14.49°C Vancouver

News

trudeau-noncommittal-on-expanding-rebate-beyond-working-canadians
CanadaNov 29, 2024

Trudeau noncommittal on expanding rebate beyond 'working Canadians'

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau does not appear willing to budge on his plan to send a $250 rebate to "hardworking Canadians," despite pressure from the opposition to give the money to seniors and people who are not able to work. The rebate is one of two affordability measures the Liberals announced this month, along with a plan to temporarily cut the federal sales tax on a list of items that are popular over the holidays. The GST holiday bill passed in the House of Commons late Thursday night with the help of the NDP, and needs approval from the Senate before the tax break takes effect in a lit
winter-storm-watch-issued-as-snow-heavy-rain-expected-for-b-c-coast
BCNov 29, 2024

Winter storm watch issued as snow, heavy rain expected for B.C. coast

A winter storm is moving over British Columbia's coast, bringing strong winds, heavy snow and freezing rain as snowfall warnings continue for much of the province's Interior. Environment Canada issued a winter storm watch for the north coast, saying a low-pressure system will approach the region as a ridge of high pressure builds over the province's Interior. It says the storm is expected to start tonight and persist until Sunday. More heavy snow is expected in the inland sections of the north coast including Stewart, which has already received 40 to 55 cm of snow this week with up to 40 cm mo
supreme-court-affirms-constitutionality-of-b-c-law-on-opioid-health-costs-recovery
CanadaNov 29, 2024

Supreme Court affirms constitutionality of B.C. law on opioid health costs recovery

Canada's top court has affirmed the constitutionality of a law that would allow British Columbia to pursue a class-action lawsuit against opioid providers on behalf of other provinces, the territories and the federal government. The Supreme Court of Canada decision today is another step toward a potential cross-country action by governments that paid to treat patients who took the addictive drugs. Section 11 of B.C.'s Opioid Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act allows the province to bring an action against opioid manufacturers and distributors on behalf of multiple governments, but also
poilievre-raises-issue-of-illegal-immigration-in-canada
CanadaNov 29, 2024

Poilievre Raises Issue of Illegal Immigration in Canada

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre raised the issue of illegal immigration in Canada during a speech in Parliament. Poilievre claimed that 500,000 people are currently living in Canada illegally. He criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, calling him a "weak" leader with no control over immigration or the country's borders. Poilievre also argued that Canada is facing a significant economic challenge, referencing the impact of U.S. tariffs under President Trump. Poilievre further pointed out that the government had previously invited about 700,000 international students, giving them
canadas-economy-grew-1-in-q3-driven-by-government-household-spending
CanadaNov 29, 2024

Canada's economy grew 1% in Q3, driven by government & household spending

The Canadian economy has slowed for the sixth consecutive quarter on a per capita basis, suggesting that high interest rates are still weighing on business investment. According to Statistics Canada, the Canadian economy grew at an annualized rate of 1 percent in the third quarter (July to September), down from 2.2 percent in the second quarter. However, this figure was in line with economists' expectations, though it was below the Bank of Canada’s 1.5 percent forecast. The Statistics Canada report also indicated that higher wages and lower interest rates helped the household savings rate re
one-woman-killed-one-hurt-in-armed-robbery-attempt-southeast-of-quebec-city
CanadaNov 29, 2024

One woman killed, one hurt in armed robbery attempt southeast of Quebec City

One woman was killed and another was badly injured following an alleged armed robbery attempt at a clothing store southeast of Quebec City. Quebec provincial police say the suspect entered the business in St-Anselme, Que., at around 8 p.m. Thursday and wounded the two female employees before fleeing on foot. One of the victims, who was in her 30s, died of her injuries. The second victim, in her 20s, was seriously hurt but her life is not considered in danger. There were no arrests as of this morning. Police say technicians are at the scene and the investigation into the deaths is ongoing.
alberta-taking-federal-government-to-court-over-revised-impact-assessment-law
FeaturedNov 29, 2024

Alberta taking federal government to court over revised impact assessment law

Alberta is taking Ottawa to court, saying the federal government has failed to follow through on necessary changes to a law governing resource development. The federal Impact Assessment Act determines whether major resource projects should be approved based on the environmental, economic or social impact each project might have. Premier Danielle Smith says the province will ask the Alberta Court of Appeal to rule on the constitutionality of the act, which was amended by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government earlier this year. Ottawa amended the act after the Supreme Court rul
liberals-ndp-pass-gst-bill-in-house-of-commons
CanadaNov 29, 2024

