National News

OTTAWA — Expecting mothers who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 in March, and have since been unable to access emergency federal aid, will become eligible Friday for a key benefit — without jeopardizing their parental leave.

REGINA — The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations says an outbreak of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan's far north is alarming.

OTTAWA — Gun-control advocates and the Trudeau government see a coming overhaul of the firearms classification system as key to cementing the recent federal move to ban assault-style rifles.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced more than $77 million to help keep workers in the food-processing industry safe, but at least one union says the cash doesn't address the real problem.

MONTREAL — The major crimes unit of Quebec's provincial police is investigating after four cellphone towers north of Montreal were set on fire within the span of a few days.

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — Police in southern Alberta are being investigated after a restaurant worker in a "Star Wars" stormtrooper costume who was carrying a plastic gun was forced to the ground and ended up with a bloody nose.

OTTAWA — Add chickens, mushrooms and potatoes to the ever-longer list of products being purchased by the federal government to combat the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

OTTAWA — The federal information czar wants Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to tell government agencies they must strive to be transparent and accountable as they wrestle with the fallout from COVID-19.

EDMONTON — A majority of forests in Canada face a higher-than-normal wildfire risk this summer, say federal scientists. The forecast map from Natural Resources Canada suggests every region west of central Quebec will face an above-average hazard.

OTTAWA — Canada's health-research granting agency has postponed its usual funding competition due to COVID-19, sparking concern the lack of money could disrupt work on cures that aren't related to the pandemic.