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As the threat of 25 per cent tariffs looms over Canada, Alberta’s premier says Ottawa should appoint a “border czar” to work collaboratively with the United States. Danielle Smith told reporters Wednesday that a Canadian border czar would work with American counterpart Tom Homan to crack down on fentanyl and illegal crossings — something U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly said is a major issue. 2:06 Trump’s border czar to focus on Canadian side, says it ‘can’t be a gateway to terrorists’ Smith said having a border czar, on top of a $1.3-billion border security plan pledged by Ottawa, would further help Canada’s chances to avoid the tar...

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are still aboard the International Space Station, after their days-long work trip turned into a months-long staycation of sorts. And while NASA has emphasized that the pair are not stranded, the President of the United States seems to think the opposite, suggesting he wants a quicker return for the crew, who are scheduled to return to Earth on March 20, and tapping his pal Elon Musk to get it done sooner.On Tuesday night, Donald Trump posted to his social media platform, Truth Social, announcing that he had asked Elon Musk’s SpaceX to return Williams and Wilmore.“I have just asked Elon Musk and Space X to ‘go get’ the two brave astronauts who have been virtually abandoned in space by the Biden Administration,” Trump posted. ...

Restricting Alberta energy exports to the U.S. is within Ottawa’s purview, experts say. But recent comments suggest that move may be unlikely, even if it’s not “off the table.”U.S. President Donald Trump does not appear to be backing off on imposing tariffs against Canada, set to be imposed as soon as Saturday. As the country contemplates how to respond, two federal ministers are signalling that a ban on Alberta energy exports may not be the best path to take.“I would say that anything that we do has to be done in a thoughtful way, it has to ensure regional equitability and it also has to ensure that you’re not provoking long-term unintended consequences,” Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said on Wednesday.“Any response needs to be done in a thoughtful way targeting...

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt made her debut in the briefing room on Tuesday, spending about 47 minutes answering questions from the White House press corps, promising to speak frequently with the news media and opening up the briefing room to social media influencers and podcasters. “President Trump is back, and the golden age of America has most definitely begun,” she said as Tuesday’s briefing kicked off.She took a combative tone with those covering the White House and President Donald Trump’s administration, echoing her boss’ longtime hostility toward many legacy media outlets and outlining what to expect with how the White House will handle media during Trump’s second term.Leavitt committed to “telling the truth from this podium every single day,” and said the White Hou...

U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on Canada could come within days and Ottawa is gearing up to meet the threat. With fears of an economic crisis if Trump’s measures hit this weekend, some are calling for a relief package for workers and businesses along the lines of Canada’s COVID-19 supports.Canada’s pandemic response plan included tens of billions of dollars in support of struggling businesses and workers who lost their jobs, through both direct cheques and benefits as well as industrial loans and tax deferrals.But authorizing new spending would require the approval of Parliament to push through such a package — and it is prorogued until March 24.What options does the federal government have?Trump’s threat of tariffs has raised fears of mass layoffs across sectors in Canada....

On the first day of a snap election campaign, Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Party launched a new commercial laying out how the campaign could blur the lines between political party and government. “When we know trouble is headed our way, we need a fighter — someone who protects us, our jobs and our family,” a party voiceover proclaims. “That’s Premier Doug Ford.”It’s part of a strategy from the Progressive Conservatives that will see Ford head to Washington, D.C., twice over the next month — trying to campaign as party leader while projecting the image of a working premier at the same time.While the party attempts to straddle the line, Ontario’s top civil servant has instructed Ford and cabinet ministers to avoid taking part in events that risk trampling on “conventions traditionally ...

Descrease article font size Increase article font size The Nova Scotia government says it’s making the “biggest increase” to the minimum wage in the province’s history this year. Labour minister Nolan Young made the declaration in a news release Wednesday, which revealed the rate will increase $1.30 in 2025 through two hikes on April 1 and Oct. 1.“Inflation continues to put pressure on families across the province. We need to do what we can to help,” Young said.“This year we will see the biggest increase in minimum wage ever made in our province. We’re supporting hard-working Nova Scotians while addressing the rising cost of living.” Get weekly money news Get expert insights, Q&A on markets, housing, inf...