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federal-finance-minister-tables-2026-spring-mini-budget-with-focus-on-skilled-trades-training
CanadaApr 29, 2026

Federal finance minister tables 2026 spring mini-budget with focus on skilled trades training

Canada’s Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne tabled the federal government’s 2026 spring mini-budget in the House of Commons, outlining measures aimed at strengthening the national economy and addressing labour shortages in key sectors. According to the government’s budget statement, a new initiative branded “Team Canada Strong” will focus on expanding the skilled trades workforce. The plan sets a target of training 100,000 new skilled trades workers by the 2030–31 fiscal year to help meet demand in housing construction, infrastructure projects and major resource developm
eu-says-carney-to-attend-armenia-summit-as-canada-expands-role-in-european-security-talks
CanadaApr 28, 2026

EU says Carney to attend Armenia summit as Canada expands role in European security talks

European Union officials say Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to attend a summit in Armenia this weekend focused on political, security and infrastructure co-operation across Europe. According to a social media post from European Council President Antonio Costa, Carney will participate in the European Political Community summit in Yerevan. Carney’s office has not publicly confirmed the visit. The European Political Community brings together EU member states and partner countries, including Iceland, Azerbaijan and Montenegro. The forum was launched in 2022 following Russia’s full-scal
finance-minister-to-table-economic-update-as-deficit-outlook-improves
CanadaApr 28, 2026

Finance minister to table economic update as deficit outlook improves

Canada’s Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is set to present a federal economic update today, outlining the government’s plan to strengthen the country’s position among G7 economies and signal potential new measures aimed at boosting investment and job creation. According to statements made ahead of the release, the update is expected to function as a mini-budget, with a focus on long-term economic stability and growth. The government has indicated it will provide details on its fiscal outlook alongside policy steps intended to support economic expansion. A key focus will be
ndp-leader-avi-lewis-will-not-run-in-quebec-byelection-after-boulerice-departure
CanadaApr 27, 2026

NDP leader Avi Lewis will not run in Quebec byelection after Boulerice departure

Newly elected federal NDP Leader Avi Lewis says he will not run in an upcoming Quebec byelection triggered by the departure of longtime MP Alexandre Boulerice. Boulerice announced he is leaving federal politics after 15 years to seek a provincial seat with Québec solidaire. He said in a statement that he believes his work in Ottawa is complete and described the move as a continuation of his political priorities at the provincial level. According to his announcement, Boulerice framed the decision as a transition rather than a strategic calculation, while confirming he will vacate his seat in t
three-liberal-mps-take-seats-in-house-after-byelections-boosting-government-majority
CanadaApr 27, 2026

Three Liberal MPs take seats in House after byelections, boosting government majority

Three newly elected Liberal members of Parliament formally took their seats in the House of Commons on Monday following recent byelections that strengthened the governing party’s position. Doly Begum, Danielle Martin and Tatiana Auguste were sworn in as MPs on Saturday, according to official parliamentary records. Their arrivals bring the Liberals to 174 seats in the House, reflecting gains from both the byelections and a series of defections over recent months. Begum and Martin won Toronto-area ridings previously held by former cabinet ministers Bill Blair and Chrystia Freeland. Auguste sec
carney-announces-25b-national-sovereign-wealth-fund-ahead-of-economic-update
CanadaApr 27, 2026

Carney announces $25B national sovereign wealth fund ahead of economic update

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Monday that Canada will establish its first national sovereign wealth fund, starting with $25 billion in initial capital. Carney said the fund will invest in large-scale Canadian industrial projects, including energy, infrastructure, mining, agriculture and technology. According to the prime minister’s announcement, the federal government will co-invest alongside private-sector partners. The announcement was made at the Canada Science and Technology Museum, one day before the Liberal government is set to deliver its spring economic update. The timing sign
manitoba-premier-signals-plan-to-restrict-youth-access-to-social-media-ai-chatbots
CanadaApr 27, 2026

Manitoba premier signals plan to restrict youth access to social media, AI chatbots

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says his government intends to introduce a ban on children using social media platforms and artificial intelligence chatbots, but key details, including the age threshold, have not yet been specified. Kinew made the announcement at the Manitoba NDP’s annual spring fundraising dinner, where he said Manitoba would be the first province to pursue such a policy. It is not yet clear what legislative or regulatory mechanism the province would use, or when a bill could be introduced. According to remarks delivered at the event, the proposed restrictions would apply to bot
CanadaApr 27, 2026

