A provincial court judge who has faced scrutiny over his comments and actions in a number of cases and has been harshly criticized by the province’s top court has been reprimanded, but he will not face a judicial council hearing that could have stripped him of his job.

Labour organizations are calling on workers to widely mobilize for the upcoming federal election, citing it as one of the most important elections in Canada’s recent history. Amidst an escalating trade war triggered by the US, thousands of jobs remain at risk. The issues facing workers stretch beyond tariffs, though, with many families suffering due to a health human resource crisis, stagnating wages and the rising cost of living.

Employment Insurance amidst tariff threats

The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), the country’s largest labour organization, launched their federal election platform on Monday. It included demands for expanded Employment Insurance (EI) coverage to protect workers who may experience job loss due to American tariffs. These calls were echoed by Canada’s largest private sector union, Unifor, in their election platform. 

“This isn’t just another election – it’s a crucial choice about who will support Canadian workers in these turbulent times,” said CLC national president Bea Bruske in a statement. 

Labour organizations have long been advocating for expanded EI coverage. In 2022, the federal government began a two-year review on Canada’s EI system, but the CLC says unfair rules remain. This election, the organization is calling for the end of the deductions to EI benefits that result from severance, vacation entitlements, and other separation payments. As well, they want an end to the 50-week limit on combined special and unemployment benefits. 

As Canadian jobs face an uncertain future, the CLC, Unifor and other labour organizations say EI can ensure Canadians are not left to suffer in this economic upset. 

“Workers deserve a safety net they can rely on,” the CLC wrote in their election platform. “By fixing our broken EI system, we can ensure that job loss doesn’t mean economic devastation for working families.” 

Improved tax system to bolster public services

The CLC is also calling for reforms to Canada’s tax system. Increased tax on capital gains, corporate income, windfall profit and the country’s richest would generate revenue which could fund public services. 

A recent report by Canadians for Tax Fairness showed that tax breaks for Canada’s richest has resulted in a loss of thousands of dollars for each working Canadian family. The Canadian economy has seen growth in recent years but the fruits of this growth have been captured by the top one per cent. Canadians for Tax Fairness report that Canada’s bottom 50 per cent of earners would have made more than $6,000 extra dollars in 2022 if their income had kept pace with economic growth. 

The Public Service Alliance of Canada, which represents a large number of federal public servants, has raised alarms over potential cuts to public services. On Wednesday, PSAC in the National Capital Region (PSAC-NCR) rallied to stop job cuts at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). While the rally mainly focused on IRCC jobs, protestors were also calling for job protections in Canada’s broader public service. 

“We’ve all seen what happens when public service jobs are cut — and it doesn’t end well for anyone,” said Ruth Lau MacDonald, Regional Executive Vice-President for PSAC-NCR. “PSAC-NCR is demanding the Government of Canada halt these reckless job cuts and focus on alternative strategies for managing the federal budget that don’t impact the services Canadians rely on each day.”

Protecting public health care

The ongoing health human resource crisis has also become an election issue. As many families are left without health care, the CLC is calling for an enduring solution to the crisis. 

A recent survey by the Canadian Federation of Nurses’ Unions (CFNU) has highlighted the gravity of the situation. A quarter of respondents rate their work environment negatively, with more than a third of respondents having worked involuntary overtime in recent months. 

These conditions are having negative impacts on workers’ relationships to their families and friends which harms morale. As well, one in three respondents say the quality of care in their workplaces is “fair” or “poor” and half of respondents say the quality of care has deteriorated in the last year. 

“When it comes to health care, the conditions of work are the conditions of care. Still, in 2025, nurses are having to fight for better working conditions so they can provide better care,” said CFNU national president Linda Silas. “With far too many patient assignments, nurses face the impossible task of being in several places at once. There is nothing more demoralizing than being ill-equipped to perform your job in the way you were educated to do it – with safe patient care always at the heart.”

As the federal election fast approaches, the CFNU wants the health human resource to be addressed not only for patient care but also for worker health and safety. 

“Federal parties and candidates must not look away,” Silas said. “Nurses are counting on you to invest heavily in concrete solutions for our public health care system.”

The post The workers’ agenda for the federal eleciton appeared first on rabble.ca.

Manitoba’s police watchdog is not recommending charges for an RCMP officer who was involved in a 2023 arrest that left a man seriously injured with a crushed testicle.

Philip Louis LaPierre is facing two additional charges of sexual assault.

Toronto council is sounding the alarm this week after a new report highlights major federal funding cuts that will hurt the city's ability to help newcomers who can find themselves relying on local shelters and other services.

Stony Mountain Institution (WIKIPEDIA)

Manitoba RCMP have charged six additional inmates in connection with the July 22, 2024, death of a 37-year-old man at Stony Mountain Institution.

The following individuals have been charged with second-degree murder and remain in custody:

• Randal Hastings, 31
• Daniel Chatkana, 25
• Keewatin Lachose, 24
• Brennan MacDonald, 22
• Jeremiah Zglobicki, 22
• Wallace Sinclair, 20

This follows the July 25 arrest of Nukota Peters, 22, who was also charged with second-degree murder.

