The Bank of Canada's interest rate announcement this week is going to be quite important for Canadians. This will be the last announcement of the year. Economists believe that the central bank could end the year on December 6 keeping interest rates at 5 percent, the same level since July. Governor Tiff McCallum has said interest rate hikes are likely if inflation doesn't ease, but recent economic and labor market data suggest further interest rate hikes are unlikely. The Canadian economy shrank by 1.1 percent on an annualized basis in the third quarter of the year. The unemployment rate has in

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says the controlled release or burning of methane from oil and gas production sites will be almost entirely barred by 2030. Guilbeault is in Dubai for the annual global climate talks, which this year are known as COP28. He is publishing draft regulations today that aim to cut at least 75 per cent of methane emissions from the oil-and-gas sector by 2030, compared to what was emitted in 2012. A federal review found in 2021 that Canada was on track to hit its current regulatory target of cutting methane output from oil and gas by 40 to 45 per cent by 2025,

Global Affairs Canada has confirmed the deaths of two more Canadians amid the Israel-Hamas war, bringing the total number of Canadian-related deaths to nine. The department says the latest two deaths occurred in Lebanon, whose border has been under fire since October 7 between Israel and Hezbollah militants.On the same day, Hamas launched attacks on southern Israel. Global Affairs Canada did not provide a death toll, but said in an update that 130 more Canadians had left Gaza this weekend via the Rafah crossing, leaving the battlefield. The total number of Canadians who have left has increased

Spotify says it's axing 17% of its global workforce in the music streaming service's third round of layoffs this year. It's trying to slash costs while focusing on becoming profitable. In a message to employees posted on the company's blog Monday, CEO Daniel Ek said the jobs are being cut as part of a ``strategic reorientation.'' The post didn't specify how many employees would lose their jobs, but a spokesperson confirmed that it amounts to about 1,500 people. Spotify had used cheap financing to expand the business but Ek indicated it was caught out as central banks started hiking interest ra

Much of British Columbia's south coast is bracing for stormy weather as Environment Canada says a "potent and impactful" storm will bring heavy rain to Metro Vancouver. Environment Canada is also warning drivers on the Sea to Sky Highway from Squamish to Whistler to exercise caution due to heavy rains raising the risk of flooding and landslides along the route. The rainfall warning says an atmospheric river is set to make landfall on the province's southern coast today, bringing as much as 150 millimetres of rain to Western Vancouver Island. Meanwhile, Inland Vancouver Island, the Howe Sound r

After a night of heavy snowfall in Quebec, some schools are calling a snow day and cancelling classes. According to Environment Canada, about 25 centimeters of snow fell across the province. Service is slowly being restored to homes across Quebec after, nearly 25 cm of snow has fallen across the province. At its peak, about 1,089,025 Hydro-Quebec customers lost power. Montreal was the hardest hit and the weather agency predicted that a few centimeters of snow is still likely Another total of 20 to 30 centimeters of snow is expected in Quebec, Environment Canada said in a weather warning. At th

Google has started the process of deleting inactive Gmail accounts. Google is closing accounts that haven't been used or signed in for at least two years. With this you will not be able to access old emails, Google Drive, Google Docs and photos. The company announced the move in May as part of an effort to protect users from security threats. Google says that forgotten accounts often rely on old or reused passwords that can be tampered with, increasing the likelihood of spam. Users are required to sign into their email account once every two years to prevent Gmail accounts from being closed. G

A striking Quebec teachers union says it won't give in to "emotional blackmail" from the premier after he asked them to return to work for the good of their students. Premier François Legault told reporters in Quebec City today that he wants the teachers to think of the children who are being harmed by the strike, now into its second week. The union responded on social media, saying its members are striking to prevent the further deterioration of public schools — which they say is what's really hurting children.The 66,000 members of the Fédération autonome de l'enseignement have been on a

British Columbia's solicitor general says the government has filed the first-ever application to secure an unexplained wealth order in Canada. Mike Farnworth says the notice of civil claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court is the start of a series of similar applications, which are powerful tools that "put those engaging in illegal activity on notice." A statement from Farnworth says the province "will not tolerate criminals prospering in our communities" and it will pursue illegally acquired properties, luxury vehicles, money laundering schemes and businesses operating as fronts. The minister say