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AlbertaNov 07, 2025

Alberta teachers launch court challenge over government’s use of notwithstanding clause to end strike

The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) has taken legal action against Premier Danielle Smith’s government, arguing that the recent law used to end their provincewide strike violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. ATA President Jason Schilling said the association has filed a court application asking a judge to suspend the law while a full constitutional challenge proceeds. Schilling called the government’s reliance on the Charter’s notwithstanding clause “unconstitutional” and said it undermines the role of the courts in protecting fundamental rights. The law in ques
city-of-surrey-seeking-feedback-asks-residents-to-share-what-matters
BCNov 06, 2025

City of Surrey seeking feedback, asks residents to share what matters

City of Surrey is asking people to share feedback and tell the city what matters. City of Surrey says, "As a Surrey resident, your input plays an important role in shaping the City’s 2026 budget priorities. Share your thoughts by completing our online survey or visit one of our open houses to learn more about the budget process, ask questions and provide feedback." Find full details on City of Surrey's website: https://engage.surrey.ca/budge...
blue-jays-playoff-run-drives-tourism-surge-and-business-gains-in-toronto
BCNov 06, 2025

Blue Jays’ playoff run drives tourism surge and business gains in Toronto

Toronto’s hospitality and tourism sectors saw a significant boost this fall, thanks to the Blue Jays’ extended post-season run and the World Series games held in the city. Destination Toronto reported that hotel demand during the four home games of the World Series rose by an average of 15 per cent compared to the same nights last year, adding more than 11,000 room nights. Across the team’s entire playoff run, hotel demand increased by an average of 11 per cent, accounting for over 20,000 additional room nights. Andrew Weir, President and CEO of Destination Toronto, said the surge in vis
BCNov 06, 2025

Audit finds gaps in B.C. livestock tracking system used for emergency response

British Columbia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food needs stronger measures to ensure it can quickly locate farm animals during disease outbreaks or natural disasters, according to a new report from the Office of the Auditor General. The audit reviewed the ministry’s Premises ID program, which was created to help emergency officials identify where poultry and livestock are kept and who owns them. Acting Auditor General Sheila Dodds said the system could play a vital role in protecting animals and food supply chains during crises such as bird flu outbreaks, wildfires, or floods. However, th
record-number-of-shelter-spaces-opening-before-winter
BCNov 06, 2025

Record number of shelter spaces opening before winter

British Columbia is opening a record number of shelter spaces this winter to help people experiencing homelessness find warmth and safety as temperatures drop. The Province, through BC Housing, is funding 6,486 shelter spaces across 58 communities — the highest total to date. The expanded network includes 4,158 permanent shelters operating year-round, 1,154 temporary seasonal spaces, 771 extreme-weather response (EWR) beds activated during severe conditions, and 403 new Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) spaces — nearly two and a half times more than last year.
CanadaNov 06, 2025

Ottawa man pleads guilty in mass stabbing that killed mother, four children, and family friend

A 20-year-old man has pleaded guilty to six counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in connection with a mass stabbing that shocked Ottawa last year. Febrio De-Zoysa entered guilty pleas today in an Ottawa courtroom to four charges of first-degree murder and two of second-degree murder, as well as one charge of attempted murder. The killings took place in 2024 at a rented townhouse in the Barrhaven area. The victims were 35-year-old Darshani Ekanayake, her four children aged between two months and seven years, and 40-year-old family friend Gamini Amarakoon. The children’s father,
quebec-lowers-permanent-immigration-target-to-45-000-per-year-focuses-on-french-language-integration
CanadaNov 06, 2025

Quebec lowers permanent immigration target to 45,000 per year, focuses on French-language integration

The Quebec government has announced it will reduce its annual target for new permanent residents to 45,000, marking a significant shift from the roughly 61,000 people expected to settle in the province this year. The revised plan outlines a more moderate approach than earlier proposals that would have lowered the figure to as few as 25,000 newcomers annually. The government’s new immigration framework emphasizes language integration, setting a goal for nearly 80 per cent of new immigrants to achieve at least intermediate-level French by 2029. In 2019, that figure was 50 per cent. Officials s
nearly-8-000-speeding-tickets-issued-in-october-as-bc-highway-patrol-urges-drivers-to-slow-down
BCNov 06, 2025

Nearly 8,000 speeding tickets issued in October as BC Highway Patrol urges drivers to slow down

