CanadaApr 22, 2026
Liberals plan motion to secure majority on House committees, MacKinnon says
Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon says the Liberal government will move to change House of Commons procedures to ensure it holds a majority of votes on parliamentary committees.
MacKinnon said Tuesday the planned motion would adjust committee composition rules so governing party MPs have the numbers needed to advance legislation and studies. He argued that committees should reflect the governing party’s mandate and avoid what he described as “partisan games” that delay work.
The proposal comes as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals seek to consolidate control of the parliament
CanadaApr 22, 2026
Canada says North American trade talks could extend past July 1 deadline
Canada’s chief negotiator with the United States, Janice Charette, says talks on the North American trade agreement could stretch beyond the July 1 deadline, adding to uncertainty for businesses across the region.
Charette made the remarks during a business forum in Ottawa, where she said ongoing negotiations on the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement may take longer than anticipated. U.S. officials have also previously signalled that a delay is possible, according to public statements.
Experts say missing the July 1 target could prolong uncertainty for companies that rely on cross-border
CanadaApr 21, 2026
Federal government tables bill to regulate space launches from Canada
The federal government has introduced legislation that would establish a regulatory framework for launching spacecraft from Canadian territory.
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon tabled the proposed Canadian Space Launch Act on Tuesday. According to a Transport Canada technical briefing, the legislation would give the federal government authority to oversee both launches and the re-entry of spacecraft.
Officials said the proposed rules are intended to enable launches of satellites and rockets from within Canada, supporting both civilian and military applications. The framework would also set
CanadaApr 21, 2026
Mexico’s president orders investigation after Canadian tourist killed at Teotihuacán site
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says authorities will investigate a shooting at the Teotihuacán pyramids that left one Canadian tourist dead and another injured. The incident occurred Monday at the historic site northeast of Mexico City, according to statements posted by federal officials.
Sheinbaum said on social media the shooting “deeply pains” her government and confirmed she has been in contact with the Canadian Embassy. Details about the victims have not been fully released by Canadian officials.
Mexican security officials identified the suspected gunman to The Associated Press
CanadaApr 21, 2026
Carney expected to announce new Canada–U.S. trade advisory council ahead of CUSMA review
Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to announce a new advisory council on Canada–United States trade as the federal government prepares for the upcoming review of the continental trade pact.
According to government officials familiar with the plan, the council is being structured to inform Canada’s approach to the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement review and would replace a previous advisory body created in 2025 under former prime minister Justin Trudeau.
That earlier council was established following the return of Donald Trump to the White House and amid renewed tariff threats affe
CanadaApr 20, 2026
Immigration department implementing fixes after audit flags “critical weaknesses” in student visa oversight
Canada’s immigration department is implementing an action plan after a federal audit found significant gaps in how it monitored and investigated problematic international student visas.
According to a report by Auditor General Karen Hogan published earlier this year, thousands of student visa files flagged as potentially non-compliant were not fully investigated. The report identified what it described as “critical weaknesses” in oversight within Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Deputy Minister Ted Gallivan, who assumed the role last month, said the department is taking step
CanadaApr 20, 2026
Ottawa approves gradual increase in direct passenger, cargo flights with China
The federal government says it will allow a gradual increase in direct air travel between Canada and China, expanding both passenger and cargo flight capacity after years of reduced service.
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said the change will permit Canadian and Chinese airlines to increase direct passenger flights and operate up to 20 cargo flights per week, with reciprocal access to destinations in both countries. The announcement follows outreach by Prime Minister Mark Carney during a visit to Beijing in January.
According to a federal statement, the adjustment is intended to support t
CanadaApr 20, 2026
Canadian Armed Forces exceed recruitment targets for second straight year, defence minister says
Canada’s military has surpassed its annual recruitment targets for a second consecutive year, according to Defence Minister David McGuinty, signalling renewed interest among younger Canadians in joining the armed forces.
McGuinty said more than 7,300 people enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces over the past year. According to the Department of National Defence, the recruitment goal for 2025–26 was 6,957 new members, which has now been exceeded. The previous year also saw higher-than-expected intake, with 6,706 recruits joining against a target of 6,496.
The federal government attributes t
CanadaApr 20, 2026
Canada inflation rises to 2.4% in March, driven by gasoline prices
Canada’s annual inflation rate increased to 2.4 per cent in March, up from 1.8 per cent in February, according to a report released Monday by Statistics Canada. The agency said this marks the highest level recorded since December of last year.
According to Statistics Canada, the increase was largely driven by a sharp rise in gasoline prices. The report links the surge to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East involving Iran, which have affected global oil markets.
Gasoline prices rose 21.2 per cent on a monthly basis in March, representing one of the largest increases on record, the agency