The federal government posted a deficit of $12.7 billion for June compared with a deficit of $33.6 billion in June 2020.The drop in the deficit came as spending dropped compared with a year ago when Ottawa spent billions on emergency aid due to the pandemic and revenue improved.Program spending, excluding net actuarial losses, totalled $39.1 billion in June, down from $51.3 billion a year earlier.Revenue increased to $29.6 billion for the month, up from $19.9 billion in June last year.Public debt charges increased to $1.9 billion from nearly $1.3 billion.The federal deficit for the April to Ju

Federal party leaders hit the campaign trail today, promising money for housing and seniors as well as help for young gig economy workers. Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says he would require gig economy companies to make contributions equivalent to the employer CPP and EI premiums into a new Employee Savings Account that would follow workers if they take a new contract or gig. Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau promised to increase the Guaranteed Income Supplement by 500 dollars a year for single seniors and 750 dollars for senior couples. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is promising to double the firs

The Canadian Armed Forces is confirming that all of its members still in Afghanistan are safe and accounted for after two suicide bombers and gunmen targeted crowds gathered near the Kabul airport. Most Canadian soldiers left the country on the last of Ottawa's evacuation flights earlier in the day, leaving behind an unknown number of Canadian citizens and Afghans who assisted the Canadian military. Russian officials are reporting the attacks killed at least 13 people and wounded 15 others. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says his group strongly condemns the attack, which he pointed out

Canada's women's issues minister faced questions today after she referred to the Taliban as "our brothers" during a news conference on the escalating crisis in Afghanistan. But Maryam Monsef dismissed the criticism, noting that Canada continues to see the Taliban as a terrorist organization. Monsef issued a direct appeal to the Taliban today, calling on them to allow safe passage to Kabul airport for anyone wanting to leave Afghanistan. The Taliban has refused to allow Afghan nationals from passing their checkpoints around the airport. Under questioning from reporters, Monsef later said the "b

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole made a campaign stop in Brantford, Ontario this morning to promise that a Tory government would work with the provinces to invest in mental health initiatives. He says the mental health crisis is the epidemic within the COVID-19 pandemic. Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is promising to raise the corporate income tax rate for big banks and insurance companies to fund programs that would help people bounce back from the hard times of the pandemic. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is promising to take on the big telecom companies if elected and get them to lower cellphone

The three main party leaders were talking about home ownership, putting money in the pockets of seniors and Canadian workers and long-term care on the campaign trail this morning.From his virtual broadcast studio in an Ottawa hotel, Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole promised a Tory government would change the law to prevent executives from paying themselves bonuses while steering a company through restructuring unless the pension plan is fully-funded.Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau announced plans to help Canadians under the age of 40 buy their first homes.N-D-P Leader Jagmeet Singh is promising

The Conservatives are asking Elections Canada to investigate a tweet from Liberal Chrystia Freeland that Twitter labelled as manipulated media. Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole accuses the Liberals of using American-style politics to divide Canadians.Freeland posted spliced-together clips of O'Toole answering a question about private, for-profit options in universal health coverage. In the clips, O'Toole says he wants to find public-private synergies. The Tories say the Liberals intentionally altered the original video to make it materially misrepresent the party's position.

N-D-P Leader Jagmeet Singh started his day off in Montreal, where he promised to reduce Canada's greenhouse gas emissions by more than half by 2030 if his party forms the government.Singh says the N-D-P would eliminate subsidies for oil and gas companies and re-direct them to renewable energy sector.In June, the Liberal government said its carbon pricing regime and other measures put Canada on track to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 36 per cent by 2030, but it has still hasn't announced how it will close the remaining gap.

Erin O'Toole says he believes doctors have the right to refuse some services if they object for reasons of conscience. But the federal Conservative leader told reporters in Winnipeg today that those doctors must then refer patients seeking services like abortion or medical assistance in dying to another provider. O'Toole had faced questions about his position on conscience rights for health professionals after a promise to uphold them appeared in his party's election platform. He accused Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau of trying to divide Canadians because of his attack on Conservatives over th