In the news today: Poilievre and the Alberta byelection debate, B.C. tsunami advisory

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

Candidates in Alberta byelection gather for debate

Pierre Poilievre was greeted with cheers and applause by the hundreds of Albertans who showed up to watch a two-and-a-half-hour political debate on a sunny Tuesday evening in July.

The Camrose and District Chamber of Commerce hosted a candidates’ forum featuring 10 of the people who are vying to represent Battle River—Crowfoot in the Aug. 18 byelection.

“My mission here is to give national leadership to the issues that are of local importance,” Poilievre told the sold-out crowd.

The Conservative leader is widely expected to win the sprawling eastern Alberta riding, which is considered one of the safest Tory seats in the country.

Tsunami advisory, some beaches shut in B.C.

British Columbians are being urged to stay away from coastal areas that remain under a tsunami advisory, after one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded triggered warnings and alerts around the Pacific.

The District of Tofino says beaches are closed, while the province’s emergency information agency says people in areas covered by the advisory should stay away from shorelines, with strong waves and currents possible.

Emergency Info BC had said tsunami waves of less than 30 centimetres were expected to hit Tofino, B.C., around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, but there was no immediate confirmation of their arrival that coincided with a low tide.

However, at 1:20 a.m. Pacific daylight time, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration updated its tsunami bulletin to include regional observations. For British Columbia, that included an “observed maximum tsunami height” of six centimetres at Langara Island, 27 centimetres at Winter Harbour, 21 centimetres at Tofino and nine centimetres at Bamfield.

The quake that hit off the coast of southeastern Russia on Tuesday had a preliminary magnitude of 8.8, which would make it the world’s strongest quake since 2011.

Carney to meet cabinet to talk U.S., Middle East

Prime Minister Mark Carney is meeting virtually with his cabinet today to discuss the state of trade negotiations with the U.S. and the situation in the Middle East.

The meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET.

Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade Dominic LeBlanc is in Washington today meeting with U.S. officials.

Carney said Monday that Canada’s negotiations with the United States are in an “intense phase” after President Donald Trump clinched a critical agreement with the European Union.

Trump told reporters last week that Canada wasn’t a priority ahead of his Aug. 1 deadline to make trade deals.

Feds could boost housing fees for migrant workers

An Ontario migrant farm worker says there is “wickedness” in a federal government proposal that could allow employers to charge workers upwards of 30 per cent of their income for housing.

The Migrant Workers Alliance for Change shared with The Canadian Press a discussion paper from Employment and Social Development Canada. The document outlines possible regulations for a new temporary worker stream for agricultural and fish processing workers.

The planned stream would include sector-specific work permits. That would allow temporary workers to work for any qualified employer in a specific field, instead of having their work permit tied to a specific job.

This new stream isn’t expected to be active until 2027 at the earliest, according to the discussion paper.

Bank of Canada set for interest rate decision

The Bank of Canada is expected to make an interest rate decision this morning.

Economists and financial markets widely expect the central bank will keep its policy rate steady at 2.75 per cent.

A surprisingly strong June jobs report and signs of stubbornness in core inflation convinced many economists the bank would remain on hold.

The Bank of Canada left its key rate unchanged at its two most recent decisions as it waits for more clarity on how Canada’s tariff dispute with the United States will affect inflation and the economy.

Watching kids swim? Put down your phone: experts

As Canada heads into a long weekend, the Lifesaving Society is urging parents and caregivers not to have their phones in hand while watching children playing near water or swimming.

The society says there has been a spike in drowning deaths this year, particularly in Ontario and Quebec.

Last week alone, three people — including two young children and a 24-year-old male kayaker — died in three separate drownings in Ontario.

Although the specific circumstances of the deaths aren’t known, senior communications officer Stephanie Bakalar says absent or distracted caregivers are a factor in more than 90 per cent of drownings among children under five in Canada.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2025