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federal-buy-canadian-procurement-rules-take-effect-prioritizing-domestic-industries
CanadaDec 16, 2025

Federal ‘Buy Canadian’ procurement rules take effect, prioritizing domestic industries

The federal government’s new ‘Buy Canadian’ procurement policy came into force today, marking a significant shift in how Ottawa purchases goods and services for major public projects. The policy, announced earlier this fall, is designed to give preference to Canadian-made products and Canadian workers in federal contracting. The government says the approach is aimed at strengthening domestic industries and protecting supply chains during a period of ongoing global trade uncertainty. In its first phase, the policy applies to federal contracts valued at $25 million or more. These projects
liberal-minister-signals-possible-further-mp-defections-as-government-nears-majority
CanadaDec 15, 2025

Liberal minister signals possible further MP defections as government nears majority

A federal cabinet minister says the governing Liberals are hearing increased interest from opposition MPs following a recent high-profile defection that has brought the government to the brink of a majority in the House of Commons. Energy Minister Tim Hodgson told reporters Tuesday that he has received “lots of inquiries” when asked whether additional MPs are considering crossing the floor to join the Liberal caucus. His comments come days after Ontario MP Michael Ma left the Conservative Party to sit with the Liberals. Ma’s move has left the Liberals one seat short of a majority, a shif
three-children-die-from-flu-related-complications-in-ottawa-eastern-ontario-as-cases-surge
CanadaDec 15, 2025

Three children die from flu-related complications in Ottawa, eastern Ontario as cases surge

Public health officials in Ottawa and eastern Ontario say three children have died from complications linked to influenza over the past two weeks, underscoring growing concerns as flu activity rises sharply across the province. Medical officers of health for Ottawa and the Eastern Ontario Health Unit say the children were between the ages of five and nine. Officials describe the recent deaths as rare but serious, noting that influenza can lead to severe illness, particularly among young children. Health units report a rapid and significant increase in Influenza A activity across Ontario, with
canadas-inflation-holds-steady-in-november-as-grocery-prices-climb-at-fastest-pace-since-2023
CanadaDec 15, 2025

Canada’s inflation holds steady in November as grocery prices climb at fastest pace since 2023

Canada’s annual inflation rate remained unchanged in November, but households continued to feel pressure at the grocery store as food prices recorded their sharpest increase in nearly two years, according to new data from Statistics Canada. The national inflation rate held at 2.2 per cent, matching October’s reading. However, grocery prices rose 4.7 per cent compared to November last year, marking the fastest pace of food inflation since December 2023 and continuing a trend that has seen food costs outstrip overall inflation since late summer. Statistics Canada said fresh fruit was a key d
fifteen-people-accused-in-b-c-extortion-cases-file-refugee-claims-cbsa-confirms
CanadaDec 12, 2025

Fifteen people accused in B.C. extortion cases file refugee claims, CBSA confirms

Canada’s border agency says 15 foreign nationals linked to ongoing extortion investigations have submitted refugee claims, a move that has drawn concern from local officials in Surrey as the region continues to grapple with a surge in extortion-related crime. The Canada Border Services Agency says each claimant will be assessed under federal asylum rules, but did not disclose the individuals’ nationalities or details of their applications. Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke says she is troubled by the development and argues that the public expects federal systems to prevent criminal suspects from u
cra-plans-major-hiring-push-to-boost-call-centre-capacity-ahead-of-tax-season
CanadaDec 11, 2025

CRA plans major hiring push to boost call centre capacity ahead of tax season

The Canada Revenue Agency says it plans to bring on roughly 1,700 additional call centre staff in the coming months as it prepares for a surge in taxpayer inquiries during the upcoming filing season. Agency officials say the goal is to expand the workforce to about 4,500 agents, citing internal forecasts that anticipate heavy call volumes. Melanie Serjak, an assistant commissioner with the CRA, told reporters that it is routine for the agency to scale up its operations for tax season, when daily call volumes can exceed 300,000. She said last year’s peak staffing level reached about 3,300 age
house-of-commons-prepares-to-adjourn-for-six-week-winter-break-as-key-bills-remain-unfinished
CanadaDec 11, 2025

House of Commons prepares to adjourn for six-week winter break as key bills remain unfinished

Members of Parliament are expected to wrap up the fall sitting as early as Thursday, ending the session ahead of the scheduled Friday adjournment and beginning a six-week winter break. MPs are due to return to the House on January 26, leaving several major pieces of government legislation still awaiting final approval. Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon said the minority Liberal government considers the fall session productive, noting progress on budget and public-safety bills that have not yet cleared Parliament. This sitting was the first full session under Prime Minister Mark Carney,
quebec-anticorruption-unit-opens-criminal-probe-into-provincial-liberal-party
CanadaDec 10, 2025

