Canadians who receive the federal GST credit will see an additional one-time payment this spring after Parliament passed legislation accelerating changes to the benefit. The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit received royal assent after clearing the Senate, following earlier approval in the House of Commons. According to the federal Finance Department, the measure will deliver a top-up worth 50 per cent of a recipient’s regular GST credit. Officials say payments will be issued as early as possible this spring to eligible low and modest income households. In addition to the one-time boos

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to join community members in Tumbler Ridge today for a public vigil honouring the nine people killed in a mass shooting earlier this week. The prime minister accepted an invitation from the town’s mayor and extended an invitation to other federal party leaders to stand in solidarity with the community. Representatives for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, NDP interim leader Don Davies and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May have confirmed they will attend. The joint appearance follows statements delivere

India’s Defence Acquisition Council has approved a proposal to procure 114 Rafale fighter aircraft from France in a deal estimated at approximately ₹3.60 lakh crore, according to officials from the Ministry of Defence. The decision marks one of the largest defence procurement initiatives currently under consideration by the federal government. The council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, also cleared several additional proposals aimed at strengthening India’s military capabilities. These include the acquisition of advanced missile systems and modern satellite-based technologie

A 45-year-old woman has died after being struck by a vehicle in Surrey early Thursday morning, prompting a police investigation and extended road closures in the Whalley area. Surrey Police Service said officers responded at approximately 7:33 am to reports of a pedestrian-involved collision in the 10400 block of 132 Street, near 104 Avenue. Frontline officers attended along with Surrey Fire Services and BC Emergency Health Services. Despite life-saving efforts at the scene, the woman succumbed to her injuries. Police confirmed the driver remained at the location and is cooperating with invest

Prime Minister Mark Carney says he will travel to Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, in the coming days to meet with residents and local officials grieving after a deadly mass shooting that killed nine people, including several children and the attacker. His office said the details of the trip, including timing, are being coordinated with community leaders to ensure support aligns with local needs. The announcement follows one of the deadliest mass shootings in recent Canadian history. On Tuesday, an 18-year-old gunman opened fire in the town of about 2,400 people, killing relatives at a nearby

Metro Vancouver Transit Police are asking for the public’s help as they investigate a reported sexual assault in the parking area next to Scott Road SkyTrain Station in North Surrey. Police say the incident occurred on January 21 shortly after 4:00 p.m. at the Scott Road Park and Ride Lot A, near 110 Avenue and 126A Street. A woman was walking from the SkyTrain station to her vehicle, which was parked in a far corner of the lot, when she was approached from behind and assaulted. Investigators say the woman fought back and the suspect fled in the direction of the station. The suspect is descr

Calgary police are investigating what they describe as an organized crime related shooting that took place outside a restaurant in the city’s southeast late Wednesday night. Officers were called to a Cactus Club location along Macleod Trail Southeast after reports that a man had been shot while sitting inside his vehicle in the parking area. Emergency crews transported the victim to hospital in critical condition. Police later confirmed his condition had improved and he is now listed as stable. Investigators believe the shooting was targeted and say the victim was likely followed or approach

An Alberta provincial court judge has sentenced a 13 year old boy to three years in an intensive rehabilitation program after he pleaded guilty to attempting to kill his younger brother in a violent attack last summer. Court heard the boy was 12 years old when he repeatedly stabbed his seven year old brother inside the family’s Lethbridge home in August. Police initially responded to reports that an unknown man had entered the residence and assaulted the child before fleeing. Investigators later determined the suspect was the older sibling. The youth admitted to attempted murder in earlier p

Voting has concluded across Bangladesh in the country’s first general election since the August 2024 ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s government. Election officials reported that polling began at 7:30 am local time and continued until 4:30 pm without any suspension or cancellation at voting centres. According to preliminary figures released Thursday afternoon, voter turnout reached 47.91 per cent by 2 pm across approximately 36,000 polling stations nationwide. Ballot counting began shortly after polls closed, with results expected to be announced in phases. Authorities said