National News

Canada's passport application backlog 'completely eliminated,' minister says

OTTAWA — Families Minister Karina Gould announced today that the federal government has now "completely eliminated" the backlog of passport applications that caused major delays — and major political strife — last year.

Mar 21, 2023 10:59 AM Read more >

Federal minimum wage rising to $16.65 per hour on April 1

OTTAWA — The federal minimum wage is rising to $16.65 per hour on April 1, up from $15.55. The government says the increase is based on the consumer price index, which rose 6.8 per cent in 2022.

Mar 21, 2023 10:52 AM Read more >

N.W.T. diamond mine reports spill of 450 million litres of wastewater

YELLOWKNIFE — The Diavik Diamond Mine in the Northwest Territories says 450 million litres of wastewater spilled due to a broken pipeline. The spill took place on Feb.

Mar 21, 2023 9:52 AM Read more >

Tensions over CUSMA ahead of Biden's Ottawa visit: In The News for March 21

In The News is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to kickstart your day. Here is what's on the radar of our editors for the morning of March 21 ... What we are watching in Canada ... It's been less than three years since the U.S.

Mar 21, 2023 5:18 AM Read more >

New toll-free phone number created to direct Canadians to available poison centres

Health Canada is launching a new toll-free phone number for poison centres. Canadians can now call 1-844-POISON-X to access critical medical advice for poisonings.

Mar 21, 2023 12:23 AM Read more >

Nexus trusted-traveller program to fully resume by April 24 after yearlong standoff

MONTREAL — The Nexus trusted-traveller program will fully ramp back up within five weeks, allowing frequent border crossers to complete their applications and speed up their trips, the federal government said Monday.

Mar 20, 2023 5:54 PM Read more >

Two men who lost fingers crossing into Canada become Canadian citizens

WINNIPEG — Razak Iyal was given a warm embrace as he officially became a Canadian citizen, more than six years after nearly freezing to death walking across the Canada-United States border in Manitoba.

Mar 20, 2023 5:26 PM Read more >

B.C. parent launches class-action lawsuit against makers of Fortnite video game

VANCOUVER — A Vancouver parent has launched a proposed class-action lawsuit against the makers of Fortnite, saying the popular video game is designed to be "as addictive as possible" for children. In the lawsuit filed in B.C.

Mar 20, 2023 4:43 PM Read more >

Funeral for two officers shot and killed in Edmonton scheduled for next week

EDMONTON — Police say a regimental funeral has been scheduled for two Edmonton officers who were shot and killed in the line of duty last week.

Mar 20, 2023 4:05 PM Read more >

Guilbeault wants stronger links with Alberta on issues of oilsands tailings ponds

Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault has repeated his call for a stronger federal presence when it comes to environmental monitoring and communications in the oilsands, following a pair of wastewater releases from Imperial Oil's Kearl mine

Mar 20, 2023 3:28 PM Read more >