9.01°C Vancouver

News

CanadaFeb 24, 2021

Canada, Australia agree to co-ordinate efforts on regulation of online platforms

Canada and Australia are banding together to ensure the revenues of web giants are shared more fairly with creators and media. A statement from Ottawa says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison have agreed to continue "co-ordinating efforts" to address online harm and ensure social media companies pay for journalism. The statement says the two leaders spoke Monday on a range of topics including the growing co-operation between Canada and Australia on the regulation of online platforms. The increasing alliance between the two countries on legislating interne
643-000-covid-19-vaccine-doses-arriving-this-week-anita-anand
CanadaFeb 23, 2021

643,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses arriving this week: Anita Anand

This week Canada is receiving its biggest combined shipment yet of COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. Procurement Minister Anita Anand says most of the 643,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses arriving in the country this week have already been delivered. Anita Anand gave an update this afternoon.Anand says vaccine deliveries are starting to ramp up significantly, with 3.5 million doses expected to arrive in March. Dr. Tam is hopeful, relaxations will come soon in most invasive public health measures Canada's chief public health officer Doctor Theresa Tam says she is hopeful provinces and terri
trudeau-biden-to-unveil-partnership-roadmap-following-bilateral-meeting-u-s-officials
CanadaFeb 23, 2021

Trudeau, Biden to unveil 'partnership roadmap' following bilateral meeting: U.S. officials

The White House has released a fact sheet in advance of this afternoon's virtual meeting between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U-S President Joe Biden.This is Biden's first bilateral meeting as president.The fact sheet describes plans for a ``road map'' for progress in areas of mutual interest, like COVID-19, climate change, defence and social justice.It makes no mention of certain Canadian priorities, such as procuring more vaccine doses, freeing Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig from China or securing an exemption to Biden's Buy American plan.Experts want Ottawa to push hard for an exem
conservatives-win-all-party-support-of-uighur-genocide-vote-in-house-of-commons
CanadaFeb 22, 2021

Conservatives win all-party support of Uighur genocide vote in House of Commons

Canada's House of Commons voted unanimously in favour Monday of a Conservative motion declaring as genocide the atrocities committed against ethnic Muslim Uighurs in China's Xinjiang province. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and all of his Liberal cabinet ministers abstained from the politically charged vote, which took place mainly over video, and against the backdrop of all-but-frozen relations between Beijing and Ottawa. China has imprisoned two Canadian men, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, on what the government and dozens of its allies say are bogus charges in retaliation for the RCMP's
some-travellers-returning-to-canada-say-they-received-a-chillier-welcome-than-the-weather
CanadaFeb 22, 2021

Some travellers returning to Canada say, they received a chillier welcome than the weather

Some travellers returning to Canada today say they received a chillier welcome than the weather. They say they waited a long time to access the hotel-booking system for the mandatory three-day quarantine. A group arriving at Montreal's Trudeau International Airport from Belgium said there were disconnected calls and hours or even days on the line to make a reservation. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said the tighter border controls are meant to keep everyone safe, not punish travellers. He said Friday there had been issues with the phone lines, but said the problems would be cleared up by
harjit-sajjan-says-he-has-always-acted-promptly-on-sexual-misconduct-allegations
CanadaFeb 20, 2021

Harjit Sajjan says he has always acted promptly on sexual misconduct allegations

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan is declining to talk about when he first became aware of allegations of sexual misconduct against the former chief of the defence staff, but the minister assured MPs today he has always promptly informed the appropriate authorities of such accusations. Appearing before the House of Commons defence committee, Sajjan indicated that any discussions he might have had with the military ombudsman about Gen. Jonathan Vance are confidential. The committee hearing follows a Global News report that Vance allegedly had an ongoing relationship with a woman he significantly o
CanadaFeb 19, 2021

Extra weeks to be added to COVID-19 benefits for workers, parents, Trudeau says

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is adding 12 weeks of eligibility to two key benefits for unemployed workers and parents at home with children. The extra life for the Canada Recovery Benefit and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit will raise the maximum number of weeks available to 38 from 26. Trudeau also says the federal sickness benefit will be expanded to four weeks from two so workers can stay home if they're feeling ill, or have to isolate because of COVID-19. And employment insurance eligibility is also getting stretched, allowing people who qualify to clai
liberals-propose-federal-criminal-reforms-aimed-at-systemic-racism-in-justice-system
CanadaFeb 18, 2021

