Canada’s economy contracted for a second consecutive quarter, officially placing the country in a technical recession for the first time since 2020. According to new data released Friday by Statistics Canada, real gross domestic product declined at an annualized rate of 0.1 per cent during the first quarter of 2026. The economy had already posted a 1 per cent decline in the fourth quarter of 2025. Economists generally define a technical recession as two straight quarters of negative economic growth. Statistics Canada said increased gold imports and a slowdown in the oil and gas sector during

Surrey Police Service is investigating a daytime robbery at a jewelry store located in the Payal Business Centre in Surrey. Police say the suspect fled after stealing jewelry during the incident, which took place in the middle of the day. According to SPS media relations officer Staff Sgt. Ali Gales, officers were called to the area near 128 Street and 81 Avenue at approximately 11:30 a.m. Wednesday following reports of a robbery at the business. Police said the suspect allegedly stole several pieces of jewelry from the store before fleeing the scene. Reports indicate jewelry being worn by the

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal government is entering contract negotiations with Swedish defence company Saab to acquire a new fleet of airborne surveillance aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force. The federal government has previously said it plans to procure six radar-equipped aircraft intended to strengthen Canada’s aerospace surveillance capabilities and support continental defence operations. According to Carney, the aircraft are needed to address emerging threats, including hypersonic missile technology. Saab manufactures the GlobalEye surveillance aircraft in partnersh

Police in Mission are investigating the death of a woman found inside a home Sunday night as a homicide case. According to Mission RCMP, officers responded around 11:30 p.m. to a report of an injured person at a residence in the 33600 block of Dewdney Trunk Road. Officers arriving at the scene located a woman deceased inside the home. RCMP said a man was also found injured at the residence and was taken for medical treatment. Police said his injuries were not considered life-threatening. Investigators confirmed both individuals lived at the home. Due to the suspicious circumstances surrounding

Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to New York City on Wednesday and Thursday for meetings focused on investment, trade and economic growth, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. The PMO said Carney is expected to meet with chief executive officers, business leaders and investors during the two-day visit. The meetings are aimed at promoting Canada as a stable and competitive destination for international investment. On Thursday, Carney is also scheduled to deliver an address at the Economic Club of New York. According to the PMO, the prime minister will outline Canada’s new economi

Albertans will take part in a province-wide referendum on Oct. 19 that will ask voters to weigh in on Alberta’s future relationship with Canada, Premier Danielle Smith announced Thursday evening during a televised address. Smith said the provincial government plans to include a new “blended question” on the ballot aimed at reflecting the views of both groups advocating for Alberta to remain within Canada and those supporting greater sovereignty or separation. She said the wording was developed with input from the pro-Canada group Forever Canadian and the separatist group Stay Free Albert

Several Canadian unions are raising concerns over potential changes to federal labour laws being considered by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government, warning the move could limit workers’ right to strike. According to reports, the federal government circulated a discussion paper on April 17 seeking feedback from selected stakeholders, including representatives from the airline, port, railway, telecommunications and banking sectors. Union groups say they are concerned the government could expand the number of workplaces classified as “essential services,” a designation that can restri

The federal budget watchdog says Canada will spend just over $1 billion to host the World Cup this summer. That includes money from all levels of government, with the federal government contributing $473 million. The total averages to $82 million per game for the 13 games that will be played in Toronto and Vancouver. The parliamentary budget officer says that’s about in line with what previous host countries spent. In April, the federal government said it was allocating up to $145 million for security at the World Cup in addition to previously announced funding, with the money going toward r

Canada’s annual inflation rate rose to 2.8 per cent in April, driven largely by higher gasoline prices, according to new data released by Statistics Canada. The increase marks the first time in nearly two years that the consumer price index (CPI) has reached that level. Statistics Canada reported gasoline prices were up 28.6 per cent compared with the same month last year. Energy costs had also been a major factor in March, when the annual inflation rate reached 2.4 per cent. Food inflation showed some easing during the same period. Grocery prices increased 3.5 per cent year over year in Apr