Legislation to create a two-month-long GST holiday is expected to pass today. Liberals, NDP expected to pass GST holiday in House of Commons today The bill was introduced on behalf of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland in the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon, with the help of the NDP to at least temporarily stop debate on a Conservative filibuster. The NDP only agreed to support the bill after Freeland separated the GST break from a promise to also send $250 to most working Canadians in the spring. The NDP wants that benefit expanded to also go to non-working seniors and people with di

The first picture of farmer leader Jagjit Dallewal, who was detained by the Punjab Police at the Khanauri border, has emerged from DMC Hospital in Ludhiana after 44 hours. In the picture, he is seen entering the hospital with police personnel accompanying him. Farmers have been expressing growing concern about Dallewal's health. However, the police are still restricting access to him. Dallewal had announced his intention to begin a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border in protest over farmers' demands. Prior to this, the Punjab Police took him to the hospital, citing concerns about his health

A committee appointed by the Quebec government has recommended the province adopt its own constitution and take other steps to boost its autonomy. Premier François Legault says he’s open to the possibility of a Quebec constitution before the next provincial election in 2026, but he won't make promises. The committee's report includes 42 recommendations, including that Quebec modernize its laws to remove references to the monarchy and that the province negotiate an agreement with the federal government on asylum seekers. The Opposition Liberals passed a motion in favour of a Quebec constitut

Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Ravindra Vasantrao Chavan will take oath as Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. Notably, Priyanka Gandhi will become the third member of the Gandhi family to enter Parliament. Congress' Ravindra Vasantrao Chavan won the Nanded Lok Sabha seat in a by-election with 5,86,788 votes. The seat fell vacant following the death of the sitting Congress MP, Vasantrao Balwantrao Chavan, necessitating the bypoll. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra secured the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat with a margin of 4,10,931 votes, defeating Sathyan Mokeri of the Communist Party

Canadian colleges have begun cutting back on academic programs as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government imposes a cap on international students. Ontario’s Sheridan College has suspended 40 academic programs, including six in its animation, arts, and design faculty, citing a projected decline in student enrollment. The college is also reducing its staff. Sheridan College expects a 30 percent drop in student enrollment next year, which will result in a $112 million loss in revenue. The programs being suspended include 13 business programs. However, students currently enrolled in these p

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has ended its protest. The party announced this decision on Wednesday morning, according to reports. Imran Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan were leading the protest. However, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated in a press conference that both leaders fled the scene, fearing arrest. As protesters attempted to enter Islamabad, security forces used tear gas and force to disperse them. Around 1,000 protesters were detained during the clashes. Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtun

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health says responders have fielded more than 300,000 calls and texts since the launch of the national 988 suicide helpline a year ago. Dr. Allison Crawford, the chief medical officer for the helpline, says people having suicidal thoughts or other mental health distress can get help 24 hours a day, seven days a week no matter where they live in Canada. She expects the volume of calls and texts will go up as more people become aware of the service. Crawford says it's critical that responders answer the calls or texts quickly so someone needing help doesn't gi

Environment Canada has issued a winter storm warning for British Columbia's north coast, saying a "prolonged snowstorm" will bring up to 50 cm of snow by Thursday night. It says about 15 cm has already fallen and a low pressure system will move over the region this morning, bringing about 10 cm more. The weather office says another 25 cm of snow is expected between this evening and Thursday night. Environment Canada has also issued a snowfall warning for the northern and central Interior region of British Columbia, saying 15 cm of snow is expected. The bulletin says periods of light snow will

Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon is summoning Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers to his office today as federal mediation to end the nearly two-week old strike isn't working. MacKinnon says the special mediator appointed to help end the labour dispute says the two sides are too far apart on critical issues for mediation to currently be of use. As such mediation has temporarily been suspended. MacKinnon says he will be telling both sides that they alone are responsible for the consequences of the job action, which has stalled mail and parcel delivery since Nov. 15. Around 55,0