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alberta-bill-would-limit-medically-assisted-dying-eligibility-to-those-near-natural-death
FeaturedMar 19, 2026

Alberta bill would limit medically assisted dying eligibility to those near natural death

Alberta’s government has introduced legislation that would significantly narrow who qualifies for medical assistance in dying, or MAID, limiting access to those expected to die of natural causes within a year. According to the provincial bill tabled by Justice Minister Mickey Amery, eligibility would be restricted to patients whose deaths are considered reasonably foreseeable within 12 months. The proposal mirrors the narrower criteria in place when Canada first legalized MAID in 2016. Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party government is positioning the change as a return to ea
abbotsford-teen-suspended-after-crash-at-180-km-h-prompts-police-warning
BCMar 18, 2026

Abbotsford teen suspended after crash at 180 km/h prompts police warning

A 16-year-old Abbotsford driver is serving a licence suspension after being found guilty of multiple driving offences following a high-speed crash on Highway 1, according to a release from BC Highway Patrol. Police say the incident occurred July 21, 2025, near Popkum, where a BMW sedan was recorded travelling about 180 km/h in a 100 km/h zone. According to BC Highway Patrol, the teen failed to stop for police and continued driving with two teenage passengers before colliding with a parked dump truck. Cell phone video voluntarily provided to investigators shows the moments leading up to the cra
sikh-organization-calls-for-hate-crime-probe-in-fatal-shooting-near-leduc-alta
BCMar 18, 2026

Sikh organization calls for hate crime probe in fatal shooting near Leduc, Alta.

A national Sikh advocacy group is urging police to examine whether a fatal shooting of a 22-year-old man near Leduc, Alta., was motivated by hate. In a statement, the World Sikh Organization of Canada said Birinder Singh was killed on March 14 while travelling on Highway 2, south of Edmonton. According to the organization, occupants of a pickup truck opened fire on Singh’s vehicle in what it described as a daytime, unprovoked attack. Singh died at the scene. The group is calling on the Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit to investigate the killing as a potential hate-motivated crime. Police have
canadas-population-declines-in-late-2025-amid-slowdown-in-non-permanent-residents-statcan
CanadaMar 18, 2026

Canada’s population declines in late 2025 amid slowdown in non-permanent residents: StatCan

Canada’s population declined in the final months of 2025, driven largely by a drop in non-permanent residents, according to new estimates from Statistics Canada. The agency reports the country’s population fell by approximately 102,000 people over the year. The decline coincides with a decrease of more than 171,000 non-permanent residents between Oct. 1, 2025 and Jan. 1, 2026, including international students and temporary workers. Statistics Canada cautioned that the figures should be interpreted carefully, noting that fluctuations in work and study permit renewals could result in larger-
montreal-building-owner-charged-in-2023-old-montreal-fire-that-killed-seven
CanadaMar 18, 2026

Montreal building owner charged in 2023 Old Montreal fire that killed seven

Montreal police say they have arrested a 63-year-old building owner in connection with a 2023 fire in Old Montreal that killed seven people. Police allege Emile Benamor faces 15 charges, including seven counts of manslaughter and eight counts of criminal negligence related to the March 16, 2023 blaze at a heritage property on Place D’Youville. The allegations have not been tested in court. According to a Montreal police service news conference, investigators had previously identified traces of an accelerant at the scene, prompting a criminal investigation into the fire. Chief-Insp. David Sha
ontario-urges-b-c-quebec-to-drop-ev-sales-targets-citing-competitiveness-concerns
CanadaMar 18, 2026

Ontario urges B.C., Quebec to drop EV sales targets, citing competitiveness concerns

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on the governments of British Columbia and Quebec to eliminate their electric-vehicle sales targets, arguing the policies are undermining Canada’s economic competitiveness. According to letters sent Wednesday to the two premiers, Ford said Ontario’s auto sector employs nearly 100,000 people and remains a key economic driver. He warned that differing provincial mandates on zero-emission vehicles risk creating what he described as a “fragmented and uncompetitive” national environment. Ford’s request follows recent changes in both provinces. Quebec h
WorldMar 18, 2026

