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Feds confirm funding for rare disease research as other questions unanswered
Feds confirm funding for rare disease research
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
The federal government confirmed at a meeting of Canadian health ministers that it is extending a funding deal on rare disease research, while wider questions on health-care funding remain unanswered.
Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel told her provincial and territorial counterparts that the $500 million in annual funding for the National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases that was set to expire next year will now be funded on an ongoing basis.
The minister said she also reached an agreement on next steps in talks to deal with other funding issues, including minimum increases for the Canada Health Transfer and the long-term fate of other bilateral agreements.
Michel confirmed late Wednesday that the federal government would extend by one year $1.2 billion in annual funding for mental health, addictions and home care.
She said Friday that the one-year extension on funding that was set to expire in March was to help bridge provinces to the new fall budget schedule.
Michel says she and her regional counterparts agreed they would have another meeting before the end of this year to talk about longer-term funding plans.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2026.
By Ian Bickis | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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Toronto 18 ringleader no longer shows signs of extremism, granted full parole: board
Toronto 18 ringleader granted full parole
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
One of the ringleaders of the thwarted Toronto 18 terror plot has been granted full parole after the Parole Board of Canada found he no longer showed "any signs of holding onto extremist beliefs or radical ideologies."
Zakaria Amara, who helped recruit members for a group that aimed to storm Parliament Hill and bomb several locations around Toronto, has been on day parole with multiple conditions for four years, and the board upgraded his release after reviewing his case last week.
In a written decision issued Friday, the two-member panel says Amara, 41, undertook a process to deradicalize while incarcerated and has used his day parole "for its intended rehabilitative purpose," demonstrating "positive change, both in attitude and in behaviour."
It says he was closely supervised while on day parole and his internet use, friendships and relationships were monitored, with no reported safety concerns or breaches.
The decision, which includes several redactions, says Amara now plans to live in his own home and continue to structure his time around his full-time job, attending a mosque, seeing his family and "appropriate leisure activities."
He is barred from communicating with anyone involved in criminal activity, including any of the others arrested in the June 2006 anti-terrorist raids, or come into contact with anyone with extremist ideologies, except in his work as a consultant with a specialized program.
He must also continue to participate in counselling and be subject to financial monitoring as well as restrictions on his phone and internet use.
The board's decision comes two decades after the dismantling of the homegrown plot that shocked the country and shifted public discourse around terrorism.
Amara and an accomplice recruited people for a group based on jihadist ideologies, planning to carry out terrorist acts to demand the withdrawal of Canadian troops from Afghanistan.
The group eventually splintered in two, with Amara taking the helm of a plot focused on building truck bombs targeting the Canadian Security Intelligence Services headquarters, the Toronto Stock Exchange building, and a military base.
He was arrested on the day bomb-making materials were delivered to a warehouse.
Amara pleaded guilty to participating in a terror group with the intention of causing an explosion or explosions that were likely to cause serious bodily harm or death, and was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 10 years. He challenged the sentence but it was upheld on appeal.
The parole board document said his "problematic and extremist ideologies and attitudes" remained during his first few years behind bars, which also included several incidents of misconduct.
His ideology "began to shift" in 2014 and he was eventually transferred to a medium-security institution in 2019, where correctional officers reported he was "respectful, polite and quiet," the board said.
Amara was granted day parole for three months in 2022 and it was extended several times.
"During the latter part of your federal custody and for the past four years in the community, you have undertaken a process to distance yourself from extremist ideologies and others who share the same views," the board wrote.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2026.
By Paola Loriggio | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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Trades college, union building in Edmonton on lockdown after parking lot shooting
Edmonton trades college in lockdown after shooting
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
A union representing pipefitters in Edmonton says its buildings, including a trade college, are on lockdown following a shooting in a parking lot.
The United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 488 says police have responded and are investigating.
The buildings are located in northwest Edmonton and include the Alberta Pipe Trades College.
The union says it's co-operating with police and asking people to avoid sharing unverified information.
It says the safety of staff, instructors, members and students are of the highest priority.
The union says it plans to share further updates when more information becomes available.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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L’émission MasterChef recrute partout au Canada et c’est ta chance d'empocher 100 000 $
On connaît tous quelqu'un qui a des « skills » de chef hors pair!
Le célèbre concours culinaire MasterChef Canada fait un retour très attendu sur nos écrans pour la saison 2025-2026. Après avoir séduit des millions de téléspectateurs et téléspectatrices à travers le monde, cette émission revient sur CTV avec un format légèrement revisité, mais toujours aussi intense. La huitième saison, composée de onze épisodes, promet une aventure exaltante pour les passionné.e.s de cuisine du pays, et la période de recrutement est commencée.
Le principe reste simple, mais efficace : des amateurs et amatrices en cuisine s’affronteront dans des épreuves diverses pour tenter de décrocher le prestigieux titre de MasterChef Canada et empocher la somme de 100 000 $. Chaque candidat.e devra faire preuve de créativité, d’audace et de technique devant un panel de juges, dont les noms seront bientôt dévoilés. La compétition s’annonce relevée, avec des défis individuels et en équipe conçus pour pousser les talents culinaires à leurs limites.
Si tu aimes cuisiner, que tu es prêt.e à innover et que tu rêves de transformer ta passion en carrière, cette compétition est faite pour toi. Comme annoncé par des communiqués et sur les réseaux sociaux le 25 octobre, les inscriptions sont ouvertes à toutes les personnes canadiennes et celles ayant la résidence permanente, étant âgées de plus de 19 ans au 1er octobre 2024. La seule condition : ne jamais avoir travaillé comme chef.fe professionnel.le.
Pour t’inscrire, rends-toi sur le site de CTV avant le 17 novembre 2024. Tu devras soumettre deux vidéos : l’une pour expliquer pourquoi tu mérites ta place dans la compétition et l’autre pour démontrer tes talents culinaires en action. Prépare-toi également à être disponible entre janvier et février 2025 pour environ quinze jours de tournage.
Que tu sois un.e autodidacte passionné.e ou l'expert.e des repas du dimanche, c’est l’occasion rêvée de transformer ton amour de la cuisine en une aventure inoubliable. Alors, enfile ton tablier, aiguise tes couteaux et tente ta chance pour décrocher la fameuse veste blanche de MasterChef Canada!