What is citizens' services, and what should be expected from the new minister?
As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reorganized his front bench Wednesday in a massive federal cabinet shuffle, he also created a single new job: minister of citizens' services.
But when the minister appointed to the new role was asked what exactly citizens' services is, he wasn't entirely clear.
"This is really where the rubber hits the road in providing services to citizens right across the country," newly appointed cabinet minister Terry Beech said Wednesday, less than an hour after he was sworn in.
Trudeau names new cabinet, shifting focus to economy, housing ahead of next election
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced a significant change to his cabinet, signalling that his Liberal government will focus on housing and affordability heading into the next election.
Two-thirds of cabinet portfolios have switched hands, with seven rookie ministers coming in to replace the seven ministers who are leaving. Five of the new ministers represent constituencies in Ontario, one is from British Columbia and one from Quebec.
The Liberal government is selling the reset as a renewal that centres on the middle-class, growing the economy and creating jobs.
Alberta groups decry Calgary family medical clinic fee for faster physician access
Alberta-based advocacy organization Friends of Medicare says the province needs to put a stop to a Calgary clinic planning to charge annual fees for faster access to a physician.
Friends of Medicare executive director Chris Gallaway says the province also has a responsibility to help family doctors struggling to keep their heads above water as costs of running these clinics continue to rise.
Starting next week, the Marda Loop Medical Clinic has told patients it will switch to a new care model.
Four ministers won't seek re-election, cabinet shuffle expected as soon as Wednesday
With Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expected to shuffle his cabinet as early as Wednesday, a string of Liberal ministers have confirmed they will not run in the next federal election.
Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, Public Services and Procurement Minister Helena Jaczek and Mental Health and Addictions Minister Carolyn Bennett all announced this week that they will not seek re-election.
Blazes burn near Invermere, Cranbrook, Kamloops, as B.C. faces record wildfire season
A wildfire in southeastern British Columbia that was first spotted Monday afternoon has charred three square kilometres in less than 24 hours and is threatening more than 1,000 properties, including a ski resort, west of Invermere.
The BC Wildfire Service says smoke and challenging flying conditions have prevented accurate mapping of the blaze in mountains 10 kilometres west of Invermere and seven kilometres north of Panorama Mountain Resort.
The Regional District of East Kootenay ordered evacuations late Monday for 25 properties and several recreation sites.
Mental health minister puts $156M toward launch of 988 crisis hotline in November
Mental Health Minister Carolyn Bennett says the government is putting $156 million over three years toward a new three-digit suicide-prevention hotline.
Starting on Nov. 30, people in crisis will be able to dial 988 anywhere in Canada to be connected with trained responders 24 hours a day by phone or text message.
The free service will be offered in English and French.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health will receive the money to launch and operate the hotline.
First Nation spends day in ceremony to launch dig for potential unmarked graves
Before the sun broke through the sky Monday morning, members of a Manitoba First Nation planned to start a critical month-long search in a good way.
Spiritual advisers were to lead a pipe ceremony in Minegoziibe Anishinabe while a sacred fire was to be lit near where potential graves of children forced to attend residential school may be.
The sacred fire is expected to burn for the entirety of the estimated four-week-long excavation of an area underneath the Catholic church where 14 anomalies were detected using ground-penetrating radar last year.
Fast-growing fire near Kamloops, B.C., prompts evacuation alerts and orders
A fast-moving wildfire that has prompted evacuation orders and alerts in and around the Kamloops area expanded rapidly to 18 square kilometres in size on Sunday as it moved closer to the city limits.
The Ross Moore Lake fire, first discovered Friday afternoon, is now about 13 kilometres south of the city and more than doubled in size overnight.
Helicopter crashes in northwestern Alberta while fighting wildfire, killing pilot
A helicopter involved in firefighting operations has crashed in northwestern Alberta, killing a pilot.
Todd Loewen, Alberta's forestry minister, offered condolences to the pilot's family, friends and colleagues on Thursday.
"Today’s tragic news is a reminder that the heroes who put their lives on the line to protect us are men and women like you and me. They have families, friends, hopes and dreams," he said in a written statement.
'Courage and resilience:' Judge acquits two men convicted in 1973 killing in Winnipeg
A courtroom erupted in cheers and applause Tuesday after a Manitoba judge said the words two First Nations men have been waiting a half−century to hear.
"You are innocent. You deserve acquittals. I’m now happy to enter them," Chief Justice Glenn Joyal of the Court of King’s Bench told Brian Anderson and Allan Woodhouse.
"Your stories are stories of courage and resilience."
Systemic and individual racial discrimination within the justice system played a part in the wrongful conviction of both men, added Joyal.