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driven-by-wildfire-smoke-canadas-air-quality-worse-than-u-s-report
CanadaMar 19, 2024

Driven by wildfire smoke, Canada's air quality worse than U.S.: report

Canada's air quality last year was worse than the United States for the first time since a firm started publishing its annual assessment in 2018. The 2023 World Air Quality report from Swiss company IQAir says raging wildfires were a major influence on Canada's drop in air quality. The report found that on a list of 15 most polluted cities in both the U.S. and Canada, Canadian communities made up the 13 most polluted cities on the list, topped by Fort McMurray, Alta., and Peace River, Alta. Data indicates Peace River's pollution concentration, typically below the national average, shot up to l
as-former-prime-minister-mulroney-lies-in-state-public-tributes-in-ottawa-begin
CanadaMar 19, 2024

As former prime minister Mulroney lies in state, public tributes in Ottawa begin

Members of the public who wish to pay tribute to Brian Mulroney can visit his casket in Ottawa starting this afternoon. The former prime minister's casket is being brought to the Sir John A. Macdonald building opposite Parliament Hill this morning. Dignitaries including the Governor General and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are set to offer their condolences to the Mulroney family. His wife and children sat in the House of Commons gallery Monday to hear glowing tributes and funny stories from politicians across the partisan spectrum. Well-wishers can visit between 12:30 and 6 p.m. today or fro
parliament-to-vote-on-ndp-motion-urging-trudeau-to-recognize-palestinian-statehood
CanadaMar 18, 2024

Parliament to vote on NDP motion urging Trudeau to recognize Palestinian statehood

Members of Parliament are set to vote today on an NDP motion calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government to "officially recognize the state of Palestine." Liberal MPs have been divided over the Israel-Hamas war and discussed the vote during a call this morning ahead of debate on the motion. Outspoken Liberal MP Salma Zahid, from the Greater Toronto Area, says she intends to vote in favour of the motion. But Anthony Housefather, a Liberal from Montreal, says the motion calls for a list of measures that are "hostile to Israel." The non-binding motion also calls on the government to dem
mps-set-to-give-tributes-to-former-prime-minister-brian-mulroney-in-house-of-commons
CanadaMar 18, 2024

MPs set to give tributes to former prime minister Brian Mulroney in House of Commons

Members of Parliament are returning to the House of Commons today, where they're expected to offer tributes to Brian Mulroney. The former prime minister died in Florida on Feb. 29 at age 84. His casket is being brought to Ottawa on Tuesday, where he will lie in state for two days. Dignitaries including the Governor General and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are set to offer condolences to the Mulroney family Tuesday morning. The casket will travel to Montreal on Wednesday afternoon and Mulroney will lie in repose at St. Patrick's Basilica, allowing the public to pay their respects. A state fune
CanadaMar 15, 2024

Family of three identified after remains found at Brampton house fire last week, Peel police say

Police say three people found dead inside a home after a fire northwest of Toronto last week were a mother, father and their teenage daughter.Peel regional police say homicide investigators and the office of the chief coroner have identified the remains as 51-year-old Rajiv Warikoo, 47-year-old Shilpa Kotha, and 16-year-old Mahek Warikoo.They say all three lived in the Brampton, Ont. home where they were found. Police say they were called to the area of Big Sky Way and Van Kirk Drive around 1:30 p.m. on March 7 and found a home engulfed in flames. They say investigators examining the scene fou
no-prime-minister-trudeau-rejects-quebec-request-for-full-powers-over-immigration
CanadaMar 15, 2024

'No': Prime Minister Trudeau rejects Quebec request for full powers over immigration

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has rejected Quebec's request for full powers over immigration to the province.Trudeau made the comments today following a meeting in Montreal with Premier François Legault, adding that Quebec already has more control over newcomers than any other province or territory.The prime minister's statement is a direct rebuke to Legault, who on Thursday said he would ask Trudeau for full powers over immigration during today's meeting.Quebec already controls the number of economic immigrants to the province, but shares responsibility with Ottawa over refugees and
no-concerns-about-kids-use-of-tiktok-despite-security-review-industry-minister
CanadaMar 15, 2024

No concerns about kids' use of TikTok despite security review: industry minister

The federal industry minister says Canadians shouldn't worry about using TikTok, despite an ongoing national security review of the company. Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne says parents don't need to be concerned about their kids' use of the popular video app. He says they should be reassured the government was "ahead of the curve" in launching the review six months ago. The federal Liberals ordered a national security review of TikTok in September 2023 but did not disclose it publicly until this week. The revelation came after the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill Wed
five-types-of-insignia-air-fryers-recalled-due-to-potential-fire-risk
CanadaMar 14, 2024

