Good morning. This is Hanna Lee.
The recent surge in immigration cases may become an access-to-justice issue, said the top judge for the Federal Court, as it struggles to deal with the backload. We'll get into that below.
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'Extraordinary' surge in immigration cases in Federal Court challenges access to justice, top judge says
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(Marc Robichaud/CBC)
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The number of immigration filings is so high that it could become an access-to-justice issue, said Paul Crampton, chief justice of the Federal Court of Canada.
What's happening: The court typically hears cases covered by federal law like national security issues, as well as immigration cases involving refugees, denials of study and work permits or visitor visas. A surge in filings is taking a toll on applicants, who at times have to wait more than a year for a decision, which can mean losing a full academic year or their immigration status.
Why it matters: The delays come from the number of people asking for a judge to review an immigration officer's decision, which is expected to rise to unprecedented levels this year. Court administration staff believe they'll receive up to 33,000 immigration cases this year, and Crampton said courts aren't funded enough to meet the challenge.
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After losing billions of dollars on Keystone XL and tank cars, Alberta is now pursuing another pipeline
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(Kyle Bakx/CBC)
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After months of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith vowing to find a company willing to develop a new oil export pipeline, the provincial government is now taking matters into its own hands.
What's happening: The oilpatch has both praised and expressed concern about the move, as it wants a new pipeline but remains cautious about government intervention in the sector. Smith is now the third Alberta premier in a row to commit taxpayer money in a bid to help the industry export more oil. She's so far committing $14 million to create a proposal and submit it to the federal Major Projects Office in spring 2026.
Looking ahead: The provincial government says it's not planning to build or operate the new pipeline itself. Companies are hesitant to pursue a new export pipeline due to the cost and complexity, and a history of failed or troubled projects over the last few decades. The provincial government is likely to face the same hurdles, with previous Alberta leaders failing to do much the same. But it may be a "good piece of strategy" on Smith's part, said Dennis McConaghy, formerly of TC Energy.
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Defence procurement vs. defence production: What's best for Canada?
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(Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)
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The Carney government has been asked to choose between defence procurement and defence production, writes my colleague Murray Brewster, as it looks to breathe life back into Canada's military and its industrial base.
What's happening: It may seem like a subtle distinction, but it would be a radical shift in policy and mindset for a country that has divested itself of many aspects of the arms industry, and has been reluctant to promote what remains. And it comes as Prime Minister Mark Carney prepares to unveil the long-promised defence procurement agency.
What's next: The new agency's mandate will be defence investment, but former federal officials and defence analysts worry it means a simple bureaucratic reshuffling. Although in spoken remarks Carney has appeared to embrace production, often speaking about rebuilding the defence industrial base and empowering Canadian sovereignty, nothing has been made explicitly clear.
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PICTURE THIS
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Five provinces raised their minimum wage yesterday, tying the increases to Canada's steadily growing consumer price index. Alberta is the only province that hasn't boosted its minimum wage this year, with its $15 hourly rate — in place since 2018 — now the lowest in Canada. Read more here.
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