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CanadaMay 08, 2026

Manitoba declares public health emergency over rising HIV cases

The Manitoba government has declared a public health emergency following a sharp rise in HIV cases across the province, marking the first time Manitoba has issued such an emergency declaration related to HIV. According to Manitoba chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin, the number of reported HIV cases increased from 90 in 2019 to 328 in 2025. Preliminary data for the first quarter of 2026 shows approximately 120 cases, a level health officials describe as concerning. Final figures for 2026 have not yet been released. Provincial health officials said Manitoba’s HIV rate has
canada-post-begins-notifying-residents-of-end-to-door-to-door-mail-delivery
CanadaMay 08, 2026

Canada Post begins notifying residents of end to door-to-door mail delivery

Canada Post has begun sending letters to residents whose homes are expected to lose door-to-door mail delivery as part of a nationwide transition to community mailboxes. In notices sent to customers, the Crown corporation said mail and parcel delivery to residents’ doors will continue for now, but service is expected to shift to community mailboxes by late 2026 or early 2027. According to Canada Post, the change is being introduced as part of efforts to modernize operations and improve the long-term financial sustainability of the postal system. The plan would affect approximately four milli
canadas-unemployment-rate-rises-to-6-9-in-april-as-full-time-job-losses-mount
CanadaMay 08, 2026

Canada’s unemployment rate rises to 6.9% in April as full-time job losses mount

Canada’s unemployment rate increased to 6.9 per cent in April, according to new data released Friday by Statistics Canada. The figure marks the country’s highest unemployment rate in the past six months. Statistics Canada reported a net loss of 17,700 jobs during the month. Full-time employment saw the sharpest decline, with 46,700 positions lost, while part-time employment increased by 29,000 jobs. The agency said Canada has lost a total of 112,000 jobs during the first four months of 2026. Youth unemployment continued to outpace the national average, rising to 14.3 per cent in April. Eco
ottawa-projects-140m-in-savings-from-new-refugee-health-care-co-pay
CanadaMay 07, 2026

Ottawa projects $140M in savings from new refugee health-care co-pay

The federal government says changes to refugee and asylum claimant health coverage introduced this month are expected to reduce public spending by about $140 million this fiscal year. The changes, which took effect May 1 under the Interim Federal Health Program, require refugee claimants and asylum seekers to pay part of the cost for some supplementary and prescription health services. According to federal data tabled in response to an order paper question from NDP MP Heather McPherson, the largest projected savings – about $93 million – are tied to dental care coverage. Under the revised
india-rejects-csis-allegations-of-foreign-interference-in-canada
CanadaMay 07, 2026

India rejects CSIS allegations of foreign interference in Canada

India has rejected allegations by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) that linked New Delhi to foreign interference activities in Canada, calling the claims “baseless.” Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries and described India as a responsible democracy that respects international law and the sovereignty of other nations. Jaiswal said concerns related to such matters should be addressed through established diplomatic channels rather than through public statements or political d
carney-government-considering-faster-approvals-for-natural-resource-and-pipeline-projects
CanadaMay 07, 2026

Carney government considering faster approvals for natural resource and pipeline projects

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government is considering new measures aimed at speeding up approvals for federally regulated natural resource and major infrastructure projects, including pipelines. According to reports, an announcement could come later this week. The proposed changes would introduce a “one project – one review” approach for major projects and set a maximum two-year timeline for federal approval decisions. The move would represent a significant shift in the regulatory framework governing large-scale natural resource developments. According to reports, the federal governme
poll-finds-broad-support-in-canada-for-restricting-social-media-access-for-children-under-16
CanadaMay 07, 2026

Poll finds broad support in Canada for restricting social media access for children under 16

A new Leger poll suggests a majority of Canadians support banning children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms and artificial intelligence chatbots, amid growing concerns about their impact on teenagers. According to the survey, nearly 70 per cent of respondents backed restrictions on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and AI chatbots. The findings come as public debate intensifies over online safety, youth mental health and the influence of AI-driven content on minors. Concerns have increased following the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., after reports linked the suspe
federal-government-signals-potential-social-media-ban-for-children-under-16
CanadaMay 06, 2026

