The Canadian Press

Liberal Leader Mark Carney spent his first English election debate presenting himself as a safe pair of hands for a country in crisis — while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre sought to frame him as more of the same after a decade of Liberal government.

Carney, who is leading in the polls, became the main target of all his rivals' attacks early in Thursday's final debate of the election — a trend that carried over from Wednesday's French language debate.

A Calgary man accused of human smuggling after allegations that he picked up foreign nationals who crossed into Manitoba from the United States has had his charges stayed.

Manitoba Courts confirmed charges under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act were stayed in February for Saleh Youssouf.

Information on why the charges have been stayed was not available.

Youssouf was accused of driving a van last January that held seven men from the Republic of Chad.

The leaders of the top three federal parties were campaigning Tuesday in Western Canada, where Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre promised to crack down on offshore tax loopholes by appointing a tax task force.

The Conservatives said the task force would be asked to make the rules simpler and more fair and would ensure large companies can't "stash their money in offshore tax havens."

With just three weeks to go until election day, Canada's federal party leaders are back on the road today.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is expected to make an announcement in Toronto today following weekend campaign stops on the East Coast, where he announced plans to impose national rent control and to get every Canadian access to a family doctor in the next five years.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is wrapping up a campaign sweep on the West Coast today before flying to Edmonton for a rally.

Regina's police chief has been temporarily removed from active duty pending the results of an investigation by the Saskatchewan Public Complaints Commission.

The Regina Board of Police Commissioners says a complaint filed by a community member against Farooq Sheikh is under review. 

Chairperson Yashu Bither didn't provide details but says the commission takes the complaint seriously and has a duty to protect public confidence in the police service during the investigation.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority says there are now six confirmed measles cases in the province. 

Medical Health Officer Dr. David Torr says the most recent case was found in southwest Saskatchewan and involves an unvaccinated adult who travelled from Mexico and the United States.

He says the other cases have been reported in the province's southeast, southwest and northwest.

Torr says those without measles shots should get vaccinated, as it's the only way to prevent the highly contagious viral disease.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority says there are now six confirmed measles cases in the province. 

Medical Health Officer Dr. David Torr says the most recent case was found in southwest Saskatchewan and involves an unvaccinated adult who travelled from Mexico and the United States.

He says the other cases have been reported in the province's southeast, southwest and northwest.

Torr says those without measles shots should get vaccinated, as it's the only way to prevent the highly contagious viral disease.

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.