National News

MONTREAL — An icebreaker cruise ship set sail on Friday for a frosty journey that will bring passengers along the St. Lawrence River, a new route that tourism officials hope will usher in a new era of winter cruises in the province.

WASHINGTON — U.S.

OTTAWA — Canadian colleges and universities are responding to a cash crunch brought on by Ottawa's cut to international student permits with layoffs, hiring freezes and service reductions, say people in the post-secondary education sector.

OTTAWA — Pat King, an organizer of the 2022 "Freedom Convoy" protest, is set to be sentenced Feb. 7. Superior Court Justice Charles Hackland found King guilty on five counts In November, including mischief and disobeying a court order.

OTTAWA — Less than five weeks after she resigned her cabinet seat over a dispute with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Chrystia Freeland has launched her campaign to replace him as the leader of the Liberal party.

OTTAWA — An organization advocating for people with disabilities says the new federal disability benefit could be delayed beyond the promised July 1 payment date because the government still hasn't approved the regulations.

OTTAWA — The federal Liberals are running their first leadership race in more than a decade to replace the departing Justin Trudeau. Candidates must declare by Jan. 23 and pay a $350,000 fee to enter the race. The winner will be named on March 9.

MONTREAL — The Supreme Court of Canada will announce next week whether it will hear a challenge to Quebec's secularism law, known as Bill 21.

WASHINGTON — Ottawa is ready to retaliate if U.S.

QUÉBEC — Former Montreal mayor Denis Coderre has officially applied to enter the race to lead the Quebec Liberal Party, but the spectre of a dispute with the provincial tax agency is hanging over his candidacy.