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Career college students worry about impact of OSAP pause, extended to 2027
Students worry about impact of OSAP pause
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Now that the Ontario government has confirmed that a provincewide pause on student financial assistance payments to career colleges will last for months, some students say they're worried it will prevent them from graduating.
Colleges and Universities Minister Nolan Quinn announced late Tuesday afternoon that the pause won't be lifted until the government establishes a new process for approving private post-secondary institutions under the Ontario Student Assistance Program.
He says that work isn't expected to be finished until the new year, and the government is also still working to secure third-party loans for students through banks.
Quinn enacted the pause after he said preliminary findings from an audit into OSAP usage at career colleges highlighted serious concerns.
Many students say they feel unfairly penalized for the allegedly suspicious activity of others.
Trillium College has suspended classes due to uncertainty around the OSAP pause, and student Marina Whitehead says she now doesn't know if she will be able to graduate in February, as planned.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2026.
By Allison Jones | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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Federal union announces strike votes for 120,000 federal public servants
120,000 federal staff to take part in strike votes
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Canada's largest federal public service union says 120,000 workers will take part in nationwide strike votes starting next month after contract talks with the federal government broke down.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada says voting will take place from Nov. 16 to Jan. 22.
The union and Treasury Board have been in contract negotiations for a year and a half, and PSAC in May called a government wage offer of less than one per cent per year "insulting."
PSAC says the government has refused to negotiate on key issues such as wages, job security, remote work and protections against artificial intelligence.
Workers to take part in strike votes include wildland firefighters, passport and benefit officers, fishery officers, federal teachers, librarians and administrative staff.
In 2023, 155,000 federal public servants spent almost two weeks on picket lines across the country before winning wage increases amounting to 12.6 per cent over the agreement’s term, which ran from 2021 to 2024.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2026.
By Catherine Morrison | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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Booking your Air Canada flight by phone? That'll be $30 extra — per passenger
Air Canada now charging $30 to book by phone
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan
Air Canada says customers who book their flights by phone are now paying $30 per passenger for the privilege.
The country's biggest airline says the policy came into force last week, placing it alongside WestJet, United Airlines and the numerous low-cost carriers that charge phone booking fees.
The move marks an attempt to steer customers to its website or app and to cut call centre costs.
Andrew D'Amours, co-founder of flight deal site Flytrippers, says the change could disproportionately hit older Canadians who rely on phone bookings.
He says it highlights one more area that airlines have found to charge for services, and that now the cost will be borne more by those who use it.
Air Canada says customers who require specialized support, including those with accessibility needs, are exempt from the fee.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2026.
Companies in this story: (TSX:AC)
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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Trudeau & Poilievre Are Already Coming For Each Other & They're Not Holding Back
"Careless attacks don't add up to a plan."
Now that Pierre Poilievre has been named the new leader of the Conservative party on September 10, the barbed comments have already started flying between him and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
During the Liberal Caucus retreat in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Trudeau remarked on Poilievre's victory, but also had a few pointed words on some of his views.
"I want to congratulate Mr. Poilievre on becoming the leader of His Majesty's Loyal Opposition," said the prime minister.
Trudeau went on to say that he plans on working with all parliamentarians, but pointedly added that "this doesn't mean that we won't be calling out highly questionable, reckless economic ideas."
"What Canadians need is responsible leadership...Buzz words, dog whistles and careless attacks don't add up to a plan for Canadians," said Trudeau.
"Attacking the institutions that make our society fair, safe and free is not responsible leadership."
Trudeau went through a number of things that constitute not "responsible leadership," such as recommending folks "opt-out of inflation" by investing in cryptocurrency and "fighting against vaccines."
All pointed remarks towards Poilievre's views. Over the years, Poilievre has called for more cryptocurrency in Canada and has even come out in support of the trucker protests that took place in January 2022.
Trudeau then directly addressed Poilievre's criticisms of government spending, saying that "being there for workers, for families, for seniors, for businesses and for all Canadians was the right thing to do."
Of course, Poilievre also took aim at Trudeau during his first speech as leader.
"I am issuing a challenge to Justin Trudeau today," said the new Tory leader.
"If you really care, commit today that there will be no new tax increases on workers and on seniors," said Poilievre.
"None."
He also called out the "radical, woke coalition" between the Liberals and the NDP — which is not technically a coalition but is a confidence and supply agreement.
"Conservatives will not support any new tax increases, and we will fight tooth and nail to stop the coalition from introducing any," added.