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chrystia-freeland-to-stay-in-constant-contact-with-mike-pompeo-in-regards-to-the-fate-of-shared-border
CanadaMar 12, 2020

Chrystia Freeland to stay in constant contact with Mike Pompeo in regards to the fate of shared border

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says she and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have agreed to stay in constant contact in regards to the fate of our shared border and any travel restrictions. Last night, U-S President Donald Trump announced any foreign nationals who recently spent time in Europe will not be allowed entry, in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. Freeland says she stressed Canada's very strong public health care system, and measures being taken to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.
CanadaMar 12, 2020

Saskatchewan: First presumptive case of COVID-19

Saskatchewan has announced its first presumptive case of COVID-19 the same day as the Juno Awards were cancelled over concerns about the virus. Doctor Saqib Shahab, chief medical health officer, says the individual is in their 60s and recently travelled to Egypt. Shahab says the person is in self-isolation at home and has had minimal contact with others. Saskatchewan Health officials want all travellers to watch for signs of a cough or fever for two weeks and start self-isolating if they experience any symptoms. So far at least 285 people have been tested for COVID-19.
surrey-vaisakhi-khalsa-day-parade-cancelled
BCMar 12, 2020

Surrey Vaisakhi Khalsa Day parade cancelled

Organizers have cancelled the 2020 Surrey Vaisakhi Parade, one of Metro Vancouver’s largest annual gatherings, citing COVID-19 health risks and advice from provincial officials. The event, hosted by Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar, had been scheduled for April 25 and typically draws more than 500,000 people, making it the largest Vaisakhi parade outside India. Parade organizers said the decision followed consultations with Fraser Health and the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, adding that “public safety remains the highest priority.” The cancellation will have ripple effects across Surrey, wher
BCMar 12, 2020

Mountie in Richmond, B.C., charged after indecent acts investigated in Vancouver

An RCMP officer in British Columbia has been charged with 11 counts related to alleged indecent acts. A statement from the Richmond detachment says the incidents allegedly occurred near a school in Vancouver. Supt. Will Ng, the detachment commander for the Richmond RCMP, says senior Mounties were alerted early last year that an off-duty officer was the subject of an investigation by Vancouver police. Ng says the RCMP also launched an internal code of conduct investigation. The BC Prosecution Service has approved charges against Andrew Seangio, including 10 counts of indecent act and one count
health-ministers-advice-to-canadians-consider-staycation-during-school-spring-break
CanadaMar 12, 2020

Health Minister's advice to Canadians, consider 'staycation' during school spring break

Health Minister Patty Hajdu says Canadians looking at whether to travel for March break should consider staying home. Speaking to reporters before question period in the House of Commons today, Hajdu said her advice to Canadians considering travel during school spring break is that they should consider a ``staycation.'' Canadians are being encouraged to continue to check travel advisories before leaving for any international trips.
downtown-calgary-daycare-closed-after-child-tests-positive-for-covid-19
CanadaMar 12, 2020

Downtown Calgary daycare closed after child tests positive for COVID-19

A daycare in a downtown Calgary office tower has closed after a child tested positive for COVID-19.Suncor Energy spokeswoman Erin Rees says the Pump-Kin Patch Child Care Centre is closed until March 23.She says families of children there have been told to self-quarantine until March 20.Suncor doesn't operate the daycare but the centre is located in Suncor's office building, and Rees says many employees have children that attend.She says the company is responding to the pandemic by cleaning more often, restricting business travel to high-risk areas and preparing for remote working.As of Wednesd
trump-suspends-travel-between-us-and-europe-for-30-days
WorldMar 12, 2020

Trump suspends travel between US and Europe for 30 days

President Donald Trump says he is suspending all travel from Europe to the U.S. for 30 days beginning Friday as he seeks to combat a viral pandemic.Trump made the announcement Wednesday in an Oval Office address to the nation, blaming the European Union for not acting quickly enough to address the novel coronavirus and saying U.S. clusters were ``seeded'' by European travellers.Trump says the restrictions won't apply to the United Kingdom and the U.S. will monitor the situation to determine if travel can be reopened earlier.The White House has also cancelled a planned trip by the president to
indigenous-leaders-to-meet-with-premiers-trudeau
CanadaMar 12, 2020

