WestJet cancelling flights ahead of possible mechanics' strike

WestJet is cancelling flights ahead of a possible strike by its mechanics' union.

The Calgary-based airline says in a statement the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association has provided them with another notice of strike action.

WestJet says that as a result, it has preemptively cancelled 25 flights between Thursday and Friday, affecting about 3,300 customers.

RCMP say no charges to be laid in bus crash that killed 17 seniors heading to casino

Police will not be laying charges in a bus crash that killed 17 people in western Manitoba.

RCMP say they do not expect to be able to talk to the bus driver, who was severely injured in the crash.

And they say officers have found no explanation as to why he pulled into an intersection when it wasn't safe.

The bus, carrying seniors to a casino, collided with a semi-trailer while crossing the Trans-Canada Highway near the town of Carberry last June.

Mounties, prosecutor to give update on investigation into deadly Manitoba bus crash

Manitoba Mounties and a Crown prosecutor are set to provide an update today on an investigation into a bus crash that killed 17 people.

RCMP say the prosecutor is to discuss a decision about charges relating to the crash last June near Carberry, west of Winnipeg.

The bus, carrying seniors to a casino, collided with a semi-trailer while crossing the Trans-Canada Highway.

Police have said the truck had the right of way.

Police handed over their findings in January to the Crown's office, including forensic reports and interviews with witnesses and survivors.

Canada's population forecast to reach 63 million, as people over 85 set to triple

Canada's population of those 85 and older is expected to triple by 2073 to as many as 4.3 million people, an increase that will likely place new pressure on the country on several fronts, one demographer says.

Statistics Canada said in its projections released Monday that the country's population could reach a medium-growth forecast of 63 million by 2073 and at least 3.3 million will be over 85. 

The agency said the aging population and low birthrates mean that migration will be the key driver of Canada's growth for the foreseeable future. 

Alberta New Democrats to announce new leader to replace Rachel Notley

Alberta's Opposition NDP is set to announce its new leader today.

Outgoing Leader Rachel Notley gave a farewell speech to party members Friday night.

She says the party is the strongest it's been in its history.

Notley's New Democrats swept to power as a majority government in 2015, ending a four-decade Progressive Conservative dynasty.

She announced in January she was leaving the job, after the party lost its second consecutive election to the United Conservative Party.

Oilers one win away from history after pushing Stanley Cup final to seventh game

If the Edmonton Oilers can show off their trademark resilience just one more time, they will make Stanley Cup history.

Depth forward Warren Foegele had a goal and an assist as the Oilers forced a decisive Game 7 in this year's Cup final with a 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers on Friday in front of a raucous Rogers Place crowd.

The win moved the Oilers closer to breaking Canada's Cup curse and has Edmonton on the cusp of becoming just the second team to come back from a 3-0 deficit in the final.

Canada's population grew to top 41 million in the first quarter: StatCan

Statistics Canada says the country's population topped 41 million people in the first quarter of this year as it grew by 0.6 per cent.

The agency says the population reached 41,012,563 on April 1, a gain of 242,673 people in the first three months of the year.

Statistics Canada said the increase came as the country welcomed 121,758 immigrants in the first quarter.

Net emigration amounted to 12,613 people for the quarter.

Canada also added 131,810 non-permanent residents to the population.

Alberta to ban cellphones in K-12 classrooms starting in fall

Alberta is moving to ban cellphones in kindergarten to Grade 12 classrooms starting in the fall.

Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said Monday that cellphones help with learning but can also be a distraction and lead to cyberbullying.

He said there will be exceptions for students who use phones for health needs, such as monitoring blood sugar levels.

Otherwise, personal devices must be turned off and stored out of sight during class time. School internet networks will also have to limit access to social media, Nicolaides said.

Monument unveiled honouring 17 seniors killed in Manitoba bus crash a year ago

Mourners, dignitaries and first responders filled a park in western Manitoba on Saturday afternoon for the unveiling of a monument honouring the 17 victims of a deadly bus crash that took place one year ago.

Roughly 200 people — including Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew — were on hand for the official unveiling in the city of Dauphin, with many setting up lawn chairs in CN park and others embracing under overcast skies.

Volunteers handed out programs with small packets of seeds of forget me not flowers to plant after the ceremony.

Border strike averted after union reaches tentative agreement with Ottawa

Workers at Canada's borders are no longer planning to go on strike this week after their union reached a tentative agreement with the federal government.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada said Tuesday it reached a deal with the government for Canada Border Services Agency employees after working "around the clock." 

If such an agreement couldn't be hammered out, the union had been planning for a strike of more than 9,000 members beginning 12:01 a.m. on Friday.