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CanadaJul 20, 2026

Canada Child Benefit payments increase takes effect today, millions of families to receive higher amounts

Higher Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payments began rolling out today following the federal government's annual benefit adjustment. According to the Government of Canada, the increase is expected to benefit approximately 3.6 million families and about 6 million children across the country. Under the updated benefit rates, eligible families can receive up to $8,157 annually for each child under the age of six, an increase of $160 from the previous benefit year. For children aged six to 17, the maximum annual payment has increased to $6,883, up $135 from last year. According to the Canada Revenue A
CanadaJul 20, 2026

Wildfire destroys seasonal camp at Whitewater Lake First Nation in northwestern Ontario

A wildfire has destroyed much of the seasonal camp at Whitewater Lake First Nation, located about 250 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, marking the second First Nation community in Ontario to suffer significant wildfire damage in less than a week. According to Chief Pauline Drake, the fire destroyed multiple buildings, personal belongings and critical infrastructure at the site. Whitewater Lake First Nation is used primarily as a seasonal camp and has no permanent residents. The community is accessible only by floatplane for about six months of the year. The latest damage follows wildfire destr
canadas-annual-inflation-rate-eases-to-2-8-in-june-as-gasoline-prices-fall
CanadaJul 20, 2026

Canada’s annual inflation rate eases to 2.8% in June as gasoline prices fall

Canada’s annual inflation rate slowed to 2.8 per cent in June, down from 3.2 per cent in May, largely because of lower gasoline prices, according to Statistics Canada. The federal agency said a decline in fuel prices helped ease overall inflation pressures. Grocery prices also continued to rise, but at a slower pace, increasing 3.9 per cent year over year in June compared with 4.3 per cent in May. Despite the slowdown, grocery inflation remained above the overall inflation rate for a 17th consecutive month, highlighting the continued impact of higher food costs on Canadian households. The Ba
CanadaJul 17, 2026

Brampton man identified as homicide victim after body found in Stoney Creek

Hamilton Police have identified a man whose body was found in a Stoney Creek creek on Wednesday morning as 29-year-old Taranpreet Singh Sidhu of Brampton. Investigators have confirmed the case is being treated as a homicide. According to Hamilton Police, Sidhu's body was discovered in a creek near Fruitland Road North and Harbour Drive after a passerby spotted him partially submerged in the water on nearby rocks. Emergency responders attended the scene and confirmed he had died. Detective Sergeant Robert Delaney said Sidhu came to Canada from India in 2022 and had worked as a truck driver whil
CanadaJul 16, 2026

Meta introduces new Instagram AI safety features for minors as Canada advances online safety legislation

Meta has announced new safety features for minors using its Instagram AI chatbot, introducing parental alerts for conversations involving self-harm or suicide. The update comes as the Canadian government moves forward with proposed online safety legislation aimed at strengthening protections for young users. According to Meta, the new features became available Thursday in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. If a minor discusses self-harm or suicide while interacting with Instagram AI, parents who have enabled the platform's Parental Supervision tools will receive an im
federal-government-to-acquire-190-armoured-vehicles-in-2b-deal-to-strengthen-canadian-army
CanadaJul 16, 2026

Federal government to acquire 190 armoured vehicles in $2B deal to strengthen Canadian Army

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a $2 billion investment to purchase 190 new armoured vehicles for the Canadian Army as part of a four-year procurement plan aimed at strengthening the military's operational capabilities and supporting Canada's domestic defence industry. Carney confirmed the agreement during a visit Thursday to the General Dynamics Land Systems–Canada facility in London, Ont. According to the federal government, the new vehicles will increase the Army's armoured fleet to 550. The Prime Minister said all 190 vehicles will be manufactured at the company's Ontario facili
poilievre-criticizes-liberals-over-canada-post-executive-bonuses-amid-record-losses
CanadaJul 16, 2026

Poilievre criticizes Liberals over Canada Post executive bonuses amid record losses

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has criticized the Liberal government after reports that Canada Post paid millions of dollars in bonuses to management despite recording significant financial losses. Poilievre alleged that the government is allowing well-connected officials to benefit from taxpayer money while many Canadians continue to face rising living costs. He said families are struggling to afford groceries because of inflation, while senior Canada Post executives received substantial bonus payments. According to publicly reported Canada Post financial information, the Crown corporat
canada-pauses-new-parent-and-grandparent-sponsorship-applications-for-2026
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Canada pauses new parent and grandparent sponsorship applications for 2026

