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WorldSep 28, 2020

Louisville drops curfew; legislator questions rioting law

A curfew is being lifted in Louisville, Kentucky, where many people have been arrested for refusing to stop their nighttime protests after a grand jury's decision not to charge officers in the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor. Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said in a statement that he decided to allow the curfew to expire as of 6:30 a.m. Monday. Meanwhile, a state lawmaker says she will propose changing Kentucky's legal definition of rioting after Democratic state Rep. Attica Scott was charged with a felony rioting count while participating in Louisville protests for racial justice. Taylor was
global-death-toll-from-the-covid-19-pandemic-reaches-a-grim-milestone
WorldSep 28, 2020

Global death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic reaches a grim milestone

The global death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to reach one-million sometime today, based on the official tally kept by Johns Hopkins University. But experts believe the true number is much higher, considering the difficulties in testing and identifying virus-related deaths early in the health crisis. The grim milestone also comes at a time when many countries are either approaching or are in the midst of a second wave of COVID-19. The US already has surpassed 200,000 virus-related deaths, with the CDC warning tens of thousands more Americans could die as the weather gets colder
schools-wont-be-used-as-polling-places-during-the-upcoming-election-on-weekdays-chief-electoral-officer
BCSep 28, 2020

Schools won't be used as polling places during the upcoming election on weekdays: Chief electoral officer

BC's chief electoral officer says schools won't be used as polling places during the upcoming election, at least not on weekdays. Anton Boegman says two days of advance polling fall on the weekend, and school gyms and auditoriums will be used then, while election day is a Saturday, so school facilities will also be available. But he says advance polls slated for weekdays will be held in other facilities because he understands parents' and teachers' concerns about keeping COVID-19 exposures out of schools. Boegman says using schools for election activities on weekends means all necessary clean
u-s-judge-orders-canadian-woman-accused-of-threatening-trump-to-remain-in-custody
WorldSep 28, 2020

U.S. judge orders Canadian woman accused of threatening Trump to remain in custody

A Quebec woman accused of sending a ricin-laced threat to President Donald Trump has been ordered to remain in U.S. custody. District Court Judge Kenneth Schroeder Jr. says Pascale Ferrier was clearly capable of causing harm when she tried to cross the Canada-U. S. border last week. Ferrier, 53, was arrested while attempting to enter the United States at the Peace Bridge border crossing in Buffalo. Timothy Lynch of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Buffalo says Ferrier had a semi-automatic handgun and 294 rounds of ammunition at the time. Lynch also says experts in Canada found traces of ricin in
u-s-appeals-softwood-ruling-to-wto-appeals-body-the-u-s-has-rendered-inoperative
CanadaSep 28, 2020

U.S. appeals softwood ruling to WTO appeals body the U.S. has rendered inoperative

International Trade Minister Mary Ng says it is extremely disappointing that the United States has decided to appeal a World Trade Organization ruling against its softwood-lumber duties, particularly because the U.S. is making it impossible for that appeal to be heard. The WTO ruled in August that the U.S.'s import duties on Canadian softwood violate international trading rules because the U.S. cannot prove that Canada is unfairly subsidizing its softwood producers by undercharging for wood coming off government land. Ng says the U.S. decision to appeal is confusing since earlier this year th
no-safe-mask-option-for-bearded-members-rcmp-says-but-force-is-exploring-solutions
CanadaSep 28, 2020

No safe mask option for bearded members, RCMP says, but force is exploring solutions

The RCMP says there is no safe and proven face covering for officers with beards, but it is working to find one for Sikh members temporarily sidelined from front-line policing. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has publicly expressed disappointment that Sikh RCMP officers find themselves on desk duty during the COVID-19 pandemic because their religiously mandated facial hair makes it difficult to properly wear a mask. In a statement today, the RCMP says while a respirator, such as an N95 mask, is not mandatory in all front-line situations, it is sometimes required to reduce risk. The national poli
b-c-liberal-leader-promises-to-eliminate-pst-for-a-year-if-elected
BCSep 28, 2020

B.C. Liberal Leader promises to eliminate PST for a year if elected

B.C. Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson promised today that if elected, BC liberal government will immediately eliminate the provincial sales tax (PST) for a year. In second year, the PST will be slashed down to three per cent from the current seven percent rate, until the economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, said Wilkinson. Wilkinson hopes the step will save people money, bring investment back to BC and stimulate growth for struggling small businesses. "Countless people are still out of work, small businesses are facing bankruptcy, and the public health threat from COVID-19 is still very
covid-19-aid-bill-tory-leader-otooles-speech-headline-parliaments-first-full-week
CanadaSep 28, 2020

