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federal-privacy-watchdog-probes-sexualized-deepfakes-on-x-platform
CanadaJan 15, 2026

Federal privacy watchdog probes sexualized deepfakes on X platform

Canada’s federal privacy commissioner has launched an investigation into sexualized deepfakes circulating on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. Philippe Dufresne, who oversees federal private sector privacy compliance, has expanded an existing probe into X and opened a separate inquiry into xAI, the company behind Grok, the artificial intelligence tool used to generate the content. The office of the privacy commissioner said the investigations will determine whether X and xAI collected, used, or disclosed personal information without valid consent in the creation of deep
surrey-police-probe-overnight-shooting-in-panorama-ridge-no-injuries-reported
CanadaJan 15, 2026

Surrey police probe overnight shooting in Panorama Ridge, no injuries reported

Surrey Police Service is investigating a shooting that damaged a home and vehicle in the Panorama Ridge neighbourhood early Thursday morning, part of what police believe may be an ongoing pattern of extortion-related violence in the city. Officers were called to the 13400 block of 56 Avenue shortly before 1 am after reports of gunfire. Police say they found evidence of shots fired at a residence and a nearby vehicle. No injuries were reported. The SPS Frontline Investigative Support Team attended the scene, and the Major Crime Section has now taken over the investigation. Police say the case r
canada-confirms-death-of-canadian-citizen-amid-iran-protests-condemns-state-violence
CanadaJan 15, 2026

Canada confirms death of Canadian citizen amid Iran protests, condemns state violence

Canada’s foreign affairs department has confirmed the death of a Canadian citizen in Iran as widespread anti-government protests continue across the country. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said the federal government has received information indicating the individual died at the hands of Iranian authorities. Anand said Canada strongly condemns the use of violence by the Iranian government against protesters and civilians, and is calling for an immediate end to the crackdown. The confirmation comes amid heightened international concern over arrests, injuries, and deaths linked to demons
surrey-police-investigate-early-morning-shooting-at-newton-business
CanadaJan 14, 2026

Surrey police investigate early-morning shooting at Newton business

Surrey Police Service officers are investigating an overnight shooting that damaged a business in the Newton neighbourhood, marking the latest incident amid a series of extortion-related crimes reported in the city. Police say officers were called to the 8000 block of King George Boulevard at around 2:10 am after reports of gunfire. When officers arrived, they found a business property that had been damaged by the shooting. No injuries were reported. The Surrey Police Service Frontline Investigative Support Team attended the scene, and the Major Crime Section has assumed conduct of the investi
quebec-premier-françois-legault-announces-resignation-ahead-of-fall-provincial-election
CanadaJan 14, 2026

Quebec Premier François Legault announces resignation ahead of fall provincial election

Quebec Premier François Legault says he will step down as leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec, confirming he will not take the party into the provincial election scheduled for this fall. Legault told reporters in Quebec City that he intends to remain premier until a new CAQ leader is selected, setting off a leadership race with only months remaining before voters head to the polls on October 5. The announcement comes as the governing party faces declining public support. Recent polling places the CAQ well behind both the Parti Québécois and the Quebec Liberal Party, marking a significant
statistics-canada-plans-workforce-reduction-affecting-about-850-employees
CanadaJan 13, 2026

Statistics Canada plans workforce reduction affecting about 850 employees

Statistics Canada says it will cut approximately 850 positions as part of a broader effort to adjust its operations, along with a reduction of about 12 per cent of its executive team. Carter Mann, a spokesperson for the national statistical agency, said affected employees are expected to be notified within the next two weeks. He added that the agency remains focused on meeting its mandate to provide reliable data for Canadians while adapting to internal changes. According to data from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Statistics Canada employed 7,274 people as of March 31, 2025. Of tha
prime-minister-carney-departs-for-china-on-high-stakes-trade-and-diplomacy-visit
CanadaJan 13, 2026

Prime Minister Carney departs for China on high-stakes trade and diplomacy visit

Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to depart this evening on a five-day official visit to China, a trip being closely watched for its potential impact on trade, agriculture, and Canada’s broader foreign policy direction. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe will accompany the prime minister as part of the delegation, highlighting the importance of agricultural trade to Western Canada. Saskatchewan farmers have been particularly affected by Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola, a key export for the province and a major source of farm income. During the visit, Carney is expected to meet with Chinese Pr
carney-to-meet-coastal-first-nations-in-prince-rupert-on-major-projects-marine-protection
CanadaJan 12, 2026

