The Bank of Canada has held its benchmark interest rate at 2.25 per cent following its latest policy meeting, marking the third consecutive decision to leave rates unchanged. According to the central bank’s statement, Governor Tiff Macklem cited ongoing global economic uncertainty as a key factor behind the decision. He pointed to instability linked to conflict in the Middle East and its impact on global energy markets, including rising oil and natural gas prices. The bank also warned that disruptions in key shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, could affect supply chains for food

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has taken over a homicide investigation following a fatal shooting early Saturday at a residence in Surrey. According to an IHIT news release, officers with the Surrey Police Service responded at about 1:40 a.m. to reports of shots fired inside a home in the 13900 block of Laurel Drive. When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. Police said officers immediately provided first aid until paramedics with BC Emergency Health Services arrived. The man was later pronounced dead at the scene. A man was arrested at the residence an

The federal government says it will invest $200 million over the next decade to secure access to a Canadian-owned satellite launch pad in Nova Scotia, part of a broader effort to build domestic space and defence capabilities. Defence Minister David McGuinty announced the initiative Monday at a laboratory operated by the Canadian Space Agency in Ottawa. The funding will be used to lease a launch pad near Canso that Ottawa says will form the foundation for a future Canadian spaceport. Canada currently relies on other countries, primarily the United States, to send satellites into orbit because i

Canada’s foreign affairs minister, Anita Anand, is travelling to Turkey and the United Kingdom this week for meetings focused on Middle East developments and strengthening bilateral ties. According to a statement from Global Affairs Canada, Anand is scheduled to meet with Turkish officials, including the country’s energy and foreign ministers, to discuss regional security and diplomatic cooperation. The discussions are also expected to include possible border crossing options for Canadian citizens seeking to leave Iran. During her stop in London, Anand will participate in the Chatham House

Canada’s annual inflation rate slowed to 1.8 per cent in February, down from 2.3 per cent in January, according to new data released Monday by Statistics Canada. The federal statistics agency reported the 0.5 percentage point drop in the consumer price index on a year-over-year basis. The figures suggest price pressures eased compared with the previous month. Economists, however, say the latest data may not fully reflect the impact of rising global tensions in the Middle East, which have pushed oil prices higher in recent weeks. The full effect of those increases may appear in future inflati

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met with United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on Monday, where the two leaders discussed international security issues and cooperation on intelligence sharing. The meeting took place at 10 Downing Street, the official residence and office of the British prime minister. According to statements from the leaders, Canada and the United Kingdom agreed to continue working closely together on global challenges, including security and intelligence coordination. Carney said the current global environment has become increasingly complex and requires st

The Conservative Party has nominated middle school teacher Diana Filipova as its candidate in the upcoming federal byelection in Scarborough Southwest. The seat became vacant after former Liberal cabinet minister Bill Blair resigned his position as member of Parliament to become Canada’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom. The byelection is scheduled for April 13. Scarborough Southwest is one of three ridings where voters will head to the polls that day. The Conservatives have now nominated candidates in all three contests. Another vote will take place in the Toronto riding of Universit

The Surrey Police Service says officers charged 25 drivers for excessive speeding over a four-day enforcement period in Surrey, with all vehicles impounded under provincial traffic laws. According to a police release, members of the service’s Road Safety Section conducted traffic enforcement between March 6 and March 9 and stopped multiple drivers travelling far above posted speed limits. Police reported one driver travelling 183 km/h in an 80 km/h zone who also did not have insurance. Another driver was recorded at 139 km/h in a 50 km/h zone and did not have a valid driver’s licence. Addi

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to meet King Charles III in London next week as part of a European trip that includes a NATO exercise visit and talks with the United Kingdom government. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Carney will arrive in London on Sunday after travelling to Norway to observe the NATO Cold Response exercises and attend a Nordic–Canada Council summit. The meeting with the King is scheduled for Monday. The visit comes nearly a year after the monarch travelled to Canada to deliver the Speech from the Throne opening the first session of the 45th Parliament of