Virtual citizenship ceremonies should end, says Conservative critic
OTTAWA -- Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel-Garner said Wednesday it's time for the federal government to end virtual citizenship ceremonies.
David Baxter
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Indigenous Services minister to address Assembly of First Nations gathering today
OTTAWA -- A group of Ontario chiefs said Wednesday the federal government should immediately reintroduce the clean drinking water legislation that failed to pass before the election was called last spring.
NDP leadership candidates acknowledge need to improve French in Montreal debate
OTTAWA -- The NDP leadership candidates admitted they need to brush up on their French-language skills when they faced off for the campaign's first debate in Montreal.
NDP leadership candidates acknowledge need to improve French in Montreal debate
The NDP leadership candidates are conceding they need to brush up on their French language skills as they face off for the campaign's first debate in Montreal. The debate began with a plan to have 60 per cent of the debate take place in French, but most has been in English. Documentarian Avi Lewis and Alberta MP Heather McPherson are...
NDP leadership candidates to take part in a French debate in Montreal
OTTAWA -- The five official NDP leadership candidates will take part in a French debate in Montreal tonight -- the first debate of the race.
Committee MPs amend border bill to restrict health, other benefits to deportees
OTTAWA -- MPs on the House of Commons national security committee have amended the government's border security bill, C-12, to restrict benefits to people subject to removal orders can access.
Carney says his comment about speaking with Trump was a 'poor choice of words'
Prime Minister Mark Carney says his recent reply to a question about the state of trade talks with the U.S. -- "Who cares?" -- amounted to "a poor choice of words." Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre hammered the prime minister over his comment during question period in the House of Commons today. Poilievre says that Conservatives care about job losses in...
Carney says his comment about speaking with Trump was a 'poor choice of words'
OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday his recent reply to a question about the state of trade talks with the U.S. — "Who cares?" — amounted to "a poor choice of words."
Federal, provincial governments raked in more than $5.4B in cannabis tax revenue
OTTAWA -- Ottawa and the provinces have raked in more than $5.4 billion in cannabis tax revenue since the drug was legalized for recreational use in October 2018.
Migrants rights groups call on government to withdraw border security bill
OTTAWA -- The federal government's border security bill is an open door to violating the rights of migrants and should be dropped, advocacy groups said on Monday on Parliament Hill.
Immigration minister extends pause on new private refugee sponsorships to 2027
OTTAWA -- Immigration Minister Lena Diab is extending until 2027 the pause on new applications through the Private Sponsorship for Refugees Program as the department works to clear its backlog.
'Lost Canadians' legislation becomes law after Senate approval
OTTAWA -- The "Lost Canadians" legislation, which aims to fix Canada's unconstitutional citizenship, received royal assent Thursday after being approved by the Senate on Wednesday.
Conservatives plan to try and amend asylum system rules in border security bill
OTTAWA -- Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner says she plans to "amend the heck" out of the government's border security bill, Bill C-12, with a host of measures targeting the asylum system.
'Lost Canadians' bill clears Senate without amendment, but suggested adoption reform
OTTAWA -- The "Lost Canadians" legislation, which aims to fix Canada's unconstitutional citizenship by descent rules, passed in the Senate Wednesday and is on track to becoming law.
Ending tanker ban risks billions, B.C. minister says; Liberal MPs say consent needed
B.C. Liberal MPs said Wednesday the tanker ban on the northern B.C. coast can't change without provincial and First Nations consent. The Globe and Mail is reporting that the federal government, which is in talks with Alberta on the prospect of building a new pipeline, is considering allowing some tanker traffic on the northern B.C. coast. Jonathan Wilkinson, a B.C...
Ending tanker ban risks billions, B.C. minister says; Liberal MPs say consent needed
Ottawa -- British Columbia's jobs minister says ending a tanker ban on the province's northern coast to service a pipeline from Alberta to B.C. would put billions of dollars' worth of other projects at risk by defying the wishes of First Nations.
