Beyond Local

OTTAWA — Canada's economy was already facing uncertainty when protests against COVID-19 restrictions blockaded borders and occupied downtown Ottawa last winter, the top civil servant at the Finance Department said Thursday.

OTTAWA — Canada's Minister of Transportation says after a briefing with the country's top doctor, the government still strongly encourages people to wear masks on planes and trains — but stopped short of making it a requirement.

The RCMP Federal Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET), in partnership with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), charged a Calgary trucker for importing cocaine into Canada.

OTTAWA — Electric-vehicle sales in Canada grew by more than one third in the first half of this year but they are not keeping pace with the rest of the world.

Post-apocalyptic sci-fi/fantasy short The Guardian - The Orbs' Archive garners film festival recognition and debuts for online streaming

CALGARY — After long enjoying a reputation as a "bridge fuel" capable of helping the world achieve its climate goals, natural gas is losing some of its environmental lustre — and that has implications for Canada's energy sector.

Cochrane RCMP are seeking public assistance in locating a missing 22-year- old male named Marcus Coulombe, who was last seen in Cochrane on Oct. 26. He also frequents Nelson, B.C.

CALGARY — Alberta's education minister says she will take advice from the province's new chief medical health officer on whether to allow school boards to bring in mask mandates in schools with respiratory illness outbreaks.

BRAMPTON, Ont. — Loblaw Companies Ltd. reported its third-quarter profit rose about 30 per cent compared with a year ago. The grocery and drugstore retailer says its net earnings available to common shareholders totalled $556 million or $1.

OTTAWA — Canada’s annual inflation rate held steady at 6.9 per cent last month. After declining for several months, Statistics Canada said the rate of inflation was unchanged in October from September as gas prices went up.