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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

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four-arrested-after-alleged-200-000-casino-fraud-scheme-in-vancouver
BCMay 28, 2026

Four arrested after alleged $200,000 casino fraud scheme in Vancouver

Four people have been arrested in Vancouver following an investigation into an alleged casino cheating scheme that police say defrauded a local casino of more than $200,000. The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia said the arrests were made May 5, one day after investigators were alerted to suspected cheating activity at a Vancouver casino. The investigation began after the Independent Gambling Control Office identified irregularities during casino play, according to a police statement. Police said two men and two women were arrested and later released pending charge a
pm-mark-carney-calls-for-renewed-canada-u-s-partnership-during-new-york-speech
CanadaMay 28, 2026

PM Mark Carney calls for renewed Canada–U.S. partnership during New York speech

Prime Minister Mark Carney called on the United States to build a renewed and stronger partnership with Canada during a speech in New York, saying both countries need deeper cooperation in key sectors amid growing global competition. Carney said Canada is now more resilient and confident than in previous years and positioned the country as a reliable partner for the United States, particularly in the energy sector. He said Canada is capable of helping meet American energy needs while supporting stability in North American supply chains. Addressing the issue of Chinese electric vehicles enterin
CanadaMay 28, 2026

U.S., Canada and Mexico announce joint Ebola travel measures ahead of FIFA World Cup

The United States, Canada and Mexico have announced coordinated travel health measures for visitors arriving from high-risk African regions ahead of the FIFA World Cup, citing growing concerns over the spread of Ebola. In a joint statement, the three host countries said protecting the health and safety of residents and international visitors during the North American tournament remains a top priority. The measures follow a recent World Health Organization declaration warning that an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo could spread to neighbouring countries. According to the Worl
BCMay 28, 2026

Conservative MP introduces bill to repeal B.C. oil tanker ban

Conservative MP David MacKenzie, who represents Calgary Signal Hill, has introduced a private member’s bill in the House of Commons seeking to repeal the federal oil tanker ban along British Columbia’s northern coast. Bill C-264 is currently at second reading. The federal restriction, which came into force in 2019, prohibits oil tankers carrying large quantities of crude oil and certain petroleum products from loading or unloading along much of B.C.’s northern coastline. The legislation was introduced as part of federal marine and environmental protection measures. Speaking in the House
ucp-backs-alberta-remaining-in-canada-after-public-split-over-separation-stance
AlbertaMay 28, 2026

UCP backs Alberta remaining in Canada after public split over separation stance

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the United Conservative Party supports Alberta remaining in Canada following conflicting public statements from party leadership ahead of a proposed fall referendum on separation. The clarification came after UCP president Rob Smith said earlier this week the party would not take a position on Alberta separation before the vote. Danielle Smith has repeatedly stated she supports Alberta staying within Confederation. In a new statement issued Wednesday, the party said it supports Alberta remaining in Canada and “has always supported that position.” The dis