In the news today: Royals set to arrive in Canada today

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

King Charles, Queen Camilla slated to arrive in Canada today

King Charles and Queen Camilla will touch down in Ottawa today to kick off a historical royal tour. The trip marks the royals’ first visit to Canada since the King’s coronation two years ago. When they land this afternoon, the royals will travel to Lansdowne Park, a large events venue in the heart of the nation’s capital, to meet with community members. The King and Queen will then head to Rideau Hall to meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Governor General Mary Simon, who acts as the representative of the Crown in Canada. Carney has asked the King to read the speech from the throne on Tuesday, which sets out the government’s priorities for the legislative session.

MPs to vote on new House speaker today

Newly elected MPs will vote by secret ballot when Parliament returns today to decide who will become the next Speaker of the House of Commons. The last Speaker, Liberal MP Greg Fergus, is seeking to win the role back — although he faced criticism in the last Parliament of being overly partisan. He will face off against half a dozen contenders, including former deputy Speaker and Conservative MP Chris d’Entremont as well as former deputy government House leader and Liberal MP Sherry Romanado. The Speaker plays an important role in keeping the Legislature functioning smoothly — especially in minority parliaments like this one, which can quickly become raucous and upend the government’s agenda.

Here’s what else we’re watching…

Students, staff in Walkerton return to school after crash killed students and coach

Students and staff heading back to school today in a central Ontario town can expect to see increased mental health resources as the community continues to grapple with the deaths of four students and a teacher. Matt Eckert, 33, and four teenage girls were killed in a crash when their SUV collided with a transport truck and another SUV just northeast of London, Ont. on Friday, while they were returning from a sporting event. Hundreds gathered at a vigil on Sunday evening outside the Walkerton school, where attendees lit candles and laid flowers. Ontario Provincial Police and the school board have not released the names of the students, but police say two girls were 16 and two were 17 years old.

Fundraising continues for B.C. festival victims

Efforts to raise money to support the victims of the attack on Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Day festival are still underway one month after the vehicle ramming that killed 11 and injured dozens more. Multiple fundraisers were held this weekend to support the families of those killed in the attack and those who were hurt. The annual festival had just finished on the evening of April 26 when an SUV rammed through the crowd, causing what has been called the “darkest day” in the city’s history. Adam Kai-Ji Lo faces eight counts of second-degree murder and further charges are anticipated.

Hudson’s Bay workers finding jobs at Holt Renfrew

Hudson’s Bay and Saks Fifth Avenue Canada workers have caught the eye of some department and drug stores. Luxury retailer Holt Renfrew says it has added dozens of Bay and Saks employees to its store teams, with more still to come. Meanwhile, talent acquisition staff at Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall appear to be working social media to lure in Bay and Saks employees. It doesn’t surprise retail consultant Lanita Layton that the workers are in demand, because they know how to sell and understand the Canadian marketplace. By the time the Bay and Saks finish liquidating at the end of the month, more than 9,300 employees will be out of work.

Sentencing expected for stolen Churchill portrait

The Ontario man who pleaded guilty to stealing an iconic portrait of former British prime minister Winston Churchill from Ottawa’s Chateau Laurier is expected to be sentenced today in court. Jeffrey Wood entered his plea earlier this year, admitting to stealing the portrait and to knowingly committing forgery by making a false document. Renowned photographer Yousuf Karsh snapped the iconic portrait in 1941 in the Speaker’s office just after Churchill delivered a rousing wartime address to Canadian lawmakers. Police said the portrait was stolen from the hotel sometime between Christmas Day 2021 and Jan. 6, 2022, and replaced with a fake.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2025.

The Canadian Press