An anti-vaccine mandate protest in Ottawa has surged in size and energy, with at least one-thousand people in attendance and some promising to stay put until Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is forced out. Ottawa police are calling in reinforcements as hundreds of vehicles and long-haul trucks continue their trek toward the nation's capital. People in the convoy are demanding an end to COVID-19 restrictions, including vaccine passports. The atmosphere outside the Parliament buildings has been generally festive, with some setting up barbecues on the sidewalk, and many honking horns, playing instr

The Government of Canada is taking a responsible, precautionary approach at the border to help protect Canadians from the global COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic continues to evolve, across the country and internationally, the Government of Canada will closely monitor and adjust measures at the border, as appropriate, to help keep Canadians safe.Today, the Government of Canada is providing an update on its border measures. It is:Removing, effective January 28, 2022, the modified pre-departure test requirements for travellers coming to Canada on direct or indirect flights from India or Morocc

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says peaceful demonstration needs to be the focus of a truck convoy rolling into Ottawa to protest a vaccine mandate for truckers. Even as reports surface of people trying to push extreme ideas as part of the convoy, Conservative finance critic Pierre Poilievre says it has his support and the extremist views held by some shouldn't be seen as a reflection on the whole event. His remarks follow concerns raised about individuals belonging to extremist groups latching on to the demonstration headed to Parliament Hill. Ottawa's Parliamentary Protective Service is e

Officials in Ottawa have confirmed the identities of four Indian nationals whose bodies were found frozen in Manitoba near the border with the US last week. The High Commission of India released a notice saying the four who died were a 39 year old man, a 37 year old woman, an 11 year old girl and a 3 year old boy. Investigators believe the family of four died attempting to cross over the border by foot on January 19th during severe winter weather.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is isolating at home after learning that he was exposed to someone who had tested positive for COVID 19. The prime minister says in a tweet that he learned about the exposure just last night. He says the result of a rapid antigen test he took was negative, but he is following local public health rules and isolating for five days. Trudeau says he will be working from home during that stretch. Several of Trudeau's cabinet ministers in recent weeks have had to isolate after positive tests, or because they were potentially exposed to the virus. Trudeau is set

Prime Minister Trudeau says comments by some of the people associated with the truck convoy to protest mandatory vaccinations are completely unacceptable. The convoy of big rigs is making its way toward Ottawa for a weekend protest and police are preparing for violence as politicians warn against escalating rhetoric linked to the demonstration.Trudeau points out close to 90 per cent of truckers are vaccinated, just like close to 90 per cent of Canadians. Ottawa police are talking to leaders of a truck convoy making way toward Ottawa for a weekend protest. They are preparing several scenarios

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada is extending its mission to train Ukrainian soldiers by three years. He says Canada will also expand the mission, known as Operation UNIFIER. Trudeau says as part of the $340-million commitment, he has authorized the Canadian Armed Forces to deploy 60 personnel to join 200 troops already on the ground, with further capacity to increase that number up to 400. He says it also includes a provision of non-lethal equipment, intelligence-sharing and support to combat cyberattacks. He says this guarantees the Forces' continued support of Ukrainian forces so

Federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra is assuring Canadians there's no reason to fear food shortages. He notes only a small minority of truck drivers are refusing to comply with a vaccine mandate in order to cross the Canada-US border. In an interview, Alghabra said the large grocery store chains and other retailers have assured him they have plenty of goods to provide their customers. A convoy of truckers and others opposed to public health restrictions is on its way from British Columbia to Parliament Hill for a so-called ``freedom rally'' against mandatory vaccinations.

The Bank of Canada is keeping its key interest rate at a quarter of one per cent, but warning it won't stay there much longer. The bank rate has been at a rock-bottom low since March of 2020 when the pandemic put the economy into a downturn. But with a stronger-than-expected rebound, the central bank says the economy is now running at capacity, which is why it's no longer promising to keep its key policy rate steady. The Bank of Canada says rates will need to rise to bring inflation back to its target of two per cent, but warns inflation rates are likely to creep above five per cent for the f