Donations are pouring into a Vancouver warehouse for those affected by Monday's devastating earthquake in Turkey, but a volunteer organizer says the country could most benefit from professional search and rescue teams."The next 72 hours is crucial," said Cansoy Gurocak, who was one of dozens of volunteers dealing with donations of food, clothing, tents, sleeping bags, diapers and other goods in a fundraising event that was quickly co-ordinated by the Canadian Turkish Educational and Cultural Foundation.Both Turkey and Syria were rocked Monday by the massive quake, setting off international aid

The Alberta government is moving ahead with a plan that would give oil and gas companies a tax break for meeting their legal obligations to clean up old well sites, inviting a select group of landowner organizations to a meeting to discuss a pilot project.On Thursday, Alberta Energy Minister Peter Guthrie is scheduled to host those groups to discuss "a concept for a royalty credit program to incent accelerated oil and gas site closure," indicates a government document that outlines the proposed pilot program, obtained by The Canadian Press.That pilot program, previously known as RStar and now

Ottawa's city council has approved a motion to reopen the street in front of Parliament Hill to traffic a year after it was closed off following the "Freedom Convoy" protests.Wellington Street, which was blocked by demonstrators during the weeks-long convoy protests last winter, will reopen no earlier than March 1.The city's transportation committee voted in favour of the same motion last month, and it was brought to the city council this morning for final approval.Councillors also voted to put in new infrastructure, including a temporary bike lane, and to explore closures of the street for su

Police say two children are dead, twelve injured and eight taken to hospital after a city bus crashed into a daycare north of Montreal. Laval police spokesperson Erika Landry says the 51-year-old bus driver has been arrested and charged with homicide and dangerous driving.Prime Minster Justin Trudeau expressed grief over the incident and said that Ottawa would be available as and when needed.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government will increase federal health-care transfers to the provinces by $196 billion over the next 10 years, though only about one-quarter of that is new, previously unexpected money.Trudeau made this offer to the premiers today at a meeting in Ottawa.He says it will include an immediate and unconditional top-up of $2 billion to the Canada Health Transfer to ease the intense pressure on hospitals.The proposal includes a promise to increase the annual Canada Health Transfer over the next decade by another $17 billion above previous commitments.As well,

The British Columbia government has introduced legislation to make September 30 as a paid statutory holiday marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.Labour Minister Harry Bains introduced a bill in the legislature today, saying the holiday will be observed this September and every September 30 afterwards.The decision comes after a call to action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, that asked the federal government to establish a day to honour residential school survivors, their families and communities.In case the legislation passes as expected, B.C. will join Prince Edwar

A new poll finds one-third of Canadian households say their financial situation has worsened over the last year.According to a Leger poll commissioned by the Association for Canadian Studies, 34 per cent of Canadian households say they're financially worse off compared with a year ago.The majority of respondents, 58 per cent, said their financial situation is about the same as it was a year ago.Meanwhile, nine per cent report their financial situation has improved.Quebecers were the least likely to report their financial situation has worsened, while respondents in British Columbia were the mo

Ottawa is spending $2 million for an international organization to provide First Nations with options around identifying possible human remains buried near residential schools.A statement from the office of Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller says it is signing a technical agreement with the International Commission on Missing Persons.Based out of The Hague, the organization works in different countries to help identify the remains of those who have disappeared or been killed in conflicts and disasters, including after the 2013 Lac-Megantic rail disaster in Quebec.Miller's office s

Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands have announced plans to provide Ukraine with at least 100 refurbished Leopard 1 battle tanks. The announcement follows Germany agreeing last month to allow deliveries of the more modern Leopard 2 tanks.It also comes as Kyiv anticipates a new Russian offensive around the anniversary of the invasion. However, military analysts expressed skepticism about the potential impact of such an assault.Meanwhile, Moscow's forces continued to shell Ukrainian towns and cities.Regional authorities reported Tuesday that shelling in the northeastern town of Vovchansk caused