Canada’s economy took a step backward in January as the country recorded a net loss of about 25,000 jobs, according to the latest Labour Force Survey released by Statistics Canada. The decline marks the first monthly drop in employment since late summer and signals renewed pressure in key sectors tied to trade and construction. The manufacturing and construction industries experienced the sharpest losses, with economists pointing to ongoing trade uncertainty and U.S. tariff pressures as contributing factors. Private-sector employment and part-time work were particularly affected, while women

A former Kamloops lawyer has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of one of his clients, a Thompson Rivers University lecturer whose death shocked the local legal and academic communities. Rogelio “Butch” Bagabuyo was convicted in B.C. Supreme Court for the March 11, 2022 killing of Mohd Abdullah. The court heard that Bagabuyo stabbed Abdullah multiple times inside his law office after stealing nearly $800,000 from him, money that had been entrusted for legal matters. Prosecutors said the killing was planned and deliberate, noting that Bagabuyo attempted to conceal the c

The junior hockey community across western Canada is mourning the loss of three young players who were killed in a vehicle collision in southern Alberta while travelling to practice. RCMP say the crash happened Monday in the community of Stavely, about an hour south of Calgary, involving a passenger vehicle and a semi truck. Police have confirmed that JJ Wright, Cameron Casorso and Caden Fine, members of the Southern Alberta Mustangs junior hockey program, died as a result of the collision. The investigation remains ongoing. Tributes poured in from teams and hockey organizations across the cou

Surrey police say three men were taken into custody early Sunday after a shooting outside a home in the Crescent Beach area, an incident investigators believe may be connected to ongoing extortion activity in the city. Officers on patrol shortly before 4 a.m. were alerted to reports of gunfire and a small fire near 132 Street and Crescent Road. Police say the suspects were initially linked to a vehicle at the scene but fled on foot before being arrested nearby after entering a ride-share vehicle. The Surrey Police Service says a brief fire outside the residence was quickly extinguished by Surr

Ottawa’s plan to temporarily boost the federal GST credit and issue a one-time payment to Canadians is expected to cost $12.4 billion over five years, according to new estimates from the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer. The budget watchdog says the proposed one-time payment, expected this spring, would cost the federal government just over $3 billion in the current fiscal year. Ongoing increases to the GST credit are projected to add between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion per year through 2031. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the measures last week as part of the federal gover

Canada’s Federal Court of Appeal has ruled that the federal government acted within its authority when it classified certain plastic products as toxic, clearing the way for Ottawa to maintain its ban on several single-use plastic items. In a unanimous decision released Friday, a three-judge panel overturned a 2023 lower court ruling that had found the federal government overreached by broadly labeling plastic manufactured items as toxic under environmental legislation. That earlier decision had cast uncertainty over the future of the single-use plastics ban. The appeal court concluded the go

The Cree Nation of Mistissini in northern Quebec was placed under lockdown after a shooting that left multiple people dead, according to the community’s chief. Chief Michael Petawabano said residents were instructed to remain inside their homes and secure their doors while police continue their investigation. Travel into and out of the community has been restricted, and all public buildings and facilities have been closed until further notice. In a written statement, Petawabano said the lockdown will remain in effect until law enforcement confirms there is no ongoing risk to public safety. H

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to increase tariffs on goods imported from South Korea, raising the rate from the current 15 per cent to 25 per cent. The proposed increase would apply to a range of products, including automobiles, lumber, pharmaceuticals and other manufactured goods. Speaking about the decision, Trump accused South Korea of failing to properly implement a trade agreement reached last year. He said the tariff increase is intended to address what his administration describes as unfair trade practices and ongoing concerns about market access for U.S. companies. So

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