National News

1. Canada and Ontario invest in improved community, cultural and recreational facilities in First Nation communities in Ontario 

   Canadians everywhere are feeling the impact of COVID-19, on their families, their livelihoods and their way of life. Together, the governments of Canada and Ontario are working to reduce the impact of the pandemic, ensure health and safety, rebuild businesses, and promote job creation, growth and investment.

2. Backgrounder: Canada and Ontario invest in improved community, cultural and recreational facilities in First Nation communities in Ontario

   Joint federal, provincial, and recipient funding through the Investing in Canada plan will support recreational, cultural, and community infrastructure projects in five First Nation communities across Ontario.

3. Government of Canada announces funding for project to support victims of human trafficking

   Human trafficking is a heinous crime that disproportionately affects women and girls, as well as vulnerable and marginalized individuals.

4. Minister Bibeau and Minister Lamontagne to announce investments to support Quebec cattle, hog and big game producers

   The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Mr. André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ), will jointly announce investments to support cattle, hog and big game producers in Quebec who are facing exceptional costs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual event will be held with the participation of La Financière agricole du Québec.

5. Government of Canada announcement to support business development and growth in the Sudbury East and West Nipissing regions

   Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt, joined by Paul Lefebvre, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, will participate in a virtual FedNor announcement on Thursday, April 15, 2021, in support of community economic development and small business growth in the Sudbury East and West Nipissing regions. The announcement will be made on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for FedNor.

6. Government of Canada continues to strengthen measures to protect Southern Resident killer whales

   The Southern Resident killer whale is an icon of Canada’s pacific coast and this endangered species has an important cultural significance for Indigenous peoples and coastal communities in British Columbia (B.C.). The Government of Canada has taken strong, consistent action to protect and restore its population and will continue to do so.

7. The Sunset Community expands facility and employment services

   Additional space will enable Pugwash social enterprise to create more vocational opportunities for adults with disabilities

8. Government of Canada to announce update on Laboratories Canada

   The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, accompanied by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (Science), William Amos, will announce investments to support new laboratory space for the National Research Council and Natural Resources Canada’s centres of expertise for advanced materials in Mississauga and Hamilton.

9. Alternating lane reduction on Chaudiere Crossing

   Public Services and Procurement Canada wishes to advise motorists that the alternating lane reduction on the Chaudiere Crossing scheduled to end on April 20, has ended earlier than anticipated. The bridge is now fully open to motorists and cyclists.

10. Government of Canada to invest in green and inclusive community buildings

    As the Government of Canada continues to protect and support Canadians through the COVID-19 pandemic, it is also looking to meet ambitious climate objectives, support economic growth and job creation, and build more inclusive and resilient communities where all Canadians have opportunities to thrive.

11. Government of Canada invests in regional projects across NWT

    The Northwest Territories has many diverse regions that require tailored support to help their local businesses, organizations and communities thrive. The Government of Canada is making targeted investments in economic infrastructure, sector development, capacity building, business expansion and food security for Northerners. These investments are supporting good local jobs in northern communities, access to economical, reliable and safe food supplies, and opportunities to build prosperity and self-reliance.

12. CanNor investments support regional economies across NWT

    The Government of Canada, through the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), is stepping up to support regional businesses, Indigenous organizations, and communities in the Northwest Territories.

13. Minister Tassi to announce high-speed Internet investment in rural Ontario

    The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Labour and Member of Parliament for Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, will announce a federal investment to improve high-speed Internet access in rural Ontario. A media availability will follow.

14. Government of Canada investment supporting Indigenous economic development in Nunavut 

    As we enter into over a year since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses, communities, and organizations throughout Nunavut and across the territories are continuing to feel the impacts on the economy. That’s why the Government of Canada continues to be there to not only support Northern businesses through their challenges, but to also continue to support their recovery by making strategic investments in the foundations and structures already in place to keep the Northern economy going.

15. CanNor investing in Nunavut’s Indigenous economic development

    The Government of Canada is stepping up to help businesses in Nunavut, while creating and maintaining jobs, enhancing Indigenous business development and maximizing opportunities throughout the region.

16. Government of Canada Invests nearly $16 Million to Expand Virtual Health Care Services in Alberta

    Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health, announced the signature of a bilateral agreement with Alberta to support efforts to expand virtual health care services for its residents. Under the agreement, the province will invest federal funding based on agreed-upon pan-Canadian priorities for accelerating virtual health care services during the pandemic.

