Canadian economy lost 33,000 jobs in March, biggest loss since 2022

The economy shed 33,000 jobs in March, the biggest loss since January 2022, while the unemployment rate ticked higher, Statistics Canada said Friday.

The agency said the unemployment rate for March rose to 6.7 per cent compared with 6.6 per cent in February.

The hit came amid increased uncertainty caused by U.S. tariffs that have threatened economic growth.

The job losses reversed some of the gains made at the end of last year and into January.

Baylee Littrell’s powerful song of loss, faith, and healing moves Idol judges

Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell's son, Baylee, has caught the music bug. 

The 22-year-old auditioned for American Idol and, after a stunning performance in front of judges, was given a golden ticket to Hollywood.

He was even given the chance to perform a duet with his dad in front of judges, which brought Brian to tears. 

'God Will Take Care of Us': Father forgives son’s killer after tragic high school stabbing

The father of a 17-year-old track star who was fatally injured by another youth has forgiven the attacker. 

The incident happened Wednesday morning at a high school track meet in Dallas.

Frinco police said in a release that an altercation between two students resulted in one student stabbing the other. They say, despite lifesaving measures by bystanders, including his twin brother, police and fire personnel, the youth died.

A 17-year-old was arrested and has been charged with first-degree murder. 

God takes centre stage as American Idol hosts first-ever Songs of Faith episode Easter Sunday

God will be front and centre as American Idol prepares to host a never-before-done Songs of Faith episode. 

The three-hour-long special will air on Easter Sunday and will feature the top 20 contestants singing only faith-inspired songs.

There will also be special guest performances from CeCe Winans, Roman Collins, Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll.

Judges Lionel Ritchie, Carrie Underwood, who is not afraid to show her faith, and Luke Bryan will also sing during the show. 

TobyMac collaborates with Forrest Frank with his title track

Earlier this week, Christian artist TobyMac alluded to a huge collaboration being released on Friday, and indeed, it surprised everyone when he shared that it was Forrest Frank. 

The new, sped-up version of TobyMac's "Heaven on My Mind," featuring Frank, was released on April 4.

Frank has risen quite fast in the Christian music scene with his first album, California Cowboy, only released in 2023. Frank is currently on tour, headlining, with a wife and child at home. 

Freedom Convoy organizers Lich, Barber found guilty of mischief

"Freedom Convoy" organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber have been found guilty of mischief for their roles in the 2022 mass protest in Ottawa.

Lich and Barber were key figures and organizers in the protest that saw hundreds of vehicles and thousands of people occupy downtown Ottawa and insist they would stay until COVID-19 public health mandates were eliminated.

Leaders pitch savings bonds, GST-free Canadian cars to bolster economy

The New Democrats and Conservatives both pitched ideas on the federal election trail Thursday to make Canada and its workers more resilient in the face of tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh proposed tax-free savings bonds, while Pierre Poilievre said a Conservative government would remove the federal sales tax from Canadian-made vehicles.

Liberal Leader Mark Carney, in his role as prime minister, met virtually Thursday with Canada's premiers to discuss the U.S. tariffs as Canadian automakers started to feel the effects.

Over $565,000 raised for STARS during two-day radiothon

Wedged between a massive truck and a backhoe, saved by STARS. Given blood by STARS after being impaled by a spinning blade. Airlifted by STARS after crashing to the ground off a bucking horse in a remote area.  

These are just some of the stories of survival that filled the airwaves on April 1st and 2nd for the Critical Care on the Air Radiothon presented by BHP in support of STARS. 

Attending church was 'vital' for astronaut Butch Wilmore while stranded in space

After an eight-day trip to the International Space Station turned into 286 days, veteran astronaut Barry "Butch" Wilmore says attending church virtually was vital. 

When Wilmore spoke to media for the first time since returning to Earth, he shared that staying connected virtually to his home church, Providence Baptist Church in Pasadena, Texas was "vital." 

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