Canada’s immigration department is implementing an action plan after a federal audit found significant gaps in how it monitored and investigated problematic international student visas. According to a report by Auditor General Karen Hogan published earlier this year, thousands of student visa files flagged as potentially non-compliant were not fully investigated. The report identified what it described as “critical weaknesses” in oversight within Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Deputy Minister Ted Gallivan, who assumed the role last month, said the department is taking step

The federal government says it will allow a gradual increase in direct air travel between Canada and China, expanding both passenger and cargo flight capacity after years of reduced service. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said the change will permit Canadian and Chinese airlines to increase direct passenger flights and operate up to 20 cargo flights per week, with reciprocal access to destinations in both countries. The announcement follows outreach by Prime Minister Mark Carney during a visit to Beijing in January. According to a federal statement, the adjustment is intended to support t

Canada’s military has surpassed its annual recruitment targets for a second consecutive year, according to Defence Minister David McGuinty, signalling renewed interest among younger Canadians in joining the armed forces. McGuinty said more than 7,300 people enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces over the past year. According to the Department of National Defence, the recruitment goal for 2025–26 was 6,957 new members, which has now been exceeded. The previous year also saw higher-than-expected intake, with 6,706 recruits joining against a target of 6,496. The federal government attributes t

Canada’s annual inflation rate increased to 2.4 per cent in March, up from 1.8 per cent in February, according to a report released Monday by Statistics Canada. The agency said this marks the highest level recorded since December of last year. According to Statistics Canada, the increase was largely driven by a sharp rise in gasoline prices. The report links the surge to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East involving Iran, which have affected global oil markets. Gasoline prices rose 21.2 per cent on a monthly basis in March, representing one of the largest increases on record, the agency

Canada's renowned business personality Manjit Minhas was in Surrey on Thursday. She attended the Surrey and White Rock Women in Business Awards. Meanwhile, in an exclusive conversation with Connect Media Network, she discussed business, investment, start-ups, Dragon's Den and some unique problems faced by women in business.Manjit Minhas in conversation with Connect Media Network News Director, Pervez Sandhu. (Photo - Connect FM)How to make start-ups successful?In an exclusive conversation with Connect FM, when Manjit Minhas was asked about making a start-up successful, she said that many peopl

Air Canada says it will suspend flights from Toronto and Montreal to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport starting June 1 through Oct. 25, citing rising jet fuel prices. In a statement, the airline said fuel costs have “doubled since the start of the Iran conflict,” making some lower-profit routes no longer economically viable. The company said it is adjusting its schedule accordingly. The suspension affects service to JFK from Canada’s two largest cities, key routes for business and international connections. Air Canada said customers with affected bookings will be contact

The federal government says a one-time affordability payment tied to the GST/HST credit will be issued June 5 to eligible low- and modest-income households. According to a federal announcement made in January, Prime Minister Mark Carney said the payment will equal 50 per cent of the annual value of the existing GST/HST credit. The program is being renamed the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. Eligibility is tied to the current GST/HST credit system. Ottawa says households that have filed their 2024 income tax return and already receive the quarterly credit will automatically receive the

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal government will host a new Canada Investment Summit in Toronto this fall, aimed at attracting up to $1 trillion in investment for major projects over the next five years. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the summit will bring together global investors, chief executives and business leaders on Sept. 14 and 15 to advance what it describes as “nation-building projects.” The federal government is organizing the event in partnership with the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre used a speech to a business audience in Toronto on Friday to criticize Prime Minister Mark Carney’s economic record and promote his party’s approach to taxation and regulation. Speaking at the Canadian Club Toronto, Poilievre said the federal government has not delivered on key economic commitments since Carney took office more than a year ago. He told attendees that his party would focus on reducing taxes and cutting regulations, arguing that government should play a smaller role in the private sector. Poilievre claimed economic conditions have worsene