquerie, and De Salaberry.

The City of Nelson has announced plans to demolish its curling rink for about $2.2M by 2030. The structure was found to have irreparable issues. Replacing the facility is expected to cost about $16M. Over the next 20 years the city aims to spend about $82.5M on capital projects.

A research team at the University of Alberta has received $5.9M to create updated forest growth and yield computer models. The Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta, Alberta Forestry and Parks and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment are partners in the research.

Prairies Economic Development Canada has announced an investment of more than $5.8M through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative to support five projects in southern Alberta. Nearly $4.5M will be allocated to three not-for-profit organizations and more than 1.38M will be allocated to two businesses. The funding will be used to support the businesses to be more competitive while creationg jobs for Albertans.

Doors of Compassion, a non‑profit organization, has opened a new 30‑bed transitional shelter in Kingston

ServiceOntario is opening a new location in Arnprior, Renfrew County at the end of the month

O’2 temps, a sports bar, will open in Matane

The Quebec Beverage Container Recycling Association opened a Consignaction+ site on February 16 near Sept-Îles. It is the first of its kind on the North Shore.

Mission Unitaînés, an organization dedicated to building social housing for seniors, inaugurated a building with 100 apartments in Longueuil. The three levels of government and private partners contributed to the project.

In the spring, Société immobilière Gentilly is expected to begin construction work on a new residence with 179 units for seniors. The $170M project should be completed no later than the spring of 2027.

Scierie St-Michel in Saint-Michel-des-Saints started work to rebuild a kiln that was destroyed by a fire in January 2025

The Ville de Bécancour is investing $2M in renovating municipal buildings. Construction will be completed in 2026.

In May, Aube Promoteur Immobilier will begin building 430 housing units in Cap-Santé. The single-family and semi-detached houses should be delivered in 2027. The company is also carrying out a residential project with 130 units in Saint-Marc-des-Carrières.

Dussault Construction is starting a residential project with single-family and semi-detached houses as well as housing units in Cap-Santé. The houses are scheduled to be delivered in the fall, and the housing units are set to be delivered in the fall of 2027. In total, 77 units will be built.

The P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture is welcoming an announcement by Farm Credit Canada that 20 groups will invest $5B in Canadian agriculture and food innovation by 2030. The money could result in new technologies and tools, as well as value-added processing.

N.L. Health Services says the province has made progress in addressing its nursing shortage, going from 752 nursing vacancies three years ago down to 345 nursing vacancies as of April 2025. Moreover, nearly 100% of Memorial University’s nursing graduates have accepted job offers. However, nurses are still facing mandated overtime and N.L. still experiences high usage of private agency nurses.

Recruitment of midwives continues to be a challenge in the province, with the Fredericton Midwifery Centre still the only clinic in N.B. Atlantic Canada does not have a midwifery education program and it is estimated that Canada needs 9,000 midwives by 2030.

The Nunavut government has been without a languages commissioner since February 2025, noting difficulties in finding qualified candidates and increasingly fewer people who speak Inuit languages. Additionally, the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit language authority is understaffed, with only three of its eight positions filled.

The Yukon government has opened four new commercial wood lots: two near Haines Junction, one near Mayo, and one near Dawson City. Additionally, four more projects are under review by the Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economical Assessment Board, which will include harvest plans in Haines Junction, Mayo, Whitehorse and Watson Lake.

The Nunavut government is currently accepting applications for the Nunavut Mine Training Fund to support community-based training initiatives aimed at helping residents secure jobs in the mining sector. Not-for-profit organizations, municipal governments, and individuals are encouraged to apply by March 31.

The Government of Manitoba and the Town of Virden are jointly contributing $3M to the expansion of Virden’s fire hall. A new building will house the department’s five fire trucks, while the current hall will be renovated to add training and meeting rooms, showers, and a new ventilation system.

Tiramisu Republic, a new dessert shop, is opening in Metropolis at Metrotown in Burnaby. The shop is expected to begin operating sometime this spring.

Buca di Roma, a Vancouver Italian restaurant, permanently closed on January 25. No specific reason was given for the closure.

Intrepid Theatre has announced it will close the Metro Studio in March due to rising operation costs and a rent increase.

Construction is underway on The Sherwin‑Williams Company’s 350,000‑sq.-ft. paint supply distribution centre in Barrie. The project is expected to create up to 250 jobs once completed.

The Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec reported that there are 175 pharmacy technical assistant or pharmacy technician positions to be filled in the Montérégie region

Memorial University has cut or paused over a dozen academic programs over the past year, including the 3-year bachelor of nursing program, master of fine arts degree, public policy certificate, quality management certificate, doctor of pharmacy degree and various diploma programs. Poor enrolment was cited as a factor in many of the cuts.

The Government of British Columbia’s Community Gaming Grants program has provided over $6.6M to communities across Greater Victoria. These funds support school programs, sports, environmental initiatives and public safety services.

Understory Records, a new independent record label, is launching on February 28 in Smithers. The label will make it easier to shop for local music and support local artists, while removing barriers for new performers.

Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation has partnered with Redd Fish Restoration Society and West Coast Kelp on a $240K kelp restoration project in Clayoquot Sound. Most of the funding comes from the Government of British Columbia, with organizational grants making up the remainder. The project involves deployment of a structure to help kelp grow and will also survey areas to deploy underwater cameras.

The Bad Angel, a bar, opened in January in Toronto’s Brockton Village

The Hangout Lounge and Bar, a restaurant and bar, opened in January in Oshawa

5N Plus, a manufacturer of semiconductors and high-performance materials in Montréal's Saint-Laurent borough, would like to hire approximately 25 to 30 people

New/Coming Soon Business Openings: Cafe East Cup (Clayton Park), Backlot (Halifax), and Soap in Your Mouth (Halifax); Closures: Cazza Petite (Dartmouth), and Unionmart (Bayers Lake). Eddie Bauer has started the process of liquidating its stores but remains hopeful for a buyer.

The Selkirk Transit Authority is expanding its services, offering free fares for youth, longer operating hours, and new lower-emission vehicles. A seasonal route to Selkirk Park is also expected to launch this summer.

The Government of Manitoba is providing $218,045 to five organizations for trail improvements across the province. These include walking, biking, skiing, and snowmobile trail projects.

Pho Capital has reopened at a new location in Richmond following an explosion that damaged the strip mall it was originally located in. The new location opened on February 7 and is larger than its previous operation.

Work will soon begin on a $2M extension to Kelowna’s Art Walk. A new 150-metre section will be added as well as a short extension on the downtown waterfront. Construction is expected to complete in the spring.

Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken & Wings, a U.S.-based franchise, opened its first Canadian location in Guelph in January

Topper’s Pizza, opened a new location in Midland, Simcoe County

Curley’s Fries and Ice Cream has opened in Homestead Marketplace in Trenton

Hyatt House is opening a new 129-room hotel in Thunder Bay at the end of March

Wheelchair Basketball Canada will receive $1.5M from the provincial government to support the 2026 International Wheelchair Basketball Federation World Championships, taking place this September in Ottawa at The Arena at TD Place and Carleton University

Accumetal Manufacturing Inc. is investing over $9.3M, supported the provincial government, to expand its operations in Stratford and Woodstock, creating 41 jobs and protecting 97 existing jobs

The Aulds Cove Wind Project (Guysborough County), owned by Green Current Renewable Energy Development Inc. (Mabou), has received environmental assessment approval. Construction of the wind farm will begin in late 2026, employing up to 150 people. Once operational in late 2027, it is expected to employ 10-12 people for about 25 years.

Halifax’s budget committee has passed the 2026-27 budgets for both Halifax Regional Police (HRP) and Halifax RCMP. HRP’s $103M budget includes 8 new positions for civilian 911 dispatchers while the RCMP’s $44.9M budget includes $1.8M for 14 Mounties approved in 2025 and 2 new investigators for the intimate partner violence unit. It also includes a proposal to add 6 new officers to set up an office in Eastern Passage.

Canada has raised the quota for the lucrative commercial fishery for juvenile eels by 22% for the coming season and will allow 12,180 kgs to be fished from N.S. and N.B. rivers in 2026. This is the first change to the elver quota by Fisheries and Oceans in 20 years.

Air Transat is cancelling its summer service to Florida, with flights winding down in May/June, while a decision on whether to resume flights in the fall/winter will be made at a later date. Other airlines, including WestJet, are also reducing flights to the U.S., citing a drop in demand for American destinations.

Canada has raised the quota for the lucrative commercial fishery for juvenile eels by 22% for the coming season and will allow 12,180 kgs to be fished from N.S. and N.B. rivers in 2026. This is the first change to the elver quota by Fisheries and Oceans in 20 years.

The City of Whitehorse has revised its proposed short-term rental accommodations, allowing residents to own up to six rentals on two properties, with one being their primary residence. The bylaw, which also address building heights and parking requirements, will return to council for a final vote by March 16.

