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sean-fraser-takes-over-federal-housing-file
CanadaJul 26, 2023

Sean Fraser takes over federal housing file

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is handing over the federal housing file to Sean Fraser, who was previously Immigration minister.Trudeau is shuffling his cabinet today in a bid to present a fresh team to lead the Liberals into the next election.Ahmed Hussen, who was Housing minister since 2021, has faced criticism for his handling of the file as the housing crisis worsened across the country.Hussen is staying in cabinet as minister of International Development.The federal government is facing considerable pressure to address the lack of affordable housing, which experts say is the result of a ho
amber-alert-kids-taken-off-grid-after-preplanned-abduction-by-b-c-mom-rcmp
BCJul 25, 2023

Amber Alert kids taken off grid after 'preplanned' abduction by B.C. mom: RCMP

Police say they have credible information that two children who are the subject of an Amber Alert have been taken 'off the grid' in an alleged preplanned abduction by their mother.Surrey RCMP say they believe Verity Bolton, along with her father Robert and boyfriend Abraxus Glazov, are living in trailers in a rural area after the woman failed to return the children to their father earlier this month.Police say they've received 180 tips on the case, but the whereabouts of 8-year-old Aurora and 10-year-old Joshuah Bolton remain unknown, with the last confirmed sighting at a Merritt, B.C. gas sta
ottawa-buys-nine-airbus-planes-to-replace-air-force-polaris-fleet-that-transports-pm
CanadaJul 25, 2023

Ottawa buys nine Airbus planes to replace Air Force Polaris fleet that transports PM

The federal government says it has signed a contract with European aviation company Airbus to replace its aging Polaris fleet at a cost of $3.6 billion.The Royal Canadian Air Force uses the Polaris planes for transporting high-ranking government officials, including the prime minister and Governor General, as well as for air-to-air refuelling and transport.The new fleet, which will be named the CC-330 Husky, includes four new and five used aircraft that are being outfitted to feature the same capabilities.The government bought the used planes from a company in Kuwait, and two of them are expec
b-c-overhauling-policing-standards-for-sexual-assault-investigations
BCJul 24, 2023

B.C. overhauling policing standards for sexual assault investigations

Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth has announced new programs and policing standards to support sexual assault survivors.A statement from the ministry says stable funding for programs, plus new policing standards for responding to sexual assaults, will support survivors while ensuring more effective investigations.Farnworth says the annual funding is immediately available for 68 new sexual assault programs across the province.The new police standards due to start next year will include police and victim-services working together to consider a person's unique needs when
edmonton-man-appears-in-u-k-court-after-terrorism-investigation
CanadaJul 24, 2023

Edmonton man appears in U.K. court after terrorism investigation

An Edmonton man arrested in a terrorism investigation in the United Kingdom appeared in a London court today.Khaled Hussein, who is 28, was charged under the Terrorism Act for allegedly being a member of a proscribed organization in the U.K.He was arrested at London's Heathrow Airport last week.Hussein is charged alongside a 56-year-old British preacher, Anjem Choudary, who was allegedly directing a terrorist organization and addressing meetings to encourage support for a radical group since June 2022.Prosecutors say the Edmontonian worked online with Choudary to provide a platform for the vie
mental-health-minister-puts-156m-toward-launch-of-988-crisis-hotline-in-november
CanadaJul 24, 2023

Mental health minister puts $156M toward launch of 988 crisis hotline in November

Mental Health Minister Carolyn Bennett says the government is putting $156 million over three years toward a new three-digit suicide-prevention hotline.Starting on Nov. 30, people in crisis will be able to dial 988 anywhere in Canada to be connected with trained responders 24 hours a day by phone or text message.The free service will be offered in English and French.The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health will receive the money to launch and operate the hotline.The minister is also giving the organization $21 million to bolster the capacity of distress centres as they prepare for the increa
worksafe-b-c-reminds-employers-to-keep-workers-safe-from-heat-stress
BCJul 21, 2023

WorkSafe B.C. reminds employers to keep workers safe from heat stress

WorkSafe B.C. says heat warnings issued by Environment Canada should be a wake-up call to employers to protect employees working indoors and outside. WorkSafe say employers need to take steps to protect employees, especially farm workers, construction workers and those in restaurant kitchens. It says the number of claims related to heat stress has been increasing in recent years. Environment Canada says temperatures in the B.C. interior today and tomorrow will reach the mid 30s and is warning people of the dangers of heat-related illnesses.
retired-rcmp-officer-charged-with-helping-beijing-intimidation-campaign
CanadaJul 21, 2023

