Politics

UN-backed experts reported that an October campaign by the Rapid Support Forces in and around El Fasher displayed hallmarks of genocide, with evidence of ethnically targeted killings and other atrocities; a formal genocide determination must be made by an international tribunal.

The Vancouver Police Department is investigating four extortion cases — the first reported in the city — and says arrests and search warrants have been executed.

Nine Board of Peace members pledged a combined $7 billion for Gaza relief, and the U.S. announced a separate $10 billion pledge to the board; several countries also offered troop or police support.

Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced in Mississauga that FINTRAC will deploy liaison officers to work with law enforcement on extortion; further operational steps are undetermined at this time.

Officials and witnesses said Israeli settlers shot and killed 19-year-old Nasrallah Abu Siyam near Mukhmas; the Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed his death and his family said he held American citizenship. The Israeli military said it used "riot dispersal methods" after reports of rock-throwing and denied that its forces fired.

The Saskatoon Police Service confirmed the sudden death of an off-duty officer; the cause and identity have not been released and community groups have offered condolences.

At the inaugural Board of Peace meeting, President Trump said nine countries pledged a combined $7 billion for Gaza relief and that the U.S. would contribute $10 billion to the new board; he then traveled to Georgia for domestic events.

Officials said five countries have committed troops to an international stabilization force in Gaza and the U.S. announced a $10 billion contribution to a Trump-led Board of Peace; major questions about disarmament, wider participation and next steps remain. Undetermined at this time.

Ontario's education minister has told school boards to let students watch Team Canada's Olympic hockey games during school hours after a request from Premier Doug Ford. The directive covers the women's gold-medal match and the men's semi-final that fall during class time.

The federal government announced it will redirect financial-crime resources and work more closely with banks and police to address extortion in the Greater Toronto Area, which officials say has disproportionately affected the South Asian community. The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (Fintrac) will reassign personnel, share intelligence and launch partnerships with banks to support investigations.

The federal government will announce nearly $230-million for Inuit programs, including $50-million for the first Inuit-led university, with Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull‑Masty making the announcement in Kuujjuaq; details were shared with The Globe and Mail in advance.

Ottawa will unveil a "follow-the-money" anti-extortion partnership in Mississauga; officials say it will use existing funds, with FinTRAC reallocating resources and issuing a Targeted Indicator Profile to help institutions spot extortion patterns.

President Trump announced that nine members of the Board of Peace pledged $7 billion for Gaza relief and that five countries agreed to send troops to an international stabilization force, while the United States pledged $10 billion to the board.

President Donald Trump will host the inaugural Board of Peace meeting Thursday with officials from more than two dozen countries and the board has announced a US$5 billion pledge for Gaza reconstruction while the ceasefire remains fragile.

B.C. is placing temporary trailers at Tumbler Ridge Elementary to house secondary students after last week’s shooting; officials say the RCMP has completed its scene examination and a return-to-school date is not yet set.

The federal government released a defence industrial strategy that sets a "build, partner, acquire" approach and aims to award 70% of defence contracts to Canadian firms within a decade; it appears alongside a recent U.S. executive order to promote American-made arms. How the two approaches will align is currently undetermined.

Ontario will lift its freeze on domestic tuition, allowing up to 2% annual increases, and rework OSAP to provide more aid as loans and fewer grants, which could raise debt for the lowest-income students.

A South Korean court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to life in prison for his December 2024 imposition of martial law, finding the decree amounted to an insurrection; judges said he sought to prevent the National Assembly from functioning.

Ontario has restructured OSAP to reduce the share given as grants and increase loans, and opposition parties and student groups have launched a 'save OSAP' campaign while the premier says he will stand firm.

After the Tumbler Ridge school shooting, an Alberta activist says the shooter's reported gender identity has led to a rise in hostile online comments and public statements linking transgender people to violence. Community leaders report heightened fear among transgender people and say the next broader procedural responses are undetermined at this time.

Opposition leaders have urged the Canadian government to send humanitarian aid to Cuba amid reported blackouts and fuel shortages, and Ottawa says an announcement on aid is coming soon.

Parts of the Strait of Hormuz were closed for a few hours for Revolutionary Guard drills while indirect nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran began in Geneva, mediated by Oman.

Alberta MP Matt Jeneroux crossed the floor to join the Liberals, moving the government closer to a majority; party sources say discussions with other potential defectors are ongoing.

Surrey Police chief Norm Lipinski says the B.C. government denied a request to postpone the transition from the RCMP; the province says the takeover of Cloverdale (District 4) will proceed on April 1 and discussions between the parties are ongoing.

Metrolinx says civil infrastructure for the Ontario Line is now trending toward completion in the early 2030s and a testing phase will follow; officials also said bridge work near the Don River could potentially require work or closures on the Don Valley Parkway.

Canada's immigration department said it expects Ukrainians who left after the 2022 invasion to return when it is safe; advocates and some Ukrainians say many have established lives in Canada and seek clearer pathways to permanent residency.

Five NDP leadership candidates will meet in a 90-minute debate in Vancouver to present plans for rebuilding the federal party after it was reduced to seven seats and lost official status; the leadership winner will be announced March 29 at the party convention in Winnipeg.

The Terrebonne seat was annulled by the Supreme Court after a one-vote result and is now one of three upcoming byelections that could bring the Liberals to 172 seats if they win all three.

A report using 2023 data finds little change in child and family poverty in Nova Scotia, with 22.7% of children living in poverty and 38% experiencing food insecurity.

The Ambulance Paramedics of B.C. union reported that 97% of more than 6,000 members voted in favour of job action, and the union has scheduled a press conference Thursday to provide further details.