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NDP focuses on Surrey, B.C., battleground as election enters home stretch
Health in focus with B.C. election in home stretch
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Hemens
Health remains a top item on the British Columbia election agenda as the campaign enters its final days.
NDP Leader David Eby will be making an announcement at the Surrey Hospital construction site in the election-battleground city, a day after announcing a $30-million expansion of Kelowna General Hospital on Tuesday.
Both the NDP and B.C. Conservatives have made a series of health pledges as final voting day on Saturday closes in, including announcing the construction of new urgent and primary care facilities across B.C.
The Conservatives say health care is in crisis in the province, with 1.2 million British Columbians lacking a family doctor.
Lorne Doerkson, the party's interim leader, has also been focused on fundraising in the home stretch of the campaign, with two events scheduled on Wednesday, after five others in the past week.
Advance voting closes at 8 p.m. today, and Elections BC says about 711,000 people have voted in the first five days of early polling, down about 9 per cent compared to the first five days of advance voting in 2024.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct, 21, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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Ontario housing market set for modest rebound in 2027: Desjardins report
Ontario housing set for modest rebound: report
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy
A new report says Ontario's housing market is expected to improve "modestly" next year as favourable economic conditions help push buyers off the sidelines, though higher borrowing costs could dull the extent of the rebound.
Desjardins senior economist Kari Norman calls the province's housing sector "weak" despite improved affordability, greater buyer choice and easing rental conditions.
Her report predicts existing home sales would rise nearly five per cent in 2027 compared with this year, remaining well below long‑term norms, while balanced market conditions should lead to average price growth of 2.4 per cent next year.
The analysis also says the interest rate backdrop will "likely remaining challenging," with two rate hikes by the Bank of Canada expected in 2027 that would limit affordability gains from recent home price declines and rising disposable incomes.
That would also raise construction financing costs, as the report projects housing starts to rise around six per cent to nearly 65,000 units in 2027 — still more than 30 per cent below levels seen in 2021 and 2022.
The report says rental conditions should remain relatively balanced, as new condominium and purpose‑built rental completions add supply at a time when population growth is likely to be weak.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2026.
By Sammy Hudes | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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First Nations say Elections Alberta unprepared for referendum turnout
First Nations say Elections Alberta unprepared
First Nations in Alberta are celebrating the win for the pro-Canada side in Monday's referendum — but they're also raising concerns about a shortage of ballots in their communities.
About three in four Albertans said yes to Confederation on Monday, while about one in four said they wanted the province to hold a second, binding referendum on leaving.
Siksika Nation says that while it's pleased with the outcome, the polling station in their community was understaffed and didn't receive enough ballots from Elections Alberta, leading to long wait times and "unnecessary obstacles."
Tania Cameron, who helped boost First Nations turnout in the vote, says she was proud to learn several First Nations polling stations had to request more ballots.
She also says Elections Alberta should have been more prepared.
She says not having enough ballots is a slap in the face to community members who wanted their voices heard.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2026.
By Alessia Passafiume | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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Ce nouvel outil te permet de voir le temps d'attente dans les bureaux de Passeports Canada
Ça va t'éviter d'attendre des heures en file!La crise du passeport est bien réelle au Canada. Après deux années où les voyages à l'étranger étaient déconseillés, plusieurs Canadien.nes qui ont des plans de vacances cet été se voient obliger de renouveler leurs passeports échus. Le hic c'est qu'un nombre impressionnant de personnes sont maintenant dans le même bateau et les services de Passeport Canada sont complètement engorgés.
Les vaillant.es qui se sont levé.es à l'aurore pour être les premier.ères aux portes des établissements gouvernementaux témoignent de files interminables, du stress et de longues heures d'attente pour recevoir leur « précieux ». En réponse à cette problématique, Passeport Canada a annoncé, le 9 juin dernier, sur ses réseaux sociaux, avoir ajouté un outil afin de permettre aux utilisateur.trices de voir les temps d'attente dans les bureaux de passeport.
Tu peux donc désormais vérifier combien de temps ta visite pourrait te prendre avant de te pointer dans les centres de Passeport Canada. Le temps d'attente dans les bureaux de la province de Québec, au moment d'écrire ces lignes, tourne autour de trois à cinq heures. Cette donnée est mise à jour trois fois par jour.
Il est important de noter qu'il s'agit d'une estimation seulement. Cela pourrait donc te prendre plus ou moins de temps sur place pour effectuer ton renouvellement.
Afin de permettre aux équipes de Passeport Canada de procéder le plus rapidement possible et de ne pas te présenter pour rien, assure-toi d'avoir tous les documents nécessaires lors de ta visite.