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us-urges-nato-allies-to-boost-defense-spending-to-5-of-gdp
CanadaApr 04, 2025

US Urges NATO Allies to Boost Defense Spending to 5% of GDP

While the trade war between Canada and the US threatens to slow down the economy, the Trump administration has urged Canada and other NATO countries to increase defense spending to 5 percent of their GDP. This request was made during a meeting held in Brussels on Thursday. Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly attended the meeting. She pointed out that the US itself does not meet that target. Meanwhile, during the election campaign in Quebec, when journalists asked Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre whether the US had urged NATO members to increase defense spending to 5 percent of GDP, he
premier-david-eby-meets-forestry-leaders-to-address-potential-u-s-tariffs-on-b-c-lumber
BCApr 04, 2025

Premier David Eby Meets Forestry Leaders to Address Potential U.S. Tariffs on B.C. Lumber

Premier David Eby is meeting with forestry leaders in Prince George today to discuss strategies to protect British Columbia's largest export industry from potential tariffs. Eby has raised concerns that President Donald Trump may impose additional tariffs on top of the existing 14.5 percent duty on B.C. softwood lumber. B.C.'s forestry sector is a critical component of the province's economy, contributing $17.4 billion to the GDP and providing thousands of jobs. The U.S. has long accused B.C. of subsidizing its lumber industry. According to the Business Council of B.C., if Trump imposes an ad
brazil-to-require-visas-for-canadian-tourists-starting-april-10
CanadaApr 04, 2025

Brazil to Require Visas for Canadian Tourists Starting April 10

Canadian tourists will now need a visa to visit Brazil, with the new requirement taking effect on April 10. Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa for stays of up to 90 days for tourism purposes. However, visas are not required for stays of up to 90 days for business or student purposes. This policy change will also apply to travelers from the United States and Australia. According to VFS, the company authorized by the Brazilian government to issue e-visas, travelers who already have a valid physical visa in their passport for the purpose of their trip do not need to apply for a new one
sharp-job-loss-hits-canadian-economy-in-march
CanadaApr 04, 2025

Sharp Job Loss Hits Canadian Economy in March

The Canadian economy experienced its largest job loss since 2022 in March. Statistics Canada reported on Friday that 33,000 jobs were lost last month, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.1 percentage point to 6.7 per cent. The report noted that uncertainty over tariffs has impacted new hiring and triggered some layoffs. The most significant drop in employment occurred in the private sector. Most economists had anticipated signs of weakness in the job market in March, as companies delayed investment and hiring amid ongoing tariff concerns. According to Statistics Canada, a total of 1.5
quebec-government-tables-bill-to-combat-election-disinformation-and-interference
CanadaApr 03, 2025

Quebec government tables bill to combat election disinformation and interference

The Quebec government has introduced a bill to preserve the integrity of the electoral process by tackling deliberate disinformation and election interference. The bill tabled today by the province's minister for democratic institutions would make it an offence to knowingly spread false information to influence or disturb an election or compromise the public’s trust in the electoral process. Jean-François Roberge says it would also be an offence to falsely represent the chief electoral officer or a candidate in order to mislead the public. Roberge says examples of false representations incl
poilievre-pledges-to-scrap-gst-on-canadian-made-vehicles
CanadaApr 03, 2025

Poilievre Pledges to Scrap GST on Canadian-Made Vehicles

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has pledged to eliminate the GST on Canadian-made cars and light trucks if elected. He stated that this measure would save Canadians up to $2,500 on vehicles priced at $50,000 or less, while also boosting demand for domestic automobiles and protecting auto industry jobs. During a campaign stop in Kingston, Ontario, Poilievre urged provincial premiers to cut provincial taxes by the same amount, which could result in total savings of up to $7,000 per vehicle for consumers.
us-tariff-policy-countries-affected-and-exemptions
CanadaApr 03, 2025

US Tariff Policy: Countries Affected and Exemptions

US President Donald Trump has targeted several countries with reciprocal tariffs ranging from 10% to 50%. However, some nations, including Russia, North Korea, Cuba, and Belarus, have been left off the list. This decision has led many to question why major trading partners like India, the European Union, and Vietnam have been hit with heavy tariffs while these countries were not. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explained that Russia and North Korea were excluded because the US does not trade with them due to sanctions. He also noted that Canada and Mexico were not included in the new tari
third-suspect-arrested-in-edmonton-february-murder-case
CanadaApr 03, 2025

