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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

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BCAug 20, 2026

Single-Vehicle Collision Leads to Drug Trafficking Investigation

On August 19, 2026, at approximately 8:45 p.m., West Shore RCMP Frontline officers responded to a report of a single-vehicle collision involving a pickup truck near the intersection of Island Highway and Wale Road in Colwood. A witness told police that the vehicle had been performing a burnout before crashing into a telephone pole. Officers attended the scene and identified the driver as a 53-year-old man whose driver's licence had been suspended. Although the driver was determined to be sober, police found evidence of illicit narcotics inside the vehicle during their investigation. The man wa
carney-speaks-with-mexican-president-sheinbaum-on-trade-cusma-and-wildfire-cooperation
CanadaAug 20, 2026

Carney speaks with Mexican President Sheinbaum on trade, CUSMA and wildfire cooperation

Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke by phone with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to discuss bilateral trade relations and ways to strengthen trade across North America. During the conversation, Carney thanked Sheinbaum for Mexico’s support in Canada’s wildfire response, including the deployment of more than 400 firefighters and support personnel. The two leaders also discussed ongoing developments affecting the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), stressing the importance of advancing the agreement to protect businesses and workers and provide greater stability in trade. Carney
CanadaAug 20, 2026

Advance Voting for 3 Federal By-Elections Begins Friday in Canada

Advance voting for three federal by-elections in Canada is set to begin Friday. According to Elections Canada, advance voting will take place for four consecutive days, from Friday through Monday, between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. The by-elections are being held in the federal ridings of North Vancouver–Capilano in British Columbia, Beaches–East York in Toronto, and Chicoutimi–Le Fjord in Quebec. Election Day for all three ridings is scheduled for August 31. The three by-elections are part of a series of federal by-elections being held across Canada this year. Earlier, on April 13, two federal b
WorldAug 20, 2026

43 Dead, 16 Rescued After Boat Capsizes in Nigeria

At least 43 people have died after an overloaded boat capsized in Nigeria’s northwestern Sokoto state, while 16 people have been rescued. Local officials said many of those who died were children. Abdulkadir Yusuf, a regional official with the National Inland Waterways Authority, said around 40 bodies had been recovered and rescue operations were continuing. Local lawmaker Nasiru Adamu put the death toll at 43. Residents said the boat was carrying farm owners and workers hired to harvest rice. However, reports differ on the number of people aboard the boat. One resident said more than 70 peo
BCAug 20, 2026

Garbage-Dumping Videos Go Viral in Abbotsford, Police Launch Investigation

Police in Abbotsford have launched an investigation after two separate videos showing garbage being dumped in a waterway and a local park went viral on social media. The two incidents are believed to have occurred in late July. In one video, a woman is seen dumping garbage at Mill Lake Park, while another video shows her dumping garbage near Bluejay Elementary School. According to Sgt. Paul Walker, police had not received any reports about the incidents before the videos went viral. However, after the videos were widely shared, around 30 people contacted or tagged the police department, provid