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canada-may-cut-student-visas-further
CanadaJun 27, 2025

Canada may cut student visas further

The Canadian government may cut student visas further. Immigration Minister Lina Diab is set to launch a consultation on immigration targets this summer, with a focus on student visas. This comes after the federal government last year announced a cap on study permits and a gradual reduction in the number of student visas. A spokeswoman for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada says the government expects schools to only accept students they can support by providing housing and other services. Meanwhile, the main opposition Conservatives are already in favor of this cut, with the pa
surrey-sikh-games-canada-2025-begin-at-tamanawis-park
BCJun 27, 2025

Surrey: Sikh Games Canada 2025 begin at Tamanawis Park

The Sikh Games Canada 2025 opened yesterday at Tamanawis Park in Surrey and will continue until Sunday, June 29. The event, which began in 2008 as a field hockey tournament, has grown into one of the largest multicultural sporting festivals in North America. Organizers emphasized that the Games represent more than competition. “This event is built on the Sikh principle of seva, or selfless service. Athletes compete, but they also serve their community by building bonds across cultures,” said one organizing committee member. Spectators told Connect FM they see the Games as both a celebrati
canadian-tourist-found-dead-in-dominican-republic-officials-say
CanadaJun 27, 2025

Canadian tourist found dead in Dominican Republic, officials say

Dominican Republic officials say a Canadian tourist was found dead in a northern part of the country last week. The country’s civil defence agency says 33-year-old Dorian Christian MacDonald was found dead in the water on a beach in the Puerto Plata resort town of Maimon Bay last Friday. Agency spokesperson Jenssen Sanchez says first responders rushed to the scene after receiving a call at 3 a.m. local time, and the body was located more than an hour later. He says MacDonald was last seen walking on the beach before he died. Global Affairs Canada says it is “aware of the death of a Canadia
statistics-canada-says-real-gdp-down-0-1-per-cent-in-april-as-manufacturing-slowed
CanadaJun 27, 2025

Statistics Canada says real GDP down 0.1 per cent in April as manufacturing slowed

Statistics Canada says real gross domestic product edged down 0.1 per cent in April as the manufacturing sector slowed. The agency also says its advance estimate for May points to another 0.1 per cent decline for that month. The pullback in April came as goods-producing industries fell 0.6 per cent, with manufacturing accounting for nearly all the decline. The manufacturing sector was down 1.9 per cent in April, the largest drop since April 2021. Durable goods manufacturing fell 2.2 per cent in April, while non-durable goods manufacturing dropped 1.6 per cent. Meanwhile, services-producing ind
senate-passes-controversial-bill-to-fast-track-major-projects
CanadaJun 27, 2025

Senate passes controversial bill to fast-track major projects

Parliament has passed controversial major projects legislation that Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada needs to shore up its economy in the face of a trade war with the United States. Bill C-5 gives the federal government sweeping new powers to speed up permitting for what the Liberals call "nation-building projects." The legislation's opponents have attacked the legislation as a massive power grab. Here's what's C-5 does and what people are saying about it.
senate-could-vote-on-controversial-major-projects-bill-today
CanadaJun 26, 2025

Senate could vote on controversial major projects bill today

The Senate could vote today on Prime Minister Mark Carney's controversial major projects bill — legislation that would give the federal government the power to fast-track projects it hopes will bolster the economy. The bill, which moved swiftly through the House of Commons, is subject to a programming motion in the Senate — meaning it has to be voted on by tomorrow. Bill C-5 has faced heavy opposition over the speed of its passage through Parliament and the sweeping new powers it would give the government. Carney has said the bill is needed to fast-track "nation-building projects" in the f
canada-over-half-of-study-permits-going-to-international-students-already-here
CanadaJun 26, 2025

Canada: Over half of study permits going to international students already here

New international students coming to study in Canada may struggle to obtain study permits.According to reports, the number of study permits approved by Canada for 2025 is expected to drop by 50 per cent from last year as a large number of study permits are being issued to international students who are already in Canada and are changing schools or programs or planning to study in Canada. According to a recent analysis by the Apply Board, the decline in new international students could spell trouble for the post-secondary education sector and enrollment will continue to decline for at least
canada-brings-seven-citizens-out-of-israel-west-bank-as-most-find-their-own-way-out
CanadaJun 26, 2025

