National News

Federal government faces costly path to recoup wrongly paid aid, auditor says

OTTAWA — The federal auditor general says the government missed chances to flag fraudulent claims for emergency benefits last year, potentially paying money to insolvent companies, and will now have to rely on costly, years-long efforts to recoup the

Mar 25, 2021 2:43 PM Read more >

Quebec tables $12.3-billion deficit budget, says balance will take another 6 years

Quebec needs to make up the economic ground lost during the pandemic before it can balance its books, which will take another six years, Finance Minister Eric Girard said Thursday.

Mar 25, 2021 2:39 PM Read more >

Federal Liberals earmark $7.2 billion for health care, vaccination, municipalities

OTTAWA — The federal Liberals have introduced legislation to provide $7.2 billion to cash-strapped provinces, territories and municipalities, with more than half slated for immediate health-care needs.

Mar 25, 2021 2:28 PM Read more >

B.C. watchdog to investigate whether police broke the law in Glen Assoun case

HALIFAX — A police watchdog in British Columbia will investigate whether RCMP in Nova Scotia broke the law when evidence was destroyed in the case of Glen Assoun, who was wrongfully convicted of murder in 1999.

Mar 25, 2021 2:20 PM Read more >

Five things to know about carbon pricing and the Supreme Court ruling

OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada issued a 6-3 decision upholding the federal carbon price legislation Thursday. Here are five things to know about the decision and the carbon price. 1.

Mar 25, 2021 2:15 PM Read more >

Withered public health agency forced to scramble on COVID-19, auditor general finds

OTTAWA — A withered Public Health Agency dithered on pandemic preparedness, the federal auditor general has concluded, leaving officials no choice but to scramble to respond to COVID-19.

Mar 25, 2021 2:02 PM Read more >

In split decision, Supreme Court says the federal carbon price is constitutional

OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada ruled Thursday that the national price on pollution is entirely constitutional, upholding a pivotal piece of the Liberal climate-change plan.

Mar 25, 2021 2:02 PM Read more >

Highlights from Quebec's budget for 2021-22 fiscal year

Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard tabled the 2021-22 provincial budget Thursday. Here are some highlights. - Operating deficit of $9.2 billion, which jumps to $12.3 billion after a deposit of $3.

Mar 25, 2021 1:50 PM Read more >

Ombudsman rebuts Sajjan's assertions on predecessor's handling of Vance allegation

OTTAWA — Military ombudsman Greg Lick issued a strong rebuke of Canada’s defence minister on Thursday, after Harjit Sajjan suggested Lick’s predecessor could have done more with an allegation of sexual misconduct against Gen. Jonathan Vance.

Mar 25, 2021 11:28 AM Read more >

Highlights of the March auditor general's reports on the pandemic and infrastructure

OTTAWA — Highlights from the federal auditor general’s reports released Thursday: Canada wasn’t ready for a pandemic Auditor Karen Hogan found that years of underfunding public health, despite the early warning from the SARS crisis in the early 2000s

Mar 25, 2021 11:09 AM Read more >