The incident occurred on the evening of July 22 when RCMP responded to a serious assault at the federal prison. The victim was transported to Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, where he later died.

RCMP continue to investigate.

Writer Sarah Swan visits the Far North Photo Festival, a biennial showcase of visual storytellers that has taken over the walls of Snowking’s fortress.

Stonewall, Manitoba                                                      March 27, 2025

2024-1045605

Update #2 – RCMP investigating homicide at Stony Mountain Institution

As a result of the ongoing investigation into the death of the 37-year-old male inmate at the Stony Mountain Institution on July 22, 2024, RCMP Major Crime Services has now completed additional arrests and have charged the following additional six males with 2nd Degree Murder.

• Randal Hastings, 31
• Daniel Chatkana, 25
• Keewatin Lachose, 24
• Brennan MacDonald, 22
• Jeremiah Zglobicki, 22
• Wallace Sinclair, 20

Each of the accused have been remanded into custody.

RCMP Major Crime Services continue to investigate.
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Stonewall, Manitoba                                                      July 26, 2024

2024-1045605

Update #1 – RCMP investigating homicide at Stony Mountain Institution

On July 25, 2024, RCMP Major Crime Services charged Stony Mountain Institution inmate Nukota Peters, 22, with Second Degree Murder in relation to this homicide. He remains in custody.

The investigation continues.

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Stonewall, Manitoba                                                      July 23, 2024

2024-1045605

RCMP investigating homicide at Stony Mountain Institution
 

On July 22, 2024, at approximately 7:30 pm, Headingley RCMP were dispatched to a report of a serious assault that occurred at Stony Mountain Institution.
 

Upon arrival, officers found a 37-year old male suffering from serious injuries. He was transported to Health Sciences Centre where he later succumbed to his injuries.
 

Members of the RCMP Forensic Identification Unit (FIS) and RCMP Major Crime Services were called to assist, and MCU has since taken carriage of the investigation.
 

The investigation continues.

Hamilton Police are currently investigating a report of an attempted child abduction in the Dundas area.

At approximately 8:20 a.m. today, an 8-year-old child was out walking their dog in the area of Linington Trail and Newcombe Road in Dundas when they were approached by a male driving a white van.

The driver exited the van and engaged with the child. He made suggestions that there was candy inside the van and that the child should get in. The male also stated, “I’ll give you whatever you want”. He then reached out to grab the child, but the child proceeded to kick the male and run away to safety. Parents of the child immediately called Police, however the male was gone when police got there.

The suspect is described as the following:

• Male, brown skin
• 30-40 years old
• Thin build
• Clean shaven
• White toque hat
• Purple t-shirt (writing on it with “N” as the first letter)
• Black pants
• Black running shoes

The vehicle is described as a white van with a back that is larger than the cab.

Police are canvassing the area for CCTV and witnesses. If you see something or know anything that you feel will assist investigators with this incident, please contact the on-duty Division 3 Staff Sergeant at 905-546-3886. Additionally, if you wish to remain anonymous, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or visit crimestoppershamilton.com

The St. Boniface Hospital Foundation has announced the winners of the 2025 Mega Million Choices Lottery.

Two Winnipeg residents are celebrating life-changing wins after the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation announced the grand prize and 50/50 Plus winners of the 2025 Mega Million Choices Lottery.

Rose-Marie Beaulieu of Winnipeg won the grand prize and will choose between five luxury home packages worth $1.5 million or a $1.25 million tax-free cash payout.

The 50/50 Plus jackpot reached $1,449,300, with half going to winner Peter Lodewyks of Winnipeg, who will take home $724,650.

“Your generous support allows us to maintain funding for so many priorities here at St. B, such as medical research, cardiac care, palliative care, NICU, the Buhler Gallery, Volunteer Services, and more,” said Karen Fowler, president and CEO, St. Boniface Hospital Foundation.

“These programs — and the people behind them — make St. B what it is: a community hospital that has grown to become the second largest tertiary care facility in Manitoba.”

Full winner details will be published at stbmegamillionchoices.ca within five business days.

Trump has promised to levy 25% tariffs across the board on Canada, but Premier Holt says they may be more targeted

Two Inuit artists are among this year’s Juno Award nominees, with two nominations each.

Salluit recording artist Elisapie is nominated for Adult Alternative Album of the Year and Album of the Year for her fourth studio album, Inuktitut, released in 2023.

The same album earned Elisapie the 2024 Juno in the Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year category.

Classical soprano Deantha Edmunds of St. John’s, N.L., who bills herself as Canada’s first classically trained Inuk singer, is nominated for Classical Composition of the Year for her original 2024 song Angmalukisaa, and Classical Album of the Year: Large Ensemble category, for her 2024 album Alikeness, recorded with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra.

Elisapie is also scheduled to perform at this year’s Juno Awards, being held at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena on Sunday evening.