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CanadaJun 05, 2026

Vancouver airport expands biometric boarding ahead of FIFA World Cup travel surge

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has expanded its use of biometric boarding technology as it prepares for increased passenger volumes during the FIFA World Cup. According to airport officials, 42 biometric boarding gates are now operating across the airport. The technology is expected to speed up the boarding process by approximately 13 per cent, helping reduce wait times for travellers. The airport has also introduced new CT screening technology at security checkpoints. Under the upgraded system, passengers will no longer be required to remove liquids and large electronic devices from th
grocery-benefit-top-up-payments-begin-for-eligible-canadians
CanadaJun 05, 2026

Grocery benefit top-up payments begin for eligible Canadians

Eligible Canadians are expected to begin receiving one-time federal grocery benefit top-up payments starting today as part of the Liberal government's affordability measures. The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, previously known as the GST/HST credit, provides support to lower-income households to help offset rising living costs. The federal government says payments will be issued automatically to qualifying recipients through direct deposit or by mail. According to the federal government, approximately 12 million Canadians are eligible for the one-time payment. Benefit amounts vary by
second-shooting-reported-at-surrey-home-linked-to-extortion-investigation
CanadaJun 04, 2026

Second Shooting Reported at Surrey Home Linked to Extortion Investigation

A Surrey home that was previously targeted in a shooting last month was struck by gunfire again early Thursday morning, according to Surrey Police Service (SPS). Police said officers responded at approximately 4:02 a.m. to reports of shots fired near 57 Avenue and 148 Street in the South Newton neighbourhood. Frontline officers located evidence confirming that gunfire had occurred at the property. Authorities said several people were inside the home at the time of the shooting, but no injuries were reported. The extent of any property damage has not been released. According to SPS, the investi
man-charged-after-rcmp-officer-injured-during-alleged-migrant-smuggling-investigation-in-quebec
CanadaJun 04, 2026

Man charged after RCMP officer injured during alleged migrant smuggling investigation in Quebec

A 25-year-old man is facing multiple charges after an RCMP officer was injured during an alleged migrant smuggling operation near the Canada–U.S. border in southern Quebec, according to the RCMP. Police said the incident occurred Tuesday night near Noyan, Que., south of Montreal, while a border enforcement team was searching for five people who had allegedly entered Canada illegally. According to the RCMP, an officer attempted to intercept a vehicle linked to the investigation when the driver allegedly rammed the door of a police vehicle before fleeing the area. RCMP said Chetan Kumar, 25, w
canada-unveils-national-ai-strategy-with-goal-of-creating-90-000-ai-related-jobs-by-2031
CanadaJun 04, 2026

Canada unveils national AI strategy with goal of creating 90,000 AI-related jobs by 2031

The federal government has released a new national artificial intelligence strategy aimed at expanding Canada's AI sector, increasing business adoption of the technology, and creating new employment opportunities across the country. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon unveiled the strategy in Toronto on Thursday. According to the government, the plan includes a $2.3 billion investment intended to strengthen Canada's position in the global AI industry. The strategy sets a target of creating 90,000 AI-related jobs and work opportunities for Canadians by 2
former-surrey-police-chief-norm-lipinski-says-no-reason-was-given-for-dismissal
CanadaJun 04, 2026

Former Surrey Police Chief Norm Lipinski Says No Reason Was Given for Dismissal

Former Surrey Police Service (SPS) Chief Norm Lipinski has publicly addressed his dismissal for the first time, saying he was not provided with a clear reason for the decision. In a letter to SPS employees, Lipinski said he had returned to work early from vacation and was called into a Surrey Police Board meeting on his first day back. According to the letter, board members informed him that his employment was being terminated but did not provide a specific explanation for the decision. Lipinski wrote that he had not expected his tenure with the service to end in this manner. He said he rema
ford-pushes-back-after-trump-again-refers-to-canada-as-51st-state
CanadaJun 02, 2026

Ford Pushes Back After Trump Again Refers to Canada as ‘51st State’