The Innovate Centre in Inuvik, which supports local entrepreneurs by providing various tools and training, is facing funding cuts after failing to meet criteria for continued support. Operated by Aurora College since 2018, the centre has one year to wind down its operations.

The federal government is providing over $24M to support 30 transitional and 10 social housing units in Yellowknife for individuals at risk of homelessness. The development will feature barrier-free and accessible units, in addition to an early learning and childcare centre.

The provincial government is providing more than $1.2M to Black-led community organizations across Manitoba as part of Black History Month. This includes $100,000 toward the National Black Canadians Summit, which is being held in Winnipeg in September 2026.

The Government of Canada is providing nearly $800,000 to Eviance, formerly known as the Canadian Centre on Disability Studies. The Winnipeg-headquartered organization is using the funds for community engagement as it develops a strategy for women entrepreneurs with disabilities.

The Government of Manitoba is providing $325,000 to Festival du Voyageur as the annual event gets underway in Winnipeg. The festival celebrates the province’s francophone heritage with 10 days of music, food, and other cultural activities.

The National Research Council is cutting 12 positions at the Medical Devices Research Centre in Winnipeg. The layoffs are part of a broader move by the federal government to reduce the size of the public service. Ten of the affected positions are in scientific, research, or technical departments and the other two positions are building support staff.

Two new bookstores have opened in Winnipeg in the past few months. Dotted Lines, which specializes in Japanese manga, opened on Watt Street in November. Bound to Please, which sells romance novels with an emphasis on local authors, opened on McPhillips in January.

The City of Abbotsford has announced the opening of the 2026 Neighbourhood Small Grants program in partnership with the Vancouver Foundation and Abbotsford Community Foundation. This year, the program will provide up to $17K in grant funding for projects that bring neighbours together and foster a sense of community.

The Vancouver Foundation will open a new intake for its Neighbourhood Small Grants program on March 9. The grants provide people in the Thompson-Cariboo region with up to $500 to support activities that bring together communities and make them more resilient.

Matchstick Coffee, a Vancouver coffee shop chain, has announced that they will be closing all their locations. Three cafés are scheduled to close by April 1, and the fourth will close sometime after. The number of employees affected has not yet been disclosed.

Kinton Ramen opened a new location at Sunwood Square in Coquitlam on February 15.

Big Way Hot Pot, a chain restaurant, is opening a new location at the CF Richmond Centre. The new location is expected to open sometime early this year.

Nani’s Gelato has opened at on Lougheed Highway in Pitt Meadows.

The Canada Energy Regulator has recommended approval of the $4B Sunrise Expansion Project, an expansion of the Westcoast pipeline system by Enbridge. Enbridge expects that during peak construction it could employ over 500 workers from the Thompson-Nicola region for the pipeline and almost 100 workers for the compressor station. The project is expected to complete construction by the end of 2028.

The Government of Canada is providing $9.9M to the BC Construction Industry Skills Improvement Council for a new program aimed at standardizing training for heat and frost insulators across Canada. The program will support the training of journey people to a new national level to ensure energy efficiency across buildings.

Happy Belly Food Group Inc. opened its newest location for a Heal Wellness restaurant n Grande Prairie on February 14th, 2026.

Calgary-based Enbridge Inc. has sanctioned $39B of backlog projects across its natural gas, liquids, and renewable power segments. The work includes $1.4B for the first phase of its Mainline optimization project that will add 150,000 barrels per day of incremental crude oil egress form the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin.

The City of Edmonton and CN Rail are improving pedestrian and vehicle safety at the crossing by Belvedere LRT Station. The project will occur in two phases; phase 1 includes single lane closures and phase 2 includes full road and sidewalk closure and transit detours. The project is set to completed on March 8.

London Machinery Inc., a concrete‑mixers manufacturer, laid off approximately 50 employees due to the impact of U.S. tariffs

The provincial government is investing $20M to support 15 new projects and support 31 multi-year initiatives that protect species at risk and restore habitats across Ontario

Seenergy Foods Limited, a frozen‑food manufacturer and supplier, has opened an 80,000‑sq.-ft., $31M production plant in London, employing about 20 workers

The Government of Ontario is increasing its funding to colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes by $6.4B over four years

Knapper, a manufacturer of dek hockey products, invested over $2.3M in acquiring a building in Saint-Hyacinthe that will serve as a warehouse, head office and distribution centre

Fromagerie Victoria, a fast-food chain, opened a new location in Joliette