McGill University and Concordia University are suing the Quebec government over its decision to hike tuition for out-of-province students by about 30 per cent. In separate lawsuits, the two Montreal universities say the government's decision constitutes discrimination under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and that the hikes have damaged the schools' reputations. Tuition is set to rise to roughly $12,000 from about $9,000 for out-of-province students next fall, except for Quebec's only other English university Bishop's which was exempted it is outside Montreal. The Quebec government

The British government has appointed Dr. Samir Shah of Indian origin as the new head of the BBC. 72-year-old Dr. Sameer Shah has more than 40 years of experience in journalism. He has held many important positions. His name was put forward by the British government in December last year and his selection passed the stage of being approved by King Charles this week. Dr. Sameer Shah will take charge on March 4. Their tenure will be 4 years and they will get a salary of 1,60,000 pounds per year. He is the first person of Indian origin to reach the post of BBC Chairman. He was born in Aurangabad

The BC government is set to present its 2024-25 budget on Thursday, and Premier David Eby's government gave its last speech before an election in the fall. Meanwhile, he promised to give relief to the people of the state regarding inflation and rising prices. Janet Austin, the province's lieutenant-governor, said many people were still struggling to get by. He said that parents are struggling to save their children from falling into wrong hands. General elections are to be held in the state this year. State House Leader Ravi Kahlon promised to introduce legislation to ban demonstrations near

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is in India to promote trade despite heightened tensions between Canada and the overseas country. Moe says he wants to maintain and expand markets that thousands of Saskatchewan jobs rely upon. Tensions hit a boiling point last year, after India was accused of being involved in the killing of a Sikh community leader in British Columbia and meddling in Canada's affairs. The accusations led to India forcing most of Canada's diplomats to be sent home. Saskatchewan Opposition NDP trade critic Aleana Young says she hopes Moe addresses the killing in Canada, should tha

British Columbia Premier David Eby has named a new post-secondary education minister to replace Selina Robinson, who recently resigned over comments about the Middle East. Eby says in a statement that Lisa Beare, previously the minister of citizens' services, will fill the post-secondary education and future skills portfolio. George Chow moves into the citizens' services position left open by Beare's appointment. Robinson stepped down as a minister on Feb. 5 amid an outcry by pro-Palestinian groups and others in response to remarks she made during an online panel. Her comment that modern Israe

The political agenda for British Columbia Premier David Eby's NDP government heading into an election this fall will take shape today with the delivery of a throne speech starting the spring legislative session. The speech outlining the government's goals this year comes just ahead of the provincial budget on Thursday and the election this fall. Recent forecasts from the Ministry of Finance and private financial experts suggest the province will experience slow economic growth this year. Eby has said he expects the government to table about 20 pieces of new legislation and a budget that look

Fire officials in Chilliwack, B.C., say an early morning blaze at an apartment complex has displaced six families. The Chilliwack Fire Department says the blaze was reported around 5:30 Monday morning, and more than three dozen firefighters responded to the apartment complex on Edward Street. The department says in a news release the ``heavy fire'' had destroyed three vehicles by the time firefighters arrived, spewing smoke and flames through the building. It says the building has six semi-detached units and all residents got out safely before crews extinguished the flames. The departmen

B2Gold Corp. says three employees have died after an attack on a bus transporting workers in Mali. The company says the bus, which was travelling under Malian gendarme escort, was going from its Fekola mine to Bamako, the capital of Mali. It says initial reports indicate several other employees travelling on the bus were also wounded. B2Gold says the attack occurred over 300 kilometers northeast of the Fekola mine, along a route that has been the focus of an increased security presence by the Malian armed forces. The company says it has been engaged with the Malian government on further improv

British Columbia's Opposition Leader Kevin Falcon is pitching a housing plan that aims to get more first-time buyers into homes, and it comes just days after Premier David Eby promised to build more affordable rental units for the middle class. Falcon says the BC United's "Fix Housing" plan includes four initiatives to reduce the high cost of housing and increase supply, which he pledges to introduce if his party takes power in this fall's election. He says he'll drop the province's property transfer tax for first-time homebuyers who purchase for less than $1 million, eliminate the provincial