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is pushing back against renewed comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, who once again referred to Canada as the “51st state” in a social media post Tuesday. In a post on X, Ford said Canada “will never be the 51st state” and is “not for sale.” His comments came after Trump shared a Bloomberg report about Canada's economy and described the country as the “51st State.” The post was later reshared by U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra, drawing further attention to Trump's remarks. According to the social media posts, Trump’s references to Canad
carney-defends-economic-agenda-amid-recession-debate-in-canada
CanadaJun 02, 2026

Carney Defends Economic Agenda Amid Recession Debate in Canada

Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged signs of weakness in the Canadian economy on Tuesday but defended the federal government's economic strategy amid criticism from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Carney said his government is focused on building a stronger, more productive and more independent Canadian economy. He declined to describe the current situation as a recession, despite renewed debate following the release of recent economic data. According to Statistics Canada figures released last week, the Canadian economy recorded contractions in two co
leblanc-to-meet-u-s-trade-representative-as-canada-seeks-to-advance-trade-discussions
CanadaJun 02, 2026

LeBlanc to meet U.S. trade representative as Canada seeks to advance trade discussions

Canada–U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc is scheduled to travel to Washington on Tuesday for talks with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, according to LeBlanc's office. Spokesperson Gabriel Brunet said LeBlanc will be joined by Canada's Chief Trade Negotiator, Janice Charette, for the meeting. The discussions come as Canada and the United States prepare for a mandatory review of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), the continental trade pact governing trade among the three countries. Formal trade negotiations between Ottawa and Washington have not yet begun ahead

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BCJul 15, 2026

Elderly woman distracted and robbed of gold necklace in Vancouver, police seek suspects

A 76-year-old woman was allegedly robbed of her gold necklace after being distracted by an unknown woman in Vancouver's East 11th Avenue and Victoria Drive area on Tuesday, according to the Vancouver Police Department. Police said the incident occurred at about 12:30 p.m. while the senior was waiting for family members. An unidentified woman approached her and claimed she looked like her mother, whose birthday she said it was. The suspect then hugged the victim and, during the interaction, allegedly removed the woman's gold necklace and replaced it with a fake one. The victim reportedly discov
AlbertaJul 15, 2026

Alberta launches online bike lane complaint form ahead of planned legislation

The Alberta government has launched an online public feedback form inviting residents to report concerns about bike lanes as it prepares legislation expected this fall. According to the Alberta government, Albertans can use the online form to share concerns about bike lanes in their communities, including whether they believe a lane is underused, has reduced on-street parking, contributed to traffic congestion, affected local businesses, or delayed emergency response times. The province says the feedback will help inform future transportation policy decisions. Transportation Minister Devin Dre
canada-pauses-new-parent-and-grandparent-sponsorship-applications-for-2026
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Canada pauses new parent and grandparent sponsorship applications for 2026

The federal government says it will not accept any new applications this year under Canada's Parents and Grandparents Program as it works to reduce processing times and manage a large backlog of existing files. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), approximately 60,500 sponsorship applications are currently being processed. The department said it expects to approve about 15,000 parents and grandparents each year over the next two years from applications already in the system. IRCC said the temporary pause is intended to improve processing efficiency. The department
federal-government-names-new-members-to-independent-senate-appointments-advisory-board
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Federal government names new members to independent Senate appointments advisory board

The federal government has announced new appointments to the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, one week after Prime Minister Mark Carney named four new senators to the upper chamber. According to a federal government news release, the advisory board will continue to provide non-binding recommendations to the prime minister on Senate appointments. The board was established in 2016 to support a merit-based and independent appointments process. The government said the board will continue to include three federal members, including a chair, along with two additional members from
BCJul 15, 2026

Surrey man sentenced to nearly five years in prison in extortion-related shooting and arson case

A Surrey Provincial Court judge has sentenced Abhijeet Kingra to nearly five years in prison for his role in a 2024 extortion-related shooting and arson targeting a Surrey home. According to court records, Kingra pleaded guilty on July 6 to charges of discharging a firearm at a residence and committing arson. The offences stem from an Aug. 10, 2024 incident in which a home belonging to a person who had reportedly received extortion threats was shot at and set on fire. The court imposed a two-year sentence for arson and a sentence of four years, 10 months and 19 days for the shooting offence. T