Category Archives: National
Bloc Québécois leader says next federal election campaign could begin in mid-August
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said Friday he sees an opening to begin the next federal election campaign on Aug. 16 if the COVID-19 pandemic is under control. That timeline would ensure the federal vote doesn't interfere with municipal e...
Business, labour groups clash at Senate committee over $15 federal minimum wage
OTTAWA — The head of the country's largest private-sector union says Parliament should raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour, and possibly put future increases into the hands of an independent commission. Unifor president Jerry Dias said an in...
Kenney distances himself from caucus vote to turf dissidents with ‘personal agendas’
EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says he kept his distance in a debate over the fate of two outspoken backbenchers but believes his United Conservative caucus made the right decision to expel them. “I did not reveal which way I
Fewer flights land in Canada with COVID-19 since ban on planes from India, Pakistan
OTTAWA — The number of planes landing in Canada carrying passengers with COVID-19 was cut by more than half in the two weeks after the federal government barred incoming flights from India and Pakistan. Transport Canada announced April 22 that direct
‘It’s inhuman’: Quebec coroner hears from Joyce Echaquan’s family on Day 2 of inquest
MONTREAL — The brother of an Indigenous woman subjected to insults as she lay dying in a Quebec hospital testified Friday he was shocked at her condition when he visited the medical facility last September. Stéphane Echaquan told the coroner's inquest
Supreme Court addresses issue of consent in restoring sexual-assault convictions
OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada has clarified the legal interpretation of consent in restoring the convictions of a common-law couple for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl during a camping trip. In its ruling Friday, a majority of the top
Canada should engage U.N. racism group, though chair independence a question: expert
HALIFAX — Canada should respond to a U.N. committee examining whether it failed to protect Mi'kmaq fishers from racist violence, even though the independence of committee members can be questioned, a former human rights investigator says. John Packer, ...
Judge dismisses attempt to quash ‘anti-Alberta’ activities inquiry
CALGARY — A judge has dismissed an attempt to quash the United Conservative government's inquiry into whether foreign groups have conspired against Alberta's oil industry. Court of Queen's Bench Justice Karen Horner says the environmental law firm Ecoj...
A look at COVID-19 vaccinations in Canada on Friday, May 14, 2021
The latest numbers on COVID-19 vaccinations in Canada as of 4:00 a.m. ET on Friday, May 14, 2021. In Canada, the provinces are reporting 334,975 new vaccinations administered for a total of 17,239,587 doses given. Nationwide, 1,331,739 people or 3.5 pe...
Privacy watchdog closes file on complaint against federal political parties
OTTAWA — The federal privacy watchdog has closed the file on a complaint about the data-harvesting practices of three national political parties. Privacy commissioner Daniel Therrien says federal privacy law does not apply to the activities in question...
