The chair of British Columbia's NDP caucus has written to the RCMP requesting an investigation into allegations that former members of the Opposition tried to blackmail ex-colleagues. The letter from Stephanie Higginson to Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald comes after B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad confirmed the authenticity of a letter to his caucus warning about the alleged blackmail by three MLAs and their staff. Higginson says in the open letter written on behalf of the NDP caucus that there's a significant public interest in determining the facts. She says if any MLA or their staf

Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne says Canada is going ahead with its digital services tax on big tech companies that is set to take effect on June 30. Pressure has mounted on Ottawa to put the tax on hold ahead of trade discussions with the U.S.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand tells The Canadian Press that Canada is helping citizens leave the Middle East when they reach countries neighbouring Israel and Iran. Ottawa is boosting consular services in the region, and helping to facilitate commercial flights to leave the region once they reach bordering countries as airports are closed across the region. Anand says she is concerned about growing volatility in the region.

Nova Scotia's Justice Department is offering a reward of up to $150,000 for information about the disappearance of two young children in May. The province's justice minister issued a statement today saying the disappearance on May 2 of six-year-old Lilly Sullivan and her four-year-old brother Jack is being felt across the province and beyond. Becky Druhan says investigators are working tirelessly to find answers. She is urging anyone with information to share it with the RCMP. The Mounties started a missing persons investigation after they received a report that the two children had wandered a

Canada's food inspection agency says it has uncovered a case of Newcastle disease at a commercial pigeon operation in Chilliwack, B.C., requiring the birds to be culled and the premises to be disinfected.The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the virus affects both wild and domestic birds and can cause pink eye in humans. It says the ailment is of great concern to the world's agricultural community since it's highly contagious and threatens poultry. The agency says mild strains affect domestic poultry and pigeons and more severe strains can kill chickens.It says Newcastle disease can decreas

Canada should allow 100 per cent foreign ownership of domestic-only airlines, the Competition Bureau says in a new report highlighting the country's "highly concentrated" aviation industry. In a market study released Thursday, the watchdog suggested creating a new class of airline that operates only in Canada but could have owners from outside its borders, opening the gate to global expertise — and cash. The current foreign ownership cap sits 49 per cent. In addition, no more than 25 per cent of a carrier can be owned by any one foreign entity, a proportion the Competition Bureau proposed ra

Spain has rejected a NATO proposal to spend 5% of GDP on defense needs that’s due to be announced next week, calling it “unreasonable.” In a letter sent Thursday to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said that Spain “cannot commit to a specific spending target in terms of GDP” at next week’s NATO summit in The Hague. Most U.S. allies at NATO are on track to endorse U.S. President Donald Trump’sdemandthat they invest 5% of gross domestic product on their defense and military needs. In early June,Sweden and the Netherlandssaid that they aim to

The premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan are repeating their calls for federal support for energy projects and the abandonment of some industry regulations. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Alberta's Danielle Smith say if Prime Minister Mark Carney wants Canada to have the strongest G7 economy, he needs to repeal policies like the West Coast tanker ban and net-zero electricity regulations. Moe says Canada's top priority should be building an energy corridor that connects the northwest coast to the coast of Hudson Bay. It's a pitch premiers have been making for over a month, since it

Canada's Leylah Fernandez has entered the quarterfinals of the Nottingham Open tennis tournament. She defeated Spain's Cristina Bucsa in straight sets 6-3, 6-4. Fernandez maintained a strong hold throughout the 1 hour and 43 minute bout. This was Fernandez' third win over Bucsa, who hails from Laval, Quebec. Fernandez had previously beaten the Spanish player at the Paris Olympics and the Australian Open. Fernandez' quarterfinal match will be held on Friday, June 20.