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london-faces-new-restrictions-as-city-sees-higher-virus-risk
WorldOct 15, 2020

London faces new restrictions as city sees higher virus risk

The British government has moved London to its second-highest COVID-19 alert level. Authorities seek to slow the exponential rise in infection rates across the country. The government also increased the risk level in seven other areas, meaning millions of people will be barred from meeting socially with anyone from outside their households and they will be asked to minimize travel. Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the House of Commons that he recognized these restrictions are hard on individuals and businesses, but says tough decisions are needed now to keep people safe.
online-hate-racist-hiring-practices-among-targets-of-15m-federal-anti-racism-funds
CanadaOct 15, 2020

Online hate, racist hiring practices among targets of $15M federal anti-racism funds

At least a dozen new projects to go after online hate are being funded through Ottawa's anti-racism strategy today. Diversity Minister Bardish Chagger says 85 projects are getting money through the anti-racism action program. That program is part of the $45 million the federal government set aside in 2019 for the anti-racism strategy. The Liberals promised to double the funding for the strategy in the 2019 election campaign but that has not yet happened. Projects to target online hate were given priority in the action program and a dozen were approved, including one by the Canadian Anti-Hate
BCOct 15, 2020

Advance polling starts today in B.C. for provincial elections

Advance polling has started in BC for the provincial elections. Elections BC says almost 139-thousand vote-by-mail packages had been returned as of Tuesday. That's about 20 per cent of the estimated 699-thousand voters who asked for mail-in ballots. All three main parties in the BC election have now released platforms outlining their promises if elected on October 24th. The Greens unveiled their platform on Wednesday, with Sonia Furstenau promising a stronger, more equitable and sustainable province. Part of the platform includes bolstering income security with a move towards a basic income p
opposition-mps-brace-for-marathon-liberal-filibuster-over-we-documents-demand
CanadaOct 15, 2020

Opposition MPs brace for marathon Liberal filibuster over WE documents demand

Opposition MPs are bracing for another marathon meeting of the House of Commons ethics committee today as they ramp up efforts to revive their investigation into the WE Charity affair. Indeed, Conservative MP Michael Barrett says he and his colleagues are prepared for the meeting to drag on for days, if that's what it takes to finally force an end to a filibuster by Liberal committee members who've been blocking opposition demands for more documents. At issue is a motion put forward by Barrett last week calling on Speakers' Spotlight, the agency that arranged speaking engagements for Prime Mi
number-of-active-cases-of-covid-19-in-b-c-has-ticked-up-to-just-under-1-500-as-158-new-cases-reported
BCOct 15, 2020

Number of active cases of COVID-19 in B.C. has ticked up to just under 1,500 as 158 new cases reported

The number of active cases of COVID-19 has ticked up to just under 1,500 as B.C. reports 158 new cases on Wednesday. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and deputy health minister Stephen Brown say in a joint news release that 84 people are in hospital, including 24 in intensive care. They say no one else has died from the illness since the province's last update, leaving the death toll at 250. The outbreak at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver is now over, while outbreaks are ongoing at two other acute care facilities and 17 assisted living or long-term care homes. More than 3,600 peopl
CanadaOct 15, 2020

Canadians spend more money and time online during COVID pandemic: StatCan

The COVID-19 pandemic has Canadians spending more time and money online. Statistics Canada says a survey conducted last month found that 44 per cent of Canadians had dropped more money on technology, including computers, laptops and tablets, and 42 per cent had sprung for more video streaming services. The survey also found about a third of Canadians say they've received attempted identity-theft attacks and 14 per cent reported at least one attack related to COVID-19 test results, a potential cure for the virus or about the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. Analyst Christopher Collins says t
BCOct 14, 2020

192,000 customers lost power at some point during the storm on Tuesday: BC Hydro

BC Hydro says all but a handful of customers on the south coast were able to have a warm breakfast this morning after a powerful windstorm blacked out large areas of the region yesterday and overnight. Hydro says 192-thousand customers lost power at some point during the storm that began yesterday morning, hammering parts of Vancouver Island and the eastern Fraser Valley. Its website shows about 3,000 customers, mostly in Chilliwack or the Duncan area are still in the dark. The rest had power restored before sunrise this morning.
political-parties-being-criticized-for-failing-to-include-the-issue-of-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-in-their-election-platforms
BCOct 14, 2020

