Health Minister Mark Holland says dentists and other oral-health providers no longer need to sign up with the government to provide care to patients who are covered under the national dental care plan. The change is part of the government's latest bid to win over dentists who have been reluctant to join the program for uninsured low- and middle-income Canadians. Holland announced the change at a press conference in Nova Scotia, after weeks of tension with dental associations across the country. Last month the minister suggested dental associations were actively seeking problems with the progra

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to arrive in Washington, D.C., today to mark the 75th anniversary of the NATO military alliance. The perilous state of war-ravaged Ukraine and the precarious position of United States President Joe Biden will both colour the leaders' summit, which is set to formally begin Tuesday. The upcoming U.S. election and the possibility of a second Donald Trump administration has some NATO countries concerned that the alliance's staunchest critic will once again control its mightiest military. Trump has repeatedly claimed he would not defend NATO members that do

Liberal MP Anthony Housefather says he is "looking forward to making a real difference" as the government's new special adviser on Jewish community relations and antisemitism. The Prime Minister's Office announced his appointment to the role today, saying Housefather will advise the prime minister and cabinet and work with the Jewish community. Housefather, who is Jewish, has been outspoken about the rise in antisemitism in Canada since the current conflict between Israel and Hamas began in October. The appointment comes four months Housefather considered leaving the Liberal caucus after an ND

The well-funded Conservative Party of Canada spent more than $8.5 million on advertising last year, substantially exceeding what its political rivals dropped to get their message out. The Liberals spent just a fraction of that at around $381,000, while the NDP spent only about $42,000. The numbers are detailed in federal parties' annual financial returns for 2023, which Elections Canada posted online this week. The Conservative statement shows the party held $16 million in cash at the end of 2023, an increase of more than $3.2 million from the start of the year. The Liberal Party of Canada was

The parliamentary budget officer estimates that staffing up the new regulators in the Liberals' Online Harms Act will cost around $200 million over five years. The federal government wants to establish a Digital Safety Commission to regulate social-media companies and force them to limit harmful content online. The online harms bill also proposes creating a Digital Safety Ombudsperson for Canadians to take their concerns to, as well as a Digital Safety Office. In a new report, the PBO says the Heritage Department estimates those new entities will have 300 employees when they're fully up and ru

WestJet flight disruptions are expected to continue this week, after a deal was reached over the weekend to end a strike by its mechanics. The airline said in a statement Monday morning that "full resumption of operations will take time and further cancellations will be required over the coming days." Some 680 members of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association had walked off the job on Friday evening despite a directive for binding arbitration from federal Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan. The tentative agreement was announced late Sunday night, but the strike had already disrupted the trav

Quebec Premier François Legault says there's a risk of overreaction against newcomers if current immigration levels continue. The premier made the comments today to reporters on the Gaspé Peninsula, in response to a question about whether he feared a rise of the "right" in Quebec and Canada. He says he doesn't want to see the province end up like the United States or France, where immigration has become a toxic political debate. Legault says there has been an increase of 300,000 temporary immigrants in the province over the last two years and that while Quebecers are welcoming, they cannot a

The first debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump may not have brought the surge of excitement among voters that both leaders were looking for ahead of the November election. The matchup saw the current president and his political rival exchange personal barbs as well as criticism over their legacies in the Oval Office. But some Democratic supporters showed concern over portions of 81-year-old Biden’s uneven performance, which included a raspy voice and rambling responses. At a watch party in South Philadelphia, Danina Moore was a bit uneasy after the debate but the Democrat says she’s h

The defence chief's office says a change-of-command ceremony for the country's top military commander is set for July 18. Gen. Wayne Eyre announced plans last January to retire from the post. At the time, Eyre said he asked for his successor to be identified as soon as possible to allow for an orderly handover. The defence chief is appointed by the federal cabinet, but the prime minister has not announced who will be taking over. The Armed Forces' second-in-command is also retiring this year. The vice-chief of the defence staff, Lt.-Gen. Frances Allen, will be replaced in an early August cerem