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statistics-canada-reports-economy-contracted-0-2-per-cent-in-november
CanadaJan 31, 2025

Statistics Canada reports economy contracted 0.2 per cent in November

Statistics Canada says real gross domestic product decreased 0.2 per cent in November, the largest monthly contraction since December 2023.However, the agency says its preliminary estimate for December pointed to an increase of 0.2 per cent for the final month of the year. The advance estimate suggests an annualized growth rate of 1.8 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024.For November, Statistics Canada says goods-producing industries contracted 0.6 per cent, with the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction and utilities sectors driving most of the decline. Services-producing industri
pierre-poilievre-refuses-security-clearance-for-foreign-interference-report
CanadaJan 30, 2025

Pierre Poilievre Refuses Security Clearance for Foreign Interference Report

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has declined to apply for a security clearance from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) in order to read a report on foreign interference, rejecting the requirement. Poilievre argued that the security clearance requirements would prevent him from speaking freely on the issue and limit his ability to hold the Liberal government accountable. He further stated that the spy agency is welcome to report directly to any of his MPs or senators if it believes foreign interference poses a risk to any of his party members. It is worth noting that Marie-
chrystia-freeland-pledges-leaner-cabinet-in-liberal-leadership-bid
CanadaJan 30, 2025

Chrystia Freeland Pledges Leaner Cabinet in Liberal Leadership Bid

Former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, a candidate in the Liberal Party leadership race to become the next Prime Minister of Canada, has pledged to cut cabinet and Prime Minister’s Office staff by half to reduce unnecessary expenses if elected. Freeland stated her cabinet would consist of no more than 20 ministers, compared to the current 38, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Freeland, who has also served as Deputy Prime Minister, is one of six candidates vying to succeed Trudeau as Liberal leader. The party will select its new leader on March 9, after which Trudeau will step dow
ndp-leader-wants-to-ban-the-u-s-from-procurement-if-it-hits-canada-with-tariffs
CanadaJan 30, 2025

NDP leader wants to ban the U.S. from procurement if it hits Canada with tariffs

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says Canada should bar American companies from all federal government procurement contracts if U.S. President Donald Trump hits the country with damaging tariffs. Singh is meeting with unionized steelworkers in Sault Ste. Marie today, where he's laying out his "Buy Canadian" plan. He also says any funds Canada raises through retaliatory tariffs should be put toward supporting workers affected by U.S. tariffs. Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland also pitched a "Buy Canadian" plan earlier this week, saying Ottawa should bar Americans from non-defence governmen
passenger-jet-with-64-aboard-collides-with-army-helicopter-while-landing-at-reagan-airport-near-dc
CanadaJan 30, 2025

Passenger jet with 64 aboard collides with Army helicopter while landing at Reagan Airport near DC

An American Airlines jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided Wednesday with an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, prompting a large search-and-rescue operation in the nearby Potomac River. There were multiple fatalities, according to a person familiar with the matter, but the precise number of victims was unclear as rescue crews hunted for any survivors. Three soldiers were onboard the helicopter, an Army official said. There was no immediate word on the cause of the collision, but all takeoffs and landings from the airport were h
alberta-premier-defends-covid-19-report-unsure-which-recommendations-to-take
CanadaJan 30, 2025

Alberta premier defends COVID-19 report, unsure which recommendations to take

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she's not sure which recommendations from a controversial new COVID-19 report her government will implement. Doctors have slammed the $2-million review by a government-appointed panel that calls for limits on COVID-19 vaccines and for health professionals not to be punished for promoting alternative treatments. Smith says critics of the report are trying to control the narrative and that she doesn't want to see ``contrarian voices'' shut out when reviewing pandemic response measures. She says getting those perspectives is needed in order tomake go
premier-danielle-smith-to-announce-new-provincial-fund-today
CanadaJan 29, 2025

Premier Danielle Smith to announce new provincial fund today

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith will announce a new provincial fund today. Her government says it will increase the Heritage Savings Trust Fund from $250 billion to $400 billion by 2050. Finance Minister Nate Horner will also be in Calgary with her. Smith’s government has promised to cut interest on the province’s general revenue each year and increase investment. The fund was started in 1976 by former Premier Peter Lougheed to set aside revenue, but successive governments have begun to withdraw money from it. It was valued at $23.4 billion as of September, and Horner has promised to add $
doug-ford-targets-trumps-tariffs-in-ontario-legislative-election-campaign
CanadaJan 29, 2025

