Wildfires

• On July 10th, the Government of Manitoba declared a provincewide state of emergency under the Emergency Measures Act due to wildfires. The Government said the state of emergency is in effect for 30 days.
• On July 11th, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced that a province-wide fire ban prohibiting setting of outdoor fires on forest land or within 300 metres of forest land was in effect until further notice. On July 29th, the Government announced the fire ban had been lifted.
• On July 23rd, the Government of Canada announced it had approved a Request for Federal Assistance from the Government of Saskatchewan and would be providing Saskatchewan with additional firefighters to mitigate the wildfires, and helicopters to transport critical personnel.
• On July 30th, the Government of Nova Scotia announced a ban on open fires across the entire province due to hot, dry conditions. The Government said the ban would remain in place until October 15th.

Canada's internal trade

• The Governments of Ontario and Alberta announced they had signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to build new pipelines, rail lines and other energy and trade infrastructure. The Governments said new pipelines will connect western Canadian oil and gas to new and existing refineries in southern Ontario and will expand export opportunities, including by way of a new James Bay deep-sea port in northern Ontario, while new rail lines will connect Ontario's Ring of Fire region, critical mineral mining projects and processing facilities to western Canadian ports.
• Later, the Governments announced that Saskatchewan had joined in signing the MOU.
• The Government of Ontario announced it had signed two MOUs, one with British Columbia and a second with the three territories, to boost internal trade, improve labour mobility and tear down long-standing barriers to doing business.
• The Governments of New Brunswick and Manitoba announced they had signed an MOU on free trade and labour mobility.
• The Governments of Alberta and the Yukon announced they had signed an MOU to expand economic cooperation, including removing barriers so goods, services, and workers can flow freely across borders.
• The Government of Saskatchewan announced it had signed an MOU with Manitoba to collaborate on enhancing interprovincial trade between the two jurisdictions.
• The Government also said it had signed an MOU with Prince Edward Island to collaborate on the removal of trade barriers across the two jurisdictions.
• The Government of British Columbia announced it had signed separate agreements with Ontario, Manitoba, and the Yukon to continue working to remove trade barriers between provinces and territories.
• The Government of the Yukon announced it had signed three MOUs, one with Ontario, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut; one with British Columbia; and one with Alberta to commit the jurisdictions to work together to identify barriers to trade and labour mobility, identify opportunities for regulatory alignment and recognition, and simplify interjurisdictional requirements for professionals and businesses.
• The Governments of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, along with Arctic Gateway Group (AGG), announced they had agreed to enhance infrastructure, streamline supply chains and boost access to global markets via Canada's only deepwater Arctic port. The Governments said the MOU outlines a five-year roadmap with annual progress reviews, formalizing a shared commitment to expand infrastructure, activate trade networks, and mobilize federal support.
• The Government of Manitoba announced it had signed new economic co-operation agreements with the governments of New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Prince Edward Island to break down trade barriers, increase labour mobility and create new opportunities for businesses and workers.
• The Governments of the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut announced they had signed an MOU on improving trade across the North through a Territorial Trade Zone Framework. The Governments said the framework would support deeper cooperation by liberalizing trade and labour mobility, coordinating joint advocacy to the federal government on trade-enabling infrastructure,  and aligning efforts on investment attraction and regulatory frameworks.
• The Governments of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick announced they had signed an MOU that strengthens collaboration between the two provinces on interprovincial trade and labour mobility.

Resources

• Kitimat, British Columbia-based LNG Canada Development Inc. announced it had successfully loaded a first cargo of liquefied natural gas destined for global markets, marking the start of operations at Canada's first large-scale LNG export facility.
• Vancouver-based Teck Resources Limited announced board approval for construction of the Highland Valley Copper Mine Life Extension Project to extend the life of the project from 2028 to 2046. Teck said the project capital estimate is between $2.1 to $2.4 billion, with construction set to commence in full in August 2025.