Liberals, NDP pass GST bill in House of Commons

The Liberals' GST holiday bill is one step closer to becoming law after it was passed by a majority of the House of Commons late Thursday night.The two-month tax break covers dozens of items, including children's clothes and toys, video games and consoles, Christmas trees, restaurant and catered meals, wine, beer, candy and snacks. It would take effect on Dec. 14 and run until Feb. 15, 2025. The government announced the plan as a way to ease affordability concerns during the holiday period. At the time, they also pledged to send $250 rebates to working Canadians in the spring, but that partic
canadas-house-of-commons-approves-liberals-bill-c-78-on-first-reading
CanadaNov 28, 2024

Canada's House of Commons Approves Liberal’s Bill C-78 on First Reading

Canada's House of Commons has approved the Liberal government's Bill C-78 on first reading. Under this bill, Canadians will receive a two-month GST exemption on a variety of items, including restaurant meals, beverages, snacks, children's clothing, and toys. This temporary relief will apply from December 14 to February 15. In the House of Commons, the NDP voted in favor of the Liberals' Bill C-78, while the Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois voted against it. According to the government, the proposed tax exemption will save Canadians approximately $1.6 billion. The government states that

Just In

b-c-government-takes-legal-action-against-openai-tough-step-over-tumbler-ridge-school-shooting
BCSep 21, 2026

B.C. Government Takes Legal Action Against OpenAI, Tough Step Over Tumbler Ridge School Shooting

British Columbia’s government has filed a lawsuit against artificial intelligence company OpenAI in a California court, alleging that the company failed to alert law enforcement about concerning activity linked to the suspect in the Tumbler Ridge school shooting. B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma announced the legal action at a news conference Monday. The case is connected to the Feb. 10 mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge School, in which an 18-year-old gunman killed eight people, including six children. The provincial government alleges that OpenAI’s safety team became aware months before the
BCSep 21, 2026

B.C. NDP Faces Setback as Lana Popham Steps Away from Next Election

Political activity in British Columbia has intensified after Agriculture Minister Lana Popham announced that she will not seek re-election for the B.C. NDP in Saanich South. Popham’s decision comes amid growing speculation about the possibility of an early provincial election. Political observers say her announcement could add to the speculation, although it does not by itself confirm that an early election will be called. The announcement also comes as the opposition B.C. Conservative Party faces internal turmoil, while the B.C. NDP has been making preparations for a potential election camp
john-rustad-says-he-was-invited-back-to-b-c-conservative-caucus
BCSep 21, 2026

John Rustad Says He Was Invited Back to B.C. Conservative Caucus

Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad says he has been invited to rejoin the party’s caucus, just days after he was expelled by former leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay. Speaking at a press conference in Victoria on Monday, Rustad said interim party leader Lorne Doerkson personally contacted him by text message and invited him to return to the caucus. Rustad said he is considering the offer, but added that he believes his time in politics may have passed. Rustad also commented on speculation surrounding former premiers Christy Clark and Gordon Campbell, saying that former leaders should now s
nearly-1-in-4-canadian-households-struggle-with-unaffordable-housing-costs
CanadaSep 21, 2026

Nearly 1 in 4 Canadian Households Struggle With Unaffordable Housing Costs

According to the latest report from Statistics Canada, about 23.2% of Canadian households-nearly one in four- are living in homes considered unaffordable, as housing and living costs continue to rise. Statistics Canada defines housing as unaffordable when a household spends 30% or more of its total income on housing costs. The report found that renters are significantly more likely to face unaffordable housing than homeowners. About 33.7% of renters were living in unaffordable homes, compared with 17.4% of homeowners. In 2024, 36.6% of households had a mortgage, and among them, 26.1% were cons
canada-india-trade-talks-show-progress-sidhu-eyes-new-asia-pacific-trade-deals
BCSep 21, 2026

Canada-India Trade Talks Show Progress, Sidhu Eyes New Asia-Pacific Trade Deals

Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu has confirmed progress in trade discussions with India following his two-day visit to the country. Sidhu has now travelled to the Philippines to attend a meeting of economic ministers from Southeast Asian countries. He said Canada will work to advance free trade agreement negotiations with both ASEAN and the Philippines. According to figures shared by Sidhu, Canada’s trade with Asian countries increased by 23.4 per cent last year, reaching $52.3 billion. If a new agreement is finalized, it is expected to create 14,000 well-paying jobs in