Why food benefits usage is at its lowest since the Great Recession

Canada’s record-setting $90 million Lotto Max jackpot has been won by a ticket sold in Alberta following Tuesday night’s draw, the OLG confirmed. The historic jackpot, first announced on Oct. 14, surpasses the previous Canadian lottery record of $85 million.

POLITICSWednesday, October 21, 2026 10:56AMPedro Rivera has breaking details. WEST BANK (WABC) -- Brad Lander, the Democratic nominee for New York's 10th Congressional District and former New York City comptroller, said Wednesday that he was detained by the Israel Defense Forces while participating in an olive harvest in the West Bank. In a social media post, Lander wrote: "I've been detained by the IDF, along with a group of rabbis & volunteers. We were simply harvesting olives in a grove near Nehalim in the West Bank. " He added, "The occupation is a crime under international law. Harvesting olives isn't a crime under any law I know. "According to the Israeli human rights group Rabbis for Human Rights, Lander was among roughly 90 volunteers and activists detained Wednesday while accompanying Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest near the village of Nahalin, outside Bethlehem. The group said volunteers had been helping farmers harvest olives on land they had been unable to access since Oct. 7.

Smiles, strength and hope filled the Prima Luna reception hall in Montreal’s Rivière-des-Prairies borough on Saturday, as dozens gathered for the fifth annual breast cancer fundraiser in support of St. Mary’s Hospital, raising money for treatments and services for women affected by the disease. “I am a fighter,” said Rosa Di Paolo, organizer of the event. “I want to help.”

Food Banks of Quebec says demand for food assistance has reached a historic high, with more than 3.27 million requests met each month in 2026. The figure represents an increase of more than 150,000 monthly requests compared with 2025, according to the organization’s annual HungerCount report.

SEATAC, Wash. — Alaska Airlines announced it is adding two, new nonstop flights to its growing list of routes starting in 2027. The two new flights will connect Seattle with Osaka, Japan, and Papeete, Tahiti. Alaska Airlines says that the joint Alaska-Hawaiian airline will be the “only airline to offer nonstop service” between Seattle and the two new locations. The connection between Osaka and Seattle will kick off May 14, 2027, and run four times a week, according to Alaska Airlines. Flights between Seattle and Papeete will start nearly a month after on June 11, 2027, and run three times a week, according to Alaska Airlines. Those looking to fly to either Osaka or Papeete can buy their tickets now via Alaska Airlines’ website here. ©2026 Cox Media Group

Montreal·NewThe Parti Québécois will unveil its cabinet of ministers on Wednesday during a swearing-in ceremony at the National Assembly. The ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. ET and CBC will provide live coverage. Ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. ET, CBC will provide live coverageCBC News · Posted: Oct 21, 2026 6:40 AM EDT | Last Updated: 6 minutes agoListen to this articleEstimated 2 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results. Premier-designate Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, centre, Parti Québécois MNAs Pascal Berube, left, and Catherine Gentilcore, right, react along with other PQ members as they prepare for an official photo following their swearing in at the legislature in Quebec City, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)Quebecers will soon find out which MNAs will become ministers and hold key roles for the incoming Parti Québécois government (PQ). The swearing-in ceremony for ministers — and the next premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon — is taking place Wednesday at the National Assembly.