The Canadian Press

Statistics Canada says 34.6 per cent of people in this country have no religious affiliation — more than ever before.

The last time Canadians were surveyed on religion, in 2011, 23.9 per cent selected "no religion."

The latest tranche of data from the 2021 Census also shows the highest proportion of the population — 53.3 per cent — identifies as Christian, but that is down from 67.3 per cent in 2011.

StatCan says last year's survey presents the most comprehensive portrait of Canadians' religious affiliations to date.

Statistics Canada says 34.6 per cent of people in this country have no religious affiliation — more than ever before.

The last time Canadians were surveyed on religion, in 2011, 23.9 per cent selected "no religion."

The latest tranche of data from the 2021 Census also shows the highest proportion of the population — 53.3 per cent — identifies as Christian, but that is down from 67.3 per cent in 2011.

StatCan says last year's survey presents the most comprehensive portrait of Canadians' religious affiliations to date.

The latest release of 2021 census data shows immigrants make up nearly a quarter of all people in Canada, and are projected to represent a third of people in the country by 2041.

Immigration now makes up the largest portion of the population since Confederation, with more than 8.3 million people in the country who were, or had ever been, a landed immigrant or permanent resident.

Statistics Canada says immigration is the main driver of population growth, in part because of the aging population and low fertility rates in the country. 

First Nations chiefs in Manitoba are expected to vote in a new leader of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs today after the organization removed its previous leader over sexual harassment allegations. 

Seven candidates are vying for the position of grand chief of the advocacy group that represents 62 of the 63 First Nations in the province. 

People across Manitoba are going to the polls today in municipal elections.

There will be a new mayor in Winnipeg, where incumbent Brian Bowman is not seeking re-election and 11 candidates are vying to take his place.

There will also be a new mayor in Brandon, where Rick Chrest has called it a career after two terms and two candidates are running for the job.

In the north, the longtime mayor of Churchill, Mike Spence, is facing a challenger after being unopposed last time

Winnipeg Jets head coach Rick Bowness ended his media availability on Monday after experiencing dizzy spells and feeling unwell, the team confirmed.

Bowness, 67, returned to Winnipeg's bench Saturday in a 4-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

He had tested positive for COVID-19 hours before the Jets' season opener on Oct. 14. Associate coach Scott Arniel had assumed interim duties for Winnipeg.

It is Bowness' first season as the Jets bench boss after spending three years with the Dallas Stars. 

An Indigenous-led protest camp on the east lawn of the Manitoba Legislative Building grounds that's been in place for more than a year was removed over the weekend.

Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen says in a statement posted on Facebook that illegal structures were taken down Saturday in an operation that was "led by provincial enforcement personnel."

The Winnipeg Police Service says it was not involved in the removal and none of its officers were present.

The Winnipeg Jets have placed Nikolaj Ehlers on injured reserve, the team announced Friday.

The move, retroactive to Tuesday, means the winger will miss at least Saturday's visit from the Toronto Maple Leafs and Monday's tilt with the St. Louis Blues.

Ehlers, who has three assists in two contests this season, has already sat out two games with the undisclosed injury.

The ninth overall pick at the 2014 NHL draft has registered 164 goals and 361 points in 480 regular-season games with the Jets. 

He's added four goals and 12 points in 31 playoff appearances.

Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney says a global recession is likely, making it challenging for Canada to avoid a similar economic downturn. 

While testifying before the Senate banking committee on Thursday, Carney said Canada may fare better than others because of mitigating factors such as the country's ties to the U.S. as well as the strong labour market recovery after the pandemic.

A senior Ontario Provincial Police officer is expected to be cross-examined this morning at the federal government's inquiry into the use of the Emergencies Act.

Supt. Craig Abrams told the commission yesterday that his officers saw dysfunction in the ranks of the Ottawa Police Service even from the early days of the protest. 

He said Ottawa police failed to come up with an operational plan and were not properly deploying OPP officers sent to Ottawa to help patrol the "Freedom Convoy" protests in February.