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Dr. Georges‑L.‑Dumont University Hospital Centre.

Infrastructure investments for N.B., starting at Dumont Hospital

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A new bilateral infrastructure agreement means $461 million invested in priority projects in New Brunswick.

The deal between the federal and provincial governments includes $155 million for health-related infrastructure.

Moncton’s Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre will get the first bit of the health-care funding.

According to a press release from the Department of Health, $25.7 million will be spent for endoscopy modernization and expansion, as well as $1 million for planning activities to support a broader redevelopment concept and future infrastructure requirements.

“New Brunswickers deserve to get the right care, in the right place, when they need it,” Premier Susan Holt said in a statement.

“That means making sure our health-care teams have the facilities and equipment they need to provide that care.”

The president and CEO of Vitalité Health Network praised the investment in the Dumont.

“The Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre plays an essential role in the delivery of specialized care in New Brunswick and in training the next generation of health-care professionals,” said Dr. France Desrosiers.

“These investments will support the transformation of our infrastructure to improve care environments, increase our capacity and better meet the growing needs of the population.”

Federal Internal Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said the agreement marks an important step in building infrastructure New Brunswick needs, and not just in health care.

“Canada and New Brunswick are making strategic investments that will help unlock new housing, strengthen post-secondary education and support modern, reliable health infrastructure,” LeBlanc said.

The money comes from the Build Communities Strong Fund, announced in the 2025 federal budget.

a plane flying over a forest filled with lots of smoke

Federal update shows wildfire risk rising in Canada

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Federal officials say wildfire danger is rising across Canada as hot, dry weather settles in for July and August.

Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski delivered the update on Thursday.

Joining her were Corey Hogan, parliamentary secretary to the minister of energy and natural resources, and Ginette Lavack, parliamentary secretary to the minister of Indigenous services.

Olszewski said there are 796 active wildfires across the country, including 60 that are out of control.

She said 3,137 fires have burned 1.4 million hectares so far this season.

At this point last year, Canada had fewer fires but a larger burned area of more than 4.6 million hectares.

Weather outlook and fire danger trends

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s forecast shows above‑average temperatures through August, with dry conditions expected in parts of Manitoba and northwestern Ontario.

Federal modelling indicates July fire danger will be highest in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, northern Manitoba and areas around Hudson Bay, with elevated risk in northern Ontario and Quebec.

Western Canada is expected to see mostly low to moderate danger due to recent widespread rain, though interior British Columbia may face pockets of higher danger.

August is expected to follow similar patterns, with southern interior B.C. facing higher‑than‑normal danger.

Preparedness funding and Indigenous‑led projects

Natural Resources Canada announced $1.25 million for six projects aimed at strengthening wildfire preparedness and response.

The funding supports work with Metis Nation British Columbia, Metis Nation of Alberta, Metis Nation-Saskatchewan, and the Metis Nation of Ontario on risk mapping, emergency planning, evacuation coordination, and the integration of Indigenous knowledge into wildfire management.

Additional funding will support the Deline Got’ine Government and Chipewyan Prairie First Nation to train up to 38 Indigenous wildland firefighters.

The federal government says it continues to work with provinces, territories and First Nations communities as emergencies unfold.

Olszewski also approved Manitoba’s Request for Federal Assistance on July 3 to support the flooding response in the Parkland Region following intense storms and rainfall.

Ottawa highlighted that it is prepared to support Manitoba if the province requests access to the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements.

“With the summer in full swing, we are seeing increased wildfire danger across the country,” Olszewski said in a statement.

She added that the federal government is committed to working with provinces and territories throughout the season.

Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin said climate change is contributing to more severe weather events.

“By strengthening our ability to monitor, forecast, and communicate environmental hazards, we are helping communities across Canada adapt to a changing climate, improve resilience, and stay safe,” Dabrusin said.

Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull‑Masty said First Nations leaders and responders have shown strong leadership during evacuations.

Lavack stated First Nations communities continue to face the greatest impacts of climate change.

Hogan explained that investing in local preparedness is essential as fire activity increases.

