The Punjab government is reportedly planning to incur new debt amounting to Rs 49,900 crore, according to recent media reports. Out of the Rs 1.02 lakh crore budget presented by the Bhagwant Mann government for 2025-26, a substantial portion will be allocated to salaries, pensions, electricity subsidies, and loan interest payments. This leaves only Rs 9,067 crore for developmental projects and other expenses. The budget, unveiled yesterday, includes Rs 450 crore for the free bus travel scheme for women, the same allocation as the current financial year. However, the scheme’s actual expendit

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has announced a significant policy proposal regarding Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs). Under a Conservative government, Poilievre plans to allow Canadians to contribute an additional $5,000 per year beyond the current TFSA limit, provided the additional funds are invested exclusively in Canadian companies. The current TFSA contribution limit is $7,000, adjusted annually to account for inflation. Canadians can hold a variety of assets in their TFSAs, including cash, guaranteed investment certificates (GICs), stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange-trade

U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening large tariffs on the European Union and Canada if they work together to do economic harm to the U.S. In a post on social media, Trump says the tariffs would be "far larger than currently planned. " The comments follow Trump's move to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all automobile imports to the U.S. starting next week. A fact sheet provided by the White House says automobiles imported under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement will only be tariffed on the value of content not made in the United States. Prime Minister Mark Carney has called the auto tariffs

Police in New Westminster are appealing for the public's help to find the driver involved in a hit-and-run crash that sent a woman to hospital. Police say officers responded to a report of the crash at about 11:20 Tuesday night at the intersection of Boyd and Gifford streets. They say officers found the injured driver, and while the vehicle that struck her was found parked further down the street, near Boundary Road, its driver had left. The woman was taken to hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, and police say the suspect vehicle is a grey 2001 Toyota Tacoma.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is channelling Winston Churchill to categorically reject accusations she is turning her back on Canada by meeting and talking to U.S. officials and influencers who wish her country harm. It comes as Smith prepares to fly to Florida today to join an event with an American podcaster who has mocked Canada as a ``silly country'' and spoken about it being annexed as the 51st state. Smith, in a speech to the house, says it is now apparently, in her words, ``treason'' to talk to American media personalities whom we disagree with. And she says she is being unjustly

Liberal Leader Mark Carney is back in Ottawa today to deal with the fallout of new auto tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Carney said he was suspending his campaign plans for the day and would return to Ottawa to hold a meeting of the Canada-U.S. cabinet committee. It's unclear when Carney will be back on the road to continue campaigning. Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all automobile imports to the United States next week but the deep integration of the North American industry is resulting in con

Six people died and nine others were injured after a tourist submarine sank in the popular Egyptian Red Sea destination of Hurghada, two municipal officials said Thursday. They were speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media. Emergency crews were able to rescue 29 people, according to a statement released by the Red Sea governorate. The submarine was sailing off one of the beaches in the tourist promenade area, and it had carried 45 tourists of various nationalities. It was not immediately clear what caused the submarine to sink. Many tourist compani

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre will be in B.C. on Thursday for his election campaign. He is set to arrive in Coquitlam, where he will hold a press conference. Poilievre will be the first federal party leader to visit the Lower Mainland during the current election. Later in the day, he will host his “Canada First” rally in Surrey. Poilievre’s visit comes as polls indicate the Liberal Party is currently leading the Conservatives in the province. The election, which will determine Canada’s next prime minister, is set to take place on April 28, six months ahead of schedule.

British Columbia drivers will soon receive a new $110 rebate from ICBC, announced on Wednesday. The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) stated that customers with an active basic insurance policy in January 2025 will be eligible for the rebate. This marks the fifth rebate for ICBC customers since February 2021. ICBC further clarified that eligible drivers will receive a letter notifying them of the rebate. Drivers who paid for their insurance with a credit card will have the rebate refunded to their card, while those who paid with cash, check, or debit card will receive the amoun