‘Urgent’ safety recall leaves couple with dangerous Dodge truck for nearly 2 years

When the recall notice came in the mail, Michele Ashenden and her husband Vittorio Pulcini knew it was serious. The words “Urgent Vehicle Recall” in red letters were sprawled at the top, along with a warning that a defective fuel pump on their truck could lead to sudden loss of power and a crash. Ashenden … Read more

Hidden cameras capture bank employees misleading customers, pushing products that help sales targets

Michelle Jeraline says she’s so stressed out by the pressure to sell customers products at TD Bank, it’s affected her health.  The TD employee says she’s usually not acting in the best interest of her clients — she’s trying to sell them products that will help her meet sales targets and keep her from being … Read more

MPs to study controversial prison transfer of killer Luka Magnotta

A parliamentary committee voted Monday to look into why convicted first-degree murderer Luka Magnotta was quietly transferred from a maximum to a medium-security prison. The standing committee on public safety and national security passed an amended motion during an emergency debate to hold one meeting about Magnotta’s transfer. The committee is now calling for four witnesses to appear … Read more

Alaskapox death brings attention to small animal virus

For nine years, Alaska health officials have been aware of an unusual virus causing rare, relatively mild illnesses in the Fairbanks area. But a recent case in another part of the state — this one resulting in a man’s death — has brought new attention to the  Alaskapox virus. Here’s some background on the virus. What … Read more

With ‘superhuman’ artificial intelligence looming, Canada needs law now: AI pioneer

The federal government must move quickly to regulate artificial intelligence, said a top AI pioneer who warns the technology’s current trajectory poses major societal risks Yoshua Bengio, dubbed a “godfather” of AI, told members of Parliament Monday that Ottawa should put a law in place immediately, even if that legislation is not perfect. The scientific director … Read more

Foreign minister says Canada-Ukraine security assurance deal could be reached in weeks

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says Canada and Ukraine are in the final push when it comes to reaching an agreement on security “assurances” for the embattled country. Speaking from Ukraine in an interview airing Sunday on Rosemary Barton Live, Joly said the agreement would be a landmark moment for Ukraine; similar pacts are expected to be forged … Read more

Carbon capture tax credit could cost taxpayers $1B more than expected, PBO warns

A controversial tax credit meant to help jump-start carbon capture projects could cost $1 billion more than the federal government estimated, says the independent parliamentary budget watchdog. In several federal budgets, Finance Canada forecast that the carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) investment tax credit would cost $4.6 billion between 2022-28. The Parliamentary Budget Officer … Read more

Scientists work to stop self-cloning crayfish in Burlington, Ont., pond after 1st detection in Canada

An invasive species of crayfish that reproduces by cloning itself was discovered last summer in a Burlington, Ont., park — the first time the marbled crayfish has been identified in the wild in North America. Since then, a group of experts has been working to stop the species from spreading.  The crayfish are in City View park, on … Read more

Ukraine digs in as the West stumbles to keep up with Russian war production

“War,” said British philosopher, mathematician and pacifist Bertrand Russell, “does not determine who is right — only who is left.” Those words might be the perfect lens through which to view what probably lies ahead for Ukraine in the coming year as its troops dig in — and dig deep — along a front roughly 960 kilometres wide. … Read more

Foul-smelling ginkgo seeds wreak havoc after city plants female tree in error

When the borough of Saint-Léonard planted a ginkgo tree on Dino Delisi’s lawn, he liked the distinctive, fan-shaped leaves and its bright yellow colour in the fall. But his early admiration for the tree is long gone. About five years ago, he noticed what looked like gumball-sized fruit growing on the branches and each season, … Read more