14.1°C Vancouver

News

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

Just In

alberta-delays-update-on-proposed-west-coast-oil-pipeline-as-carney-meets-b-c-premier
AlbertaJul 02, 2026

Alberta delays update on proposed West Coast oil pipeline as Carney meets B.C. premier

The Alberta government has postponed a planned update on its proposed million-barrel-a-day oil pipeline to Canada's West Coast. A news conference featuring Premier Danielle Smith had been scheduled for Thursday morning but was delayed until later in the day. The provincial government did not immediately provide a reason for the change. According to the Alberta government, the proposed pipeline is linked to a memorandum of understanding signed by Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney last fall. The agreement outlines a commitment to advance a bitumen export pipeline to the West Coast, contingent
prime-minister-narendra-modi-to-visit-punjab-in-august-ravneet-singh-bittu-announces
IndiaJul 02, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Visit Punjab in August, Ravneet Singh Bittu Announces

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Punjab in August, Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu announced. According to Bittu, the prime minister will inaugurate a major railway project during the visit. He also said Modi is expected to launch several other development projects for the state. The date of the visit and additional details have not yet been announced. The Prime Minister's Office and the central government have not yet released further information about the proposed projects or the official itinerary. Political observers have linked the planned visit to the Bhar
prime-minister-mark-carney-cancels-edmonton-address-after-severe-weather-delays-ottawa-departure
CanadaJul 02, 2026

Prime Minister Mark Carney cancels Edmonton address after severe weather delays Ottawa departure

Prime Minister Mark Carney's planned address in Edmonton on Wednesday was cancelled after severe weather in Ottawa prevented his aircraft from departing on schedule. According to the Prime Minister's Office, heavy rain, strong winds and storm conditions in Ottawa made it impossible for the prime minister's flight to take off in time for the scheduled event. A spokesperson confirmed the address was cancelled because Carney could not arrive in Edmonton as planned. The Edmonton speech was expected to focus on Canadian unity. Earlier on Canada Day, Carney urged Canadians to remain united during hi
CanadaJul 02, 2026

U.S. declines to extend CUSMA in current form, annual reviews likely

The United States has declined to extend the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) in its current form, a move that could subject the continental trade pact to annual reviews and renewed negotiations. The announcement was made Wednesday by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer following a virtual meeting with Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Mexico's Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard. According to the U.S. Trade Representative, the decision reflects concerns over shortcomings in the agreement and the United States' trade deficit. Under the agreement's existing terms, C
modi-iranian-president-pezeshkian-discuss-west-asia-situation-in-phone-call
IndiaJun 30, 2026

Modi, Iranian President Pezeshkian discuss West Asia situation in phone call

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke by telephone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday, with the two leaders discussing the latest developments in West Asia and possible paths forward in the region. According to the Government of India, Pezeshkian briefed Modi on recent developments and the current situation in the region.During the conversation, Modi welcomed progress between Iran and the United States and reiterated India's long-standing position that all issues should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. India has consistently advocated for peace and stability in