National News

1. Government of Canada signs bilateral agreement with Ontario for Drugs for Rare Diseases

   Today, the Honourable Mark Holland, Canada’s Minister of Health, and the Honourable Sylvia Jones, Ontario’s Minister of Health, announced a bilateral agreement investing over $535 million to improve access to selected new drugs for rare diseases, and to support enhanced access to existing drugs, early diagnosis, and screening.

2. Drugs for Rare Diseases – Ontario Agreement

   Today, the Governments of Canada and the province of Ontario signed the National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Disease (DRD) agreement to invest over $535 million over three years to improve access to new drugs for rare diseases for Ontario residents and to support enhanced access to existing drugs, early diagnosis, and screening for rare diseases.

3. The CBSA reaffirms its commitment to efficiency, security and prosperity on International Customs Day

   The CBSA reaffirms its commitment to efficiency, security and prosperity on International Customs Day

4. Seizures of contraband and unauthorized items at Warkworth Institution

   Between January 12 and 20, 2025, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, packages containing contraband and unauthorized items were seized at Warkworth Institution, a medium security federal institution.

5. Government of Canada releases draft legislation to extend 2024 charitable donations deadline

   Today, the Department of Finance released draft legislation (and related explanatory notes) to amend the Income Tax Act to extend the deadline for making donations eligible for tax support in the 2024 tax year to February 28, 2025.

6. Minister Joly speaks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio

   The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke yesterday with Marco Rubio, the United States’ new Secretary of State. The Minister congratulated Secretary Rubio on his appointment to the position and expressed that she is looking forward to working closely with him on priorities shared by the United States and Canada.

7. Free Toolkit to Support Mental Health in the Workplace

   The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has released a free Workplace Mental Health Toolkit to help Canadian organizations create a supportive environment for mental health at work.

8. Canada Invests in Climate Change Adaptation to Keep Communities Safe in Southern Ontario and Across Canada

   On January 23, 2025, Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, along with Member of Parliament Bardish Chagger, announced over $4.5 million in funding for nine projects in southern Ontario or with national reach under Natural Resources Canada’s Climate Change Adaptation Program (CCAP).

9. Canada Invests in Climate Change Adaptation to Keep Communities Safe in Southern Ontario and Across Canada

   Today, Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, along with Member of Parliament Bardish Chagger, announced over $4.5 million in funding for nine projects in southern Ontario or with a national reach under Natural Resources Canada’s Climate Change Adaptation Program (CCAP). These projects aim to enhance knowledge and skills among professionals, businesses and communities in southern Ontario and across Canada to adapt to a changing climate, through the development and delivery of tools, resources and training.

10. Eight students awarded the Price McIntosh Bursary from Library and Archives Canada

    Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is proud to announce the 2024–25 recipients of the Price McIntosh Bursary.

11. 2025 AgriInsurance program announced at Manitoba Ag Days

    The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Manitoba Agriculture Minister, Ron Kostyshyn announced details of the 2025 AgriInsurance program, administered by Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

12. Recapture of inmate from Saskatchewan Penitentiary

    On January 21, 2025, inmate Glen Halkett was apprehended by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

13. Death of an inmate from Stony Mountain Institution

    On January 21, 2025, Michael McKay, an inmate from Stony Mountain Institution, died while in our custody.

14. The Indigenous Advisory Circle (IAC) for Banff National Park completes Ceremonial Bison Harvest for 2024

    The Indigenous Advisory Circle (IAC) for Banff National Park completes Ceremonial Bison Harvest for 2024

15. Southern Interior communities receive over $2 million to create memorable outdoor and cultural experiences

    The Government of Canada is making investments in tourism across British Columbia to attract visitors and drive local economic growth.

16. Government of Canada supports women-led organizations in southern Ontario

    Women entrepreneurs in Canada are strong contributors to the economy, and yet they often face unique challenges when starting and growing their businesses. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring opportunities for all Canadians, and helping women business owners succeed to strengthen the economy and create good jobs.

17. Government of Canada supports women-led organizations in southern Ontario

    Today, the Honourable Ruby Sahota, Minister of Democratic Institutions and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), along with the Honourable Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament for Ottawa–Vanier, announced a combined investment of nearly $4.2 million to support five women-led organizations to scale-up, modernize their ventures, and grow.

18. Message from Minister Lawrence MacAulay on Bell Let's Talk Day 2025

    Today, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, issued the following statement to mark Bell Let’s Talk Day:

19. Government of Canada announces additional agreements with municipalities on homelessness

    Despite attempts to work out a deal that would see the federal and provincial governments work collaboratively to support the most vulnerable people in our communities, Ontario and Saskatchewan were not able to agree in time to deliver funding before the winter. As a result, the federal government worked directly with key cities in these provinces.

