CANADA LOST 84,000 JOBS IN FEBRUARY AS UNEMPLOYMENT RISES TO 6.7% — New data from Statistics Canada shows 84,000 jobs were lost in February, pushing the national unemployment rate to 6.7%, with most losses in Quebec and British Columbia and concentrated among younger workers.

COMMITTEE VOTES TO REINSTATE PARLIAMENTARY BUDGET OFFICER — MPs on the House government operations committee voted to reinstate Jason Jacques as Parliamentary Budget Officer after his dismissal last week. The motion, introduced by Conservative MP Kelly Block, also urges the government of Mark Carney to appoint Jacques to a full seven-year term.

LIBERALS INTRODUCE NEW “LAWFUL ACCESS” SURVEILLANCE BILL — The government of Mark Carney has tabled legislation expanding police powers to track suspects using digital tools like social media and AI, reviving debate over privacy and civil liberties after criticism of earlier proposals.

UCP LEADS IN ALBERTA AS MAJORITY SAY PROVINCE IS ON WRONG TRACK: POLL — New polling from Leger finds the United Conservative Party leading with 48% support among decided voters, ahead of the Alberta New Democratic Party at 36%, even as 60% of Albertans say the province is on the wrong track.

CARNEY TO MEET KING CHARLES DURING U.K. VISIT — Mark Carney is set to meet King Charles III in London next week after visiting Norway to observe NATO’s Cold Response military exercises and attend a summit with Nordic leaders.

CARNEY GOVERNMENT UNVEILS $35B PLAN TO EXPAND MILITARY PRESENCE IN THE ARCTIC — The government of Mark Carney has announced a $35-billion plan to modernize Canada’s northern defence, upgrading bases, runways and infrastructure across the Arctic as part of efforts to strengthen NORAD with the United States.

CRTC BANS FEES FOR CANCELING OR CHANGING PHONE AND INTERNET PLANS — The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission will prohibit telecom companies from charging customers fees to cancel, switch, or activate cellphone and internet plans, with the new rules taking effect June 12 to make it easier for Canadians to shop for better deals.