Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed...

Critics Urge Ottawa to Help Inuit Resist Chinese Surveillance, Economic Dependence

The Carney government is facing criticism for leaving Inuit communities at risk of Chinese surveillance and economic dependence. Critics argue that the government is not adequately addressing the threats posed by China in the North. Elizabeth Donkervoort, director of the China Strategic Risks Institute, highlighted the central role of Inuit communities in this issue during a March 9 news conference on Parliament Hill. She pointed out that resources, information, and technical support are often lacking for these communities when it comes to evaluating complex Chinese investment proposals. Donkervoort's think tank recently released a report advocating that Ottawa must take action to empower Inuit communities against Beijing's expanding influence in the Canadian Arctic.

Toronto's Donor-Funded Consumption Sites Brace for Fallout from Ontario Funding Cuts

In Toronto, the Ontario government's decision to cut funding for seven supervised drug consumption sites has left workers at three remaining donor-funded sites concerned about resource strain and potential increases in overdoses across the city. The provincial government announced a 90-day wind-down period for the affected sites, which include two in Toronto, two in Ottawa, and others in Niagara, Peterborough, and London. Health Minister Sylvia Jones justified the cuts by stating that the government is focused on a new treatment model aimed at abstinence, homelessness, and addiction recovery treatment (HART) hubs. However, health-care workers and harm reduction advocates fear that the defunding could lead to closures and a rise in drug-related incidents, exacerbating the ongoing crisis.

TC Energy CEO Urges Quicker Timelines as Globe Calls for Stable Energy Supplies

François Poirier, CEO of TC Energy Corp., has called for significantly shorter permitting timelines to meet the rising global demand for secure energy supplies. He noted that the recent conflict initiated by the U.S. and Israel against Iran has heightened demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports from North America, particularly to Asia. The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for a significant portion of the world’s oil and LNG supplies, has been choked off due to the conflict. Poirier emphasized that customers are increasingly valuing energy supplies that can bypass such strategic chokepoints, highlighting the necessity for Canada to act quickly to capitalize on this opportunity.

B.C. Faces Long-Term Care Shortage Amid Delayed Facility Decisions

In British Columbia, residents are grappling with a long-term care bed shortage, as exemplified by James Wolfe's struggle to find a suitable facility for his brother, Brian, who has complex health needs. Over the past year and a half, Wolfe interacted with local health administrators, who, despite their compassionate efforts, could not resolve the lack of appropriate facilities. Brian faced multiple hospitalizations due to declining health, including severe episodes of pneumonia and sepsis. This situation highlights a significant gap in the province's long-term care infrastructure, prompting calls for immediate improvements.

Vancouver Closing Out Its First Official No-Snow Winter in 43 Years

Vancouver is on track to conclude its first official snow-free winter in 43 years, a phenomenon that environmental researchers suggest may become a new norm rather than a one-time anomaly. As spring approaches, temperatures are expected to reach around 12 degrees Celsius, with the city likely to finish the winter without the requisite one centimeter of snowfall to mark an official accumulation. This winter also ranks as one of the warmest on record, with a mean temperature of 6 degrees Celsius from December to February, according to Environment Canada. These climate trends raise concerns among researchers about the implications of a changing environment in Southwestern British Columbia.

Juno Awards to Feature Musical Tribute to Nelly Furtado

The Juno Awards this year will showcase a musical tribute to Nelly Furtado, celebrating her recent induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Organizers CARAS announced that the ceremony will include performances by prominent artists such as Alessia Cara, Jully Black, Shawn Desman, and Tanya Tagaq, alongside special guests. The tribute will feature a selection of Furtado's greatest hits, with her band performing under the direction of musical director Herag Sanbalian.

This report was first published on March 19, 2026.