19.59°C Vancouver

News

poilievre-criticizes-liberals-over-canada-post-executive-bonuses-amid-record-losses
CanadaJul 16, 2026

Poilievre criticizes Liberals over Canada Post executive bonuses amid record losses

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has criticized the Liberal government after reports that Canada Post paid millions of dollars in bonuses to management despite recording significant financial losses. Poilievre alleged that the government is allowing well-connected officials to benefit from taxpayer money while many Canadians continue to face rising living costs. He said families are struggling to afford groceries because of inflation, while senior Canada Post executives received substantial bonus payments. According to publicly reported Canada Post financial information, the Crown corporat
canada-pauses-new-parent-and-grandparent-sponsorship-applications-for-2026
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Canada pauses new parent and grandparent sponsorship applications for 2026

The federal government says it will not accept any new applications this year under Canada's Parents and Grandparents Program as it works to reduce processing times and manage a large backlog of existing files. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), approximately 60,500 sponsorship applications are currently being processed. The department said it expects to approve about 15,000 parents and grandparents each year over the next two years from applications already in the system. IRCC said the temporary pause is intended to improve processing efficiency. The department
federal-government-names-new-members-to-independent-senate-appointments-advisory-board
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Federal government names new members to independent Senate appointments advisory board

The federal government has announced new appointments to the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, one week after Prime Minister Mark Carney named four new senators to the upper chamber. According to a federal government news release, the advisory board will continue to provide non-binding recommendations to the prime minister on Senate appointments. The board was established in 2016 to support a merit-based and independent appointments process. The government said the board will continue to include three federal members, including a chair, along with two additional members from
westjet-flight-attendants-vote-99-4-in-favour-of-strike-as-august-long-weekend-travel-faces-disruption
CanadaJul 15, 2026

WestJet flight attendants vote 99.4% in favour of strike as August long weekend travel faces disruption

WestJet's flight attendants' union says 99.4 per cent of its members have voted in favour of strike action, clearing the way for a legal walkout as early as Aug. 2 if a new collective agreement is not reached. According to the union, about 4,400 flight attendants would be in a legal strike position beginning Aug. 2. Key issues in the contract dispute include wage increases that keep pace with inflation, improved working conditions and compensation for all hours spent on duty. WestJet President and CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said the airline remains committed to reaching a negotiated agreement
bank-of-canada-holds-key-interest-rate-at-2-25-for-sixth-straight-decision
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Bank of Canada holds key interest rate at 2.25% for sixth straight decision

The Bank of Canada has kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.25 per cent following its latest monetary policy decision on Wednesday, marking the sixth consecutive announcement with no change to the policy rate. According to the Bank of Canada, the Governing Council, led by Governor Tiff Macklem, decided to maintain the current rate amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding global economic conditions. The central bank cited volatility in global oil prices linked to tensions in the Middle East and continued uncertainty over the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) as factors in
mark-carney-announces-new-canadian-consul-general-appointments-in-the-united-states
CanadaJul 14, 2026

Mark Carney announces new Canadian consul general appointments in the United States

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a series of new Canadian consul general appointments across the United States. As part of the changes, former Brampton West Liberal MP and former cabinet minister Kamal Khera has been appointed Canada's new Consul General in Los Angeles. According to the Prime Minister's Office, former Shell Canada executive Susannah Pierce has been appointed Consul General in New York. The appointments also include former Bank of Canada director Claire Kennedy as Consul General in Chicago and veteran diplomat Andrea Clements as Consul General in Detroit. The appointmen
CanadaJul 14, 2026

Ottawa announces $30M drone defence innovation centre in Quebec

The federal government says it will invest nearly $30 million over two years to establish a new defence innovation centre focused on military drone research and development in Quebec. National Defence Minister David McGuinty announced the funding Wednesday in Mirabel, Que., a major aerospace manufacturing hub. According to the Department of National Defence, the project will support the creation and operation of a defence innovation centre dedicated to unmanned systems. The initiative will be led by Aéro Montréal and a consortium of 30 organizations representing industry, academic institutio
canada-post-awarded-nearly-30-million-in-performance-bonuses-despite-record-annual-loss
CanadaJul 14, 2026

