CanadaJul 10, 2024
Canada warns of Russian 'bot farm' powered by AI spreading online disinformation
Canadian security officials are warning of a Russian propaganda campaign that is spreading online disinformation on social-media site X.
The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security says individuals affiliated with RT, formerly known as Russia Today, have been using a social-media bot farm at the direction of the Russian government.
Officials say fake social-media users create to spread disinformation often posed as Americans and promote messages in support of Russian government objectives.
Canada, along with the United States and Netherlands, have been working together to disrupt the disinformation
CanadaJul 10, 2024
McGill University says encampment at downtown campus being dismantled
The pro-Palestinian encampment on the lower field of the downtown campus of McGill University is being dismantled.
As a result, the campus is closed today and university is urging people to stay away.
It says security personnel and Montreal police are on site.
Classes typically held on campus will move online for today.
Campus protesters have been demanding the university cut ties with Israel as its war with Hamas continues to rage.
A pro-Palestinian encampment in the heart of Montreal's financial district was dismantled by police last week.
CanadaJul 09, 2024
Trudeau to attend NATO leaders' summit
Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed...
Trudeau to attend NATO leaders' summit
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be gathering with NATO leaders today to mark the 75th anniversary of the defensive alliance as Russia escalates its aggression towards Ukraine.
The ongoing battle in Ukraine will top the agenda of the three-day summit following Russian missile attacks which left death and destruction, including at a large children's hospital in Kyiv.
New robust measures to support Ukraine are set to be announced during the summit and officials say i
CanadaJul 08, 2024
In bid to win over dentists, Ottawa changes billing for dental care plan
Health Minister Mark Holland says dentists and other oral-health providers no longer need to sign up with the government to provide care to patients who are covered under the national dental care plan.
The change is part of the government's latest bid to win over dentists who have been reluctant to join the program for uninsured low- and middle-income Canadians.
Holland announced the change at a press conference in Nova Scotia, after weeks of tension with dental associations across the country.
Last month the minister suggested dental associations were actively seeking problems with the progra
CanadaJul 08, 2024
Trudeau to mark 75th anniversary of NATO alliance in Washington
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to arrive in Washington, D.C., today to mark the 75th anniversary of the NATO military alliance.
The perilous state of war-ravaged Ukraine and the precarious position of United States President Joe Biden will both colour the leaders' summit, which is set to formally begin Tuesday.
The upcoming U.S. election and the possibility of a second Donald Trump administration has some NATO countries concerned that the alliance's staunchest critic will once again control its mightiest military.
Trump has repeatedly claimed he would not defend NATO members that do
CanadaJul 05, 2024
Montreal Liberal MP Anthony Housefather named to new antisemitism adviser role
Liberal MP Anthony Housefather says he is "looking forward to making a real difference" as the government's new special adviser on Jewish community relations and antisemitism.
The Prime Minister's Office announced his appointment to the role today, saying Housefather will advise the prime minister and cabinet and work with the Jewish community.
Housefather, who is Jewish, has been outspoken about the rise in antisemitism in Canada since the current conflict between Israel and Hamas began in October.
The appointment comes four months Housefather considered leaving the Liberal caucus after an ND
CanadaJul 04, 2024
Well-funded Conservatives paid $8.5M on advertising in 2023, trouncing other parties
The well-funded Conservative Party of Canada spent more than $8.5 million on advertising last year, substantially exceeding what its political rivals dropped to get their message out.
The Liberals spent just a fraction of that at around $381,000, while the NDP spent only about $42,000.
The numbers are detailed in federal parties' annual financial returns for 2023, which Elections Canada posted online this week.
The Conservative statement shows the party held $16 million in cash at the end of 2023, an increase of more than $3.2 million from the start of the year.
The Liberal Party of Canada was
CanadaJul 04, 2024
Creating proposed online harms regulators estimated to cost $200 million: PBO
The parliamentary budget officer estimates that staffing up the new regulators in the Liberals' Online Harms Act will cost around $200 million over five years.
The federal government wants to establish a Digital Safety Commission to regulate social-media companies and force them to limit harmful content online.
The online harms bill also proposes creating a Digital Safety Ombudsperson for Canadians to take their concerns to, as well as a Digital Safety Office.
In a new report, the PBO says the Heritage Department estimates those new entities will have 300 employees when they're fully up and ru
CanadaJul 02, 2024
"Full resumption of operations will take time" after reaching tentative deal: WestJet
WestJet flight disruptions are expected to continue this week, after a deal was reached over the weekend to end a strike by its mechanics.
The airline said in a statement Monday morning that "full resumption of operations will take time and further cancellations will be required over the coming days."
Some 680 members of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association had walked off the job on Friday evening despite a directive for binding arbitration from federal Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan.
The tentative agreement was announced late Sunday night, but the strike had already disrupted the trav