Other news

• The Bank of Canada held its target for the overnight rate at 2.75%. The last change in the target for the overnight rate was a 25 basis points cut in March 2025.
• The Government of Canada announced on July 10th the extension of the temporary adjustment to EI regional unemployment rates until October 11, 2025. The Government said it had introduced new temporary EI measures on March 23rd to support Canadian workers whose jobs were impacted by the current economic uncertainty caused by the tariffs.
• The Government of Canada announced it had implemented a new Interim Policy on Reciprocal Procurement and that, under this new policy, suppliers from countries that limit Canadian access to their own government contracts can be restricted from bidding on Canadian federal contracts.
• The Government of Canada announced it was strengthening the Tariff rate quotas (TRQs) for steel products implemented on June 27, 2025 in response to both U.S. tariffs on steel and global steel overproduction. The Government said that effective August 1, 2025, the TRQs would be extended to countries that have a free trade agreement in force with Canada, with the exception of the United States and Mexico, and that this will result in a 50% surtax being applied on steel imports above 100% of 2024 levels. The Government also said that a 25% surtax would be applied on imports from all countries other than the U.S. that contain steel melted and poured in China.
• The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced that the sugar sweetened beverage tax was officially eliminated on July 1st.
• Toronto-based First National Financial Corporation announced it had entered into a definitive arrangement agreement with Regal Bidco Inc., a newly-formed acquisition vehicle controlled by private equity funds managed by Birch Hill Equity Partners Management Inc. and private equity funds managed by Brookfield Asset Management, for an aggregate total equity value of approximately $2.9 billion. First National said the transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to obtaining the required shareholder, court, and regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

United States and other international news

• On July 4th, the White House announced that U.S. President Donald J. Trump had officially signed The One Big Beautiful Bill into law.
• On July 7th, the White House announced that U.S. President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order determining that certain tariff rates, which were initially set to expire on July 9th, would expire on August 1, 2025. The White said that President Trump also sent tariff letters to many countries informing them of their new reciprocal tariff rates, which will take effect on August 1st.
• On July 18th, the White House announced that U.S. President Donald J. Trump signed the GENIUS Act into law. The White House said the legislation creates the first-ever Federal regulatory system for stablecoins.
• On July 23rd, U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced an economic agreement with Japan and that imports from Japan would be subject to a baseline 15% tariff rate. The White House also said that Japan will invest $550 billion directed by the United States to rebuild and expand core American industries.
• On July 30th, the White House announced that President Donald J. Trump had signed a Proclamation that imposes universal 50% tariffs on imports of semi-finished copper products (such as copper pipes, wires, rods, sheets, and tubes) and copper-intensive derivative products (such as pipe fittings, cables, connectors, and electrical components), effective August 1st.
• Also on July 30th, the White House announced that President Donald J. Trump had signed an Executive Order suspending duty-free de minimis treatment for low-value shipments. The White House said that effective August 29th, imported goods sent through means other than the international postal network that are valued at or under USD $800 and that would otherwise qualify for the de minimis exemption will be subject to all applicable duties.
• The U.S. Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) maintained the target range for the federal funds rate at 4.25% to 4.50%. The last change in the target range was a 25 basis points cut in December 2024. The Committee also said that it would continue reducing its holdings of Treasury securities and agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities.
• The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) left the cash rate target unchanged at 3.85%. The last change in the cash rate target was a 25 basis points cut in May 2025.
• The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) left the Official Cash Rate (OCR), its main policy rate, unchanged at 3.25%. The last change in the OCR was a 25 basis points cut in May 2025.
• The European Central Bank (ECB) left its three key interest rates unchanged at 2.00% (deposit facility), 2.15% (main refinancing operations), and 2.40% (marginal lending facility). The last change in these rates was a 25 basis points reduction in June 2025.
• The Bank of Japan (BoJ) announced it will encourage the uncollateralized overnight call rate to remain at around 0.50%. The last change in the uncollateralized overnight call rate was a 25 basis points increase in January 2025.
• The eight OPEC+ countries - Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman - which previously announced additional voluntary adjustments in April and November 2023, announced they would implement a production adjustment of 548 thousand barrels per day, equivalent to four monthly increments, in August 2025.
• New Jersey-based CoreWeave, Inc., an AI cloud-computing company, and Core Scientific, Inc. of Delaware, a provider of digital asset mining and hosting services, announced they had signed a definitive agreement under which CoreWeave would acquire Core Scientific in an all-stock transaction for a total equity value of approximately USD $9.0 billion. The companies said the transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory and stockholder approval.
• Michigan-based Dow Chemical Company announced that its Board of Directors had approved the shutdown of three upstream assets in Europe, including an ethylene cracker in Germany, Chlor-alkali & vinyl (CAV) assets in Germany, and a basics siloxanes plant in the United Kingdom. Dow said the shutdowns in Germany will occur in the fourth quarter of 2027 while the U.K. shutdown will occur mid-year 2026.
• Nebraska-based Union Pacific Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation of Atlanta, Georgia announced an agreement whereby Union Pacific would acquire Norfolk Southern in a stock and cash transaction that implies an enterprise value of USD $85 billion for Norfolk Southern. The companies said they are targeting closing the transaction by early 2027, subject to Surface Transportation Board review and approval within its statutory timeline, customary closing conditions, and shareholder approval.
• Texas-based Baker Hughes and Chart Industries of Ball Ground, Georgia announced they had entered into a definitive agreement under which Baker Hughes would acquire all outstanding shares of Chart's common stock for a total enterprise value of USD $13.6 billion. The companies said the transaction is expected to be completed by mid-year 2026, subject to customary conditions, including approval by Chart shareholders, and the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals.
• Netherlands-based Stellantis N.V. announced its decision to discontinue its hydrogen fuel cell technology development program. Stellantis said that due to limited availability of hydrogen refueling infrastructure, high capital requirements, and the need for stronger consumer purchasing incentives, it does not anticipate the adoption of hydrogen-powered light commercial vehicles before the end of the decade.

