7.05°C Vancouver

News

canadians-may-get-relief-on-interest-rates
CanadaDec 10, 2024

Canadians May Get Relief on Interest Rates

Canadians may see some relief on interest rates as the Bank of Canada is expected to cut rates on Wednesday. However, experts have warned that if the central bank makes a significant cut, as many in the market anticipate, the already weakening Canadian dollar could fall further. The Bank of Canada is widely expected to reduce its benchmark interest rate for the fifth consecutive time tomorrow. The current rate stands at 3.75 percent, and many economists are predicting a 50-basis-point (or half a percentage point) cut. This expectation of a substantial rate cut has grown following last month's
conservatives-third-attempt-to-topple-trudeaus-minority-government-fails
CanadaDec 10, 2024

Conservatives' Third Attempt to Topple Trudeau's Minority Government Fails

Canada's main opposition, the Conservatives, have failed in their third and latest attempt to topple Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority government. The NDP, which supports the Liberal minority government, blocked the Conservatives' no-confidence motion. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh had previously made it clear that although the Conservatives' motion was based on his words, his party would not fall for their tactics and would vote against it. While Singh was not in the House during the vote due to a prior meeting, he participated in the online vote. Meanwhile, MPs also voted on an NDP motion
freeland-doesnt-commit-to-meeting-her-own-deficit-target-in-fall-economic-statement
CanadaDec 10, 2024

Freeland doesn't commit to meeting her own deficit target in fall economic statement

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is not committing to meeting the $40.1-billion deficit target she set for the government last year. Freeland says she expects the fall economic statement, which she will present on Dec. 16, will show a declining debt-to-GDP ratio. When asked if she would also meet her deficit target, Freeland wouldn't answer, saying she chose her words "carefully." The finance minister announced a set of fiscal guardrails last fall in response to pressure from the Bank of Canada and economists to avoid fuelling inflation with too much spending. Freeland now appears to be ditc
canada-post-strike-on-day-26-as-union-sends-new-proposals
CanadaDec 10, 2024

Canada Post strike on day 26 as union sends new proposals

With the Canada Post strike nearing four weeks, the postal service says it doesn't see an end in sight. On Monday, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers sent over its latest list of proposals, which include wage gains and job protections. But Canada Post said in a statement that the proposals don't bring the two sides any closer together in a dispute that's brought millions of deliveries to a halt. Despite calls for the government to intervene, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday that the government is putting pressure on the two sides to reach an agreement. One of the key issues in barga
lgbtq-groups-pushing-for-speedy-court-process-halt-to-alberta-transgender-bill
CanadaDec 10, 2024

LGBTQ+ groups pushing for speedy court process, halt to Alberta transgender bill

L-G-B-T-Q advocate organizations say they're working as quickly as possible to ask a court to stop the government from bringing into force an Alberta law they say will cause immediate harm. The law will ban doctors from providing gender-affirming treatment such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy for those under 16. Bennett Jensen of Egale (EE'-gal) Canada, says along with Skipping Stone and five Alberta families, they will call for an injunction to protect young people's access to health care while the courts decide whether the law is constitutional. In documents filed with the Court of
canada-may-tighten-border-security-with-1-billion-investment
CanadaDec 09, 2024

Canada May Tighten Border Security with $1 Billion Investment

Crossing the Canada-US border could soon become more challenging, as the Trudeau government considers a major investment to enhance border security. This move aims to address incoming U.S. President Donald Trump’s concerns about illegal crossings and mitigate the risk of tariffs on Canadian imports. Sources suggest the government may allocate over $1 billion for increased surveillance at the border. The proposal, which includes various measures, is expected to be presented to the federal cabinet soon. During a press conference in Ottawa, Treasury Board President Anita Anand confirmed the go
freeland-sets-december-16-for-fall-economic-statement
CanadaDec 09, 2024

Freeland Sets December 16 for Fall Economic Statement

Canada's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Chrystia Freeland, has scheduled the release of the Fall Economic Statement for December 16. Commonly referred to as a "mini-budget," it outlines the government's fiscal direction. The statement will detail fiscal priorities for 2025, following recent announcements on GST exemptions, immigration caps, and increased NATO spending outside the 2024 budget framework. These measures are expected to impact the overall budget outlook. Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre has accused the government of delaying the statement to hide a potential breach
cancer-patients-in-canada-face-high-out-of-pocket-costs-report
CanadaDec 09, 2024

