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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

CanadaSep 11, 2026

BMO Announces $70 Billion Investment Over 10 Years in Key Canadian Sectors

Bank of Montreal (BMO), one of Canada’s major banks, has announced plans to invest $70 billion in capital over the next 10 years in sectors considered critical to the country’s economy, including critical minerals and electricity. The bank says the initiative is aimed at strengthening Canada’s economic security and long-term stability. The announcement comes as Canada continues to face economic challenges and an ongoing trade dispute with the United States. The move also aligns with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government’s efforts to reduce Canada’s reliance on the U.S. and suppor
canada-ends-special-family-sponsorship-exemption-for-refugees
CanadaSep 11, 2026

Canada Ends Special Family Sponsorship Exemption for Refugees

Canada has quietly ended a special policy that allowed certain refugees to sponsor family members whose names were not included in their original immigration applications. Under the temporary policy, some refugees and permanent residents were able to sponsor spouses or children who had not been declared in their initial applications. The policy, introduced about seven years ago, expired on Thursday following a decision by Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab. Under current Canadian immigration rules, permanent residents generally cannot sponsor family members who were not declared during the
BCSep 11, 2026

BC Anti-Gang Task Force Seizes Guns, Drugs and Cash in Fort St. John

British Columbia’s anti-gang police task force has seized a significant amount of weapons, drugs and cash during a major operation in the Fort St. John community. According to Sergeant Sarbjit Kaur Sangha of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, officers were deployed to the area at the request of local police between August 21 and September 5. During the operation, several arrests were made in connection with ongoing gang conflicts and illegal drug trafficking in the area. Police seized cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl, along with seven firearms, including handguns, rifles and
calgary-police-lay-extortion-charges-continue-search-for-suspect
AlbertaSep 11, 2026

Calgary Police Lay Extortion Charges, Continue Search for Suspect

Calgary police have laid extortion charges against 23-year-old Kanurit Kaur, 21-year-old Tanveer Singh and a 17-year-old youth in connection with an extortion investigation. Police are searching for Singh, who is wanted on a warrant for possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. According to police, on March 25 at around 4:30 p.m., a woman received a demand for money through WhatsApp from an unknown number. The suspects appeared to have detailed information about the victim’s personal and business affairs. The caller repeatedly attempted to contact the victim and made explicit thr
canada-u-s-remain-in-contact-despite-trade-talks-breakdown-leblanc
CanadaSep 11, 2026

Canada, U.S. remain in contact despite trade talks breakdown: LeBlanc

Canada and the United States remain in contact despite the breakdown in formal trade talks, Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc has confirmed. Speaking to reporters in Banff, Alberta, LeBlanc said that while Canada is not currently engaged in formal trade negotiations with Washington, communication between the two countries continues. LeBlanc said he does not have any meetings scheduled in Washington at the moment, but has spoken several times by phone with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. He reiterated that Canada is ready to return to the ne