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freeland-faces-questions-from-senators-on-bill-to-provide-new-rent-relief-business-aid-says-detailed-information-will-be-released-in-the-fall-fiscal-update
CanadaNov 12, 2020

Freeland faces questions from senators on bill to provide new rent relief, business aid; says detailed information will be released in the fall fiscal update

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says detailed information on the latest proposed COVID-19 aid programs for hard-hit businesses will be released in the fall fiscal update. Testifying before the Senate's national finance committee, which is reviewing Bill C-9, Freeland would not commit to monthly reports on pandemic spending. Bill C-9 would extend the federal wage subsidy until next summer, cancel a previously planned decline in its value and expand a popular business loan program. It would also revamp a widely criticized commercial rent relief program.
liberal-government-announces-long-awaited-plans-to-help-people-living-in-hong-kong
CanadaNov 12, 2020

Liberal government announces long-awaited plans to help people living in Hong Kong

The Liberal government is creating a new measure for young people in Hong Kong: a work permit designed to speed up the process toward permanent residency in Canada. Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino is announcing the long-awaited plans to help people living in Hong Kong, including some 300,000 Canadians, amid the Chinese clampdown on democracy. Mendicino says any Canadian citizens and permanent residents living in the territory can return to Canada at any time and Ottawa will expedite any documents they need. Hong Kong was supposed to operate under a ``one-country, two-systems'' framework
new-restrictions-take-effect-in-manitoba-amid-rising-covid-19-cases
CanadaNov 12, 2020

New restrictions take effect in Manitoba amid rising COVID-19 cases

The province with the largest per-capita caseload of active COVID-19 infections in the country is imposing new restrictions as of today. Manitoba is shutting down bars, museums and theatres, limiting restaurants to deliveries and curbside pickups and putting a cap on gatherings to five people. The province reported 5,676 active cases yesterday, and its deadliest day of the pandemic so far. Ontario recorded another record number of COVID-19 cases yesterday and Premier Doug Ford's government is set to unveil new modelling numbers later today. Health officials in BC will also unveil their latest
scaled-down-covid-19-ceremonies-across-canada-to-mark-remembrance-day
CanadaNov 11, 2020

Scaled-down COVID-19 ceremonies across Canada to mark Remembrance Day

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is urging everyone to show their support for veterans by wearing a poppy and watching Remembrance Day ceremonies online today.Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says the acts of reflection, remembrance, and respect don't just happen during parades or at cenotaphs. He says they are emotional acts we will uphold in a year when Canadians are adapting and persevering through challenging times.With COVID-19 cases surging in many provinces, the Royal Canadian Legion is severely scaling back ceremonies and telling people to stay home.
525-new-covid-19-cases-and-3-deaths-reported-in-b-c
BCNov 11, 2020

525 new COVID-19 cases and 3 deaths reported in B.C.

BC is reporting 525 new cases of COVID-19 and three more deaths. That brings the number of deaths linked to the pandemic to 284. The bulk of the new cases continue to be in the Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal heath regions. The province now has 5,133active cases of COVID-19, with 142 people in hospital, including 46 in intensive care.
provinces-and-territories-should-not-hesitate-to-ask-for-federal-help-to-fight-covid-19-pm-trudeau
CanadaNov 10, 2020

Provinces and territories should not hesitate to ask for federal help to fight COVID-19: PM Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says provinces and territories should not hesitate to ask for federal help to fight COVID-19. He says federal supports should make it easier to make decisions about what to shut down or open. Trudeau insists health measures should not be compromised because of economic fears. He says that's how we'd end up with a worse pandemic, more people sick and more businesses harmed. "Government will give 61-million dollars to help Indigenous communities in Manitoba" Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is addressing the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Manitoba. Trudeau says th
two-thirds-of-canadians-would-support-a-covid-19-curfew-if-pandemic-severe-poll
BCNov 10, 2020

Two-thirds of Canadians would support a COVID-19 curfew if pandemic severe: Poll

More than two-thirds of Canadians say they would support a curfew if the COVID-19 pandemic became serious enough, according to a new poll.The survey by Léger and the Association for Canadian Studies found that 67 per cent of Canadians would back a temporary nighttime curfew,10 p.m. to 5 a.m., to curb viral spread in dire circumstances.However, respondents' enthusiasm varied by age, with young people less disposed to the notion.Fifty-five per cent of respondents aged 18 to 34 said they would support a curfew, while three-quarters of those aged 55 and over endorsed it, including 80 per cent of
b-c-reports-998-new-covid-19-cases-737-cases-in-fraser-health-region
BCNov 10, 2020

