federal government

The CGGS M. Perley searches the waters of the Bay of Fundy in Hillsburn, N.S. on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. The federal government says it will invest $2.5 billion in new money to renew the Canadian Coast Guard’s fleet of small vessels. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

Ottawa to spend $2.5 billion on small vessels as it replaces aging coast guard fleet

The Canadian Coast Guard plans to acquire up to 61 small vessels

The CGGS M. Perley searches the waters of the Bay of Fundy in Hillsburn, N.S. on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. The federal government says it will invest $2.5 billion in new money to renew the Canadian Coast Guard’s fleet of small vessels. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh speaks with reports before attending Question Period, in Ottawa on May 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Singh asks Trudeau for certain conditions before getting security clearance

NDP leader is asking the prime minister to allow more members of his party to be briefed

New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh speaks with reports before attending Question Period, in Ottawa on May 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The Canada flag flies atop the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, May 5, 2023. A new plan to force hospitals to report adverse effects of “natural health products” such as herbal remedies and supplements has come as a surprise to manufacturers, who say they were blindsided by the proposed change. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Industry blindsided by Ottawa’s plan to track ill effects of natural health products

The federal government included the plan in the 2023 budget bill

The Canada flag flies atop the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, May 5, 2023. A new plan to force hospitals to report adverse effects of “natural health products” such as herbal remedies and supplements has come as a surprise to manufacturers, who say they were blindsided by the proposed change. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Provincial Liberal candidate Han Dong celebrates with supporters while taking part in a rally in Toronto on Thursday, May 22, 2014. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is leaving the door open should Independent MP Han Dong decide he wants to rejoin the Liberal party. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Provincial Liberal candidate Han Dong celebrates with supporters while taking part in a rally in Toronto on Thursday, May 22, 2014. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is leaving the door open should Independent MP Han Dong decide he wants to rejoin the Liberal party. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet is joining Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre in refusing to take a look at secret information a watchdog used to recommend against a public inquiry into allegations of foreign interference. Blanchet speaks with reporters in the Foyer of the House of Commons, Wednesday, May 24, 2023 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Bloc joins Conservatives in rejecting Johnston report briefing on election meddling

The former governor general said in the report that the intelligence he reviewed must be kept secret

Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet is joining Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre in refusing to take a look at secret information a watchdog used to recommend against a public inquiry into allegations of foreign interference. Blanchet speaks with reporters in the Foyer of the House of Commons, Wednesday, May 24, 2023 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
David Johnston, Independent Special Rapporteur on Foreign Interference, presents his first report in Ottawa on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Five things we learned in David Johnston’s first report on foreign interference

Johnston ruled out a public inquiry, as much of it would have to be held in private due to top-secret information

David Johnston, Independent Special Rapporteur on Foreign Interference, presents his first report in Ottawa on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
The Chinese Canadian Museum is getting a $5.18 million boost from the federal government, through its economic development branch PacifiCan. The funding, announced May 23, 2023, to help with the building and space renewal at its new, permanent location at the historic Wing Sang Building at 51 East Pender St. in Vancouver’s Chinatown. (Chinese Canadian Museum)

Chinese Canadian Museum in Vancouver gets $5.18M from feds

Located at the historic Wing Sang Building, it’s set to open its doors July 1

The Chinese Canadian Museum is getting a $5.18 million boost from the federal government, through its economic development branch PacifiCan. The funding, announced May 23, 2023, to help with the building and space renewal at its new, permanent location at the historic Wing Sang Building at 51 East Pender St. in Vancouver’s Chinatown. (Chinese Canadian Museum)
David Johnston looks on during a farewell reception in Ottawa on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017. Special rapporteur David Johnston is expected to release his decision Tuesday on whether the federal Liberals should hold a public inquiry on foreign interference. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

As inquiry decision looms, here’s how Canada’s foreign interference saga has evolved

Trudeau has said he will abide by Johnston’s recommendations, including if he recommends a public inquiry

David Johnston looks on during a farewell reception in Ottawa on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017. Special rapporteur David Johnston is expected to release his decision Tuesday on whether the federal Liberals should hold a public inquiry on foreign interference. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the G7 Summit Sunday, May 21, 2023 in Hiroshima, Japan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

VIDEO: Trudeau says ceasefire won’t bring peace to Ukraine, blasts Russia

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asserts continued support as G7 summit featuring President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ends

