12.95°C Vancouver

News

federal-deficit-reaches-25-5b-in-first-11-months-of-2025-26-fiscal-year
CanadaApr 24, 2026

Federal deficit reaches $25.5B in first 11 months of 2025–26 fiscal year

The federal government recorded a budgetary deficit of $25.5 billion for the April to February period of its 2025–26 fiscal year, according to the latest monthly fiscal monitor from the Department of Finance. The result compares with a deficit of $19.3 billion reported during the same 11-month period in 2024–25, indicating a year-over-year increase in the shortfall. According to the Finance Department report, total revenues reached $453.2 billion, up 0.8 per cent from $449.8 billion a year earlier. Program expenses, excluding net actuarial losses, rose to $424.9 billion, a 2.1 per cent inc
canadian-astronaut-joshua-kutryk-assigned-to-first-space-mission-aboard-spacex-crew-13
CanadaApr 24, 2026

Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk assigned to first space mission aboard SpaceX Crew-13

Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk is scheduled to travel to the International Space Station later this year as part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 mission, according to a Canadian Space Agency news release. The Canadian Space Agency says the flight will mark Kutryk’s first mission to space. He is expected to launch no earlier than mid-September 2026 from Florida. Kutryk will be joined by NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov. NASA says the flight represents the 13th crew rotation carried out by SpaceX under its Commercial Crew Progra
westjet-raises-checked-baggage-fees-following-air-canada-citing-industry-pressures
CanadaApr 23, 2026

WestJet raises checked baggage fees following Air Canada, citing industry pressures

WestJet says it will increase checked baggage fees starting Thursday, adding new costs for air travellers across its network. The change follows a similar move by Air Canada announced last week. According to a WestJet statement, passengers checking bags at the airport will pay an additional $10 for each of the first two checked bags. Fees for overweight baggage will also rise, with increases of up to $50 depending on weight. The airline attributed the decision to “global conditions” and shifting trends in the aviation sector, but did not provide a detailed cost breakdown in its announcemen
carney-rejects-u-s-pressure-ahead-of-potential-cusma-trade-talks
CanadaApr 23, 2026

Carney rejects U.S. pressure ahead of potential CUSMA trade talks

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will not follow U.S. direction as it prepares for possible negotiations on the future of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement, pushing back on recent comments from American officials about trade irritants. Speaking at a news conference in Ottawa, Carney said tariffs imposed by the United States on Canadian steel, aluminum and forest products go beyond minor disputes and are inconsistent with the existing trade deal. He did not outline specific retaliatory measures but indicated the federal government views the tariffs as a significant breach. Car
CanadaApr 23, 2026

Immigration minister criticized after policy details shared in influencer interview

Canada’s immigration minister is facing criticism from legal professionals after discussing details of a proposed immigration program during a social media interview before any formal government announcement. Minister Lena Metlege Diab, in an interview with influencer Max Medic, said the federal government is preparing a new pathway to permanent residency for thousands of temporary residents. According to the interview, the proposed program would focus on individuals living outside major metropolitan areas. The Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association said in a statement it has sent a letter
faa-reports-near-miss-between-air-canada-and-republic-airways-flights-at-jfk
CanadaApr 22, 2026

FAA reports near miss between Air Canada and Republic Airways flights at JFK

U.S. aviation regulators are investigating a near-miss incident involving an Air Canada jet and a Republic Airways flight at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA said the Republic Airways pilots took evasive action after their aircraft missed its intended approach and came too close to the Air Canada plane. Both flight crews responded to onboard collision-avoidance alerts, the agency said. No injuries were reported. The FAA has not released further details on how close the aircraft came to each other or what factors contribu
liberals-plan-motion-to-secure-majority-on-house-committees-mackinnon-says
CanadaApr 22, 2026

Liberals plan motion to secure majority on House committees, MacKinnon says

Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon says the Liberal government will move to change House of Commons procedures to ensure it holds a majority of votes on parliamentary committees. MacKinnon said Tuesday the planned motion would adjust committee composition rules so governing party MPs have the numbers needed to advance legislation and studies. He argued that committees should reflect the governing party’s mandate and avoid what he described as “partisan games” that delay work. The proposal comes as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals seek to consolidate control of the parliament
canada-says-north-american-trade-talks-could-extend-past-july-1-deadline
CanadaApr 22, 2026