Canada Post awarded nearly $30 million in performance bonuses despite record annual loss

Canada Post awarded nearly $30 million in performance-based bonuses to executives and managers for 2025 despite reporting its largest annual financial loss on record. According to the Crown corporation's financial results, Canada Post posted a pre-tax loss of $1.57 billion in 2025. The disclosure comes after the federal government approved $673 million in financial support for the Crown corporation as it continues to face mounting financial pressures. The bonus payments have drawn criticism amid ongoing concerns about the organization's long-term financial sustainability. The Canadian Taxpayer
CanadaJul 14, 2026

Two men killed in Toronto festival shooting were allegedly armed

Toronto Police say two men killed during a shooting at the Salsa on St. Clair festival on Saturday night have been identified as 20-year-old and 25-year-old victims. Police also confirmed that two firearms were recovered from the scene as the investigation continues. According to a Toronto Sun report citing an anonymous law enforcement source, both deceased men were allegedly armed and were involved in the exchange of gunfire. The source further claimed that no innocent bystanders were killed in the incident. Connect Newsroom has not independently verified those claims, and Toronto Police have

Just In

canadas-inflation-rate-rises-to-3-per-cent-in-july
CanadaAug 17, 2026

Canada’s inflation rate rises to 3 per cent in July

Canada’s annual inflation rate rose to 3 per cent in July, up from 2.8 per cent in June, according to Statistics Canada. The agency said the increase was driven largely by higher gasoline prices. Gasoline prices were 26 per cent higher in July than a year earlier, compared with a 21 per cent annual increase in June. Excluding gasoline prices, consumer inflation was 2.2 per cent in July, Statistics Canada reported. Grocery price growth also slowed, with food purchased from grocery stores rising 3.1 per cent year over year, down from 3.9 per cent in June. Despite the slowdown, Statistics Canad
two-homes-damaged-by-fire-in-port-coquitlam-about-12-people-displaced
BCAug 17, 2026

Two homes damaged by fire in Port Coquitlam, about 12 people displaced

About 12 people were displaced after a fire damaged two adjoining homes on the 1900 block of Langan Avenue in Port Coquitlam on Sunday morning. Port Coquitlam Fire and Emergency Services sent more than 20 firefighters and an aerial ladder truck to the scene. Deputy Fire Chief Jason Marshall said crews arrived at about 10 a.m. to find both homes involved in the fire. One firefighter was injured while crews worked to contain the blaze. According to officials, the firefighter was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital. The injuries were not considered life-threatening. Both homes sus
CanadaAug 17, 2026

Woman dies after entering Lake Ontario at Mississauga park

A woman has died after being swept into Lake Ontario at Jack Darling Memorial Park in Mississauga on Saturday night. According to Peel Regional Police, the incident happened at about 10:30 p.m. The woman was near the lake when she entered the water. Police have not confirmed the circumstances that led to her going into the lake. Emergency crews launched a search operation after the incident was reported. Police said the woman was pulled from the water at about 11:15 p.m., roughly 45 minutes after the search began. Paramedics took her to hospital in critical condition, where she later died desp
CanadaAug 17, 2026

Canada-U.S. trade talks enter critical stage as tariff differences remain

Canada and the United States have entered a critical stage in trade negotiations this week as Ottawa works to avoid new 50 per cent tariffs proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc held a virtual meeting over the weekend with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Canada’s chief trade negotiator, Jannis Charette, also took part. LeBlanc remained in Washington on Monday, although no additional meetings were scheduled. According to sources, negotiations remain stalled over tariffs on lumber and automobiles. U.S. negotiators have refused to reduce t
peter-milobar-announces-departure-from-b-c-conservative-caucus
BCAug 14, 2026

Peter Milobar Announces Departure from B.C. Conservative Caucus

Senior B.C. Conservative MLA Peter Milobar has formally announced that he is leaving the party caucus, effective immediately. He will now sit as an independent MLA for Kamloops Centre in the B.C. legislature. Milobar said that over the past several months, it had become increasingly clear to him that his personal values no longer aligned with the party’s new direction under Leader Kami-Leon Findlay. He said he fully respects Findlay’s right to shape the party according to her vision, but stressed that his top priority remains serving the people of Kamloops Centre, a commitment that has not