The vote was unanimous, 306 for and none against, as MP's passed legislation authorizing new pandemic benefits for workers still struggling in the COVID-19 era.Bill C-4 includes a replacement program for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit reworking the existing employment insurance program to be more flexible and generous.The Senate is expected to gather today to debate and pass the emergency aid legislation swiftly. Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet says Parliament unanimously passed a COVID-19 aid bill for workers in what he calls a ``shut up'' procedure.Blanchet says M-Ps wer

Quebec restaurateurs say they are in shock after the government ordered restaurant dining areas closed for 28 days in the province's two biggest cities.The order was one of several announced by authorities on Monday as they moved Montreal and Quebec City to the highest COVID-19 alert level, banning private indoor gatherings and shutting bars and cinemas.Martin Vezina, spokesman for Quebec's restaurateur association, said today that restaurants aren't the problem, and that many of his members have spent thousands of dollars on measures to protect diners and staff. Montreal's public he

The federal government has reached an agreement with American company Abbott to buy 7.9 million rapid-test devices once they are approved by Health Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, meanwhile, is pushing back against calls for Ottawa to quickly approve rapid tests for COVID-19, saying the decision is ultimately up to federal scientists. Canada's chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says rolling out inaccurate COVID-19 tests can lead to further infections if there is a large number of false negatives. Public Procurement Minister Anita Anand says with the numbers of COVID-19 cases r

Former Conservative MP Rob Anders has been charged with tax evasion.The federal prosecution service says Anders is also charged with making misleading statements and for getting a refund or credit than he should not have received.The charges under the Income Tax Act were first reported by the National Post.Anders represented a Calgary riding between 1997 and 2015, and the Post reported the charges are linked to his time in office. He is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 30. Anders could not immediately be reached for comment.

The federal government is publishing new advice for companies rushing to develop rapid tests for COVID-19 as Ottawa faces growing calls to approve such devices. The calls to approve devices that can provide faster results come as hospitals and public health agencies across Canada are struggling to keep up with the demand for COVID-19 tests. Many, including the Opposition Conservatives, have pointed out such tests already being rolled out in the U.S. and other countries. Dr. Supriya Sharma, chief medical adviser at Health Canada, says the department is making it a top priority to review the ra

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada will commit an additional $400 million in development and humanitarian spending to combat COVID-19. Trudeau says the new money will go to trusted partners that are fighting COVID-19 around the world.Trudeau made the pledge during a videoconference at the United Nations that he co-hosted with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness.It was the second time since the spring the three held a meeting of the UN’s High-Level Event on Financing for Development in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond.Trudeau says Canada will i

Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd. says its workers represented by Unifor have voted in favour of a new contract that runs through 2023. The deal, which was announced by Unifor last week, includes a $1.8-billion investment to build electric vehicles at the company's plan in Oakville, Ont. The agreement between Unifor and Ford is expected to set the tone for upcoming contract talks with Fiat Chrysler and General Motors. Ford says the deal will see more flexible work arrangements and a quicker path for new hires advancing up the ranks. It also includes two 2.5 per cent raises and a $7,250 ratif

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling on countries with the largest land mass to do more to protect the biodiversity of their land and water. Trudeau made that call today at a special session of the United Nations via video conference on the sidelines of the virtual General Assembly meeting. Trudeau was taking part in the Leaders Event for Nature and People that also featured the leaders of Costa Rica and Norway. The prime minister was pledging Canada's support for a UN initiative that aims to protect 30 per cent of land and oceans by 2030. But Trudeau says that Canada is the only country

International Trade Minister Mary Ng says it is extremely disappointing that the United States has decided to appeal a World Trade Organization ruling against its softwood-lumber duties, particularly because the U.S. is making it impossible for that appeal to be heard. The WTO ruled in August that the U.S.'s import duties on Canadian softwood violate international trading rules because the U.S. cannot prove that Canada is unfairly subsidizing its softwood producers by undercharging for wood coming off government land. Ng says the U.S. decision to appeal is confusing since earlier this year th