ETA Canada News

Porter Airlines, Canada’s third-largest airline, recently announced that it will introduce a temporary surcharge on award tickets for its frequent flyer program, VIPorter, due to rising global fuel prices. The policy took effect on March 23, 2026, and applies to all newly booked redemption flights.

According to the official statement, each passenger will need to pay an additional CAD 40 per segment of the journey as a “Peak Surcharge,” which will be charged separately for round-trip flights. However, completed bookings are not affected by this adjustment. Porter stated that this move aims to address soaring fuel costs while maintaining the number of points required for redemption as much as possible.

The airline emphasized that this fee is a temporary measure and that the original pricing system will be restored once oil prices fall and stabilize. Meanwhile, the price of tickets for regular passengers usually already reflects changes in fuel costs, and these costs are directly reflected in the final ticket price, which varies depending on the route and region.

The background of this adjustment is closely related to the international situation. Currently, US President Donald Trump has extended the negotiation deadline by five days, and consultations are ongoing. Industry insiders generally believe that if the situation remains tense, airfare increases will be inevitable. In fact, several Canadian airlines have previously signalled similar moves.

For example, Air Transat announced it would increase fuel surcharges on flights to Europe and incorporate them into the overall ticket price; while Air Canada and WestJet also pointed out that ticket prices typically adjust with fluctuations in fuel costs. Overall, Porter’s fare adjustment reflects the aviation industry’s high sensitivity to energy price fluctuations. Future airfare trends will largely depend on developments in international oil prices and the geopolitical situation.

There was a time when Canadians flocked to the United States to buy cheap cars, waiting weeks to have them shipped across the border. The Canadian federal government is accelerating an agreement to facilitate connections between Chinese auto giants such as BYD, Chery, and Geely and local dealers. Jason Zhao, Asia Market Director at automotive industry analysis firm DSMA, revealed that the first batch of Chinese electric vehicles will officially hit Canadian roads as early as this year.

At that time, Chinese cars will account for about 3% of Canada’s annual car sales. The news caused an uproar in Detroit. Ford CEO Jim Farley characterized the competition from Chinese electric vehicles as an “existential threat” to the U.S. auto industry. General Motors CEO Mary Barra used equally strong language:

“I can’t understand why Canada made this decision.” Chinese electric vehicles will become a monstrous force; the floodgates have been opened, and there’s no stopping them. The panic among American automakers has a basis in reality. According to the plan, by the end of this century, at least half of these Chinese cars must be priced below CAD 35,000 (USD 26,000). This is precisely the price range that the Detroit Big Three are currently unable to compete with. By 2025, Ford, GM, and Stellantis will have sold over 700,000 vehicles in Canada combined. Moreover, Canada’s vehicle safety and emission standards are highly aligned with those of the United States—vehicles approved in Canada can often enter the U.S. market with almost no obstacles. In other words, once Chinese electric vehicles are launched in Canada, they are essentially parked on the doorstep of American consumers.

They can’t afford to lose in the American market. In the eyes of Americans, Canada’s move was a precise act of retaliation. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Carney directly named the US-led global order: “American hegemony once provided public goods, open air routes, a stable financial system, and collective security. This system of transactions is no longer effective.”

Introducing Chinese electric vehicles as a proactive response to American influence appears to be the Carney administration’s stated logic. Trump has already stated that if Canada reaches a broader agreement with China, he will impose a 100% tariff on Canadian exports. Carney then clarified that Canada has no intention of signing a comprehensive free trade agreement with China. But the Chinese cars still arrived. Trump, of course, wouldn’t stand idly by.

After the reciprocal tariffs were ruled unconstitutional, he quickly added Canada to the Section 301 trade investigation list targeting more than 60 countries, preparing to rebuild the tariff system through legal means. U.S. Trade Representative Greer stated that the investigation would be completed “within months”.

At the same time, Trump threatened to renegotiate the USMCA and hinted that he would not rule out withdrawing from the agreement if it could not be reached. Behind this agreement lies an annual trade volume of $1.6 trillion in goods. Intense competition will inevitably become the mainstream of the long-term relationship between the two countries. Regarding the electric car issue, Carney neither said it was revenge nor that it wasn’t.

