18.99°C Vancouver

News

canada-may-cut-student-visas-further
CanadaJun 27, 2025

Canada may cut student visas further

The Canadian government may cut student visas further. Immigration Minister Lina Diab is set to launch a consultation on immigration targets this summer, with a focus on student visas. This comes after the federal government last year announced a cap on study permits and a gradual reduction in the number of student visas. A spokeswoman for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada says the government expects schools to only accept students they can support by providing housing and other services. Meanwhile, the main opposition Conservatives are already in favor of this cut, with the pa
surrey-sikh-games-canada-2025-begin-at-tamanawis-park
BCJun 27, 2025

Surrey: Sikh Games Canada 2025 begin at Tamanawis Park

The Sikh Games Canada 2025 opened yesterday at Tamanawis Park in Surrey and will continue until Sunday, June 29. The event, which began in 2008 as a field hockey tournament, has grown into one of the largest multicultural sporting festivals in North America. Organizers emphasized that the Games represent more than competition. “This event is built on the Sikh principle of seva, or selfless service. Athletes compete, but they also serve their community by building bonds across cultures,” said one organizing committee member. Spectators told Connect FM they see the Games as both a celebrati
canadian-tourist-found-dead-in-dominican-republic-officials-say
CanadaJun 27, 2025

Canadian tourist found dead in Dominican Republic, officials say

Dominican Republic officials say a Canadian tourist was found dead in a northern part of the country last week. The country’s civil defence agency says 33-year-old Dorian Christian MacDonald was found dead in the water on a beach in the Puerto Plata resort town of Maimon Bay last Friday. Agency spokesperson Jenssen Sanchez says first responders rushed to the scene after receiving a call at 3 a.m. local time, and the body was located more than an hour later. He says MacDonald was last seen walking on the beach before he died. Global Affairs Canada says it is “aware of the death of a Canadia
statistics-canada-says-real-gdp-down-0-1-per-cent-in-april-as-manufacturing-slowed
CanadaJun 27, 2025

Statistics Canada says real GDP down 0.1 per cent in April as manufacturing slowed

Statistics Canada says real gross domestic product edged down 0.1 per cent in April as the manufacturing sector slowed. The agency also says its advance estimate for May points to another 0.1 per cent decline for that month. The pullback in April came as goods-producing industries fell 0.6 per cent, with manufacturing accounting for nearly all the decline. The manufacturing sector was down 1.9 per cent in April, the largest drop since April 2021. Durable goods manufacturing fell 2.2 per cent in April, while non-durable goods manufacturing dropped 1.6 per cent. Meanwhile, services-producing ind
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

Just In

new-westminster-police-officers-help-rescue-15-residents-from-apartment-fire
BCJul 31, 2026

New Westminster police officers help rescue 15 residents from apartment fire

New Westminster Police Department officers helped rescue 15 residents from a burning apartment building Thursday evening after spotting smoke while working nearby, according to the police department. Police said officers were in the 800 block of 5th Avenue at about 6 p.m. when they became aware of the fire. As they approached the building, they saw several older adults leaning out of windows to avoid the smoke. According to a New Westminster Police Department news release, officers entered the building alongside crews from New Westminster Fire and Rescue Service and assisted 15 residents to sa
BCJul 31, 2026

Coquitlam man faces six firearms charges following Surrey and Coquitlam searches

A 35-year-old Coquitlam man is facing six firearms-related charges after a joint investigation by B.C.'s anti-gang police and the Surrey RCMP Provincial Operations Support Unit. According to the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC), the investigation began in June. On July 16, officers executed search warrants at two residences in the 11500 block of 141A Street in Surrey and the 4300 block of Quarry Road in Coquitlam. Police said investigators seized several firearms during the searches, including two Beretta handguns. Officers arrested Sadiq Azimali Daya at
man-dies-after-fleeing-surrey-traffic-stop-struck-by-vehicle-on-highway-10
BCJul 31, 2026

Man dies after fleeing Surrey traffic stop, struck by vehicle on Highway 10

A man died after being struck by a vehicle while fleeing on foot following a traffic stop in Surrey late Thursday night, according to the Surrey Police Service. Police said an officer stopped a westbound vehicle for a traffic enforcement check at about 11 p.m. in the 15600 block of 56 Avenue, along Highway 10. The driver then exited the vehicle and fled on foot. According to the Surrey Police Service, the man was crossing the roadway when he was struck by an eastbound vehicle. Surrey police officers, Surrey Fire Service crews and BC Emergency Health Services paramedics attempted life-saving me
suspect-arrested-after-firearm-reported-at-new-westminster-shopping-centre
BCJul 31, 2026

Suspect arrested after firearm reported at New Westminster shopping centre

A suspect is facing potential charges after allegedly brandishing a firearm at a patron outside a coffee shop in New Westminster on Wednesday morning, according to the New Westminster Police Department. Police said officers responded to a 9-1-1 call at about 6 a.m. on July 30 after receiving reports that a person had pointed a firearm at someone seated on the patio of a business in the Columbia Square shopping centre. Investigators determined the suspect fled across Columbia Street, passed through a hole in a fence and crossed nearby railway tracks. Officers searched the area with assistance f
b-c-supreme-court-strikes-down-parts-of-mental-health-act-allowing-treatment-without-consent
BCJul 31, 2026

B.C. Supreme Court strikes down parts of Mental Health Act allowing treatment without consent

The B.C. Supreme Court has ruled that portions of the province's Mental Health Act that allow patients to receive psychiatric treatment without their consent are unconstitutional, giving the provincial government six months to amend the legislation. Justice Lauren Blake found that British Columbia was the only province in Canada where patients could be subjected to psychiatric treatment without an assessment of their decision-making capacity. The court concluded that the provisions violate constitutional protections. The ruling comes as the B.C. government is pursuing plans to expand involunta