Canada brings seven citizens out of Israel, West Bank as most find their own way out

Global Affairs Canada says it brought just seven Canadians out of Israel and the West Bank to Jordan on buses offered Wednesday. Ottawa started offering evacuations from both regions later than some of its allies, and has taken note of low uptick from Canadians. A chartered flight from Jordan left Tuesday for Athens with Canadians filling just 95 of the 265 seats Ottawa had arranged. Consular officials continue to be stationed at countries bordering Iran, where Canada has no diplomatic presence, to help people find commercial routes home. The department says it is aware of 800 Canadians leavin
bodies-of-three-people-missing-after-airmedic-helicopter-crash-in-quebec-recovered
CanadaJun 26, 2025

Bodies of three people missing after Airmedic helicopter crash in Quebec recovered

The search for three people who were unaccounted for after a medical transport helicopter crashed on Quebec's North Shore came to an end late Wednesday night after police divers located their bodies in a lake. Montreal-area company Airmedicsays Quebec's provincial police have found the bodies of its two missing crew members, along with a patient, in Lake Watshishou, located 1,000 kilometres northeast of Montreal. "This confirmation has deeply moved our team," Airmedic said in a statement at around 10 p.m. Wednesday. "A time of remembrance begins for the Airmedic family. We will take the time t

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BCSep 23, 2026

BC Green Leader Emily Lowan to Run in Saanich North After Rob Botterell Retires

BC Green Party MLA Rob Botterell has announced his retirement from politics, opening the door for party leader Emily Lowan to contest the Saanich North and the Islands riding in the upcoming provincial election. Botterell confirmed his decision during a joint news conference with Lowan in Victoria. Lowan will now seek the seat, which has been held by the Greens since Adam Olsen won it in 2017 and was retained by Botterell in the 2024 election. Elections BC records show Botterell was elected with the Green Party in 2024. The riding is considered significant for the BC Greens, given the party’
CanadaSep 23, 2026

Ontario Launches Canada’s First Medical Drone Pilot Program

Canada’s first medical drone pilot program of its kind has been launched by Peel Regional Paramedic Service in Ontario, allowing life-saving medical supplies to reach patients before an ambulance arrives during emergencies. The pilot project is currently operating in the Bolton area. Under the program, when a 911 call is received, a drone can be dispatched alongside an ambulance to the scene. The drone can deliver an automated external defibrillator (AED) for cardiac emergencies, naloxone for opioid overdoses and medical kits designed to control severe bleeding, particularly in rural and rem
one-charged-second-suspect-sought-in-granville-street-face-slashing
BCSep 23, 2026

One Charged, Second Suspect Sought in Granville Street Face-Slashing

Crown Counsel has approved charges after a 19-year-old man was allegedly slashed in the face with a blade during an early-morning robbery on Vancouver’s Granville Street last month. Vancouver Police are also asking the public to help identify a second suspect. The incident happened around 3:20 a.m. on August 8 in the 900-block of Granville Street. Police say two men approached the victim and his friends, removed a chain necklace from the victim’s neck and slashed him. The victim suffered a five-inch cut stretching from the tip of his nose, beneath his eye and ending near his eyebrow. On Se
canadas-population-growth-hits-slowest-pace-since-wwii
CanadaSep 23, 2026

Canada’s Population Growth Hits Slowest Pace Since WWII

Canada’s population grew by 0.5 per cent between July 2025 and July 2026, marking the slowest annual growth rate recorded since the end of the Second World War. According to Statistics Canada, the pace of population growth was even lower than during the period when border restrictions were imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19. As of July 1, 2026, Canada’s population was estimated at 41.8 million. The report says the slowdown was mainly driven by federal government measures and policy changes aimed at limiting the number of temporary residents. Statistics Canada said Ontario, Quebec and B
b-c-election-advance-voting-set-for-october-16-21
BCSep 23, 2026

B.C. Election: Advance Voting Set for October 16–21

Election activity is intensifying in British Columbia, with Elections B.C. announcing that advance voting will be held from October 16 to 21. Voters will be able to cast their ballots from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the advance voting period. Political parties and independent candidates will have until October 3 to enter the race and complete their registration. The 2024 provincial election cost approximately $91 million to conduct. For this election, Elections B.C. has initially requested a budget of $50 million, although the final cost will only be known after the voting process is completed. V