The British Columbia (BC) SPCA, an animal protection organization in BC, has revealed that a kitten just a few weeks old was rescued at the last minute from being crushed to death.

According to a news release dated March 13, on February 13, workers at a waste disposal facility in Abbotsford were putting cardboard boxes into a compactor when they heard faint meowing coming from under a stack of boxes. Upon investigation, they discovered two small kittens underneath the boxes. Workers immediately took the kitten to the BC SPCA Abbotsford, but another one was found later that day and was taken back to the SPCA.

On February 16th, two more kittens were found on the grounds of the facility. Since the SPCA was closed that day, a worker took the kittens home and brought them to the SPCA the following day.

Sarah Ringer-Venard, manager of BC SPCA Abbotsford, said in a statement, “We are so grateful that they found the kittens. They saved them from the worst possible fate.” All the kittens had upper respiratory tract infections and discharge from their eyes, but they were given antibiotics and are now recovering. The kitten adoption process is scheduled to begin in approximately six weeks.

Once the kitten reaches the required weight of 1 kg or more, it will be listed on the BC SPCA adoption page: https://adopt.spca.bc.ca

At a meeting last October, the Canadian banking regulator warned bank executives that the common practice of using blanket appraisals for condominium mortgages could violate federal mortgage rules.

According to an exclusive Reuters report, a meeting transcript obtained by the media under the Access to Information Act shows that the Office of the Supervisory Financial Institutions (OSFI), responsible for maintaining the stability of Canada’s financial industry, is increasingly scrutinizing some mortgage approval processes due to growing concerns that a collapse in the Canadian housing market could have a widespread impact on the economy.

Canada experienced one of the largest real estate price declines among major global economies last year, with prices falling by 2.7%. Canadians postponed home purchase plans due to uncertainty surrounding US trade and a slowdown in immigration. Outdated valuations increase the risk for banks. Prices for pre-sale apartments (commonly known as off-plan properties) have fallen by 10% to 30%, putting banks at risk of homebuyers defaulting on their mortgages or purchasing apartments at a reduced value.

Banks often use a composite valuation, meaning lenders use the property’s value at the time the buyer agrees to purchase it, rather than its value at the time of handover, to approve loans for multiple apartment units simultaneously. However, in a market with falling property prices, outdated valuations increase the bank’s risk, as they may face higher losses from loan defaults.

If a Canadian bank is found to have violated the Bank Act, it may face stricter scrutiny. The Bank Act is a federal law that prohibits banks from issuing uninsured mortgages exceeding 80% of a property’s market value at closing. At its meeting last October, OSFI warned that the overall valuation could exceed the 80% limit. Toronto and Vancouver Face the Most Severe Pressure In its statement, OSFI indicated that when lenders fail to comply with relevant regulations, OSFI will discuss solutions and remedies privately with the lenders, but did not specify what the remedies entail. OSFI stated at a quarterly roundtable with chief risk officers from major Canadian banks: “We note that failure to comply with the 80% loan-to-value ratio requirement could result in uninsured mortgages exceeding 80% of the property’s market value, thus constituting a breach of the Banking Act.”

These documents did not specify which banks participated in the meeting. Due to sluggish demand, apartments that were once highly sought after in Canada are now unwanted. From boom to bubble burst in the housing market Unsold condominiums in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver have led to thousands of vacant units in downtown high-rise apartment buildings. This is because developers rushed to develop properties between 2018 and 2022 to meet investor demand. OSFI stated that the unified valuation model works well when the housing market is rising but becomes more challenging when the market is weak.

At a meeting in November, OSFI pointed out problems with the marketing wording of large banks and the timing of their valuations. At that time, apartment prices had fallen by about 10% to 20% from their 2022 peak. OSFI also showed an advertisement from a lending institution promoting mortgage loans using standardized valuations but did not name the lending institution.

Following the meeting, the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Canada’s largest bank, modified its website, removing the promise that “approved loans for homebuyers will remain valid until the closing date.” RBC’s website now states in part: “RBC will provide mortgage approval based on the completion date provided by the builder.” In response to a Reuters request for comment, RBC emphasized that they work closely with regulators to ensure their expectations are met.

