By Canadian Press

In the news today: Talks with Air Canada resume, union says

Aug 19, 2025 | 1:17 AM

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed…

Talks with Air Canada resume, union says

There’s hope today that a deal to end a strike by Air Canada’s flight attendants could be reached at the bargaining table, following word from their union that both sides met for meetings last night.

On Monday, Air Canada extended a cancellation of all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights through 4 p.m. ET today, and the airline’s chief operating officer said flight attendants needed to return to work before the airline could push on with negotiations.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees vowed that without a negotiated settlement, flight attendants would remain on strike.

Another outage in the Chilliwack area

Over 1,000 customers south of Chilliwack lose power on blustery, rainy Monday afternoon

13m ago

Fraser Valley MLA speaks out

Fraser Valley MLA speaks out on delayed, over-budget completion of the Pattullo Bridge replacement

1h ago

Assault, attempted robbery suspects

Police hope to ID assault, attempted robbery suspects after they allegedly pepper-sprayed a phone seller

2h ago

But the Air Canada component of CUPE said in an online update to members last night that the airline reached out and that meetings resumed with the assistance of a mediator.

The union cautioned that the strike is “still on” and that the talks had “just commenced.”

Here’s what else we’re watching…

Poilievre’s win sets the table for fall Parliament

After a summer of rodeos, dinosaurs and door-knocking, Pierre Poilievre is now officially heading back to Ottawa as a Conservative member of Parliament for Alberta.

The Tory leader will represent the sprawling rural riding of Battle River—Crowfoot, in the province’s eastern region, after winning a byelection on Monday.

Poilievre spent weeks this summer meeting constituents, attending events and stopping by local businesses in the riding.

It was precisely the kind of boots-on-the-ground campaign he ran in 2004 when he became an MP for the first time in the Ontario riding of Carleton.

Poilievre lost that seat this spring to Liberal MP Bruce Fanjoy, who had spent more than two years campaigning against him in the Ottawa-area riding.

Statistics Canada to release July inflation data

Statistics Canada is set to release its consumer price index report for July this morning.

A poll of economists provided by LSEG Data & Analytics expects the annual inflation rate dipped to 1.8 per cent in July.

That’s down from 1.9 per cent year-over-year in June.

The Bank of Canada will be paying particular attention to core inflation metrics, which strip out more volatile categories from the readings, as they’ve been stubbornly strong.

The central bank’s recent summary of deliberations from its July 30th interest rate decision showed members thought the impact of tariffs on consumer prices so far has been modest.

Canadian firm inks deal to make ballistic steel

Canadian defence manufacturer Roshel is partnering with a Swedish steel company so it can produce ballistic-protection steel domestically for the first time.

Roshel, which makes armoured vehicles, will now be able to use Swebor’s intellectual property to produce ballistic steel in Canada.

The agreement comes as Canada is looking to boost domestic steel consumption and build up Canada’s defence sector to be less reliant on the United States amid the ongoing trade war with President Donald Trump.

Ballistic steel is a special type of lightweight, hardened steel that protects against blasts or bullets.

Roshel CEO Roman Shimonov tells The Canadian Press Canada produces and exports vast quantities of steel and iron but hasn’t been able to fully produce ballistic steel for armoured vehicles or drones domestically.

B.C. track’s closure a shock for racing community

Kristina Rennich started working as a groom at the Fraser Downs racetrack, formerly known as Cloverdale Raceway, when she decided to turn her passion for horses into a career at the age of 12.

Rennich, 53, said she used to tag along with trainers to soak up every piece of knowledge she could at the track in Surrey, B.C., which operated for almost 50 years.

She said the abrupt announcement of the harness racing track’s closure last week is a blow to her childhood memories.

Great Canadian Entertainment, which owns and runs the racetrack that is adjacent to its Elements Casino, said Friday it would end horse racing immediately.

This comes after the City of Surrey, which owns the grounds, terminated the lease.

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke said in a statement that the city ended the lease to begin work to “revitalize” the Cloverdale fairgrounds and town centre.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 19, 2025.

The Canadian Press