The RCMP union is raising concerns over Bill C-29, proposed legislation by the Canadian government to establish a new financial crimes agency to combat money laundering, online fraud and other financial crimes. Rob Farrer, president of the National Police Federation, told a parliamentary committee on Thursday that creating the new agency could further weaken the RCMP, which is already struggling with significant staffing and resource shortages. Under the government’s plan, 150 experienced RCMP investigators would initially be assigned to the new agency. Farrer objected to the proposal, argui

Canada’s job market lost 68,000 jobs in September, pushing the unemployment rate up slightly from 6.4 per cent to 6.5 per cent, according to Statistics Canada. The decline marks the second consecutive month of job losses. Canada lost approximately 42,000 jobs in August, wiping out all employment gains recorded so far this year. According to the report, the largest employment declines were recorded in educational services, health care and social assistance. Statistics Canada said the declining number of international students coming to Canada is one of the key factors contributing to job loss

India is considering inviting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney as the chief guest for its Republic Day celebrations on Jan. 26, 2027, according to media reports. The proposal remains at an early stage, and no formal invitation has been confirmed in the information provided. The reported consideration comes as India and Canada work toward finalizing a free trade agreement by the end of 2026. The negotiations are part of broader efforts to strengthen economic ties between the two countries. Relations between New Delhi and Ottawa have shown signs of improvement since Carney took office, follow

B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson has announced a proposed $1,000 annual provincial income-tax cut for low- and middle-income families. Speaking at a grocery store in Surrey, Doerkson said that if elected premier, his government would raise the provincial basic personal income-tax exemption to $32,000. He said this would mean British Columbians would pay no provincial income tax on their first $32,000 of income. Doerkson said a two-income household could save up to $2,000 a year under the proposal, with the money remaining in families’ pockets rather than going to the government. He al

Canada’s House of Commons is set to vote today on the federal government’s controversial Bill C-39, which aims to fast-track approvals for major projects. The bill has drawn criticism over a provision that would amend Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, giving the Labour Minister the power to intervene in an ongoing strike by citing the national interest. NDP parliamentary leader Don Davies has called the bill an attack on workers’ and Indigenous rights, as well as environmental protections. He said he is concerned about a growing trend of power being concentrated in the hands of cabi

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a new $2-billion national heat pump rebate program on Thursday to help Canadians install energy-efficient heating systems and reduce carbon emissions. The federal government says the program will also help lower electricity and heating costs. The funding is expected to provide rebates to around 820,000 homeowners over the next eight years. According to the government, households that switch to new energy-efficient heat pump systems could save an average of up to $1,400 annually on heating bills. The rebate amount will depend on household income. Lo

Canada’s ban on foreign homebuyers is nearing its expiry, with the federal government considering various options for what comes next. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said the government is looking at all aspects of the issue, including the current state of the housing market and how it has changed over the past few years. The ban was first introduced in 2023 as part of efforts to curb housing prices and was later extended for another two years. It is currently set to remain in effect until January 1, 2027. Reports suggest that higher interest rates following the COVID-19 pande

Elon Musk has made his latest comments on Canadian sovereignty, appearing to encourage separatist movements in three provinces. Musk, who studied at Queen’s University in Ontario and has described himself as half Canadian, wrote on his social media platform X that Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan should separate from Canada. He said he supports people who want to make their provinces independent. Musk’s comments came after the separatist Parti Québécois formed a minority government in Quebec following elections, with a promise to hold a third referendum on independence. In Alberta, resid

A Conservative motion calling for additional federal tax relief on diesel has been defeated in the House of Commons. The motion called for all federal taxes on diesel to be fully suspended until July 1, 2027. It also sought tax incentives to increase domestic diesel production in Canada. The federal government has already extended a temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax on diesel until Jan. 31, 2027. The Conservatives argued that further reducing diesel costs could help Canadians save at gas stations and grocery stores because diesel is an important part of the transportation and