Retired RCMP officer charged with helping Beijing intimidation campaign

The RCMP says it has charged one of its former members in a case of alleged foreign interference.William Majcher is accused of helping the Chinese government identify and intimidate a person.Police say he is from Hong Kong and used his network of Canadian contacts to get intelligence or services that benefited the People's Republic of China.They say a national security investigation into Majcher's suspicious activities began in the fall of 2021.The 60-year-old retired officer is charged with conspiracy and preparatory acts for the benefit of a foreign entity.Police have not said who was the ta
with-increased-bc-family-benefit-more-than-285-000-families-to-see-payments-in-bank-accounts
BCJul 20, 2023

With increased BC Family Benefit, more than 285,000 families to see payments in bank accounts

With increased BC Family Benefit, more than 285,000 families throughout B.C. will see bigger payments in their bank accounts starting this month."Global inflation and higher interest rates continue to be hard on many families right now," said Grace Lore, Minister of State for Child Care. "The BC Family Benefit is one way we're helping families provide the food, clothes and opportunities their kids need to have the best start possible."The BC Family Benefit is a regular monthly payment from the provincial government. Eligibility is based on income and number of children.The benefit reaches fami

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quebec-premier-open-to-return-of-u-s-wines-if-trade-gains-are-made
CanadaAug 10, 2026

Quebec premier open to return of U.S. wines if trade gains are made

Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette says the province could allow U.S. wines to return to liquor store shelves, but only if there are gains for Quebec and Canada in ongoing trade discussions with the United States. Fréchette said she wants to see reductions in tariff barriers affecting key Quebec sectors, including forestry, aluminum and manufacturing, before considering a return of American wine products to provincial liquor stores. The Quebec government previously directed the province’s liquor board to stop selling U.S. products in response to tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald T
BCAug 10, 2026

Merritt closes hiking and biking trails amid wildfire risk

Merritt’s fire chief has ordered the immediate closure of all hiking and biking trails in forested areas under the city’s jurisdiction, citing the risk of human-caused wildfires. Fire Chief David A. Tomkinson said the restriction took effect Monday and will remain in place until Sept. 15. Members of the public are not permitted to enter the affected trails and forested areas during the closure. According to the city, the closure is authorized under its bylaw, which allows the administration to restrict access to areas when necessary to protect public safety and property. Tomkinson said the
BCAug 10, 2026

Overnight Highway 99 closures planned in Delta for bridge work

Drivers in Delta should expect overnight closures on Highway 99 as crews install new bridge girders for the 78th Street overpass. The closures are scheduled for Monday, Aug. 10, and Tuesday, Aug. 11. Work will begin with lane restrictions before the highway is fully closed in each direction. Southbound lane closures are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., with a full southbound closure at 8 p.m. Northbound lane closures will begin at 8 p.m., followed by a full northbound closure at 9 p.m. The closures will affect Highway 99 between the Highway 91 and Highway 17 interchanges. The highway is expected
BCAug 10, 2026

Canadian Armed Forces on standby as B.C. wildfires displace thousands in Okanagan

The Canadian Armed Forces have been placed on standby to assist communities affected by wildfires in British Columbia, as thousands of residents in the Okanagan region have been forced from their homes. Defence Minister David McGuinty said military assistance will be deployed once the B.C. government makes a formal request for troops to operate on the ground. McGuinty said the provincial government submitted a formal request over the weekend through Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski. Federal assistance has since been approved to help provide accommodation and temporary shelter fo
vancouver-police-seek-public-help-identifying-suspect-in-kitsilano-assault
BCAug 10, 2026

Vancouver police seek public help identifying suspect in Kitsilano assault

Vancouver police are asking the public to help identify a man accused of assaulting a 73-year-old man in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood on July 31. According to Vancouver Police Department, officers were called after the two men became involved in a verbal altercation. Police allege the suspect had been yelling at passersby before the victim approached him and asked him to stop and leave the area. Investigators allege the suspect then pushed the victim to the ground. The 73-year-old suffered head injuries in the incident, police said. Police describe the suspect as a Caucasian man with