OTTAWA — Finance Minister Bill Morneau will introduce the federal government’s latest budget on March 22 — his first amid the economic uncertainty of the Donald Trump era. Morneau made the announcement today during question period. The budget will land as Ottawa and corporate Canada scramble to assess the risksRead More

OTTAWA – Manitoba MP Niki Ashton is to announce her entry into the NDP leadership race this morning, bringing the number of candidates to four. Ashton also ran in the 2012 campaign to succeed the late Jack Layton. Three other MPs are also seeking to lead the NDP: B.C.’s PeterRead More

TORONTO — Ontario is establishing a $4.9-million support program for small distillers and cideries. The program will give eligible distillers up to $4.42 per litre of sales made to the LCBO, to establishments with liquor licences, and at on-site retail stores. Cideries will get up to 74 cents per litreRead More

TORONTO — Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives are calling for a moratorium on school closures in the province and a review of the guidelines that determine them. PC Leader Patrick Brown says the Liberal government is trying to find savings on the backs of students by putting schools on the chopping block.Read More

THORNHILL, Ont. — A senior aide to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will carry the Liberal banner in a federal byelection next month. The Liberal party says Mary Ng beat out two challengers Saturday in a nomination battle in the Toronto-area riding of Markham-Thornhill. Ng worked in the Prime Minister’s OfficeRead More

  Toronto: Mayor John Tory denied a news report published Saturday that claimed he is involved in discussions to possibly sell Toronto Hydro to Hydro One for a mix of cash and stock in the newly privatized company. Reuters reported Saturday that Hydro One was in talks to buy theRead More

TORONTO — Elementary teachers in Ontario have ratified a contract extension that gives them raises, caps kindergarten class sizes and gives the government labour peace. Teachers’ and education workers’ contracts were set to expire this August, but the Liberal government negotiated two-year extensions with them, which takes the deals toRead More

HALIFAX — There is growing anger over the acquittal of a Halifax taxi driver charged with sexually assaulting a young woman in his cab, with calls for the judge behind the decision to be removed from the bench. Two marches have been scheduled for next week to press for aRead More

VANCOUVER — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will meet with first responders and health-care workers in Vancouver today to discuss the illicit drug overdose crisis that has claimed 922 lives in British Columbia last year. Following a tour of Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt near Victoria on Thursday, Trudeau said his governmentRead More

FREDERICTON — New Brunswick’s Commission on Electoral Reform is recommending lowering the voting age to 16 and moving to a system of preferential ballots in the province. The commission released its final report today in Fredericton following four months of gathering input. Other recommendations include giving permanent residents who areRead More