Beyond Local

OTTAWA — A national civil liberties group says nebulous claims about economic instability or general unrest weren't enough to legally justify the Liberal government's use of the Emergencies Act early last year.

MONTREAL — A proposed class-action lawsuit over infamous brainwashing experiments at a Montreal psychiatric hospital was before Quebec's highest court Thursday, as victims attempted to remove immunity granted to the United States government.

REGINA — Saskatchewan politicians are raising concerns after a report recommended RCMP’s Depot police training academy in Regina be phased out for a new degree-style system.

HALIFAX — The brother of a man killed during a mass shooting in Nova Scotia almost three years ago says he's keen to make sure recommendations from a public inquiry released Thursday are implemented.

VICTORIA — People or companies in British Columbia will need to explain how they obtained their cash, fancy homes, cars and luxury goods if there's a suspicion they came from criminal activity.

SURREY, B.C. — Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has dismissed criticism that this week's federal budget lacks measures to address Canada’s housing crisis, saying last year’s budget featured a $10-billion plan that is still being spent.

OTTAWA — Former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole says that after more than a decade in politics, he will not seek re-election and plans to resign his seat this spring.

OTTAWA — A Liberal government bill that would require online streaming services to contribute to Canadian content is one step closer to passing after the House of Commons approved most of the Senate's amendments to the proposed legislation.

TORONTO — The largest telecommunications deal in Canadian history will go forward after Rogers Communications Inc.'s $26-billion takeover of Shaw Communications Inc. received approval from Ottawa on Friday.

MONTREAL — The Quebec government's crackdown on Airbnb has upended Montreal's short-term rental market, leading some to welcome the changes and others scurrying to evade the new rules.