This is a roundup designed to bring you up to speed with recent developments in Canada.

Anand to Speak at Ottawa Defence Conference

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is scheduled to speak at the Conference of Defence Associations Institute's annual meeting in Ottawa today. This year's conference focuses on how NATO allies can meet their commitment to spend five per cent of GDP on defence by the year 2035. The two-day event features prominent speakers including Stephen Fuhr, the secretary of state for defence procurement, and Canada’s defence chief, General Jennie Carignan. Discussions at the conference will revolve around topics such as defence spending and the Canadian Armed Forces' initiatives for recruitment and retention.

Green Energy Organizations Applaud Canada-India Agreements

Several Canadian renewable energy organizations have expressed their support for the agreements signed between Ottawa and India this week, aimed at promoting the development of solar, wind, and hydrogen power. Prime Minister Mark Carney concluded a four-day trip to Mumbai and New Delhi with a meeting alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leading to a series of agreements, including a strategic energy partnership. Additionally, Canada will be joining the India-led International Solar Alliance, an initiative focused on enhancing solar capacity, which already has all G7 countries as members. Simon Fraser University also entered into an agreement with the Hydrogen Association of India to collaborate on advancing hydrogen development.

Immigration Could Soon Drive Canada’s Growth

There are concerns from experts regarding Canada’s population growth, which is currently stagnant. Projections indicate that Canada could face a historically unprecedented scenario where population growth is sustained entirely by immigration. Based on the federal government’s recent Immigration Levels Plan, the parliamentary budget officer estimates that 2026 will mark Canada’s second consecutive year of zero population growth. Following a rapid population increase post-COVID-19 pandemic, which peaked at 3.1 per cent in 2023—well above the historical average of 1.1 per cent from 1972—Canada saw an addition of 816,000 temporary and permanent immigrants in 2024, while natural population growth due to births surpassed deaths by only about 34,000 people.

Mother Fears for Son’s Safety in Iraqi Detention

Sally Lane, the mother of Canadian citizen Jack Letts, has expressed grave concerns for her son’s safety following reports that he may have been transferred to Iraq from a detention center in northeastern Syria. Global Affairs Canada has informed Lane that her son might be among the detainees recently moved to Iraq, although officials are still working to verify his identity. Letts, along with several other Canadian nationals, had been held in Kurdish-run detention centers after the region was reclaimed from the militant group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. It was announced earlier this year that prisoners' relocation to Iraq was requested by Iraqi officials, a move supported by the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State and the Syrian government.

Tax Season Can Bring Some Respite to Parents

As tax season approaches, many parents may find relief from the financial burdens of raising a family, thanks to various credits and deductions that can lessen their overall tax obligations. Filing taxes before the April 30 deadline is essential, as it determines the benefits and tax breaks available for children. The 2025 tax-filing season commenced last week, and one significant tax break parents can claim relates to child care expenses. Sean Grant-Young, the national director of tax for Baker Tilly Canada, highlighted the importance of this benefit in light of the financial pressures tied to daycare and children’s camps.

Mixed Reaction to Extended Retail Hours in Quebec

In Quebec, there is an impending change regarding retail operating hours, leading to varied reactions among store owners. Charlie Whitley, who manages a vintage clothing store in Montreal’s Mile-End neighbourhood, expressed frustration over existing laws that force him to close at 5 p.m. every weekend. He supports an impending one-year pilot project set to begin on March 11 that will allow shops to remain open until 9 p.m. on weekends, aligning weekend hours with those on weekdays. While some retailers are favorable to the change, others argue that the rise in online shopping diminishes the relevance of extended hours, and there are concerns that the new regulations may exacerbate existing labor shortages. Samuel Poulin, the minister for small- and medium-sized businesses in Quebec, noted that Quebec is the only province in Canada that continues to enforce strict retail operating hours throughout the year for most shops, aside from pharmacies and grocery stores.

This report reflects significant social, economic, and political developments affecting Canada as of March 4, 2026.