National News
Canada’s population edged lower in fourth quarter as non-permanent residents drop
By Canadian Press on March 18th, 2026
OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says the country’s population edged down in the fourth quarter, dipping 0.2 per cent. The agency says preliminary estimates indicate the population fell by 103,504 people from Oct. 1, 2025 to Jan. 1, 2026 to bring the number of people in Canada to 41,472,081. National Bank of Canada says in a ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Canadian ships stuck in Persian Gulf as blockade of Strait of Hormuz continues
By Canadian Press on March 18th, 2026
OTTAWA — Two Canadian cargo ships are stuck in the Persian Gulf and unable to pass through the blocked Strait of Hormuz as the war in Iran continues. The two ships, owned by Quebec-based Desgagnés, were hauling general cargo to ports in Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Nunatsiaq News was the first ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Three years after deadly fire, police arrest owner of Old Montreal building
By Canadian Press on March 18th, 2026
MONTREAL — Police say they have arrested the owner of an Old Montreal building that went up in flames in 2023, claiming the lives of seven people. Police say Emile Benamor, 63, faces seven counts of manslaughter and eight counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm. The arrest comes days after the third anniversary of ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Population dropped in closing months of 2025 due to immigration slowdown: StatCan
By Canadian Press on March 18th, 2026
OTTAWA — Statistics Canada’s population estimate suggests Canada’s population declined last year, due primarily to a drop in the number of non-permanent immigrants. The estimate suggests Canada’s population lost about 102,000 people in 2025. That came after the non-permanent resident population fell by more than 171,000 individuals between Oct. 1, 2025 and Jan. 1, 2026. ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Ontario asks B.C., Quebec to drop electric vehicle targets
By Canadian Press on March 18th, 2026
TORONTO — Ontario Premier Doug Ford is asking his counterparts in Quebec and British Columbia to drop their electric-vehicle sales targets, saying they are making the country less competitive. In the fall, both provinces scaled back or dropped their previous goals of having all new vehicle sales be zero emissions in 2035, but Ford says ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Feds earmark money for munitions factories in Quebec, Ontario
By Canadian Press on March 18th, 2026
OTTAWA — Defence Minister David McGuinty says the federal government is giving a big boost to the munitions industry to build up the domestic supply of heavy artillery shells. Ottawa will pump more than $1 billion in public funds into new facilities in Ingersoll, Ont., and Repentigny, Que., for heavy munitions used in artillery. The ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Montreal police make arrest in fatal 2023 Old Montreal fire
By Canadian Press on March 18th, 2026
MONTREAL — Montreal police have announced the arrest of a suspect in connection with a 2023 fire in Old Montreal that claimed the lives of seven people. Police say they arrested the owner of the building who is facing 15 charges, including seven for manslaughter and eight for criminal negligence. The arrest of Emile Benamor, ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!CPNewsAlert: Montreal police make arrest in fatal 2023 Old Montreal fire
By Canadian Press on March 18th, 2026
MONTREAL — Montreal police have announced the arrest of a suspect in connection with a 2023 fire in Old Montreal that claimed the lives of seven people. Police say they arrested the owner of the building who will face 15 charges, including seven for manslaughter and eight for criminal negligence. The arrest of Emile Benamor, ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Bank of Canada holds key rate steady as Middle East war clouds outlook
By Canadian Press on March 18th, 2026
OTTAWA — The Bank of Canada held its benchmark interest rate at 2.25 per cent today as the economy performs below expectations but war in the Middle East threatens higher inflation. The central bank’s decision to keep to the sidelines today was widely expected but the future path for the policy rate is much less ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!In the news: BoC interest rate decision. Iran war poll, P. E. I Health Minister dead
By Canadian Press on March 18th, 2026
Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed … Bank of Canada to make interest rate announcement The Bank of Canada is expected to make an interest rate announcement this morning as it weighs the effects of the conflict in the Middle East, trade uncertainty and ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Two in three people say Canada should remain neutral in Iran war: poll
By Canadian Press on March 18th, 2026
OTTAWA — As war rages on in the Middle East, a new Leger poll suggests most Canadians believe the government of Canada should remain neutral, while one in four say Canada should support the United States and Israel in their attacks on Iran. The poll, which was conducted online and can’t be assigned a margin ... Read More »
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