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meta-responds-to-trudeau-eby-on-row-over-blocking-canadian-news
CanadaAug 22, 2023

Meta responds to Trudeau & Eby on row over blocking Canadian news

Social media conglomerate Meta has responded to criticism from both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and B-C Premier David Eby on its decision to continue its ban on Canadian news content on Facebook and Instagram.Meta says in a statement that the company has been clear since February about the federal Online News Act and its effect on Canadian news content on its platforms.The statement also says Canadians can still access news by going directly to news outlets' websites and mobile apps, while Facebook continues to carry emergency information through crisis-response pages for both Kelowna and Ye
canada-considering-foreign-student-visa-cap-to-address-housing-shortage
CanadaAug 22, 2023

Canada considering foreign student visa cap to address housing shortage

The Canadian government is considering putting a cap on international student visas to deal with the housing crisis.Former Immigration Minister Sean Fraser gave this information while talking to journalists.Speaking to reporters in Charlottetown on Monday, he said capping the number of international students to ease pressure on the housing market is one of the options he should consider.It is worth noting that Canada is a popular choice for international students because it is easier to get a work permit compared to other countries.According to official data, 800,000 foreign students came to C
too-early-to-estimate-insured-losses-from-the-fires-the-insurance-bureau-of-canada
BCAug 22, 2023

'Too early to estimate insured losses from the fires' : The Insurance Bureau of Canada

The Insurance Bureau of Canada says it may not be possible to estimate insured losses from the fires currently burning in British Columbia, however, experts say that one should start processing the insurance claims as soon as possible. .Daniel Ivans of Rates dot ca says that when filing a claim, not every detail of the damage needs to be provided right now, and relevant information can be added later.The Insurance Bureau of Canada says all standard homeowners and tenant insurance policies cover fire damage, and also provide coverage to help with mass evacuation costs.
justin-trudeau-slams-meta-for-blocking-news-during-wildfires-in-canada
CanadaAug 21, 2023

Justin Trudeau slams Meta for blocking news during wildfires in Canada

In the wake of the devastating wildfires in Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has condemned Meta's decision to block news on its platforms in Canada.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Prince Edward Island for a cabinet retreat, where he commented on Meta that people in Canada are neither sharing nor receiving news on Facebook and Instagram.In fact, since the federal government passed its Online News Act Bill C-18 in June, Meta has blocked news on its platforms in Canada.It is worth noting that due to the wildfires, the pressure to remove the news ban on Meta is increasing.On the other han
at-least-50-buildings-lost-to-wildfire-in-west-kelowna-b-c-officials
BCAug 21, 2023

'At least 50 buildings lost to wildfire in West Kelowna' : B.C. officials

The West Kelowna fire chief says at least 50 structures have been destroyed by the McDougal Creek fire on both sides of Okanagan Lake.Jason Brolund says the damage assessment is not complete and the status of more buildings is likely to be confirmed in the coming days.Officials, however, have said that the crew has made good progress in the last few days and no casualties have been reported in the last 24 hours.The fire is still spreading in about 11,000 hectares.Evacuation orders and alerts continue for various communities in Kelowna and West Kelowna.
feds-demand-meta-to-lift-ban-from-wildfires-news
CanadaAug 18, 2023

Feds demand Meta to lift ban from wildfires news

A Canadian government minister on Friday demanded that Meta remove a ban on domestic news from its platform so that the country's people can get information about wildfires in the West.Meta began blocking news on its Facebook and Instagram platforms for all users in Canada this month.Transport Minister Pablo Rodríguez said that what Meta is doing now is completely unacceptable, and that it is very wrong not to get such information to the public.They demanded that Meta withdraw the decision.A Meta spokesperson, on the other hand, said the company has activated a "Safety Check" feature on Faceb
airspace-over-kelowna-international-airport-closed-to-accommodate-crews-battle-wildfires
BCAug 18, 2023

Airspace over Kelowna International Airport closed to accommodate crews battle wildfires

Kelowna International Airport closed its airspace on Friday morning and canceled most of the flights.Flights have been canceled to make room for aerial crews battling raging wildfires burning around the city in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley.According to the airport's website, most flights in and out of Kelowna have been canceled till Friday afternoon.It is worth mentioning that the city of Kelowna in British Columbia has also come under the grip of wild fire.A state of emergency has been declared in Kelowna city.Evacuation orders have been issued to people living in Clifton Road North, Ke
kwikwetlem-first-nation-mourns-death-of-stephanie-patterson
BCAug 18, 2023