Liberals propose federal criminal reforms aimed at systemic racism in justice system

The Trudeau government has tabled legislation to repeal mandatory minimum penalties for certain drug offences, saying they do not deter crime and unfairly affect Indigenous and Black offenders. The bill introduced today would also allow for greater use of conditional sentences, such as house arrest, counselling or treatment, for people who do not pose a threat to public safety. In addition, it would require police and prosecutors to consider alternative measures for cases of simple possession of drugs, such as diversion to addiction-treatment programs. The office of Justice Minister David Lam
cost-of-mandatory-quarantine-for-newly-arrived-refugees-to-be-covered-by-government
CanadaFeb 18, 2021

Cost of mandatory quarantine for newly arrived refugees to be covered by government

Newly arriving refugees will have the cost of their mandatory hotel quarantines covered by the federal government. The federal government is also covering the cost of mandatory COVID-19 testing on arrival.As of Monday, most incoming travellers to Canada are required to stay for up to three nights in government-approved hotels while they await the results of COVID-19 tests.The new rules are meant to guard against further spread of COVID-19 and discourage travel. But the fact travellers must pay out of pocket had refugee groups in particular concerned about how they'd find the money. Despite wid

Just In

bank-of-canada-holds-key-interest-rate-at-2-25-as-global-risks-weigh-on-outlook
CanadaApr 29, 2026

Bank of Canada holds key interest rate at 2.25% as global risks weigh on outlook

The Bank of Canada kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.25 per cent on Wednesday, marking the fourth consecutive decision to hold rates, according to its latest monetary policy report. The central bank also maintained its deposit rate at 2.20 per cent. Governor Tiff Macklem said ongoing conflict in the Middle East and evolving U.S. trade policies are reshaping global trade patterns and adding uncertainty to the economic outlook. According to the bank’s report, the Iran-related tensions have reduced growth prospects in oil-importing countries while contributing to higher inflation
federal-finance-minister-tables-2026-spring-mini-budget-with-focus-on-skilled-trades-training
CanadaApr 29, 2026

Federal finance minister tables 2026 spring mini-budget with focus on skilled trades training

Canada’s Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne tabled the federal government’s 2026 spring mini-budget in the House of Commons, outlining measures aimed at strengthening the national economy and addressing labour shortages in key sectors. According to the government’s budget statement, a new initiative branded “Team Canada Strong” will focus on expanding the skilled trades workforce. The plan sets a target of training 100,000 new skilled trades workers by the 2030–31 fiscal year to help meet demand in housing construction, infrastructure projects and major resource developm
WorldApr 28, 2026

Israel orders evacuations in southern Lebanon villages amid ceasefire violations claims

The Israeli military has ordered residents in more than a dozen villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately, citing safety concerns during an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. According to a statement posted on the social media platform X by Israeli Defence Forces spokesperson Avichay Adraee, civilians in the affected areas were urged to leave without delay. The military said the warning was issued for public safety, alleging that Hezbollah had violated the terms of the ceasefire agreement. The evacuation order comes despite the ceasefire remaining formally in effect. Isra
b-c-attorney-general-urges-ottawa-to-include-ai-chatbots-in-youth-social-media-rules
BCApr 28, 2026

B.C. attorney general urges Ottawa to include AI chatbots in youth social media rules

British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma says federal plans to set a minimum age for social media use should explicitly include artificial intelligence chatbots, arguing the rules would be ineffective if such platforms are excluded. In a letter to the federal government, Sharma said tools such as ChatGPT should fall within any regulatory framework aimed at protecting children online. According to her office, the letter cites recent incidents, including a shooting in Tumbler Ridge, and references cases where AI tools were reportedly linked to harmful online behaviour. Sharma said AI system
AlbertaApr 28, 2026

Evacuation alert issued for Draper, Alta., as ice jam raises river levels

An evacuation alert has been issued for the community of Draper in northern Alberta after rising river levels linked to a large ice jam raised concerns about possible flooding. According to a notice from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, approximately 140 residents of the unincorporated community have been advised to prepare to leave on short notice. Draper is located along the southern bank of the Clearwater River, about 12 kilometres southeast of Fort McMurray. Officials say a roughly 20-kilometre-long ice jam on the Athabasca River has contributed to a rapid increase in water level