The Canadian Bankers Association, representing the interests of the banking industry, said it is consulting with OSFI on regulators’ requirements for the unified valuation used in the pre-sale phase to ensure that any potential financial impact is considered. OSFI declined to comment on its meeting with the bank.

Two Tim Hortons restaurants were accused of failing to pay delivery bills after refusing to accept a shipment of spoiled and rotten ingredients delivered by a courier company. The tribunal ruled against the courier company based on the legal interpretation of “God’s work.”

According to a ruling released Thursday (5th) by the BC Civil Resolution Tribunal, Clark Reefer Lines is demanding that TDL Group Corp., the parent company of the two Tim Hortons locations involved, pay four bills totaling $4,164 for 2022. TDL Group Corp. responded that the restaurants caused the food to spoil and therefore refused to pay. The goods were originally scheduled to be shipped from Langley to Vancouver Island on December 22, 2022, but ultimately arrived a week late.

The shipping company stated that a blizzard occurred at the time, coinciding with the Christmas holiday, making it impossible to deliver the goods on time. Truck drivers reported that the Tim Hortons branch in Victoria delivered jalapenos with an off-putting smell and rotten lettuce, while the branch in Langford refused to accept the delivery due to spoiled ingredients.

Tribunal David Jiang explained that even if the transport company is not at fault or negligent, it should still be liable for the loss or damage of goods—unless it can prove that there are exceptional circumstances, such as what the law calls “Act of God” (or “force majeure”), which usually refers to natural events that are beyond human control or prevention. The transportation company argued that the blizzard was clearly “the work of God.”

However, Jiang Guan explained: “Reasonable and foreseeable events do not fall under the category of ‘God’s doing.’ ‘God’s doing’ refers to things that rational people cannot prevent even if they take reasonable measures.” He pointed out that the evidence submitted by the transportation company was insufficient to constitute grounds for exemption from liability.

“Such evidence could be weather forecasts for the relevant dates, drivers’ statements about road conditions, or government-issued road closures and traffic notices, but the transport company only described the blizzard as ‘powerful’ as evidence. I cannot conclude from this that the blizzard was so severe that it was unpredictable and that reasonable preventative measures could not be taken to deal with it.”

Furthermore, the shipping company’s attribution of some of the shipping delays to work schedules during the holiday period is clearly not “God’s doing.” The tribunal estimated that Tim Hortons lost more than 3,000 kilograms of food, resulting in a loss of more than $13,000, far exceeding the total value of the four shipping bills. Therefore, the tribunal ruled against the shipping company’s claim.

The local brand, which once swept the nation with its beaver logo and symbolized the ” Canadian leisure spirit,” now stands at a crossroads. Canadian apparel retailer Roots Corp. announced Tuesday that it has initiated a strategic review process and is not ruling out selling the more than half-century-old company. The company stated that it has engaged JPMorgan Chase & Co. to assist in analysing various options for enhancing shareholder value but emphasized that there is no guarantee that a deal will ultimately be reached.

Following the announcement, Roots’ stock price rose as much as 5.7% in early Toronto trading, reaching C$3.18. However, this price is a far cry from the company’s triumphant IPO. From national symbols to capital restructuring

Since opening its first store in Toronto in 1973, Roots has become a symbol of the Canadian lifestyle with its beaver-logo sweatshirts and casual pants. At its peak, the company had over 100 stores nationwide and more than 100 partner stores in Asia and briefly entered the US market. However, during the 2020 pandemic, most of its US stores were closed, and its expansion pace slowed significantly. In 2015, US private equity firm Searchlight Capital Partners LP acquired a majority stake in Roots.

Two years later, in October 2017, the company went public at C$12 per share and was once seen as a source of pride for the Canadian retail industry as it returned to the capital markets. However, reality after the IPO did not meet expectations. In recent years, the company’s profit margins have remained thin, and its performance has failed to meet the growth blueprint outlined during the IPO. Valuation shrinkage reflects the retail predicament

Analysts point out that despite its financial performance falling short of market expectations, Roots continues to generate relatively substantial free cash flow. TD Cowen analyst Brian Morrison stated in a report that if a deal is ultimately reached, the acquisition price could be between CAD 4 and 4.5 per share, based on valuation multiples of other retailers. Even so, this potential range still seems particularly heavy compared to the original issue price of 12 Canadian dollars.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and City Councillor Renee Zhou have apologized for making unfounded claims that opposition city councillors distributed illegal drugs.

