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cra-expects-online-services-back-wednesday-following-cyberbreaches
CanadaAug 17, 2020

CRA expects online services back Wednesday following cyberbreaches

The Canada Revenue Agency expects online services to be fully restored by Wednesday after hackers used thousands of stolen usernames and passwords to fraudulently obtain government services.About 5,600 CRA accounts were targeted in what the federal government describes as "credential stuffing" schemes, in which hackers used passwords and usernames from other websites to access Canadians' revenue agency accounts.Officials say the RCMP is investigating the breaches.The suspension of CRA's online services comes as many Canadians are using the revenue agency's website to access financial support
officials-issue-distancing-reminder-as-b-c-announces-84-new-covid-19-cases
BCAug 15, 2020

Officials issue distancing reminder as B.C. announces 84 new COVID-19 cases

British Columbia's health minister and provincial health officer are urging people to follow physical distancing guidelines amid a rise in COVID-19 cases across the province. Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry issued a joint statement on Friday urging residents to stick together and keep a safe distance from people they may not know or who aren't in their social bubble. They say the province has the ability to bend the pandemic curve back down, but only if everyone takes part in measures related to the fight against COVID-19. Dix and Henry warn that transmission of the virus has forced nightclub
CanadaAug 14, 2020

Asylum seekers on front lines of COVID-19 to have chance at permanent residency

Asylum seekers working on the front-lines of the COVID-19 crisis are getting an early chance at permanent residency in Canada.Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino announced the program today in response to public demand that the so-called "Guardian Angels" many in Quebec be recognized for their work in the health-care sector during the pandemic.Ordinarily, asylum seekers must wait for their claims to be accepted before they can become permanent residents, but the new program waives that requirement.To apply for residency now, they must have claimed asylum in Canada prior to March 13 and have
78-covid-19-cases-reported-b-c-health-minister-issues-warning-for-those-planning-on-holding-weekend-events
BCAug 14, 2020

78 COVID-19 cases reported, B.C. Health Minister issues warning for those planning on holding weekend events

British Columbia's Health Minister warned those planning on holding large parties and events this upcoming weekend to expect visits from officials to ensure COVID-19 guidelines are being followed. Adrian Dix says parties may not be immediately shut down but there would be consequences for those found flaunting the rules. The pronouncement comes as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in B.C., particularly among young adults between the ages of 20 to 29. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says those infections have been seen after exposure events, such as parties where young adults have bee
budget-watchdog-says-covid-19-wage-subsidy-might-cost-less-than-predicted
CanadaAug 13, 2020

Budget watchdog says COVID-19 wage subsidy might cost less than predicted

Canada's official fiscal watchdog says the federal wage subsidy program might cost $14 billion less than the government predicted. A new report today by Parliamentary Budget Office analyst Ben Segel-Brown estimates subsidizing wages for companies during the COVID-19 pandemic will cost $67.9 billion through the end of December.Finance Minister Bill Morneau estimated in his July fiscal report it would cost $82.3 billion.Segel-Brown says that figure was prudent at the time because of economic uncertainty and ongoing work to update the program's rules.The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy encourages
biggest-rise-of-covid-19-cases-in-b-c-since-april
BCAug 13, 2020

Biggest rise of COVID-19 cases in B.C. since April

British Columbia has recorded 85 COVID-19 cases, the third-highest number of new cases in a single day since the pandemic began. A joint statement from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix says many of the new infections are of young people from the Lower Mainland. The statement says the public needs to refocus on measures to flatten the curve and that watching the cases climb is concerning. There has been one new death, bringing the death toll to 196, while 3,469 people have recovered. The latest COVID-19 figures come as the province announced it is hirin
orientation-week-ensures-a-safe-ready-and-welcome-return-to-school-rob-fleming
BCAug 12, 2020

Orientation week ensures a safe, ready and welcome return to school: Rob Fleming

To ensure schools are ready to welcome students into classrooms for the week of Sept. 8-11, 2020, there will be a gradual restart to allow extra time to orient students and staff on the new health and safety measures in place."Schools are going to look different in September," said Rob Fleming, Minister of Education. "Staff, students and parents need time to get familiar with all the new health and safety procedures that are designed to keep them safe and confident in their school settings." Starting Sept. 8, all staff will meet with their school's joint health and safety committee to receive
andrew-scheer-likely-marking-last-day-in-house-of-commons-as-opposition-leader
CanadaAug 12, 2020

