Canada’s finance minister François-Philippe Champagne is in Washington, D.C. for meetings focused on trade and the global supply of critical minerals, as Canada and its allies look to reduce reliance on China and strengthen secure supply chains. In a statement, the federal government said Champagne is meeting Sunday and Monday with finance ministers from G7 countries and other partners with similar economic priorities. Discussions are expected to focus on trade co-operation and the development of critical minerals essential for clean energy, electric vehicles, and advanced manufacturing. Ch

Canada could face greater economic and political risks than any other country due to ongoing instability in the United States, according to a new report from the risk analysis firm Eurasia Group. The report notes that the historically close ties between Canada and the U.S. are undergoing significant strain, with trade uncertainty posing potential challenges for the Canadian economy. Efforts to expand trade relationships beyond the U.S. may encounter “powerful headwinds” this year, the report adds. Relations between the two countries deteriorated after former U.S. President Donald Trump’s

Prince George RCMP are asking members of the public to come forward with dash camera footage following a report of a person seen near the Simon Fraser Bridge on Sunday morning. Police say the incident occurred shortly before 10:30 a.m. on Highway 97 near Ferry Avenue. According to RCMP, a caller reported seeing an individual wearing dark clothing and carrying a backpack standing near the guard rail on the south side of the bridge. Frontline officers responded quickly but the person was no longer at the location when police arrived. Search efforts were carried out with assistance from Prince Ge

A key meeting of farm leaders from across India was held Friday at Kisan Bhawan in Chandigarh, bringing together representatives from several states to discuss a common strategy on farmers’ demands. Leaders from Punjab attended the meeting along with farmer representatives from Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said a consensus was reached to launch a nationwide farmers’ march in the first week of February 2026. According to him, the march will travel from Kanyak

British Columbia added more than 24,000 jobs over the past year despite a modest employment decline in December, according to the latest Labour Force Survey released by Statistics Canada. In a statement issued on behalf of Jobs and Economic Growth Minister Ravi Kahlon, Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said the province recorded a net gain of 24,100 jobs in 2025, including 16,800 positions in construction. The government says the growth reflects continued public investment in schools, hospitals and transportation infrastructure across the province. The survey showed B.C. lost 3,300 jobs in December

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says Prime Minister Mark Carney has accepted an invitation to visit Brazil in April, following a phone call between the two leaders on Thursday. Lula made the comments in a social media post summarizing the discussion, highlighting shared views on Venezuela and international governance reform. According to Lula, both leaders criticized recent actions by the United States in Venezuela and agreed on the need to strengthen global institutions. The Brazilian president has been an outspoken advocate for reforms to bodies such as the United Nations and h

Canada added jobs for a fourth straight month in December, but the national unemployment rate rose to 6.8 per cent as more people entered the labour force, according to new data released by Statistics Canada on Friday. The figures highlight growing pressure in the labour market despite continued employment gains. The federal agency reported that the economy added 8,200 jobs in December. Over the past four months, employment has increased by a combined 188,800 positions, suggesting steady hiring momentum across parts of the economy. However, the unemployment rate rose as the number of people ac

B.C. Conservative MLA Sheldon Clare has announced he is seeking the party’s leadership, saying he wants to prevent former members of the provincial Liberals from reshaping the party’s direction. Clare, who represents Prince George–North Cariboo, said he has observed what he described as growing pressure from former B.C. Liberal figures to gain influence within the Conservatives. He argued that approach reflects a political model he believes has already failed in the province and does not align with the party’s principles. In outlining his reasons for running, Clare said he wants to ens

Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland’s resignation from the House of Commons takes effect today, ending more than a decade representing the Toronto riding of University–Rosedale. Freeland is leaving federal politics to take on a voluntary advisory role with the Ukrainian government focused on economic development. Her departure reduces the Liberal caucus to 170 seats, leaving Prime Minister Mark Carney two seats short of a majority in the 338 seat House of Commons. Opposition parties collectively now hold 172 seats, including 142 Conservatives, 22 Bloc Québécois MPs, seven New Democ