EU dropping associate membership title for its closer alliance with Canada: sources

🔮 But the rise of nationalist political forces in Europe could make that more difficult in the years to come.

🔮 And this is why we will build an alliance for the future," she said.

🔮 Why none of the EU's existing partnerships are the right fit for Canada EU dropping associate membership title for its closer alliance with Canada However, von der Leyen — who surprised many last month when she announced that the EU would begin the process of making Canada its first associate member — marched on with her vision in her Thursday speech.

🔮 A joint statement expected to be released at the 21st Canada-EU summit in Montreal on Friday will instead use softer language promising closer ties, according to sources who have seen the latest draft of the statement. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen surprised many last month when she announced the EU would begin the process of making Canada its first "associate member" — a status that does not exist within the bloc — raising questions among some members and Canadian politicians about what that would look like.

🔮 In a statement, CSC said the incident is under review but wouldn't comment on the case further, citing security considerations.

🔮 RCMP union raises concerns Liberals' proposed financial crime agency will hurt Mounties Committee studying Bill C-29 which would establish dedicated Financial Crimes Agency

🔮 "These developments and initiatives will enable us to be more efficient and effective … and better positioned to meet the demands of our changing, more challenging environment.

🔮 Alto high-speed rail project likely to cost more than originally thought: budget watchdog New report says Toronto-Quebec City corridor project could between $75B to $113B Building the proposed high‑speed rail project between Toronto and Quebec City could cost between $75 billion and $113 billion — higher than the official initial estimates, according to a new report from the Parliamentary Budget Office. Following a request from the House of Commons' finance committee, the federal budget watchdog released a report on Thursday trying to put a dollar figure on the government's controversial Alto high-speed rail corridor, which promises to connect Toronto and Montreal in about three hours.

🔮 CBC Investigates 'We will rule in CANADA': Letter from Bishnoi gang to police disclosed to CBC News Gang leader Lawrence Bishnoi has been imprisoned since 2015, but has continued leading the gang from behind bars.

🔮 RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme said he received no formal notification that the FBI would stop co-operation.

🔮 A joint statement expected to be released at the 21st Canada-EU summit in Montreal on Friday will instead use softer language promising closer ties, according to sources who have seen the latest draft of the statement. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen surprised many last month when she announced the EU would begin the process of making Canada its first "associate member" — a status that does not exist within the bloc — raising questions among some members and Canadian politicians about what that would look like.

🔮 The authors say that despite its denial, the US might also have this “stealth weapon with no known defense,” and others, including drug cartels, may have it as well.

🔮 Carney government has no launch date planned for proposed sovereign wealth fund Finance minister's spokesperson says work is ongoing to create fund Nearly six months after announcing plans to create a sovereign wealth fund, the federal government is still not sure when it will be launched, or how exactly it will work.

🔮 It comes months after Commissionaires said the federal government told them they will no longer have first right of refusal for most federal contracts.

🔮 Each person is “richly observed and beautifully rendered,” The Boston Globe says, adding that it’s a “thoughtful book that will challenge readers’ assumptions about guilt, justice, and transformation.”

🔮 Fisheries minister travelling to China ahead of lobster, crab tariff deadline Market access for Canadian fish, seafood and deepening trade relations are key priorities, spokesperson says Canada's fisheries minister will be travelling to China at the end of the month, ahead of a looming tariff deadline affecting the lobster and crab industries. As part of an agreement in January, China suspended a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian lobster and crab until the end of the year.

🔮 The federal government will announce plans to help fund new infrastructure, equipment and recruitment efforts by unions and other organizations to train workers as part of a major funding announcement expected on Thursday.

🔮 Liberal MP says he was demoted for supporting NDP bill targeting arms export controls P.E.I. MP says he was warned that move would mean losing parliamentary secretary role Charlottetown MP Sean Casey says he was removed from his position as parliamentary secretary to the minister of veterans affairs because he supported an NDP private member's bill that targeted arms exports to Israel. In March, Casey said he was warned by the Liberal whip that if he supported NDP MP Jenny Kwan's Bill C-233, known as the No More Loopholes Act, then he would be relieved of his duties.

🔮 Government criticized in past for using existing Labour Code authority to force arbitration The Liberal government's marquee fall legislation is expected to strengthen a controversial section of the Labour Code, two senior government sources tell CBC News.

🔮 It remains unclear whether LeBlanc will meet again with his counterpart, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

🔮 A joint statement expected to be released at the 21st Canada-EU summit in Montreal on Friday will instead use softer language promising closer ties, according to sources who have seen the latest draft of the statement. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen surprised many last month when she announced the EU would begin the process of making Canada its first "associate member" — a status that does not exist within the bloc — raising questions among some members and Canadian politicians about what that would look like.

🔮 Canada's new relationship with EU will be 'closer to membership' than ever, senior officials say Associate membership expected to be main topic at summit this week in Montreal European Union officials say the details and exact title of Canada's possible associate EU membership are still being internally debated — but the 27 countries are united in wanting the "closest possible association" with Canada.

🔮 On Sunday, Merz vowed to stay in his role but will do so on increasingly shaky ground, with his approval rating sitting at 13 per cent — a record low.