The Canadian Press

Teachers in Saskatchewan have signed a new agreement with the province after nearly two years of bargaining.

The Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation says the deal is retroactive to Sept. 1, 2023, and will see teachers get a nine per cent pay increase over three years.

It says the agreement was finalized last week after the sides agreed to language relating to the issue of class complexity.

The Manitoba government is promising $150 million for the agricultural sector to help handle tariffs imposed by the United States and China.

The province says it will provide $10 million in additional matching funds for the AgriStability program, as well as $140.8 million for business risk management programs such as AgriInsurance and AgriInvest.

Premier Wab Kinew says some of the money is being used to align with federal government changes in the cap and threshold on aid.

Many workers in Manitoba are set to see a slight increase in their wages this fall.

The Manitoba government says the minimum wage is to go up by 20 cents to $16 an hour.

The increase is to take effect on Oct. 1.

Manitoba's minimum wage is updated annually and tied to inflation.

The government says the latest increase reflects the province's 2024 inflation rate of 1.1 per cent.

The federal minimum wage for employees in the federally regulated private sector is $17.75.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 31, 2025.

Liberal Leader Mark Carney will be campaigning in Nepean today, the Ottawa riding where he is seeking election.

Carney, who has not yet served as an MP, is expected to meet with volunteers in the riding at 10 a.m.

Carney has faced questions about his decision to run in Nepean, which became vacant only after the Liberal party ousted MP Chandra Arya as its candidate three days before the election was called.

The Saskatchewan government has introduced legislation that would apply the provincial sales tax of six per cent to vaping products.

Finance Minister Jim Reiter says the tax aims to discourage the use of vapes, especially among young people who are at risk of negative long-term health effects.

He says nicotine exposure harms brain development in youth and can lead to problems with learning, memory and mood.

The province anticipates the tax to generate $3 million in annual revenue.

The Saskatchewan government is walking back part of its decision to stop purchasing all American-branded alcohol products in response to U.S. tariffs.

The province says it is allowing the sale and distribution of 54 Canadian-produced U.S. brands to resume.

Some American brands like Budweiser and Coors are produced in Canada, and the Saskatchewan government says it heard concerns that its ban was too broad.

It says the province is "realigning its approach" to be consistent with other provinces by focusing on U.S.-produced alcohol.

Canadians are now facing updated travel advisories to the world's two largest economies, after Ottawa warned travellers who stay in the United States for more than 30 days to make sure they register as required.

The advisory for the United States follows another update for travel to China, where Canadians with dual citizenship have been warned to use Canadian credentials when presenting to Chinese authorities.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is announcing a plan to boost training and jobs for workers in skilled trades.

In a news release this morning, Poilievre says his plan for "more boots, less suits" will expand training halls and provide direct grants and faster employment insurance for apprentices in licensed trades.

He says the goal is to deliver higher paycheques to workers and make Canada less reliant on the U.S.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to call a federal election on Sunday for a vote as early as April 28.

Sources would not confirm the specific date of the vote, but federal campaigns must run at least 37 days.

This will be Canada's 45th federal election.

Canada's political parties have been mobilizing campaigns by nominating candidates and organizing leaders' tours.

Carney was elected as Liberal leader to succeed Justin Trudeau on March 9 and was sworn in as prime minister along with his new cabinet on March 14.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday that Ottawa will expand the Canadian Armed Forces’ presence in the Arctic and turn to Australia's over-the-horizon radar tech to monitor threats from adversaries such as China and Russia.

Carney also pledged $253 million in new funding for Indigenous reconciliation initiatives in the North.

They include $94 million to upgrade power plants in Nunavut and $20 million for a hydroelectricity project to help move northerners off diesel.