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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
canada-increases-border-security-funding-in-response-to-us-tariff-threats
CanadaNov 28, 2024

Canada Increases Border Security Funding in Response to US Tariff Threats

Canada has decided to increase funding for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the RCMP to strengthen border security in response to US President Donald Trump's threat of tariffs. This funding will allow both agencies to further expand their personnel and resources at the border. The announcement followed an emergency meeting between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and provincial premiers across Canada on Wednesday evening to discuss Trump's proposed tariffs and the future of Canada-US relations. The meeting lasted about 90 minutes online, after which federal Public Safety Minister Domi
poilievre-targets-trudeau-over-border-security
CanadaNov 28, 2024

Poilievre Targets Trudeau Over Border Security

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has launched a major attack on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over border security. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Poilievre stated that Trudeau is fully responsible for the current situation. Poilievre claimed that, under Trudeau, there were no illegal crossings prior to his tenure. He accused the Prime Minister of leaving the borders open, which led to a dramatic increase in asylum seekers — from 10,000 to 200,000. He further emphasized that it is now the provinces' responsibility to secure the borders. Poilievre asserted that Trudeau has failed to fu
conservative-party-to-vote-against-liberal-gst-exemption-bill
CanadaNov 28, 2024

Conservative Party to Vote Against Liberal GST Exemption Bill

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and his party will vote against the Liberal government's proposed GST exemption bill. Poilievre has called it irresponsible and inflationary. He stated that this is not a tax cut but rather an inflationary move, one that would be used as a trick for two months. Poilievre emphasized the need for tax relief that truly benefits the economy by encouraging the production of goods purchased with cash. It is worth noting that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised a two-month GST exemption starting next month. A vote on the bill will be held today. With the su
surrey-school-board-gets-new-chair-after-7-years
CanadaNov 28, 2024

Surrey School Board Gets New Chair After 7 Years

The Surrey School Board has a new chair after seven years. The Surrey Board meeting held on November 20, saw the election of a new chair. Former Vice Chair Gary Tymoschuk was elected Chair, and Trustee Terry Allen was elected Vice Chair. Tymoschuk thanked everyone for electing him and promised to do a good job. Allen served as Vice Chair from 2017 to 2022 and was re-elected to the Board in the recent municipal election.
bail-denied-for-woman-accused-in-childs-drowning-death-at-alberta-lake
CanadaNov 28, 2024

Bail denied for woman accused in child's drowning death at Alberta lake

An Alberta woman charged in the drowning death of a five-year-old girl has been denied bail while she awaits trial. Justice Rosanna Saccomani said there is a concern the accused, Mary Quinn, poses a significant risk to public safety. Saccomani issued the decision in provincial court in Stony Plain. Quinn, who is 35, was charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life after the girl drowned Oct. 13 at Wabamun Lake, west of Edmonton. The girl cannot be identified under a court-ordered publication ban.
liberals-gst-break-expected-to-pass-today
CanadaNov 28, 2024

Liberals' GST break expected to pass today

Legislation to create a two-month-long GST holiday is expected to pass today. Liberals, NDP expected to pass GST holiday in House of Commons today The bill was introduced on behalf of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland in the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon, with the help of the NDP to at least temporarily stop debate on a Conservative filibuster. The NDP only agreed to support the bill after Freeland separated the GST break from a promise to also send $250 to most working Canadians in the spring. The NDP wants that benefit expanded to also go to non-working seniors and people with di
quebec-premier-says-hes-open-to-possibility-of-quebec-constitution-by-2026
CanadaNov 27, 2024

Quebec premier says he's 'open' to possibility of Quebec constitution by 2026

A committee appointed by the Quebec government has recommended the province adopt its own constitution and take other steps to boost its autonomy. Premier François Legault says he’s open to the possibility of a Quebec constitution before the next provincial election in 2026, but he won't make promises. The committee's report includes 42 recommendations, including that Quebec modernize its laws to remove references to the monarchy and that the province negotiate an agreement with the federal government on asylum seekers. The Opposition Liberals passed a motion in favour of a Quebec constitut

Just In

b-c-to-introduce-mandatory-crane-licensing-and-permitting-after-seven-fatalities-in-five-years
BCMar 04, 2026

B.C. to introduce mandatory crane licensing and permitting after seven fatalities in five years

The British Columbia government says it will introduce mandatory crane-related licensing and permitting following a series of fatal workplace accidents over the past five years. In a statement Tuesday, the province said it plans to establish a new WorkSafeBC crane licensing and permitting program to ensure crane operations meet “consistent, high-quality safety requirements.” According to the government, there have been seven crane-related fatalities in B.C. during that period, with 373 cranes currently in operation across the province. The announcement follows a WorkSafeBC report into the
CanadaMar 04, 2026

Canada seeks Oman airspace access amid Middle East tensions,no evacuation flights announced

Canada has asked Oman for permission to use its airspace if evacuations become necessary as tensions escalate in the Middle East, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said. Anand confirmed she spoke with her Omani counterpart, Badr Albusaidi, about securing potential access to Oman’s airspace to help extract Canadians from the region if required. According to federal officials, about 100,000 Canadians are currently in the affected area. Ottawa has not announced any government-organized repatriation flights. The federal government is advising Canadians to leave the region by commercial means
CanadaMar 03, 2026

Air Canada adds extra Toronto–Delhi flight amid Middle East disruptions

Air Canada says it is increasing capacity between Canada and India as it suspends several Middle East routes due to current conditions in the region. The airline announced it will add one additional flight on its Toronto–Delhi route from March 7 to March 21. That will bring the total to two daily flights between Toronto and Delhi during that period. Air Canada also said it will deploy larger aircraft on select Toronto–London–Mumbai flights to accommodate additional passenger demand. The changes come after the airline suspended all flights to and from Dubai and Tel Aviv until March 22. Ai
b-c-chief-coroner-announces-investigation-into-tumbler-ridge-mass-shooting
BCMar 03, 2026

B.C. chief coroner announces investigation into Tumbler Ridge mass shooting

British Columbia Chief Coroner Jatinder Baidwan announced Tuesday that a formal investigation will be conducted into the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge. Speaking at a press conference in Victoria, Baidwan said the purpose of the investigation is to establish the facts surrounding the incident and issue recommendations aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future. He said the process is also intended to help restore public confidence in the system. According to the BC Coroners Service, the investigation will examine how individuals experiencing a mental health crisis are identified and w
minister-sunner-explains-the-need-of-bill-7-in-an-interview-with-connect-fm
BCMar 03, 2026

Minister Sunner explains the need of Bill 7 in an interview with Connect FM

The BC government has introduced Bill 7, in the legislature to provide education quality assurance, strengthen oversight, and crack down on bad actors. In this regard, in an exclusive interview with Connect FM today, BC's Minister of Post-Secondary education and Future Skills, Jessie Sooner, answered questions about the need for the bill, its timeline, identification of bad actors and penalties, and its alignment with federal laws. Minister Sunner said, “this legislation will provide more tools and will be useful in maintaining international education standards.” Minister Sunner said that