provinces

Advocates are protesting Alberta's dual practice health model at a premiers conference, urging the federal government to increase health care funding and impose conditions on provincial spending of that money.

The death toll in Congo's Ebola outbreak has risen to 930, with 37 new deaths reported in 24 hours. The Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved vaccine, caused 2,344 confirmed cases. Security challenges, attacks on health facilities, and unpaid health workers have hindered response efforts, including 36 health worker deaths.

First Nations chiefs are urging federal and provincial governments to safeguard treaty rights amid concerns over threats from Alberta separatism. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) has called for action to protect these rights.

New York has paused new hyperscale data centres, sparking a debate in Canada about whether provinces and territories should consider similar moratoriums. Companies are increasingly targeting Canada for AI-powered hyperscale data centres, raising questions about their net benefit to the country.

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra mentioned Canada's provincial bans on American alcohol during a Fourth of July speech in Ottawa. His comments were part of a political message, accompanied by a flyover of American F-35 fighter jets.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the establishment of a national emergency response mechanism for the monsoon season, emphasizing coordination between federal and provincial authorities to address climate-related disasters. The committee, led by the planning minister and including NDMA, will monitor preparedness weekly, while an emergency fund and water infrastructure projects were also prioritized.

The federal government is set to announce five priority power-line projects for federal backing, aiming to facilitate cheaper and easier electricity sharing among provinces through infrastructure upgrades.

The state budget is criticized for lacking strategic vision, favoring the wealthy, and deferring necessary reforms. It reduces provincial funding, increases indirect taxes burdening the poor, and maintains a low tax-to-GDP ratio, failing fiscal equity and expansion goals.

The Pakistani federal government is shifting the burden of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) collection shortfalls to provinces, relying on levies and untaxed sectors like retail and petroleum to meet fiscal targets. Analysts attribute this to political economy challenges rather than administrative inefficiency, citing political resistance to expanding the tax base.

The federal government in Pakistan is demanding provinces freeze their share of federal tax revenues and return excess amounts to the center, amid an IMF-mandated fiscal crisis. Provinces resist, citing structural tax issues and constitutional concerns over the NFC award and 18th Amendment, which guarantee provincial autonomy.