The federal government says it will not accept any new applications this year under Canada's Parents and Grandparents Program as it works to reduce processing times and manage a large backlog of existing files. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), approximately 60,500 sponsorship applications are currently being processed. The department said it expects to approve about 15,000 parents and grandparents each year over the next two years from applications already in the system. IRCC said the temporary pause is intended to improve processing efficiency. The department
federal-government-names-new-members-to-independent-senate-appointments-advisory-board
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Federal government names new members to independent Senate appointments advisory board

The federal government has announced new appointments to the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, one week after Prime Minister Mark Carney named four new senators to the upper chamber. According to a federal government news release, the advisory board will continue to provide non-binding recommendations to the prime minister on Senate appointments. The board was established in 2016 to support a merit-based and independent appointments process. The government said the board will continue to include three federal members, including a chair, along with two additional members from

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b-c-conservatives-face-another-blow-as-skeena-mla-claire-rattée-leaves-party
BCSep 18, 2026

B.C. Conservatives Face Another Blow as Skeena MLA Claire Rattée Leaves Party

B.C. Conservatives have suffered another setback as Skeena MLA Claire Rattée has left the party and joined the group of independent MLAs. Rattée is the 10th MLA to leave the B.C. Conservative caucus since August. Her move comes just two days after she publicly questioned the leadership of party leader Keri-Lynn Findlay and accused her of failing to keep the party united. Rattée also confirmed reports that at least 10 Conservative MLAs unhappy with Findlay’s leadership had signed a letter calling for her resignation. She said she was among those who signed the letter. Rattée accused Findl
BCSep 18, 2026

Car-Motorcycle Collision in Kelowna, Rider Killed

Kelowna RCMP has confirmed the death of a motorcycle rider following a crash on Highway 97 Thursday night. Police said the collision occurred at around 10 p.m. at the intersection of Harvey Avenue and Ethel Street, involving a black sedan and a motorcycle. The motorcycle caught fire shortly after the crash. Corporal Steven Lang said the motorcycle rider was pronounced dead when emergency crews and police arrived at the scene. The driver of the sedan remained at the scene and is cooperating fully with investigators. Highway 97 was closed in both directions between Richter Street and Gordon Driv
WorldSep 18, 2026

Steps Toward Mexico-U.S. Trade Deal After Trump-Sheinbaum Talks

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says Mexico and the United States have made progress toward a potential trade agreement following a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday. Speaking at her daily press conference on Friday, Sheinbaum said the conversation was “very good” and that the two leaders reached some agreements, although she did not disclose specific details. She said negotiations are moving in a positive direction and that Mexico is working to reach a deal while protecting its sovereignty and national interests. The two countries are continuing bilateral trade
BCSep 18, 2026

Advance Voting Begins in Abbotsford-Mission Byelection

Advance voting has begun today for the Abbotsford-Mission provincial byelection. According to Elections BC, eligible voters can cast their ballots at any designated voting location from September 18 to September 23, daily between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. The final voting day for the byelection is September 26. The candidates include BC Conservative Party Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay, BC NDP candidate Pam Alexis, Centre BC candidate Lakhwinder Kaur Jhajj, and Green Party candidate Stephen Fowler. The Abbotsford-Mission riding was previously won by Reann Gasper, who vacated the seat to allow Findlay to r
abbotsford-man-sentenced-to-11-5-years-for-drug-trafficking-and-gun-offences
BCSep 18, 2026

Abbotsford Man Sentenced to 11.5 Years for Drug Trafficking and Gun Offences

A 36-year-old man charged in connection with drug trafficking and illegal firearms possession in Abbotsford has been sentenced to 11 and a half years in prison. The investigation began in April 2025 after Abbotsford Police arrested Tyler Mison, who was allegedly driving despite being prohibited from doing so. Police said illegal drugs and a handgun were found during the arrest. Investigators later searched several locations linked to Mison, including a residence in the 31100 block of Deertrail Drive. Police seized more than 12 kilograms of drugs, including cocaine and crystal methamphetamine,