20. Announcement of new diplomatic appointment

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the following diplomatic appointment: Robin Wettlaufer becomes Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. Ms. Wettlaufer replaces Michael Callan.

21. Government of Canada to Announce Funding to Support Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation

    YELLOWKNIFE — Michael V. McLeod, Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, on behalf of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, will make a funding announcement to support wildfire prevention and mitigation in the Northwest Territories. A media availability will follow.

22. Biographical note

    Robin Wettlaufer (BA [International Relations], University of British Columbia, 1998; MA [Political Science], York University, 2000) joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 1998. At Headquarters, she has worked as desk officer for Iraq and as conflict prevention adviser for the G8 foreign ministers’ process, and she has also served in Regional Security and Peacekeeping and in the Japan Division. She was senior adviser to the Darfur peace process, from 2010 to 2011, and deputy director for the Sudan and South Sudan Task Force from 2011 to 2013. Overseas, she served in Ramallah from 2005 to 2008; in Islamabad from 2008 to 2010; in Istanbul, as Canada’s special representative for Syria, from 2014 to 2019; and again in Ramallah, as representative to the Palestinian Authority, from 2019 to 2022. Most recently, she was director of the Centre for International Digital Policy and the Rapid Response Mechanism (2022 to 2024).

23. Ombud calls for fair treatment of Canadian Language and Cultural Advisors who served in Afghanistan

    The Department of National Defence (DND) and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Ombud has released a report titled "Standing together: Ensuring fair treatment for Canadian Language and Cultural Advisors who served in Afghanistan", a final call for the fair treatment of those who served alongside CAF members in Afghanistan.

24. Media Advisory: Homelessness Funding Announcement

    Members of the media are invited to an announcement on the Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampments Initiative (UHEI) with Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.

25. Improving health outcomes for communities in Saint John, New Brunswick

    Today, MP Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John-Rothesay, on behalf of the Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced more than $900,000 to Sophia Recovery Centre for their project aimed at expanding and strengthening the peer substance use health workforce through co-designed mentorship and wellness training for women.

26. CBSA officers make a major cannabis seizure at the Montreal Marine and Rail Service

    CBSA officers make a major cannabis seizure at the Montreal Marine and Rail Service

27. The Children Have to Hear Another Story: An Alanis Obomsawin retrospective on view this spring at MoMA PS1, New York

    As Alanis Obomsawin’s creative home for nearly 60 years, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) is proud to highlight the presentation of the exhibition The Children Have to Hear Another Story at MoMA PS1 in New York, after presentations in Berlin, Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.

28. Government of Canada leverages new technologies to improve HR and pay operations and support employees

    The Government of Canada is committed to supporting employees and resolving outstanding pay issues for federal public servants while working to improve their overall human resources (HR) and pay experience. It is unacceptable that some employees continue to face pay issues and it is our top priority to resolve them.

29. Government of Canada to announce funding under the Substance Use and Addictions Program in Saint John, New Brunswick

    Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John-Rothesay, on behalf of the Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, will announce funding under the Substance Use and Addictions Program.

30. Government of Canada Supports Greater Sudbury’s Tourism with Expansion of Kivi Park’s Trail Network

    Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministers of Energy and Natural Resources and Official Languages, today announced a FedNor investment of $256,500 to help the Kivi Park Community Foundation improve and expand its mountain bike trail network. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor.

31. Lockdown and search at Dorchester Penitentiary – Medium security unit

    On January 17, 2025, a lockdown was put in place in the medium security unit at Dorchester Penitentiary to allow staff to conduct a search of the institution following an inmate assault.

32. The Government of Canada announces the theme for Black History Month 2025

    Minister Khera unveils theme for this year’s Black History Month

33. Government of Canada investment to support women-led organizations in southern Ontario

    The Honourable Ruby Sahota, Minister of Democratic Institutions and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, will make an important announcement to support women-led organizations in southern Ontario.

34. Statement by Minister Khera on Lincoln Alexander Day

    Government of Canada marks Lincoln Alexander Day.

35. Regional Assessment in the Ring of Fire Area - Milestone Reached: Regional Assessment in the Ring of Fire Area in northern Ontario Moves to Next Phase

    Fifteen First Nation partners and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada have finalized the terms of reference for the conduct of the Regional Assessment in the Ring of Fire Area (traditionally referred to by local First Nations as Kawana ‘bi ‘kag), in northern Ontario. The terms set out how the co-led regional assessment will provide information on the impacts of any potential future development and reflects a joint commitment of all the parties to work cooperatively throughout the process. As such, it is an important milestone in the area's sustainable development and for Indigenous reconciliation in general.

