National

National


Adversaries see opportunities to exploit ‘strategically valuable’ Arctic, CSIS says

Canada’s spy agency warns that colliding global developments make the Arctic an “attractive, strategic and vulnerable destination” for foreign adversaries seeking to establish a presence in Canada. A newly released Canadian Security Intelligence Service assessment flags the environment, critical infrastructure, economic activity and geopolitics as converging factors making the region susceptible to threats from abroad.  […]

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One oil and gas site was ‘stinky,’ another was ‘gurgling.’ B.C. officials gave them a pass anyway

This investigation is a collaboration between The Narwhal and Investigative Journalism Foundation. “Serious deficiency.” “Very stinky.” “Leakage.” “A hazard.” Those are some of the ways BC Energy Regulator officials described oil and gas sites when they documented apparent environmental infractions during routine inspections, according to internal documents.  The regulator, a provincial government agency, is largely […]

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N.S. premier restores legislature scrums amid accusations of assault on press freedom

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston has agreed to resume taking part in media scrums in the legislature after facing accusations he was curtailing press freedom. Two weeks ago, Houston ended the long-standing tradition of government ministers having informal exchanges with media — known as scrums — outside the legislative chamber. His government decided journalists should […]

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Nova Scotia premier says changes likely to controversial freedom of information bill

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston says there will likely be changes to legislation that the province’s freedom of information commissioner says weakens the public’s right to access government records and documents. Houston made the comments during question period on Wednesday, but did not provide specifics. Days earlier, the government withdrew amendments from the same omnibus […]

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The Tories say Carney is being ‘sneaky’ about his assets. What do the rules say?

In a series of press conferences in recent weeks, the federal Conservatives have demanded that Liberal leadership candidate Mark Carney comply with the conflict of interest rules that apply to members of Parliament and cabinet ministers. Carney, who is neither an MP nor a member of cabinet, has said he will comply with the rules […]

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N.S. information commissioner says government bill threatens right to access records

Nova Scotia’s freedom of information commissioner is calling on the governing party to withdraw legislation that she says weakens the public’s right to access government records and documents. Tricia Ralph, who ends her term of office this week, says measures in an omnibus bill tabled by the Progressive Conservatives threaten the rights of citizens to […]

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Fisheries and Oceans Canada expects to flounder under mounting climate costs

Hurricane Fiona left a trail of destruction across the Atlantic Coast in September 2022 wreaking havoc on wharves, fisheries, vessels, and gear and the federal government’s pocketbook. In response to the climate disaster, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has had to earmark more than $563 million to deal with Fiona’s aftermath, including damage to 142 […]

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Liberal party kicks Ruby Dhalla out of leadership race

Former MP Ruby Dhalla was disqualified from the Liberal leadership race Friday after the party’s vote committee said she had violated multiple rules. Dhalla rejected the decision — which comes five days after contestants paid the final deposit in the $350,000 entry fee and three days before the candidate debates in Montreal — and said […]

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Like Poilievre, Freeland is pitching a housing plan that would limit immigration

Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland’s plan to fix the housing shortage would tie the number of newcomers Canada admits to housing availability. The former finance minister made the promise in a 10-point policy document her campaign issued Monday morning. Freeland said the move would slow down population growth until housing affordability stabilizes. Conservative Leader Pierre […]

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Internal report urged Canada to counter rhetoric about a ‘crisis’ at border

An internal government report warned a year ago that allowing “the trend of negative rhetoric” about the security of the Canada-U.S. border could lead to a thickening of the 49th parallel, adversely affecting trade and travel. The report, written by a diplomat at Canada’s embassy in Washington, said that failing to refute U.S. claims about […]

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B.C. police cite privacy as investigators probe chat groups

The details of a private chat group among current and former members of the police department in Nelson, B.C., haven’t been made public. But the fate of an investigation by the province’s Police Complaint Commissioner into the WhatsApp chats could have implications for police across the country, as the Nelson officers mount a court challenge […]

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N.S. woman awarded damages after criminal case dropped against ex who posted sex ad

A Nova Scotia woman who was awarded damages after her ex-boyfriend posted an explicit picture of her alongside a fake online ad for sex work initially went to police to report what she said was a pattern of harassment. But in the end it was a provincial cyber-protection law that held her ex to account, […]

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