Israel claims senior Iranian intelligence officials killed in overnight strikes

Israeli authorities say a series of overnight airstrikes on Iran targeted senior intelligence leadership and key energy infrastructure, as hostilities continue between Israel and Iran. According to a statement from Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, the strikes killed Iran’s intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib, along with several senior officials from the ministry. The claim has not been independently verified, and Iranian authorities have not confirmed any casualties as of publication time. Israeli officials also said their aircraft struck gas infrastructure in southern Iran. The re
alberta-premier-confirms-saudi-government-covered-private-flight-during-2024-trip
AlbertaMar 18, 2026

Alberta premier confirms Saudi government covered private flight during 2024 trip

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she travelled on a private aircraft arranged by the Saudi government during an official trip to the Middle East last fall, adding that the travel was approved in advance by the province’s ethics commissioner. Smith confirmed the arrangement Tuesday during a legislative committee meeting while responding to questions tied to Alberta’s 2026 budget. The premier said the non-commercial flight was proposed by Saudi officials to allow for more efficient travel between engagements. According to Smith, the trip included meetings in Saudi Arabia and the United Ar
BCMar 18, 2026

Free public viewing announced for FIFA World Cup matches at Vancouver fan festival

The City of Vancouver and the British Columbia government say general admission to live World Cup match screenings at Hastings Park will be free during the FIFA Fan Festival in June. According to a joint government announcement, spectators will be able to watch matches at the festival site and amphitheatre general floor without charge. The general floor is expected to accommodate about 2,600 per match on a first-come, first-served basis. Officials said reserved seating and fast-track entry options will be available for purchase, but no fee will be required for standard entry. The FIFA Fan Fest

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b-c-ndp-pledges-legally-enforced-nurse-to-patient-ratios-in-hospitals
BCOct 22, 2026

B.C. NDP Pledges Legally Enforced Nurse-to-Patient Ratios in Hospitals

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby announced during a campaign event in Vancouver on Thursday morning that his party would legally establish nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals, setting limits on the number of patients each nurse can care for. Eby said the policy would initially be implemented in emergency departments. He also claimed that British Columbia is the first province in Canada to offer such a guarantee, adding that more than 4,700 nurses have already been added to the health-care system under the initiative. As part of its election platform, the NDP is also promising to add 1,000 new traini
bc-conservative-leader-lorne-doerkson-accuses-ndp-of-failing-surrey-residents
BCOct 22, 2026

BC Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson Accuses NDP of Failing Surrey Residents

BC Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson has sharply criticized David Eby’s BC NDP government, accusing it of making empty promises to Surrey residents over the past nine years. Doerkson said Surrey continues to face overcrowded schools, emergency room closures, a shortage of doctors and a growing extortion problem. He alleged that the Eby government has failed to deliver on its promises to the city, while major projects have gone over budget and areas such as Newton have been neglected. Unveiling his Surrey Success Plan, Doerkson pledged that a BC Conservative government would fulfill its comm
punjab-cms-osd-rajbir-ghuman-skips-cbi-questioning-in-alleged-corruption-case
IndiaOct 22, 2026

Punjab CM’s OSD Rajbir Ghuman Skips CBI Questioning in Alleged Corruption Case

Rajbir Singh Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, did not appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) office in Chandigarh for questioning in an alleged corruption case. This is the third time the CBI has summoned Ghuman for questioning. During two previous sessions, the agency reportedly asked him a total of 90 questions. Meanwhile, senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia targeted the Punjab government over allegations of corruption. He called for investigations into various matters, including alleged bribery in the transfer
CanadaOct 22, 2026

Direct Flights Between Canada and Türkiye to Nearly Double

Canada and Türkiye have signed a new air transport agreement to increase passenger flights between the two countries. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that trade negotiators from both countries will begin discussions in Ankara next month to lay the groundwork for a first round of free trade agreement talks. Carney said bilateral trade between Canada and Türkiye has increased by 50 per cent over the past five years, highlighting significant potential for further growth. During his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Carney also signed a defence cooperation agree
AlbertaOct 22, 2026

Alberta Reports Sharp Rise in Flu Cases, 5 Deaths and 26 ICU Admissions

Alberta is seeing a significant rise in influenza cases well before the official flu season begins. As of October 11, the province had recorded 366 laboratory-confirmed flu cases, compared with just 42 during the same period last year. Hospitalizations have also increased, with nearly 300 Albertans hospitalized due to influenza since August. Among them, 26 patients, including two young children, have required intensive care. Five people have died from influenza since August, including four in the Calgary zone. Flu vaccines became available to the general public on October 19. So far, approxima