36. NFB animator and film producer Robert Verrall dies at age 97

    The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) is mourning the passing of veteran animator, director and film producer Robert Verrall, who died in Montreal on January 17, at the age of 97.

37. US premiere of Nova Ami and Velcrow Ripper’s Incandescence at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. As wildfires ravage the planet, a new National Film Board of Canada documentary offers extraordinary stories of survival and adaptation.

    An immersive cinematic experience that transforms our understanding of wildfire, Nova Ami and Velcrow Ripper’s National Film Board of Canada (NFB) feature documentary Incandescence will have its US premiere at the 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival, which takes place February 4 to 15, 2025.

38. Statement from the Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health on Nicotine Vaping in Canada as part of National Non-Smoking Week

    Although significant progress has been made in the past several decades in reducing smoking rates in Canada, the Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health (CCMOH) want to highlight that smoking continues to pose a significant risk to the health of Canadians.

39. Developing space technology to safeguard Canadian data against cyberattacks

    In the era of online banking, smart phones, and cloud networks that store large amounts of personal information, reliable data encryption is essential. To advance the development of technology that could guarantee the privacy of Canada's public, private, and commercial data, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has awarded a $1.4 million contribution to QEYnet (Maple, Ontario) for the demonstration of their quantum key distribution technology in space.

40. Statement from the Minister of Mental Health & Addictions and Associate Minister of Health on National Non-Smoking Week

    Today marks the beginning of National Non-Smoking Week begins, a time to raise awareness about the heath risks of smoking and the importance of supporting those on their journey to a smoke-free life. Tobacco use continues to be one of the leading preventable causes of premature death in Canada, claiming approximately 46,000 lives a year.

41. Investing in Outaouais and Laurentides regional economy

    Government of Canada invests over $7.3M in projects that will contribute to local business growth.

42. Backgrounder: Government of Canada invests in eight Outaouais and Laurentides businesses and organizations to support regional economic growth

    The following information is in addition to the news release issued on January 20, 2025, on CED’s financial assistance, the recipient businesses and organizations, and their respective projects.

43. Canada Invests in Climate Change Adaptation Around Ontario’s Great Lakes 

    Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson and Parliamentary Secretary Julie Dabrusin announced $4.1 million in funding for two projects based around Ontario’s Great Lakes under Natural Resources Canada’s Climate-Resilient Coastal Communities (CRCC) Program.

44. Canada Invests in Climate Change Adaptation to Keep Communities Safe Around Ontario’s Great Lakes

    On January 20, 2024, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, and Parliamentary Secretary Julie Dabrusin, announced $4.1 million in funding for two projects based around Ontario's Great Lakes under Natural Resources Canada’s Climate-Resilient Coastal Communities (CRCC) Program.

45. Government of Canada to provide a third progress update on new human resources and pay solution

    Government of Canada to provide a third progress update on new human resources and pay solution

46. Opening remarks by the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, at the “Canada and the U.S.: Partnering for Prosperity in Energy and Beyond” panel discussion

    Opening remarks by the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, at the “Canada and the U.S.: Partnering for Prosperity in Energy and Beyond” panel discussion

47. Canada Invests in Climate Change Adaptation to Keep Communities Safe in Atlantic Canada

    Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, along with the Honourable Dominic Leblanc, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, the Honourable Joanne Thompson and the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, announced over $8.8 million in funding for nine projects in Atlantic Canada under Natural Resources Canada’s Climate Change Adaptation Program (CCAP) and Climate-Resilient Coastal Communities (CRCC) Program.

48. Canada Invests in Climate Change Adaptation to Keep Communities Safe in Atlantic Canada

    On January 17, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, along with the Honourable Dominic Leblanc, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, the Honourable Joanne Thompson and the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, announced over $8.8 million in funding for nine projects in Atlantic Canada under Natural Resources Canada’s Climate Change Adaptation Program (CCAP) and Climate-Resilient Coastal Communities (CRCC) Program.

49. Government of Canada honours Indigenous veterans with new monument at Place George-V

    The Government of Canada is investing in its historic sites to ensure they are preserved and last for future generations.

50. Penalties doubled compared to last year for non-compliant employers using the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

    The Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program plays an important part in supporting Canada’s economy, by allowing employers to hire foreign workers temporarily when they cannot find qualified Canadians to fill jobs. Although most follow the rules, there are employers in Canada who misuse or abuse the TFW Program. Not only does this misuse impact the health and safety of temporary foreign workers, but it also hurts Canada’s economy and sets Canadian workers back.