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statistics-canada-to-release-september-labour-force-survey-today
CanadaOct 11, 2024

Canada’s September jobs data expected to show slight rise in unemployment amid slowing economy

Statistics Canada will release its latest labour force survey this morning, providing a clearer picture of how Canada’s job market performed in September. Economists surveyed by Reuters predict the country added about 27,000 jobs last month, while the national unemployment rate is expected to edge up to 6.7 per cent from 6.6 per cent in August. In August, the economy added 22,000 jobs, marking continued but modest growth in employment. The new data will be closely watched as the Bank of Canada also prepares to publish its business outlook survey and consumer expectations report later today -
trudeau-touts-real-progress-on-pharmacar-calls-on-premiers-to-start-cutting-deals
CanadaOct 11, 2024

Trudeau urges provinces to begin pharmacare talks; B.C. first to sign coverage agreement

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling on Canada’s provinces and territories to begin pharmacare negotiations immediately, following the recent passage of federal legislation that lays the foundation for a national drug coverage program. Speaking to reporters in Laos, where he attended the ASEAN Summit, Trudeau said the passage of the pharmacare bill by the Senate represents “real progress for Canadians,” emphasizing that the next step now lies with provinces to implement it. The pharmacare legislation, a key element of the confidence-and-supply agreement between the Liberals and the N
alberta-company-fined-after-worker-severely-burned-in-2021-oil-and-gas-site-fire
CanadaOct 11, 2024

Alberta oilfield company fined $90,000 after worker severely burned in 2021 fire near Valleyview

O’Reilly Oilfield Services Ltd. has been fined $90,000 after pleading guilty to failing to protect the health and safety of workers under its supervision, following a 2021 oilfield fire that left one worker with severe burn injuries in northwest Alberta. According to the Alberta government, the incident occurred in July 2021 at an oil and gas site near Valleyview, when liquid from a decommissioned pipeline ignited and overflowed from a portable flare stack, sparking a fire that seriously injured a worker. As part of the sentencing, Crown prosecutors withdrew five other charges against O’Re
trudeau-applauds-thailand-for-legalizing-gay-marriage-during-meeting-at-asean-summit
CanadaOct 10, 2024

Trudeau applauds Thailand for legalizing gay marriage during meeting at ASEAN summit

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Thailand’s new prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, on her country’s decision to legalize same-sex marriage, calling it a remarkable step forward for human rights in Asia. Trudeau made the remarks during a bilateral meeting with Shinawatra while attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Vientiane, Laos. He said Thailand’s progress stands out “at a time when rights are backsliding around the world,” describing Shinawatra’s leadership on marriage equality as “exceptional.” Thailand’s landmark marriage e
quebec-government-tables-legislation-to-limit-number-of-international-students
CanadaOct 10, 2024

Quebec government tables legislation to limit number of international students

The Quebec government has introduced new legislation that would give it the authority to cap the number of international students studying in the province, part of a broader effort to reduce the rapidly growing number of non-permanent residents. Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge said the number of foreign students in Quebec reached 120,000 last year, up sharply from 50,000 in 2014. Over the past two years, the province’s total non-permanent resident population has doubled - from about 300,000 to 600,000 - prompting the government to take what it calls “necessary corrective action
alberta-ucp-welcomes-mla-who-compared-transgender-kids-to-feces-back-into-caucus
CanadaOct 10, 2024

Alberta UCP welcomes MLA who compared transgender kids to feces back into caucus

An Alberta MLA who was expelled from the United Conservative Party caucus last year for comparing transgender children to feces has been reinstated after issuing a public apology and pledging to support inclusivity. Lacombe–Ponoka MLA Jennifer Johnson said she has grown “personally and professionally” since being removed from caucus 17 months ago. “Now, I am eager to apply what I have learned to benefit everyone who calls this province home,” Johnson said in a statement released Friday. Johnson was removed from the UCP in 2023 after a 2022 recording surfaced in which she compared tra
joly-mendicino-to-appear-at-foreign-interference-inquiry-today
CanadaOct 10, 2024

Joly, Mendicino to appear at foreign interference inquiry today

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly and former public safety minister Marco Mendicino are set to appear today before the federal commission of inquiry examining foreign interference in Canada’s democratic and institutional affairs. The latest phase of the inquiry is focusing on how well federal agencies detect, assess, and respond to attempts by foreign actors to influence Canadian politics, policy, and society. Officials from Global Affairs Canada, Joly’s department, testified late last week about the challenges of monitoring and countering international interference efforts. Commissio
hospital-system-apologizes-after-brampton-sikh-mans-beard-shaved
CanadaOct 10, 2024

