Conservatives call for cuts to permanent residency admissions in immigration plan
The Conservatives are calling on the government to implement temporary resident exit tracking, boost collaboration with the provinces and further reduce permanent residency admissions in the coming immigration levels plan.
Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner outlined these and other demands in a press conference today, and blamed government policy for a rise in anti-immigrant sentiment in recent years.
She said the government should be putting more emphasis on integrating newcomers to restore faith in the system and ease social tensions around immigration.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday the government "will not budge" on its goal of making immigration numbers sustainable and its plan is "getting them to that level now."
Last year's immigration levels plan, which set a target of admitting 380,000 permanent residents annually between 2026 and 2028, also included two programs aimed at giving permanent status to more than 130,000 temporary residents who aren't included in the broader target.
The government must provide an updated levels plan in the next few weeks.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2026.
By David Baxter | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
B.C. NDP Leader Eby campaigns in Vancouver, while Tories heads to Surrey
British Columbia NDP Leader David Eby campaigns in Vancouver and Richmond today after wrapping his swing through the vote-rich city of Surrey with a rally.
Hundreds of people attended the gathering near City Hall on Wednesday.
Eby made six stops in the Surrey-Delta area throughout the day to meet with seniors and visit a trucking company.
Meanwhile, interim B.C. Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson is set to make an announcement in B.C.'s second-largest city, where 10 ridings are up for grabs.
He's also expected to hold a rally in Surrey later tonight.
Advance voting also wrapped up on Wednesday, ahead of Saturday's election.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2026.
By Wolfgang Depner | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Officials to provide update on fatal fire at CFB Wainwright in Alberta
Officials are set to provide an update today about a devastating fire at a Canadian military base in Alberta that left four soldiers dead and dozens more injured.
Maj.-Gen. Wade Rutland of the 1st Canadian Division has said Saturday's blaze began as a grass fire, but a violent windstorm sent flames racing toward soldiers training at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright.
The fire initially sent 39 wounded to various hospitals, and officials said Wednesday that number was down to 27, with 13 in critical condition.
Roughly 150 people attended a vigil late Wednesday at a church in the nearby town of Wainwright, Alta., southeast of Edmonton.
Prayers were said, songs were sung and the names of those killed were read aloud, followed by a moment of silence.
Mayor Bruce Pugh says the last few days have been tough, but activities at the base have started to return to normal.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22. 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
