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senate-passes-controversial-bill-to-fast-track-major-projects
CanadaJun 27, 2025

Senate passes controversial bill to fast-track major projects

Parliament has passed controversial major projects legislation that Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada needs to shore up its economy in the face of a trade war with the United States. Bill C-5 gives the federal government sweeping new powers to speed up permitting for what the Liberals call "nation-building projects." The legislation's opponents have attacked the legislation as a massive power grab. Here's what's C-5 does and what people are saying about it.
senate-could-vote-on-controversial-major-projects-bill-today
CanadaJun 26, 2025

Senate could vote on controversial major projects bill today

The Senate could vote today on Prime Minister Mark Carney's controversial major projects bill — legislation that would give the federal government the power to fast-track projects it hopes will bolster the economy. The bill, which moved swiftly through the House of Commons, is subject to a programming motion in the Senate — meaning it has to be voted on by tomorrow. Bill C-5 has faced heavy opposition over the speed of its passage through Parliament and the sweeping new powers it would give the government. Carney has said the bill is needed to fast-track "nation-building projects" in the f
canada-over-half-of-study-permits-going-to-international-students-already-here
CanadaJun 26, 2025

Canada: Over half of study permits going to international students already here

New international students coming to study in Canada may struggle to obtain study permits.According to reports, the number of study permits approved by Canada for 2025 is expected to drop by 50 per cent from last year as a large number of study permits are being issued to international students who are already in Canada and are changing schools or programs or planning to study in Canada. According to a recent analysis by the Apply Board, the decline in new international students could spell trouble for the post-secondary education sector and enrollment will continue to decline for at least
canada-brings-seven-citizens-out-of-israel-west-bank-as-most-find-their-own-way-out
CanadaJun 26, 2025

Canada brings seven citizens out of Israel, West Bank as most find their own way out

Global Affairs Canada says it brought just seven Canadians out of Israel and the West Bank to Jordan on buses offered Wednesday. Ottawa started offering evacuations from both regions later than some of its allies, and has taken note of low uptick from Canadians. A chartered flight from Jordan left Tuesday for Athens with Canadians filling just 95 of the 265 seats Ottawa had arranged. Consular officials continue to be stationed at countries bordering Iran, where Canada has no diplomatic presence, to help people find commercial routes home. The department says it is aware of 800 Canadians leavin
bodies-of-three-people-missing-after-airmedic-helicopter-crash-in-quebec-recovered
CanadaJun 26, 2025

Bodies of three people missing after Airmedic helicopter crash in Quebec recovered

The search for three people who were unaccounted for after a medical transport helicopter crashed on Quebec's North Shore came to an end late Wednesday night after police divers located their bodies in a lake. Montreal-area company Airmedicsays Quebec's provincial police have found the bodies of its two missing crew members, along with a patient, in Lake Watshishou, located 1,000 kilometres northeast of Montreal. "This confirmation has deeply moved our team," Airmedic said in a statement at around 10 p.m. Wednesday. "A time of remembrance begins for the Airmedic family. We will take the time t
canada-sees-continued-decline-in-both-us-and-foreign-visitors-statistics-canada
CanadaJun 25, 2025

Canada sees continued decline in both US and foreign visitors: Statistics Canada

Canada is seeing a continued decline in both US and foreign visitors, with the latest report from Statistics Canada showing that in April, travel to Canada by US residents fell 8.9 per cent year-on-year, while travel to Canada by other foreign residents fell 0.6 per cent. This is the third consecutive month that travel to Canada by US residents has declined and the seventh consecutive month that travel by other foreign nationals has declined. According to Statistics Canada, the decline in foreign visitors to Canada was driven by a decline in people coming from Asia, who were down 12.6 per
statement-from-the-mayor-urging-federal-government-to-designate-extortion-gangs-as-terrorist-organizations
CanadaJun 25, 2025

Surrey Mayor urging federal government to designate extortion...

