The Quebec government has reached tentative agreements on working conditions with all the unions that are part of a labour alliance representing about 420,000 public sector workers. The last deal was reached overnight with a union representing around 1,000 professional workers at several school boards near Montreal. With the latest agreement, Quebec now has deals in principle with all the unions of the so-called "common front," which launched a series of strikes starting in November that shut down schools and delayed surgeries. The agreements do not include salaries and benefits, which are sti

Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Moscow. India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended a meeting with Putin in Moscow on Wednesday, during which he extended this invitation to PM Modi. who said relations between the countries are progressing even amid turbulent times. Subramanyam Jaishankar's meeting was part of a five-day visit. Putin said he would inform the Indian diplomat about the fighting in Ukraine, on which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held a neutral stance. India is increasingly important to Russia as a mar

Kora-lea Vidal, once a running back for Canada’s silver-medal-winning national football team, says she never thought she’d escape domestic violence and become homeless. Vidal, 36, often posts videos on TikTok, where she’s amassed nearly 55,000 followers. She covers tough content but also strives to “show there’s a beauty in the struggle.” “It’s interesting because, when I fell into homelessness myself, as much as it’s a struggle just to meet your basic needs like food, shelter and showers, there’s kind of like a weird sense of freedom to it as well.” She says her troubles

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made it clear that he has no intention of withdrawing from the PM race during the next election. Trudeau's comments came after recent polls showed the Liberals trailing the Conservatives by a significant margin. In an interview given to a channel, he said that he will continue as the Liberal leader. At the same time, on questions being raised about the exemption given to home heating oil from carbon tax, he said that the purpose of this is not to secure seats for the Liberals in Atlantic Canada but to give people more time to switch to heat pumps. About 30 per

Environment Canada has issued wind warnings for British Columbia's central coast, Sunshine Coast and Greater Victoria regions, forecasting gusts of up to 120 kilometres an hour in some parts. The weather agency says an intense Pacific frontal system will remain off the coast through Friday, bringing the strongest winds to exposed coastal areas between northern Vancouver Island and Bella Bella. In the Sunshine Coast and the Victoria region, wind speeds are expected to reach 70 kilometres an hour with gusts up to 90 kilometres an hour. Environment Canada says the high winds may damage roof shing

Quebec's new rule banning cellphones in classrooms will be in effect when students return from the holiday break, making the province the second to implement such a measure, after Ontario.The directive, which aims to reduce distractions in class, enters into force Dec 31 and applies to public elementary and secondary schools, but it offers teachers flexibility to let students use phones for specific pedagogical purposes. Many Quebec schools already had rules limiting cellphones in classes before Education Minister Bernard Drainville introduced the ban in August, but some child advocates say i

Manitoba is set to join other provinces in increasing the tax on vaping products. The N-D-P government plans to double an existing federal excise tax on vaping products in its spring budget. The goal is to implement the increase by July 1st. Premier Wab Kinew says the move is intended to educate young people on the dangers of vaping and keep Manitoba in line with what provinces like Saskatchewan and Ontario are doing about vaping The Manitoba Lung Association is welcoming the province's plan to join Ottawa and other provincial governments, in taxing vape products next year. The governing N-D-P

ALBERTA BEACH, Alta. - RCMP in Alberta say an underwater recovery team, with the help of police and firefighters, have found the bodies of a family that were last seen before Christmas on a side-by-side utility terrain vehicle.Police had been looking for Kelly and Laura Pelsma and their eight-year-old son, Dylan, since they were reported missing Christmas Day when they were overdue to attend a function. They hadn't been heard from since Dec. 23, and friends have said they were last seen in the Birchwood Estates area of Alberta Beach on a side-by-side vehicle.The community is approximately 45 m

An American Israeli man who was taken hostage with his Canadian wife by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel has reportedly been confirmed dead.ABC News reports that the Israeli group Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum has learned 73-year-old Gadi Hagi was taken from a kibbutz, killed and his body was taken by Hamas into GazaThe dual citizen was married to 70-year-old Judih Weinstein Haggai, who holds U.S., Israeli and Canadian citizenships and is still believed to be among the remaining hostages.Her family has said she was born in New York state and moved to Toronto when she was