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the G7 Summit Sunday, May 21, 2023 in Hiroshima, Japan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Premier David Eby is welcoming proposed federal bail reform changes, but he’s calling on Ottawa to pass Bill C-48 during its current session. Eby pictured at an announcement in Surrey on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023. (Anna Burns)

Proposed federal bail reform changes cannot become ‘political football’: Eby

Premier says it’s ‘imperative’ Ottawa passes Bill C-48 during current session

Premier David Eby is welcoming proposed federal bail reform changes, but he’s calling on Ottawa to pass Bill C-48 during its current session. Eby pictured at an announcement in Surrey on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023. (Anna Burns)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to reporters before heading to a caucus meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Anti-corruption advocate hopes new financial crime body can start ‘scaring bad guys’

One says it’s important to take ‘opportunity to look at the full package of what is financial crime’

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to reporters before heading to a caucus meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
The Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC) complex is pictured in Ottawa on October 15, 2013. A culture within Canada’s cyberspy agency of “resisting and impeding” independent review has frustrated efforts to ensure it is obeying the law, say newly released documents from the federal intelligence watchdog. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

‘Systemic difficulties’ hampered review of Canada’s cyberspy service: watchdog

Review agency released the internal documents late last month under the Access to Information Act to Bill Robinson

The Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC) complex is pictured in Ottawa on October 15, 2013. A culture within Canada’s cyberspy agency of “resisting and impeding” independent review has frustrated efforts to ensure it is obeying the law, say newly released documents from the federal intelligence watchdog. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to reporters before heading to a caucus meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Transparency International Canada paper outlines hopes for new financial crime agency

Canada could learn from countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom, the paper says

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to reporters before heading to a caucus meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
Brian Le Lievre with his wife Michelle in Mexico, before he was stranded for more than a month as his family searches for a way to bring him home to Langford. (Courtesy of Arielle Boivin)

Unwanted vacation: family desperate to bring B.C. man home from Mexico

Week-long holiday turns into a month-long ordeal, with bills piling up for Victoria area family

Brian Le Lievre with his wife Michelle in Mexico, before he was stranded for more than a month as his family searches for a way to bring him home to Langford. (Courtesy of Arielle Boivin)
The Government of Canada is requiring that federally regulated employers provide free menstrual products for their employees by Dec. 15, 2023. (Pixabay)

‘As necessary as toilet paper and soap’: Federal workplaces required to provide menstrual products

Feds say it will improve the wellbeing of nearly half a million workers; to be implemented by Dec. 15

The Government of Canada is requiring that federally regulated employers provide free menstrual products for their employees by Dec. 15, 2023. (Pixabay)
Conservative foreign-affairs critic Michael Chong rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle

Government still investigating why threats against Chong not passed up to cabinet

Mendicino says Canada’s priority is holding China accountable for any threatening, harassing behaviour

Conservative foreign-affairs critic Michael Chong rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle
Ross Wightman was approved for compensation after falling ill due to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (Ross Wightman/Facebook)

Lake Country man files suit after complications from COVID vaccine

Wightman was one of the first Canadians approved for compensation

Ross Wightman was approved for compensation after falling ill due to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (Ross Wightman/Facebook)
Morrell Andrews speaking at a press event announcing Bill S-12 in Ottawa on Wednesday (April 26). (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Bill introduced in Senate to change publication ban rules on sexual assault cases

Several B.C. and Vancouver Island advocates have spent years campaigning for change

Morrell Andrews speaking at a press event announcing Bill S-12 in Ottawa on Wednesday (April 26). (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
PSAC workers and supporters picket outside the Canada Revenue Agency office in Sudbury, Ont. on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. There are calls to extend this year’s tax deadline amid a federal public service strike that some fear is making it hard for some people to file on time. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Gino Donato

Petition calls for tax deadline extension amid federal worker strike

Job action has reduced staff for a Canada Revenue Agency help line

PSAC workers and supporters picket outside the Canada Revenue Agency office in Sudbury, Ont. on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. There are calls to extend this year’s tax deadline amid a federal public service strike that some fear is making it hard for some people to file on time. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Gino Donato
Chris Aylward, PSAC National President, looks on during a news conference on the status of negotiations with Treasury Board, as workers from Canada’s largest federal public-service union are on strike across the country, in Ottawa, on Saturday, April 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Public-service strike: Union stepping up picketing efforts starting Monday

Picket lines to be moving to more disruptive areas, union warns

Chris Aylward, PSAC National President, looks on during a news conference on the status of negotiations with Treasury Board, as workers from Canada’s largest federal public-service union are on strike across the country, in Ottawa, on Saturday, April 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang