News — Fine Times Canada
- PoliticsOttawa unveils federal cooling credit to help low-income Canadians cope with extreme heat
The new program will provide targeted rebates for air conditioning and cooling measures, prioritizing renters and seniors in older buildings.
- EntertainmentStratford Festival Names New Artistic Director as Antoni Cimolino Steps Down After Decade
The Ontario theatre institution announces its most significant leadership change in years, with transition planned for end of 2026 season.
- SportsCanada's women's rugby sevens team captures historic first World Cup title
Breanne Nicholas and her squad defeated New Zealand 19-14 in Madrid to claim the nation's first senior world title in rugby sevens.
- WorldB.C. launches $350 monthly rent benefit for 40,000 post-secondary students
The new provincial program will provide up to $350 per month starting in September, making B.C. the first province to offer dedicated student rent assistance.
- CanadaOttawa to introduce new tax credit for renters in fall economic update
The proposed measure targets low- and middle-income tenants as national vacancy rates hover near historic lows and asking rents continue climbing in major cities.
- CanadaOttawa bans TikTok and WeChat on federal devices over security concerns
Treasury Board President Anita Anand says cybersecurity agencies flagged unacceptable data collection practices on both China-linked platforms.
- HealthHealth Canada approves first CRISPR gene therapy for sickle cell disease
Casgevy offers hope for patients 12 and older with severe sickle cell disease who lack suitable stem-cell donors. Access will be limited to specialized transplant centres as provinces weigh coverage decisions.
- TechOttawa unveils national AI safety and innovation strategy for 2026
The federal government's new plan aims to balance AI development with safety measures while strengthening Canada's tech hubs in Toronto, Montreal, and Edmonton.
- BusinessOttawa Orders Review of RBC-HSBC Canada Merger After Customer Complaints
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada will examine how RBC is handling former HSBC Canada accounts amid reports of unexpected closures and fee changes.
- NewsAir Canada hit with record $97-million fine over passenger rights violations
The Canadian Transportation Agency imposed the penalty for allegedly misclassifying flight disruptions to avoid paying compensation to travellers.
- ScienceHealth Canada links wildfire smoke to hundreds of excess deaths in 2023 fire season
New federal analysis reveals smoke from last year's record-breaking fire season caused significant health impacts across Ontario, Quebec and the Prairies.
- PoliticsOttawa and Nunavut sign major housing and infrastructure funding agreement
The bilateral agreement commits hundreds of millions over several years to address severe housing shortages affecting more than half of territory households.
- EntertainmentToronto film crews face layoffs as Hollywood studios halt Canadian shoots during U.S. union strike
Canadian workers who aren't on strike themselves are losing work as American productions shut down when U.S. crew members refuse to cross picket lines.
- SportsChristopher Morales Williams officially holds 400m world record after World Athletics ratification
The Toronto sprinter's 44.29-second performance from March 2024 is now officially recognized after more than a year of technical review.
- NewsOttawa launches national wildfire smoke strategy as health impacts mount across Canada
The federal government unveiled a comprehensive plan to address growing health and economic impacts from wildfire smoke following a record start to the 2026 fire season.
- WorldCanada Bans Live Horse Exports for Slaughter as Senate Passes Bill C-355
The landmark legislation ends the controversial practice of shipping horses abroad for meat production, fulfilling a 2021 mandate letter commitment.
- CanadaOttawa proposes explicit consent requirement for Interac e-Transfers and wire transfers
New federal regulations would require banks to get customer approval before enabling electronic fund transfer capabilities. The rules aim to strengthen consumer control over digital banking features.
- HealthCanada confirms first human H5N2 avian flu case following Ontario death
The Public Health Agency of Canada announced the country's first confirmed human case of H5N2 bird flu in an adult who died in Ontario this spring.
- TechRogers wireless outage leaves customers stranded across Canada as CRTC review calls mount
A core network configuration error knocked out mobile service for hours on June 25, affecting emergency services and renewing pressure for telecom reliability standards.
- BusinessRogers to cut 3,000 jobs and spin off wireless towers in major restructuring
The telecom giant plans to eliminate 10% of its workforce over 18 months while creating a separate infrastructure entity to reduce its $34-billion debt load.
- BusinessBank of Canada holds interest rate at 5% but signals cuts ahead as inflation cools
Central bank maintains two-decade high on benchmark rate while forecasting slower growth and potential easing if price pressures continue to subside.
- PoliticsOttawa unveils Canadian Mental Health Act with federal standards and billions in new funding
The proposed legislation would set national wait time standards and expand virtual care access through bilateral agreements with provinces and territories.
- HealthWildfire smoke blankets Ontario and Quebec as health advisories urge caution
Environment Canada issues air quality warnings across multiple provinces as AQHI readings hit high-risk levels in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.
- CanadaOttawa to repeal single-use plastics ban after Federal Court ruling
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says the government will craft narrower regulations after court found the 2022 toxic designation too broad.
- SportsAtlantic Schooners Processing Season Ticket Deposit Refunds as CFL Return Stalls
The Halifax-based organization confirms it is handling refund requests from Nova Scotia fans after the team's planned CFL comeback hit delays.
- NewsBank of Canada cuts interest rate for second straight month as inflation eases
The central bank lowered its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to help struggling households, while the loonie weakened against the U.S. dollar.
- EntertainmentCBC halts AI voice experiments after synthetic newsreader draws swift backlash
The public broadcaster paused its three-day trial of artificial intelligence-generated news voices after listeners and staff raised concerns about transparency and job impacts.
- ScienceCanada to introduce right-to-repair rules for appliances and electronics by 2027
Ottawa's new framework will require manufacturers to provide parts, tools and repair information for household items like fridges, phones and laptops.
- BusinessCompetition Bureau ordered to investigate grocery chains' supplier fees and contracts
Federal government directs formal inquiry into practices that smaller food producers say drive up consumer prices.
- HealthHeat warnings issued across Ontario, Quebec and Prairies as dangerous June heat wave approaches
Environment and Climate Change Canada warns humidex values could reach the mid-40s C as cities activate cooling centres and heat response plans.
- TechFINTRAC Cancels 47 Crypto Firm Registrations in Major Anti-Money Laundering Sweep
Federal financial intelligence unit targets virtual currency businesses allegedly failing compliance obligations under terrorism financing laws.
- WorldCanada to Impose Carbon Border Tariff on Steel, Aluminum and Cement Imports by 2027
Federal government plans carbon pricing on high-emissions imports to protect domestic industry and prevent carbon leakage to countries with weaker climate policies.
- PoliticsOttawa Approves Rogers-Shaw Merger with Western Canada Competition Conditions
The federal government has given conditional approval to the $26-billion telecommunications deal, imposing new wireless competition protections for Alberta and British Columbia consumers.
- LifestyleWildfire smoke blankets Ontario and Quebec as health warnings issued across Canada
Environment Canada issued air quality alerts from Toronto to Winnipeg as smoke from western fires pushed fine particulate matter to dangerous levels.
- CanadaNeebing man wins $2.49 million in Thunder Bay 50/50 draw
The Northwestern Ontario resident claimed the massive prize in what marks one of the region's largest community lottery payouts.
- SportsCanadian women's 4x100m relay stuns Jamaica and U.S. for Oslo Diamond League gold
The quartet clocked a season-best time in the 42-second range to edge Jamaica by less than a tenth of a second at the prestigious meet.
- NewsEnvironment Canada issues severe thunderstorm warnings for Ontario and Quebec
Strong winds, hail and heavy rain threaten travel and outdoor events as weather system moves east across central Canada.
- BusinessBank of Canada cuts key interest rate to 4.50%, first reduction since 2020
The central bank lowered its benchmark rate by 25 basis points, citing cooling inflation and softening economic conditions. Major lenders are reviewing their prime rates in response.
- EntertainmentCanadian songwriters launch class-action lawsuit against AI music companies over copyright infringement
The Federal Court case seeks damages and injunctions against AI firms that allegedly trained models on millions of Canadian-owned tracks without permission.