Councillor Zhou, who belongs to the same ABC Vancouver Party as the mayor, posted a video on the Chinese-language social networking site (WeChat) in which he said that opposition councillors are “drug users” and “distributors of drugs.”

The four opposition councillors completely denied the remarks at a press conference. Councillor Zhou apologized on February 24, saying that his remarks were “based on incorrect information.” Mayor Shim had previously defended Councilman Cho and praised him for apologizing, but it was later revealed that he himself had made similar comments.

On February 6, Mayor Sim said in a CityNews/OMNI video that Councilman Sean Orr of the COPE Party was distributing illegal drugs to people on the street over Christmas. Councilman Orr denied the allegations. On February 27, Mayor Sim told reporters, “I spoke with Councilman Orr yesterday and apologized for my comments.” However, he did not mention the source of the fake information about Councilman Orr. Councillor Orr told CBC News he has never given away illegal drugs and called the mayor’s comments absurd and defamatory.

Vancouver currently has a majority of 10 city councillors, including Mayor Sim, with the ABC Vancouver Party representing six of the city’s 10 members. The opposition consists of four members: COPE’s Councillor Orr, OneCity Vancouver’s Councillor Lucy Maloney, Vancouver Green Party’s Councillor Pete Fry, and independent Councillor Rebecca Bligh.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the federal government will provide Ukraine with 2 billion rupees in military aid and impose a new round of sanctions on Russia to continue supporting Ukraine’s fight against the epidemic. Carney stated that the new sanctions will target approximately 100 vessels allegedly used as a “shadow fleet” to circumvent sanctions on Russian oil exports, further intensifying economic pressure on Russia. He emphasized that Canada would support Ukraine “in the long term.”

Carney pointed out that since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, the Putin regime has continuously attacked churches, schools, and hospitals in Ukraine, and sabotaged energy facilities to weaken essential supplies during the harsh winter. He described Russia as having severely underestimated the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people, who continue to resist to this day.

He stated that Canada has consistently supported Ukraine at critical moments and was the first Western country to recognize its independence; since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, Canada has launched the Operation UNIFIER military training mission and has pledged more than $25.5 billion in aid to date, of which more than $13 billion is direct financial support. Carney emphasized that the conflict has now entered a critical phase, and the opportunity for peace is gradually emerging.

Canada is working with Ukraine and international partners to promote a “just and lasting” peace plan, and to this end, it has extended Operation UNIFIER to help Ukraine build a resilient military capability; it has also allocated approximately $20 million to rebuild infrastructure damaged by Russian attacks, and further lowered the price ceiling for Russian crude oil and strengthened sanctions.

The announcement comes on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Carney pointed out that in the coming year, in addition to providing extra military aid, Canada will also provide more armoured vehicles and related support to Ukrainian forces. The Canadian government reiterated that it would continue to work with its allies to address the developments in the conflict through a range of measures, including sanctions and military assistance.

Two serious accidents related to winter outdoor activities have occurred in the Canadian capital region, raising serious concerns about child safety. One incident occurred on a cross-country ski trail in western Quebec, where a 4-year-old girl was rushed to Ottawa Children’s Hospital for treatment; another incident occurred earlier this month, where a 13-year-old girl from Ottawa tragically died after a ski lift accident.

A four-year-old girl was rushed to the hospital after an accident on a ski slope. According to a report from the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais police, on Sunday, police received a report that a 4-year-old girl suffered cardiac arrest on a cross-country ski trail in Parc Nakkertok, Val-des-Monts. Police stated that the girl was riding a sled pulled by an adult when the accident occurred.

Several witnesses were present at the scene. When officers arrived, paramedics were already performing CPR at the scene. Police stated that, based on current information, “all indications point to this being an accident.” The girl was initially taken to Wakefield Hospital and then transferred to Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) for further treatment.