Financial market news

• West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed at USD $69.26 per barrel on July 31st, up from a closing value of USD $65.11 at the end of June. Western Canadian Select crude oil traded in the USD $52.00 to $58.00 per barrel range throughout July. The Canadian dollar closed at 72.23 cents U.S. on July 31st, down from 73.30 cents U.S. at the end of June. The S&P/TSX composite index closed at 27,259.78 on July 31st, up from 26,857.11 at the end of June.

Why is the Census of Agriculture important?

The Census of Agriculture has provided a detailed portrait of the agricultural industry across Canada since 1921. Census data are key to strengthening the economic growth, international competitiveness, and sustainability of the agricultural sector and to ensuring that farm operators have the support they need to continue producing fresh, healthy food for Canadians.

Census data are Canada’s sole source of community-level data on agriculture. Key decision-makers – including farm businesses – use this information to act in the interest of farm operators, farming communities and agricultural associations across Canada.

Farm organizations are also heavy users of census data. They draw on this information to formulate policy recommendations, develop communications and outreach work, and conduct market research.

Policy advisors from all levels of government use Census of Agriculture data to develop strong farm support programs, to evaluate the impacts of external events on the agricultural sector, and to provide rapid, effective assistance in times of natural disasters—such as floods, droughts, storms and wildfires.

The Census of Agriculture comes with other benefits:

• Census of Agriculture data can help identify trends and provide information on emerging economic and social issues, opportunities, and challenges within the agricultural community.
• The questionnaire covers a wide range of topics, such as land use, crops, livestock, agricultural labour, machinery and equipment, land management practices, and farm finances. These invaluable data help inform research and policy across the Canadian agriculture sector.
• Census data give all stakeholders in the agriculture sector an equally reliable source of information.

Farm operators can support their community by filling out the Census of Agriculture questionnaire in May 2026. The questionnaire can be completed by anyone who is responsible for, or knowledgeable about, the day-to-day management decisions of the farm’s operations. 

In accordance with the Statistics Act, farm operators are required to participate in the Census of Agriculture. By the same law, the information provided to Statistics Canada will be kept confidential and used only for statistical purposes.

What’s new?

For 2026, we have made improvements to the questionnaire to make it faster and easier to complete. Data from high-quality alternative sources will be used to replace multiple questions, reducing response burden while ensuring data needs are still being met.

What to expect for the 2026 Census of Agriculture

In the coming months, the Census of Agriculture Program will reach out to the farming community with materials they can use to help promote the census. Along with shareable materials, there will be a media campaign detailing what’s new in the upcoming census and why the census is important.

In accordance with the Statistics Act, farm operators are required to participate in the Census of Agriculture. By the same law, Statistics Canada is required to protect the information provided in Census of Agriculture questionnaires. We place the highest priority on protecting your privacy and your information.

Why is participation important?

Filling out the Census of Agriculture questionnaire is important for supporting the agricultural industry and local farming communities across Canada. Since 1921, the Census of Agriculture has provided a detailed portrait of the agricultural industry across Canada.

The data produced are key to supporting economic growth and sustainability for the businesses in this sector and can support decision-making around international trade, competitiveness and technological progress.

Farm organizations are also heavy users of census data and draw on this information to formulate policy recommendations, develop communications and outreach activities, and conduct market research.

Statistics Canada has been working hard to make it easier for farm operators to complete their 2026 questionnaire. It is now shorter, faster and easier to complete. Farm operators are now required to only answer questions relevant to their operation’s activities.

Consulting our users to get it right

In fall 2022, Statistics Canada conducted a national consultation to assess the information needs of agricultural stakeholders. The agency received 847 comments and suggestions from diverse groups—including farming organizations and businesses, federal government departments and agencies, provincial government, and academics—to help improve the Census of Agriculture. Statistics Canada is grateful to the Canadian agricultural community for its ongoing feedback and support.

For more information, please visit the census website.