B.C. reports 998 new COVID-19 cases, 737 cases in Fraser Health region

British Columbia's top doctor has clarified a public health order requiring people living in two health regions to cut back on their social interactions in order to slow the rising COVID-19 case count. The details of Dr. Bonnie Henry's latest directive on Saturday are now posted online and explain that people in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser health regions may only socialize with those in their ``core bubble.'' The provincial webpage notes a person's core bubble consists of others who live in the same home and may also include a partner, co-parent, relative or friend who lives in a differe
rents-wont-climb-in-b-c-until-at-least-july-2021-as-province-extends-freeze
BCNov 09, 2020

Rents won't climb in B.C. until at least July 2021 as province extends freeze

Effective immediately, the Province is extending the freeze on rent increases until July 10, 2021, under the powers of the Emergency Program Act and COVID-19 Related Measures Act. This is an interim measure to provide stability and advance notice for renters and landlords while a new cabinet is sworn in. Increases set to happen on Dec. 1, 2020, are cancelled, along with all pending increases through to July. "We know many renters are still facing income loss and even the slightest increase in rent could be extremely challenging. For that reason, we are extending the freeze on rent increases to

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AlbertaFeb 18, 2026

Traffic fatalities in Calgary raise renewed safety concerns as city reviews enforcement measures

Traffic-related deaths in Calgary are drawing renewed concern from municipal leaders after eight people were killed in collisions during the first seven weeks of the year. Three of the victims were pedestrians, according to city data, prompting calls for stronger safety measures on local roads. The most recent fatalities occurred over the Family Day weekend, when a child and a senior lost their lives in separate incidents. City officials say that if the current pace continues, the number of deaths in 2026 could exceed last year’s total of 38 traffic fatalities, marking a troubling trend for
alberta-mp-matt-jeneroux-joins-liberal-caucus-after-leaving-conservatives
CanadaFeb 18, 2026

Alberta MP Matt Jeneroux joins Liberal caucus after leaving Conservatives

Alberta Member of Parliament Matt Jeneroux has crossed the floor in the House of Commons, leaving the Conservative Party to sit with the Liberal caucus. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the move on social media Tuesday morning, saying he was honoured to welcome Jeneroux as the newest member of the government caucus. Jeneroux, who represents an Edmonton-area riding, had previously indicated he intended to resign his seat later this year. The decision follows recent caucus changes in Ottawa. Earlier this month, Nova Scotia MP Chris d'Entremont also left the Conservatives to join the Liberals
AlbertaFeb 18, 2026

Alberta petition to end public funding for private schools fails to meet signature threshold

A citizen-led petition calling on the Alberta government to end public funding for accredited private schools has fallen short of the number of signatures required to trigger further legislative consideration. In a statement released Tuesday, Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure confirmed that just over 124,000 Albertans signed the initiative petition. Under provincial rules, organizers needed approximately 177,000 valid signatures to meet the threshold set out in Alberta’s citizen initiative legislation. The petition was launched by Calgary teacher Alicia Taylor. It asked voters whether t
WorldFeb 18, 2026

Fireworks shop explosion in central China leaves 12 dead, investigation underway

A powerful explosion at a fireworks retail shop in central China has left 12 people dead, according to local authorities. The blast occurred Wednesday in the city of Xiangyang, located in Hubei province. Officials said the explosion triggered a large fire that destroyed an area of roughly 50 square metres around the store. Emergency response teams were dispatched to the scene shortly after the blast was reported. Firefighters brought the flames under control after several hours of rescue efforts. Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the explosion and an investigation is ongoing. Ind
alberta-premier-to-deliver-televised-address-one-week-before-provincial-budget
FeaturedFeb 18, 2026

Alberta premier to deliver televised address one week before provincial budget

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she will address Albertans in a televised speech on Thursday, one week before the province’s 2026 budget is tabled in the legislature. Smith made the announcement during an unrelated news conference in Calgary but did not provide details on what topics she intends to cover. A spokesperson for the Premier’s Office said further information about the address would be released at a later time. The speech comes ahead of Finance Minister Nate Horner’s scheduled budget presentation on Feb. 26. The government has already signalled that the fiscal plan will ref