Politics

The Justice Department released files showing emails that indicate Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick attended a lunch on Jeffrey Epstein's private island after he said he had cut ties; Lutnick told senators he "barely had anything to do" with Epstein and faced calls to resign.

Alberta has paused a recent change that removed public health coverage for some International Experience Canada Type 58 permit holders while the province reviews the decision; advocates say questions remain about timing and whether coverage will be restored during the review.

A White House official said the EPA will issue a final rule to rescind the 2009 endangerment finding that underlies many U.S. climate regulations, and the agency said it is finalizing a new rule.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said he told U.S. President Donald Trump that Canada paid to build the Gordie Howe International Bridge after Mr. Trump suggested the U.S. could block its opening; Mr. Carney described the call as positive and said he expects the matter will be resolved.

Estonian intelligence head Kaupo Rosin said Russia lacks the resources to launch an attack on NATO this year or next but plans to increase forces along NATO’s eastern flank; diplomatic talks involving Moscow, Washington and Kyiv are continuing, with a reported June deadline for a settlement.

Prime Minister Mark Carney will attend the Munich Security Conference in Germany this week, leaving Wednesday and staying until Sunday, and his office says he will meet business leaders to discuss investment in Canada's critical mineral, energy and technology sectors.

The B.C. legislature opens a new sitting where debate will focus on government plans to amend the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act after court rulings that expanded Indigenous rights; the government says amendments will be introduced during this session.

A senior adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader met Oman's sultan to discuss reaching a 'balanced and just' agreement with the United States; Oman has helped facilitate recent Iran and U.S. talks and no date for the next round has been announced.

The B.C. Court of Appeal in Gitxaała found courts can assess whether provincial laws align with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and Premier David Eby said he will amend the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act in the spring.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith wrote to Prime Minister Mark Carney seeking a formal provincial role in federal judicial appointments and proposing relaxed bilingualism rules for the Supreme Court; she said she would withhold some judicial funding if Ottawa did not agree.

A CBC Front Burner episode examines debate sparked by the recent expiry of the New START treaty and reports that U.S. and Russian officials remain in talks, while some Canadian figures, including former defence chief Wayne Eyre, have commented on keeping options open regarding nuclear arms.

Health-care advocates lobbied MPs in Ottawa after Alberta passed a law allowing surgeons to practise in both public and private systems, and they say the federal government has not clearly defended the Canada Health Act.

Winnipeg's Art City hosted a workshop that produced artwork to be sent to Minneapolis group Articulture, with proceeds intended to support families affected by actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party won a two-thirds supermajority in the lower house, and she has begun steps to reappoint her cabinet and advance conservative policies on security, immigration and the budget.

British Columbia says it will support a private sector bid to bring the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank to Vancouver; the host country is expected to be announced by the end of March.

Liberal MP Bruce Fanjoy publicly called on the government to reconsider the new return-to-office mandate that requires most federal public servants to work four days a week from July, and the Public Service Alliance of Canada has filed labour-board complaints.

Canada's Supreme Court upheld Regina lawyer Sharon Fox's acquittal and ruled that lawyers may reveal privileged client communications when defending their own innocence.

The Ontario Liberal leadership vote is scheduled for Nov. 21 and the party has released contest rules; Dr. Andrew Boozary announced he will not enter the race while several others, including Nate Erskine-Smith, are preparing or weighing a campaign.

Sources tell CBC that behind-the-scenes talks between Conservatives and Liberals are under way to find agreements that could keep the government functioning, while Prime Minister Mark Carney has publicly downplayed the likelihood of a spring election.

Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in Hong Kong on Monday; Canada said it was disappointed and called for his immediate humanitarian release.

An Angus Reid Institute online poll of 979 Albertans (Feb. 2–6) found 65% would vote or lean toward voting to stay in Canada, 29% would vote or lean toward leaving, and 5% were unsure.

A new Angus Reid poll of 979 Albertans found 29% would vote to separate from Canada while 57% said they would definitely vote to stay; a separate Ipsos survey earlier this year showed similar initial support that fell after respondents considered potential downsides.

The inspector general of policing will hold a news conference Monday to announce whether they will investigate the Toronto Police Service; seven current and one former officer were arrested and face corruption charges after a months-long York Region police investigation.

The Office of Personnel Management proposed a rule that would remove the right of fired federal employees to appeal dismissals to the independent Merit Systems Protection Board and require appeals to OPM instead. Government records show the Board’s caseload rose 266% from Oct. 1, 2024 to Sept. 30, 2025.

Ryan Teschner will respond this morning to a request for an independent inspection after York Regional Police's Project South led to charges against several Toronto police officers.

The UN’s International Organization for Migration says an inflatable boat that left Zawaiya capsized north of Zuwara, and two survivors were rescued while at least 53 people are reported dead or missing.

U.S. Vice‑President JD Vance will visit Armenia and Azerbaijan this week to promote a Washington‑brokered peace agreement and the proposed TRIPP trade corridor; he will meet Armenian leaders before traveling to Azerbaijan.

U.S. President Donald Trump said talks are underway with senior Cuban officials, and Cuban President Miguel Díaz‑Canel said Cuba is willing to engage in dialogue without pressure or preconditions.

António José Seguro won Portugal's presidential runoff with about 66.7% of the vote to André Ventura's 33.3%, based on official results with about 99% counted.

Reports say migrants are being held for months in U.S. immigration detention centers amid accounts of poor sanitary conditions; agency data show thousands have been in custody at least six months.