Manitoba became the first province to officially join Ottawa's pharmacare program today, giving it access to federal funding to cover the cost of birth control and diabetes medications. Health Minister Mark Holland made the announcement in Winnipeg this morning. The federal government will spend $219 million on pharmacare coverage for Manitoba over four years and says contraceptives and diabetes medications will be provided "at little to no direct cost" to Manitobans. The Manitoba government launched a program last fall to cover the cost of birth control for its residents. The federal Pharmaca

Dozens of people were reportedly injured Thursday after an explosion at a meeting of M23 rebel group leaders and residents in eastern Congo. Video and photos shared on social media on Thursday show a crowd fleeing the meeting in Bukavu in panic and bloodied bodies on the ground. Leaders of the M23 rebel group were meeting residents when the explosion occurred in the central part of Bukavu. It was not immediately confirmed if there were casualties. Among the rebel leaders present was Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance (AFC), which includes the M23. M23 rebels have swept throug

Police forces say they are gearing up to find a way to keep more than 3,400 people safe alongside the Rocky Mountains during this summer's G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alta. A report to the Calgary Police Commission says police expect about 70 official guests, 2,000 delegates and 1,400 journalists will be in the area between Calgary and Kananaskis for the summit. Police forces from across Canada will support security efforts, including authorities from Edmonton, Winnipeg and Vancouver. The RCMP says teams will be on the alert for modern security threats such as drones along with the f

U.S. President Donald Trump says economy-wide tariffs on Canada and Mexico will go ahead next week as planned. Trump's comments on Truth Social today come after days of confusing statements from him and his officials. On Wednesday, Trump suggested that the 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs wouldn't land until April 2 — but a White House official later said they could still take effect on March 4. In his post this morning, Trump says "drugs are still pouring" in from Canada and Mexico and unless it is "stopped or seriously limited," the tariffs will go into effect "on MARCH FOURTH." Public

The looming threat of U.S. tariffs along with a potential tax cut are expected to dominate Alberta's budget today. Finance Minister Nate Horner says addressing affordability is a prime concern, but the uncertainty surrounding tariffs makes the budget more challenging. By legislation, the province can't run a budget deficit unless revenue drops by $1 billion or more _ something Horner warns could happen in the case of tariffs. He says the United Conservative Party government is planning for a set of scenarios assuming tariffs in some way are coming soon from U.S. President Donald T

The Alberta government says roughly 800 peace officers will team up with 34 police forces across the province to crack down on fentanyl. It comes following threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has demanded that Canada get tough on fentanyl or face tariffs on Canadian goods. Officials say the measure comes in response to the province wanting to work with all levels of government to address concerns around fentanyl trafficking and border security. Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis says the crisis demands immediate action and that having a unified command ensures a co-ordinated team res

The federal justice minister has ordered a new trial for a man convicted of second-degree murder in Alberta more than three decades ago. Roy Allan Sobotiak was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Susan Kaminsky, who disappeared in 1987. The office of Justice Minister Arif Virani says the minister found reasonable grounds to conclude there was a miscarriage of justice in the case. Virani’s office says new information has been identified which wasn’t considered by the courts during the initial trial or appeal. The Alberta Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal by Sobotiak in 1994,

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has called for US President Donald Trump to be banned from attending the upcoming G7 summit in Canada. Singh criticized Trump, questioning why Canada should invite someone who poses a threat to the country’s sovereignty, economic prosperity, and global stability. He also raised concerns about allowing a convicted criminal to enter Canada. Singh made these comments during an event at the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations in Quebec. It is important to note that Canada is set to host the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, from June 15 to 17.

More than 28,000 people have signed a parliamentary petition urging Ottawa to bar U.S. President Donald Trump from Canada for persistently threatening the country's sovereignty. Alberta resident Gerard Aldridge, who recently initiated the electronic petition, says he's a fiercely proud Canadian who sees an opportunity to make a difference on an issue of grave concern. Trump has threatened to impose widespread tariffs on Canadian products and has openly suggested that Canada become a U.S. state. The president usually attends the annual gathering of G7 leaders, which is being held this June in K