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surrey-city-council-postpones-vote-on-salary-increase-for-mayor-and-councillors
CanadaDec 17, 2024

Surrey City Council Postpones Vote on Salary Increase for Mayor and Councillors

Surrey City Council has postponed a vote on a recommendation to increase the salaries of the mayor and councillors by 8% until the first council meeting in 2025, scheduled for January 13. The proposal was set to be voted on Monday night, but Mayor Brenda Locke was not present for the vote. Councillor Harry Bains, who chaired the meeting in her absence, requested that the item be removed from the agenda. He explained that the vote should involve all council members, and staff were instructed to bring the report back to the next meeting. Notably, if the Surrey City Council votes in favor of the
statistics-canada-reports-inflation-at-1-9-in-november
CanadaDec 17, 2024

Statistics Canada Reports Inflation at 1.9% in November

Canadian inflation has fallen below the central bank's 2% target for the second time in three months. Statistics Canada reported today that inflation in November was 1.9%. The agency noted that gasoline prices remained stable last month. Additionally, Black Friday sales helped bring down prices in November. Grocery prices increased by 2.6% year-over-year, but this was slightly lower than the 2.7% increase seen in October. This is the first of two inflation reports to be released before the Bank of Canada's next decision on interest rates, scheduled for January 29, 2025. Governor Tiff Macklem
postal-employees-head-back-to-work-as-union-challenges-strike-intervention
CanadaDec 17, 2024

Postal employees head back to work as union challenges strike intervention

Canada Post trucks, conveyors and mail carriers are moving again after a month-long strike by more than 55,000 postal workers left letters and parcels in limbo. The Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered postal workers back on the job following hearings over the weekend to determine whether the two sides stood too far apart to reach a deal by year's end. The hearings came after a directive to the labour board from Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon, who said Friday he was giving the two sides a "timeout" as negotiations seemed to have stalled. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is contestin
transgender-bill-challenger-dismayed-by-smiths-openness-to-notwithstanding-clause
CanadaDec 17, 2024

Transgender bill challenger dismayed by Smith's openness to notwithstanding clause

A lawyer challenging a new Alberta law affecting transgender youth says he is dismayed by Premier Danielle Smith's intention to use the notwithstanding clause if required. The new law bans doctors from providing gender-affirming treatment such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy for those under 16, and prohibits gender-affirming ``top'' surgeries for minors. For months Smith has dismissed the notwithstanding clause question as moot given she believes the new restrictions would withstand a legal challenge. But on her Saturday radio show Smith confirmed she would invoke the notwithstanding
chrystia-freeland-resigns-as-finance-minister
CanadaDec 16, 2024

Chrystia Freeland Resigns as Finance Minister

Chrystia Freeland resigned from her position as Finance Minister on Monday, sharing her resignation letter addressed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on social media. In the letter, Freeland expressed pride in her work for Canada but explained her decision to step down after Trudeau indicated he no longer wanted her as Finance Minister and offered her a different Cabinet role. Freeland stated that a minister must have the Prime Minister's full confidence, which she felt she no longer possessed. She highlighted key disagreements with Trudeau over handling U.S. economic nationalism and potential
ndp-leader-jagmeet-singh-demands-trudeaus-resignation
CanadaDec 16, 2024

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh Demands Trudeau's Resignation

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has called for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation. Speaking in the House of Commons, Singh stated that Canadians are struggling to afford basic necessities like groceries and are increasingly unable to purchase homes. Singh criticized Trudeau for being preoccupied with personal matters while Canada faces significant challenges, including threats to thousands of jobs from U.S. policies. Singh posed the question: "Will the Prime Minister step down?" This marks the first time Jagmeet Singh has directly demanded Trudeau's resignation in the House of Commons. Me
poilievres-wife-targets-trudeau-over-freelands-resignation
CanadaDec 16, 2024

Poilievre's Wife Targets Trudeau Over Freeland's Resignation

Anaida Poilievre, the wife of Canada's Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, has launched a strong criticism of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau following the resignation of Chrystia Freeland. Anaida accused Trudeau of failing to take responsibility for his government's shortcomings and claimed he sacrificed Freeland’s position to replace her with a man. She argued that positions should be filled based on merit, not gender, race, or other factors. However, she accused Trudeau of hypocrisy, stating that a leader who frequently lectures the world on equality should be called out for his ac
sean-fraser-announces-he-will-not-contest-next-federal-election
CanadaDec 16, 2024

