Reach

Liberals are having some "robust" conversations about the state of their party and its slump in popularity with voters but those talks cannot happen in public, Immigration Minister Marc Miller said Monday.

"The reality is we have to have these conversations behind closed doors," Miller said at the federal cabinet retreat in Halifax.

Canada is moving to match the United States with new tariffs on electric vehicles made in China in a bid to keep the cars from getting a significant foothold in the North American market.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau outlined the plan at the federal cabinet retreat in Halifax on Monday, promising to increase import taxes on Chinese-made EVs to 106.1 per cent on Oct. 1, up from 6.1 per cent.

Tariffs on Chinese-made steel and aluminum products will go to 25 per cent on Oct. 15, with a final list of which products will be affected expected Oct. 1.

The federal government has added 56 properties to a new public lands bank of locations that are suitable for long-term leases so developers can build housing, a move the Housing Minister says will help boost the supply of homes Canadians can afford. 

Sean Fraser made the announcement Sunday in Halifax just ahead of a three-day cabinet retreat intended to prepare for the upcoming fall sitting of Parliament.

"Making public lands available for home construction is going to reduce the cost of construction and in turn reduce the cost of living," Fraser said. 

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for B.C.'s South Peace River region.

Conditions are ripe for storms that could bring strong wind gusts, large hail, and heavy rain. Stay alert and monitor weather updates.

Dawson Creek, can expect showers with a few thunderstorms ending after midnight then cloudy with 60 percent chance of showers. Local amount 5 to 10 mm. 

Fort St John, can expect showers with thunderstorms. Risk of a severe thunderstorm this evening and after midnight. Local amount 10 to 15 mm

Work is underway to get Canada's rail system back up and operational.

The Canada Industrial Relations Board released its decision late Saturday, reinforcing the Labour Minister's order for binding arbitration and the extension of collective agreements until a new deal is signed. 

A statement on the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference website says they will comply with the decision, but will also appeal the ruling to federal court.

CN started gearing up late last week, while CPKC workers were back on the job early this morning.

One city in Türkiye has just one operating church building. Now, that building may be facing closure.

Last month, the three congregations that meet in this historic building received an eviction notice from a government official. The notice said the building was structurally unsafe and the congregations would have to move out before August 24. 

Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) has been identified in the waters of Sturgeon Lake. Residents living near the shores of this lake, as well as visitors to this lake, are advised to take the following precautions:

·Avoid all contact with cyanobacterial blooms. If contact occurs, wash with tap water as soon as possible.

·Do not swim or wade or allow your pets to swim or wade in any areas where cyanobacteria is visible. 

·Do not feed whole fish or fish trimmings from this lake to your pets.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has confirmed that satisfactory water quality has been restored in areas located within the Town of Fairview.

As water quality has been restored, the boil water advisory issued on August 16, 2024 for homes located on 116 Street between 103 Avenue and 105 Avenue in the Town of Fairview has been lifted, effective immediately.

Due to elevated levels of fecal bacteria currently present in the water of Young’s Point Provincial Park beach area, located within the AHS North Zone of Alberta Health Services (AHS), AHS is advising the public not to swim or wade at this beach area, effective immediately.

Elevated levels of fecal bacteria were detected via testing of the lake water at this beach location. At current levels, gastrointestinal illness may result from ingestion of the water at

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government will reduce the number of low-wage temporary foreign workers with stricter rules, urging employers to hire Canadian workers instead.

The federal government announced today that it will refuse applications for low-wage temporary foreign workers in regions with an unemployment rate of six per cent or higher.

Employers will be allowed to hire a maximum of 10 per cent of their workforce from the temporary foreign worker program, down from 20 per cent.