National

National


B.C. Conservative Leader Rustad confirms search of MLA phones to find leak

British Columbia’s Opposition Leader John Rustad confirms the cellphones of Conservative members were searched during a meeting this week to find a leak from inside his caucus.  Rustad said on Thursday the phones were searched by other members to “make sure that there was nothing that had gone out that was inappropriate.”  The search didn’t […]

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Minister open to changing bill that would give police easier access to personal data

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree says he is open to amending proposed border security legislation that would make it easier for police to obtain access to information about Canadians. Anandasangaree told a House of Commons committee Thursday he hopes that with the “right type of amendments,” the legislation — which has drawn fire from civil […]

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Liberals introduce second border bill as they look to pass some measures quickly

The Liberal government has split its border security bill in two in the hope of seeing some measures pass swiftly while giving Canadians more time to evaluate other, more contentious ones. Bill C-12, introduced Wednesday, includes several measures from a June bill to expand the Coast Guard’s role, tighten the immigration and refugee system, enhance […]

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Marineland says its belugas shouldn’t go to Nova Scotia’s Whale Sanctuary Project

Marineland says it has more than a dozen reasons why none of its remaining 30 belugas should be sent to a proposed whale sanctuary in Nova Scotia. The shuttered Ontario theme park, which is trying to sell the whales to avoid bankruptcy, made headlines last week when Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson denied Marineland’s request […]

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Carney government flags plan to retool much-maligned border security bill

The federal Liberals are signalling plans to revamp their border security bill in response to widespread concerns about its impacts on civil liberties and privacy. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has given notice to the House of Commons that he will introduce fresh legislation on borders and immigration as early as this week. In June, […]

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Three men arrested, charged in extortion shooting in Surrey, B.C.: police

Two police organizations have announced charges against five men in connection to separate extortion cases in Surrey, B.C. The Surrey Police Service announced on Monday the arrest and charges against three men believed to be linked to an extortion investigation in the city. The RCMP said hours later that charges had been laid against two […]

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Quebec law to promote the sustainability of goods comes into force

A new Quebec law came into effect Sunday aimed at protecting consumers against products intentionally designed with shorter lifespans while ensuring they have the information needed to repair and maintain goods they buy. Quebec’s so-called “right-to-repair” law, part of the province’s amendments to its consumer protection law, will require retailers and manufacturers to disclose whether […]

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N.S. legislature wraps after 8 days; bill limiting protests on logging roads adopted

Nova Scotia’s Progressive Conservative government pushed through its remaining pieces of legislation on Friday, wrapping up an eight-day sitting that opposition parties say was purposefully kept short to stifle dissent.  The sitting was dominated by a controversial bill, introduced on the first day, that prohibits protesters from blocking access to logging roads on Crown land, […]

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Spy watchdog flags risk of bias in Canada Revenue Agency audits tied to terrorism

A national spy watchdog has found “a lack of rigour” in the way the Canada Revenue Agency selects charities for audits over terrorism concerns, saying the process introduces risks of bias and discrimination. In a newly released report, the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency says the Review and Analysis Division of the CRA’s charities […]

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Lawyer for man accused of accessing PM’s banking data awaits info in ‘involved’ case

The lawyer for a man accused of accessing Prime Minister Mark Carney’s banking data says he is still awaiting some information from the Crown in the case. Ron Guertin, counsel for former Royal Bank of Canada employee Ibrahim El-Hakim, told an Ontario court Wednesday the matter is “rather involved” and he expects disclosure of more […]

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N.B. commission urges mandatory training for municipal leaders, staff

The Local Governance Commission in New Brunswick is recommending the provincial government implement mandatory training for municipal leaders and senior staff.  In its first report since being created in the spring of last year, it said this recommendation addressed many of the challenges facing local governments since reform.  “These recommendations are grounded in the experiences […]

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Marineland decries Ottawa decision to bar export of remaining beluga whales to China

Marineland says it is “profoundly” disappointed by the federal government’s decision to deny its request to ship 30 belugas to China and the park has “no ability to pay” for their care — with sources adding that means euthanasia is a real possibility. Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson announced Wednesday morning the federal government would not […]

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