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    • Alcohol excise tax capped at two per cent for two more years, Freeland announces

    Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says a tax on beer, spirits and wine is set to increase on April 1 to two per cent. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press) Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says a tax on beer, spirits and wine is set to increase on April 1 to two per cent. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
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    Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the federal government will cap the annual alcohol excise tax increase on beer, spirits and wine at two per cent for an additional two years.

    The alcohol excise tax had been set to rise on April 1 by 4.7 per cent, tied to inflation, but Freeland announced today that the increase is being capped at the lower rate.

    She also announced some tax relief for local craft breweries by cutting the excise duty rate on the first 15,000 hectolitres of beer in half for two years.

    She says Canada's small craft brewers are among the finest in the world and are an important contributor to the economy.

    Restaurants Canada is applauding the move, saying the financial relief will give operators a chance to catch their breath as they try to cope with inflation and bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The Canadian Taxpayers Federation says it is good to see some relief, but the government shouldn't be raising alcohol taxes at all.

    This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 9, 2024

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    opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster

    A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?

    opinion

    opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike

    When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.

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    At least 20 homes have been affected by flash flooding in the British Columbia Interior following heavy rains that forced the overnight closure of the Trans-Canada Highway near Kamloops.

    Yellowhead County in west-central Alberta says a fire that prompted the closure of a major highway west of Edmonton involved a gas metering station.

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    • Several stolen vehicles believed to have been used in organized and serious crime, including one homicide, have been found in Alberta during an investigation into an auto theft ring.

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    • At least 20 homes have been affected by flash flooding in the British Columbia Interior following heavy rains that forced the overnight closure of the Trans-Canada Highway near Kamloops.

    • A pedestrian was taken to hospital Monday evening after they were struck by a vehicle in New Westminster, B.C.

    • Crews are responding to a small wildfire discovered south of Spences Bridge, B.C., on Canada Day.

    • Toronto police are investigating a taxi driver that was stabbed Friday evening.

    • It's Canada Day. The statutory holiday will see several events and celebrations held across the city, and some businesses and services closed. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your 2024 Canada Day,

    • Police are requesting the public’s assistance in locating a man wanted for attempted murder in Toronto.

    • The City of Calgary expects to have an update Tuesday on when indoor water-use reduction measures could be eased as work continues to stabilize the city’s water infrastructure.

    • Several events were happening in and around Calgary to get people into the spirt of Canada Day.

    • Some parts of northwest Calgary experienced a flash flood on Sunday night, flooding basements and stranding a vehicle.

    • Residents in Ottawa celebrated big this year as the capital did not fall short on celebrations.

    • Several events across the city will be hosting fireworks displays as part of their celebrations next Monday, while residents are allowed to host private fireworks displays on June 30, July 1 and July 2.

    • The Brockville Pipe and Drum Corp, alongside the Scarlet Clad Infantry Reenactors lead a march down King Street West and up Court House Avenue to celebrate Canada Day in Brockville, Ont.

    • It's Moving Day on Monday for many Quebecers. However, as anticipated by organizations, July 1 is a difficult day for many tenants, as nearly 1,300 households are still being assisted by a housing search service.

    • Juraj Slafkovsky got a Canada Day payday. The Montreal Canadiens signed the forward to an eight-year, US$60.8-million contract extension beginning in 2025-26.

    • It's clear skies for Canada Day festivities in Montreal on Monday. Weather conditions will be ideal to take in the evening fireworks display at the Old Port, which is hosting its annual Canada Day celebrations.

    • Canada Day fireworks will go off in the greater Edmonton area at 11 p.m. Monday.

    • Yellowhead County in west-central Alberta says a fire that prompted the closure of a major highway west of Edmonton involved a gas metering station.

    • The Edmonton Oilers signed forward Viktor Arvidsson to a two-year, US$8-million contract and gave forwards Corey Perry and Connor Brown one-year extensions among multiple moves the club made Monday.

    • One person had died after being struck by a train in downtown Moncton, according to RCMP.

    • Thousands came out to Sydney's Centre 200 for the official CBRM Canada Day festivities despite the rainy weather.

