Politics

SAINT-FERDINAND — The Parti Québécois was forced to defend its candidate on Wednesday ahead of an upcoming byelection northeast of Montreal after criticism of his decades-old, far-left activist past.

TORONTO — Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew signed an agreement Wednesday to boost the movement of goods and labour between the two provinces, including direct-to-consumer alcohol sales in place by the end of June.

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia's State Election Board voted Wednesday to create a committee to weigh proposed election rules before the board takes them under consideration.

OTTAWA — Canadian Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault said Wednesday Canada needs to maximize its use of existing pipelines before building more — a day after Prime Minister Mark Carney indicated an openness to new pipeline construction.

OTTAWA — Workers at Canada Post could be heading back to the picket lines in a matter of days — but a labour expert warns postal workers might find negotiating conditions far less favourable now than they were during their holiday job action.

ST. JOHN'S — Elections Canada says officials have vowed to work through the weekend if necessary to complete a vote recount in a central Newfoundland riding.

MONTREAL — Officials in Quebec's Nunavik region are raising the alarm over water shortages in the Inuit community of Puvirnituq, where a frozen pipe and persistent blizzards have left residents without consistent water deliveries for nearly two month

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — U.S.

TORONTO — Ontario is set to table its budget Thursday and Premier Doug Ford is signalling it will include a lot of infrastructure spending and measures to stimulate the economy, saying U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs will be a major factor.

OTTAWA — Conservative MP Jamil Jivani sent a letter to the federal government Wednesday raising concerns about the lack of a labour minister in Prime Minister Mark Carney's cabinet at a time of economic friction with the United States.