17. Health Canada provides update on safety review of AstraZeneca and COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccines

    Health Canada is updating Canadians and healthcare professionals about its ongoing safety review of very rare events of blood clots associated with low levels of blood platelets following immunization with the AstraZeneca and COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccines.

18. Statement by Minister Chagger on International Day of Pink

    Canadians are encouraged to stand in solidarity with LGBTQ2 communities on International Day of Pink

19. $45-million investment to provide high-speed Internet access to over 8,000 households in the Chaudière-Appalaches region by September 2022

    Thanks to a $45-million joint investment made as part of Canada–Quebec Operation High Speed, over 8,000 households in the Chaudière-Appalaches region will have access to Sogetel and TELUS high-speed Internet services by September 2022. The announcement was made today by Joël Lightbound, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Member of Parliament for Louis-Hébert; Marie-Eve Proulx, Minister for Regional Economic Development, Minister Responsible for the Chaudière-Appalaches Region, Minister Responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent Region and Member of the National Assembly for Côte-du-Sud; Stéphanie Lachance, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Families and Member of the National Assembly for Bellechasse; Isabelle Lecours, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Public Security and Member of the National Assembly for Lotbinière-Frontenac; François Jacques, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (municipal affairs) and Member of the National Assembly for Mégantic; Luc Provençal, Member of the National Assembly for Beauce-Nord; Richard Biron, Vice-President, Corporate Development, Sogetel; and Marie-Christine D’Amours, Vice-President, Consumer Solutions and Customer Experience in Quebec, TELUS.

20. Media Registration for the National Commemorative Ceremony in Honour of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh

    Media are required to register for the National Commemorative Ceremony for His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh

21. Government of Canada investing an additional $150 million in better ventilation for schools, hospitals, and other public buildings

    Today, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, announced $150 million for better ventilation in public buildings to help reduce the risk of aerosol transmission of COVID-19.

22. Backgrounder: Government of Canada investing an additional $150 million in better ventilation for schools, hospitals, and other public buildings

    To address the challenges faced by communities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada is investing an additional $150 million to help reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission by funding projects to assess, monitor, and improve indoor air quality and ventilation, including upgrades or conversions of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, as well as community-based solutions in First Nations.

23. Statement by Minister Chagger for Puthandu, Tamil New Year

    Today, Tamil communities in Canada and around the world celebrate Puthandu, the Tamil New Year

24. Government of Canada officials to hold a technical briefing on AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines

    Government of Canada officials to hold a technical briefing on AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines on April 14, 2021.

25. Canada and Ontario invest in school infrastructure to respond to the impacts  of COVID-19

    The governments of Canada and Ontario announced $656.5 million in funding to provide critical infrastructure upgrades to protect students and staff from COVID-19 in the province’s schools.

26. Backgrounder: Canada and Ontario invest in school infrastructure to respond to the impacts of COVID-19

    Joint federal and provincial funding through the Investing in Canada Plan will support over 9,800 projects at almost 3,900 schools and co-located childcare facilities across 74 school boards throughout Ontario.

27. Government of Canada supports first of its kind safer supply project in Toronto

    Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health, and John Tory, Mayor of Toronto, announced more than $7.7 million for three projects to increase access to safer supply and provide a new harm reduction and treatment option for people living with opioid use disorder in Toronto.

28. Backgrounder: Support for increased access to safer supply in Toronto

    The Government of Canada continues to support communities across Canada as they respond to the overdose crisis during the pandemic and beyond. This includes supporting expanded access to safer supply projects to offer a pharmaceutical alternative to the toxic illegal drug supply. As part of these efforts, the Government of Canada is providing $7,741,951 million in funding for three safer supply projects to help people with opioid use disorder in Toronto, Ontario.

29. The Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador invest in roads and public infrastructure in Western Newfoundland

    The health and well-being of Canadians are the top priorities for the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Communities across Canada are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, and need immediate assistance to ensure their public infrastructure is safe and reliable.

30. Backgrounder: Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador invest in Corner Brook Region public infrastructure

    Joint funding through the Investing in Canada infrastructure program will support eight public and road infrastructure projects in Corner Brook and neighboring municipalities.

31. Media advisory - Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador

    Members of the media are invited to an important virtual announcement regarding important infrastructure upgrades with Gudie Hutchings, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development and Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development and the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; and the Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

32. Death of an inmate from Pacific Institution 

    On April 13, 2021, Brodie Patrick Bingley, an inmate from Pacific Institution died while in our custody.

