CBSA to use facial recognition app for people facing deportation: documents

The Canada Border Services Agency plans to implement an app that uses facial recognition technology to keep track of people who have been ordered to be deported from the country.

The mobile reporting app would use biometrics to confirm a person's identity and record their location data when they use the app to check in. Documents obtained through access-to-information indicate that the CBSA has proposed such an app as far back as 2021. 

A spokesperson confirmed that an app called ReportIn will be launched this fall.

'Deep & abiding faith at heart of who he was': Former cabiniet minister Chuck Strahl dies

Former Conservative MP and cabinet minister Chuck Strahl has died at the age of 67.

Strahl was first elected in 1993 and represented the B.C. riding of Chilliwack–Fraser Canyon until his retirement in 2011.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called Strahl a "dear friend" in a social media post Wednesday.

"Chuck's unwavering commitment to our movement and his deep love for Canada were part of everything he did," Poilievre said.

"He was a man of principle, integrity and compassion, and a foundational member of our Conservative party."

Former Conservative MP, cabinet minister Chuck Strahl dies at 67

Former Conservative MP and cabinet minister Chuck Strahl has died at the age of 67.

Strahl was first elected in 1993 and represented the B.C. riding of Chilliwack–Fraser Canyon until his retirement in 2011.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called Strahl a "dear friend" in a social media post Wednesday.

"Chuck's unwavering commitment to our movement and his deep love for Canada were part of everything he did," Poilievre said.

"He was a man of principle, integrity and compassion, and a foundational member of our Conservative party."

Canada's foreign worker program 'breeding ground' for modern slavery: report

A recently released international report says Canada's temporary foreign worker program is a "breeding ground" for contemporary slavery.

The final report by a United Nations special rapporteur who visited Canada last year says a power imbalance prevents workers from exercising their rights.

A worker's status is dependent on a closed work permit that is specific to their employer. If an individual is fired, they may be deported from Canada. 

Workers are subject to a wide range of abuses and aren't always aware of their rights, the report says. 

Strike for Canadian border workers on hold until Wednesday: union

The union that represents 9,000 CBSA workers said Friday they won't strike until at least Wednesday, as mediation continues.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada initially said border workers were set to strike as early as 4 p.m. Friday if the two sides hadn't reached a deal.

But shortly after 4 p.m., a spokesperson for the union said negotiations would continue.

The spokesperson said later Friday that a new strike deadline would be set in the coming days and job action was still possible if an agreement couldn't be reached at the table.

MPs 'wittingly' took part in foreign interference: national security committee

Soon after they were elected, some Canadian members of Parliament began "wittingly assisting" foreign state actors, says a report released Monday — including sending confidential information to Indian officials.

The report from a committee of MPs and senators with top security clearance says Canadian spy agencies produced a body of intelligence showing foreign actors cultivated relationships with both MPs and senators.

Civil society at ‘high risk’ of cyberthreats from state-sponsored actors: CSE

Canada's cyberspy agency says countries like Russia and China are increasingly targeting non-profit and advocacy groups, as well as journalists and human rights activists.

The Communications Security Establishment issued the warning Tuesday in a joint advisory with the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Estonia and Finland.

The advisory says "industry reporting indicates a consistent pattern of state-sponsored cyber actors targeting specific segments of civil society."

Here's more about Ottawa's plan to turn post offices, historic armouries into housing

A 1970s Canada Post building in Alberta and stone Quebec City army barracks dating back to 1856 are just some of the public lands the Liberal government plans to turn into homes.

The idea, outlined in the federal budget released Tuesday, is to use federally owned sites across the country to help ease the Canada-wide housing crunch. 

Here's what to know. 

How many properties are on the list?

The federal government is Canada's largest landowner.

Canada pledges $80.5M for Kenya-led mission to improve security in Haiti

Ottawa is putting $80.5 million toward a mission to improve security conditions in Haiti, where rampant gang violence has caused an ongoing crisis, Global Affairs Canada said Thursday.

The money will go towards a multinational security mission led by Kenya to support efforts by the Haitian National Police, the department said.

It's expected to support training, communications and logistics for police deployed to the mission and expertise in areas like human rights due diligence.

Former federal NDP leader Ed Broadbent, social democracy stalwart, dead at 87

Ed Broadbent, the affable advocate of social democracy whose principled leadership helped build the modern New Democratic Party and made him a titan of 20th century Canadian politics, has died. He was 87.

Broadbent was "a fierce champion for ordinary Canadians," said a statement Thursday from the eponymous, Ottawa-based think tank he founded in 2011 to propagate his belief in social and economic justice.