Canada's top central banker says raising the Bank of Canada's benchmark interest rate may be costly for households, but waiting longer to act would be more costly for the country.

The parliamentary budget officer is warning that home ownership has become even less affordable through the pandemic for the average buyer, who may find it even tougher to get into the market unless prices drop.

A government bill to implement the latest changes to pandemic supports will face its first finance committee test this week, with Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland set to appear before the group of MPs.

Liberals and Conservatives took aim at each other's candidates on Monday, questioning past statements and actions to build a character case about why they, and not their opponent, should be trusted to govern after election day.

Internal Finance Department documents show officials have deep concerns about the effect of Facebook's planned digital currency on Canada's financial stability.

Federal data, obtained through the Access to Information Act, provides the most detailed picture yet of where billions of dollars in emergency aid went last year.

Alana Fiks, co-owner of Winnipeg's Black Market Provisions, says her business did OK with curbside pickup as COVID-19 case counts rose. But other LGBTQ-owned business have had a rougher ride.