Alberta’s government has introduced legislation that would allow cabinet ministers to review major industrial project proposals earlier in the approval process, according to a bill tabled Tuesday. Energy Minister Brian Jean said the proposed changes would apply to projects valued at more than $250 million and are intended to help companies strengthen their applications before entering formal regulatory review. According to the provincial government, the system would involve select cabinet members assessing proposals at an initial stage, with the aim of identifying issues that could delay app

A shooting at a middle school in Kahramanmaras on Wednesday left at least nine people dead, including students, and 13 others injured, according to Turkish officials. Interior Minister Mustafa Sifti said six are in serious condition, with three in critical condition. Authorities have not released the identities of the victims. Governor Mukerem Unluar said the suspected shooter, an eighth-grade student at the school, was also killed. According to the governor, the student used a firearm belonging to his father, a former police officer. Officials said the student brought the weapon into the scho

Canada’s Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is in Washington, D.C., from April 15 to 17 to participate in meetings of G7 and G20 finance ministers and central bank governors, according to a federal government statement. The meetings coincide with the spring sessions of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, where global economic conditions and financial risks are expected to be a central focus. Officials are set to discuss ongoing instability linked to conflicts in the Middle East and the war between Russia and Ukraine. According to the government release, Champ

The Punjab government has withdrawn the state-provided security cover for Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, according to information attributed to government sources. The move follows recent changes within the Aam Aadmi Party, which removed Chadha from his role as deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha. Chadha had been provided Punjab Police security in his capacity as the party’s co-incharge for Punjab and as a member of Parliament. According to officials, the decision was taken under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. No formal public statement detailing the reasons for the withdrawal h

The Alberta government says it will not change its provincial fuel tax framework following the federal decision to temporarily suspend excise taxes on gasoline and diesel. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the federal excise tax on gasoline and diesel will be suspended from April 20 to Sept. 7. According to the federal announcement, the measure is expected to lower prices by about 10 cents per litre for gasoline and four cents per litre for diesel during that period. Alberta Finance Minister Nate Horner said the province will maintain its current fuel tax formula, which adjusts based o

A recall has been issued for several 7-Eleven brand ready-to-eat products in Western Canada due to possible listeria contamination, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The agency said the affected sandwiches, subs and wraps were distributed to stores in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan. Products listed in the recall include chicken Caesar wraps, pizza subs, tuna salad wedges and Japanese-style egg salad sandwiches, among others. According to the CFIA notice, the items carry best-before dates ranging from April 12 to April 16. Consumers are advised not to consume the pro

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he will not step down following significant losses for the party in three federal byelections held April 13. According to preliminary results, the Conservatives saw their vote share drop by more than 10 percentage points in all three ridings. The sharpest decline was reported in the Terrebonne riding in Quebec, where support fell from 18.2 per cent in the 2025 federal election to 3.3 per cent. Dimitri Soudas, a former communications director to ex-prime minister Stephen Harper, described the results as a warning sign for the party. He said the drop in

According to Earthquakes Canada, a magnitude 3.9 earthquake struck at approximately 12:36 p.m. Tuesday. The agency said the epicentre was located about 20 kilometres northeast of Shawville, Que. The tremor was felt across a wide area, including Ottawa, Fitzroy Harbour, Richmond and Constance Bay, as well as west toward Pembroke in Ontario and Otter Lake in western Quebec. Residents reported feeling shaking during the lunch hour. No damage details were provided in the initial information released by Earthquakes Canada. The agency continues to collect and review public reports related to the eve

The central government has amended recruitment rules for the Bhakra Beas Management Board, changing eligibility criteria for two of its senior-most positions and allowing officers from across India to apply. According to amendments to the Bhakra Beas Management Board Rules, 1974, the earlier requirement mandating one officer each from Punjab and Haryana for the two key posts has been removed. The revised rules now permit appointments based on eligibility, regardless of state affiliation. Officials said the change broadens the pool of candidates for the board, which manages major water and powe