10.75°C Vancouver

News

federal-buy-canadian-procurement-rules-take-effect-prioritizing-domestic-industries
CanadaDec 16, 2025

Federal ‘Buy Canadian’ procurement rules take effect, prioritizing domestic industries

The federal government’s new ‘Buy Canadian’ procurement policy came into force today, marking a significant shift in how Ottawa purchases goods and services for major public projects. The policy, announced earlier this fall, is designed to give preference to Canadian-made products and Canadian workers in federal contracting. The government says the approach is aimed at strengthening domestic industries and protecting supply chains during a period of ongoing global trade uncertainty. In its first phase, the policy applies to federal contracts valued at $25 million or more. These projects
liberal-minister-signals-possible-further-mp-defections-as-government-nears-majority
CanadaDec 15, 2025

Liberal minister signals possible further MP defections as government nears majority

A federal cabinet minister says the governing Liberals are hearing increased interest from opposition MPs following a recent high-profile defection that has brought the government to the brink of a majority in the House of Commons. Energy Minister Tim Hodgson told reporters Tuesday that he has received “lots of inquiries” when asked whether additional MPs are considering crossing the floor to join the Liberal caucus. His comments come days after Ontario MP Michael Ma left the Conservative Party to sit with the Liberals. Ma’s move has left the Liberals one seat short of a majority, a shif
three-children-die-from-flu-related-complications-in-ottawa-eastern-ontario-as-cases-surge
CanadaDec 15, 2025

Three children die from flu-related complications in Ottawa, eastern Ontario as cases surge

Public health officials in Ottawa and eastern Ontario say three children have died from complications linked to influenza over the past two weeks, underscoring growing concerns as flu activity rises sharply across the province. Medical officers of health for Ottawa and the Eastern Ontario Health Unit say the children were between the ages of five and nine. Officials describe the recent deaths as rare but serious, noting that influenza can lead to severe illness, particularly among young children. Health units report a rapid and significant increase in Influenza A activity across Ontario, with
canadas-inflation-holds-steady-in-november-as-grocery-prices-climb-at-fastest-pace-since-2023
CanadaDec 15, 2025

Canada’s inflation holds steady in November as grocery prices climb at fastest pace since 2023

Canada’s annual inflation rate remained unchanged in November, but households continued to feel pressure at the grocery store as food prices recorded their sharpest increase in nearly two years, according to new data from Statistics Canada. The national inflation rate held at 2.2 per cent, matching October’s reading. However, grocery prices rose 4.7 per cent compared to November last year, marking the fastest pace of food inflation since December 2023 and continuing a trend that has seen food costs outstrip overall inflation since late summer. Statistics Canada said fresh fruit was a key d
fifteen-people-accused-in-b-c-extortion-cases-file-refugee-claims-cbsa-confirms
CanadaDec 12, 2025

Fifteen people accused in B.C. extortion cases file refugee claims, CBSA confirms

Canada’s border agency says 15 foreign nationals linked to ongoing extortion investigations have submitted refugee claims, a move that has drawn concern from local officials in Surrey as the region continues to grapple with a surge in extortion-related crime. The Canada Border Services Agency says each claimant will be assessed under federal asylum rules, but did not disclose the individuals’ nationalities or details of their applications. Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke says she is troubled by the development and argues that the public expects federal systems to prevent criminal suspects from u
cra-plans-major-hiring-push-to-boost-call-centre-capacity-ahead-of-tax-season
CanadaDec 11, 2025

CRA plans major hiring push to boost call centre capacity ahead of tax season

The Canada Revenue Agency says it plans to bring on roughly 1,700 additional call centre staff in the coming months as it prepares for a surge in taxpayer inquiries during the upcoming filing season. Agency officials say the goal is to expand the workforce to about 4,500 agents, citing internal forecasts that anticipate heavy call volumes. Melanie Serjak, an assistant commissioner with the CRA, told reporters that it is routine for the agency to scale up its operations for tax season, when daily call volumes can exceed 300,000. She said last year’s peak staffing level reached about 3,300 age
house-of-commons-prepares-to-adjourn-for-six-week-winter-break-as-key-bills-remain-unfinished
CanadaDec 11, 2025

House of Commons prepares to adjourn for six-week winter break as key bills remain unfinished

Members of Parliament are expected to wrap up the fall sitting as early as Thursday, ending the session ahead of the scheduled Friday adjournment and beginning a six-week winter break. MPs are due to return to the House on January 26, leaving several major pieces of government legislation still awaiting final approval. Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon said the minority Liberal government considers the fall session productive, noting progress on budget and public-safety bills that have not yet cleared Parliament. This sitting was the first full session under Prime Minister Mark Carney,
quebec-anticorruption-unit-opens-criminal-probe-into-provincial-liberal-party
CanadaDec 10, 2025

