Statistics Canada says inflation rose 2.2 per cent in March compared to the same month last year, riding mostly on the back of 35.3 per cent year-over-year increase in gasoline prices. TD senior economist James Marple says headline inflation only hit a pandemic-era high because it was compared to very weak prices at the onset of the pandemic last year. He says the country may see stronger price growth later this year if high-contact services re-open and bring back displaced workers. Marple also says inflation may feel higher for many Canadians who have shifted spending towards larger homes, fo

A pair of proposed changes to the federal budget put forward by opposition parties will determine whether the minority Liberal government will fall, which could trigger an election.The government says it has informed opposition parties that two votes in the House of Commons — on a Bloc Québécois sub-amendment today and on a Conservative amendment Thursday — are considered confidence votes.A third opportunity to pass judgment on the massive budget comes Monday, when the House votes on the main motion to approve the government's budget policy.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal govern

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland both say they are seeking appointments at a pharmacy to get vaccinated with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine for COVID-19. Both Trudeau, 49, and Freeland, 52, became eligible today when Ontario dropped the age to get that vaccine to 40 and above. Trudeau says he is still working out the details for getting his shot. Freeland says she has her children online trying to get her an appointment and is now on a waitlist. Extension of hotel quarantines in Canada Canada is extending the use of quarantine hotels for international

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are talking up the benefits of yesterday's federal budget. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined Freeland in promoting the budget, calling it a plan to help Canada and Canadians through the COVID-19 crisis and set the table for a strong comeback. Trudeau calls it a historic plan for a historic moment. Trudeau says it's important to make the right investments in what comes next. He says his government won't make the mistake of cutting support too quickly like the previous government did following the great recession of 2008. Fr

Highlights from the federal Liberal budget tabled Monday by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland: $30 billion over the next five years, and $8.3 billion ongoing for early learning and child care and Indigenous early learning and child care. The plan would aim to see an average drop in fees next year by 50 per cent for preschooler daycare spaces and an average of $10-a-day care by 2026. $3 billion over five years, starting in 2022-23, to Health Canada to support provinces and territories in improving standards for long-term care. The government says this funding will keep seniors safe and improv

Investigators with the York Regional Police Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, in partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Peel Regional Police, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, dismantled a large-scale international drug trafficking network that extended to Western Canada, the United States and India.In May 2020, officers began an investigation, dubbed Project Cheetah, into a robust network involved in importing large quantities of cocaine, ketamine, heroin and opium into Canada. The drugs were then distributed across the country through a sophisticated system

Canada hit the 10 million milestone this morning for total COVID-19 vaccines administered and is closing in fast on getting a first dose to one in four Canadians. With Ontario reporting almost 67,000 new vaccinations this morning, Canada surpassed the 10 million mark. About 9.1 million people have now received at least one dose, including about 915,000 who have received both required doses. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 19, 2021. Though amid these vaccinations Ontario is reporting Ontario is reporting 4,447 new cases of COVID-19 today and 19 more deaths attribute

Ontario is imposing stricter public health measures to control the spread of COVID-19. Premier Doug Ford says a state of emergency is being extended for an extra two weeks, and outdoor gatherings will be limited to only members of the same household. The province is also setting up checkpoints to restrict interprovincial travel. Big-box stores will also have their capacity capped at 25 per cent, down from the current 50 per cent. Ontario's solicitor general says the province is giving police sweeping new powers to enforce public health orders. Sylvia Jones says officers will have the authori

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the Red Cross will be deployed to help set up mobile vaccination clinics in Toronto, as COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the country's most populous city. Speaking at a news conference in Ottawa this morning, Trudeau said Canada continues to face an "incredibly serious" situation.Ontario is reporting more than 4,800 new cases of COVID-19 today, reaching a new peak for a second day in a row. More than 1,400 of the new cases are in Toronto. Ontario is reporting 4,812 new cases of COVID-19 today, reaching a new peak for a second day in a row. It's also repor