    • A rainy Canada Day is dampening some celebrations around Winnipeg.

    • A heat warning is in effect in Churchill, Man., with the area expecting to see daytime highs around 30 C.

    • It was a record-breaking year for Pride Month in Manitoba, with thousands of people taking part in more than 15 Pride events across the province.

    • Seniors will again have a full selection of classes to take this fall at the University of Regina. A group of volunteers have taken over the Lifelong Learning Program after the university discontinued funding last year.

    • Following a tumultuous 48 hours for those relying on air travel over the Canada Day weekend, WestJet is now steadily restoring flights across the country.

    • The Regina Police Service (RPS) released photos of the suspect involved in an assault with a weapon on Friday night in the North Central neighbourhood.

    • Brandon Montour is making a big move fresh off his Stanley Cup win with the Florida Panthers.

    • Canada Day festivities were in full swing Monday. We checked out a few of the July 1 parties across Waterloo Region.

    • The countdown is on to Canada Day! Here’s a quick look at the celebrations happening in your neighbourhood.

    • Two Saskatchewan men who dove into icy waters in a bid to save two young girls and a woman who fell through the ice of a frozen lake are being honoured posthumously.

    • Alberta RCMP says one of its officers in the Lloydminster detachment fired his weapon in a public campground after a suspect stole an occupied RV and drove it towards him.

    • A garage fire in Saskatoon’s Riversdale neighbourhood filled the street with thick, acrid smoke on Monday morning as emergency crews arrived on scene.

    • A viewer sent CTV News Northern Ontario a security camera photo of what appears to be a cougar crossing behind his camp.

    • Sudbury’s Tyler Bertuzzi agreed to a four-year, $22 million contract with the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks on Monday.

    • Home sales in the month of May declined in North Bay in May, the only major city in northeastern Ontario that saw a decline compared to the same month in 2023.

    • WestJet has reached a deal with its mechanics to end a strike, but the counter at the London International Airport (LIA) remains dark.

    • Canada Day festivities are underway in London, Ont. and around southwestern Ontario.

    • To celebrate the holiday, many different firework shows will be on display Monday night.

    • Barrie Fire and Police are investigating a Canada Day morning fire at the Simcoe Residential Hotel.

    • The City of Barrie has a full day of programming for the July 1st festivities.

    • A man was found dead on the scene near an apartment fire in Owen Sound on Sunday.

    • Windsor police say a cyclist has died after colliding with a vehicle in east Windsor.

    • Windsor police are asking for the public’s assistance locating one of Canada’s most wanted fugitives after gunshots were fired on Erie Street.

    • At least 20 homes have been affected by flash flooding in the British Columbia Interior following heavy rains that forced the overnight closure of the Trans-Canada Highway near Kamloops.

    • The tentative agreement that ended a days-long strike involving WestJet’s airline mechanics was not reached in time to avoid more travel woes at the Vancouver airport Monday.

    • Violence broke out following Rick Ross’s performance at a Vancouver music festival Sunday, with the influential rapper reportedly being attacked during the melee.

    • A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect Sunday for a swath of the B.C. Interior, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.

    • Mounties in Kelowna say a suspect is at large after a man was stabbed in the city Sunday afternoon.

    • Police are remaining tight-lipped about a woman’s death in a Kelowna park on Friday.

    • With the recent moisture and cooler temperatures, fire bans and restrictions in the Lethbridge area are no longer in effect.

    • Plenty of tourists will descend on Lethbridge to see what the city offers. Locals, too, will have no shortage of activities this weekend.

    • The 122-year-old Raymond Stampede is set to get underway this weekend, but this year’s event will occur at a new location.

    • Home sales in the month of May declined in North Bay in May, the only major city in northeastern Ontario that saw a decline compared to the same month in 2023.

    • A viewer sent CTV News Northern Ontario a security camera photo of what appears to be a cougar crossing behind his camp.

    • A 22-year-old from Elliot Lake has been charged after Ontario Provincial Police stopped a vehicle that didn’t have headlights turned on.

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