B.C. Liberal MPs say tanker ban changes would need provincial, First Nations consent
OTTAWA -- B.C. Liberal MPs said Wednesday the tanker ban on the northern B.C. coast can't change without provincial and First Nations consent.
Carney Liberals narrowly survive crucial budget vote, preventing winter election
Prime Minister Mark Carney's government has narrowly survived a crucial budget vote -- one that could have sent Canadians to the polls this winter but instead propped up the minority Liberal government. Members of Parliament ended weeks of drama and speculation about the Carney government's fate by voting 170 to 168 on a confidence motion that expressed support for the...
Liberal MPs have 'fingers crossed' as budget awaits crucial House vote
Members of Parliament will vote Monday evening on Prime Minister Mark Carney's first budget -- a critical vote that could determine whether Canadians go back to the polls less than a year after the last election. The critical budget vote, expected around 6:45 p.m. ET, is a vote of confidence in the minority Liberal government. The Liberals need the votes...
Post-secondary schools brace for more pain as Ottawa cuts international student visas
OTTAWA -- As provincial governments wait to hear details of Ottawa's new immigration targets, some are warning that coming cuts to the number of international student visas will put colleges and universities in a tighter financial bind.
Some NDP leadership candidates report struggling to meet conditions to remain in race
OTTAWA -- The first of three fundraising deadlines for the NDP leadership race landed Friday, with some candidates coming close to not meeting the requirements for remaining in the race.
Some NDP leadership candidates report struggling to meet conditions to remain in race
The first of three fundraising deadlines for the NDP leadership race landed Friday, with some candidates coming close to not meeting the requirements for remaining in the race. A campaign spokesperson for Tanille Johnston, a city councillor in Campbell River, B.C., said she will be able to make the $25,000 payment allowing her to stay in the race and appear...
Former immigration minister says Canada's reputation on welcoming refugees is at risk
Former immigration minister Lloyd Axworthy, a prominent global champion for refugees, said he believes Canada is putting its reputation as a welcoming place for refugees at risk through recent federal policy shifts. Those shifts, he said, include the Carney government's new border security bill, C-12, which would limit the ability of individuals who have been in Canada for more than...
Some NDP leadership candidates report struggling to meet conditions to remain in race
OTTAWA -- The first of three fundraising deadlines for the NDP leadership race landed Friday, with some candidates coming close to not meeting the requirements for remaining in the race.
Former immigration minister says Canada's reputation on welcoming refugees is at risk
OTTAWA -- Former immigration minister Lloyd Axworthy, a prominent global champion for refugees, said he believes Canada is putting its reputation as a welcoming place for refugees at risk through recent federal policy shifts.
Montreal activist Yves Engler officially looking to enter NDP leadership race
OTTAWA -- Montreal-based activist Yves Engler is applying to enter the NDP leadership race months after announcing his intention to make a bid.
Liberal government survives second confidence vote amid Conservative caucus turmoil
The Conservatives helped the minority Liberal government survive a second confidence vote on the budget this afternoon. The House of Commons recorded a vote of 307 against a Bloc Québécois motion to reject the budget, and 30 in favour. On Thursday, the Bloc and NDP teamed up to vote against a Conservative motion that also called on MPs to reject...
Pathways to humanitarian permanent residency tighten as Ottawa focuses on economy
OTTAWA -- The federal government is cutting the number of spots available in its refugee permanent residency streams for next year.
Liberals confirm they courted MP for years before he quit the Conservatives
Prime Minister Mark Carney and his fellow Liberal MPs said Wednesday the party is open to talking to any opposition MPs interested in joining their team -- a day after Nova Scotia MP Chris d'Entremont quit the Conservatives to join the government caucus. Carney and d'Entremont were met with thunderous applause and cheers as they walked side by side into...
Liberals confirm they courted MP for years before he quit the Conservatives
OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney and his fellow Liberal MPs said Wednesday the party is open to talking to any opposition MPs interested in joining their team — a day after Nova Scotia MP Chris d'Entremont quit the Conservatives to join the government caucus.