Carney to meet Coastal First Nations in Prince Rupert on major projects, marine protection

Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to meet with leaders of Coastal First Nations in Prince Rupert on Tuesday, with discussions expected to focus on major resource projects and marine conservation along British Columbia’s coastline. Carney will be joined by Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson, whose early dealings with the alliance have drawn criticism. Hodgson faced backlash after failing to consult Coastal First Nations before the federal government signed an agreement with Alberta that could advance a new pipeline to the B.C. coast. The minister later apologized for remarks made du
police-fire-crews-investigate-fatal-house-fire-in-surrey
CanadaJan 12, 2026

Police, Fire Crews Investigate Fatal House Fire in Surrey

Surrey police and firefighters are investigating an early morning house fire that left one man dead in a residential neighbourhood of the city’s Newton area. The incident has prompted a joint investigation involving police, fire officials, and the BC Coroners Service. Surrey Police Service officers were called shortly after 7:00 a.m. to assist Surrey Fire Service crews at a blaze in the 12700 block of 56 Avenue. The home was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived, and road closures were put in place as crews worked to control the fire. While searching the residence, firefighters located th

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prince-george-rcmp-arrest-teen-in-2024-fentanyl-related-youth-death
BCJan 15, 2026

Prince George RCMP Arrest Teen in 2024 Fentanyl-Related Youth Death

Prince George RCMP’s Serious Crime Unit has arrested a 17-year-old in connection with a 2024 fentanyl-related overdose that claimed the life of a 16-year-old. Police were first called to a home in the College Heights neighbourhood after a youth was found unconscious. The teenager was transported to hospital, where they later died. Toxicology results confirmed high levels of fentanyl in the youth’s system. Following an investigation, the B.C. Prosecution Service approved a manslaughter charge. On January 13, 2026, officers executed an arrest warrant, and the accused was brought to court and
nanaimo-man-faces-multiple-charges-after-downtown-coffee-shop-incident
BCJan 15, 2026

Nanaimo man faces multiple charges after downtown coffee shop incident

Nanaimo RCMP say a local man is facing several criminal charges following an incident at a downtown coffee shop earlier this week. Police were called around noon on January 13 to a business at 8–90 Front Street after a confrontation between a customer and the store manager. The situation escalated, resulting in an assault and damage to property, according to RCMP. The following day, the BC Prosecution Service approved five charges against 40-year-old Aiden Tye of Nanaimo. He faces charges of assault, assault with a weapon, mischief, committing an indecent act in public, and exposure of an in
alberta-government-launches-review-of-calgary-water-main-breaks-requests-city-records
AlbertaJan 15, 2026

Alberta government launches review of Calgary water main breaks, requests city records

The Alberta government has initiated a formal review of Calgary’s recurring water main failures, requesting extensive records from the city spanning the past 20 years. Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams said in a letter to Calgary officials, shared publicly on social media, that the review aims to ensure the city’s 1.6 million residents have access to safe and reliable water services. Williams noted that while the city is actively addressing the latest rupture, the province must take steps to prevent future incidents. The concerns focus on the Bearspaw South Feeder Main, a key pipelin
federal-privacy-watchdog-probes-sexualized-deepfakes-on-x-platform
CanadaJan 15, 2026

Federal privacy watchdog probes sexualized deepfakes on X platform

Canada’s federal privacy commissioner has launched an investigation into sexualized deepfakes circulating on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. Philippe Dufresne, who oversees federal private sector privacy compliance, has expanded an existing probe into X and opened a separate inquiry into xAI, the company behind Grok, the artificial intelligence tool used to generate the content. The office of the privacy commissioner said the investigations will determine whether X and xAI collected, used, or disclosed personal information without valid consent in the creation of deep
AlbertaJan 15, 2026

Two seriously injured after pit bulls attack caretakers in Vermilion area

Two people were taken to hospital with serious injuries after being attacked by two pit bulls at a rural property near Vermilion, east of Edmonton, according to RCMP. Mounties say officers were called Wednesday to a home in the Vermilion area, roughly 190 kilometres east of Edmonton, after the dogs turned on their caretakers. Police did not release details about the extent of the injuries but confirmed both victims required medical treatment. Following the attack, the dogs escaped from the property, prompting authorities to warn residents about the potential risk of the animals being loose in