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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
eu-says-carney-to-attend-armenia-summit-as-canada-expands-role-in-european-security-talks
CanadaApr 28, 2026

EU says Carney to attend Armenia summit as Canada expands role in European security talks

European Union officials say Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to attend a summit in Armenia this weekend focused on political, security and infrastructure co-operation across Europe. According to a social media post from European Council President Antonio Costa, Carney will participate in the European Political Community summit in Yerevan. Carney’s office has not publicly confirmed the visit. The European Political Community brings together EU member states and partner countries, including Iceland, Azerbaijan and Montenegro. The forum was launched in 2022 following Russia’s full-scal
finance-minister-to-table-economic-update-as-deficit-outlook-improves
CanadaApr 28, 2026

Finance minister to table economic update as deficit outlook improves

Canada’s Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is set to present a federal economic update today, outlining the government’s plan to strengthen the country’s position among G7 economies and signal potential new measures aimed at boosting investment and job creation. According to statements made ahead of the release, the update is expected to function as a mini-budget, with a focus on long-term economic stability and growth. The government has indicated it will provide details on its fiscal outlook alongside policy steps intended to support economic expansion. A key focus will be
ndp-leader-avi-lewis-will-not-run-in-quebec-byelection-after-boulerice-departure
CanadaApr 27, 2026

NDP leader Avi Lewis will not run in Quebec byelection after Boulerice departure

Newly elected federal NDP Leader Avi Lewis says he will not run in an upcoming Quebec byelection triggered by the departure of longtime MP Alexandre Boulerice. Boulerice announced he is leaving federal politics after 15 years to seek a provincial seat with Québec solidaire. He said in a statement that he believes his work in Ottawa is complete and described the move as a continuation of his political priorities at the provincial level. According to his announcement, Boulerice framed the decision as a transition rather than a strategic calculation, while confirming he will vacate his seat in t
three-liberal-mps-take-seats-in-house-after-byelections-boosting-government-majority
CanadaApr 27, 2026

Three Liberal MPs take seats in House after byelections, boosting government majority

Three newly elected Liberal members of Parliament formally took their seats in the House of Commons on Monday following recent byelections that strengthened the governing party’s position. Doly Begum, Danielle Martin and Tatiana Auguste were sworn in as MPs on Saturday, according to official parliamentary records. Their arrivals bring the Liberals to 174 seats in the House, reflecting gains from both the byelections and a series of defections over recent months. Begum and Martin won Toronto-area ridings previously held by former cabinet ministers Bill Blair and Chrystia Freeland. Auguste sec
carney-announces-25b-national-sovereign-wealth-fund-ahead-of-economic-update
CanadaApr 27, 2026

Carney announces $25B national sovereign wealth fund ahead of economic update

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Monday that Canada will establish its first national sovereign wealth fund, starting with $25 billion in initial capital. Carney said the fund will invest in large-scale Canadian industrial projects, including energy, infrastructure, mining, agriculture and technology. According to the prime minister’s announcement, the federal government will co-invest alongside private-sector partners. The announcement was made at the Canada Science and Technology Museum, one day before the Liberal government is set to deliver its spring economic update. The timing sign
manitoba-premier-signals-plan-to-restrict-youth-access-to-social-media-ai-chatbots
CanadaApr 27, 2026

Manitoba premier signals plan to restrict youth access to social media, AI chatbots

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says his government intends to introduce a ban on children using social media platforms and artificial intelligence chatbots, but key details, including the age threshold, have not yet been specified. Kinew made the announcement at the Manitoba NDP’s annual spring fundraising dinner, where he said Manitoba would be the first province to pursue such a policy. It is not yet clear what legislative or regulatory mechanism the province would use, or when a bill could be introduced. According to remarks delivered at the event, the proposed restrictions would apply to bot
CanadaApr 27, 2026

Carney, Sheinbaum discuss CUSMA ahead of formal review talks

Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday evening as Canada prepares for the upcoming formal review of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders discussed shared economic priorities and agreed to work together to address common challenges tied to the trilateral trade pact. The call comes as the United States and Mexico are expected to begin official discussions on the agreement by the end of next month. Canada, however, has not yet confirmed a timeline for similar talks w
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

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BCOct 29, 2026

Former B.C. NDP Ministers Admit Early Election Call Was a Major Mistake

Former B.C. NDP ministers Nikki Sharma and Ravi Parmar have expressed disappointment over the party’s election defeat, acknowledging that calling an early election was a major mistake. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a party caucus meeting in Victoria, former Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said the party and former Premier David Eby had clearly made the wrong decision by calling an early election. Former Attorney General Nikki Sharma said Wednesday’s virtual meeting of the outgoing caucus was highly emotional. She said Eby apologized for the decision to call the election and took f
two-arrested-in-calgary-kidnapping-and-hostage-taking-case-third-suspect-wanted
AlbertaOct 29, 2026

Two Arrested in Calgary Kidnapping and Hostage-Taking Case, Third Suspect Wanted

Calgary police have arrested two men in connection with the kidnapping and hostage-taking of a woman, while a third suspect remains at large. Police received information about the incident on October 12. The following day, the tactical unit executed a search warrant at a residence in the 2000 block of 37 Street Southeast, where officers safely rescued the victim and arrested two suspects. Calgary residents Joseph Richard Frederick Sarrazin and Jordan Barry Taylor have been charged with forcible confinement and several other criminal offences. Police believe the kidnapping was a targeted incide
AlbertaOct 29, 2026

Alberta Referendum Results Officially Released, 74.95% Vote to Remain in Canada

Elections Alberta released the official results Thursday of the October 19 referendum on immigration, constitutional reforms and Alberta’s separation from Canada. According to the results, 70.4 per cent of Alberta voters participated in the questions on requiring proof of citizenship to vote and whether the province should separate from Canada. These two questions recorded the highest voter participation. Official results showed that 74.95 per cent of Albertans voted in favour of remaining part of Canada. On the remaining nine questions, a majority of voters supported several immigration-rel
50-year-old-woman-killed-in-cement-truck-collision-near-vancouver-airport
BCOct 29, 2026

50-Year-Old Woman Killed in Cement Truck Collision Near Vancouver Airport

A 50-year-old woman was killed after being struck by a cement truck near Vancouver International Airport in Richmond on Wednesday. According to the RCMP, the incident occurred at around 3:20 p.m. in the area of Russ Baker Way and Miller Road. Emergency crews closed the roadway completely for several hours while investigating the collision. Sergeant Pak Yim expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the victim’s family. Police said the truck driver remained at the scene and is cooperating fully with investigators. The RCMP is asking drivers who travelled through the a
melanie-joly-demands-stelco-reinstate-laid-off-workers-before-talks
CanadaOct 29, 2026

Melanie Joly Demands Stelco Reinstate Laid-Off Workers Before Talks

Canada’s Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has sent a strongly worded letter to Stelco President Paul Simon, demanding the immediate reinstatement of laid-off workers at the Ontario-based steelmaker. Joly said she is willing to meet with Stelco representatives and Lourenco Goncalves, CEO of its U.S. parent company, Cleveland-Cliffs. However, she made it clear that reinstating the laid-off workers would be a precondition for any discussions. Criticizing Goncalves, Joly said the company cannot use U.S. tariffs, which are hurting businesses on both sides of the border, as an excuse for the layoff