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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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suv-seized-after-driver-allegedly-tried-to-bypass-police-road-closure-in-abbotsford
BCJun 16, 2026

SUV Seized After Driver Allegedly Tried to Bypass Police Road Closure in Abbotsford

A woman in Abbotsford is facing potential criminal charges after allegedly attempting to drive through a police road closure during a collision investigation, according to Abbotsford Police. Police said officers had closed a section of Whatcom Road on Saturday evening while investigating a motorcycle crash. During the road closure, a woman driving an SUV reportedly insisted on passing through the restricted area despite directions from officers. According to police, the driver mounted a sidewalk in an attempt to bypass a police vehicle. An officer narrowly avoided being pinned between the SUV
iio-investigating-death-of-man-in-vancouver-police-custody
BCJun 16, 2026

IIO investigating death of man in Vancouver police custody

British Columbia's Independent Investigations Office (IIO) has launched an investigation following the death of a man while in Vancouver Police Department custody. According to the police watchdog, the man was arrested by Vancouver police officers at approximately 3 p.m. Sunday and lodged in the Vancouver Police Department jail on Cordova Street. Jail staff found him unresponsive at about 8 a.m. Monday. BC Emergency Health Services personnel attended the scene and attempted life-saving measures, but the man was pronounced dead. The IIO said its initial investigation will focus on determining w
modi-trump-meet-at-g7-summit-in-france-ahead-of-bilateral-talks
WorldJun 16, 2026

Modi, Trump Meet at G7 Summit in France Ahead of Bilateral Talks

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, where the two leaders exchanged greetings and shook hands. The meeting marked their first in-person interaction in approximately 16 months and comes as both countries continue discussions on a potential trade agreement. Modi is attending the 52nd G7 Summit in Evian, where he is expected to participate in a series of diplomatic meetings with world leaders. According to official information released ahead of the summit, Modi and Trump are scheduled to hold bilateral talks on Wedne
AlbertaJun 16, 2026

Four-year-old girl dies after being struck by vehicle in northeast Edmonton

A four-year-old girl has died after being struck by a vehicle in northeast Edmonton, according to the Edmonton Police Service. Police said the child was walking through a parking lot with her mother on Sunday evening when she broke free and ran onto a nearby street. Investigators say she was then struck by a Jeep driven by a 23-year-old man. Bystanders immediately provided assistance and the girl was transported to hospital. Police said she later died from her injuries. According to the Edmonton Police Service, investigators do not believe speed or impaired driving were factors in the collisio
b-c-considers-new-hydroelectric-project-on-peace-river-as-electricity-demand-projected-to-rise
BCJun 16, 2026

B.C. considers new hydroelectric project on Peace River as electricity demand projected to rise

The British Columbia government is considering a new hydroelectric project in the province as electricity demand is expected to increase significantly over the coming decades. According to BC Hydro projections, electricity demand in the province could rise by about 20 per cent by 2030 and roughly 50 per cent by 2050. The utility says the trend reflects long-term growth in population and electrification across the province. Energy Minister Adrian Dix said while presenting the plan that rising electricity demand is a positive indicator for the province’s economic outlook, adding it reflects on