Canada’s finance minister François-Philippe Champagne is in Washington, D.C. for meetings focused on trade and the global supply of critical minerals, as Canada and its allies look to reduce reliance on China and strengthen secure supply chains. In a statement, the federal government said Champagne is meeting Sunday and Monday with finance ministers from G7 countries and other partners with similar economic priorities. Discussions are expected to focus on trade co-operation and the development of critical minerals essential for clean energy, electric vehicles, and advanced manufacturing. Ch

Canada could face greater economic and political risks than any other country due to ongoing instability in the United States, according to a new report from the risk analysis firm Eurasia Group. The report notes that the historically close ties between Canada and the U.S. are undergoing significant strain, with trade uncertainty posing potential challenges for the Canadian economy. Efforts to expand trade relationships beyond the U.S. may encounter “powerful headwinds” this year, the report adds. Relations between the two countries deteriorated after former U.S. President Donald Trump’s

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says Prime Minister Mark Carney has accepted an invitation to visit Brazil in April, following a phone call between the two leaders on Thursday. Lula made the comments in a social media post summarizing the discussion, highlighting shared views on Venezuela and international governance reform. According to Lula, both leaders criticized recent actions by the United States in Venezuela and agreed on the need to strengthen global institutions. The Brazilian president has been an outspoken advocate for reforms to bodies such as the United Nations and h

Canada added jobs for a fourth straight month in December, but the national unemployment rate rose to 6.8 per cent as more people entered the labour force, according to new data released by Statistics Canada on Friday. The figures highlight growing pressure in the labour market despite continued employment gains. The federal agency reported that the economy added 8,200 jobs in December. Over the past four months, employment has increased by a combined 188,800 positions, suggesting steady hiring momentum across parts of the economy. However, the unemployment rate rose as the number of people ac

Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland’s resignation from the House of Commons takes effect today, ending more than a decade representing the Toronto riding of University–Rosedale. Freeland is leaving federal politics to take on a voluntary advisory role with the Ukrainian government focused on economic development. Her departure reduces the Liberal caucus to 170 seats, leaving Prime Minister Mark Carney two seats short of a majority in the 338 seat House of Commons. Opposition parties collectively now hold 172 seats, including 142 Conservatives, 22 Bloc Québécois MPs, seven New Democ

Surrey Police Service officers issued five excessive speeding tickets during a single morning of enforcement this week, with the majority occurring in active construction zones, according to police. Road Safety Unit officers conducted targeted enforcement on January 7, focusing on areas where road work was underway. Police say four of the five tickets were issued in construction zones, including one case where a driver was allegedly travelling at 102 kilometres per hour in a posted 30 kilometre per hour zone. Police say speeding remains one of the leading causes of serious crashes, and constru

The federal government has announced plans to open a new Canadian consulate in Greenland, a move that comes as U.S. President Donald Trump has again raised the possibility of taking control of the Arctic territory. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is expected to travel to Greenland in the coming weeks, with the visit anticipated in early February, according to Prime Minister Mark Carney. During the trip, Anand will formally inaugurate Canada’s new consulate in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Governor General Mary Simon is also expected to join the delegation. The announcement follows rec

Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to travel to China next week, marking the first visit by a Canadian prime minister in eight years as Ottawa looks to manage a strained and complex bilateral relationship. The Prime Minister’s Office says Carney will depart on Jan. 13 and return on Jan. 17, with meetings expected to focus on trade, energy, agriculture and international security. Officials have not yet confirmed whether Carney will hold a formal face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the trip. Canada–China relations have been tense in recent years, particularly followi

A Grade 8 student from Shelburne County has died after being attacked by three dogs over the weekend, Nova Scotia school officials confirmed Monday. The Tri-County Regional Centre for Education said the student attended Shelburne Regional High School and that the death is being deeply felt across the school community. Counsellors, psychologists, and additional mental health supports have been made available to students and staff as they cope with the loss. RCMP previously said the youth was attacked Saturday by three large-breed dogs while riding a bicycle along Upper Sandy Cove Road in Welsht