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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

Just In

vancouver-council-votes-to-oppose-planned-overdose-prevention-site-downtown
BCMay 06, 2026

Vancouver council votes to oppose planned overdose prevention site downtown

Vancouver city council has voted to oppose a planned overdose prevention site in the city’s downtown, backing an urgent motion from Mayor Ken Sim following a recent announcement by the regional health authority. Council approved the motion Tuesday along party lines, with all seven councillors from Sim’s ABC party voting in favour and four opposing. The motion directs the city to challenge the site planned for 900 Helmcken St., which Vancouver Coastal Health says it intends to open in June. Coun. Peter Meiszner told council the city was notified of the location only last week, “despite ma
federal-government-signals-potential-social-media-ban-for-children-under-16
CanadaMay 06, 2026

Federal government signals potential social media ban for children under 16

Canada’s federal government is considering restricting social media access for children under the age of 16 as part of proposed online harms legislation, Immigration and Identity Minister Marc Miller told a parliamentary committee Tuesday. Appearing before the House of Commons heritage committee, Miller said the government is “seriously considering” age-based limits in response to growing concerns about the impact of social media on youth. According to Miller, the proposal would be included in the forthcoming Online Harms bill. Miller told the committee that evidence on the psychological
AlbertaMay 06, 2026

Criminal defence lawyer charged with child exploitation offences; Calgary police seek additional victims

A Calgary criminal defence lawyer is facing multiple child sexual exploitation-related charges, and police say they are seeking to identify additional potential victims. According to a Calgary Police Service news release, 46-year-old Jordan Bonner was arrested Thursday. Investigators executed search warrants at a residence and a law office in Calgary in connection with the case. Police allege Bonner engaged in sexually explicit online conversations with multiple youths and shared child sexual exploitation material. The allegations have not been tested in court. Authorities say the complainants
canadian-privacy-commissioners-flag-concerns-over-openai-data-practices-in-joint-probe
CanadaMay 06, 2026

Canadian privacy commissioners flag concerns over OpenAI data practices in joint probe

Canada’s federal and provincial privacy commissioners have released a joint investigation report examining how OpenAI collected and used personal information to train its ChatGPT system, raising concerns about consent and transparency. According to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and counterparts in British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec, the company gathered more personal data than necessary during early development stages, in some cases without users’ knowledge or meaningful consent. The report states that this information could include sensitive details such as health dat
surrey-mayor-raises-concerns-after-daytime-shooting-calls-for-police-discussions
BCMay 06, 2026

Surrey mayor raises concerns after daytime shooting, calls for police discussions

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke says recent incidents in the city require urgent attention, following a daytime shooting earlier this week that remains unsolved. According to statements attributed to the mayor, Locke said the situation “cannot continue” and must be addressed with seriousness by local authorities. The comments come after a shooting reported Monday afternoon near 130 Street and 76 Avenue, where police say gunfire occurred at a business complex. No arrests have been announced in connection with the incident as of publication time, according to available police information. Locke sa