A powerful winter storm swept across Atlantic Canada in late January and early February 2026, bringing heavy snowfall and strong winds. The storm led to extensive school closures, flight cancellations, and hazardous travel conditions across Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and parts of New Brunswick, with some areas receiving up to 50 cm of snow.
Canada officially marks the beginning of Black History Month, dedicating February to celebrating the profound contributions and achievements of Black Canadians. The 2026 theme, '30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow's Visionaries,' emphasizes both historical legacies and future aspirations. Government initiatives and community events nationwide will underscore this period of reflection and celebration.
The Government of Canada has announced a $7.5 million investment through the Strategic Response Fund for Kap Paper Inc. in Kapuskasing, Ontario. This funding will support a Front End Engineering Design study to explore a pivot towards a new medium-density fibreboard facility, aiming to secure regional employment and strengthen the forestry sector.
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened Canada with a 50% tariff on aircraft and to decertify Bombardier jets. The move, announced via Truth Social, stems from accusations that Canada is blocking certification of U.S.-made Gulfstream jets. This escalates trade tensions between the two nations, drawing responses from Bombardier and Canadian officials.
Canada and South Korea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Ottawa to enhance trade and investment, focusing on the automotive and critical minerals sectors. The agreement aims to expand Korean automotive and battery manufacturing in Canada and strengthen critical mineral supply chains.
Canada's premiers are meeting in Ottawa on January 28-29, 2026, for their Winter Meeting, focusing on the economy, affordability, and trade. Discussions are heavily influenced by the upcoming CUSMA review and renewed trade tensions with the Trump administration, which has threatened new tariffs and questioned the agreement's value. Premiers aim to present a united 'Team Canada' front.
Air travel in Central Canada is steadily recovering following a record-breaking snowstorm that hit on January 25, 2026. Toronto Pearson International Airport, which saw 46 cm of snow, experienced hundreds of cancellations, with other major hubs like Montreal-Trudeau also significantly impacted. Recovery efforts are underway, though delays persist.
A public hearing in Vancouver into the 2015 death of Myles Gray, who died after a confrontation with police, has resumed. The proceedings were delayed last week after an obscene remark was broadcast on the audio livestream, leading to the resignation of public hearing counsel Brad Hickford and raising concerns about further delays in the long-awaited inquiry.
The Town of Oakville declared a Significant Weather Event for January 25, 2026, due to a powerful snowstorm, impacting local services and suspending standard winter maintenance timelines. Recreation facilities closed, and many programs were cancelled as the region braced for significant snowfall and strong winds.
Former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, 44, an alleged drug kingpin, has surrendered in Mexico City and is now in U.S. custody. He faces federal charges including running a transnational drug trafficking organization, murder, and witness tampering, after being on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
The federal and Ontario governments have announced over $510,000 in combined funding for the Caledonia 3 project in Dutton, Ontario. This investment will create 33 new affordable housing units for seniors, with 17 units specifically designated for affordability, as part of ongoing efforts to address the housing crisis.
China's Ambassador to Canada, Wang Di, has called on the Canadian government to swiftly implement agreements reached during Prime Minister Mark Carney's recent visit to Beijing. The deals aim to resolve tariff disputes on agricultural goods and electric vehicles, and foster cooperation in various sectors.
A new round of snowfall, driven by an Alberta clipper and lake-effect squalls, is causing significant disruptions across Southern Ontario on January 21-22, 2026. Environment Canada has issued warnings for up to 50 cm of snow in some areas, leading to extensive school bus cancellations, road closures, and treacherous driving conditions due to reduced visibility and blowing snow. Frigid temperatures and extreme wind chills are also impacting the region.
Canada's food prices have surged by 6.2 percent over the past year, positioning the nation at the top of the G7 for food inflation. Experts are now referring to Canada as the 'food inflation capital,' impacting household budgets significantly.
Statistics Canada reported that the annual inflation rate for December 2025 reached 2.4%, an increase from November's 2.2%. This figure surpassed economists' predictions, who largely anticipated the rate to remain steady. The rise is primarily attributed to base effects from a temporary GST/HST break in late 2024.
A powerful winter storm brought heavy, wet snow to Nova Scotia on Monday, January 19, 2026, leading to widespread disruptions. At its peak, approximately 130,000 Nova Scotia Power customers lost electricity, and public schools across the province, along with several universities and colleges, were closed. Road conditions were treacherous, with multiple highway incidents reported.
Canada has recorded its first year-over-year decrease in overall foreign worker and international student numbers in recent history, driven by new, stricter immigration regulations. Between 2024 and 2025, the country saw a net decrease of 14,954 temporary residents. This decline is a direct result of policy changes, including caps on study permits, increased financial requirements for students, and tighter rules for temporary foreign workers and spousal open work permits.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have announced a new strategic partnership, including a significant tariff-quota deal on electric vehicles and canola. The agreement, reached in Beijing, aims to de-escalate trade tensions and diversify Canada's economic relationships.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a freeze on the list of educational programs eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for the entirety of 2026. This decision, confirmed on January 15, 2026, means no new fields of study will be added or removed, offering clarity and certainty for international students and educational institutions. The current list of 1,107 programs will remain in effect.
British Columbia is ending its three-year drug decriminalization pilot program on January 31, 2026, citing unmet expectations and public safety concerns. The program, which allowed possession of small amounts of illicit drugs, faced criticism over public drug use and rising overdose deaths.
