16.99°C Vancouver

News

sean-fraser-takes-over-federal-housing-file
CanadaJul 26, 2023

Sean Fraser takes over federal housing file

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is handing over the federal housing file to Sean Fraser, who was previously Immigration minister.Trudeau is shuffling his cabinet today in a bid to present a fresh team to lead the Liberals into the next election.Ahmed Hussen, who was Housing minister since 2021, has faced criticism for his handling of the file as the housing crisis worsened across the country.Hussen is staying in cabinet as minister of International Development.The federal government is facing considerable pressure to address the lack of affordable housing, which experts say is the result of a ho
ottawa-buys-nine-airbus-planes-to-replace-air-force-polaris-fleet-that-transports-pm
CanadaJul 25, 2023

Ottawa buys nine Airbus planes to replace Air Force Polaris fleet that transports PM

The federal government says it has signed a contract with European aviation company Airbus to replace its aging Polaris fleet at a cost of $3.6 billion.The Royal Canadian Air Force uses the Polaris planes for transporting high-ranking government officials, including the prime minister and Governor General, as well as for air-to-air refuelling and transport.The new fleet, which will be named the CC-330 Husky, includes four new and five used aircraft that are being outfitted to feature the same capabilities.The government bought the used planes from a company in Kuwait, and two of them are expec
edmonton-man-appears-in-u-k-court-after-terrorism-investigation
CanadaJul 24, 2023

Edmonton man appears in U.K. court after terrorism investigation

An Edmonton man arrested in a terrorism investigation in the United Kingdom appeared in a London court today.Khaled Hussein, who is 28, was charged under the Terrorism Act for allegedly being a member of a proscribed organization in the U.K.He was arrested at London's Heathrow Airport last week.Hussein is charged alongside a 56-year-old British preacher, Anjem Choudary, who was allegedly directing a terrorist organization and addressing meetings to encourage support for a radical group since June 2022.Prosecutors say the Edmontonian worked online with Choudary to provide a platform for the vie
mental-health-minister-puts-156m-toward-launch-of-988-crisis-hotline-in-november
CanadaJul 24, 2023

Mental health minister puts $156M toward launch of 988 crisis hotline in November

Mental Health Minister Carolyn Bennett says the government is putting $156 million over three years toward a new three-digit suicide-prevention hotline.Starting on Nov. 30, people in crisis will be able to dial 988 anywhere in Canada to be connected with trained responders 24 hours a day by phone or text message.The free service will be offered in English and French.The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health will receive the money to launch and operate the hotline.The minister is also giving the organization $21 million to bolster the capacity of distress centres as they prepare for the increa
retired-rcmp-officer-charged-with-helping-beijing-intimidation-campaign
CanadaJul 21, 2023

Retired RCMP officer charged with helping Beijing intimidation campaign

The RCMP says it has charged one of its former members in a case of alleged foreign interference.William Majcher is accused of helping the Chinese government identify and intimidate a person.Police say he is from Hong Kong and used his network of Canadian contacts to get intelligence or services that benefited the People's Republic of China.They say a national security investigation into Majcher's suspicious activities began in the fall of 2021.The 60-year-old retired officer is charged with conspiracy and preparatory acts for the benefit of a foreign entity.Police have not said who was the ta
ottawa-gives-212m-funding-boost-for-housing-asylum-seekers
CanadaJul 18, 2023

Ottawa gives $212M funding boost for housing asylum seekers

The federal government is announcing $212 million more in funding for interim housing for people claiming asylum in Canada, including about $97 million for Toronto.The city has been seeing asylum seekers and refugee claimants sleeping on the sidewalks, unable to get a space in Toronto's overwhelmed shelter system.A church in Toronto is now reportedly housing them temporarily.Officials have said that the number of asylum seekers in Toronto's shelter system grew by 500 per cent in 20 months and the city has had to turn them away from at-capacity shelters toward federal programs.Mayor Olivia Chow
scientific-adviser-resigns-from-health-canada-calls-for-overhaul-of-pesticide-rules
CanadaJul 17, 2023

Scientific adviser resigns from Health Canada, calls for overhaul of pesticide rules

An independent scientific adviser has resigned from a Health Canada committee on pesticide management over concerns about a lack of transparency and scientific oversight.Dr. Bruce Lanphear, a health sciences professor at Simon Fraser University, stepped down as the co-chair of the Health Canada scientific advisory committee on pest control products on June 27.In his three-page resignation letter, he says he has little or no confidence that the committee can help the pesticide branch of Health Canada become more transparent or assure that Canadians are protected from toxic pesticides.The commit
emergency-visa-applications-for-ukrainians-fleeing-war-to-end-saturday
CanadaJul 14, 2023

