Federal opposition parties are demanding to know why the Liberal government created a $900-million program to help students find volunteer positions rather than putting the money into an existing summer jobs program.

The federal government officially launched a program Thursday aimed at encouraging students to volunteer in the fight against COVID-19 -- more than two months after first announcing it and just in time for those who haven't been able to find a summer job.

More signs that the spread of COVID-19 is slowing in Canada emerged on Wednesday, prompting further talk of easing isolation measures.

The federal government says it received nearly 40,000 applications for the Canada Summer Jobs program this year. About 400 were ruled out under new rules that say the money cannot be used to undermine human rights.

Although its charity status was suspended last September, ISNA-Canada has been approved for a $25,000 Canada Summer Jobs grant.

The Liberals will also unveil changes to the program's eligibility criteria, specifically excluding groups that plan to use public funding to undermine reproductive rights.

Rising provincial minimum wages have cut into the reach of the Liberal government's oft-touted increase to summer jobs spending by reducing the number of weekly hours being funded this year.

The Liberals are facing calls to revoke funding granted through the Canada Summer Jobs program to an Islamic organization whose leader Conservatives have accused of spreading "hatred" by calling for Israeli soldiers in Gaza to be sent home in "body bags."

A Nova Scotia sawmill museum is "closed indefinitely" after it says it was denied federal funding for refusing to conform to a controversial abortion rights clause in the Canada Summer Jobs program.

Rob Breakenridge says it's time to reflect why Canada's pro-life movement hasn't had much success in the 30 years since the landmark Morgentaler decision.