In the news today: four soldiers killed, Alberta referendum, AI privacy fears
Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed …
Canadians step up to give blood after fire at Alberta military base kills four
Canada's defence minister says some Canadians are rolling up their sleeves to give blood as the military town of Wainwright, Alta., mourns the four soldiers killed in a weekend training exercise gone fatally wrong.
Strong and sudden winds on Saturday sent flames from a nearby grass fire across the Prairie landscape at lightning speed, stopping 84 soldiers at CFB Wainwright in their tracks and sending 39 to hospital, 19 critically.
Among the dead are Sgt. Morgan Wong of Edmonton, Pte. Shaun Farrell of Prince Albert, Sask., Pte. Aidan Goulding of North Vancouver, and Pte. Hayden Lykkemark of Langley, B.C.
Defence Minister David McGuinty says people have been lining up to donate blood, bring meals to first responders, and open their homes to those grieving.
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Albertans head to polls in historic referendum on whether they want to stay in Canada
Albertans head to the polls today for a historic vote on whether they want to stay in Canada or hold a second, binding referendum on leaving Confederation.
More than 1.3 million Albertans have already cast ballots by mail or in advance polls in a referendum called by Premier Danielle Smith.
The vote caps months of rallies, speeches and analyses from both sides.
Smith says some Albertans were angry with the state of affairs under former Liberal prime minister Justin Trudeau, and a referendum is now necessary to resolve the matter once and for all.
The separation question is one of 10 on the ballot, as the first nine focus on immigration and Constitutional reform.
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Statistics Canada set to release September inflation figures
Statistics Canada is set to report inflation data for September today.
A Reuters poll of economists expects inflation accelerated to 3.2 per cent last month, up from three per cent in August.
Economists say persistently high energy prices are the main forces pushing inflation higher right now and they'll be looking for evidence of cost pressures broadening beyond the gas pumps.
The September inflation report will be the Bank of Canada's last look at price data before its next interest rate decision on Oct. 28.
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New Brunswick data centre debate highlights cross-country tension over AI facilities
A New Brunswick man fighting a data centre project near his Saint John home says he's deeply disappointed by what he found in government records.
Chris Watson reviewed documents released by Opportunities New Brunswick and discovered an undisclosed proposal from a U.S. firm seeking power for a large-scale data centre campus in his area.
NB Power confirms it has 10 applications from data centre projects that would need up to 900 megawatts of power, but that applications are confidential.
The Liberal government sees the facilities as an economic opportunity and is developing a policy framework, though Watson wants a moratorium until stronger protections are in place.
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AI agents are only as good as the personal information you share. That raises privacy concerns
A Toronto man says Meta's new artificial intelligence agent shared his home address with a stranger without his knowledge.
Matt Robb let the AI agent, called Muse, handle a Facebook Marketplace listing for his keyboard, but within a day an unknown buyer showed up outside his house late at night.
The agent had accepted an offer, shared Robb's address and even sent an automated message telling the buyer he was home, all without Robb's approval.
Experts say AI agents perform better with more personal information, raising privacy concerns, since data the agents have already seen cannot be taken back even if users later withdraw access.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 19, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
B.C. Conservatives platform promises $2.6 B in growth, $10.8B deficit
The British Columbia Conservatives say their platform will create $2.6 billion in new revenue over three years, while shrinking the deficit to $10.8 billion by 2030.
The party says its platform — released days before the Oct. 24 election — amounts to restraint, not austerity.
The document says that if Gross Domestic Product grows by 2.5 per cent in 2027, 2.8 per cent in 2028, and 3.2 per cent in 2029, the province will collect an additional $2.62 billion over three years, compared with the NDP’s own forecast.
Conservatives say they will chop spending by freezing outside hiring, cutting consultants, and will review spending on numerous government ministries.
The 71-page platform says the core review would find about $1.8 billion over four years, while the hiring freeze and attrition of staff outside the front lines would save about $2 billion over the same period.
The New Democrats say they’ve costed interim Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson’s promises during the election and say income tax cuts and taking the PST off Canadian alcohol and other items would reduce revenues by more than $4.3 billion a year and boost the deficit by 33 per cent.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 18, 2026.
By Wolfgang Depner | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
This Ontario Nordic spa hidden in a colourful forest is one of the best in North America
It's beautiful in the fall. 🍂
If you're looking for a magical spot to unwind, it might be time to book a trip to this dreamy Ontario spa. Nestled in a lush forest, the destination is a mini oasis with nature views, peaceful surroundings, and more.
It was even named among the Top 100 Spas of 2025 by Spas of America, a list highlighting standout wellness destinations across Canada, the U.S., the Dominican Republic, and Mexico.
Located 2 hours from Toronto in the Collingwood area, the Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain is a dreamy Nordic-style escape where you can completely unplug.