Five types of Insignia air fryers recalled due to potential fire risk

Health Canada and Best Buy are recalling five types of Insignia-brand air fryers because they are a potential fire or burn hazard.There have been six reports in Canada of the air fryer's handles melting or breaking and one report of the glass breaking due to overheating. There have also been reports of the air fryers catching fire in the U.S., but no injuries have been reported. The affected models were sold between September 2021 and November 2023.Health Canada says people with the affected air fryers should immediately unplug them. Best Buy Canada will provide a gift card for the full purc
longtime-conservative-mp-ed-fast-says-he-wont-run-in-the-next-federal-election
CanadaMar 14, 2024

Longtime Conservative MP Ed Fast says he won't run in the next federal election

Longtime Conservative member of Parliament Ed Fast says he will retire from politics as of the next federal election. Fast, who represents a riding in Abbotsford, B.C., has been an MP for more than 18 years. He was international trade minister in prime minister Stephen Harper's cabinet and the Opposition critic for environment, industry and finance. In a statement, Fast says he helped negotiate trade deals including the Trans-Pacific Partnership and deals with the European Union and South Korea. He also notes he has been a vocal critic of the government's plans to expand eligibility for medica

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WorldApr 29, 2026

Pakistan says ceasefire efforts ongoing in Middle East, signals possible U.S.–Iran talks

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says efforts to maintain a ceasefire in the Middle East are continuing, crediting Islamabad’s diplomatic engagement with helping keep the truce in place. According to statements attributed to Sharif, Pakistan is working to ensure the ceasefire holds and that peace initiatives do not lose momentum. He said there would be no relaxation in efforts aimed at stabilizing the situation. Officials familiar with the discussions indicate that Pakistan is again attempting to bring United States and Iran back to the negotiating table. Reports suggest a new roun
bank-of-canada-holds-key-interest-rate-at-2-25-as-global-risks-weigh-on-outlook
CanadaApr 29, 2026

Bank of Canada holds key interest rate at 2.25% as global risks weigh on outlook

The Bank of Canada kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.25 per cent on Wednesday, marking the fourth consecutive decision to hold rates, according to its latest monetary policy report. The central bank also maintained its deposit rate at 2.20 per cent. Governor Tiff Macklem said ongoing conflict in the Middle East and evolving U.S. trade policies are reshaping global trade patterns and adding uncertainty to the economic outlook. According to the bank’s report, the Iran-related tensions have reduced growth prospects in oil-importing countries while contributing to higher inflation
federal-finance-minister-tables-2026-spring-mini-budget-with-focus-on-skilled-trades-training
CanadaApr 29, 2026

Federal finance minister tables 2026 spring mini-budget with focus on skilled trades training

Canada’s Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne tabled the federal government’s 2026 spring mini-budget in the House of Commons, outlining measures aimed at strengthening the national economy and addressing labour shortages in key sectors. According to the government’s budget statement, a new initiative branded “Team Canada Strong” will focus on expanding the skilled trades workforce. The plan sets a target of training 100,000 new skilled trades workers by the 2030–31 fiscal year to help meet demand in housing construction, infrastructure projects and major resource developm
WorldApr 28, 2026

Israel orders evacuations in southern Lebanon villages amid ceasefire violations claims

The Israeli military has ordered residents in more than a dozen villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately, citing safety concerns during an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. According to a statement posted on the social media platform X by Israeli Defence Forces spokesperson Avichay Adraee, civilians in the affected areas were urged to leave without delay. The military said the warning was issued for public safety, alleging that Hezbollah had violated the terms of the ceasefire agreement. The evacuation order comes despite the ceasefire remaining formally in effect. Isra
b-c-attorney-general-urges-ottawa-to-include-ai-chatbots-in-youth-social-media-rules
BCApr 28, 2026

B.C. attorney general urges Ottawa to include AI chatbots in youth social media rules

British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma says federal plans to set a minimum age for social media use should explicitly include artificial intelligence chatbots, arguing the rules would be ineffective if such platforms are excluded. In a letter to the federal government, Sharma said tools such as ChatGPT should fall within any regulatory framework aimed at protecting children online. According to her office, the letter cites recent incidents, including a shooting in Tumbler Ridge, and references cases where AI tools were reportedly linked to harmful online behaviour. Sharma said AI system