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fergus-should-stay-as-speaker-pay-a-fine-for-controversial-video-committee
CanadaDec 14, 2023

Fergus should stay as Speaker, pay a fine for controversial video : Committee

A House of Commons committee says Greg Fergus should stay in his job as Speaker, but he should apologize again and reimburse Parliament for using its resources to make a video that was shown at a partisan event. In a report released this morning, the procedure and House affairs committee also says there should be clear guidelines for future Speakers about the impartiality of their role. The Conservatives and Bloc Québécois have called for Fergus to resign over a video in tribute to the outgoing interim leader of the Ontario Liberals, and renewed those calls today. Fergus shot the video in h
surrey-drug-smuggler-flees-to-india-to-escape-punishment
BCDec 13, 2023

Surrey drug smuggler flees to India to escape punishment

Police are seeking an Interpol Red Notice on a Surrey truck driver sentenced to serve 15 years in jail for cocaine smuggling who escaped to India last year. BC RCMP say a Canada-wide warrant has also been issued for Raj Kumar Mehmi, who was sentenced in absentia in November for smuggling 80 kilograms of cocaine across the Pacific Highway crossing from the US. Police say Mehmi was originally arrested by police in 2017 after border agents found 80 bricks of cocaine on a truck owned by the Surrey man. Mehmi was found guilty of trafficking charges in September 2022 but fled to India that Octob
minister-doesnt-yet-know-cost-to-replace-deteriorating-montreal-olympic-stadium-roof
CanadaDec 13, 2023

Minister doesn't yet know cost to replace deteriorating Montreal Olympic Stadium roof

Quebec Tourism Minister Caroline Proulx says she's not able to say how much it would cost to replace the deteriorating roof of Montreal's Olympic Stadium. Proulx said today cabinet will study the issue in January, declining to comment on a report in Montreal's La Presse that said replacing the roof will cost at least $750 million. Premier François Legault said in October that the stadium will need a new roof and that he wants to restore the venue to its former glory. It will be a major task, as Proulx says there are now more than 20,000 tears in the stadium's roof. A 2017 plan by the perviou
vancouver-budget-sets-property-tax-increase-at-7-5-per-cent
BCDec 13, 2023

Vancouver budget sets property tax increase at 7.5 per cent

Vancouver residents will have to pay more in residential taxes next year, which is set to increase by 7.5%. According to Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, city staff presented the 2024-2028 Budget Outlook in June. It was projected to grow by 9.5% until the cuts were made. Sim said the council asked staff to figure out the savings after which the increase could be capped at 7.5%. 3% of this will be given to the Vancouver Police Department, whose budget for the year 2024 will be half a billion dollars, i.e. about $472 million. Sim was successful in getting support from the council to support a $100,00
edmonton-transport-company-facing-223-charges-and-108-000-in-fines
CanadaDec 13, 2023

Edmonton Transport Company facing 223 charges and $108,000 in fines

An Edmonton charter bus company is facing more than 200 charges representing over 100-thousand dollars in fines. Edmonton police say they laid 223 charges last week against Alberta North Transportation Limited for offences including not having trip inspections, log books and safety fitness certificates. According to the Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit, these vehicles were used to take students on school trips or for personal excursions. Meanwhile, these vehicles have been traveling to Drumheller, Jasper and Lake Louise. Police say officers went through six months of the company's ope
liberal-mp-expressed-his-displeasure-on-canadas-vote-in-favor-of-ceasefire
CanadaDec 13, 2023

Liberal MP expressed his displeasure on Canada's vote in favor of ceasefire

Some Liberal MPs heading into this morning's party caucus meeting were voicing their objections to Canada's decision to support a UN call for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Quebec MP Anthony Housefather says he doesn't support an unconditional call for a ceasefire and he doesn't believe a majority of his constituents do either. He thinks Canada has abandoned its traditional support for Israel at the UN at a time when Israel is at war. Other Liberal MPs welcomed Canada's vote and are thanking their colleagues who quote ``raised their voices for peace.''
voting-in-favor-of-stopping-the-war-in-gaza-153-countries-voted-in-favor
CanadaDec 13, 2023

Voting in favor of stopping the war in Gaza, 153 countries voted in favor

Overwhelming support was seen today as the U-N General Assembly voted to demand a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. Arab and Islamic nations called for an emergency session of the 193-member General Assembly to vote on a resolution after the U-S vetoed a resolution in the Security Council demanding a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza on Friday. Today's vote shows a strong demonstration of global support for ending the Israel-Hamas war . While 10 member countries including America and Israel voted against it. There, 23 members distanced themselves from it and 7 other countries remained absent. Last
greg-fergus-will-need-to-pay-fine-apologize-to-stay-on-as-house-speaker-ndp
CanadaDec 12, 2023

Greg Fergus will need to pay fine, apologize to stay on as House Speaker: NDP

The federal New Democrats say they won't be calling for House Speaker Greg Fergus to resign over a video that was shown at a partisan event, but they do endorse a call for him to be disciplined. NDP House leader Peter Julian says Fergus will need to apologize for his actions again and pay a fine — though he would not say how steep that could be. The video played at a recent party convention saw Fergus paying tribute to the outgoing interim leader of the Ontario Liberals while wearing his ceremonial Speaker's robes. Fergus apologized Monday to the procedure and House affairs committee, which
dont-call-it-insurance-what-dentists-want-you-to-know-about-the-federal-dental-plan
BCDec 12, 2023

Don't call it insurance: What dentists want you to know about the federal dental plan

The federal government has announced enrolment details for a new federal dental plan that resembles typical insurance coverage, down to the benefits card patients show at the dentists' office. But dentists say the new government program isn't the same as the insurance people typically get from employers, and patients should be clear about the differences. British Columbia Dental Association president Dr. Robert Wolanski says the government plan is more of a social program than a typical insurance program.Wolanski says that program has some distinct differences from an employer insurance progra

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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,