33. Media advisory - Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, Ontario

    Members of the media are invited to an important infrastructure funding announcement with the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Canada’s Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure; the Honourable Jill Dunlop, Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues and Member of Provincial Parliament for Simcoe North; and Wanda Smith, Executive Director of the Native Horizons Treatment Centre.

34. Remarks by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance: Government protects Canadian air travellers, jobs and airline sector

    Today, I am announcing that the Government of Canada will step in to support Air Canada, its nearly 15,000 active employees, and its customers. This support will be in the form of loans that Air Canada will repay to the federal government; and equity, which will give the Canadian government a stake in the company.

35. Minister Garneau speaks with Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

    Today, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today spoke with Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, National Security, Legal Affairs and Information of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

36. Media Advisory - Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador

    Members of the media are invited to an important announcement regarding public and road infrastructure with Gudie Hutchings, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development and Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development; the Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology.

37. Canada issues advisory on doing business with Myanmar-related entities

    The Government of Canada today issued an advisory for Canadian companies doing business with Myanmar-related entities.

38. Alexandra Bridge closed to vehicular traffic: Extension

    Public Services and Procurement Canada wishes to advise motorists that the Alexandra Bridge will remain closed to vehicular traffic for an extended period, so the work related to the structural steel replacement on the bridge can continue.

39. Statement by Minister Chagger for Vaisakhi

    Sikh communities in Canada and abroad celebrate Vaisakhi today

40. Compensation Programs for Chicken, Turkey and Egg Producers

    The Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program and Market Development Program for Turkey and Chicken are delivering on the Government of Canada’s commitment to provide full and fair compensation to supply-managed sectors for market access concessions made under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

41. Close to $29M to provide high-speed Internet access to 2,632 households in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region by September 2022

    Thanks to a joint investment of $28.9M made as part of Canada–Quebec Operation High Speed, 2,632 households in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region will have access to Bell high-speed Internet services by September 2022.

42. Supporting equity in access to learning opportunities for young Canadians

    The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the everyday lives of Canadians, particularly young people who are facing unprecedented challenges, with fewer jobs, disruptions in their studies and overall uncertainty of the future.

43. The Government of Canada and the City of Toronto to announce funding for safer supply projects in Toronto

    The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health, will join John Tory, Mayor, City of Toronto and Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, to announce funding for projects that support people living with opioid use disorder in Toronto.

44. Minister Bibeau announces new programs that deliver full and fair compensation for chicken, turkey and egg farmers

    Today, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced details of two new programs designed to help drive innovation and market development for Canada’s 4,800 chicken, turkey and egg farmers

45. Minister LeBlanc and Principle 3 co-leads issue Multi-Stakeholder Insights: A Compendium on Countering Election Interference

    Citizens of all democracies, including Canada, need to know they can trust and rely on the integrity and security of their democratic institutions and processes. The increased use of the Internet and other technology, while bringing many positive developments, has also led to new cyber-based threats to these institutions, including new forms of foreign interference in elections.

46. Multi-Stakeholder Insights: A Compendium on Countering Election Interference

    The Compendium is a good practice guide to help build global expertise and understanding about effective ways to counter election interference, combining observations from the community into six key areas. The following backgrounder is an overview of the observations from each area.

47. Canada and FCM Combat Climate Change by Investing in Retrofits for Community Buildings

    The Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, on behalf of the Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., and Garth Frizzell, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), today launched the Community Buildings Retrofit initiative to help communities of all sizes overcome the barriers of limited budgets and expertise when undertaking greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction projects.

48. $22.7M to provide high-speed Internet access to close to 3,000 households in the Memphrémagog RCM by September 2022

    Thanks to a joint investment of $22.7M made as part of Canada–Quebec Operation High Speed, close to 3,000 households in the Memphremagog region will have access to Cogeco high-speed Internet services by September 2022. Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for Compton—Stanstead;

49. Government of Canada delivers on commitment to strengthen the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and proposes to recognize a right to a healthy environment

    CEPA is Canada’s cornerstone environmental protection law that has been used to reduce air pollution from industry and vehicles, ban asbestos and keep microbeads out of our water. And it is through CEPA that the Government is moving to ban harmful single-use plastics.

50. Media Advisory  - Ottawa, Ontario

    Members of the media are invited to attend an important virtual infrastructure event with the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Communities and Infrastructure; the Honourable Laurie Scott, Minister of Infrastructure for Ontario; and the Honourable Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education for Ontario.