NATIONAL STORIES
Double Resignation Shakes Capitol Hill: Tony Gonzales and Eric Swalwell Step Down Amid Ethics Scandals
GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales and Democrat Eric Swalwell resign from Congress following sexual misconduct allegations and the threat of historic expulsion votes.
A Swift Exit from Congress
In a dramatic shift for the U.S. House of Representatives, Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales announced his resignation Monday evening, narrowly avoiding a potential expulsion vote. The decision came just minutes after California Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell also announced he would step down, marking a rare moment of bipartisan accountability that has sent shockwaves through Washington. Gonzales, who had been under intense scrutiny by the House Ethics Committee, confirmed his departure via social media, stating he would formally file his retirement on Tuesday.
The Weight of the Allegations
The downfall of the Texas Republican followed a series of damaging revelations regarding his conduct with subordinates. Gonzales had previously admitted to an affair with a former staffer, a clear violation of House ethics rules. The situation intensified following a report by the San Antonio Express-News, which published leaked text messages from 2020. These messages showed Gonzales repeatedly soliciting nude photographs and making explicit sexual inquiries to his campaign’s political director. While the congressman had already withdrawn from his reelection bid under pressure from GOP leadership, the looming threat of becoming the seventh member ever expelled from the House accelerated his complete exit from office.
A Strategic Bipartisan Reset
The simultaneous resignations were not a coincidence but rather the result of a calculated effort by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle. Representatives Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) and Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM) had reportedly prepared dual expulsion measures. The strategy was designed to ensure that both parties lost one member, thereby maintaining the current thin Republican majority while removing members facing serious sexual misconduct allegations. This ‘accountability pact’ forced the hands of both Gonzales and Swalwell, as leadership on both sides recognized the political damage of shielding their respective members.
Implications for the House
The departure of Gonzales leaves Speaker Mike Johnson with a narrowing path to pass key legislation, as every vote becomes critical in the closely divided chamber. While Johnson has historically been hesitant to support expulsion without a completed ethics investigation, the pressure from the rank-and-file—and the parallel allegations against Swalwell—made Gonzales’s position untenable. As the 118th Congress moves forward, these resignations serve as a stark reminder of the shifting standards for personal conduct on Capitol Hill, echoing the accountability movements of the late 2010s.
LOCAL
Where Provincial Jobless Rates Stood in September
Canada’s national unemployment rate reached 6.5 per cent in September. Explore the full provincial breakdown and regional employment figures from Statistics Canada.
National and Provincial Jobless Figures
Canada recorded a national unemployment rate of 6.5 per cent in September, according to data released by Statistics Canada on Oct. 9, 2026.
Across Western Canada, British Columbia’s jobless rate shifted to 6.4 per cent from 6.5 per cent in August. Alberta recorded a rate of 6.4 per cent, down from 6.8 per cent the previous month, while Saskatchewan dropped to 5.4 per cent from 6.0 per cent. Manitoba’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.0 per cent.
In Central Canada, Ontario’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 7.0 per cent from 6.9 per cent in August, while Quebec’s rate reached 6.0 per cent, up from 5.6 per cent.
Atlantic Canada and Regional City Data
In Atlantic Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador reported the highest provincial figure at 9.1 per cent, up from 8.6 per cent in August. New Brunswick saw a minor increase to 7.4 per cent from 7.3 per cent, and Nova Scotia rose to 6.3 per cent from 6.1 per cent. Prince Edward Island experienced a decline, moving to 7.3 per cent from 7.9 per cent.
Statistics Canada also tracked seasonally adjusted, three-month moving average rates for major urban areas. However, the agency cautioned that these municipal figures are subject to wide fluctuations due to smaller statistical sample sizes.
NATIONAL STORIES
What New Brunswick’s Latest Unemployment Figures Mean for Your Community
Statistics Canada reports New Brunswick’s unemployment rate reached 7.4% in September, as Canada lost 68,000 jobs nationally, raising the national rate to 6.5%.
Provincial Labor Market Holds Steady Overall
New Brunswick’s unemployment rate stood at 7.4 per cent in September, up slightly from 7.3 per cent in August, according to the latest figures from Statistics Canada. The provincial labor pool decreased by 200 people during the month, while overall employment dropped by 700 positions, including a loss of 400 full-time jobs. These monthly shifts remain within the agency’s margin of error.
On a year-over-year basis, the province’s economy continues to tread water. Although the current unemployment rate is lower than the 7.9 per cent reported last September, the total labor force remains virtually unchanged. Year-over-year employment shows a modest gain of 2,100 jobs, driven by an addition of 3,900 positions that was partially offset by a decline of 1,800 part-time roles.
National Employment Drops for Second Straight Month
Across Canada, the national economy shed 68,000 jobs in September, pushing the countrywide unemployment rate up to 6.5 per cent from 6.4 per cent in August. The contraction included declines of 35,000 full-time positions and 33,000 part-time jobs. September marked the second consecutive month of national employment losses, following a decrease of 42,000 jobs in August. These downturns come after a stretch of net growth from April to July, which had added 181,000 positions. Over the past year, national employment remains up by 95,000 jobs.
Regional Trends and Sector Shifts
Job losses across the country were led by Quebec, which lost 49,000 jobs, alongside British Columbia, down 20,000, and Manitoba, down 4,400. Conversely, gains were recorded in Alberta, up 23,000, Newfoundland and Labrador, up 1,800, and Prince Edward Island, up 1,000 positions.
Nationally, job declines were concentrated in educational services, manufacturing, as well as health care and social assistance. Growth was observed in repair and maintenance alongside personal or household services. Across the provinces, September unemployment rates ranged from a low of 5.0 per cent in Manitoba to a high of 9.1 per cent in Newfoundland and Labrador.
NATIONAL STORIES
Search Continues After Ontario-Based Medical Flight Vanishes Near Massachusetts Coast
U.S. Coast Guard crews are searching near Nantucket for a missing Latitude Air Ambulance jet carrying four Canadians and two passengers from Bermuda.
Emergency Search Underway Off Nantucket
Air and ground search teams are scanning waters approximately 150 kilometres southeast of Boston after a medical transport aircraft vanished early Saturday morning. Contact with the Gulfstream G100 jet was lost around 1:30 a.m. as it made its approach toward Boston from Bermuda, prompting a response from the U.S. Coast Guard following notification by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Flight Carrying Crew and Patients
The aircraft is operated by Hamilton-based Latitude Air Ambulance. According to Clarence Togeretz, operations manager for the company, six individuals were aboard the flight. The crew consists of two Canadian pilots and two Canadian medical staff members. They were transporting two Bermuda nationals, identified as a patient and a family member.
Response and Ongoing Inquiries
Togeretz confirmed that the company contacted American authorities after the plane failed to land on the tarmac as scheduled. He noted that this marks the first instance where the operator has lost contact with one of its aircraft, adding that the team is holding onto optimism while praying for a safe resolution. Latitude Air Ambulance has reached out to Transport Canada regarding the incident. Meanwhile, provincial air ambulance provider Ornge expressed support via social media, stating it hopes the aircraft and everyone on board are located safely and quickly.
Where Provincial Jobless Rates Stood in September
What New Brunswick’s Latest Unemployment Figures Mean for Your Community
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