Federal officials say Canadians can stay informed through national wildfire and weather alert systems and to learn more about emergency preparedness.

Sean Fraser_CPAC Screenshot_Alex Allan

New federal bail and sentencing law set to roll out July 15

Canada’s new bail and sentencing law is expected to bring tougher measures for violent and repeat offenders, according to Justice Minister Sean Fraser.

Fraser said the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, also known as Bill C‑14, received royal assent on June 15 and gives courts clearer direction when deciding bail and sentencing.

Judges will now be required to weigh the seriousness of an offence along with an accused person’s record, including previous convictions and outstanding charges.

Fraser explained the legislation introduces measures that direct courts to impose harsher penalties in cases where crimes have wider community impacts.

“That’s why we’ve designed new aggravating factors to insist that the court deliver harder sentences when people commit crimes that don’t just impact the individual victim, but cause consequences that are negative for the community as a whole,” Fraser said.

He said the new factors apply to crimes against first responders and transit workers, organized retail theft and offences targeting essential infrastructure.

Fraser said these changes respond to concerns raised by police, frontline workers and businesses dealing with rising violence and property crime.

Fraser said the reforms were shaped through months of consultations with provinces, territories, police organizations and municipal officials.

“The bill that we have put forward has gained the support of a significant number of other parties,” he said.

“Every single provincial government in Canada has endorsed and called upon the government to expeditiously adopt this bill.”

He said national policing groups have also expressed support for the legislation.

He said the law is part of a broader federal approach that includes strengthening criminal laws, supporting frontline workers and investing in long‑term measures such as housing, mental‑health supports and youth programs.

people sitting on chair

Federal government invests $440K in French-second-language learning opportunities for N.B. youth

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The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Member of Parliament for Moncton-Dieppe, announced the $440,000 in federal funding.

It will support the Parents for Bilingual Education New Brunswick programs for the next two years, which includes opportunities and activities such as youth camps, tutoring programs, supports and resources to help parents, and some new initiatives like a Francophone student-led peer tutoring program for French-second-language students.

The investment will enhance French language learning opportunities for youth throughout New Brunswick, will empower families to navigate French-second-language education, and will help build more inclusive communities.

“Bilingualism opens doors and minds everywhere. That is especially true in New Brunswick, Canada’s only officially bilingual province, but it is true in more than 100 countries and regions where French is spoken,” said Taylor. “Educating New Brunswick children in both official languages helps prepare them for our increasingly global economy.”

Taylor is proud the federal government helps volunteer-ran organizations like Parents for Bilingual Education New Brunswick advocate for childrens’ futures.

The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official languages, who said the investment will help youth build strong, lifelong connections.

“Learning French opens doors–not just to jobs, but also to friendships, cultures and communities across the country. In a province like New Brunswick, these opportunities matter even more,” said Miller.

Jane Keith, President of Parents for Bilingual Education New Brunswick, said her team is pleased to receive renewed support from Canadian Heritage.

“This investment strengthens Parents for Bilingual Education New Brunswick’s ability to support families and educators across the province. We are committed to ensuring every child has access to strong, high-quality French second-language learning. This continued partnership allows us to expand access to programs, respond to growing demand, and help build a more inclusive, sustainable bilingual future,” said Keith.

For more information about Parents for Bilingual Education New Brunswick, visit their website.

Canadian Parliament

Cabinet minister signals more MPs considering crossing floor

A federal cabinet minister is hinting that more Members of Parliament may be considering crossing the floor to join the Liberal government.

According to CBC News, Energy Minister Tim Hodgson made the comments Monday in Toronto, following last week’s defection of Ontario MP Michael Ma from the Conservative caucus to the Liberals.

When asked whether other opposition MPs are preparing to make similar moves, Hodgson said he has been hearing from people.

“Let’s say I’m getting lots of inquiries,” he told reporters.

Ma’s decision to leave the Conservatives came less than 24 hours after attending the Official Opposition’s Christmas party and brought the Liberal government to within one seat of a majority in the House of Commons.

