14.41°C Vancouver

News

b-c-urges-federal-government-to-increase-provincial-nominee-program-quotas
BCApr 14, 2025

B.C. Urges Federal Government to Increase Provincial Nominee Program Quotas

The British Columbia government is calling on the federal government to raise its 2025 allocation under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), citing urgent workforce needs. The province reports that it met its 2024 target of 8,000 workers and is now requesting an increase to 11,000 nominees for 2025. However, Ottawa has reduced B.C.’s allocation to just 4,000, a move the province says is undermining its ability to meet labour market demands. The B.C. government argues that a higher quota would enable the province to process the majority of pending applications and accept approximately 1,100
canadian-prime-ministerial-candidates-to-face-off-in-bilingual-debates-on-april-16-and-17
CanadaApr 14, 2025

Canadian Prime Ministerial Candidates to Face Off in Bilingual Debates on April 16 and 17

Candidates in the race to become the next Prime Minister of Canada including Mark Carney, Pierre Poilievre, and Jagmeet Singh will participate in national debates in both French and English on April 16 and 17. Key topics have been outlined for each debate. The French-language debate will primarily focus on the cost of living, energy and climate, trade disputes, identity and sovereignty, immigration, and foreign affairs. Meanwhile, the English-language debate will cover affordability and the cost of living, energy and climate, public safety and security, as well as tariffs and threats to Canada
jathedar-giani-harpreet-singh-criticizes-sukhbir-singh-badals-re-election-as-akali-dal-president
IndiaApr 14, 2025

Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh Criticizes Sukhbir Singh Badal's Re-election as Akali Dal President

Former Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Giani Harpreet Singh, has strongly criticized the re-election of Sukhbir Singh Badal as president of the Shiromani Akali Dal. In a sharp social media post, he referred to Badal not as the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, but as the leader of the "Shiromani Bhagaura Dal", using the term Bhagaura (deserter) to question his legitimacy. Giani Harpreet Singh also alleged that the election process was undemocratic. He pointed out that the delegates who voted for the president were initially selected by the president himself, calling it a circular and
murder-convicts-will-spend-life-in-prison-says-pierre-poilievre
CanadaApr 14, 2025

Murder Convicts Will Spend Life in Prison, Says Pierre Poilievre

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre has declared that individuals convicted of murder will face life in prison with no chance of release. He emphasized that perpetrators of mass murder will be denied bail and, in his words, "Multiple-murderers should only come out in a box." Poilievre stated that he plans to introduce legislation in Parliament that would empower judges to hand down life sentences for multiple murder convictions, all while respecting the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The announcement came during Poilievre’s visit to Montreal this morning and reflects his co
canadian-parliamentary-elections-record-number-of-indian-and-punjabi-origin-candidates-in-the-fray
CanadaApr 14, 2025

Canadian Parliamentary Elections: Record Number of Indian and Punjabi-Origin Candidates in the Fray

A record number of candidates of Indian and Punjabi origin are contesting in the ongoing Canadian parliamentary elections, reflecting the growing political influence of the South Asian community. This time, candidates from this background are contesting in around 65 constituencies across the country. In the 2021 elections, 45 Punjabi-origin candidates stood for election, with 17 securing seats in the House of Commons. In 2019, 47 contested, and 22 were elected. The current elections feature Punjabi candidates not only from major parties such as the Liberal Party, Conservative Party, and the Ne
sukhbir-singh-badal-re-elected-as-shiromani-akali-dal-president
IndiaApr 14, 2025

Sukhbir Singh Badal Re-elected as Shiromani Akali Dal President

Sukhbir Singh Badal has been re-elected as the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab. In his victory speech, Badal alleged that a conspiracy had been orchestrated over the past six months to weaken the Akali Dal and eliminate the leadership of the Panth. He claimed that this conspiracy began after the Shiromani Akali Dal parted ways with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Badal further asserted that unlike other political parties, which he said have no real concern for Punjab, only the Shiromani Akali Dal is capable of leading the state toward progress. Speaking at a rally in Ta
bank-of-canada-set-to-announce-interest-rate-decision-amid-economic-uncertainty
CanadaApr 14, 2025

