Canada News Live: Canadian government considers arming Coast Guard, moving it to National Defence

Canadian government considers arming Coast Guard, moving it to National Defence

The Canadian Liberal government is exploring a significant policy shift for the Canadian Coast Guard, including the possibility of arming its personnel and transferring its reporting structure from the Minister of Fisheries to the Minister of National Defence, National Post said in a report. This potential move, described as a pivot towards a new security mandate, was highlighted by a statement from Carney's office on Monday, June 9, 2025, indicating the portfolio change. The Canadian Coast Guard currently operates as an unarmed, civilian agency primarily focused on search and rescue, environmental response, and icebreaking.

RCMP lost thumb drive with sensitive data; criminals later offered it for sale, watchdog says

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) lost a USB key containing personal information about victims, witnesses, and informants, and later learned it was being offered for sale by criminals, the federal privacy watchdog says, according to a report in CBC News. The watchdog's revelation points to a significant data breach exposing sensitive details and highlighting potential risks to the individuals whose information was compromised.

British Columbia to restore housing aid to families with children in Vancouver hospitals

The British Columbia government is working to reverse changes that slashed accommodation funding for out-of-town parents whose children are receiving specialized hospital care in Vancouver, Financial Post says in a report. Health Minister Josie Osborne stated she has instructed staff to review the family residence program after the government faced criticism for the alterations to the program, which had taken effect on June 1.

High-grade assay results reported at Golden Eye project in Canada

Recent exploration at the Golden Eye project, part of the Chibougamau Copper-Gold Project in Canada, has yielded further high-grade assay results, Financial Post said in a report. These results, which include findings such as 12.7g/t AuEq over 3.3m and 4.3m @ 9.8g/t AuEq (comprising 7.5g/t Au, 1.6% Cu, and 23.9g/t Ag), confirm the presence of multiple parallel mineralized zones. These findings suggest Golden Eye is emerging as a potentially significant component of a broader production hub strategy in the region.

G7 protesters in Canada pledge peaceful action, question police restraint

Protesters preparing for G7 summit demonstrations in Canada have stated their commitment to peaceful action and avoiding antagonism, Calgary Herald said in a report. Alongside these assurances, the demonstrators have also expressed concerns, questioning whether police and security forces will exhibit similar restraint during the events. This highlights a cautious approach from protest groups as they prepare for engagement around the international summit.

Iconic Toronto church marks one year since devastating 2024 fire

A national historic site in Toronto's Little Portugal, an iconic church, is observing the one-year anniversary of a significant fire that occurred in 2024, Global News said in a report. The blaze resulted in substantial damage to the structure and led to the destruction or damage of numerous paintings housed within, notably including works by the renowned Canadian artists known as the Group of Seven.

Ontario woman sentenced to prison for faking pregnancies and defrauding doulas

An Ontario woman, Kaitlyn Braun, has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of faking pregnancies and defrauding multiple doulas in the province, CBC News said in a report. A judge described Braun as a 'danger' during sentencing. The case highlighted significant emotional and financial impact on victims, such as Tracy Robb, a doula who supported Braun through a fabricated pregnancy and stated she has not been the same since the ordeal.

Saskatoon judge dismisses $25m lawsuit against Christian church and school, citing abuse of process

A judge in Saskatoon, Canada, has dismissed a $25-million class action lawsuit that had been filed against a Christian church and an affiliated private Christian school in the city, CBC said in a report. The lawsuit was thrown out due to an "abuse of process," indicating the court found the legal action was improperly brought before it, rather than ruling on the substance of the allegations contained within the lawsuit.

Tumbler Ridge, B.C. faces water shortage after apartment fire displaces dozens

Residents of Tumbler Ridge, B.C., have been asked to conserve water by temporarily halting the use of washing machines, dishwashers, and sprinklers following a weekend apartment fire that displaced dozens of people and significantly depleted the community's water supply due to firefighting efforts, CBC said in a report. The measures are in place because firefighters had to draw heavily from local water reserves to combat the blaze.

Canada invites Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman to G7 summit

Canada has extended an invitation to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman to attend the upcoming G7 summit, which Canada is hosting, Global News said in a report. It is currently unknown whether he has accepted the invitation. This development follows a similar invitation extended to him for last year's G7 summit in Italy, which Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ultimately did not attend.

Ontario farm hosts first-of-its-kind cow wedding to attract visitors

Udderly Ridiculous Farm Life in Bright, Ontario, hosted a first-of-its-kind wedding for its two TikTok-famous mini-Highland cows, Muriel and Rhett, as its most recent creative initiative to attract visitors, CBC News said in a report. The farm has been implementing unique concepts since 2022 to draw people to its location, with this event exemplifying an innovative approach to agritourism and farm diversification.

Ontario ombudsman to investigate ministry response to Maplehurst jail incident involving inmate treatment

The office of the Ontario ombudsman has announced it will conduct a review into how the Ministry of the Solicitor General responded to an incident that occurred in December 2023 at the Maplehurst Correctional Complex, Global News says in a report. This incident reportedly involved inmates being stripped down to their boxer shorts and having their wrists tied. The ombudsman's investigation will scrutinize the ministry's actions and handling of the situation at the Ontario correctional facility.

Montreal police report slight rise in overall crime in 2024, driven by assaults; vehicle theft down

Montreal police statistics for 2024 indicate a slight overall increase in the number of crimes committed in the city, with a rise in assaults being a contributing factor to this trend, Global News says in a report. Conversely, the same period saw a decline in the number of vehicle thefts reported in Montreal.

Sandy Lake First Nation members continue evacuation amid nearby wildfire with Canadian Armed Forces assistance

Members of Sandy Lake First Nation in northwestern Ontario are continuing to evacuate as a major wildfire burns near the remote community, with the chief stating that members are "pulling together" during the crisis, CBC News says in a report. The Canadian Armed Forces have been deployed to assist with the evacuation efforts.

Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq band drops legal challenge over lobster fishery rights

A Mi’kmaq First Nation in Nova Scotia has quietly withdrawn its legal action against the Canadian federal government, a case in which the band alleged that Ottawa's regulations infringed upon its treaty-affirmed right to fish for lobster, Global News said in a report. This decision to drop the lawsuit comes after hopes were raised for a 'historic deal' or negotiated settlement with federal authorities regarding the band’s access to a 'moderate livelihood' fishery, a right recognized by the 1999 Marshall decision.