Liberals welcome former Tory d'Entremont into caucus, roll out welcome mat for more
OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney and his fellow Liberal MPs said the party is open to talking to any other opposition MPs interested in joining their team, a day after Nova Scotia MP Chris d'Entremont quit the Conservatives to join the government caucus.
Prime Minister Carney thanks Nova Scotia MP d'Entremont for joining Liberal caucus
OTTAWA -- One day after Nova Scotia MP Chris d'Entremont quit the Conservatives to join the government caucus, Prime Minister Mark Carney said he'll talk to any opposition MP about joining his team.
Government needs opposition support on budget vote to avoid a winter election
Federal politicians of all stripes say they don't want the coming budget vote to trigger a Christmas election -- but nobody's ruling it out, meaning voters might soon have to resist the temptation to drop a lump of coal in a ballot box. Government House leader Steven MacKinnon said recently the government did not yet have the votes to pass...
Government needs opposition support on budget vote to avoid a winter election
OTTAWA -- Federal politicians of all stripes say they don't want the coming budget vote to trigger a Christmas election -- but nobody's ruling it out, meaning voters might soon have to resist the temptation to drop a lump of coal in a ballot box.
Finance minister says budget will offer no surprises, make 'generational investments'
OTTAWA -- Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says there will be "no surprises" when he tables a federal budget Tuesday that he promises will offer "generational investments."
Finance minister says budget will have no surprises, make 'generational investments'
OTTAWA -- Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says there will be "no surprises" when he tables a federal budget Tuesday that he promises will offer "generational investments."
Finance minister says budget will have no surprises, make 'generational investments'
Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says there will be "no surprises" when he tables a federal budget Tuesday that he promises will offer "generational investments." Champagne told a press conference in Saint-Tite, Que., Monday morning the budget bill will have "something for every Canadian." "We're moving from reliance to resilience, from uncertainty to prosperity. We're going to do the kind of...
Finance minister says budget will have no surprises, make 'generational investments'
OTTAWA -- Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says there will be "no surprises" when he tables a federal budget Tuesday that he promises will offer "generational investments."
Former refugee believes she wouldn't have been able to stay with proposed border bill
OTTAWA -- A trans woman does not believe she would have been able to stay in Canada if the refugee rules outlined in the government's new border bill were in effect.
Trigger for new immigration powers 'intentionally not defined' in border bill: Diab
OTTAWA -- Immigration Minister Lena Diab says the definition of a "public interest" event that would allow her department to pause or revoke immigration applications is "intentionally not defined" in new legislation.
Federal officials are not sure when immigration levels plan is coming
OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney said "Canada's new immigration plan" will be in the federal budget next week, but immigration department officials don't know if that includes the annual levels plan outlining how many newcomers Canada intends to admit for the next year.
Federal officials not sure when immigration levels plan is coming
OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney said in his pre-budget speech last week that the upcoming federal budget will include "Canada's new immigration plan," but immigration department officials don't know if that includes the annual levels plan.
NDP leadership contenders have first face-to-face meeting ahead of French debate
Three of the five NDP leadership candidates had their first face-to-face encounter, which serves as a preview for next month's French debate. Rob Ashton, Avi Lewis and Heather McPherson took part in a forum at the Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation gala in Ottawa, while Tanille Johnston and Tony McQuail were not able to attend. The three contenders saw degrees of...
NDP leadership contenders have first face-to-face meeting ahead of French debate
OTTAWA -- Three of the five NDP leadership candidates had their first face-to-face encounter, which serves as a preview for next month's French debate.
NDP leadership candidates working on French ahead of first debate in Montreal
The NDP leadership contenders are working on their French language skills as they prepare to meet for their first debate on Nov. 27 in Montreal, expected to be held primarily in French. The official candidates have varying degrees of French skills, but none have described themselves as fluently bilingual. However, there is acknowledgment across the field in the need to...