Political parties being criticized for failing to include the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women in their election platforms

BC's three main political parties are being criticized for failing to include the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women in their election platforms. A coalition of 18 groups, including the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, has sent a letter to the New Democrat, Liberal and Green leaders expressing ``grave concern and disappointment'' about the lack of any policies to implement the findings of a national inquiry into murdered and missing women. The coalition says the COVID-19 pandemic proves governments can move quickly when lives are at risk, yet the failure to act on missing and murdered w
BCOct 14, 2020

Penticton man pleads guilty to killing four for harassing his ex-wife for years

A 69 year old Penticton man has pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder for the shooting deaths of four Okanagan residents in April 2019. John Brittain entered the pleas in BC Supreme Court in Kelowna this morning, after his lawyer told the judge last week that Brittain intended to admit to the slayings. Rudi Winter, Barry and Susan Wonch and Darlene Knippelberg died, and court documents show Brittain's sentencing for the attacks is also set to be held today. The murders all happened on the same day and the victims were all neighbours that B

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mark-carney-announces-november-tour-of-europe-and-asia-to-boost-trade-and-investment
CanadaNov 04, 2026

Mark Carney Announces November Tour of Europe and Asia to Boost Trade and Investment

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced an international tour of Europe and Asia from November 11 to 19, aimed at expanding trade and attracting new investment. During the visit, Carney will travel to Ireland, the Philippines, Cambodia and China. He will begin his tour in Dublin, where he will attend the European Political Community Summit. Discussions are expected to advance efforts to make Canada the European Union’s first associate member. Carney will then travel to Manila to attend the ASEAN Summit as a guest, where the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement is expected to be finali
alberta-premier-danielle-smiths-popularity-declines-following-referendum
AlbertaNov 04, 2026

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s Popularity Declines Following Referendum

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s popularity has taken a hit following the province’s recent referendum, although she continues to enjoy strong support among her party’s voters. According to a survey, 59 per cent of Albertans are dissatisfied with Smith’s performance, while 39 per cent approve of her leadership. Experts believe the referendum debate over the past 18 months has diverted attention from issues that could have benefited the government. Her approval rating has reportedly dropped by around six percentage points. NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi has a slightly higher approval rating,
CanadaNov 04, 2026

China Extends Tariff Relief on Canadian Lobster, Crab and Canola Meal Until 2028

Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, has announced that China will extend tariff relief on Canadian lobster, crab, peas and canola meal for another two years, until 2028. Sidhu said the agreement was originally set to expire at the end of this year but has now been extended for an additional two years. The announcement follows Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Beijing in January. In March, China reduced tariffs on Canadian canola meal, while Canada lowered tariffs on certain Chinese steel and aluminum products, allowing them to enter the Canadian market. Sidhu is c
canadas-trade-diversification-agenda-unchanged-despite-u-s-election-results
CanadaNov 04, 2026

Canada’s Trade Diversification Agenda Unchanged Despite U.S. Election Results

Canada’s Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc has reaffirmed that Ottawa’s trade diversification agenda will not be derailed by the results of the U.S. midterm elections. He said only Americans have the right to explain what issues influenced voters’ decisions, adding that Canada has no say in the matter. Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford warned against assuming that the Democratic Party’s clean sweep means the trade war is over. He stressed that U.S. President Donald Trump still has full powers to impose tariffs and make trade-related decisions. However, Ford described the Democratic vic
carney-confirms-trade-talks-with-u-s-underway-since-weekend
CanadaNov 04, 2026

Carney Confirms Trade Talks With U.S. Underway Since Weekend

Prime Minister Mark Carney has confirmed that trade talks with the United States have been underway since the weekend, following a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump last week. Speaking to reporters during his visit to Antigua and Barbuda, Carney said negotiations on a potential trade deal began after the call. He added that Washington had scaled back some of its demands, removing several key Canadian red lines from the discussions. These include Canada's laws protecting the French language and its right to independently negotiate free trade agreements with other countries. Me