The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), in a joint operation with the RCMP in Saskatchewan, has uncovered a cross-border tobacco smuggling operation and laid serious criminal charges against four individuals. According to the CBSA, the group allegedly used the railway network to smuggle approximately 116,000 kilograms of illegal tobacco from the United States into Canada and between different provinces between October 2020 and April 2024. All four accused are residents of Ontario: 47-year-old Harminder Grewal of Brampton, 49-year-old Avikesh Sharma of Mississauga, 48-year-old Johnny Gamboa o

Prime Minister Mark Carney has ruled out the possibility of an imminent trade deal with the United States. Speaking to reporters on Parliament Hill today, Carney made it clear that Canada is not currently in a position to reach a trade agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. Carney said Ottawa would only consider a deal if it clearly served Canada's interests, stressing that the federal government would not rush into an agreement. His remarks come just days before the U.S. midterm elections next week, following signals from Trump that a trade deal with Canada could be wi

Prime Minister Mark Carney has confirmed that at least two Canadians were injured in a major train accident in Spain on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Carney expressed his condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the crash. He also said the Canadian government was ready to provide any assistance Spain might need during this difficult time. The accident occurred in Spain’s central Toledo province when a high-speed train struck another stationary train from behind. More than 60 people have reportedly died in the incident. Both trains were travelling in the same direction

B.C. premier-designate Lorne Doerkson has signalled that he may take a different approach from federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre on the oil tanker ban along British Columbia’s northern coast. Poilievre recently called on the Carney government in the House of Commons to lift the ban. However, Doerkson has given a lukewarm response to the proposal, saying his main focus is the Pacific Link pipeline project, which has been declared a project of national interest by the federal government. The proposed pipeline would run from Alberta to Delta, B.C., and is expected to create significa

The Bank of Canada has raised its benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points for the first time in three years, increasing it from 2.25% to 2.50%. Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem said the decision was aimed at keeping inflation under control amid economic pressures caused by a sharp rise in crude oil prices. The central bank had held its policy rate at 2.25% for seven consecutive decisions. Following the latest increase, mortgages, car loans and other commercial borrowing are expected to become more expensive, putting additional financial pressure on Canadians. Citing elevated oil

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra has reportedly warned that Canada could be held responsible if President Donald Trump’s Republican Party loses the upcoming midterm elections. According to reports, Hoekstra hosted a private business lunch at his official residence in Ottawa on Tuesday, where he specifically mentioned border states such as Michigan and Maine. Republican victories in these states are considered important for the party’s efforts to maintain its Senate majority. Hoekstra reportedly told business leaders that if these states swing in favour of Democrats, Canada could fac

Canada and the United Arab Emirates have signed a historic free trade agreement in Ottawa. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was signed during a ceremony on Parliament Hill attended by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Canada’s Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu and UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani Al Zeyoudi signed the agreement, which was concluded in a record 47 days after free trade negotiations began. The deal aims to eliminate tariffs, reduce regulatory barriers and create new business opportunities

U.S. President Donald Trump has congratulated Lorne Doerkson on the Conservative Party’s historic victory in British Columbia’s provincial election. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Congratulations to Lorne Doerkson on your big win. Conservatives are making strong gains in Canada.” During the election campaign, the BC NDP and David Eby had attempted to appeal to voters by portraying the BC Conservatives as being aligned with Trump-style politics. However, the Conservatives went on to win more than 60 of the 93 seats, marking their biggest electoral vi

A controversy has erupted ahead of the Canada-EU Summit in Montreal, with Quebec’s new Parti Québécois government accusing the federal government of refusing to allow Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon to deliver a speech at the event. In a statement posted on X, Plamondon alleged that Ottawa had rejected his request to speak, despite the summit being held on Quebec soil. He criticized Prime Minister Mark Carney, calling the decision disrespectful to Quebec. The federal government has rejected the allegations. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said Premier Plamondon and other provincial leader