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CanadaJul 20, 2026

Canada Child Benefit payments increase takes effect today, millions of families to receive higher amounts

Higher Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payments began rolling out today following the federal government's annual benefit adjustment. According to the Government of Canada, the increase is expected to benefit approximately 3.6 million families and about 6 million children across the country. Under the updated benefit rates, eligible families can receive up to $8,157 annually for each child under the age of six, an increase of $160 from the previous benefit year. For children aged six to 17, the maximum annual payment has increased to $6,883, up $135 from last year. According to the Canada Revenue A
CanadaJul 20, 2026

Wildfire destroys seasonal camp at Whitewater Lake First Nation in northwestern Ontario

A wildfire has destroyed much of the seasonal camp at Whitewater Lake First Nation, located about 250 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, marking the second First Nation community in Ontario to suffer significant wildfire damage in less than a week. According to Chief Pauline Drake, the fire destroyed multiple buildings, personal belongings and critical infrastructure at the site. Whitewater Lake First Nation is used primarily as a seasonal camp and has no permanent residents. The community is accessible only by floatplane for about six months of the year. The latest damage follows wildfire destr
canadas-annual-inflation-rate-eases-to-2-8-in-june-as-gasoline-prices-fall
CanadaJul 20, 2026

Canada’s annual inflation rate eases to 2.8% in June as gasoline prices fall

Canada’s annual inflation rate slowed to 2.8 per cent in June, down from 3.2 per cent in May, largely because of lower gasoline prices, according to Statistics Canada. The federal agency said a decline in fuel prices helped ease overall inflation pressures. Grocery prices also continued to rise, but at a slower pace, increasing 3.9 per cent year over year in June compared with 4.3 per cent in May. Despite the slowdown, grocery inflation remained above the overall inflation rate for a 17th consecutive month, highlighting the continued impact of higher food costs on Canadian households. The Ba
CanadaJul 17, 2026

Brampton man identified as homicide victim after body found in Stoney Creek

Hamilton Police have identified a man whose body was found in a Stoney Creek creek on Wednesday morning as 29-year-old Taranpreet Singh Sidhu of Brampton. Investigators have confirmed the case is being treated as a homicide. According to Hamilton Police, Sidhu's body was discovered in a creek near Fruitland Road North and Harbour Drive after a passerby spotted him partially submerged in the water on nearby rocks. Emergency responders attended the scene and confirmed he had died. Detective Sergeant Robert Delaney said Sidhu came to Canada from India in 2022 and had worked as a truck driver whil
CanadaJul 16, 2026

Meta introduces new Instagram AI safety features for minors as Canada advances online safety legislation

Meta has announced new safety features for minors using its Instagram AI chatbot, introducing parental alerts for conversations involving self-harm or suicide. The update comes as the Canadian government moves forward with proposed online safety legislation aimed at strengthening protections for young users. According to Meta, the new features became available Thursday in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. If a minor discusses self-harm or suicide while interacting with Instagram AI, parents who have enabled the platform's Parental Supervision tools will receive an im
federal-government-to-acquire-190-armoured-vehicles-in-2b-deal-to-strengthen-canadian-army
CanadaJul 16, 2026

Federal government to acquire 190 armoured vehicles in $2B deal to strengthen Canadian Army

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a $2 billion investment to purchase 190 new armoured vehicles for the Canadian Army as part of a four-year procurement plan aimed at strengthening the military's operational capabilities and supporting Canada's domestic defence industry. Carney confirmed the agreement during a visit Thursday to the General Dynamics Land Systems–Canada facility in London, Ont. According to the federal government, the new vehicles will increase the Army's armoured fleet to 550. The Prime Minister said all 190 vehicles will be manufactured at the company's Ontario facili
poilievre-criticizes-liberals-over-canada-post-executive-bonuses-amid-record-losses
CanadaJul 16, 2026

Poilievre criticizes Liberals over Canada Post executive bonuses amid record losses

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has criticized the Liberal government after reports that Canada Post paid millions of dollars in bonuses to management despite recording significant financial losses. Poilievre alleged that the government is allowing well-connected officials to benefit from taxpayer money while many Canadians continue to face rising living costs. He said families are struggling to afford groceries because of inflation, while senior Canada Post executives received substantial bonus payments. According to publicly reported Canada Post financial information, the Crown corporat
canada-pauses-new-parent-and-grandparent-sponsorship-applications-for-2026
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Canada pauses new parent and grandparent sponsorship applications for 2026

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
federal-government-names-new-members-to-independent-senate-appointments-advisory-board
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Federal government names new members to independent Senate appointments advisory board

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

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prime-minister-mark-carney-confirms-two-canadians-injured-in-spain-train-crash
CanadaOct 28, 2026

Prime Minister Mark Carney Confirms Two Canadians Injured in Spain Train Crash

Prime Minister Mark Carney has confirmed that at least two Canadians were injured in a major train accident in Spain on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Carney expressed his condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the crash. He also said the Canadian government was ready to provide any assistance Spain might need during this difficult time. The accident occurred in Spain’s central Toledo province when a high-speed train struck another stationary train from behind. More than 60 people have reportedly died in the incident. Both trains were travelling in the same direction
AlbertaOct 28, 2026

Heavy Snowfall Warning for Edmonton, Up to 15 cm of Snow Expected

A special weather alert has been issued for Edmonton and surrounding communities in Central Alberta, with up to 15 centimetres of snow expected by Thursday morning. According to the warning, the first major snowfall of the season began Tuesday night and is expected to continue through Thursday morning. Snowfall overnight has already caused difficulties for commuters travelling to work early Wednesday. Drivers are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys and prepare for rapidly changing and deteriorating road conditions. Mainroad Alberta Contracting, which maintains approximately 4,
AlbertaOct 28, 2026

Jamie Dacosta Expected to Plead Guilty in Death Threat Case Against Mark Carney

Jamie Dacosta, who is accused of making death threats against Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, is expected to plead guilty. His defence lawyer has been instructed to arrange a sentencing date. A court appearance on Thursday is expected to set a date for the guilty plea and request a pre-sentence report. The 31-year-old faces several other charges, including extortion, criminal harassment, uttering death threats and property damage. Dacosta’s mother, Kathie Dacosta, says he has been struggling with serious mental and emotional health issues. He is currently being held at the Calgary Reman
lorne-doerkson-to-take-a-different-stance-from-poilievre-on-oil-tanker-ban
CanadaOct 28, 2026

Lorne Doerkson to Take a Different Stance from Poilievre on Oil Tanker Ban

B.C. premier-designate Lorne Doerkson has signalled that he may take a different approach from federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre on the oil tanker ban along British Columbia’s northern coast. Poilievre recently called on the Carney government in the House of Commons to lift the ban. However, Doerkson has given a lukewarm response to the proposal, saying his main focus is the Pacific Link pipeline project, which has been declared a project of national interest by the federal government. The proposed pipeline would run from Alberta to Delta, B.C., and is expected to create significa
bank-of-canada-raises-interest-rate-to-2-50-for-first-time-since-july-2023
CanadaOct 28, 2026

Bank of Canada Raises Interest Rate to 2.50% for First Time Since July 2023

The Bank of Canada has raised its benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points for the first time in three years, increasing it from 2.25% to 2.50%. Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem said the decision was aimed at keeping inflation under control amid economic pressures caused by a sharp rise in crude oil prices. The central bank had held its policy rate at 2.25% for seven consecutive decisions. Following the latest increase, mortgages, car loans and other commercial borrowing are expected to become more expensive, putting additional financial pressure on Canadians. Citing elevated oil