“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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The post Helly Hansen sweaters recalled over ‘flammability concerns’ appeared first on My True North Now.

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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The post Prime Minister Trudeau says Canada is in mourning over death of Queen Elizabeth II appeared first on My True North Now.

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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