Bank of Canada Set to Announce Interest Rate Decision Amid Economic Uncertainty

Canada's central bank is set to announce its interest rate decision on Wednesday. The Bank of Canada's meeting comes at a time when the federal election and economic uncertainty exacerbated by U.S. President Donald Trump's shifting tariff policies, have made it difficult to forecast the economic outlook. Financial markets and analysts remain divided on the likely outcome. Some expect the bank to cut interest rates by another 0.25 percentage points on April 16, which would bring its key policy rate down to 2.5%. However, others believe that after seven consecutive rate cuts, the Bank of Canada
partap-singh-bajwa-faces-backlash-over-bomb-statement
IndiaApr 14, 2025

Partap Singh Bajwa Faces Backlash Over Bomb Statement

Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, is facing legal trouble over his controversial statement about bombs during a news channel interview. The State Cyber Crime Police in Mohali has registered an FIR against Bajwa and summoned him for questioning. During the interview with a private TV channel, Bajwa claimed, citing unnamed sources, that 50 grenades had entered Punjab, with 18 allegedly detonated and 32 still undiscovered. The teaser of this interview, aired before the full show on Sunday, sparked political turmoil in the state. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann dir
mehul-choksi-arrested-in-belgium-on-indias-extradition-request
WorldApr 14, 2025

Mehul Choksi Arrested in Belgium on India’s Extradition Request

Fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi has been arrested in Belgium following an extradition request by Indian investigative agencies. Choksi is a key suspect in the ₹13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, alongside his nephew, Nirav Modi. Indian authorities have initiated the process to extradite Choksi from Belgium. However, Choksi has sought bail in court, citing ill health and claiming he was in Belgium for medical treatment. According to reports, Choksi was allegedly attempting to flee Belgium to Switzerland before his arrest. Meanwhile, his nephew Nirav Modi, also implica

Just In

BCJul 15, 2026

Two killed, one seriously injured in Vancouver Island helicopter crash

Two people were killed and one person was seriously injured after a helicopter crashed in a remote area of Vancouver Island on Tuesday morning. According to West Coast Helicopters, the crash occurred at approximately 6:15 a.m. in the Loughborough Inlet area, where the aircraft was supporting forestry operations. The company said the victims have been identified as pilot Riley Brown and forestry worker Bobby Novak. The third occupant survived the crash and was taken for medical treatment with serious injuries. Their identity has not been released. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has t
BCJul 15, 2026

Canfor announces closure of another B.C. mill, about 300 jobs affected

Forestry company Canfor has announced it will permanently close its Northwood pulp mill in Prince George, a decision that is expected to affect approximately 300 employees. According to a company news release, the closure is driven by ongoing financial losses, a shortage of economically viable fibre supply, and continued weakness in global pulp markets. Canfor said an oversupply of pulp and a significant decline in market prices have created sustained challenges for the sector. The company said the Northwood pulp mill will cease operations by the end of the fourth quarter of 2026. The closure
bank-of-canada-holds-key-interest-rate-at-2-25-for-sixth-straight-decision
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Bank of Canada holds key interest rate at 2.25% for sixth straight decision

The Bank of Canada has kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.25 per cent following its latest monetary policy decision on Wednesday, marking the sixth consecutive announcement with no change to the policy rate. According to the Bank of Canada, the Governing Council, led by Governor Tiff Macklem, decided to maintain the current rate amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding global economic conditions. The central bank cited volatility in global oil prices linked to tensions in the Middle East and continued uncertainty over the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) as factors in
punjab-government-likely-to-convene-monsoon-assembly-session-in-early-august
IndiaJul 15, 2026

Punjab government likely to convene Monsoon Assembly session in early August

The Punjab government is expected to convene the Monsoon session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha during the first week of August, according to information available from government sources. The session is likely to continue for about a week and is expected to conclude before August 15. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has begun consultations on the proposed agenda for the session. According to government sources, discussions are underway on the legislative business to be introduced during the sitting. Among the measures that could be taken up is a proposed amendment to the Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sa
AlbertaJul 15, 2026

Court hearing to resume in legal dispute involving Alberta separatist leader after asset freeze

A court hearing is scheduled to continue today in Calgary in a civil case involving Alberta separatist figure Jeffrey Rath, whose assets were temporarily frozen last week as part of an ongoing legal dispute. Last week, Court of King's Bench Justice Michael Marion granted an interim injunction freezing up to $8.5 million in assets held by Rath. According to court proceedings, the order is scheduled for review as the legal case between Rath and Tallcree First Nation moves forward. Tallcree First Nation alleges Rath, its former lawyer, misappropriated millions of dollars from a multimillion-dolla