Quebec anticorruption unit opens criminal probe into provincial Liberal Party

Quebec’s anticorruption police force has launched a criminal investigation into the provincial Liberal Party, adding to a period of internal turmoil for the long-standing political organization. A spokesperson for the force confirmed the probe today but declined to provide details, citing the active nature of the case. The confirmation follows disclosures last month that investigators were reviewing allegations of wrongdoing to determine whether a formal investigation was warranted. The decision to proceed suggests authorities found sufficient grounds to examine the matter further. The Liber
canada-prepares-to-name-new-u-s-envoy-as-next-phase-of-trade-talks-approaches
CanadaDec 10, 2025

Canada prepares to name new U.S. envoy as next phase of trade talks approaches

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada’s next ambassador to the United States will have time to get up to speed before North America’s trade relationship enters a new round of negotiations. Carney told reporters that federal consultations on the renewal of the Canada–U.S.–Mexico Agreement have wrapped up, while officials in Washington are only beginning their own review. He said the three-country assessment of the trade pact is expected to intensify in the new year, a process that could carry major implications for Western Canada’s transportation corridors, agriculture exports, and m

Just In

peel-police-announce-17-arrests-in-alleged-extortion-network-targeting-punjabi-business-owners
BCMay 25, 2026

Peel police announce 17 arrests in alleged extortion network targeting Punjabi business owners

Peel Regional Police say 17 people have been arrested following a joint investigation into an alleged extortion network that targeted members of the Punjabi business community in Ontario and British Columbia. Police announced the arrests during a Monday press conference, describing the investigation as a coordinated operation involving Peel Regional Police, Surrey Police Service, the Canada Border Services Agency and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. According to police, investigators identified a criminal network known as the “Brothers Keepers” gang, which officers allege was link
surrey-home-targeted-in-second-shooting-in-six-weeks-police-investigating-possible-extortion-link
BCMay 25, 2026

Surrey home targeted in second shooting in six weeks, police investigating possible extortion link

A home near 94 Avenue and 127 Street in Surrey was struck by gunfire early Sunday morning in what police say may be connected to an ongoing extortion investigation. According to Surrey Police Service, officers responded to reports of shots fired at about 1:40 a.m. Residents were inside the home at the time of the shooting, but no injuries were reported. Police said the same property had previously been targeted in a shooting on April 13. Following that incident, investigators arrested 27-year-old Jaskaran Singh Saroe in connection with the case. The latest investigation remains in its early st
AlbertaMay 25, 2026

Dog owner showed “wanton disregard” in fatal Edmonton dog attack, judge says

An Edmonton judge says a dog owner convicted of criminal negligence causing death demonstrated a “wanton disregard” for the life of an 11-year-old boy who was fatally attacked by her dogs in 2024. Court heard that Kache Grist was attacked by two dogs belonging to Crystal MacDonald in April 2024 at an Edmonton home where the boy was visiting his father, who was living with MacDonald at the time. According to the court ruling, MacDonald testified she did not approve of the child staying at the home. The judge said there were several steps she could have taken to reduce the risk, including ke
langley-rcmp-investigating-fatal-single-vehicle-crash-on-48-avenue
BCMay 25, 2026

Langley RCMP investigating fatal single-vehicle crash on 48 Avenue

Langley RCMP say one person has died following a single-vehicle collision early Saturday in the Township of Langley. Police said officers responded at approximately 1:57 a.m. on May 24 to reports of a crash in the 20200 block of 48 Avenue. Emergency crews from the Township of Langley Fire Department, BC Emergency Health Services and Langley RCMP attended the scene. “Sadly, despite the rapid response and efforts of first responders, one individual was pronounced deceased at the scene,” Sgt. Zynal Sharoom said in a statement released Sunday. According to Langley RCMP, the circumstances surro
IndiaMay 25, 2026

Punjab civic elections Tuesday to cover 103 urban local bodies across state

Voting for Punjab’s urban local body elections will take place Tuesday across eight municipal corporations, 75 municipal councils and 20 nagar panchayats, according to the Punjab State Election Commission. The commission said 3,545,567 voters are eligible to cast ballots in the elections, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A total of 7,555 candidates are contesting the polls across the state. According to information released by the commission, 1,613 candidates are contesting municipal corporation seats, while 5,142 candidates are in the fray for municipal councils and 800 candidates a