The national statistics agency says the volume and severity of police-reported crime in Canada decreased four per cent last year, after three annual increases in a row. Statistics Canada says non-violent crime had a significant effect on the decline in the overall crime severity index in 2024. The non-violent crime severity index — including such crimes as property and drug offences — dropped six per cent last year, following a nine per cent increase from 2021 to 2023. The agency says the violent crime severity index decreased one per cent in 2024 and had a comparatively smaller effect on

As provincial leaders prepare to meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney later this morning, the premiers of Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan have signed a memorandum of understanding calling for the construction of new pipelines using Ontario steel.The premiers are gathered in Ontario's cottage country to talk about eliminating internal trade barriers and U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to impose 35 per cent tariffs on a wide variety of Canadian goods on Aug. 1.Ontario Premier Doug Ford calls this morning's agreement a "game changer" that focuses on shipping western oil to refineries in so

Kap’s Café, the Surrey business owned by comedian Kapil Sharma and his wife Ginni, has reopened after being closed for about 10 days following a shooting earlier this month. When Connect FM visited the café this afternoon, staff declined to comment on camera but confirmed operations had resumed. Around 10 customers were inside and the atmosphere appeared calm, though a Surrey Police Service vehicle remained parked outside as a precaution. Shots were fired at the café on July 10 at about 1:50 a.m., forcing the closure. The reopening has also prompted new operating hours – the café will

Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to meet with a delegation of U.S. senators this morning who are in Ottawa to discuss the ongoing trade conflict between Canada and the U.S. A media advisory from the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance says four senators plan to "reaffirm the importance of ties between the United States and Canada" in meetings with Carney and other top government officials. The delegation includes Democratic senators Ron Wyden of Oregon, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, as well as Republican senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. In a letter to Car

A three-day meeting of the country's premiers gets underway today, and the first item on the agenda is discussions with Indigenous groups. The premiers are gathering at Deerhurst Resort in Ontario's cottage country and trade and tariffs are expected to be the main topics, particularly when they meet Tuesday with Prime Minister Mark Carney. But first they are set to have discussions with leaders from the Assembly of First Nations, the Métis National Council and the Native Women's Association of Canada, among other Indigenous groups. That meeting comes as Indigenous communities have expressed c

Canada's women's basketball team has entered the semifinals of the FIBA U-19 World Cup. Canada won the match played against Japan by a margin of 85-65. In this match, Syla Swords contributed 17 points for Canada in a strong performance. Jasmine Bascoe contributed 16 points in the same contest. The performance of Swords, who hails from Sudbury, Ontario, in the tournament being played in the Czech Republic has been commendable and her average per contest has been 16.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists. The Canadian team's semifinal match will be against Australia on Saturday.

Federal officials say the 2025 wildfire season is one of the worst on record for Canada, with a high risk of more fires in August. More than 5.5 million hectares of land have burned so far this year, more than double the 10-year average for mid-July. There are 561 fires burning, including 69 that are considered out of control, and most of them are on the Prairies. Officials say the fire risk rises throughout August and they are predicting higher than normal temperatures for most of the country next month. August is also slated to bring below-normal rainfall levels for the Prairies, B.C. and th

The mother of a 10-year-old Vancouver Island girl who has an extremely rare disease says the "nightmare is over" after the government restored funding for her daughter's drug for as long as she needs it. Charleigh Pollock is the only person in B.C. to have Batten disease, and her mother Jori Fales says in a social post that she is "beyond grateful" for "all the beautiful humans that have moved mountains" for her daughter. Pollock says the "love, support, generosity, compassion, kindness and devotion" shown by supporters of her daughters are "unmatched." Health Minister Josie Osborne announced

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is urging workers to reject Canada Post's latest contract offer. Union national president Jan Simpson says a strong no vote would not only reject the offer, but also protect the integrity of the bargaining process. The Canada Industrial Relations Board will hold the vote on the proposed deal starting next week. Canada Post is at an impasse with the union representing roughly 55,000 postal service workers after more than a year and a half of talks. Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu last month asked the board to step in and put the Crown corporation's latest