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psac-announces-strike-vote-for-120-000-federal-workers
CanadaOct 21, 2026

PSAC Announces Strike Vote for 120,000 Federal Workers

Canada’s largest federal public service union has announced a nationwide strike vote after contract negotiations with the government stalled. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) represents approximately 120,000 workers, including wildfire firefighters, passport officers, fisheries officers, federal teachers, librarians and administrative staff. The strike vote will run from November 16, 2026, to January 22, 2027. The union and the Treasury Board have been in a dispute over a new collective agreement for the past 18 months. PSAC alleges that the federal government has repeatedly dela
carney-says-federal-government-wont-back-down-on-immigration-targets
CanadaOct 21, 2026

Carney Says Federal Government Won’t Back Down on Immigration Targets

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has assured that the federal government will maintain sustainable immigration levels and will not back away from its targets. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa on Wednesday morning, Carney said his government is consulting provincial governments on bringing immigration to appropriate levels and distributing newcomers more effectively across the country based on economic needs. His remarks came after Alberta’s referendum, in which approximately 53 per cent of voters supported giving the province greater control over immigration policies to reduce the number o
canada-interest-rate-hike-looms-putting-more-pressure-on-homebuyers
CanadaOct 21, 2026

Canada Interest Rate Hike Looms, Putting More Pressure on Homebuyers

Canada’s real estate market could face renewed pressure if the Bank of Canada raises interest rates, with mortgage and lending experts warning that higher borrowing costs could discourage homebuyers and push house prices lower. The central bank has not raised interest rates since July 2023. While it is expected to keep its benchmark rate unchanged for an eighth consecutive decision, many economists and traders believe rate hikes could be on the horizon as policymakers seek to contain inflation. The Bank of Canada’s policy rate has remained at 2.25% since a 0.25-percentage-point cut in Octo
CanadaOct 21, 2026

Canada’s Rising Cost of Living Pushes Food Bank Usage to Record High

The rising cost of living in Canada is forcing more people to rely on food banks, with usage reaching an all-time high. According to Food Banks Canada’s 2026 HungerCount report, a record 2.35 million visits were recorded in March alone. The annual report shows that food bank visits increased by nearly 9 per cent compared with last year and by more than 117 per cent since 2019. It also found that one in five food bank users is employed. Food Banks Canada CEO Kirstin Beardsley said many people who were previously able to manage small financial setbacks are now struggling to make ends meet. She
CanadaOct 21, 2026

Canada-U.S. Trade Deal Unlikely Before November Midterm Elections

The chances of Canada and the United States reaching a trade deal before the U.S. midterm elections on November 3 have effectively faded. Canadian government officials have reportedly told industry groups in recent weeks that no resolution is expected before the elections, as the White House remains focused on campaigning. Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc also confirmed in an interview that the federal government is not expecting a deal before the midterms. However, he said he remains in regular contact with his U.S. counterpart and assured that Canada will continue exploring opportunit
prime-minister-mark-carney-to-begin-three-day-visit-to-turkey
CanadaOct 21, 2026

Prime Minister Mark Carney to Begin Three-Day Visit to Turkey

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will depart this evening for a three-day visit to Turkey. During the trip, Carney will meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara and business leaders in Istanbul. This marks the first bilateral visit to Turkey by a Canadian prime minister. Carney’s visit comes amid growing concerns over human rights in Turkey, where LGBTQ and HIV advocacy organizations are reportedly facing systematic targeting. Members of Turkey’s LGBTQ community are said to be living in fear following violent police actions earlier this week. According to senior federal of
canadas-federal-budget-set-for-november-5
CanadaOct 20, 2026

Canada’s Federal Budget Set for November 5

Canada’s federal budget will be presented on November 5, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne has officially announced. He confirmed the date during Question Period in the House of Commons on Tuesday. The budget will be the second fall budget under Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government. The announcement comes as Canadian businesses continue to face the impact of U.S. tariffs and Canada’s retaliatory measures. Champagne indicated that the budget would include several measures aimed at strengthening Canada’s economy and making it more independent. He said the budget wo
air-canada-phone-bookings-get-more-expensive-with-an-extra-30-fee-per-passenger
CanadaOct 20, 2026

