National News

TORONTO — The scourge of overdose deaths underscores the need for Canada to decriminalize simple possession of hard drugs, the head of the national chiefs of police association said on Thursday.

HALIFAX — The Nova Scotia Court of Appeal has ordered a new trial for two special constables convicted of criminal negligence in the suffocation death of an inmate at a Halifax police lockup.

OTTAWA — The federal Conservatives say they raised more than $7.6 million in the final three months of 2020. The figures come as all federal parties continue the work of prepping for a potential election this year.

OTTAWA — Canada’s military justice system will be on trial again Friday, when an appeal court weighs whether the handful of judges responsible for overseeing courts martial are truly independent.

TORONTO — Canada's top court refused on Thursday to hear a case involving the limits of police oversight, prompting a renewed call for a misconduct hearing against a police officer a Black family accused of brutality.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA — The federal government will voice its support later today when President Joe Biden rescinds the United States' so-called global gag rule. The policy prohibits international non-profit groups from receiving U.S.

OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to hear a case concerning the use of protection during sex and how that relates to consent and possible deception.

OTTAWA — A new report says Black Canadians and people from most other minority groups tend to disproportionately lose out on federal civil service jobs they apply for compared with other Canadians.

OTTAWA — As the federal government prepares to slap new restrictions on international travel, Health Canada data suggest a worrying uptick of infections directly connected to foreign arrivals.

MONTREAL — A new research centre created at Montreal's Polytechnique university will aim to protect ships from pirates — and they're not talking about Blackbeard or Captain Kidd.