In British Columbia’s 2026 provincial election, 47 candidates of South Asian and Punjabi origin are contesting from 27 different ridings. One of the most notable aspects of this election is that more than half of these candidates are running in the Surrey area. Of the 47 candidates, 28 are representing B.C.’s two major political parties. The B.C. NDP has fielded 16 candidates, while the B.C. Conservatives have 12 candidates. The remaining candidates are running under the Centre BC, B.C. Greens, OneBC and as independents. Meanwhile, Surrey North and Surrey-Newton are the two ridings where o

A military aircraft carrying 32 people, including 25 passengers and seven crew members, crashed in southwestern Nigeria on Monday. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said the aircraft crashed near a naval base in Igbokoda, Ondo State. Air traffic controllers had reported losing contact with military aircraft NGR 931, which departed Benin for Lagos at 9:13 a.m. local time. The crash was confirmed after repeated attempts to establish radio contact failed. Wreckage has since been located, while search and rescue operations are underway. Authorities have not immediately confirmed any fatalities. The

Canada and India have begun the fifth round of trade negotiations in Ottawa, with International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu confirming that the talks got underway today. Sidhu highlighted the strength of India’s economy, saying it is growing at an annual rate of 7%. He also noted that India’s energy needs are expected to increase by up to 70% by 2035, adding that Canada could play an important role in meeting that demand. The chief negotiators from both countries are working to finalize a free trade agreement by the end of this year. The latest round of talks in Ottawa will continue unti

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby, who is seeking another term as premier, has announced plans to raise taxes on millionaires if his party returns to power. Eby said the additional revenue would be used to help cover rising health-care costs. Under the proposal, the tax rate on annual income above $1 million would increase to 24.5 per cent from the current 20.5 per cent, a four-percentage-point increase. The NDP estimates the measure would generate about $1 billion in additional provincial revenue each year. The B.C. Conservatives have criticized the proposal, warning that higher taxes could drive doc

Alberta Tourism Minister Andrew Boitchenko is visiting Mexico to promote the province and strengthen tourism partnerships with the country. Minister Boitchenko and representatives from Travel Alberta will hold meetings with airlines, travel trade partners and media organizations through Friday. Government officials say Mexico is a key international tourism market for Alberta. Mexican visitors spent approximately $51 million in Alberta in 2025. According to government data, the number of Mexican visitors to Canada is projected to increase by 40% by 2030, while visitor spending is expected to gr

The trial of former Air Canada employee Parampal Sidhu has begun at a Brampton court in the high-profile case involving the largest gold heist in Canadian history. The trial is expected to last two to three weeks. Sidhu faces charges of theft over $5,000 and conspiracy to commit an offence in connection with the case. The trial comes after prosecutors last month withdrew charges against two alleged suspects, Amit Jalota and jeweller Ali Raza, who was accused of purchasing some of the stolen gold. The gold heist took place on April 17, 2023, when nearly 400 kilograms of gold worth more than $20

The names of candidates for the upcoming B.C. provincial election have been finalized, with the B.C. NDP failing to field candidates in all 93 ridings. The party has nominated candidates in 92 of the province’s 93 electoral districts. According to Elections B.C., the NDP failed to submit the required nomination documents within the deadline for Peace River North, leaving the party without a candidate in the riding. The B.C. Conservatives are the only party contesting all 93 ridings. Meanwhile, the B.C. Greens are running candidates in 73 ridings, Centre B.C. in 35, and One B.C. in 33. Electi

Quebec is voting today in a provincial election across 127 ridings, with the pro-independence Parti Québécois (PQ) and its leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon leading in recent polls. The PQ has promised to hold a referendum on Quebec’s independence if it forms government. However, Plamondon has made it clear that the referendum would not take place before 2029, while Donald Trump remains in the White House. The PQ is competing against the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), which has been in power for two consecutive terms. CAQ leader Christine Fréchette has campaigned on what she describes as a

Canada’s Parliament resumed sitting Monday, with debate expected to continue on the federal government’s Bill C-39. The proposed legislation includes measures aimed at speeding up the approval process for projects considered to be in the national interest, with the government seeking to complete the process within one year. Bill C-39 also proposes changes to federal labour rules, including provisions governing the intervention of the employment minister during labour disputes and circumstances involving strikes. The government is also expected to introduce new legislation dealing with nati