Andrew Scheer likely marking last day in House of Commons as Opposition leader

Today's sitting of Parliament is expected to be the last one that will see Andrew Scheer in the role of Conservative leader.In addition to being an MP from Regina since 2004, he also served as the Speaker of the House of Commons from 2011 to 2015.It was after the Tories lost government in 2015, and the subsequent resignation of then-leader Stephen Harper, that Scheer decided to go for the leadership job.He won in 2017, eking out a very narrow victory over fellow MP Maxime Bernier.He spent the next two years trying to gain recognition across the country, while shoring up the party's war chest
46-new-covid-19-cases-reported-in-b-c
BCAug 12, 2020

46 new COVID-19 cases reported in B.C.

Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, have issued a joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia. "Today, we are announcing 46 new cases, for a total of 4,111 cases in British Columbia. "There are 472 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 3,444 people who tested positive have recovered. "Currently, eight people are hospitalized with COVID-19, five of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation. "There have been no new COVID

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b-c-launches-new-forestry-and-emergency-management-testbed-under-look-west-plan
BCDec 16, 2025

B.C. launches new forestry and emergency management testbed under Look West plan

The B.C. government has launched a new Forestry Innovation and Emergency Management Testbed aimed at helping local companies develop and scale technologies to better protect communities from wildfires, floods and other extreme weather events. The initiative is part of the province’s Look West economic plan, which focuses on strengthening domestic industries and reducing reliance on external markets. Delivered through Innovate BC’s Integrated Marketplace, the provincewide testbed will allow B.C. businesses to pilot technologies in real-world settings tied to wildfire and flood prevention, f
five-month-nanaimo-rcmp-probe-leads-to-drug-trafficking-and-firearm-charges
BCDec 16, 2025

Five-month Nanaimo RCMP probe leads to drug trafficking and firearm charges

A five-month investigation by Nanaimo RCMP has resulted in multiple drug and firearm-related charges against two Nanaimo residents, following the seizure of controlled substances, weapons and body armour from a local residence. Police say the investigation began in early November 2024 after general duty officers received information that a home in Nanaimo was being used to traffic illegal drugs. With assistance from the RCMP General Investigation Section and the Projects Drug Unit, officers executed a search warrant at the residence on April 17, 2025. During the search, investigators seized qu
federal-buy-canadian-procurement-rules-take-effect-prioritizing-domestic-industries
CanadaDec 16, 2025

Federal ‘Buy Canadian’ procurement rules take effect, prioritizing domestic industries

The federal government’s new ‘Buy Canadian’ procurement policy came into force today, marking a significant shift in how Ottawa purchases goods and services for major public projects. The policy, announced earlier this fall, is designed to give preference to Canadian-made products and Canadian workers in federal contracting. The government says the approach is aimed at strengthening domestic industries and protecting supply chains during a period of ongoing global trade uncertainty. In its first phase, the policy applies to federal contracts valued at $25 million or more. These projects
AlbertaDec 16, 2025

Inmate convicted in Edmonton prison killing was already serving life sentence for Calgary murder

A man already serving a life sentence for the murder of a Calgary caseworker has been convicted in the killing of a fellow inmate at a maximum-security federal prison in Edmonton. Brandon Newman was found guilty last week of manslaughter in the 2022 stabbing death of 33-year-old Bretton Fisher at the Edmonton Institution. Newman is currently incarcerated for the second-degree murder of Deborah Onwu, a caseworker who was stabbed 19 times at an assisted-living facility in Calgary in 2019. Court heard that tensions escalated inside the prison after Fisher confronted Newman over the earlier killin
heavy-rain-warnings-remain-in-southwest-b-c-as-flood-recovery-continues-in-fraser-valley
BCDec 16, 2025

Heavy rain warnings remain in southwest B.C. as flood recovery continues in Fraser Valley

Residents in parts of southwestern British Columbia are being warned to prepare for more heavy rainfall as cleanup efforts continue following recent flooding in the Fraser Valley. Environment Canada says up to 70 millimetres of rain could fall across areas including Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley through Wednesday morning. The forecast comes as floodwaters linked to the Nooksack River in Washington state begin to recede, allowing cleanup operations to start earlier this week in several low-lying Fraser Valley communities. Provincial officials say the flood threat is not over. B.C. Emerg