Kwikwetlem First Nation mourns death of Stephanie Patterson

The chief of the Kwikwetlem First Nation says his entire community is grieving the sudden loss of one of its councillors.Police have said Stephanie Patterson was found dead in a rural area in Mission, B.C. on Tuesday.Chief Ron Giesbrecht says in a statement that Patterson was a keen learner who had been passionate about helping all members of their community.He says the nation is not commenting on the arrest and second-degree murder charge of 57-year-old David Hall in relation to Patterson's murder, and is asking for privacy for her family and the community.
reception-centre-for-yellowknife-evacuees-opens-in-edmonton
AlbertaAug 18, 2023

Reception centre for Yellowknife evacuees opens in Edmonton

A reception centre for Yellowknife wildfire evacuees opens today in Edmonton.The Edmonton EXPO Centre is expected to start accepting evacuees at noon.It is to provide temporary lodging, food, clothing, pet daycare and health care.Some 20,000 residents of the capital of the Northwest Territories have been ordered to leave by noon today as a wildfire threatens the main highway out of the city.

Just In

surrey-police-probe-early-morning-shooting-at-newton-business
CanadaJan 20, 2026

Surrey police probe early morning shooting at Newton business

Surrey Police Service is investigating an early morning shooting that damaged a business and several vehicles in the city’s Newton neighbourhood. Police say officers were called to the 7200 block of King George Boulevard around 4:30 am after reports of gunfire. When members arrived, they found evidence of shots fired at a commercial property and nearby vehicles. The business was closed at the time, and no injuries were reported. The Surrey Police Service Frontline Investigative Support Team attended the scene, and the Major Crime Section has now taken over the investigation. Officers remain
woman-charged-in-alleged-downtown-eastside-stabbing-vancouver-police-say
BCJan 20, 2026

Woman charged in alleged Downtown Eastside stabbing, Vancouver police say

A 29-year-old woman is facing multiple charges following an alleged stabbing involving a stranger in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside early Sunday morning, according to police. Vancouver Police say an officer on patrol near the intersection of Hastings and Abbott streets was approached around 2:50 a.m. by several people who reported their friend had just been assaulted. Investigators allege the suspect used a knife to slash the victim’s shoulder before fleeing the area. Police located the suspect shortly afterward and arrested her following a brief foot pursuit. Officers deployed a taser duri
canadian-teens-death-on-australian-beach-shocks-friends-in-b-c
CanadaJan 20, 2026

Canadian teen’s death on Australian beach shocks friends in B.C.

Friends of a Canadian woman found dead on a remote Australian beach say the news has left them stunned and grieving, as authorities continue to investigate what happened. Police in Queensland say the body of a 19-year-old woman was discovered on a beach on K’gari, also known as Fraser Island, and that it appeared to have been interfered with by a pack of about 10 dingoes. Officials have not publicly confirmed the woman’s identity, though Australian media have reported she was Canadian. Brianna Falk, a close friend from Campbell River, B.C., says she first learned something was wrong while
fog-warning-extended-for-metro-vancouver-and-inland-vancouver-island
BCJan 20, 2026

Fog warning extended for Metro Vancouver and inland Vancouver Island

Environment Canada has extended a fog warning for parts of Metro Vancouver and inland areas of Vancouver Island, citing continued near-zero visibility conditions expected to persist into Wednesday. The weather agency says dense fog remains trapped over the region due to a ridge of high pressure that is holding moist air close to the surface. The warning covers much of Metro Vancouver, excluding the North Shore, as well as inland sections of Vancouver Island, including Port Alberni. The prolonged fog has already affected transportation across the Lower Mainland. Vancouver International Airport
AlbertaJan 20, 2026

Alberta Court of Appeal Overturns Calgary Man’s Double Murder Conviction

The Alberta Court of Appeal has overturned the conviction of a Calgary man previously sentenced to life in prison for the 2020 killings of two men in northwest Calgary. Gerald Benn was initially found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder three years after the fatal shooting. At trial, the judge cited surveillance footage and DNA found on plastic bags at the scene as key evidence. In its ruling, the Court of Appeal concluded that the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to conclusively prove Benn was the shooter. The decision means Benn’s conviction has been quashed, though th