Bell CEO, other execs called to committee to answer questions about job cuts

Members of Parliament have invited several top executives from BCE Inc. and Bell Canada to testify later this month about the company’s decision to cut about nine per cent of its workforce this year. The House of Commons heritage committee agreed to invite BCE Inc. CEO Mirko Bibic to address the cuts, which will have impacts … Read more

With American aid to Ukraine stuck in limbo, defence minister says others must step up

Defence Minister Bill Blair says NATO countries like Canada must ramp up their aid to Ukraine as support from the United States languishes in a legislative quagmire. In an interview that aired Sunday on Rosemary Barton Live, Blair expressed optimism that the U.S. would eventually pass a significant aid bill to provide billions of dollars worth … Read more

White House confirms reports of Russia’s ‘troubling’ anti-satellite weapon capability

The White House publicly confirmed on Thursday that Russia has obtained a “troubling” emerging anti-satellite weapon but said it cannot directly cause “physical destruction” on Earth. White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said U.S. intelligence officials have information that Russia has obtained the capability, but that such a weapon is not currently operational. … Read more

PM won’t say whether MP who attacked government’s Gaza policy will stay in current role

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau skirted the question Thursday when he was asked whether one of his key MPs should stay in his parliamentary secretary role after railing against the government’s approach to the conflict in the Gaza Strip. Rob Oliphant, parliamentary secretary to Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, was recorded in a Zoom call with a … Read more

Justice minister says door is open to tougher penalties for auto theft

Canada’s justice minister says he’s looking at options for increasing the penalties for car theft, after the federal government convened a national summit on the issue. In an interview that aired Sunday on Rosemary Barton Live, Virani said solving the problem of rising car thefts was a priority for the government. “One of the principal aspects of the … Read more

Liberals’ proposed AI law too vague, costly, Big Tech executives tell MPs

Representatives from Big Tech companies say a Liberal government bill that would begin regulating some artificial intelligence systems is too vague. Amazon and Microsoft executives told MPs at a House of Commons industry committee meeting Wednesday that Bill C-27 doesn’t differentiate enough between high- and low-risk AI systems. The companies said abiding by the law … Read more

Canadian officials still haven’t seen intelligence linking UN’s Gaza aid agency with Hamas: sources

The government of Canada did not see any evidence backing up Israel’s claim that staff employed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) colluded with Hamas before suspending funding to the agency, CBC News has learned. Government sources tell CBC that Israel still has not shared evidence with Canada to substantiate its claim that 12 employees of … 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

Poilievre calls UNRWA ‘terrorist’ organization, after Canada pauses funding following allegations

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has accused UNRWA, the United Nations relief and works agency, of being a “terrorist” organization and promised to cut back its funding if he becomes prime minister. Israel last week alleged that some members of UNRWA’s staff took part in the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas-led militants on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 Israelis. Palestinian … Read more