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Politics

    • 'Unacceptable': Transport minister critiques Via Rail situation as Christmas Day trains cancelled

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    Canada's transport minister took aim at Via Rail on Saturday after some passengers were following the recent winter storm.

    Riders have reported being stuck for as long as on Via Rail trains. The Crown corporation says several trains on the Quebec City-Windsor corridor have been immobilized or cancelled "due to extreme weather conditions."

    A travel alert posted on Via Rail's website Saturday says as many as 24 trains have been .

    In another update Saturday evening, Via Rail said due to a CN train derailment earlier in the day, all trains between Toronto and Ottawa and between Toronto and Montreal that were .

    "The current situation with @VIA_Rail is unacceptable and we are in contact with them to resolve all issues safely and efficiently," federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra . "The unprecedented weather has caused delays in our transportation system and the safety of passengers and crew is our top priority."

    Alghabra's statement did not say exactly how the federal government is working to resolve the issue.

    The issues involving Via Rail come after a winter storm swept across Canada on Friday and continued into Saturday, bringing with it snow, heavy winds and extreme cold.

    Via Rail train 55 from Ottawa to Toronto in particular appeared to be impacted, stalling near Cobourg, Ont., due to a fallen tree, which blocked rail lines.

    The Crown corporation told CP24 that while it couldn't say when the trains would start moving, customers will be compensated.

    "We, however, deeply apologize for this situation and the impact for our passengers and we are continuing to work with our teams and the infrastructure owner to either get those trains moving as quickly as possible or bring them to their final destination with new equipment. Passengers who are travelling on these trains will be provided a full refund," the company said.

    With files from CP24 web writer Joshua Freeman and CTVNews.ca writer Natasha O'Neill

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    Canada

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    • Emergency crews in northern Ontario found the bodies of four people inside a home where a fire broke out Thursday night.

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    World

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    Entertainment

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    Sports

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    Autos

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    Local Spotlight

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    Edmontonians can count themselves lucky to ever see one tiger salamander, let alone the thousands one local woman says recently descended on her childhood home.

    • Thousands of protesters are expected to march into downtown Vancouver on Friday, demanding more action from their government to address the growing climate crisis.

    • Members of the only organized support group for the Vancouver Canucks are feeling slighted after losing their usual space at Rogers Arena.

    • There have been more reports of a Bitcoin extortion scam seeking to exploit viewers of "adult content" in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, according to the RCMP.

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    • The Montreal couple from Mexico and their three children facing deportation have received a temporary residence permit.

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    • DEVELOPING

      DEVELOPING

      Edmonton police are warning about traffic disruptions on Friday near the headquarters of the Alberta Teachers' Association, where a protest against the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in school curricula will be taking place.

    • A Nova Scotia woman has applied for a medically assisted death, saying after years of battling to receive out-of-country surgery for an illness that causes 'indescribable' pain, she struggles to maintain the will to live.

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    • A Lethbridge couple got a good reminder as to why you should keep your vehicle doors locked at all times.

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    N.L.

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