A powerful explosion at a building in Okotoks, southeast of Calgary, caused significant damage Thursday morning, completely destroying a large single-family home. According to Calgary Fire crews, a loud blast was heard across the area between approximately 7:10 and 7:45 a.m. The explosion occurred in a detached building on a rural property near Heritage Heights School. An elderly couple was inside the home at the time of the explosion, but both were reported safe. As a precaution, Heritage Heights School was immediately evacuated and will remain closed for the day. Students who normally travel

Porter Airlines has announced the launch of new non-stop flights between Vancouver and London, Ontario, starting April 12, 2027. The airline will operate at least one daily flight between the two cities, with service potentially increasing to 11 flights per week during the peak travel season. Russell Atkinson, Director of Air Service Development at Vancouver International Airport, welcomed the announcement, saying the new route will strengthen connections between British Columbia and southwestern Ontario. It will provide greater convenience for business travellers, tourists and people visiting

Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has announced plans to launch a diplomatic outreach campaign in the United States following the midterm elections, aiming to improve relations and ease trade tensions. Plamondon said the rejection of U.S. President Donald Trump's policies by voters presents an opportunity for Canada and Quebec to find new allies in the United States and strengthen cross-border cooperation. However, he clarified that Quebec has no immediate plans to launch direct trade negotiations with Washington. Instead, the province will focus on opening new channels of communication

During the high-level visit, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne and International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu will welcome He Lifeng. The visit follows Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s trip to Canada in May this year and is seen as another significant step toward strengthening bilateral relations. Prime Minister Mark Carney laid the foundation for a renewed strategic partnership during his visit to China in January. Finance Minister Champagne’s visit in April and International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu’s trip to China earlier this week have also contributed to advancin

Alberta’s police watchdog has cleared two officers involved in an alleged excessive use-of-force incident during an arrest in Leduc. Body camera footage played a key role in the investigation. According to the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT), the man had allegedly assaulted someone earlier that night and repeatedly resisted arrest, forcing both officers to use physical force to restrain him. The officers punched the man in the face, which ASIRT determined was justified under the circumstances. The man had alleged that officers kicked him in the face. ASIRT concluded that the o

Housing experts and developers in British Columbia are urging the province’s newly elected government to consider alternatives to development charges for funding municipal infrastructure, as the condo construction market in Metro Vancouver has fallen to its lowest level in 15 years. They say development charges, which were initially intended to fund essential infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer systems, are now being used for a wider range of services, including libraries, fire services and daycare facilities. This expansion has led to a sharp increase in fees. According to a repor

At least 20 people have been injured after a shuttle bus carrying workers for a data centre company crashed in British Columbia on Wednesday morning. The accident occurred around 9:10 a.m. on Highway 39, approximately four kilometres south of Mackenzie. The white shuttle bus, rented by a contractor for Australian technology and AI data centre company IREN, reportedly lost control and plunged into a ditch. According to BC Highway Patrol, the driver and around 20 other people sustained injuries. One victim was airlifted from the scene in critical condition. Six others were initially taken to a l

Canada’s federal government is set to present its second budget under Prime Minister Mark Carney today in the House of Commons, as the country faces economic challenges amid the ongoing trade war with the United States. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne will table the budget, which is expected to outline the government’s economic priorities and measures to strengthen the country’s economy. The budget is expected to include measures to provide relief from rising living costs, new tax incentives for businesses and major investments in infrastructure projects. A new immigration

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced an international tour of Europe and Asia from November 11 to 19, aimed at expanding trade and attracting new investment. During the visit, Carney will travel to Ireland, the Philippines, Cambodia and China. He will begin his tour in Dublin, where he will attend the European Political Community Summit. Discussions are expected to advance efforts to make Canada the European Union’s first associate member. Carney will then travel to Manila to attend the ASEAN Summit as a guest, where the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement is expected to be finali