Sports betting ads
MPs study Senate bill to restrict sports betting ads as provinces object
Bill S-211 is before the House heritage committee, with Ontario, Alberta and a Bloc MP opposed and a Liberal MP hoping for a full ban
Ottawa news
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- Food security Ottawa launches $750-million program for year-round fruit and vegetable production The Controlled Environment Agriculture Growth Pathway Program will fund technology and local projects, with project summaries accepted until Dec. 23
- Fuel tax relief Bill C-38 passes, extending federal fuel excise tax suspension to Jan. 31, 2027 The Canadian Fuel Affordability Act received Royal Assent on Thursday, with half-rate excise taxes to follow from Feb. 1 until March 31 before full rates return
- Ottawa drug services Ottawa’s last supervised drug consumption sites set to close The final two sites are expected to stop supervised consumption services this week as Ontario funding ends, raising warnings about overdoses and public drug use
Governor General
Louise Arbour to be sworn in as Canada’s 31st governor general
The former Supreme Court justice takes over from Mary Simon in an Ottawa ceremony that begins at 10 a.m. ET
Taxpayer service
Taxpayers’ ombudsperson to investigate CRA complaint process
François Boileau says taxpayers can face unclear routes and uneven timelines when seeking help from the Canada Revenue Agency
AI deepfake investigation
Two men charged in Canada AI deepfake exploitation case
Ottawa police allege women’s social media images were used in violent and sexual deepfakes; court documents identify up to 25 alleged victims
Canada-U.S. trade
U.S. adds duties on fresh Canadian mushrooms after subsidy probe
Most Canadian fresh mushroom exports face a 2.84% countervailing duty, with company-specific rates for two producers and separate anti-dumping duties expected later
Security legislation
Bill C-22 draws U.S. scrutiny over police access to data
American lawmakers and major tech companies warn the Canadian bill could affect U.S. users, while Ottawa says critics are misreading its safeguards
Industrial carbon pricing
Ottawa and Alberta near carbon-pricing deal at $130 a tonne by 2040
CBC News reports the tentative plan would raise Alberta’s effective industrial carbon price more slowly than Canada’s earlier headline path, with some issues still unresolved
Artemis II
Carney welcomes Artemis II crew, says moon mission inspired Canadians
The astronauts are in Ottawa and Montreal for public events, student meetings and space-sector discussions after their 10-day flight around the moon
PWHL playoffs
Ottawa Charge return to Walter Cup Final seeking redemption
After surviving Boston’s late surge in a double-overtime clincher, Ottawa awaits the winner of Montreal-Minnesota with another title shot ahead
Rideau Hall
Louise Arbour named Canada’s next governor general
Prime Minister Mark Carney chose the former Supreme Court justice and international human rights figure to replace Mary Simon as the King’s representative in Canada
Governor general appointment
Carney names Louise Arbour as Canada’s next governor general
The former Supreme Court justice and international human rights figure will replace Mary Simon as the King’s representative in Canada
Ottawa police
Late probe of Ottawa sergeant’s alleged misconduct raises new questions
CBC reports allegations involving former La Cité students surfaced years before Robert “Bobby” Cleroux was suspended; he died in March without charges
Ottawa portrait heist
Supreme Court to hear appeal in Churchill portrait theft case
Jeffrey Wood is challenging a jail sentence of two years less a day after pleading guilty in the theft of The Roaring Lion from Ottawa’s Château Laurier
Ottawa sudden death
Boy dies after fall from downtown Ottawa building
Paramedics said the child, younger than eight, was found critically injured near Laurier Avenue E. Police are reviewing the circumstances
Digital health
Conservatives seek auditor general probe of PrescribeIT
The electronic prescribing program is set to end May 29 after low uptake, raising questions over spending, oversight and intellectual property
Official residences
Carney calls state of 24 Sussex ‘an embarrassment’ as decision looms
The prime minister says he will not live at the long-vacant official residence but wants future leaders to have a suitable home for hosting and security needs
Canada-U.S. trade
Carney says Canada should not rush into a U.S. tariff deal
The prime minister said Ottawa is ready to negotiate but will not pursue a quick, limited agreement if it leaves Canada worse off
Energy and Indigenous financing
Federal loan guarantee could back Alberta pipeline!
Energy Minister Tim Hodgson told MPs public money could support Indigenous equity ownership in a potential bitumen pipeline to the Pacific Coast
Diplomacy
Ottawa summons Israeli ambassador, seeks probe into Canadian’s killing in Lebanon
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says Canada requested a “full and transparent” investigation into the death of Mohammad Hassan Haidar; Israel has not claimed responsibility
Parliament
Ottawa tables Canadian Space Launch Act to enable homegrown rocket launches
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon says Bill C-28 would create a framework to authorize and regulate launches and re-entries from Canada as the country seeks a “sovereign way to space
CUSMA review
Carney names broad 24-member team to steer Canada–U.S. trade talks
Committee spans Conservatives, business and labour as Ottawa braces for a contentious CUSMA review; first meeting set for April 27 amid tariff tensions and warnings the deal could lapse