National News

Some Albertans will be getting help from the provincial government. 

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced the Inflation Relief Act to help curb an increase in the cost of living. 

"We're facing a very difficult time as a country and a province," said Smith in a televised address. "We've been through a lot together these past three years, but still have many challenges ahead of us."

Premier Danielle Smith is scheduled to deliver a televised address to Albertans this evening.

Smith, who became leader of the United Conservative Party in early October, is to return next week to the legislature after winning a byelection in the constituency of Brooks-Medicine Hat.

She has promised an ambitious agenda that includes help for Albertans dealing with sharp hikes in gasoline and energy costs.

The final sprint is on at the Public Order Emergency Commission, which has already heard from more than 60 witnesses over five weeks on the government's response to last winter's "Freedom Convoy" protests.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and seven cabinet ministers will appear this week before the inquiry tasked with scrutinizing their decision to invoke the Emergencies Act in response to weeks-long demonstrations that overran downtown Ottawa and choked several border crossings.

Kyla Rose was still a few months away from being born the last time Canada played in the FIFA World Cup in 1986. 

On Wednesday, when the men's national team makes its first appearance at the tournament in 36 years, facing off against second-ranked Belgium, she's taking the day off work to watch with her parents and friends at a North Vancouver sports pub.

"I've waited my whole life for this as a soccer fan," she said. "I want to really experience being able to watch Team Canada play in a World Cup game with other fans, not just from my office or at home by myself."

When Teagan Littlechief sings in front of thousands of fans at Sunday's Grey Cup game, she'll be thinking about Canada's Indigenous youth. 

Littlechief, who is from White Bear First Nation on Treaty 4 territory in southeastern Saskatchewan, says she was often the only Indigenous person on stage when she first started performing.

Alberta's education minister says she will take advice from the province's new chief medical health officer on whether to allow school boards to bring in mask mandates in schools with respiratory illness outbreaks.

The Edmonton public school board has asked Alberta Health and Alberta Education whether it can require masks as schools deal with a wave of viral illnesses that is sending thousands of students home sick and straining hospitals.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has complained to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about alleged media leaks, and accused him of harming diplomatic relations.

The two had a discussion Wednesday at an event during the G20 summit in Indonesia and media were able to record the brief conversation.

"Everything we discuss has been leaked to the paper; that's not appropriate," Xi told Trudeau through an interpreter.

"That's not how, the way the conversation was conducted. If there is sincerity on your part --" Xi said, at which point Trudeau interrupted.

The federal government has formally banned the top echelons of the Iranian regime from Canada, with a new, rarely used designation now in place that allows border agents to deny foreigners access to the country.

Federal cabinet ministers confirmed during a virtual press conference on Monday that the measure brought in through the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act promised more than a month ago has now come into effect.

It also allows Canadian authorities to investigate any Iranian officials who are already in Canada, the ministers confirmed. 

A foreign supply of children's pain and fever medication should land on Canadian retail shelves in the coming weeks, Health Canada said Monday.

The agency, which had previously announced it was importing acetaminophen and ibuprofen to be distributed to hospitals, said the new retail supply should help families struggling to treat their sick children. 

The move follows a months-long shortage of Tylenol, Advil and alternative brands that has sent many parents and caregivers scouring bare shelves and swapping tips on drug sightings. 

The "Freedom Convoy" protests that took over downtown Ottawa last winter and inspired several border blockades caused serious concerns about Canada's international reputation and its economic security, senior Canadian officials say. 

Their testimony Monday evening at the Public Order Emergency Commission, along with new documentary evidence, suggests diplomats were getting anxious questions and forceful pleas from United States officials worried about the halt of trade by protesters blocking key border crossings.