Justin Trudeau in self-isolation, First Leaders' meeting cancelled

Justin Trudeau and his wife Sofie Trudeau are in self-isolation after she exhibited flu-like symptoms on her return from London, U.K. The First Leaders meeting scheduled to begin today has been cancelled after this announcement. Trudeau was supposed to meet the premiers and indigenous leaders in Ottawa today for a two-day meeting to discuss various issues including COVID-19, national unity and financial crisis. Prime Minister Trudeau is not exhibiting any symptoms as of now and is isolating himself just for precaution as Sofie Trudeau awaits her test results.NDP leader Jagmeet Singh also tweet
india-suspends-visas-till-april-15-amid-coronavirus-concerns
IndiaMar 12, 2020

India suspends visas till April 15 amid coronavirus concerns

The Central government on Wednesday announced the suspension of all visas to India till April 15, as part of the measures to contain the spread of novel coronavirus.The suspension, which will come into effect on March 13 at the port of departure, excludes diplomatic, official, United Nations or international organisations, employment, and project visas, as per an official release.The discussion in this regard was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan with several Union Ministers at Nirmal Bhawan in the national capital on Wednesday."All existing visas

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BCJul 15, 2026

Elderly woman distracted and robbed of gold necklace in Vancouver, police seek suspects

A 76-year-old woman was allegedly robbed of her gold necklace after being distracted by an unknown woman in Vancouver's East 11th Avenue and Victoria Drive area on Tuesday, according to the Vancouver Police Department. Police said the incident occurred at about 12:30 p.m. while the senior was waiting for family members. An unidentified woman approached her and claimed she looked like her mother, whose birthday she said it was. The suspect then hugged the victim and, during the interaction, allegedly removed the woman's gold necklace and replaced it with a fake one. The victim reportedly discov
AlbertaJul 15, 2026

Alberta launches online bike lane complaint form ahead of planned legislation

The Alberta government has launched an online public feedback form inviting residents to report concerns about bike lanes as it prepares legislation expected this fall. According to the Alberta government, Albertans can use the online form to share concerns about bike lanes in their communities, including whether they believe a lane is underused, has reduced on-street parking, contributed to traffic congestion, affected local businesses, or delayed emergency response times. The province says the feedback will help inform future transportation policy decisions. Transportation Minister Devin Dre
canada-pauses-new-parent-and-grandparent-sponsorship-applications-for-2026
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Canada pauses new parent and grandparent sponsorship applications for 2026

The federal government says it will not accept any new applications this year under Canada's Parents and Grandparents Program as it works to reduce processing times and manage a large backlog of existing files. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), approximately 60,500 sponsorship applications are currently being processed. The department said it expects to approve about 15,000 parents and grandparents each year over the next two years from applications already in the system. IRCC said the temporary pause is intended to improve processing efficiency. The department
federal-government-names-new-members-to-independent-senate-appointments-advisory-board
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Federal government names new members to independent Senate appointments advisory board

The federal government has announced new appointments to the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, one week after Prime Minister Mark Carney named four new senators to the upper chamber. According to a federal government news release, the advisory board will continue to provide non-binding recommendations to the prime minister on Senate appointments. The board was established in 2016 to support a merit-based and independent appointments process. The government said the board will continue to include three federal members, including a chair, along with two additional members from
BCJul 15, 2026

Surrey man sentenced to nearly five years in prison in extortion-related shooting and arson case

A Surrey Provincial Court judge has sentenced Abhijeet Kingra to nearly five years in prison for his role in a 2024 extortion-related shooting and arson targeting a Surrey home. According to court records, Kingra pleaded guilty on July 6 to charges of discharging a firearm at a residence and committing arson. The offences stem from an Aug. 10, 2024 incident in which a home belonging to a person who had reportedly received extortion threats was shot at and set on fire. The court imposed a two-year sentence for arson and a sentence of four years, 10 months and 19 days for the shooting offence. T