National News

MONTREAL — For the first time since 2014, the Quebec government expects to run a budget deficit.

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Newfoundland and Labrador public health officials have issued advice for those looking to stay COVID-safe while marauding around town with underwear on the outside of their clothes.

OTTAWA — The federal ethics watchdog is expressing concern about a Toronto MP who hired her sister to work in her constituency office.

OTTAWA — The RCMP watchdog has uncovered shortcomings with the national force's crowd-control measures, physical searches and collection of social media information while policing anti-fracking protests in New Brunswick.

INDIAN BROOK, N.S. — A Mi'kmaq First Nation that encountered violence after it opened a self-regulated lobster fishery says it will launch a series of lawsuits against non-Indigenous fishers for alleged damages incurred by its members.

MONTREAL — Eric Salvail's testimony was "implausible and incoherent" and should be rejected entirely, the Crown said Thursday, as closing arguments at the ex-TV host's sex assault trial wrapped up in Montreal.

TORONTO — A psychiatrist hired by defence lawyers for the man behind Toronto's 2018 van attack found Alek Minassian had an "autistic way of thinking" that was severely distorted, a court heard Thursday.

HALIFAX — The principal of Sir John A. Macdonald High School outside Halifax confirmed Thursday the school's name will be changed because of the role Canada's first prime minister played in developing the residential school system.

OTTAWA — The federal government announced long-awaited plans Thursday to help Canadians living in Hong Kong amid the Chinese clampdown on democracy in the territory.

OTTAWA — Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is pledging to fill a gap in the government's bid to bolster hard-hit businesses with rent relief, but she faced stern questions from senators about transparency.