In the news: Indigenous Services Minister meeting with coastal B.C. First Nations

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

Gull-Masty to address Assembly of First Nations

Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty will address hundreds of chiefs gathered in Ottawa today for a special meeting of the Assembly of First Nations.

She’s expected to discuss proposed changes to the Indian Act after Senators made sweeping amendments to a bill that would see an unknown number of new people eligible for status.

The chiefs will also debate issues ranging from child welfare reform to the impact of major projects on First Nations communities.

Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke at the event Tuesday and promised to meet with Coastal First Nations leaders after chiefs voted unanimously to press the government to uphold the B.C. oil tanker ban and withdraw an agreement with Alberta that clears a path for a new oil pipeline.

Ministers announce $235 million in aid for Ukraine

The government is pledging another $235 million in funding for Ukraine, with National Defence Minister David McGuinty and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand announcing Canada’s latest commitments. 

McGuinty says Canada will work with NATO allies to purchase a package of critical military capabilities sourced from the United States valued at around USD $500 million.

Canada’s contribution to the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List package will be CAD $200 million.

At a meeting of NATO ministers of foreign affairs in Brussels, Anand announced $35 million in funding for NATO’s Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine.

Winter storm moves into Atlantic Canada

Wintry weather is descending upon parts of Atlantic Canada as a nor’easter brings heavy snow, rain and strong winds to the region Wednesday.

Environment Canada has had a patchwork of orange and yellow snowfall warnings in effect across Nova Scotia and Newfoundland since Tuesday.

The yellow warnings forecast 20 to 30 centimetres of snowfall by Wednesday afternoon, while the orange warnings, in northern Cape Breton and in central Newfoundland, call for 30 to 50 by the evening.

The agency says the bulk of the precipitation will be wet and heavy snow, but there is a chance for a mixture of snow and rain in some areas, especially along the immediate coast.

Greater Toronto home sales fall in November: board

Toronto’s real estate board says activity, new listings and average selling prices were down last month as potential homebuyers stayed on the sidelines.

The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board says 5,010 homes changed hands in November, down 15.8 per cent from the same month last year, as sales ticked 0.6 per cent lower on a seasonally adjusted basis from October.

The average selling price was down 6.4 per cent from last year to $1,039,458, and the composite benchmark price was down 5.8 per cent. 

TRREB president Elechia Barry-Sproule says many GTA households want to take advantage of lower borrowing costs and more favourable selling prices, but have been held back by a lack of confidence in their long-term employment outlook.

Hearing for Mike Smith’s sexual assault charge

Mike Smith of “Trailer Park Boys” fame has a court date scheduled this morning in Dartmouth, N.S., for his sexual assault case.

Smith was charged on Oct. 2 in an alleged sexual assault from December 2017 involving a female complainant.

Smith, 53, was born near New Glasgow, N.S., and is best known for playing Bubbles on the television show “Trailer Park Boys.”

Trailer Park Boys Incorporated, a Nova Scotia-based company with Smith registered as one of three directors, has said the firm is aware of the allegations and takes them seriously.

Bright winter forecasts buoy ski resort hopes

Kendra Scurfield sees white from base to peak.

“It is full-on winter wonderland down here,” said the Banff Sunshine Village vice-president, speaking from the ski resort’s main lodge late last month.

“On my way to the mountain, there were a few young 20-year-olds skiing down the street to get to the bus stop.”

Amid an onslaught of early snow, the Rockies resort enjoyed its earliest seasonal opening in more than four decades, firing up its lifts and groomers on Nov. 2. Whistler Blackcomb in B.C., Lake Louise in Alberta and Mont Tremblant and Saint Sauveur in Quebec have all opened their gates as well.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 3, 2025