Global National: Feb. 18, 2024 | Feds, BC look to kickstart housing construction on provincial land

There’s a new federal initiative to be unveiled next week aimed at tackling Canada’s growing housing crisis. Global News has learned that the federal government will team up with the province of British Columbia to give developers a building boost through cheaper federal loans in the hopes of kickstarting construction on provincial land. The new partnership aims to remove red tape and zoning barriers that often delay the building process. Mackenzie Gray reports.

In Nova Scotia, there are concerns for people living in tent encampments in parts of Halifax as an eviction deadline draws near. Just days ago Canada’s federal housing advocate issued a report denouncing such moves. Titled “Upholding dignity and human rights,” it laid out six ways to deal with tent encampments, including ending forced evictions, providing permanent housing options, and pushing the government to immediately act to save lives. Halifax officials say better shelters are being prepared but there are doubts that they will be enough. Heidi Petracek reports.

There were signs of hope this week in negotiations for a universal national pharmacare program. NPD Leader Jagmeet Singh says his party is getting close to giving the minority Liberal government their final offer on a single-payer plan. But with a negotiation deadline less than two weeks away, political trouble could be looming for the Liberals if a deal isn’t reached. Sean Previl has more.

The federal government has long vowed to phase out the type of coal that is used to produce electricity, but the NDP claims the Liberals have no plans to get there after obtaining data showing thermal coal exports have increased since Justin Trudeau took office. The party has tabled a bill in hopes of pushing the government to stick to its promise. Abigail Bimman has the details.

The Iran-backed Houthi rebel group says its attacks in the Red Sea are in response to Israel’s ongoing assault in Gaza which is now focused on Rafah. The United Nations estimates that 1.4 million Palestinians have fled there. As Redmond Shannon reports, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected calls to stop a ground offensive in the overcrowded city.

Next month, Ukraine will mark a harrowing anniversary: two years since the start of the Russian invasion. The war has forced more than six million Ukrainians to flee. Germany is among the top destinations for those refugees — but Berlin is struggling to find enough homes and beds for the sudden surge of newcomers. Despite the sub-par living conditions, decommissioned airports have become a major destination for Ukrainian refugees who have few options. Krista Hessey reports.

A Manitoba country music icon is celebrating his 75th birthday with fanfare fit for a king. Ernest Monias is a residential school survivor who has had a 60-year music career which included a Grammy nomination. Melissa Ridgen has more.

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