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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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carney-to-visit-saudi-arabia-next-week-as-rights-concerns-draw-renewed-attention
CanadaJul 03, 2026

Carney to visit Saudi Arabia next week as rights concerns draw renewed attention

Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to Saudi Arabia from July 8 to 10 for a bilateral visit, where he is scheduled to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The trip will mark the first official visit to Saudi Arabia by a Canadian prime minister in 26 years. According to federal officials, the visit is aimed at strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between Canada and Saudi Arabia. However, officials have not confirmed whether Carney will raise concerns about human rights during his meetings with Saudi leaders. Relations between the two countries deteriorated in 2018 after the Trudeau g
b-c-nurses-begin-targeted-job-action-refuse-non-nursing-duties-and-non-essential-overtime
BCJul 03, 2026

B.C. nurses begin targeted job action, refuse non-nursing duties and non-essential overtime

Nurses across British Columbia began targeted job action on Thursday by refusing to perform non-nursing duties and non-essential overtime as contract negotiations with the provincial government continue. According to the BC Nurses' Union, the action is intended to bring the province back to the bargaining table with what the union describes as a meaningful offer that addresses nurses' long-standing concerns. The union said members are continuing to provide patient care while focusing on the clinical responsibilities for which they are trained. The union said nurses have stopped performing duti
langley-rcmp-investigating-suspected-assault-that-left-75-year-old-man-critically-injured
BCJul 03, 2026

Langley RCMP investigating suspected assault that left 75-year-old man critically injured

A 75-year-old Langley man remains in critical condition after he was found seriously injured Tuesday night, and investigators now believe his injuries may have resulted from an assault. According to the Langley RCMP, officers were called at about 9:48 p.m. on July 1 to the area of Park Avenue and Douglas Crescent following reports of a man in distress. Frontline officers, along with paramedics from the British Columbia Ambulance Service and firefighters with Langley Fire Rescue Service, located the injured man and he was taken to hospital. Police said investigators have reviewed surveillance v
bus-crash-in-southwestern-pakistan-kills-40-officials-say
WorldJul 03, 2026

Bus crash in southwestern Pakistan kills 40, officials say

At least 40 people were killed and eight others were injured after an overcrowded passenger bus plunged into a rocky ravine in southwestern Pakistan early Friday, according to Balochistan provincial officials. Shahid Rind, spokesperson for the Balochistan government, said the bus was travelling through Dana Sar, a remote area near the border of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, when it reportedly lost control and veered off the highway before falling into the ravine. Authorities said the bus was carrying more passengers than its intended capacity. Emergency responders transported i
WorldJul 03, 2026

Rescue efforts continue in Kyiv after deadly Russian missile and drone attack

Rescue crews continued searching through rubble in Ukraine's capital on Friday, a day after a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack that killed dozens of people, according to Kyiv city officials. Friday was observed as a day of mourning in Kyiv, with flags flown at half-mast on government buildings to honour those killed in the attack. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the death toll has risen to about 30 people, while 92 others were injured. He described it as the deadliest Russian attack on the capital so far this year. According to Klitschko, emergency crews remained at the scene for