National News

OTTAWA - Former finance minister Jim Flaherty died suddenly on Thursday, less than a month after quitting the cabinet. His family said he died peacefully.

TORONTO - The CBC is slashing 657 positions over two years to cope with a massive budget shortfall. CBC News says cuts to its budget amount to $130 million. CBC president Hubert Lacroix is outlining details for staff at a town hall meeting today.

TORONTO - A man working at a human resources company went on a stabbing spree Wednesday after being told he would lose his job, injuring four co-workers, police said Wednesday. The incident took place around 9:30 a.m.

OTTAWA - A major international security concern has forced the shutdown of electronic filing services at the Canada Revenue Agency, and there are concerns the problem could affect other government systems as well.

OTTAWA - The Conservative government is forcing users of medical marijuana to choose between treating their symptoms or holding on to their freedoms under the Charter of Rights, a gathering of pot-smoking protesters complained Tuesday.

The Canadian Press - BRAMPTON, Ont.

THE CANADIAN PRESS - BRAMPTON, Ont. - Pandemonium broke out at a Toronto-area courthouse Friday after an exchange of gunfire near the building's front doors left a man dead and sent a police officer to hospital.

OTTAWA - The Harper government's overhaul of federal election rules could make it difficult for more than half a million voters to exercise their constitutional right to a ballot, says the author of a report that's been used to justify the crackdown.

EDMONTON - Alberta Premier Alison Redford is resigning. Redford has been struggling to deal with unrest in her Progressive Conservative caucus over her leadership style and questionable expenses. She says her resignation will be effective Sunday.

OTTAWA - Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says he is leaving the federal cabinet and returning to the private sector. Flaherty delivered the bombshell news in a statement this afternoon.