National

OTTAWA — The federal government plans to reintroduce a bill in the House of Commons identical to one already passed unanimously by the Senate to legally recognize the evolution of the upper house into a more independent, non-partisan chamber.

WHITEHORSE — Yukon's former health minister has been ordered to pay more than $8,000 after a judge sided with her successor in an effort to have the election result overturned.

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his Liberal government remains committed to ending all long-term drinking water advisories that exist on First Nations, despite not setting a new date to do so.

OTTAWA — Two former judges who led consultations on the creation of an independent commission to review possible wrongful convictions say the new body must be proactive and not simply react to applications from people who want to clear their name.

TROIS-RIVIÈRES, Que. — A Granby, Que., woman was found guilty Thursday of second-degree murder in the death of her seven-year-old stepdaughter. A jury rendered its verdict at the courthouse in Trois-Rivières, Que., just after 3:30 p.m.

OTTAWA — The Conservatives have lost their bid to resurrect a House of Commons order demanding the release of secret documents related to the firing of two scientists at Canada's highest security laboratory.

MONTREAL — An elementary school teacher in western Quebec has been reassigned from her classroom because her hijab contravenes the province's law forbidding teachers from wearing religious symbols.

TORONTO — Rapid COVID-19 tests can help stop transmission and could be valuable tools in workplaces and schools, Ontario experts said Thursday, while Quebec announced test kits for kids amid calls for their expanded use.

Two Alberta First Nations say a coal company hoping to develop a mine in the province's Rocky Mountains isn't being forthcoming with a federal agency about its relationship with their communities.

OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says a Quebec law prohibiting some public servants from wearing religious symbols on the job is an issue to be dealt with by that province alone. Some of his MPs, however, appear to be taking a tougher stand.