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CanadaJul 20, 2026

Canada Child Benefit payments increase takes effect today, millions of families to receive higher amounts

Higher Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payments began rolling out today following the federal government's annual benefit adjustment. According to the Government of Canada, the increase is expected to benefit approximately 3.6 million families and about 6 million children across the country. Under the updated benefit rates, eligible families can receive up to $8,157 annually for each child under the age of six, an increase of $160 from the previous benefit year. For children aged six to 17, the maximum annual payment has increased to $6,883, up $135 from last year. According to the Canada Revenue A
CanadaJul 20, 2026

Wildfire destroys seasonal camp at Whitewater Lake First Nation in northwestern Ontario

A wildfire has destroyed much of the seasonal camp at Whitewater Lake First Nation, located about 250 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, marking the second First Nation community in Ontario to suffer significant wildfire damage in less than a week. According to Chief Pauline Drake, the fire destroyed multiple buildings, personal belongings and critical infrastructure at the site. Whitewater Lake First Nation is used primarily as a seasonal camp and has no permanent residents. The community is accessible only by floatplane for about six months of the year. The latest damage follows wildfire destr
canadas-annual-inflation-rate-eases-to-2-8-in-june-as-gasoline-prices-fall
CanadaJul 20, 2026

Canada’s annual inflation rate eases to 2.8% in June as gasoline prices fall

Canada’s annual inflation rate slowed to 2.8 per cent in June, down from 3.2 per cent in May, largely because of lower gasoline prices, according to Statistics Canada. The federal agency said a decline in fuel prices helped ease overall inflation pressures. Grocery prices also continued to rise, but at a slower pace, increasing 3.9 per cent year over year in June compared with 4.3 per cent in May. Despite the slowdown, grocery inflation remained above the overall inflation rate for a 17th consecutive month, highlighting the continued impact of higher food costs on Canadian households. The Ba
CanadaJul 17, 2026

Brampton man identified as homicide victim after body found in Stoney Creek

Hamilton Police have identified a man whose body was found in a Stoney Creek creek on Wednesday morning as 29-year-old Taranpreet Singh Sidhu of Brampton. Investigators have confirmed the case is being treated as a homicide. According to Hamilton Police, Sidhu's body was discovered in a creek near Fruitland Road North and Harbour Drive after a passerby spotted him partially submerged in the water on nearby rocks. Emergency responders attended the scene and confirmed he had died. Detective Sergeant Robert Delaney said Sidhu came to Canada from India in 2022 and had worked as a truck driver whil
CanadaJul 16, 2026

Meta introduces new Instagram AI safety features for minors as Canada advances online safety legislation

Meta has announced new safety features for minors using its Instagram AI chatbot, introducing parental alerts for conversations involving self-harm or suicide. The update comes as the Canadian government moves forward with proposed online safety legislation aimed at strengthening protections for young users. According to Meta, the new features became available Thursday in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. If a minor discusses self-harm or suicide while interacting with Instagram AI, parents who have enabled the platform's Parental Supervision tools will receive an im
federal-government-to-acquire-190-armoured-vehicles-in-2b-deal-to-strengthen-canadian-army
CanadaJul 16, 2026

Federal government to acquire 190 armoured vehicles in $2B deal to strengthen Canadian Army

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a $2 billion investment to purchase 190 new armoured vehicles for the Canadian Army as part of a four-year procurement plan aimed at strengthening the military's operational capabilities and supporting Canada's domestic defence industry. Carney confirmed the agreement during a visit Thursday to the General Dynamics Land Systems–Canada facility in London, Ont. According to the federal government, the new vehicles will increase the Army's armoured fleet to 550. The Prime Minister said all 190 vehicles will be manufactured at the company's Ontario facili
poilievre-criticizes-liberals-over-canada-post-executive-bonuses-amid-record-losses
CanadaJul 16, 2026

Poilievre criticizes Liberals over Canada Post executive bonuses amid record losses

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has criticized the Liberal government after reports that Canada Post paid millions of dollars in bonuses to management despite recording significant financial losses. Poilievre alleged that the government is allowing well-connected officials to benefit from taxpayer money while many Canadians continue to face rising living costs. He said families are struggling to afford groceries because of inflation, while senior Canada Post executives received substantial bonus payments. According to publicly reported Canada Post financial information, the Crown corporat
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

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BCOct 13, 2026

Surrey Municipal Elections See 30% Surge in First-Day Advance Voting

Voters showed strong enthusiasm on the first day of advance voting in Surrey’s municipal elections, with 10,618 people casting their ballots on Wednesday, October 7. The turnout was nearly 30% higher than the 8,159 votes recorded on the first day of advance voting during the 2022 municipal elections. According to election officials, five ballots were issued but were not deposited in the ballot boxes. Among the polling locations, Cloverdale Recreation Centre recorded the highest turnout, with 1,949 votes cast. Fleetwood Community Centre followed with 1,547 votes, while 1,370 people voted at S
77-year-old-woman-assaulted-in-vancouvers-fairview-neighbourhood
BCOct 13, 2026

77-Year-Old Woman Assaulted in Vancouver’s Fairview Neighbourhood

A 77-year-old woman was assaulted by a suspect in Vancouver’s Fairview neighbourhood on Monday evening, police said. The incident occurred at around 6:30 p.m. near Cambie Street and West Broadway. The woman was walking when a young man approaching from the opposite direction allegedly forcefully shoulder-checked her, knocking her to the ground. The suspect fled the scene following the assault. An eyewitness immediately called police and stayed with the victim until officers arrived. The woman suffered a cut to her head and was taken to hospital for treatment. According to police, the suspect
CanadaOct 13, 2026

Canadian Cybersecurity Expert Edward Dubrovsky Arrested by FBI Over Alleged ShinyHunters Ties

Canadian cybersecurity expert and ransomware negotiator Edward Dubrovsky has been arrested by the FBI over alleged links to a hacking group. The FBI alleges that 54-year-old Dubrovsky was involved with ShinyHunters, a hacking group accused of carrying out dozens of data thefts since 2019, including an alleged breach of the FBI’s database earlier this year. According to reports, Dubrovsky faces two serious charges. The first involves conspiracy to threaten damage to information with the intent to extort, while the second relates to interfering with commercial activities through threats. The c
CanadaOct 13, 2026

Canada, France, UK and Australia Urge Palestinian Authority to Reverse Election Delay

Canada, along with France, the United Kingdom and Australia, has expressed deep regret over Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s decision to postpone elections and called on the Palestinian Authority to reverse the move. Last year, the four countries recognized Palestine as a state, subject to several conditions, including holding elections. The elections were scheduled for November this year but have now been postponed until September 2027. In a joint statement, the four countries urged the Palestinian Authority to reconsider its decision. President Abbas cited security conditions in Israe
IndiaOct 13, 2026

Punjab Bandh Called for October 15 Over Killing of Anti-Drug Activist Parminder Singh

Punjab is witnessing widespread anger among the family members and supporters of anti-drug activist Parminder Singh, who was shot dead in broad daylight in Mansa on Tuesday. A Punjab bandh has been called for October 15 to protest the killing. The activist’s supporters have alleged a nexus between drug traffickers and the police in Punjab and demanded the resignations of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the state’s Director General of Police (DGP). Meanwhile, the Congress has accused AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal of running a drug nexus in Punjab, while the BJP has urged the Governor to orde