Federal government signals potential social media ban for children under 16

Canada’s federal government is considering restricting social media access for children under the age of 16 as part of proposed online harms legislation, Immigration and Identity Minister Marc Miller told a parliamentary committee Tuesday. Appearing before the House of Commons heritage committee, Miller said the government is “seriously considering” age-based limits in response to growing concerns about the impact of social media on youth. According to Miller, the proposal would be included in the forthcoming Online Harms bill. Miller told the committee that evidence on the psychological
canadian-privacy-commissioners-flag-concerns-over-openai-data-practices-in-joint-probe
CanadaMay 06, 2026

Canadian privacy commissioners flag concerns over OpenAI data practices in joint probe

Canada’s federal and provincial privacy commissioners have released a joint investigation report examining how OpenAI collected and used personal information to train its ChatGPT system, raising concerns about consent and transparency. According to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and counterparts in British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec, the company gathered more personal data than necessary during early development stages, in some cases without users’ knowledge or meaningful consent. The report states that this information could include sensitive details such as health dat

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AlbertaSep 22, 2026

Alberta Government Suspends Fuel Tax Until Year-End

The Alberta government is suspending the province’s fuel tax for the rest of the year. Premier Danielle Smith made the announcement Tuesday while addressing business leaders in Calgary. Smith said the average price of Western Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was $90.54 per barrel last month, triggering a full suspension of the 13-cent-per-litre provincial fuel tax for the quarter beginning October 1. The province had previously suspended its fuel relief program during the last quarter. However, Smith said Albertans had told the government they would prefer to receive the savings directly at th
b-c-premier-david-eby-calls-early-provincial-election
BCSep 22, 2026

B.C. Premier David Eby Calls Early Provincial Election

B.C. Premier David Eby has formally called a provincial election after meeting with Lieutenant Governor Wendy Cocchia and requesting the dissolution of the legislature. The election is being held two years ahead of schedule. The next provincial election had originally been set for October 21, 2028. The announcement also cancels the Abbotsford-Mission byelection scheduled for September 26, as the riding will now be contested as part of the provincewide general election. The seat had been vacated by B.C. Conservative MLA Rian Gaspar to allow former party leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay to run in the
BCSep 22, 2026

B.C. MLA Brent Chapman Leaves Conservatives, Joins OneBC Party

Party-switching intensifies in B.C. as Surrey South MLA Brent Chapman leaves the B.C. Conservatives and joins the OneBC Party. Chapman, who is the husband of former B.C. Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay, had been facing continued pressure within the party over controversial social media comments from his past. In a statement, Chapman said he had been a loyal party member for the past 15 years, but recent internal divisions, publicly exposed disagreements and what he described as a decline in the party’s principles had made it difficult for him to remain with the B.C. Conservatives. On
b-c-premier-david-eby-meets-lieutenant-governor-wendy-cocchia
BCSep 22, 2026

B.C. Premier David Eby Meets Lieutenant Governor Wendy Cocchia

B.C. Premier David Eby has met with Lieutenant Governor Wendy Cocchia. Eby is scheduled to hold a press conference at 12:15 p.m. at Government House in Victoria, where he is expected to formally announce a provincial election. The election is being called with about two years remaining in the current term of the B.C. NDP government. Eby had indicated that he was considering an early election amid recent turmoil within the opposition Conservative Party, a change in leadership and the NDP government's narrow one-seat majority in the legislature. According to Elections B.C.'s anticipated electio
CanadaSep 22, 2026

Canada’s NDP Opposes Federal Plan to Allow Private Investment in Major Airports

Canada’s federal NDP is opposing the federal government’s plan to allow private investment in the country’s airports. NDP Leader Avi Lewis has described the Carney government’s proposal as privatization, arguing that calling it anything else is misleading to the public. Speaking outside the House of Commons alongside party members and labour union leaders, Lewis warned that handing over the operations of Canada’s four largest airports in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver to private investors could lead to higher passenger fees. Lewis said the plan amounts to privatization beca