CanadaSep 17, 2020
Post-secondary students paying for inaccessible services as they study online
The Canadian Federation of Students is crying foul over fees post-secondary institutions are charging for services and facilities students can't use. With classes having moved online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many students aren't on campuses to visit libraries and athletic centres, if they're even open.The federation's deputy chairperson Nicole Brayiannis says the fees are an added burden on young people who have been left behind throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.The federation is calling on the federal government to provide immediate financial support for post-secondary students.Universit
CanadaSep 16, 2020
Conservative Leader O'Toole in isolation after staffer tests positive for COVID-19
Federal Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says he, his family and some party workers are in self-isolation after an aide tested positive for COVID-19. A statement from the party says the O'Tooles don't have any symptoms themselves but are getting tested and informing the Opposition leader's recent contacts. O'Toole was to appear at a party event in Alberta later today, part of a mini-tour of the Conservative heartland in the West. And he was just in Quebec, where he met Premier Francois Legault. The Conservatives say the staffer who has the respiratory illness was travelling with him. Bloc Que
CanadaSep 16, 2020
If forced, holding an election would not be an irresponsible act: PM Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is making clear he doesn't want to be on the campaign trail this fall. At the same time, Trudeau says holding an election campaign, if one was forced on Canadians, would not be an irresponsible act. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is warning Canadians that we aren't immune as countries in Europe and elsewhere see a steady rise in new COVID-19 infections. Trudeau says we've come too far to give up now. He is urging Canadians to follow public health guidelines and stay vigilant. Trudeau is wrapping up a two-day cabinet retreat today. Cabinet meetings included talk of
CanadaSep 16, 2020
Consumer price index in August hits 0.1 per cent, Statistics Canada says
Statistics Canada says the consumer price index in August was up 0.1 per cent compared with a year ago.The annual inflation rate was unchanged from the year-over-year increase of 0.1 per cent in July. The average economist estimate had been for a year-over-year increase of 0.4 per cent for August, according to financial markets data firm Refinitiv. Gasoline prices remained down 11.1 per cent compared to August 2019, following a 14.9 per cent decline recorded in July.Excluding gasoline from the inflation calculations, the consumer price index rose by 0.6 per cent in August. Prices, though, wer
CanadaSep 15, 2020
Canada no longer announcing retaliatory counter-measures, reserves the right to take action if necessary: Mary Ng
International Trade Minister reserves the right to take action if necessaryis praising the Team Canada approach to fighting the tariff. Ng says Canada will no longer be announcing its own suite of retaliatory counter-measures but it reserves the right to take action if necessary. International Trade Minister Mary Ng says it's a good day for Canada's aluminum industry. And Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says things are back to where they should be. The comments come after the United States stepped back from a tariff dispute with Canada and is lifting a 10 per cent levy on aluminum. The
CanadaSep 15, 2020
U.S. abruptly reverses course, lifts tariffs on Canadian aluminum
The United States is standing down in its tariff dispute with Canada and lifting a 10 per cent levy on aluminum imported from north of the border. The office of the U.S. Trade Representative says it will lift the tariffs retroactive to Sept. 1 because it expects Canadian exports to "normalize" over the remainder of the year. In a statement, the USTR says it will continue to monitor trade in aluminum and reimpose the tariff if levels spike unexpectedly. The sudden about-face comes just hours before the federal Liberal government was expected to announce a suite of countermeasures in retaliation
CanadaSep 15, 2020
Progressive Conservatives headed to a majority government in New Brunswick
New Brunswick's Progressive Conservatives are headed to a majority government. It's the first provincial vote in Canada to be called during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tory Leader Blaine Higgs' campaign repeated a message that his party had successfully guided the province through the pandemic's first wave. It's a disappointing night for the Liberals, whose leader Kevin Vickers lost his bid for a seat in the riding of Miramichi. Kevin Vickers says he's stepping down as leader of the provincial Liberal party. The leader lost his bid for a seat in the riding of Miramichi and his party failed to reg
CanadaSep 14, 2020
Bloc Quebecois leader and caucus isolating after staffer catches COVID-19
Every member of the Bloc Quebecois caucus, including leader Yves-Francois Blanchet, are in a COVID-19 lockdown. A statement from the party says an employee got a positive test today, days after the Bloc held a full caucus meeting. Bloc spokeswoman Carolane Landry says everyone potentially affected will be screened to ensure they're healthy and will follow public health guidelines. The news comes as the parties in the House of Commons continue debating how the chamber will work once business resumes next week.
CanadaSep 14, 2020
Office furniture shortages loom as Canadians stay home this fall
Canadians should brace for a shortage of office furniture, such as desks and chairs, as people continue to study and work from home this fall. Ikea Canada spokeswoman Kristin Newbigging says the company has seen an increase in demand for office furnishings and other gear needed for work-from-home setups. This comes as a looming second wave of COVID-19 means many Canadians are not returning to the office or school just yet. At the same time, she says the company is experiencing the impacts of overseas suppliers still being closed for business, making it hard to meet demand. And when those supp