National News

VANCOUVER — The federal government said it's preparing for what could be a challenging summer of wildfires in parts of the country as several ministers gathered in Vancouver to outline how funds will support those already affected.

Indigenous groups are welcoming news that Pope Francis plans to visit Canada this summer following his apology last month for the Roman Catholic Church's role in residential schools.

OTTAWA — Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne is pressing G7 countries to establish a quick-reaction group on cybersecurity to help build up resilience to attacks following the invasion of Ukraine.

OTTAWA — The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission chair is to be replaced within months and Canadian Heritage is already accepting applications for the $328,000-a-year role.

OTTAWA — Princess Margriet of the Netherlands paid tribute to the Canadian who negotiated the surrender of the Nazis in her country in 1945.

OTTAWA — Canada's highest court has ruled that the law barring the use of automatism⁠, or a state of extreme intoxication, as a defence for some crimes is unconstitutional and called on Parliament to consider new legislation.

MONTREAL — An English-language leaders debate that was scheduled to take place ahead of Quebec's October election has been cancelled after Premier François Legault refused to participate.

TORONTO — An Ottawa woman who alleges she was violently raped by Jacob Hoggard appeared "distraught" and not like herself after going to meet the singer in Toronto, her friends testified Friday.

OTTAWA — A Canadian warship has been hit with an outbreak of COVID-19 while preparing for an overseas deployment in the Pacific. HMCS Winnipeg is back home in Esquimalt, B.C.

INUKJUAK, Que. — Elder Simeonie Ohaituk sits on a caribou skin on the floor of the Unaaq Men’s Association in Inukjuak, Que., pulling and cutting a stretchy, cylindrical piece of sealskin.