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

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

WestJet's flight attendants' union says 99.4 per cent of its members have voted in favour of strike action, clearing the way for a legal walkout as early as Aug. 2 if a new collective agreement is not reached. According to the union, about 4,400 flight attendants would be in a legal strike position beginning Aug. 2. Key issues in the contract dispute include wage increases that keep pace with inflation, improved working conditions and compensation for all hours spent on duty. WestJet President and CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said the airline remains committed to reaching a negotiated agreement

The Bank of Canada has kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.25 per cent following its latest monetary policy decision on Wednesday, marking the sixth consecutive announcement with no change to the policy rate. According to the Bank of Canada, the Governing Council, led by Governor Tiff Macklem, decided to maintain the current rate amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding global economic conditions. The central bank cited volatility in global oil prices linked to tensions in the Middle East and continued uncertainty over the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) as factors in

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a series of new Canadian consul general appointments across the United States. As part of the changes, former Brampton West Liberal MP and former cabinet minister Kamal Khera has been appointed Canada's new Consul General in Los Angeles. According to the Prime Minister's Office, former Shell Canada executive Susannah Pierce has been appointed Consul General in New York. The appointments also include former Bank of Canada director Claire Kennedy as Consul General in Chicago and veteran diplomat Andrea Clements as Consul General in Detroit. The appointmen

The federal government says it will invest nearly $30 million over two years to establish a new defence innovation centre focused on military drone research and development in Quebec. National Defence Minister David McGuinty announced the funding Wednesday in Mirabel, Que., a major aerospace manufacturing hub. According to the Department of National Defence, the project will support the creation and operation of a defence innovation centre dedicated to unmanned systems. The initiative will be led by Aéro Montréal and a consortium of 30 organizations representing industry, academic institutio

Canada Post awarded nearly $30 million in performance-based bonuses to executives and managers for 2025 despite reporting its largest annual financial loss on record. According to the Crown corporation's financial results, Canada Post posted a pre-tax loss of $1.57 billion in 2025. The disclosure comes after the federal government approved $673 million in financial support for the Crown corporation as it continues to face mounting financial pressures. The bonus payments have drawn criticism amid ongoing concerns about the organization's long-term financial sustainability. The Canadian Taxpayer

Toronto Police say two men killed during a shooting at the Salsa on St. Clair festival on Saturday night have been identified as 20-year-old and 25-year-old victims. Police also confirmed that two firearms were recovered from the scene as the investigation continues. According to a Toronto Sun report citing an anonymous law enforcement source, both deceased men were allegedly armed and were involved in the exchange of gunfire. The source further claimed that no innocent bystanders were killed in the incident. Connect Newsroom has not independently verified those claims, and Toronto Police have

Two people were killed and at least four others were seriously injured after a shooting during Toronto's Salsa on St. Clair street festival on Saturday evening, according to Toronto Police. Police said the shooting occurred at about 8 p.m. near St. Clair Avenue West and Arlington Avenue while approximately 13,000 people were attending the annual Latin street festival. Deputy Chief Frank Barredo said the preliminary investigation indicates the gunfire erupted during an exchange of shots between two groups who targeted each other. The sound of gunfire sent festivalgoers, including families, chil