As of Monday morning, police had not released an update on his medical condition. Sgt. Martin Fournel stated that police are investigating the specific circumstances to clarify the details of the accident. Nakkertok Val-des-Monts issued a statement on social media expressing gratitude for the rapid response from firefighters, police, and emergency responders, and extending condolences to the families of the injured children and members of the ski community.

A 13-year-old girl tragically died in a cable car accident. Just days earlier, the capital region had experienced another tragedy. A 13-year-old girl from Ottawa was involved in an accident while on a school trip at the Centre Vorlage ski resort near Wakefield, Quebec City. Police said the girl’s clothes got caught on the cable car as she was about to leave the mountaintop, and she was hanging in mid-air for a moment.

Sgt. Martin Fournel previously stated that due to the cable car’s excessive height, witnesses were unable to provide timely rescue, and the decision was ultimately made to bring her back down the mountain. After on-site paramedics and two doctors performed CPR, she was transported to the hospital and then transferred to CHEO for further treatment. Sadly, the hospital issued a statement on Sunday evening (15th) confirming the girl’s death. The family expressed their “deep sorrow” in a statement, thanking the community for its support and the heroic actions of the rescue workers, and especially thanking the CHEO medical team for their professional care. The family mentioned that the girl was cheerful and energetic, and her kind spirit will continue to live on through Trillium Gift of Life organ donation

Since the girl died in Ontario, police said they will cooperate with the Ontario coroner to conduct a full investigation into the cause of the accident. The Quebec building regulator Régie du bâtiment du Québec has conducted an on-site inspection of the cable car involved and ordered the ski resort to temporarily close, pending the completion of several safety reviews before resuming operations.

The ski resort reopened on Tuesday. Following the accident, a pink teddy bear and flowers were placed at the entrance as a sign of remembrance. Community Response and Safety Reflection The accident has sparked widespread mourning in the community. Osgoode City Councillor Isabelle Skalski said she was “heartbroken” and that words could not comfort such a heavy loss. Carleton MLA George Darouze also expressed his condolences and thanked the family for sharing their grief.

The Ottawa-Carleton School Board subsequently announced the suspension of all school skiing activities involving gondolas until the full details of the incident are understood, emphasizing that student safety remains the top priority. The board also provided mental health support services to affected students and staff.

On the evening of February 13th, a memorial vigil was held in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia (BC) for the victims of the mass shooting that occurred on February 10th.

Premier Mark Carney, Governor General Mary Simon, and BC Premier David Eby were among the attendees, along with many dignitaries from the federal and provincial governments. “Tonight, we come together as a community in grief,” said Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka, “to stand with these families in their immeasurable pain and to remind each other that none of us bear this pain alone.”

In addition to the Prime Minister, the federal government was represented by Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poirier, Quebec Coalition Leader Yves-François Blanchet, NDP (New Democratic Party) interim leader Don Davis, and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, who showed Canada’s solidarity with the tragedy.

“By standing together in your hometown, we want to let you know that Canadians stand with you and always will,” Prime Minister Carney said, before reading out the names of the six victims who died at the school and offering his condolences.

Premier Eby also spoke of the brave actions of teachers and students during the lockdown, saying: “It is in these heroic acts that the seeds of recovery for this community lie.” The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and the community is in mourning.

At a press conference on the 13th, police revealed that they believe the suspect, Jesse Van Reutzeler, was not targeting anyone and that the attack at Tumbler Ridge Secondary was random. Police have also seized at least four guns in connection with the incident. Two are at the suspect’s home, one of which is an unregistered shotgun and is believed to have been used in the two murders, but the police explained that it was not a gun previously seized and returned by police. The other gun is still under investigation. The two guns seized at the school were one long gun and one modified rifle.

At a previous press conference, it was described as a modified handgun. The police clarified that neither gun had been previously seized by police but added that further details about the guns are still under investigation. Authorities have made multiple mental health-related visits to Ruetzeler’s home over the past few years, and he has been detained at least twice under BC’s Mental Health Act, resulting in him being taken to hospital in certain circumstances.