Sean Fraser Announces He Will Not Contest Next Federal Election

Former Canadian Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced today in Ottawa that he will not contest the next federal election. Fraser explained that his role in federal politics had made it difficult for him to spend enough time with his family. He also mentioned that he had already informed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of his decision. Notably, Fraser is the sixth minister in the Trudeau cabinet to announce that they will not seek re-election. Fraser has represented the Central Nova riding of Nova Scotia in the House of Commons since 2015, the year the Trudeau government first came to power.
chrystia-freeland-quits-cabinet-the-day-of-fall-economic-statement
CanadaDec 16, 2024

Chrystia Freeland quits cabinet the day of fall economic statement

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned from the Liberal cabinet on Monday, posting her resignation letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on social media. Here is the letter:"Dear Prime Minister,It has been the honour of my life to serve in government, working for Canada and Canadians. We have accomplished a lot together.On Friday, you told me you no longer want me to serve as your Finance Minister and offered me another position in the Cabinet.Upon reflection, I have concluded that the only honest and viable path is for me to resign from the Cabinet.To be effective, a Minister must spea

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american-academic-released-by-taliban-authorities-in-afghanistan-officials-say
WorldMar 24, 2026

American academic released by Taliban authorities in Afghanistan, officials say

Afghanistan’s Taliban government says it has released American academic Dennis Coyle, who had been held in the country since January 2025. According to a statement issued Tuesday by Afghanistan’s foreign ministry, Coyle was released in Kabul on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of Ramadan. The ministry said the decision followed an appeal from Coyle’s family and came after the country’s Supreme Court determined that his time in custody was sufficient. Afghan authorities had previously detained Coyle on allegations of violating local laws, but did not publicly spe
b-c-considers-changes-to-indigenous-rights-law-raises-concerns-among-first-nations-leaders
BCMar 24, 2026

B.C. considers changes to Indigenous rights law, raises concerns among First Nations leaders

The British Columbia government is considering amendments to its Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act that could alter how the province aligns its laws with Indigenous rights, according to a confidential letter shared with some First Nations leaders. According to a copy of the letter obtained by The Canadian Press, the proposed changes would shift the province’s obligation from taking “all measures” to align laws with the declaration to supporting “ongoing processes” to align selected legislation. The letter was distributed Monday to some First Nations leadership. The
man-dies-after-late-night-shooting-at-abbotsford-park-and-ride-homicide-team-takes-over
BCMar 24, 2026

Man dies after late-night shooting at Abbotsford park-and-ride, homicide team takes over

A man has died after a reported shooting at a park-and-ride lot in Abbotsford late Sunday night, according to a police news release. Abbotsford Police say patrol officers were called to the Whatcom Road Park & Ride at about 11:11 p.m. on March 23, where a large encampment is currently located. Officers found a man with life-threatening injuries. He was taken to hospital but later died. Police say the investigation is in its early stages and the case is being treated as a targeted incident. No arrests have been made. The Abbotsford Police Department Major Crime Unit is handing the investiga
WorldMar 24, 2026

Iran launches new missile strikes on Israel as cross-border attacks continue into day 25

Iran launched a series of missile strikes targeting Israel from Monday night into Tuesday, marking the 25th day of ongoing hostilities involving Iran, Israel and the United States. According to statements attributed to Israeli authorities, Iran carried out seven missile attacks during that period. Israeli officials did not immediately release independent verification of damage or casualties from the latest strikes. In response, Israel continued its counter-offensive operations. The Israeli Air Force said it struck more than 50 Iranian-linked targets overnight, including missile launch sites an
modi-trump-discuss-middle-east-tensions-stress-importance-of-hormuz-shipping-route
WorldMar 24, 2026

Modi, Trump discuss Middle East tensions, stress importance of Hormuz shipping route

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss the evolving security situation in the Middle East, according to a statement shared by the U.S. envoy in India. Sergio Gor said in a social media post that both leaders focused on regional stability and emphasized the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for global shipping. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime corridor through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes. Ongoing tensions involving Iran have raised concerns about potential disruptions to the ro