Weekly News Digest: Key Stories from Across Canada
This week brought a mix of economic updates, travel challenges, and health advisories that captured national attention. From Alberta's fiscal struggles to ongoing issues in the travel industry, here's a breakdown of the major headlines you might have missed.
Economic and Political Developments
Alberta's finance minister visited Calgary to discuss the provincial budget, which reveals a staggering $9.4 billion deficit for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The budget is projected to remain in the red for the next three years, with Calgary receiving significant investments despite rising property taxes. Meanwhile, Canada's economy contracted in the fourth quarter, falling well below expectations, signaling potential challenges ahead.
In political news, Prime Minister Mark Carney embarked on a trip to India, focusing on themes like energy and artificial intelligence to strengthen international ties. This follows his recent speech in Davos, with subsequent visits planned to Australia and Japan.
Travel and Transportation Issues
Edmontonians faced travel disruptions as airlines provided unclear answers about delays related to eased cartel situations in Puerto Vallarta. Additionally, Montreal's Trudeau airport is bracing for more traffic chaos ahead of the spring break season, highlighting ongoing logistical hurdles in the travel sector.
Weather forecasts added to the mix, with Toronto expecting mild conditions on Friday but a cold blast returning over the weekend. Diesel prices saw fluctuations in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, dropping after a recent increase.
Health and Safety Concerns
Health news included a recommendation from pediatric societies to screen all children between ages 2 and 10 for high cholesterol, emphasizing early prevention. A French infant tested positive for toxins linked to formula recalls, raising alarms about food safety. Studies also suggested that men in their 50s may age faster than women due to exposure to toxic 'forever chemicals.'
In safety incidents, landlords in Guelph, Ontario, were charged for a fatal townhouse fire in 2024, and Toronto police laid over 40 sex crime charges against a doctor with ties to Saskatchewan.
Business and Technology Updates
Business shifts included TransAlta signing a data centre deal with CPP Investments and Brookfield, while Block laid off nearly half its staff due to AI advancements, with its CEO predicting similar moves across industries. Bombardier sees opportunities to boost business jet sales in India.
Tech news featured Meta suing advertisers in Brazil and China over celebrity deepfake scams, and South Korea allowing Google to export map data after years of restrictions.
Sports and Entertainment Highlights
In sports, Alex Palou and Chip Ganassi Racing resolved a contract dispute with McLaren after a $12 million ruling, and Minjee Lee moved up the LPGA Singapore leaderboard. Entertainment celebrated 30 years of Pokémon and Jim Carrey being honored at France's Cesar Awards.
Environmental and Lifestyle Notes
Environmental issues included a red tide in South Africa causing mass crayfish deaths and concerns over crumbling infrastructure in Canada due to extreme weather. Lifestyle topics ranged from Burger King updating its Whopper based on customer complaints to debates over hockey's origins and the science behind chilling carbs for weight loss.
This week's stories underscore the diverse challenges and developments shaping Canada, from economic pressures to public health and beyond.