Hospital system apologizes after Brampton Sikh man's beard shaved

The William Osler Health System in Brampton has issued a public apology after hospital staff shaved the beard of an 85-year-old Sikh man without his consent, an act that violated his religious beliefs. In a joint statement released Wednesday, Dr. Frank Martino, president and CEO of the William Osler Health System, and board chair Pardeep Singh Gill admitted the hospital “failed to uphold religious and cultural care practices.” They said the incident, which occurred in August, was done without medical necessity. “We take full responsibility for this incident and have extended our deepest
boissonnault-appointed-to-lead-federal-governments-effort-to-rebuild-jasper
CanadaOct 09, 2024

Boissonnault appointed to lead federal government's effort to rebuild Jasper

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has appointed Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault to oversee the federal government’s role in helping rebuild Jasper, Alberta, following this summer’s devastating wildfire. The July fire destroyed roughly one-third of the Rocky Mountain community, displacing about 2,000 residents and causing extensive damage to homes, businesses, and local infrastructure. Boissonnault, who represents Edmonton Centre in Parliament, will coordinate federal support alongside the Alberta government, the Municipality of Jasper, and Indigenous partners. “This role that the prim

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global-attention-turns-to-artemis-ii-launch-canadian-astronaut-among-crew
CanadaApr 01, 2026

Global attention turns to Artemis II launch, Canadian astronaut among crew

People in Canada and around the world are preparing to watch the launch of NASA’s Artemis II mission, which is set to send astronauts around the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years, according to NASA mission briefings. The crew includes Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, 50, of London, Ont., who will serve as mission specialist. The Canadian Space Agency says Hansen is expected to become the first non-American astronaut to travel beyond low Earth orbit. Hansen will fly alongside NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch. The mission is part of NASA’s Artemis p
surrey-police-service-assumes-cloverdale-policing-as-rcmp-role-ends-after-75-years
BCApr 01, 2026

Surrey Police Service assumes Cloverdale policing as RCMP role ends after 75 years

The Surrey Police Service has taken full responsibility for policing in Cloverdale as of Friday, marking the end of more than 75 years of service by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in the area. The transition applies across the Cloverdale district, from 196 Street east to the borders of Fleetwood and Newton, and from the Fraser River south to 48 Avenue. Policing in Whalley and City Centre, Newton, and South Surrey had already been transferred to the municipal force in earlier phases. The RCMP will continue operating in Guildford on an interim basis until the city’s full policing transition
anand-to-join-u-k-led-talks-on-strait-of-hormuz-as-conflict-disrupts-global-oil-shipments
CanadaApr 01, 2026

Anand to join U.K.-led talks on Strait of Hormuz as conflict disrupts global oil shipments

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is set to join multi-nation talks hosted by the United Kingdom on Thursday aimed at identifying diplomatic options to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key global trade corridor disrupted by the ongoing Iran conflict. Anand said Canada is prepared to support efforts to secure the strait once a ceasefire is in place, though she indicated the federal government has not yet determined what specific measures it would take. According to her office, the discussions will focus on restoring safe passage for commercial shipping amid rising tensions in the region. The c
BCApr 01, 2026

Angus Reid poll suggests tightening race in B.C. as Conservatives edge ahead of NDP

A new public opinion survey suggests a narrowing political contest in British Columbia, with the BC Conservatives slightly ahead of the governing NDP, according to findings released by the Angus Reid Institute. The poll indicates that if an election were held today, 44 per cent of decided voters would support the Conservatives, compared with 42 per cent for the NDP. The results point to a potential shift in voter sentiment in a province where the NDP, led by Premier David Eby, currently holds power. According to the Angus Reid report, one factor contributing to the shift is voter concern over
poilievre-calls-for-cancellation-of-proposed-toronto-quebec-city-high-speed-rail-project
BCApr 01, 2026

Poilievre calls for cancellation of proposed Toronto–Quebec City high-speed rail project

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is calling on the federal government to cancel a proposed high-speed rail line between Toronto and Quebec City, describing the նախագproject as a costly and disruptive initiative. Speaking to reporters in Peterborough, Ont., on Tuesday, Poilievre said the estimated $90 billion plan would not deliver value for taxpayers. He alleged the project would negatively affect farmland and private property along the proposed corridor, though detailed route impacts have not been independently verified. Poilievre also questioned the accessibility of the service, sta