NDP leadership candidates working on French ahead of first debate in Montreal
OTTAWA -- The NDP leadership contenders are working on their French language skills as they prepare to meet for their first debate on Nov. 27 in Montreal, expected to be held primarily in French.
Liberals table crime bill to restrict access to bail, impose tougher sentences
The Liberal government tabled legislation this morning that would make it harder to get bail for a variety of offences, including vehicle thefts, extortion and breaking and entering. Justice Minister Sean Fraser is scheduled to talk to reporters about the new legislation this afternoon in Ottawa.
Liberals table crime bill to restrict access to bail, impose tougher sentences
OTTAWA -- The Liberal government is expected to pitch tougher bail and sentencing standards for violent crime in legislation today.
NDP leadership contenders pitch their vision to party membership at first forum
The five official candidates for the federal NDP leadership met for the first time Wednesday night in Ottawa at a forum hosted by the Canadian Labour Congress. Each candidate was given 10 minutes to introduce themselves to labour leaders and the broader party membership and outline why they should be the next NDP leader. Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian...
NDP leadership contenders pitch their vision to party membership at first forum
OTTAWA -- The five official candidates for the federal NDP leadership met for the first time Wednesday night in Ottawa at a forum hosted by the Canadian Labour Congress.
NDP leadership contenders to make their pitches to voters in first forum
The five official candidates for the federal NDP leadership will get their first chance to sell themselves to party members at a forum in Ottawa on Wednesday evening. The forum is being hosted by the Canadian Labour Congress and will see CLC president Bea Bruske hold one-on-one discussions with each of the candidates. Documentary filmmaker Avi Lewis, Alberta MP Heather...
NDP leadership contenders to make their pitches to voters in first forum
OTTAWA -- The five official candidates for the federal NDP leadership will get their first chance to sell themselves to party members at a forum in Ottawa on Wednesday evening.
Diab says new border bill powers would have been useful during COVID-19 pandemic
Immigration Minister Lena Diab says a bill before MPs that would give Ottawa new powers to limit permanent and temporary immigration applications would have been useful during the COVID-19 pandemic. The government's revised border security bill, C-12, would give the government a host of new immigration powers, including the ability to limit immigration applications and cancel existing documents when the...
Diab says new border bill powers would have been useful during COVID-19 pandemic
OTTAWA -- A Liberal government bill that would give Ottawa new powers to limit permanent and temporary immigration applications would have been useful during the COVID-19 pandemic, Immigration Minister Lena Diab said Thursday.
Provincial immigrant nominee programs get late year boost: Diab
OTTAWA -- Immigration Minister Lena Diab says some provincial immigrant nominee programs are getting a late-year increase to the number of slots they have.
Canadian refugee applicant in ICE custody says he crossed border accidentally
A Canadian refugee applicant from Bangladesh who is being held in a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Buffalo says he crossed the border into the U.S. by mistake -- and now Canada won't take him back. Mahin Shahriar told The Canadian Press he entered the U.S. on May 12 after what he believes was a human trafficking...
Canadian refugee applicant in ICE custody says he crossed border accidentally
OTTAWA -- A Canadian refugee applicant from Bangladesh who is being held in a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Buffalo says he crossed the border into the U.S. by mistake -- and now Canada won't take him back.
Davies says NDP budget support is up to Carney after sharing priorities
Interim NDP leader Don Davies says his party wants to see greater investment in affordable, non-market housing, projects which create unionized jobs and health care in budget. Davies says he relayed this to Prime Minister Mark Carney during a meeting last week ahead of the Nov. 4 federal budget.
Davies says NDP's budget support is up to Carney after sharing party's priorities
OTTAWA -- Interim NDP Leader Don Davies says his party wants to see the coming budget offer more investment in health care, affordable non-market housing and projects that create unionized jobs.
Davies says NDP budget support is up to Carney after sharing priorities
OTTAWA --Interim NDP Leader Don Davies says his party wants to see the coming budget offer more investment in health care, affordable non-market housing and projects that create unionized jobs.