Doug Ford Targets Trump’s Tariffs in Ontario Legislative Election Campaign

The issue of Trump’s tariffs has begun to resonate in the Ontario legislative elections. Former Premier and Ontario Progressive Conservative Party leader Doug Ford made tariffs a focal point and also criticized Trump during his first rally in Windsor today. Ford told Ontarians that to confront Trump's threat, they need the strongest majority in Ontario's history. He emphasized that the bigger the mandate given to him, the better he will be able to protect the province. It is important to note that in Ontario, four major parties are contesting the elections, including Ford's Progressive Cons
mayor-brenda-locke-warns-of-potential-impact-of-tariffs-on-the-city
CanadaJan 29, 2025

Mayor Brenda Locke Warns of Potential Impact of Tariffs on the City

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke has warned of the potential impact tariffs could have on the city. According to the mayor, more than 20 percent of Surrey’s businesses engage in direct trade with the U.S., valued at approximately $2.8 billion annually. She stated that if President Donald Trump moves forward with a 25 percent tariff on Canada, hundreds of local jobs could be at risk, particularly in manufacturing, value-added sectors, and export-oriented businesses. Mayor Locke expressed concern that local truck drivers will be particularly affected, noting that the impact will be immediate, not ju

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overpass-strike-causes-lane-closure-and-delays-on-highway-1-in-surrey
BCJan 14, 2026

Overpass strike causes lane closure and delays on Highway 1 in Surrey

An overpass strike involving a commercial truck has partially shut down Highway 1 eastbound in Surrey, prompting an investigation by BC Highway Patrol and traffic delays for commuters. Police say the collision occurred near the 192 Street overpass when a flatdeck truck towing an excavator struck the structure, causing visible damage. The eastbound right lane of Highway 1 was closed immediately as a precaution while safety assessments began. BC Highway Patrol was called to the scene shortly before 9:30 a.m. after motorists reported witnessing the incident. Officers are now working with Commerci
BCJan 14, 2026

Vancouver man charged after alleged assault on fast-food worker over unpaid add-on

A Vancouver man is facing a criminal charge after police say a dispute over a burger order escalated into a violent assault at a downtown fast-food restaurant. According to Vancouver police, the incident happened around 7:05 p.m. on January 12 at a restaurant on Granville Street. Investigators allege a customer demanded free bacon on his burger and became aggressive when told he would have to pay for the extra item. Police say the suspect went behind the counter and into the kitchen area, where he allegedly punched a 23-year-old cook in the face. The worker suffered a serious facial injury and
search-underway-for-missing-surrey-teen
BCJan 14, 2026

Search Underway for Missing Surrey Teen

Authorities are asking for public help in locating a missing 16-year-old boy from Surrey. Chetan Binning has not been seen since yesterday. He is approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, with curly hair and a distinctive mark under his right eye. Chetan was last spotted around 4:30 p.m. in the Sullivan Heights area of Surrey. Police are urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact them immediately at 604-719-4442. A photo of Chetan Binning is available on the Connect FM website to assist with identification. Officials continue to search the area and appeal to the community for a
u-s-pauses-immigrant-visa-processing-from-75-countries-over-public-assistance-rules
WorldJan 14, 2026

U.S. pauses immigrant visa processing from 75 countries over public assistance rules

The United States has suspended the processing of immigrant visa applications for citizens of 75 countries, citing concerns that some applicants could require public assistance after settling in the country. The U.S. State Department confirmed Wednesday that consular officers have been directed to halt immigrant visa processing from the affected countries. The move follows a broader order issued in November that tightened eligibility standards for immigrants deemed likely to become a “public charge” under U.S. immigration law. Officials emphasized that the suspension applies only to immigr
surrey-police-investigate-early-morning-shooting-at-newton-business
CanadaJan 14, 2026

Surrey police investigate early-morning shooting at Newton business

Surrey Police Service officers are investigating an overnight shooting that damaged a business in the Newton neighbourhood, marking the latest incident amid a series of extortion-related crimes reported in the city. Police say officers were called to the 8000 block of King George Boulevard at around 2:10 am after reports of gunfire. When officers arrived, they found a business property that had been damaged by the shooting. No injuries were reported. The Surrey Police Service Frontline Investigative Support Team attended the scene, and the Major Crime Section has assumed conduct of the investi