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liberals-ndp-pass-gst-bill-in-house-of-commons
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

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abbotsford-teen-suspended-after-crash-at-180-km-h-prompts-police-warning
BCMar 18, 2026

Abbotsford teen suspended after crash at 180 km/h prompts police warning

A 16-year-old Abbotsford driver is serving a licence suspension after being found guilty of multiple driving offences following a high-speed crash on Highway 1, according to a release from BC Highway Patrol. Police say the incident occurred July 21, 2025, near Popkum, where a BMW sedan was recorded travelling about 180 km/h in a 100 km/h zone. According to BC Highway Patrol, the teen failed to stop for police and continued driving with two teenage passengers before colliding with a parked dump truck. Cell phone video voluntarily provided to investigators shows the moments leading up to the cra
sikh-organization-calls-for-hate-crime-probe-in-fatal-shooting-near-leduc-alta
BCMar 18, 2026

Sikh organization calls for hate crime probe in fatal shooting near Leduc, Alta.

A national Sikh advocacy group is urging police to examine whether a fatal shooting of a 22-year-old man near Leduc, Alta., was motivated by hate. In a statement, the World Sikh Organization of Canada said Birinder Singh was killed on March 14 while travelling on Highway 2, south of Edmonton. According to the organization, occupants of a pickup truck opened fire on Singh’s vehicle in what it described as a daytime, unprovoked attack. Singh died at the scene. The group is calling on the Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit to investigate the killing as a potential hate-motivated crime. Police have
canadas-population-declines-in-late-2025-amid-slowdown-in-non-permanent-residents-statcan
CanadaMar 18, 2026

Canada’s population declines in late 2025 amid slowdown in non-permanent residents: StatCan

Canada’s population declined in the final months of 2025, driven largely by a drop in non-permanent residents, according to new estimates from Statistics Canada. The agency reports the country’s population fell by approximately 102,000 people over the year. The decline coincides with a decrease of more than 171,000 non-permanent residents between Oct. 1, 2025 and Jan. 1, 2026, including international students and temporary workers. Statistics Canada cautioned that the figures should be interpreted carefully, noting that fluctuations in work and study permit renewals could result in larger-
montreal-building-owner-charged-in-2023-old-montreal-fire-that-killed-seven
CanadaMar 18, 2026

Montreal building owner charged in 2023 Old Montreal fire that killed seven

Montreal police say they have arrested a 63-year-old building owner in connection with a 2023 fire in Old Montreal that killed seven people. Police allege Emile Benamor faces 15 charges, including seven counts of manslaughter and eight counts of criminal negligence related to the March 16, 2023 blaze at a heritage property on Place D’Youville. The allegations have not been tested in court. According to a Montreal police service news conference, investigators had previously identified traces of an accelerant at the scene, prompting a criminal investigation into the fire. Chief-Insp. David Sha
ontario-urges-b-c-quebec-to-drop-ev-sales-targets-citing-competitiveness-concerns
CanadaMar 18, 2026

Ontario urges B.C., Quebec to drop EV sales targets, citing competitiveness concerns

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on the governments of British Columbia and Quebec to eliminate their electric-vehicle sales targets, arguing the policies are undermining Canada’s economic competitiveness. According to letters sent Wednesday to the two premiers, Ford said Ontario’s auto sector employs nearly 100,000 people and remains a key economic driver. He warned that differing provincial mandates on zero-emission vehicles risk creating what he described as a “fragmented and uncompetitive” national environment. Ford’s request follows recent changes in both provinces. Quebec h