Today, I am joining calls for the federal government to declare the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and any other groups involved in extortion and violence targeting Canadians of South Asian descent as terrorist organizations under Canadian law. Whether these groups operate locally or internationally, this designation is a critical step in equipping law enforcement with the necessary tools to dismantle these dangerous networks and protect our residents and businesses. The violence and intimidation our community faces are unacceptable. We have seen a disturbing rise in extortions, threats of violence, an
carney-says-canada-to-spend-5-of-gdp-on-defence-by-2035
CanadaJun 25, 2025

Carney says Canada to spend 5% of GDP on defence by 2035

NATO allies, including Canada, have agreed to increase defense spending to five percent of GDP over the next 10 years. This means that Western countries, including Ottawa, are going to invest heavily in defense by 2035. The new target was approved during a NATO summit in the Netherlands today, a significant policy victory for President Donald Trump. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte opened the meeting by praising Trump for increasing defense spending. The five percent target is divided into two parts, with the first 3.5 percent focusing on core defense needs, including fighter jets and weapo
calgary-stampede-rodeo-safety-to-include-shaded-pens-heart-monitors-for-horses
CanadaJun 25, 2025

Calgary Stampede rodeo safety to include shaded pens, heart monitors for horses

Tents are being set up to provide shade for bulls and broncs, and some chuckwagon horses are to be fitted with tiny electrocardiograms at the upcoming Calgary Stampede. Ed Pajor (PAY'-jor) is a professor of animal behaviour and welfare in the University of Calgary's faculty of veterinary medicine. The university is working with the Stampede to study some of the animals this year. Pajor says based on the scorching heat during the Stampede last summer, the animals could use a break. Pajor says tents will be provided to some of the bulls and broncos to see if it makes a difference. Researc

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public-dialogue-on-memory-identity-and-institutions-convened-on-international-human-rights-day
British ColumbiaDec 12, 2025

Public Dialogue on Memory, Identity, and Institutions Convened on International Human Rights Day

On International Human Rights Day, 10 December 2025, Wanjara Nomad Collections, with participation from the Guru Nanak Jahaz Heritage Society, hosted a three-hour public dialogue titled “Let’s Talk” in Surrey, British Columbia. The program examined questions of memory, identity, and institutional responsibility within Sikh Canadian public life. Wanjara Nomad Collections organized the dialogue and brought together elders, representatives of gurdwara societies, human rights advocates, scholars, artists, and members of the public. The gathering functioned as a dialogue-based forum that emph
threat-prompts-brief-lockdown-at-nanaimo-high-school
BCDec 11, 2025

Threat prompts brief lockdown at Nanaimo high school

A Nanaimo high school was placed under a precautionary lockdown Wednesday afternoon after school staff were alerted to a threat directed at a student. The incident at Nanaimo District Secondary School began around 2:30 p.m., prompting administrators to activate established safety procedures. Nanaimo RCMP officers responded immediately and remained on site while classrooms were secured. Police and school officials said the lockdown lasted roughly 30 minutes, and students and staff were released shortly after 3 p.m. once officers determined there was no ongoing risk. The district says students w
vancouver-police-seize-loaded-rifle-and-drugs-during-downtown-eastside-arrest
BCDec 11, 2025

Vancouver Police seize loaded rifle and drugs during Downtown Eastside arrest

Vancouver Police say a loaded rifle and several other weapons were taken off the street this week after officers arrested a man suspected of trafficking drugs in the Downtown Eastside. The incident took place Tuesday afternoon near East Hastings and Columbia Street, an area where frontline police and community workers have long raised concerns about violence linked to the drug trade. According to the Vancouver Police Department, members of the Beat Enforcement Team were on routine patrol around 2:35 p.m. on December 9 when they arrested a 32-year-old Surrey resident outside a residential build
donald-trump-unveils-new-gold-card-immigration-program
WorldDec 11, 2025

Donald Trump unveils new ‘Gold Card’ immigration program

Former United States president Donald Trump announced on Thursday the launch of a new immigration initiative he calls the Gold Card, opening the application process for the program. Under the plan, individuals can apply for the Gold Card at a fee of US$1 million, while companies wishing to secure a card for executives or employees would pay US$2 million. Trump’s campaign says cardholders would receive a U.S. passport, full voting rights and the same benefits enjoyed by other American citizens. Trump framed the Gold Card as part of his broader “America First” policy agenda, asserting the
flooding-prompts-wider-evacuations-and-highway-closures-across-southern-b-c
BCDec 11, 2025

Flooding prompts wider evacuations and highway closures across southern B.C.

Communities across southern British Columbia are facing new evacuation orders and travel disruptions after heavy rainfall triggered flooding and landslides that severed key routes between the Lower Mainland and the Interior. Provincial officials say multiple highways, including the Coquihalla and Highways 1, 3, 5 and 11, remain shut as crews assess washouts and unstable slopes. The closure of Highway 11 has also halted access to the Sumas border crossing. In Abbotsford, 371 properties on the Sumas Prairie were ordered evacuated overnight as waters linked to the overflowing Nooksack River conti