“Sobering.” 

That is how the federal Minister of Natural Resources describes the outlook for the wildfire season in Canada. 

Jonathan Wilkinson says the wildfire forecast shows higher than normal wildfire activity though June and without a break in the hot, dry weather it looks like it will continue to be unusually high through the summer. 

He says every province will need to be on high alert. 

According to federal officials, climate change is resulting in more and more intense wildfires. 

So far this year there have been 2,214 wildfires in Canada with 413 fires currently burning. 

Over 26 thousand Canadians have been evacuated from their homes. 

Wilkinson says there has been 10 times the total normal amount of land burned so far this year, a record three point three million hectares.

***With files from Wendy Gray

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The federal budget will aim to help Canadians struggling with high prices and inflation.

A targeted grocery rebate will see low-income residents receive a one-time payment on their GST rebate cheque.

Single people with no children will receive $234, families of four will get $467 and seniors can expect $225.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland also unveiled a plan to reform the Criminal Code to limit the interest predatory lenders can charge on services like payday loans.

Details were also revealed on the dental-care plan which will provide dental care to uninsured Canadians with a family income of less than $90,000 annually.

This year’s budget comes in with a much higher deficit, $43 billion, than the $36.4 billion previously forecasted.

Slower economic growth and lower government revenues are being blamed with the budget projecting that there will still be a $14 billion deficit on the books in five years.

That’s a reversal from last fall’s projection that the budget would be balanced by 2027-28.

***With files from Wendy Gray

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Here's a heads up if you have a bottle of Pine-Sol sitting around home.

The cleaning product is being recalled in Canada and the U.S. because it could be tainted with a bacteria that could cause serious illness to people with compromised immune systems.

The recall covers scented multi-surface and all-purpose cleaners but not the original pine-scented Pine-Sol.

The agency warns that the bacteria can be inhaled, or can enter the body through the eyes or breaks in the skin.

You can click here to learn more.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Queen Elizabeth II was a constant presence in our lives.

Commenting on her death, Trudeau says Queen Elizabeth II served us all with strength and wisdom for 70 years as we grew into the diverse, optimistic, responsible, ambitious, and extraordinary country that we are today.

Trudeau says Canada is in mourning and adds that she was one of his favorite people in the world.

As we look back at her life and her reign that spanned so many decades, Trudeau says Canadians will always remember and cherish her wisdom, compassion, and warmth.

Trudeau adds our thoughts are with the members of the Royal Family during this most difficult time.

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The longest-reigning British monarch has passed away.

Queen Elizabeth II was 96-years-old.

Born in 1926 to Prince Albert and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, Elizabeth had little chance of acceding the throne. She was home-schooled along with her sister Princess Margaret and at the age of 19, trained as a mechanic after she enlisted in the British Army during World War II.  She served from 1945 to 1949, making her the first, and only, female member of the Royal Family to do so.

Her uncle, Edward VII, abdicated the throne in favour of her father after his marriage to American divorcee Wallis Simpson was denied by the Church of England.  When that happened Elizabeth became heir presumptive.

Elizabeth married her distant cousin Philip Mountbatten in 1947.  Philip was the former Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark. The pair had four children, Charles Prince of Wales, Anne Princess Royal, Prince Andrew Duke of York, and Prince Edward Earl of Wessex.

Her father, King George VI, died in 1952.  She then ascended the throne at the age of 25.

Queen Elizabeth is predeceased by Prince Philip who died in 2021 at the age of 99.  They had been married for almost 74 years.

Buckingham Palace officials say the Queen passed away at her home in Scotland.

With her death, Prince Charles becomes King of England, with his son Prince William next in line.

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Eligible Canadian seniors aged 75 and older will see a boost in their pension.

Ottawa is permanently increasing the Old Age Security pension by 10% for seniors aged 75 and over.

It's the first permanent increase to OAS since 1973 and means that full pensioners will get more than $800 extra over the first year.

Seniors won't have to take any action to receive the increase, their payments will be automatically increased.

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Unvaccinated Canadians will soon be able to board a plane or train.

Federal officials announced Tuesday afternoon that, as of June 20th, the vaccine mandate for domestic and outbound international travellers will end.

The restriction was announced last October as a way to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Those coming back to Canada will still have to quarantine while foreign nationals arriving in the country will still need to be vaccinated.

Mask mandates will also stay in place. Officials say the changes are based on science and not on cutting down on long lines and delays seen at airports including Toronto and Vancouver.

They add the measures could be brought back if COVID-19 cases surge once again.

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"When in God's name are we going to stand up to the gun lobby?"

That from U.S. President Joe Biden reacting to the deaths of 18 children and several adults in a school shooting in Texas.

Officials say it happened when an 18-year-old went on a deadly rampage at the school in Uvalde Tuesday afternoon.

The shooter is among the dead.

Two law enforcement officers have also been shot but are expected to survive.

The suspect’s grandmother was also shot but is still alive and being treated at hospital.

Biden says we have to stand up to the gun industry adding these kinds of mass shootings rarely happen anywhere else in the world.

Officials have not revealed a motive for the shooting but say the suspect is a resident of the community.

The school where the shooting took place has an enrollment of about 600 students in grades two, three, and four.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted that his heart "breaks for everyone affected by the horrific shooting."

He added "Canadians are mourning with you, and here for you."

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Pope Francis will visit Canada between July 24th and 29th. and he'll be using Quebec City, Edmonton, and Iqaluit as the bases for his journey.

The Vatican says details of his itinerary will be set after consultations with Indigenous groups but the pontiff's mobility issues will be taken into account.

The visit comes after Francis apologized in April for the Catholic Church's role in Canada's residential school system.

His visit will likely see a more expansive apology, and Catholic officials say it will be another step in the reconciliation and healing process.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he's welcoming the news that Pope Francis will visit our country this summer to apologize for the Catholic Church's role in residential schools.

In a statement, Trudeau says the schools have caused lasting pain and suffering to Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

He adds the July visit would not be possible without the bravery and determination of the survivors, Indigenous leaders, and youth who shared their stories.

Trudeau is also encouraging all Canadians to watch the historic moment and reflect on the impacts of colonialism.

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An outage affecting users around the world has hit Facebook and Facebook-owned apps Instagram and WhatsApp.

The sites appear to have gone down just before noon eastern time on Monday with many reporting issues on Twitter.

Similar reports are coming out of the U.S., Europe, Africa and Asia.

Facebook officials have acknowledged the issues and say they are working to get things back to normal as soon as possible.

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You won't be able to do any early Christmas shopping stateside any time soon.

U.S. officials have announced their land borders with Canada and Mexico will stay closed to non-essential travel until at least October 21st.

The borders have been closed since March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 As of early November the US will open up air travel to all fully vaccinated foreign travellers.

Just how the new policy will impact travel at the Canada-U.S. land border isn't clear.

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Time is running out to apply to vote by mail in the federal election.

People who want to cast their ballot through the mail have until 6 p.m. local time on Tuesday to apply for a special voting kit they need.

Officials say they need to allow time for the kit to reach them and to return their completed ballot to Elections Canada by Election Day September 20th.

Electors can complete an online application, call Elections Canada to ask for a paper form, print one off or pick one up at any Elections Canada office.

You can click here to learn more.

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