Emergency visa applications for Ukrainians fleeing war to end Saturday

Canada is expected to close applications for temporary emergency visas offered to Ukrainians fleeing Russian aggression Saturday but hasn't announced whether it plans to offer long-term refuge.Canada launched the emergency visa after the Russian invasion of Ukraine last year as millions of people fled the embattled country.The visa is available to an unlimited number of Ukrainians and allows them to work and study in Canada for three years while they figure out their next steps. Those who've come to Canada using the emergency visa aren't given refugee status in Canada, and instead are consider
feds-doing-broader-review-of-social-media-after-banning-tiktok-from-work-devices
CanadaJul 13, 2023

Feds doing 'broader review' of social media after banning TikTok from work devices

The government is taking a look at possible threats from other social-media applications, after banishing TikTok from the mobile devices of federal public servants for privacy and security reasons.Martin Potvin, a spokesman for the Treasury Board Secretariat, says the government is conducting a wider review of social-media applications on work devices and will share the results when they are available.Potvin says the government is working to improve cybersecurity in Canada by identifying threats and vulnerabilities, including from social-media platforms, to ensure the protection of systems and

Just In

IndiaMay 27, 2026

Air India to reduce domestic flights by up to 22% amid rising fuel costs

Air India says it will temporarily reduce the number of its domestic flights by 20 to 22 per cent as the airline faces increasing aviation fuel prices and higher operating costs. The airline said it has already reduced some international flight operations by nearly 27 per cent as part of broader cost-management measures. According to the company, the decision was taken due to sustained high fuel prices, which have increased the cost of operating flights across several routes. In a statement issued Wednesday, Air India said flight frequencies on selected domestic and international routes will b
canada-to-release-long-awaited-national-ai-strategy-next-week-carney
CanadaMay 27, 2026

Canada to release long-awaited National AI Strategy next week: Carney

Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed Wednesday that the federal government’s long-awaited National AI Strategy will be released next week. Speaking to reporters while heading into a Liberal caucus meeting, Carney said the strategy will outline Ottawa’s long-term plans for artificial intelligence policy and regulation in Canada. The federal government had previously identified six pillars that will form the foundation of the strategy in its economic update. According to government officials, the plan will include measures aimed at protecting Canadians from the risks associated with artifici
BCMay 27, 2026

B.C. LNG project signs long-term supply agreement with German energy company

A long-term agreement has been signed to supply liquefied natural gas from the proposed Ksi Lisims LNG export terminal in northern British Columbia to Germany, according to an announcement made Wednesday by federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson in Vancouver. Hodgson said Germany-based energy company SEFE has agreed to purchase one million tonnes of LNG annually over a 20-year period. Supply from the project is expected to begin around 2030, pending construction and final investment approval. The Ksi Lisims LNG project is planned for British Columbia’s north coast near the Alaska border. While
former-environment-minister-steven-guilbeault-to-resign-as-mp-later-this-summer
CanadaMay 27, 2026

Former environment minister Steven Guilbeault to resign as MP later this summer

Former federal environment minister Steven Guilbeault has announced he will resign as a member of Parliament for his Montreal-area riding later this summer. Guilbeault informed Liberal caucus members of his decision during a national caucus meeting Tuesday morning. He said he will remain a member of caucus until stepping down from the seat later this summer. In a statement to colleagues, Guilbeault said that after nearly seven years serving as an MP and cabinet minister, he now wants to continue his environmental and climate advocacy work outside elected office. He also thanked constituents fo
rcmp-seize-fentanyl-mdma-and-weapons-from-suspected-drug-labs-in-abbotsford-and-chilliwack
BCMay 27, 2026

RCMP seize fentanyl, MDMA and weapons from suspected drug labs in Abbotsford and Chilliwack

RCMP say federal investigators have dismantled two suspected clandestine drug labs in Abbotsford and Chilliwack, leading to the seizure of large quantities of fentanyl, MDMA, cash and firearms. According to RCMP Federal Policing Pacific Region, officers arrested three people during the operation. Police said the individuals were later released pending further investigation and no charges have been announced so far. Investigators said a suspected fentanyl production site was uncovered on May 1 in the 41000 block of Keith Wilson Road in Chilliwack. RCMP said officers seized about 40 kilograms of