Canada says North American trade talks could extend past July 1 deadline

Canada’s chief negotiator with the United States, Janice Charette, says talks on the North American trade agreement could stretch beyond the July 1 deadline, adding to uncertainty for businesses across the region. Charette made the remarks during a business forum in Ottawa, where she said ongoing negotiations on the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement may take longer than anticipated. U.S. officials have also previously signalled that a delay is possible, according to public statements. Experts say missing the July 1 target could prolong uncertainty for companies that rely on cross-border
federal-government-tables-bill-to-regulate-space-launches-from-canada
CanadaApr 21, 2026

Federal government tables bill to regulate space launches from Canada

The federal government has introduced legislation that would establish a regulatory framework for launching spacecraft from Canadian territory. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon tabled the proposed Canadian Space Launch Act on Tuesday. According to a Transport Canada technical briefing, the legislation would give the federal government authority to oversee both launches and the re-entry of spacecraft. Officials said the proposed rules are intended to enable launches of satellites and rockets from within Canada, supporting both civilian and military applications. The framework would also set

Just In

AlbertaMay 12, 2026

Elections Alberta says Centurion Project leader not co-operating in voter list leak probe

Elections Alberta says the man linked to a major voter information leak has not co-operated with an ongoing investigation into the unauthorized use of the province’s official voter registry. In a statement, the agency said Centurion Project leader David Parker has not complied with a cease-and-desist letter issued last week. The letter required Parker to sign a declaration confirming he would stop using Alberta’s official voter list, which contains the names and addresses of nearly three million residents. According to Elections Alberta, investigators identified the Centurion Project as th
b-c-nurses-vote-overwhelmingly-in-favour-of-strike-action
BCMay 12, 2026

B.C. nurses vote overwhelmingly in favour of strike action

Members of the British Columbia Nurses Union have voted 98.2 per cent in favour of strike action as contract negotiations with the province remain stalled. The union said more than 50,000 of its roughly 55,000 members participated in the vote after bargaining talks reached an impasse in April. Key issues in negotiations include wages, benefits and ongoing staffing shortages across the health-care system. The BCNU has not announced a strike date. Any potential job action would follow further negotiations and could involve mediation or additional bargaining steps under provincial labour rules. T
canadian-foreign-affairs-minister-anita-anand-begins-official-visits-to-oman-and-qatar
CanadaMay 12, 2026

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand begins official visits to Oman and Qatar

Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand has begun official visits to Oman and Qatar aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and advancing cooperation on regional and economic priorities. According to Global Affairs Canada, Anand will remain in Muscat and Doha until May 15 for meetings with senior government officials focused on defence cooperation, trade, and people-to-people connections between Canada and Gulf states. In Oman, Anand is scheduled to meet Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi and other senior officials. Discussions are expected to include economic
oakridge-park-mall-in-vancouver-to-open-may-28-as-major-redevelopment-project-advances
BCMay 12, 2026

Oakridge Park mall in Vancouver to open May 28 as major redevelopment project advances

Oakridge Park, the retail and residential redevelopment under construction in Vancouver, is scheduled to open its shopping mall component on May 28, developers QuadReal Property Group and Westbank announced. The project, located at the former Oakridge Centre site, is part of a broader redevelopment expected to total about five million square feet by its planned completion in 2029. Developers have previously estimated the full project cost at approximately $6.5 billion. According to project details released by QuadReal and Westbank, the first phase opening later this month will include about 2.
alberta-ndp-accuses-smith-government-of-avoiding-accountability-in-privacy-breach-response
AlbertaMay 12, 2026

Alberta NDP accuses Smith government of avoiding accountability in privacy breach response

Alberta’s Opposition NDP is accusing Premier Danielle Smith of allowing a United Conservative caucus staffer to take responsibility for a privacy breach involving Albertans’ personal information. The issue stems from an April meeting where private information was allegedly displayed through an app used during discussions attended by UCP caucus members and staff. According to the UCP caucus, a staffer present at the meeting later briefed the caucus executive director about the incident. Smith said the information was not passed on to her office by the executive director, resulting in a dela