Senate Appointments Reform: Prime Minister Mark Carney is setting up an Independent Advisory Board for Senate appointments, with five vacancies expected by end-2026—raising a key question for housing and public-institution trust alike: how Canada measures Black representation beyond one-size-fits-all reporting. Fast-Track Project Approvals: AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak says proposed timelines for major projects “subordinate” Crown obligations to commercial goals, warning that economic growth can’t come at the expense of Indigenous rights. Housing & Land Use: Owen Sound’s Glassworks Development Cooperative wants 1919 26th St. E. removed from employment zoning to build up to 522 affordable homes; council wouldn’t pre-approve, but staff will keep working through planning. AI Data Centre Backlash: Ontario municipalities are weighing whether to slow AI data centres as residents raise concerns—showing how local approvals can shape Canada’s next wave of housing-adjacent infrastructure. Major Infrastructure (Ports): Vancouver Fraser Port Authority selected TerraMarine as preferred proponent for Roberts Bank Terminal 2’s marine works, pushing a major expansion toward construction planning. Affordability Pressure: New reporting highlights HELOC risks as Canadians’ paycheques tighten—borrowing against a home can backfire if finances worsen.