National News

Firefighters had to lay hoses across train tracks to a hydrant one kilometre away as they tried in vain to stop a suspicious blaze that destroyed a popular Saskatoon social and cultural club.

The NDP says it will support the Conservatives on a crucial budget motion Friday — and keep propping up the government long enough to pass EI legislation to help unemployed workers.

The oilsands were the target Tuesday of environmental activists in Niagara Falls and northern Alberta on the eve of a meeting between Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama.

The Bloc Quebecois says it will support the Harper government’s budget motion Friday, averting an immediate election.

OTTAWA — World leaders are not yet ready to call and end to the economic crisis, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said Monday, stressing there is no evidence a sustained recovery is under way despite recent gains.

OTTAWA — Industry Minister Tony Clement denied Monday he directed his department to give any special scrutiny to gay-themed tourism events, and lashed out angrily at opposition suggestions that homophobia motivated government funding decisions.

EDMONTON — Some energy industry players say a new Greenpeace-sponsored report uses unfair comparisons in claiming Alberta’s oilsands are generating more greenhouse gas emissions than some European countries.

OTTAWA — The NDP is likely to support the Conservative minority government in a confidence vote this Friday and avert another federal election — at least for now — party sources told The Canadian Press.

OTTAWA — Michael Ignatieff is casting himself as an international statesman who would reassert Canada’s role on the world stage as a peacekeeper, honest broker and poverty fighter.

The death of another young Canadian soldier has provided the kindling to reignite the debate over the usefulness of Canada’s role in Afghanistan — and even Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean waded into the issue Monday.