Beyond Local

KYIV, Ukraine — A Ukrainian doctor who was forced to treat open-heart surgery patients in a bomb shelter last year says he's grateful for the assistance his country has received from Canada. But Dr. Igor Mokryk, the head of cardiac surgery at the Heart Institute of Kyiv, says the best medicine would be to have Canada's backing on Ukraine joining NATO. 

EDMONTON — Reid Garrin says he has fun gardening at his local church because he gets to dig in the dirt, but the 12-year-old also knows the work is important. "I'm gardening for the food bank this year," says Reid, plowing dirt with a trowel.

OTTAWA — The head of a UN agency working to shore up rural food systems says richer countries need to focus on delivering proactive aid to developing countries instead of shifting to humanitarian work after crises have happened.

VANCOUVER — A Vancouver family known for its philanthropy is making a $20 million donation to a British Columbia substance use treatment centre in memory of their adult son and brother who died of an opioid overdose.

A battalion of nearly 350 firefighters from the European Union will soon be on the ground in Quebec to help their Canadian counterparts tackle a devastating and unprecedented wildfire season.

OTTAWA — The Trudeau government is taking a mixed approach to Mexico charting its own path to economic growth, as a desire for more trade and better labour rights bumps up against mining reform and agriculture regulations that have riled Canadian firms.

KYIV, Ukraine — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Moscow of a "new colonial approach" in Ukraine during a surprise visit to Kyiv on Saturday, where he told that country's parliament they are fighting for "the future of us all."

CALGARY — The Calgary Flames have promoted from within for their next head coach. Ryan Huska takes over the reins after five years as a Flames assistant. The 47-year-old from Trail, B.C., replaces Darryl Sutter, who was fired in May.

TORONTO — A new poll suggests only a third of Canadians support a proposal from Mississauga, Ont., to ask the federal government to change the lyrics of the national anthem.

Quebecers are returning home as the province goes on the offensive against a record wildfire season, but elsewhere gusty winds are fuelling a huge blaze in northeastern British Columbia.