In the news today: countries denounce Iran, France crab licence, Alberta unity event

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

Canada signs joint statement denouncing Iran after U.K. airbase plot

Canada has joined the U-S and more than two-dozen other countries in denouncing Iran’s apparent involvement in a planned attack on an airbase in England.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Monday that a suspected terror plot at a U.S.-run airbase last month was “almost certainly” directed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

He said the event at RAF Fairford, which has been used by American bombers to strike Iran, demonstrates the guard’s continued willingness to project hostile activity beyond its borders.

Canada and multiple countries said they condemn Iran’s use of violent attacks, plots and sabotage against allies and their partners.

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France won’t grant crab licence off Newfoundland without discussion, ambassador says

France’s ambassador to Canada says her country has not issued a fishing licence off the coast of Newfoundland, despite a reported pledge from the French president.

In her first interview since her posting started last month, Hélène Farnaud-Defromont says France would not take that step without consulting Canada.

Media outlets have reported that French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to grant an exploratory snow crab licence to a fishing company in St-Pierre-et-Miquelon, a French territory off Newfoundland.

Joanne Thompson, Canada’s fisheries minister, quickly encouraged France to back away from the plan, saying she was discussing her department’s next move with Global Affairs Canada.

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Coroner’s inquest set to begin examining death of Toronto woman who fell from balcony

An inquest gets underway today into the death of a Toronto woman who fell from a highrise balcony as police entered her home.

Regis Korchinski-Paquet (PACK’-ett) died in May 2020 after police were called to the home about a family dispute.

Ontario’s police watchdog later investigated the 29-year-old’s death and cleared Toronto police of wrongdoing.

The inquest is set to last two weeks and hear from 15 witnesses.

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Former political rivals Notley and Kenney to unite at event ahead of separation vote

Two former premiers who were on the opposite ends of the political spectrum in Alberta will unite today to keep the province from quitting Canada.

Jason Kenney and Rachel Notley are set to speak at an event in the province’s capital, hosted by the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce.

Kenney was premier under the United Conservative Party, defeating Notley’s NDP government in 2019.

The event comes days before Albertans vote Monday on 10 questions in a referendum, with the most contested one being whether the province should stay in Canada or hold a second, binding referendum on leaving.

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B.C. party leaders make campaign stop at Vancouver trade board ahead of election

The leaders of British Columbia’s three major political parties will pitch their plans to business leaders in Vancouver with less than two weeks to go before the provincial election on Oct. 24.

NDP Leader David Eby, Conservative interim leader Lorne Doerkson and Green Party Leader Emily Lowan are slated to speak at an event this afternoon hosted by the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.

The leaders won’t debate each other, though each will address attendees and then take part in a question-and-answer session with board president Bridgitte Anderson.

The board says the event is designed to allow people to hear directly from the leaders as they present their vision for the province and discuss their priorities for B.C.’s future.

A televised leaders’ debate is set for Wednesday.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 13, 2026.