Politics

Politics


Work permit changes worrying for child-care staff shortages: colleges, Ontario

New federal rules would prevent international students who graduate from early childhood education programs from applying for a work permit in Canada — a change that the Ontario government, colleges and advocates warn will kneecap the growth of Ottawa’s signature $10-a-day child-care program. Under immigration changes announced last month, the postgraduate work permits, which were […]

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Liberals put focus on accountability as N.S. parties begin first full day of campaign

Nova Scotia’s Liberal leader took direct aim at his Progressive Conservative opponent Monday, saying the Liberals want to bring accountability to government if elected Nov. 26. On the first full day of the provincial election campaign, Zach Churchill promised a string of “trust and transparency” measures, including a $250,000 fine for any party that doesn’t […]

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Trudeau announces massive drop in immigration targets as Liberals make major pivot

The federal government slashed immigration targets to levels that will flatten population growth as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau admitted Thursday the government did not get the balance right after the COVID-19 pandemic. The government had targeted bringing in 500,000 new permanent residents in both 2025 and 2026. Next year’s target will instead be 395,000 new […]

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Poland arrests people in alleged plot to send explosives to Canada

Polish authorities say four people have been charged in an alleged plan to send explosives via courier service to Canada and the United States. The RCMP says it is aware of the arrests, but declined further comment to preserve the integrity of the investigation. The Polish group’s alleged activities apparently involved sending camouflaged explosives to […]

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Facts about the B.C. Greens who could be kingmakers in the legislature

Two Green Party legislators could hold the balance of power in British Columbia after Saturday’s provincial election gave neither the NDP nor the B.C. Conservatives a majority of seats after the initial count.  Both Green members are new to provincial politics, although leader Sonia Furstenau will continue to lead the party after she lost re-election […]

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Manitoba premier says he will look at revealing more government travel expenses

The Manitoba government will look at proactively releasing more information about its out-of-province travel expenses, Premier Wab Kinew said Friday. It’s a move that would bring Manitoba in line with the federal government and some other provinces. Currently, the government posts travel expenses of the premier and other cabinet ministers on its website. But unlike […]

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Bilingual Quebec communities lose bid to suspend application of language law rules

Bilingual Quebec municipalities have lost their bid to have several parts of the government’s French-language reform suspended while their case makes its way through the courts. The communities asked the Quebec Superior Court last month to suspend the application of parts of Bill 96 — as the language reform is known — arguing it would […]

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Manitoba cabinet ministers’ travel expenses now online, but not those of staff

Out-of-province travel expenses for Manitoba cabinet ministers are being posted online again after a hiatus of more than a year, but the disclosure still does not include spending by accompanying political or department staff, which can be higher. One of the expenses posted this week, for Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine, lists $6,649 for a trip […]

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Another beluga dies at Marineland, Ontario saying little on 4-year probe into park

Another beluga whale has died at Marineland and four years into a provincial probe, Ontario’s solicitor general is saying little about the investigation’s progress. The latest beluga death is the fourth in the past year, provincial records show. Since 2019, 16 belugas and one killer whale have died at the Niagara Falls, Ont., tourist attraction, […]

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Police officer receives reprimand for database search on Alberta politician

An officer in Lethbridge, Alta., has received a reprimand for improperly accessing information in a police database about former NDP legislature member Shannon Phillips. Phillips was environment minister when she was surveilled and photographed at a diner in 2017 by officers concerned she was making off-highway changes at a nearby wilderness area. Her information was […]

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More Ontario school boards in deficit, using reserves: ministry documents

An increasing number of Ontario school boards are reporting deficits and are using or even depleting their reserves, according to internal Ministry of Education briefing documents. The association representing school boards in the province says while the Progressive Conservative government has boosted the education budget, increases have not kept pace with inflation, forcing boards to […]

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Ontario teacher shortage to worsen in 2027, ministry document warns

Ontario is staring down a teacher shortage as retirements and student enrolment are both on the rise, and the Ministry of Education expects the situation will start to get even worse in 2027. The warning is contained in a series of briefing documents for the new minister of education, obtained by The Canadian Press through […]

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