BC Highway Patrol officers issued close to 8,000 speeding tickets across the province in October, highlighting ongoing concerns about driver behaviour as winter conditions set in. The enforcement effort was part of the Drive Relative to Conditions and Pedestrian Awareness campaign, aimed at encouraging motorists to adjust their driving for changing weather and visibility. According to BC Highway Patrol data, the highest number of tickets were issued in the South Coast region, including Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, where 2,167 drivers were cited. Vancouver Island followed with 1,598 t
surrey-police-urge-vigilance-as-distraction-thefts-target-seniors-during-safety-week
CanadaNov 06, 2025

Surrey police urge vigilance as distraction thefts target seniors during Safety Week

The Surrey Police Service and the City of Surrey are reminding residents to stay alert as reports of distraction thefts continue to target seniors across the city. The awareness campaign coincides with National Seniors Safety Week, running from November 6 to 12, and focuses on helping older residents recognize and prevent these crimes. Police say 54 distraction thefts have been reported in Surrey so far this year, with many victims being seniors. Investigators note that suspects often approach their targets under friendly pretenses, such as asking for directions, complimenting jewellery, or of

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g7-allies-to-release-100-million-barrels-of-oil-to-curb-rising-prices
CanadaOct 02, 2026

G7 Allies to Release 100 Million Barrels of Oil to Curb Rising Prices

Canada and its G7 allies have agreed to release 100 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves to help ease surging global oil prices. A significant portion of the supply will be diesel, as prices for the fuel have reached record levels in Canada, the U.S. and other countries. Canada’s average diesel price stood at around $2.63 per litre on Thursday, while prices in major cities such as Vancouver were close to $2.71 per litre. The higher costs have placed additional financial pressure on truck drivers and farmers. Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Jap
abbotsford-police-arrest-48-year-old-suspect-in-two-rural-home-break-ins
BCOct 02, 2026

Abbotsford Police Arrest 48-Year-Old Suspect in Two Rural Home Break-Ins

Abbotsford Police have arrested 48-year-old Brian Barker in connection with two residential break-ins in a rural area. Police say the first incident occurred on September 3, 2026, in the Bradner Road area, when an unknown person entered a home while the family was inside and stole several valuables. Eleven days later, on September 14, another home on Montesina Avenue, about two kilometres away, was targeted. After identifying similarities between the two incidents, officers executed a search warrant at a home on Fraser Highway in Aldergrove and arrested Barker. Sgt. Hanninen said the suspect h
credit-card-fraud-and-money-laundering-arrest-warrants-issued-for-two-suspects
AlbertaOct 02, 2026

Credit Card Fraud and Money Laundering: Arrest Warrants Issued for Two Suspects

Police in Alberta have issued arrest warrants for two suspects wanted in connection with a credit card fraud and money laundering investigation spanning three cities, including Calgary. The investigation began in March last year after a Fort McMurray resident’s bank account was compromised, resulting in approximately $120,000 in fraudulent transactions. Victims in Calgary and St. Albert were also identified during the investigation. Based on an investigation by the Wood Buffalo RCMP’s Financial Crimes Unit, arrest warrants have been issued for 22-year-old Calgary resident Divianshu and 63-
five-arrested-in-b-c-extortion-investigation-one-held-at-toronto-airport
BCOct 02, 2026

Five Arrested in B.C. Extortion Investigation, One Held at Toronto Airport

Five young men have been arrested in a joint police operation in connection with an extortion investigation in British Columbia. Four foreign nationals were arrested in Surrey, while the fifth suspect was taken into custody at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Langley RCMP Supt. Harm Dosange and B.C. Extortion Task Force Chief Supt. Duncan Pound announced the arrests at a news conference on Friday. Police said all five suspects were arrested on Thursday and have been charged with extortion-related offences. According to Supt. Dosange, the investigation began in June 2025 after threats wer
BCOct 02, 2026

Chinese Steel to Be Used Again in $33B LNG Canada Phase 2 Project

Chinese steel will once again be used in the $33-billion LNG Canada Phase 2 project in Kitimat, British Columbia. The joint venture will purchase components from China Offshore Oil Engineering Co., a Chinese state-owned company that also built two liquefied natural gas processing units during the project’s first phase. The decision comes despite the Canadian government’s earlier commitment to prioritize locally produced steel under its Buy Canadian policy. The government now says private-sector companies have the right to make their own supply-chain decisions. LNG Canada spokesperson Paul