Air Canada Phone Bookings Get More Expensive, With an Extra $30 Fee Per Passenger

Air Canada has introduced a new non-refundable fee of $30 for each passenger when booking tickets through the airline’s telephone call centre. The charge is applied per passenger, meaning a family of four booking a flight through the call centre will have to pay an additional $120. However, the fee does not apply to bookings made through the airline’s website or mobile app. Air Canada said the move is intended to allow call centre agents to focus on passengers who need personalized assistance with reservations, travel disruptions or other travel-related issues. The airline clarified that t
CanadaOct 20, 2026

Canada’s Economic Growth Forecast Cut Amid U.S. Tariffs, Budget Deficit Expected to Rise

Canada’s Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) has lowered its economic growth forecasts for 2026 and 2027, citing the impact of tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Canada’s retaliatory measures. According to the federal budget watchdog’s latest report, Canada’s real GDP is expected to grow by 0.9 per cent in 2026 and 1.5 per cent in 2027. The PBO had previously forecast growth of 1.1 per cent for 2026 and 1.6 per cent for 2027 in June. The report also projects an increase in Canada’s budget deficit following the breakdown of trade negotiations between Canada and the Unit

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another-storm-set-to-hit-b-c-s-coastal-regions-heavy-rain-and-strong-wind-warning-issued
BCNov 09, 2026

Another Storm Set to Hit B.C.’s Coastal Regions, Heavy Rain and Strong Wind Warning Issued

A third powerful storm is forecast to hit British Columbia’s coastal regions, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall from Tuesday through Thursday. According to Environment Canada, the storm will affect the North, Central and South Coasts, as well as Vancouver Island. The weather agency has forecast winds of up to 110 km/h for Haida Gwaii and northern Vancouver Island this afternoon. Heavy rainfall is also expected in several parts of the province. Although no flood warnings are currently in effect in B.C., the River Forecast Centre has maintained High Streamflow Advisories for the South a
three-arrested-after-shots-fired-inside-surrey-high-rise-condo-building
BCNov 09, 2026

Three Arrested After Shots Fired Inside Surrey High-Rise Condo Building

Three people have been arrested following a shooting inside a high-rise condominium building in Surrey, B.C. According to the Surrey Police Service (SPS), officers responded to reports of multiple gunshots inside an upper-floor suite in a building located in the 9600-block of 136A Street at approximately 2:16 a.m. A large police presence was deployed to the scene, with officers from the New Westminster Police Department also assisting in the response. Two men and one woman were taken into custody within approximately 90 minutes of the incident. Police confirmed that no one was injured in the s
CanadaNov 09, 2026

Canada to Develop New Strategy for Foreign Espionage, Granting CSIS Expanded Powers

The Canadian government is planning to grant the country's intelligence agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the authority to conduct espionage operations overseas. The move could mark a major first step towards establishing a separate foreign intelligence agency similar to the United States' CIA and Britain's MI6. Prime Minister Mark Carney's government announced $6 billion in additional funding for CSIS over the next 10 years in its recent federal budget. A portion of the funding is expected to be used to strengthen the agency's ability to gather foreign intelligence. C
CanadaNov 09, 2026

Canada, Philippines Set to Finalize Free Trade Agreement This Week

Canada and the Philippines could announce the conclusion of negotiations on a free trade agreement this week, marking a major milestone in relations between the two countries. Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Manila on Saturday as part of his international tour. He is expected to finalize the trade agreement on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit. According to the Canadian government, the deal is expected to triple bilateral trade between the two countries by 2035. The Philippines plays a key role in Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy. The importance of the relationship is reflected in the fact
CanadaNov 06, 2026

Canada Allocates Nearly $30 Billion Over 10 Years to Tackle Homelessness

The Canadian government has allocated nearly $30 billion in Budget 2026 to tackle homelessness across the country over the next 10 years. Under the plan, the government will invest $11.2 billion over the next four years, followed by another $17.8 billion over the subsequent six years, to help people overcome homelessness. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne described the initiative as one of the government's key policy priorities. Champagne said the funding aims to provide permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness, build community-based mental health and addiction treatm