Carney, Sheinbaum discuss CUSMA ahead of formal review talks

Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday evening as Canada prepares for the upcoming formal review of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders discussed shared economic priorities and agreed to work together to address common challenges tied to the trilateral trade pact. The call comes as the United States and Mexico are expected to begin official discussions on the agreement by the end of next month. Canada, however, has not yet confirmed a timeline for similar talks w
federal-deficit-reaches-25-5b-in-first-11-months-of-2025-26-fiscal-year
CanadaApr 24, 2026

Federal deficit reaches $25.5B in first 11 months of 2025–26 fiscal year

The federal government recorded a budgetary deficit of $25.5 billion for the April to February period of its 2025–26 fiscal year, according to the latest monthly fiscal monitor from the Department of Finance. The result compares with a deficit of $19.3 billion reported during the same 11-month period in 2024–25, indicating a year-over-year increase in the shortfall. According to the Finance Department report, total revenues reached $453.2 billion, up 0.8 per cent from $449.8 billion a year earlier. Program expenses, excluding net actuarial losses, rose to $424.9 billion, a 2.1 per cent inc

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telus-ottawa-announce-ai-data-centre-expansion-in-b-c-to-strengthen-canadian-computing-capacity
BCMay 11, 2026

Telus, Ottawa announce AI data centre expansion in B.C. to strengthen Canadian computing capacity

The federal government and Telus announced plans Monday for a multi-site artificial intelligence data infrastructure project in British Columbia that officials say is intended to expand Canada’s domestic computing capacity and support what they described as “sovereign” AI infrastructure. Federal AI Minister Evan Solomon joined Telus representatives in Vancouver to outline the project, which includes an expansion of Telus’ existing data centre in Kamloops and two new facilities planned for Vancouver – one in the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood and another in the downtown core. According
bc-conservatives-criticize-ndp-government-following-two-surrey-shooting-incidents
BCMay 11, 2026

BC Conservatives criticize NDP government following two Surrey shooting incidents

The BC Conservative Party is criticizing the provincial NDP government following two separate shooting incidents in Surrey that left two people dead and two others injured. BC Conservative representative Harman Bhangu questioned the province’s approach to public safety, saying shootings, gang violence and homicides are increasingly affecting residential neighbourhoods. Bhangu said residents are frustrated by repeated political statements following violent incidents and are demanding stronger action to address public safety concerns. Surrey–Cloverdale MLA Elenore Sturko also called on the p
aap-protests-outside-bjp-offices-in-punjab-over-ed-action-against-sanjeev-arora
IndiaMay 11, 2026

AAP protests outside BJP offices in Punjab over ED action against Sanjeev Arora

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staged protests outside Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) district offices across Punjab on Monday following the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) arrest of Punjab cabinet minister Sanjeev Arora in a money laundering case. Party workers raised slogans against the BJP and accused the central government of using investigative agencies for political purposes. Tense situations were reported in several locations where AAP and BJP workers gathered during the demonstrations. However, no major clashes or arrests had been officially confirmed at publication time. Punjab Finance Mini
WorldMay 11, 2026

American cruise passenger tests positive for hantavirus after Canary Islands evacuation

A U.S. passenger evacuated from a cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak in the Canary Islands has tested positive for the virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC said a second American passenger who was onboard the ship is also being monitored after showing mild symptoms. Both individuals returned to the United States overnight and are being observed at the U.S. National Quarantine Unit in Nebraska. Health officials have not released additional details about the patients or confirmed how many total cases have been linked to the cruise ship outbrea
bhagwant-manns-cousin-gyan-singh-mann-joins-bjp
IndiaMay 11, 2026

Bhagwant Mann’s cousin Gyan Singh Mann joins BJP

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s cousin, Gyan Singh Mann, has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party after leaving the Aam Aadmi Party. Gyan Singh Mann was inducted into the BJP in Chandigarh in the presence of Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. Speaking after joining the party, Gyan Singh Mann said he had joined the Aam Aadmi Party in 2014 but claimed the party changed after forming the government in Punjab in 2022. He alleged that the AAP had shifted from being “a party of ordinary workers to a party of special interests” and crit