Cancer Patients in Canada Face High Out-of-Pocket Costs: Report

Cancer patients in Canada are facing significant out-of-pocket expenses, according to the Canadian Cancer Society. While hospital costs such as surgery and chemotherapy are covered by the government, the average cancer patient still pays about $33,000 over the course of their lifetime. These costs include out-of-pocket expenses for prescribed medications, transportation to and from the hospital, accommodation, and lost income during treatment. Physicians and health policy experts note that these financial burdens make coping with the disease even more difficult. The report estimates that in 20
trump-unveils-agenda-after-taking-office-2
CanadaDec 09, 2024

Trump Unveils Agenda After Taking Office

Donald Trump revealed his agenda in an interview with a TV channel. He stated that after taking the oath as President of the United States, he plans to end birthright citizenship, a policy that grants U.S. citizenship to children born on American soil, regardless of their parents' nationality. Trump emphasized that he would work to abolish birthright citizenship and reiterated his stance on deporting illegal immigrants currently residing in the United States. Additionally, he mentioned that he would take steps to pardon individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol riot once he becomes Presi

Just In

b-c-launches-new-forestry-and-emergency-management-testbed-under-look-west-plan
BCDec 16, 2025

B.C. launches new forestry and emergency management testbed under Look West plan

The B.C. government has launched a new Forestry Innovation and Emergency Management Testbed aimed at helping local companies develop and scale technologies to better protect communities from wildfires, floods and other extreme weather events. The initiative is part of the province’s Look West economic plan, which focuses on strengthening domestic industries and reducing reliance on external markets. Delivered through Innovate BC’s Integrated Marketplace, the provincewide testbed will allow B.C. businesses to pilot technologies in real-world settings tied to wildfire and flood prevention, f
five-month-nanaimo-rcmp-probe-leads-to-drug-trafficking-and-firearm-charges
BCDec 16, 2025

Five-month Nanaimo RCMP probe leads to drug trafficking and firearm charges

A five-month investigation by Nanaimo RCMP has resulted in multiple drug and firearm-related charges against two Nanaimo residents, following the seizure of controlled substances, weapons and body armour from a local residence. Police say the investigation began in early November 2024 after general duty officers received information that a home in Nanaimo was being used to traffic illegal drugs. With assistance from the RCMP General Investigation Section and the Projects Drug Unit, officers executed a search warrant at the residence on April 17, 2025. During the search, investigators seized qu
federal-buy-canadian-procurement-rules-take-effect-prioritizing-domestic-industries
CanadaDec 16, 2025

Federal ‘Buy Canadian’ procurement rules take effect, prioritizing domestic industries

The federal government’s new ‘Buy Canadian’ procurement policy came into force today, marking a significant shift in how Ottawa purchases goods and services for major public projects. The policy, announced earlier this fall, is designed to give preference to Canadian-made products and Canadian workers in federal contracting. The government says the approach is aimed at strengthening domestic industries and protecting supply chains during a period of ongoing global trade uncertainty. In its first phase, the policy applies to federal contracts valued at $25 million or more. These projects
AlbertaDec 16, 2025

Inmate convicted in Edmonton prison killing was already serving life sentence for Calgary murder

A man already serving a life sentence for the murder of a Calgary caseworker has been convicted in the killing of a fellow inmate at a maximum-security federal prison in Edmonton. Brandon Newman was found guilty last week of manslaughter in the 2022 stabbing death of 33-year-old Bretton Fisher at the Edmonton Institution. Newman is currently incarcerated for the second-degree murder of Deborah Onwu, a caseworker who was stabbed 19 times at an assisted-living facility in Calgary in 2019. Court heard that tensions escalated inside the prison after Fisher confronted Newman over the earlier killin
heavy-rain-warnings-remain-in-southwest-b-c-as-flood-recovery-continues-in-fraser-valley
BCDec 16, 2025

Heavy rain warnings remain in southwest B.C. as flood recovery continues in Fraser Valley

Residents in parts of southwestern British Columbia are being warned to prepare for more heavy rainfall as cleanup efforts continue following recent flooding in the Fraser Valley. Environment Canada says up to 70 millimetres of rain could fall across areas including Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley through Wednesday morning. The forecast comes as floodwaters linked to the Nooksack River in Washington state begin to recede, allowing cleanup operations to start earlier this week in several low-lying Fraser Valley communities. Provincial officials say the flood threat is not over. B.C. Emerg