Supreme Court to rule on whether B.C. has to give health data to cigarette maker The Supreme Court of Canada will rule Friday on whether British Columbia has to hand millions of patients’ health information over to tobacco giant Philip Morris International. It’s the newest chapter in the province’s legal fight to force cigarette makers like Philip Morris to compensate the province for the cost of treating tobacco-related illnesses — a battle that started way back in the … Read More
Flow of asylum seekers to Canada begins to slow amid traveler crackdown The influx of asylum seekers that threw Canada’s refugee system into disarray slowed in June after also falling in May, the first two-month decline since the wave ramped up last year, according to preliminary figures from government officials and border agents. The decrease could ease pressure on agencies aiding refugees and on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, which has come … Read More
Toronto to deploy 200 police officers to address gun violence Canada’s biggest city will deploy about 200 police officers in response to the recent spate in shootings, Toronto’s mayor and police chief said on Thursday, with officials blaming the increase on gang violence. Deaths from gun violence in the city jumped 53 percent to 26 so far in 2018 from the same period last year, according to police data, with … Read More
U.S. border patrol questioned fishermen on Canadian waters Crew members of two Canadian fishing vessels were approached by the United States border patrol in Canadian waters in the Gulf of Maine in late June. “Canada continues to investigate these incidents that occurred in Canadian waters, including through engaging with U.S. agencies involved in the matter,” John Babcock, a spokesman for Global Affairs Canada said on Wednesday. Babcock said … Read More
Death toll jumps to 33 as heat wave continues to bake southern Quebec The heat-related death toll jumped to 33 across Quebec Thursday, as Environment Canada issued a smog and heat warning for today. As of midday, Montérégie’s public health department reported two more deaths caused by the worst heat wave Quebec has seen in decades. Montreal’s health department reported 18, and seven have been reported in the Eastern Townships. One death in … Read More
Canada cannot start work on Trans Mountain pipeline until deal closes The Canadian government would like to see construction accelerate on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, but has no control over decisions to resume or start new work until it takes ownership of the major crude oil pipeline project, Canada’s natural resources minister said. “We think that construction and staying on a schedule is important, but that will be up to … Read More
Canada rate hike in question as data disappoints An unexpected plunge in Canada’s retail sales in April and flat inflation figures for May drove the Canadian dollar to a year-low on Friday and cut expectations for a July rate hike to 50-50 at best. Retail sales fell 1.2 percent in April, the largest drop in more than two years, adding slowing consumer spending to a list of concerns … Read More
Ontario premier concedes defeat ahead of next week’s polls The premier of Canada’s most populous province, Ontario, conceded defeat on Saturday ahead of next week’s election, but called on voters to vote for her party anyway to keep the next government in check. Kathleen Wynne, who has been premier since 2013 and whose Liberal Party has governed for 15 years, told reporters she will not be premier after … Read More
Former Taliban hostage facing criminal charges in Canada granted bail Former Taliban hostage Joshua Boyle, who is facing criminal charges in Canada related to incidents after his release from captivity, was granted bail by an Ontario court on Friday. Boyle, 34, was arrested by Canadian police in December 2017, two months after he was freed, along with his American wife and their three children, and returned to Canada. The … Read More
Canada home resales fall in April, lowest in over five years: CREA Resales of Canadian homes fell 2.9 percent in April from March to the lowest level in more than five years, the Canadian Real Estate Association said on Tuesday. The industry group said actual sales, not seasonally adjusted, fell 13.9 percent, while the group’s Home Price Index was up 1.5 percent from April 2017. Canada’s once-hot housing market has cooled in … Read More