As premiers push for more immigration power, experts call for a fact-based debate

Some premiers say they want to have more local control over the immigration system — but experts say what the system really needs is a national conversation on immigration reform that shores up public support.

"Most of the existing policies have been formulated on the fly without any evidence or serious impact evaluations of what the various classes of immigrants are, how they're performing economically and otherwise," said Michael Trebilcock, a retired academic and co-author of two books on immigration policy.

"So it's basically research-free."

LeBlanc says he expects Carney, Trump will speak in the coming days

Dominic LeBlanc said Sunday that he expects Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump will speak "over the next number of days" as the United States ratchets up pressure in trade talks.

The Canada-U.S. trade minister appeared on CBS's "Face the Nation" and spoke about where talks stand between the two countries.

LeBlanc told host Margaret Brennan that while Canada is "disappointed" with Trump's new 35-per-cent tariffs, he is continuing to work toward a deal that would hopefully strike down trade restrictions between the nations.

Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu eyes new markets, smaller trade delegations

Ottawa's new trade minister says he's looking to sign deals in South America, Southeast Asia, Africa and beyond — and to convince businesses to actually use the trade agreements Canada has already signed.

"My primary role as Canada's top salesman is to be out there hustling, opening doors for businesses and accessing new markets," Maninder Sidhu told The Canadian Press.

"My phone has been ringing with opportunities because people want to deal with reliable, stable trading partners."

Update: Calgary police alert motorists to Stoney Trail ramp closure after 'traffic incident'

The northbound Stoney Trail NE exit to westbound 96 Avenue NE has reopened after being closed for several hours Saturday due to a traffic incident.

Rocky View Fire Services respond to Friday train derailment

Rocky View County Fire Services responded to a CP Rail train derailment around 2 p.m. Friday near the intersection of Range Road 272 and Township Road 222, south of Langdon.

Six rail cars, believed to be carrying grain, derailed into an adjacent field. No roadways were impacted. No injuries have been reported, and there are no hazardous materials involved.

“There is no threat to public safety,” the county said. “No evacuation or decontamination procedures were required.”

Canada Post workers vote to reject latest contract offer

Unionized workers at Canada Post have voted to reject the Crown corporation's latest contract offer.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said Friday that 68.5 per cent of urban mail carriers who voted were against the deal, while their rural and suburban colleagues were 69.4 per cent against.

The offer included wage hikes of about 13 per cent over four years but also added part-time workers that Canada Post has said are necessary to keep the postal service afloat.

The union had urged the roughly 55,000 postal service workers it represents to reject the proposal.

Suspect not located after fire attempt, stolen vehicle found: RCMP

RCMP say they have been unable to locate a suspect after officers responded to a report of a man attempting to light a fire on a rural road, but do not believe there is any immediate risk to the public.

Upon arrival, officers located a stolen vehicle and attempted to track the suspect on foot.

RCMP say they conducted an extensive search of the area utilizing police dog, helicopter, and drone resources. The suspect was not located.