According to the website, it's "nestled within a 25-acre parcel of natural hardwood forest with expansive views of the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve Niagara Escarpment."
The destination is stunning in the fall, when the forest transforms with shades of red, gold, and orange.
During your visit, you'll experience the spa's thermal journey, which features "outdoor hot pools, cold plunges, waterfalls, saunas, steam room and cozy relaxation areas surrounded by a forest setting."
The spa also offers a range of massage treatments and a forest bathing experience to unwind and connect with nature.
If you'd like to turn your visit into a multi-day getaway, you can also take advantage of overnight packages offered in partnership with select hotels nearby.
The spa is open year-round, so you can enjoy fiery autumn colours, summer greenery or a fresh blanket of winter snow depending on when you visit.
Rates start at $95 per person. If you want one of North America's best wellness experiences right here in Ontario, it might be time to treat yourself to a Scandinave Spa visit.
Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain
Price: $95 + per person
Address: 152 Grey Rd. 21, The Blue Mountains, ON

Canada Morning Brief: What You Need To Know For June 28
Including how to get a breezy summer job catching 18-foot pythons in Florida.
Good morning — Andrew from Narcity here! ☕
Reminder: you have three more days to stock up on supplies ahead of Canada Day store closures on Friday.
Psst... You can now sign up for the soon-to-launch email version of the Canada Morning Brief right here.
In Case You Missed It
1. Canadian Government Promises Streamlined ArriveCan
The feds will try to alleviate some of the country's airport delays by making the ArriveCAN software "faster and easier" to use, Lisa Belmonte writes. Starting today, those arriving at Toronto Pearson or Vancouver International can use the ArriveCAN app or website to make their customs and immigration declarations up to 72 hours in advance.2. Ex-Leafs Star Kadri Calls Out His Detractors After Cup Win
Shortly after winning his first career Stanley Cup — and as the first Muslim player to ever do so — Nazem Kadri wasted little time addressing his haters, particularly those who doubted him during his decade with the Toronto Maple Leafs. After tallying 15 points in 16 games en route to the Colorado Avalanche's title win, the 31-year-old said those who thought he was a "liability" due to his abrasive playing style could "kiss (his) ass." Josh Elliott has the full story here.
3. Why You Should Visit Alberta Instead of BC This Summer
There's a minor feud brewing on Narcity's western Canada desk, with writers from the country's two western-most provinces squaring off over their summer travel itineraries. This weekend, however, Calgary-based Charlie Hart actually had lifelong Vancouverite Ashley Harris agreeing with some of her takes on Alberta's superiority over British Columbia. Here's why you should visit the Princess Province this summer.
4. Who's Mans From Toronto Is This?
The stars of the new Netflix action comedy The Man from Toronto have already apologized for the deeply offensive affront of... not pronouncing "Toronto" authentically. However, there were actually more than a handful of obvious tells that neither Kevin Hart nor Woody Harrelson's characters were actually from Hogtown. Tristan Wheeler breaks down the list here.
5. A New Way To Explore Niagara Falls
Starting on Canada Day, visitors to Niagara Falls will be able to experience the signature landmark by questing 2,200 feet down through a cavernous, underground tunnel. Those who brave the trek are rewarded with a new panoramic vantage point from which to view both the Horseshoe and American Falls. For what you need to know before you visit, Madeline Forsyth has the deets.
5 Things You Need To Know Today
🎉 HOLIDAYS
There are a bunch of completely legit holidays taking place today, particularly stateside, where Americans will observe such sacred occasions as National Insurance Awareness Day, National Logistics Day and National Tapioca Day. Exciting!
🎾 WIMBLEDON
Canada's Rebecca Marino fell on the first day of Wimbledon but the three remaining Canucks competing in singles play — Bianca Andreescu, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov — are all in Round 1 action today at the All England Club.
⚾ BASEBALL
As far as midseason, Tuesday night games go, tonight's clash with the visiting Boston Red Sox could be a big one for Toronto. The Blue Jays can leapfrog Boston for second place in the AL East with a win. First pitch comes at 7:07 p.m. ET.
🐍 JOB ALERT
Those looking for a relaxing way to make a few bucks this summer should head down to South Florida, where a program will pay you $10-15 an hour (plus bonuses) for capturing pythons — like the 18-foot monster that was recently caught in the Everglades.
🎂 BIRTHDAYS
Expect Elon Musk to mark the 51st occasion of his birth by tweeting something absolutely exhausting. Happy 31st birthday to Belgian soccer star Kevin De Bruyne — who Canada will see in Group Stage play at the FIFA World Cup this fall. Say anything to John Cusack — but especially "happy birthday," since he turns 56. Former MTV monopolizer Rob Dyrdek is 48, making millennials of a certain vintage feel especially ancient.
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