National News

OTTAWA — An advocacy group for those who reveal wrongdoing says it cannot support a new task force looking at the federal whistleblowing regime because it lacks someone with "lived experience" as an actual whistleblower.

There was no winning ticket sold in Friday's Lotto Max $15 million draw. The jackpot for the next draw on Dec. 27 will be an estimated $20 million. The Canadian Press

A major winter storm is hitting Ontario and Quebec, causing flight cancellations, power outages and road closures. Bad weather is also expected in many other parts of the country. Here are the latest developments (all times Eastern)

Major storms left hundreds of thousands of people without power in Quebec and Ontario ahead of Christmas Eve and shut down critical bridges and roads in Metro Vancouver as heavy snowfall, rain, ice and strong winds barrelled across each region.

Anastasiia Tertyshna remembers sitting around the dinner table at her parents' house in eastern Ukraine on Christmas Eve last year, cracking jokes with her husband and siblings as they ate a traditional pudding typically prepared for the holidays.

EDMONTON — An Alberta woman who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the killing of her abusive husband of 27 years has been allowed unescorted absences from prison and, once she is eligible early next year, day parole.

OTTAWA — The federal Liberal government is facing calls to intervene amid reports that Pakistan is preparing to arrest and expel Afghan refugees, many of whom are waiting to escape to Canada.

Health Canada is recalling about a thousand activity tables for toddlers sold by the brand Janod. The agency says the recall involves some lots of the Janod Sweet Cocoon Activity Table as it may be a choking hazard.

A review panel is upholding a fine against the Trans Mountain pipeline for violations that resulted in disturbing bird nests.

In The News is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to kickstart your day. Here is what's on the radar of our editors for the morning of Dec. 23 ... What we are watching in Canada ...