National News

OTTAWA — Canada saw a 37 per cent increase in hate crimes during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, a statistic that advocates say shows the need for awareness of what racialized citizens face.

OTTAWA — Jean Charest says when it comes to lifting federal COVID-19 mandates, leaders should listen to health experts and not replace that advice with their own judgment.

OTTAWA — Local leaders in Ottawa are being told that the city's response to the three-week convoy protest last month cost municipal coffers over $36 million. A memo to councillors released by the city says almost all of the $36.

The National Newspaper Awards have named the finalists for its annual journalism honours and given four nominations to The Canadian Press. The national newswire agency received the nominations in various photography categories.

OTTAWA — The National Advisory Committee on Immunization has released new guidelines that favour giving kids a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine over the newly approved Moderna version.

In The News is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to kickstart your day. Here is what's on the radar of our editors for the morning of Mar. 18 ... What we are watching in Canada ...

MONTREAL — COVID-19 cases continue to roll into the two Toronto-area hospitals where Eram Chhogala works as a trauma nurse.

OTTAWA — A new poll suggests Canadians are looking for ways to cut back on spending as their concerns about the cost of living rise alongside headline inflation rates.

OTTAWA — Federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for emergency preparedness are working to launch a new national flood insurance program to protect homeowners in high-risk flood zones.

OTTAWA — Conservative leadership candidate Jean Charest said Thursday he wouldn't touch Canada's existing gun laws — including when it comes to a ban on "assault-style" firearms.