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Multiple charges laid in deceptive online passport service scam


July 28, 2026 – GATINEAU (Québec), Competition Bureau

A Competition Bureau investigation has resulted in multiple criminal charges laid before the Ontario Court of Justice against John Jesse Breslin and Phoebe Hui Ting Wong of Ontario. They are alleged to have used misleading representations to suggest that Canadians could quickly and easily obtain or renew Canadian passports online.

The pair operated a business under the names Passport Online and Passport Express, using a website and online advertisements that allegedly misled Canadians into believing they were dealing directly with the Government of Canada for expedited passport services, when this was not the case.

Mr. Breslin, the owner and main decision-maker of the company, and Ms. Wong, a manager at the company, have both been charged under the deceptive marketing provisions of the Competition Act for promoting the service using false or misleading representations. In addition, both individuals face charges under the Criminal Code for fraud over $5,000 and possession of proceeds of crime in connection with the scam.

The Bureau alleges that these offences took place between 2016 and 2020. 

The investigation was conducted with assistance from the Toronto Police Service and included information obtained from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the Better Business Bureau.

Since the matter involves charges and not convictions, there has been no determination of wrongdoing at this stage. 



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Economic

Government of Canada supports 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships, building on Canada’s sport hosting legacy


CALGARY, July 27, 2026

The federal government is working to remove barriers to sport so everyone can participate. Through local sport organizations, we’re ensuring Canadians have greater access to low- and no-cost opportunities to get involved.

Today, with WinSport and the Canadian Sport Institute Alberta, the Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport), joined Paralympic medalist Chad Jassman and local kids on the court for a “try-it” game of wheelchair basketball.

The visit marked the announcement of $2.5 million in federal funding for Wheelchair Basketball Canada to host the 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships in Ottawa from September 9 to 19, 2026, building on the momentum of Canada’s Year of Sport.

This investment will help deliver a world-class championship, welcoming 336 athletes from 19 countries. It will give elite Canadian wheelchair basketball athletes the opportunity to compete against the world’s best on home soil, while attracting international fans and reinforcing Canada’s reputation as the best sport-hosting nation.

Support for the 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships is part of our government’s largest sport investment in Canada’s history, committing $1 billion to make sure we continue hosting major sporting events, grow participation, support our athletes, strengthen the sport system and expand sport infrastructure nationwide.

Sport is the ultimate nation builder, and whether it’s the 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships, the 2026 UCI Road World Championships in Montréal, or the FIFA World Cup 2026™, these moments bring Canadians together and inspire the next generation.



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Economic

Government of Canada supports the strength and promotion of French in Saskatchewan


SASKATOON – Ginette Lavack, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services, will make an announcement on Tuesday in support of French-language organizations in Saskatchewan. She will make this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages.

Please note that all details are subject to change. All times are local.

The details are as follows:

DATE:

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

TIME:

10:00 a.m.

Media representatives wishing to attend this event must confirm their participation by sending their full name and the name of their organization to media@pch.gc.ca by 8 a.m. on Tuesday, July 28. Details on how to attend will be provided afterward.



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Economic

Secretary of State van Koeverden announces strengthened support for Canadian athletes


CALGARY, July 27, 2026

Canadian athletes are our country’s greatest ambassadors, working tirelessly to represent the very best of Canada on the world stage. To make it easier for them to train, compete and bring home the gold, the Government of Canada is making sure they have more support along the way.

Today, the Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport), announced a $3-million annual increase to the Athlete Assistance Program, bringing the program’s total yearly funding to $43 million.

The enhanced funds will provide greater support to more high-performance athletes, including those identified in sports newly added to the Los Angeles 2028 and French Alps 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Games programs. It will also increase support for para athletes, athletes with children, and guides for athletes with visual impairments. This will help ensure Canadian athletes can focus on training, pursuing excellence and proudly wearing the maple leaf.

Secretary of State van Koeverden made the announcement in Alberta, where he also announced a significant federal investment of up to $33.6 million through the Build Communities Strong Fund for key sport infrastructure projects including the Olympic Oval, the WinSport halfpipe and the Nakiska National Ski Cross Training Centre.

Together, these investments will help increase participation, put Canadians on podiums, and bring major sporting events to Canada, continuing to prove that we are the best sport-hosting country in the world.

This work is part of the Government of Canada’s generational $1-billion investment to improve access to sport, continue hosting world-class events, upgrade stadiums, fields and community recreation facilities, and help athletes succeed from the playground to the podium.



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Economic

Secretary of State van Koeverden building Canada Strong through Alberta Sport and support for Canadian athletes


CALGARY – A country that comes together through sport is a country united. Secretary of State van Koeverden will be in Alberta to make major announcements on Monday and Tuesday.

Please note that all details are subject to change. All times are local.

The details are as follows:

Event #1 – Transformative infrastructure investments and supporting athletes from playground to podium – announcement and press conference

DATE: Monday, July 27, 2026

TIME: 10:30 a.m.

Event #2 – “Try It” Day promoting sport participation – photo opportunity

DATE: Monday, July 27, 2026

TIME: 1:00 p.m.

Event #3 – Building up community soccer with Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities and the City of Calgary – announcement and press conference

DATE: Tuesday, July 28, 2026

TIME: 9:15 a.m.

Event #4 – Tour of Canmore Nordic Centre sport facility and sport activation – photo opportunity

DATE: Tuesday, July 28, 2026

TIME: 11:00 a.m.

Media representatives wishing to attend one or more events must confirm their participation by sending their full name and the name of their organization to media@pch.gc.ca by 8 a.m. on Monday, July 27, 2026. Details on how to attend will be provided afterward.



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Economic

Roundtable on the new Safe Social Media Act


VANCOUVER – The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, will hold an in-person roundtable discussion on Monday with Patrick Weiler, Member of Parliament (West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea-to-Sky Country), on the new Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act. Media are invited to attend the conclusion of the roundtable discussion, which will include remarks summarizing the discussion, followed by a scrum opportunity with the participating stakeholders and the Minister.

Please note that all details are subject to change. All times are local.

The details are as follows:

DATE:

Monday, July 27, 2026

TIME:

9:55 a.m.

Media representatives wishing to attend this event must confirm their participation by sending their full name and the name of their organization to media@pch.gc.ca by 5 p.m. on Friday, July 24, 2026. Details on how to attend will be provided afterward.



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