Politics

OTTAWA — Dozens of Canadian economists issued an ardent defence of Canada's price on pollution Tuesday, as the government faces increased pressure from the Conservatives and provincial premiers to cancel a planned increase to the levy.

HARRISBURG, Pa.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S.

TORONTO — The pace of new home construction is picking up in Ontario, though it is still far off the levels needed for the government to achieve its pledge to build 1.5 million homes by 2031, the budget released Tuesday shows.

TORONTO — Ontario is set to inject billions of new dollars into health care, the budget for the upcoming fiscal year shows.

EDMONTON — A contender in the race for the leadership of Alberta's Opposition NDP has dropped out to support fellow candidate Naheed Nenshi, citing the former Calgary mayor's ability to expand the party.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. chose Nicole Shanahan on Tuesday to be his vice presidential pick as he mounts an independent White House bid that has spooked national Democrats.

TORONTO — The Ontario government tabled a budget Tuesday that forecast a ballooning deficit, investments in the home and community care sector, and support for a first-of-its-kind medical school.

OTTAWA — A spokeswoman for Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says 36 Canadians have now brought out of Haiti by helicopter.

HALIFAX — The Nova Scotia government will erect prefabricated homes at sites near two hospitals in the province as part of a $45-million program to address housing shortages for health-care workers.