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

The Surrey Police Service says officers charged 25 drivers for excessive speeding over a four-day enforcement period in Surrey, with all vehicles impounded under provincial traffic laws. According to a police release, members of the service’s Road Safety Section conducted traffic enforcement between March 6 and March 9 and stopped multiple drivers travelling far above posted speed limits. Police reported one driver travelling 183 km/h in an 80 km/h zone who also did not have insurance. Another driver was recorded at 139 km/h in a 50 km/h zone and did not have a valid driver’s licence. Addi

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to meet King Charles III in London next week as part of a European trip that includes a NATO exercise visit and talks with the United Kingdom government. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Carney will arrive in London on Sunday after travelling to Norway to observe the NATO Cold Response exercises and attend a Nordic–Canada Council summit. The meeting with the King is scheduled for Monday. The visit comes nearly a year after the monarch travelled to Canada to deliver the Speech from the Throne opening the first session of the 45th Parliament of

Canada’s economy lost 84,000 jobs in February, pushing the national unemployment rate up by 0.2 percentage points to 6.7 per cent, according to new data released Friday by Statistics Canada. The agency said the drop represents the largest monthly employment decline outside the COVID-19 lockdown period in about 17 years. Job losses were recorded across both goods-producing and service-producing sectors. Retail and wholesale trade alone saw about 18,000 positions disappear during the month, the report said. Employment losses were particularly concentrated among men aged 25 to 54 and youth betw

Surrey Police Service and the RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit are investigating a report of shots fired early Thursday morning in the Cloverdale area of Surrey. Police said officers responded at about 4:35 a.m. to reports of gunfire in the 19500 block of 65 Avenue. According to a police release, officers arriving at the scene located multiple shell casings in the area. Investigators also found damage to a nearby residence that may be connected to the shooting. Police said no injuries have been reported. The RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit General Investigation Uni

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to remain in Europe for a short private vacation following official visits to Norway and the United Kingdom, according to reports about his upcoming travel schedule. Carney is scheduled to depart on March 13 for Norway before continuing to the United Kingdom for meetings with political leaders. The Prime Minister’s Office says the trip will focus on defence cooperation, global economic shifts and international security issues. During his time in London, Carney is expected to meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. According to officials, the discussio

New federal rules limiting how much banks can charge when customers do not have enough money in their accounts to cover a cheque or pre-authorized payment took effect Thursday. The regulations cap non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees at $10 for personal deposit accounts. According to the federal government, banks previously charged as much as $50 for the same type of transaction. Under the new rules, banks are also prohibited from charging more than one NSF fee within two business days for the same deposit account. Financial institutions also cannot charge an NSF fee if the account shortfall is les