Third Suspect Arrested in Edmonton February Murder Case

Police have arrested a third suspect in connection with the February murder of Sukhvir Singh in Edmonton. The 32-year-old victim’s body was discovered near 17th Street and Yellowhead Trail on February 28, with an autopsy confirming that he had been murdered. On Tuesday, officers arrested 22-year-old Jasmeet Singh, who has been charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping. This follows the earlier arrests of 29-year-old Manpreet Brar on March 10 and 21-year-old Gursimran Singh on March 13. Authorities have also issued a Canada-wide warrant for 27-year-old Lovepreet Sidhu, who remains at l
rise-in-retail-theft-worker-safety-prompts-vancouver-security-task-force
CanadaApr 03, 2025

Rise in retail theft, worker safety prompts Vancouver security task force

A spike in retail theft, in what the City of Vancouver says is led by organized crime and repeat offenders, has prompted the launch a retail security task force. Vancouver council passed a motion creating the initiative aimed at curbing the thefts and improving safety for businesses and their employees. Mayor Ken Sim says in a statement that retail theft is hurting communities across the city, and the task force is aimed at tackling the situation. The statement says there were almost 7,700 shoplifting incidents in the city last year, an 11.7 per cent increase from the year before. The task for

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BCApr 07, 2026

Vaisakhi match at BC Place, Whitecaps win thriller against Portland Timbers

On Saturday, the Vancouver Whitecaps played the Vaisakhi match at the iconic BC Place Stadium in Vancouver. The team dedicated its April 4 match to Vaisakhi and for this reason, the match against the Portland Timbers was named the Vaisakhi match.Bhangra performance by Naam Bhangra, Anmol Rattan and YBC Bhangra at BC Place stadium.During the Vaisakhi celebrations, performances related to Bhangra and Punjabi music were seen during the pre-game and half-time. More than 24,400 spectators had arrived to watch this match.Bhangra performance by Naam bhangra, Anmol Rattan and UBC bhangra during the
vancouver-island-man-sentenced-to-more-than-nine-years-for-child-exploitation-offences
BCApr 07, 2026

Vancouver Island man sentenced to more than nine years for child exploitation offences

A man from Tofino has been sentenced to more than nine years in prison after being convicted of multiple sexual offences involving minors he contacted online, according to police. In a statement, Port Alberni RCMP said Loki Tchir was sentenced on March 28 in Port Alberni on charges that include possession of child sexual abuse material and sexual interference involving a minor. Police said the sentence also imposes long-term restrictions following his release, including limits on employment, contact with minors and attendance at certain public places for a period of 15 years. According to RCMP
charges-approved-after-surrey-driver-struck-by-bullet-in-march-24-incident
BCApr 07, 2026

Charges approved after Surrey driver struck by bullet in March 24 incident

A 42-year-old man is facing multiple criminal charges after a driver was struck by a bullet in Surrey on March 24, according to a release from Surrey Police Service. Police say officers responded around 10:56 p.m. to a reported motor vehicle collision with injuries in the 10300 block of University Drive. According to Surrey Police Service, investigators later determined the victim had been driving northbound on University Avenue when they were allegedly hit by a Gun Shot. BC Emergency Health Services transported the injured person to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. Th
carney-outlines-51b-federal-plan-for-local-infrastructure-housing-and-health-projects
CanadaApr 07, 2026

Carney outlines $51B federal plan for local infrastructure, housing and health projects

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal government will invest $51 billion over the next decade to address infrastructure gaps across Canada, with funding directed toward municipal projects, housing and health care facilities. Speaking in Brampton on Tuesday, Carney detailed how the Build Communities Strong Fund, first announced in the 2025 federal budget, will allocate $27.8 billion for core infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and water and sewer systems. A further $6 billion is earmarked for community-level projects, including recreation centres. According to the Prime Minister’s of
good-samaritan-killed-two-injured-in-highway-16-crash-near-witset-police-say
BCApr 07, 2026

Good Samaritan killed, two injured in Highway 16 crash near Witset, police say

A man who stopped to help a stranded driver on a northern British Columbia highway was killed when an SUV struck a parked pickup, according to BC Highway Patrol. Police said the crash happened at about 8:30 p.m. Thursday on Highway 16 near Witset after a grey flatbed pickup pulled over due to mechanical issues. Two passing drivers stopped and got out to assist. Investigators say a Chevrolet SUV then collided with the stationary pickup and the people outside the vehicles. A 60-year-old man from Witset was pronounced dead at the scene. A 45-year-old man from Calgary and the 42-year-old driver of