Businesses in Downtown Ottawa have been hard hit by the ongoing illegal blockades of the nation’s capital.

The Honourable Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), the Honourable Mona Fortier, President of the Treasury Board, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, and Yasir Naqvi, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness, will hold a press conference to provide an update regarding the situation in Ottawa.

In recent years, climate change, habitat loss and fishing pressures have negatively affected Pacific salmon at every stage of their lifecycle. In an effort to fill gaps in our understanding of salmon distribution, productivity, and survival in coastal and high seas environments - under changing global climate conditions - the research ship CCGS Sir John Franklin is setting off on a five-week expedition in the North Pacific Ocean to undertake the first ever pan-Pacific survey of five species of pacific salmon.

The Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for CED, the Honourable Pascale St Onge, is visiting the Bas-Saint-Laurent region today. She will participate in the announcement of financial support for the Halles d’Innovation et de Formation Avancée (HIFA). For further details on this announcement, please consult this document: HIFA Media Advisory.

The governments of Canada and Manitoba are investing $326,688 in several innovative research projects aimed at strengthening the agriculture and agri-food industries, through the Ag Action Manitoba program under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced today.

I want to first provide a brief update on the financial measures that we introduced through the Emergencies Act to target the illegal blockades and those who fund them. As I said yesterday, information is already being shared between our law enforcement agencies and Canada’s financial services providers.

“The border blockades across the country are affecting the safe movement of livestock, feed and goods and is adversely impacting Canada’s food supply chain. The disruptions have caused a threat to our economy and public safety and they are hurting farmers, small businesses and our communities across the country.

On February 17, 2022, two staff members were assaulted at Edmonton Institution, a maximum-security federal institution, when responding to a physical altercation between two inmates. The injured staff members were evaluated and treated at an outside hospital. During the incident, one inmate was injured and was also treated at an outside hospital.

Canadian cities and towns flourish when they have community public spaces to promote social interaction and physical activity, and provide access to recreational programs and facilities. These amenities are integral to the overall well-being of individuals, families and communities. Our economic recovery is closely linked to the vitality of our local communities and their shared spaces.

The Government of Canada invests more than $114,000 in two community shared spaces to stimulate local economies, create jobs, and improve the quality of life of Canadians.

Ministers Miller and Hajdu congratulate the Flying Dust First Nation on a rural Addition to Reserve in Saskatchewan. A total of 7.810 acres was added to Flying Dust First Nation. This additional reserve land will lead to further economic development opportunities.

The Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, the Honourable Pascale St-Onge, the Minister of Economy and Innovation and Minister Responsible for Regional Economic Development, Pierre Fitzgibbon, and the Minister of Tourism and Minister Responsible for the Lanaudière and Bas-Saint-Laurent Regions, Caroline Proulx, invite media representatives to a press conference regarding the NPO HIFA — Halles d’Innovation et de Formation Avancée.

On February 18, 2022, Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, issued the following statement on COVID-19.

Across the country, Canadian farmers are on the frontlines of the climate crisis. The Government of Canada is supporting farmers through the climate challenges of today, including droughts, floods and other extreme weather, while investing in clean technology solutions that will build a healthier future for generations to come.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, we must cancel the press conference planned for Monday, February 21, 2022, at 1 p.m. where the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Member of Parliament for Saint-Maurice–Champlain and Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, was expected to announce Government of Canada financial support for the Centre d’innovation des produits cellulosiques (Innofibre).

When asked about when Canada would once again hold Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser replied draws would resume “in the near term” and said that he was looking into how to make the Express Entry system more flexible. Fraser sat down with the president and CEO of the Business Council of […]

The post Immigration minister: Canada to resume Express Entry draws for skilled workers in “near term” first appeared on CIC News.

Today, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, announced next steps in light of the revised cost estimate and completion timeline published by Trans Mountain Corporation (TMC) for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project (the project).

Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, on behalf of the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, announced an investment of $2.8 million to establish the Business Data Lab (BDL), a partnership between the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Statistics Canada. The BDL will provide future-focused, timely business indicators crucial to helping governments, business associations and entrepreneurs from all regions of Canada identify future growth opportunities for Canadian businesses.

On February 15, 2022, William Roy Tame, an inmate from Pacific Institution, died while in our custody of apparent natural causes.

Ministers Petitpas Taylor, Vandal and Reyes support Francophone minority communities

The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development, together with the Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will make an announcement on improving high-speed Internet.

Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor, and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay–Superior North, announced a Government of Canada investment of $852,500 to enable the City of Temiskaming Shores to showcase Northern Ontario mining businesses and organizations on the world stage at two separate events in 2022.

The Government of Canada is working hard to resettle at least 40,000 Afghan nationals as quickly and safely as possible. Over the past week, 335 government-assisted and privately sponsored Afghan refugees arrived in Canada on 10 commercial flights. They are destined for communities all across Canada, including Calgary, Winnipeg and Sherbrooke. To date, a total of 7,885 Afghan nationals have arrived in Canada.

The governments of Canada and Quebec along with Investissement Québec are announcing a total of $2,537,500 in loans to Les Produits métalliques A.T. (business alias AT) to support the implementation of a project valued at nearly $5.6 million. The purpose of the project is to construct a building, acquire automated equipment, and adopt a more ecologically friendly powder painting process to finish snow removal equipment manufactured by the business. The objective: To enhance the productivity of this manufacturing business based in Matane, in the Bas Saint Laurent region.

The governments of Canada and Quebec are announcing a total of $287,550 in financial contributions for Contrôle Concept Dynamique (Nummax), based in Québec, in the Capitale-Nationale region. The financial assistance will support the business in its efforts over two years to commercialize its innovative dynamic LED digital display products in the Canadian and U.S. markets. This project is valued at $481,000.