COVID-19 aid bill, Tory leader O'Toole's speech headline Parliament's first full week

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole and Bloc Quebecois chief Yves-Francois Blanchet are expected to take their seats in the House of Commons this week after being benched due to COVID-19.The two opposition leaders were absent from the Commons last week as both were in isolation after contracting COVID-19.Their formal replies to the Liberals' speech from the throne will come as Parliament is set to debate new COVID-19 relief measures over the coming days and potentially pass them into law.The government plans to set up a new pandemic-benefits regime under the umbrella of the existing employment i
IndiaSep 26, 2020

SAD decides to pull out of NDA over agriculture bills

Days after quitting the union cabinet, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has now decided to pull out of the BJP-led NDA alliance over "Centre's stubborn refusal to give statutory legislative guarantees to protect assured marketing of farmers crops on MSP".The decision was taken at the core committee meeting of SAD. The meeting unanimously decided to pull out of the BJP-led NDA alliance.Apart from Centre's stance on the agriculture bills, the party also talked of "its continued insensitivity to Punjabi and Sikh issues like not including Punjabi language in the list of official languages in Jammu and Ka

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canada-post-and-postal-workers-union-reach-tentative-labour-agreements
CanadaDec 22, 2025

Canada Post and postal workers’ union reach tentative labour agreements

Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers say they have reached tentative collective agreements that could bring an end to more than two years of labour tensions at the Crown corporation. The agreements cover both the Urban Postal Operations unit and the Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers unit, representing roughly 55,000 workers nationwide. The union’s national board has recommended members approve the deals, with ratification votes expected in early 2026. During the ratification process, both sides have agreed there will be no strike or lockout action, providing short-term labour
police-stop-406-000-fraud-targeting-northern-vancouver-island-first-nation
BCDec 22, 2025

Police stop $406,000 fraud targeting northern Vancouver Island First Nation

Alert Bay RCMP say they have prevented a fraud scheme that targeted the Namgis First Nation, protecting more than $400,000 intended for a new wellness and treatment centre on northern Vancouver Island. The case came to light on May 13, when the First Nation reported that $406,000 earmarked for contractors had been redirected to a fraudulent bank account via a scam email. Authorities say early intervention was key in limiting the financial loss. Collaboration with law enforcement in Eastern Canada led to a freeze on the bank account, which police allege was operated by an organized crime group.
surrey-police-seek-witnesses-after-theft-reported-at-retirement-residence
CanadaDec 22, 2025

Surrey police seek witnesses after theft reported at retirement residence

Surrey Police Service is asking the public for help as officers investigate a theft at a retirement residence in the city’s South Surrey area. Police say the incident happened on December 15 around 2:10 pm at a residence in the 15500 block of 16 Avenue. Investigators allege a man entered the building and gained access to an apartment by claiming he was a maintenance worker inspecting the sprinkler system. Once inside, the suspect is accused of taking the resident’s purse before leaving the building. The suspect is described as a white man, about 5 feet 8 inches tall. At the time, he was we
fatal-head-on-crash-closes-highway-1-in-surrey-as-police-seek-witnesses
BCDec 22, 2025

Fatal head-on crash closes Highway 1 in Surrey as police seek witnesses

One person has died following a serious multi-vehicle collision on Highway 1 in Surrey that forced a full closure of the westbound lanes during the Monday morning commute. BC Highway Patrol says the investigation is ongoing and officers are asking the public for additional witnesses and dash camera footage. Police say the first 911 call came shortly after 7:15 a.m. after three vehicles collided on westbound Highway 1 near the 176th Street exit. Investigators believe one vehicle crossed over from the eastbound lanes, resulting in a head-on crash. Corporal Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patr
carney-appoints-mark-wiseman-as-canadas-next-ambassador-to-the-united-states
CanadaDec 22, 2025

Carney appoints Mark Wiseman as Canada’s next ambassador to the United States

Prime Minister Mark Carney has named investment banker and pension fund executive Mark Wiseman as Canada’s next ambassador to the United States, placing him at the centre of upcoming negotiations with Washington on continental trade. Wiseman is set to begin the role on Feb. 15, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. Wiseman will lead Canada’s engagement with the U.S. as the countries prepare for a scheduled review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, a process expected to dominate the bilateral agenda next year. The trade review is widely seen as critical for Canadian exporte