Montreal police say they have arrested a 63-year-old building owner in connection with a 2023 fire in Old Montreal that killed seven people. Police allege Emile Benamor faces 15 charges, including seven counts of manslaughter and eight counts of criminal negligence related to the March 16, 2023 blaze at a heritage property on Place D’Youville. The allegations have not been tested in court. According to a Montreal police service news conference, investigators had previously identified traces of an accelerant at the scene, prompting a criminal investigation into the fire. Chief-Insp. David Sha

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on the governments of British Columbia and Quebec to eliminate their electric-vehicle sales targets, arguing the policies are undermining Canada’s economic competitiveness. According to letters sent Wednesday to the two premiers, Ford said Ontario’s auto sector employs nearly 100,000 people and remains a key economic driver. He warned that differing provincial mandates on zero-emission vehicles risk creating what he described as a “fragmented and uncompetitive” national environment. Ford’s request follows recent changes in both provinces. Quebec h

The Bank of Canada has held its benchmark interest rate at 2.25 per cent following its latest policy meeting, marking the third consecutive decision to leave rates unchanged. According to the central bank’s statement, Governor Tiff Macklem cited ongoing global economic uncertainty as a key factor behind the decision. He pointed to instability linked to conflict in the Middle East and its impact on global energy markets, including rising oil and natural gas prices. The bank also warned that disruptions in key shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, could affect supply chains for food

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has taken over a homicide investigation following a fatal shooting early Saturday at a residence in Surrey. According to an IHIT news release, officers with the Surrey Police Service responded at about 1:40 a.m. to reports of shots fired inside a home in the 13900 block of Laurel Drive. When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. Police said officers immediately provided first aid until paramedics with BC Emergency Health Services arrived. The man was later pronounced dead at the scene. A man was arrested at the residence an

The federal government says it will invest $200 million over the next decade to secure access to a Canadian-owned satellite launch pad in Nova Scotia, part of a broader effort to build domestic space and defence capabilities. Defence Minister David McGuinty announced the initiative Monday at a laboratory operated by the Canadian Space Agency in Ottawa. The funding will be used to lease a launch pad near Canso that Ottawa says will form the foundation for a future Canadian spaceport. Canada currently relies on other countries, primarily the United States, to send satellites into orbit because i

Canada’s foreign affairs minister, Anita Anand, is travelling to Turkey and the United Kingdom this week for meetings focused on Middle East developments and strengthening bilateral ties. According to a statement from Global Affairs Canada, Anand is scheduled to meet with Turkish officials, including the country’s energy and foreign ministers, to discuss regional security and diplomatic cooperation. The discussions are also expected to include possible border crossing options for Canadian citizens seeking to leave Iran. During her stop in London, Anand will participate in the Chatham House

Canada’s annual inflation rate slowed to 1.8 per cent in February, down from 2.3 per cent in January, according to new data released Monday by Statistics Canada. The federal statistics agency reported the 0.5 percentage point drop in the consumer price index on a year-over-year basis. The figures suggest price pressures eased compared with the previous month. Economists, however, say the latest data may not fully reflect the impact of rising global tensions in the Middle East, which have pushed oil prices higher in recent weeks. The full effect of those increases may appear in future inflati

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met with United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on Monday, where the two leaders discussed international security issues and cooperation on intelligence sharing. The meeting took place at 10 Downing Street, the official residence and office of the British prime minister. According to statements from the leaders, Canada and the United Kingdom agreed to continue working closely together on global challenges, including security and intelligence coordination. Carney said the current global environment has become increasingly complex and requires st

The Conservative Party has nominated middle school teacher Diana Filipova as its candidate in the upcoming federal byelection in Scarborough Southwest. The seat became vacant after former Liberal cabinet minister Bill Blair resigned his position as member of Parliament to become Canada’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom. The byelection is scheduled for April 13. Scarborough Southwest is one of three ridings where voters will head to the polls that day. The Conservatives have now nominated candidates in all three contests. Another vote will take place in the Toronto riding of Universit