Tributes flow as Klein marks end of an era

Alberta Premier Ralph Klein wiped tears from his eyes as he marked his last session in the provincial legislature Thursday.

Ralph Klein said he felt a sense of relief as he entered the Alberta legislature as premier for the final time. (CBC)

Fathers and husbands to get Memorial Crosses

The federal government will soon award the Memorial Cross, which is currently given only to mothers and wives of fallen Canadian soldiers, to their husbands and fathers as well.

The Memorial Cross, also known as the Silver Cross, was created to honour the mothers and widows of fallen Canadian soldiers. (CBC)

Toronto gang's leaders 'surgically removed' in 60 police raids

About 600 police officers from several forces arrested 78 people after carrying out dozens of raids with "military precision" in northwest Toronto early Thursday, the city's police chief said.

Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair commended his officers for carrying out the raids. (Frank Gunn/ Canadian Press)

Alberta forest fire grows overnight

An out-of-control forest fire burning in central Alberta grew overnight as hundreds of people remain on evacuation alert.

Slain soldier was eager to go to Afghanistan, says husband

The husband of the Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan says his wife understood the risks of her job but wanted to serve her country and help out in less fortunate parts of the world.

Jason Beam, husband of Capt. Nichola Goddard, said his wife was a very competent soldier. (CBC)

Funeral held for Sault Ste. Marie officer who died on duty

Hundreds of police officers have gathered in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., to honour a fellow officer who died while on duty.

Union to protest Australian PM's visit

Australian Prime Minister John Howard may face a rude welcome when he arrives in Ottawa Thursday to visit Parliament.

Ottawa outlines how $1.5B will help farmers

The Harper government has followed through on its election promises with two new programs that it says will put $1.5 billion into farmers' pockets.

Missing B.C. girl found alive

Carmen Kados, an 11-year-old British Columbia girl who had been missing since Tuesday, was found alive but injured on Thursday morning.

Carmen Kados, 11, was found in Armstrong and appears to have remained in the immediate area the whole time she was missing. (RCMP/CP)

Ottawa children died in plot to silence mother, Crown alleges

The 2004 firebombing that torched two children in their Ottawa home was meant to kill their mother for fear she would reveal that one of the accused was a pedophile, prosecutors allege.

Chelsea Rodgers, 10, and her brother Cole, 7, were burned alive in their home in 2004.

Counsellors to help B.C. town cope with mine tragedy

Grief counsellors will offer services Thursday to residents of a small British Columbia town where four men were killed, apparently by toxic fumes, at a decommissioned mine.

(CBC)

Woman used car as weapon, police charge

A woman has been charged with assault with a weapon, following an incident in which witnesses said a driver deliberately struck a child with a car.

Canada's stay in Afghanistan extended by 2 years

With the latest death of a Canadian soldier fresh in their minds, members of Parliament have voted to approve an extension of the military mission to Afghanistan. 

Capt. Nichola Goddard is the first Canadian female soldier to be killed in combat since the Second World War. (Department of National Defence Photo)

B.C. mine incident claims 4 lives

Four people died Wednesday as a result of an accident at the decommissioned Sullivan mine in Kimberley in southeastern British Columbia.

(CBC)

Gun registry jobs safe for now, N.B. city told

More than 200 employees of the federal gun registry in Miramichi, N.B., are breathing a temporary sigh of relief after Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day assured them their jobs are safe for now.

BQ, NDP to oppose extending Afghan mission

The Bloc Québécois and New Democratic Party will vote against extending Canada's mission to Afghanistan by two years, while the Liberals say their MPs can vote according to their conscience.

Afghan mission has cost $4.1B and counting: report

The Polaris Institute is urging politicians not to extend Canada's role in Afghanistan for another two years, saying the campaign has already cost the country more than $4.1 billion since 2001.

Steve Staples of the Polaris Institute: 'Canada now ranks far down the list at 50th out of 95 countries currently contributing military personnel to UN missions.' (CBC)

Alleged mail theft a sign of increasing workloads, postal union says

An alleged case of mail theft by a postal worker in Winnipeg – one of the largest cases in the country's history – illustrates the increasing burdens and stresses of the job, her former union says.

New cases may be linked to Alberta sex-trade killings

Police in Alberta have found the remains of one person and are looking for another body as an investigation into the disappearance and death of nearly two dozen sex-trade workers continues.

Boy, 3, locked in day-care van for hours

A three-year-old boy who failed to return home from a day care in Prince George, B.C. this week was found safe several hours later – locked in the day-care centre's van.