Category Archives: National
Facing labour shortages, Liberals loosen rules on foreign workers ahead of budget
OTTAWA — Days before the Liberals release their latest spending plan, the federal government has eased rules on temporary foreign workers in some areas of the economy desperately in need of employees. The changes announced Monday will allow employers t...
B.C. Premier John Horgan tests positive for COVID-19, but says symptoms are ‘mild’
VICTORIA — British Columbia Premier John Horgan says he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is at home isolating until his symptoms end. He made the announcement of his illness on Monday on his verified Twitter account. "Fortunately, my symptoms are...
Foreign Minister Joly in Finland as calls grow for Russian war crimes trial
OTTAWA — Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is condemning Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians as abhorrent and senseless and says new Canadian sanctions are coming against Russia as a result. "This weekend, the world witnessed an abhorrent and se...
U.N. report on climate change ‘sobering,’ says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault
OTTAWA — Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says a new report from the United Nations' climate agency shows the oil and gas sector "cannot do business as usual" even as the government is still considering approving a massive new offshore oil
Feds consider definition of “fully vaccinated” in review of federal worker mandate
OTTAWA — The federal government will consider whether to include booster shots in the next version of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for its workers, the Treasury Board said as it reviews the rules. The government must review the need for the
Universities eye federal budget for research cash as competition for talent heats up
OTTAWA — Post-secondary schools and students are looking to the Liberals to make a down payment in the post-pandemic economy by boosting research spending in the federal budget coming this week. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will deliver the gover...
Federal, Ontario governments invest $259M each in GM for Oshawa, CAMI facilities
OSHAWA, Ont. — The federal and Ontario governments are spending $259 million each to support production at General Motors facilities in the province, including an electric vehicle production line they say will be the first of its kind in the
Survey suggests Canadians becoming more divided over COVID-19, politics
REGINA — A new survey suggests Canadians are becoming more divided, with some saying issues have led them to reduce contact with friends or family. The national phone survey by the Canadian Hub for Applied and Social Research at the
Federal budget the first important moment for NDP-Liberal pact, says finance critic
OTTAWA — The NDP is watching to see that spending pledges made in a deal with the Liberals are honoured by the government in this week's federal budget, says a finance spokesman. Daniel Blaikie said the budget is "the first important
Jurisdictions looking to decriminalize small amounts of drugs to curb overdose deaths
OTTAWA — Some Canadian cities and provinces are trying to decriminalize possession of small amounts of drugs in their jurisdictions as thousands of people die of overdoses each year. Since January 2016, almost 25,000 people have died from opioid-relate...