The Bank of Canada has decided to hold its key interest rate at 2.25 per cent, a move that economists had largely anticipated as the central bank continues to assess the pace of economic recovery. This marks the Bank of Canada’s first rate decision of the year, following a pause in interest rate cuts announced in December. Governor Tiff Macklem said economic conditions have developed broadly in line with the bank’s expectations since that pause was put in place. New economic projections released alongside the decision indicate Canada’s economy showed little growth in the final quarter of

Two men are facing firearm-related Criminal Code charges following an early-morning police investigation in Surrey that began after officers reported hearing a suspected gunshot. Surrey Police Service officers assigned to Project Assurance were patrolling the area of 129 Street and 84 Avenue around 3:50 a.m. when they heard what they believed was a shot fired. Police located a suspect vehicle shortly afterward and took the driver and a passenger into custody. A loaded handgun was seized during the arrest. Project Assurance is a proactive policing initiative focused on neighbourhoods and busine

Air travel across Central Canada began stabilizing Tuesday as airport crews worked to clear the aftermath of a record-breaking snowstorm, though thousands of passengers continued to face delays and cancellations. Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows Toronto Pearson International Airport recorded 46 cancelled flights by late morning, representing about 11 per cent of scheduled departures. That marked a sharp improvement from Monday, when cancellations were roughly ten times higher as airlines grappled with buried aircraft and congested runways. Environment Canada says Pearson received

Prime Minister Mark Carney says U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat to impose tariffs on Canadian goods is closely linked to upcoming talks on renewing the North American free-trade agreement. Trump, in a weekend post on social media referring to Carney as “governor,” warned that Canada could face 100 per cent tariffs if it completes a trade deal with China. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa on Monday, Carney described Trump as a “strong negotiator” and suggested that the president’s comments should be considered in the context of broader trade discussions. He added that he w

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to visit India during the first week of March, as part of Canada’s broader effort to strengthen economic partnerships beyond the United States. Government sources indicate discussions during the visit could focus on cooperation in uranium, energy, critical minerals and artificial intelligence. The proposed trip is seen as a key step in Ottawa’s strategy to diversify trade and reduce reliance on the U.S. market. India’s growing economy and demand for energy and advanced technology make it a strategic partner for Canada, particularly as global supply

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a temporary increase to the federal GST credit on Monday, positioning the move as targeted relief for Canadians struggling with the rising cost of groceries and other essentials. The measure includes a 25 per cent increase to the GST credit, rebranded as the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. The enhanced credit is set to begin this year and remain in place for five years, aimed primarily at lower-income households most affected by food inflation. In addition to the annual increase, the federal government will issue a one-time payment in 2026 valued a

Nearly 10,000 federal public servants across multiple departments have been notified in recent days that their positions could be affected by upcoming workforce reductions, according to the unions representing them. The Public Service Alliance of Canada says more than 5,000 of its members received workforce adjustment notices over the past week. Those notices were issued to employees working in several federal departments, including Global Affairs Canada, Transport Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, and Health Canada. Workforce adjustment notices signal that positions

Former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wadding has been arrested in connection with an international drug trafficking operation, U.S. authorities say. Wadding had been living under the protection of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel prior to his capture. According to reports, the 44-year-old is accused of running a large-scale drug smuggling network in the United States, moving an estimated 60 metric tons of cocaine annually from Mexico to the Los Angeles area using semi-trucks. The FBI added Wadding to its 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list in March last year. A $15 million reward was offered for inform

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has brushed aside Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent remarks at the World Economic Forum, calling them “political noise” and cautioning that Canada’s growing trade engagement with China could complicate future negotiations with Washington. In an interview with Bloomberg TV, Lutnick said Canada already holds “the second-best deal in the world” under existing North American trade arrangements and suggested Carney was unfairly criticizing the United States. Lutnick also warned that Ottawa’s recent agreement with China could disrupt the upcomin