Quebec anticorruption unit opens criminal probe into provincial Liberal Party

Quebec’s anticorruption police force has launched a criminal investigation into the provincial Liberal Party, adding to a period of internal turmoil for the long-standing political organization. A spokesperson for the force confirmed the probe today but declined to provide details, citing the active nature of the case. The confirmation follows disclosures last month that investigators were reviewing allegations of wrongdoing to determine whether a formal investigation was warranted. The decision to proceed suggests authorities found sufficient grounds to examine the matter further. The Liber
canada-prepares-to-name-new-u-s-envoy-as-next-phase-of-trade-talks-approaches
CanadaDec 10, 2025

Canada prepares to name new U.S. envoy as next phase of trade talks approaches

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada’s next ambassador to the United States will have time to get up to speed before North America’s trade relationship enters a new round of negotiations. Carney told reporters that federal consultations on the renewal of the Canada–U.S.–Mexico Agreement have wrapped up, while officials in Washington are only beginning their own review. He said the three-country assessment of the trade pact is expected to intensify in the new year, a process that could carry major implications for Western Canada’s transportation corridors, agriculture exports, and m

Just In

g7-allies-to-release-100-million-barrels-of-oil-to-curb-rising-prices
CanadaOct 02, 2026

G7 Allies to Release 100 Million Barrels of Oil to Curb Rising Prices

Canada and its G7 allies have agreed to release 100 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves to help ease surging global oil prices. A significant portion of the supply will be diesel, as prices for the fuel have reached record levels in Canada, the U.S. and other countries. Canada’s average diesel price stood at around $2.63 per litre on Thursday, while prices in major cities such as Vancouver were close to $2.71 per litre. The higher costs have placed additional financial pressure on truck drivers and farmers. Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Jap
abbotsford-police-arrest-48-year-old-suspect-in-two-rural-home-break-ins
BCOct 02, 2026

Abbotsford Police Arrest 48-Year-Old Suspect in Two Rural Home Break-Ins

Abbotsford Police have arrested 48-year-old Brian Barker in connection with two residential break-ins in a rural area. Police say the first incident occurred on September 3, 2026, in the Bradner Road area, when an unknown person entered a home while the family was inside and stole several valuables. Eleven days later, on September 14, another home on Montesina Avenue, about two kilometres away, was targeted. After identifying similarities between the two incidents, officers executed a search warrant at a home on Fraser Highway in Aldergrove and arrested Barker. Sgt. Hanninen said the suspect h
credit-card-fraud-and-money-laundering-arrest-warrants-issued-for-two-suspects
AlbertaOct 02, 2026

Credit Card Fraud and Money Laundering: Arrest Warrants Issued for Two Suspects

Police in Alberta have issued arrest warrants for two suspects wanted in connection with a credit card fraud and money laundering investigation spanning three cities, including Calgary. The investigation began in March last year after a Fort McMurray resident’s bank account was compromised, resulting in approximately $120,000 in fraudulent transactions. Victims in Calgary and St. Albert were also identified during the investigation. Based on an investigation by the Wood Buffalo RCMP’s Financial Crimes Unit, arrest warrants have been issued for 22-year-old Calgary resident Divianshu and 63-
five-arrested-in-b-c-extortion-investigation-one-held-at-toronto-airport
BCOct 02, 2026

Five Arrested in B.C. Extortion Investigation, One Held at Toronto Airport

Five young men have been arrested in a joint police operation in connection with an extortion investigation in British Columbia. Four foreign nationals were arrested in Surrey, while the fifth suspect was taken into custody at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Langley RCMP Supt. Harm Dosange and B.C. Extortion Task Force Chief Supt. Duncan Pound announced the arrests at a news conference on Friday. Police said all five suspects were arrested on Thursday and have been charged with extortion-related offences. According to Supt. Dosange, the investigation began in June 2025 after threats wer
BCOct 02, 2026

Chinese Steel to Be Used Again in $33B LNG Canada Phase 2 Project

Chinese steel will once again be used in the $33-billion LNG Canada Phase 2 project in Kitimat, British Columbia. The joint venture will purchase components from China Offshore Oil Engineering Co., a Chinese state-owned company that also built two liquefied natural gas processing units during the project’s first phase. The decision comes despite the Canadian government’s earlier commitment to prioritize locally produced steel under its Buy Canadian policy. The government now says private-sector companies have the right to make their own supply-chain decisions. LNG Canada spokesperson Paul