Hodgson declined to comment on any personal role he may have played in courting Ma, whose Markham–Unionville riding borders Hodgson’s own riding of Markham–Thornhill.

However, sources told CBC News that Hodgson was involved in the discussions that led to the move.

Those sources, who were not authorized to speak publicly, said Ma met with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Hodgson last Thursday and that Hodgson had built a relationship with Ma over the spring and summer while attending events in the Markham area.

Ma is the latest in a series of MPs to cross the floor this Parliament, as the Liberals continue to govern in a minority situation.

They currently are one seat short of a majority.

Dominic LeBlanc in DC

Feds removing trade, labour mobility barriers

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New federal regulations will remove some barriers to internal trade and labour mobility.

Monday, Intergovernmental Affairs and Internal Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced the coming release of regulations stemming from the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act.

The Act and regulations will achieve three objectives, according to the federal government.

First, any good produced, used or distributed in line with the requirements of a province or territory will be recognized as meeting comparable federal requirements.

Next, a service provided in line with the requirements of a province or territory will be recognized as meeting comparable federal requirements.

Finally, a worker licensed or certified by a province or territory will be able to work in a comparable occupation in federal jurisdiction.

The idea is to remove duplication and red tape across the country.

The regulations will also list exceptions to the Act in order to protect the health and safety of Canadians.

This will include food regulated under the Safe Food for Canadians Act.

The Act and regulations will come into effect Jan. 1.

The government is also working with the provinces and territories through First Ministers and the Committee on Internal Trade to further eliminate barriers to trade and labour mobility.

fraser-bail

Federal government announces sweeping bail and sentencing reforms

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Canada’s federal government is moving to tighten bail and sentencing laws, with Justice Minister Sean Fraser unveiling what he called the most sweeping criminal law reforms in years.

The new Bail and Sentencing Reform Act introduces more than 80 changes to the Criminal Code, focused on keeping repeat and violent offenders behind bars longer while giving police and courts stronger tools to protect the public.

“Today is about stronger laws and safer communities,” Fraser said. “We’re making bail harder to get for violent and repeat offenders, while also strengthening sentencing and supporting prevention.”

One of the biggest changes is an expanded use of reverse onus at bail.

That means for serious offences — such as home invasion, violent auto theft, human smuggling, extortion, or repeat assaults — detention will be the starting point.

The accused would have to prove they should be released. Fraser said the goal isn’t to jail more people, but to better protect communities: “It’s to detain dangerous people who pose a risk to public safety.”

Judges would have to consider whether crimes involved random or unprovoked violence, if the accused has other charges pending, and whether strict conditions — such as weapons bans — are needed.

The bill also proposes tougher sentencing rules.

Offenders could face consecutive prison terms for violent auto theft combined with break and enter, or for repeat violent crimes, meaning they would serve one sentence after another instead of at the same time. “If you’re sentenced to two years for one crime and four for another, we believe you should serve six,” Fraser said.

Other measures would make sentences harsher for crimes against first responders, retail theft, or damage to essential infrastructure. The bill would also remove house arrest for certain sexual and child-related offences and restore driving bans for serious negligent driving cases.

Fraser said the reforms were developed with input from police, provinces, and community groups. “Although we as the federal government may hold the pen when it comes to changing Canada’s criminal laws, it’s the provinces who have the responsibility to administer the system,” he said, adding that cooperation has been “extraordinary.”

He also stressed that stronger laws must be matched by prevention — including more RCMP and border officers, mental health and housing investments, and youth programs to address the roots of crime.

When asked about concerns over court delays, Fraser said a separate bill is coming this fall to speed up trials, protect victims, and address intimate partner and sexual violence.

“People are afraid, and I understand why,” he said. “They see repeat offenders going in and out of the system and random violence in their neighbourhoods. We can’t accept this — not in Canada.”

The proposed legislation now heads to Parliament, where Fraser says the government will continue working with provinces, police, and justice officials to ensure the new measures lead to safer streets and stronger public confidence in the justice system.