Eligible Canadians are expected to begin receiving one-time federal grocery benefit top-up payments starting today as part of the Liberal government's affordability measures. The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, previously known as the GST/HST credit, provides support to lower-income households to help offset rising living costs. The federal government says payments will be issued automatically to qualifying recipients through direct deposit or by mail. According to the federal government, approximately 12 million Canadians are eligible for the one-time payment. Benefit amounts vary by

Independent B.C. legislator Jordan Kealy has been charged with sexual assault, according to the British Columbia Prosecution Service. The prosecution service said the charge relates to an alleged offence or offences that occurred between Jan. 1 and Sept. 20, 2024, in Fort St. John. The allegation has not been tested in court. Kealy represents the Peace River North riding in the B.C. legislature. The prosecution service said a special prosecutor was appointed following an RCMP investigation to help ensure the administration of justice remains free from any perceived improper influence. Accordin

A fire at a nursing home in western Sri Lanka killed 12 residents and injured eight others, according to Sri Lankan police. The fire broke out late Wednesday at a care facility in the town of Anguruwatota. Police said 51 residents were rescued from the building. Police spokesperson Fredrick Wootler said emergency responders attended the scene and survivors were taken to safety. Authorities have not yet released details on the cause of the fire. The director of the nursing home has been arrested on suspicion of causing deaths through negligence, police said. Investigators are examining the circ

A Surrey home that was previously targeted in a shooting last month was struck by gunfire again early Thursday morning, according to Surrey Police Service (SPS). Police said officers responded at approximately 4:02 a.m. to reports of shots fired near 57 Avenue and 148 Street in the South Newton neighbourhood. Frontline officers located evidence confirming that gunfire had occurred at the property. Authorities said several people were inside the home at the time of the shooting, but no injuries were reported. The extent of any property damage has not been released. According to SPS, the investi

Abbotsford police are investigating a serious single-vehicle collision that left three people injured, including one person who was airlifted to hospital in life-threatening condition. According to an Abbotsford Police Department release, patrol officers responded to the crash at approximately 12:14 a.m. on June 1 near Highway 11 and Townshipline Road. Emergency crews found a black Chrysler 300 with extensive damage and three occupants suffering from serious injuries. All three were transported to hospital for treatment, police said. The investigation is being led by the Abbotsford Police Depa

A 25-year-old man is facing multiple charges after an RCMP officer was injured during an alleged migrant smuggling operation near the Canada–U.S. border in southern Quebec, according to the RCMP. Police said the incident occurred Tuesday night near Noyan, Que., south of Montreal, while a border enforcement team was searching for five people who had allegedly entered Canada illegally. According to the RCMP, an officer attempted to intercept a vehicle linked to the investigation when the driver allegedly rammed the door of a police vehicle before fleeing the area. RCMP said Chetan Kumar, 25, w

Discussion around a possible return of former Punjab chief minister Capt. Amarinder Singh to the Congress party has intensified ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly election. The speculation follows comments by former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who said Amarinder Singh remains in contact with Congress leaders. Hooda and Amarinder Singh are widely regarded as longtime political associates, prompting political observers to question whether efforts could be underway to bring the former chief minister back into the party. Responding to the discussion, Punjab BJP spokesperson Pritpa

The federal government has released a new national artificial intelligence strategy aimed at expanding Canada's AI sector, increasing business adoption of the technology, and creating new employment opportunities across the country. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon unveiled the strategy in Toronto on Thursday. According to the government, the plan includes a $2.3 billion investment intended to strengthen Canada's position in the global AI industry. The strategy sets a target of creating 90,000 AI-related jobs and work opportunities for Canadians by 2

The British Columbia Review Board has granted a conditional discharge to a man who was found not criminally responsible for the deaths of his three children in Merritt, B.C. Allen Schoenborn killed his three children in 2008. The children, aged five, eight and 10, died after being stabbed and suffocated. In 2010, a court ruled that Schoenborn was not criminally responsible for the killings because of a mental disorder. According to decisions of the B.C. Review Board, Schoenborn must continue receiving psychiatric treatment while on conditional discharge. The board may also require him to resid