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statistics-canada-reports-economy-contracted-0-2-per-cent-in-november
CanadaJan 31, 2025

Statistics Canada reports economy contracted 0.2 per cent in November

Statistics Canada says real gross domestic product decreased 0.2 per cent in November, the largest monthly contraction since December 2023.However, the agency says its preliminary estimate for December pointed to an increase of 0.2 per cent for the final month of the year. The advance estimate suggests an annualized growth rate of 1.8 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024.For November, Statistics Canada says goods-producing industries contracted 0.6 per cent, with the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction and utilities sectors driving most of the decline. Services-producing industri
pierre-poilievre-refuses-security-clearance-for-foreign-interference-report
CanadaJan 30, 2025

Pierre Poilievre Refuses Security Clearance for Foreign Interference Report

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has declined to apply for a security clearance from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) in order to read a report on foreign interference, rejecting the requirement. Poilievre argued that the security clearance requirements would prevent him from speaking freely on the issue and limit his ability to hold the Liberal government accountable. He further stated that the spy agency is welcome to report directly to any of his MPs or senators if it believes foreign interference poses a risk to any of his party members. It is worth noting that Marie-
chrystia-freeland-pledges-leaner-cabinet-in-liberal-leadership-bid
CanadaJan 30, 2025

Chrystia Freeland Pledges Leaner Cabinet in Liberal Leadership Bid

Former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, a candidate in the Liberal Party leadership race to become the next Prime Minister of Canada, has pledged to cut cabinet and Prime Minister’s Office staff by half to reduce unnecessary expenses if elected. Freeland stated her cabinet would consist of no more than 20 ministers, compared to the current 38, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Freeland, who has also served as Deputy Prime Minister, is one of six candidates vying to succeed Trudeau as Liberal leader. The party will select its new leader on March 9, after which Trudeau will step dow
ndp-leader-wants-to-ban-the-u-s-from-procurement-if-it-hits-canada-with-tariffs
CanadaJan 30, 2025

NDP leader wants to ban the U.S. from procurement if it hits Canada with tariffs

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says Canada should bar American companies from all federal government procurement contracts if U.S. President Donald Trump hits the country with damaging tariffs. Singh is meeting with unionized steelworkers in Sault Ste. Marie today, where he's laying out his "Buy Canadian" plan. He also says any funds Canada raises through retaliatory tariffs should be put toward supporting workers affected by U.S. tariffs. Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland also pitched a "Buy Canadian" plan earlier this week, saying Ottawa should bar Americans from non-defence governmen
passenger-jet-with-64-aboard-collides-with-army-helicopter-while-landing-at-reagan-airport-near-dc
CanadaJan 30, 2025

Passenger jet with 64 aboard collides with Army helicopter while landing at Reagan Airport near DC

An American Airlines jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided Wednesday with an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, prompting a large search-and-rescue operation in the nearby Potomac River. There were multiple fatalities, according to a person familiar with the matter, but the precise number of victims was unclear as rescue crews hunted for any survivors. Three soldiers were onboard the helicopter, an Army official said. There was no immediate word on the cause of the collision, but all takeoffs and landings from the airport were h
alberta-premier-defends-covid-19-report-unsure-which-recommendations-to-take
CanadaJan 30, 2025

Alberta premier defends COVID-19 report, unsure which recommendations to take

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she's not sure which recommendations from a controversial new COVID-19 report her government will implement. Doctors have slammed the $2-million review by a government-appointed panel that calls for limits on COVID-19 vaccines and for health professionals not to be punished for promoting alternative treatments. Smith says critics of the report are trying to control the narrative and that she doesn't want to see ``contrarian voices'' shut out when reviewing pandemic response measures. She says getting those perspectives is needed in order tomake go
premier-danielle-smith-to-announce-new-provincial-fund-today
CanadaJan 29, 2025

Premier Danielle Smith to announce new provincial fund today

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith will announce a new provincial fund today. Her government says it will increase the Heritage Savings Trust Fund from $250 billion to $400 billion by 2050. Finance Minister Nate Horner will also be in Calgary with her. Smith’s government has promised to cut interest on the province’s general revenue each year and increase investment. The fund was started in 1976 by former Premier Peter Lougheed to set aside revenue, but successive governments have begun to withdraw money from it. It was valued at $23.4 billion as of September, and Horner has promised to add $
doug-ford-targets-trumps-tariffs-in-ontario-legislative-election-campaign
CanadaJan 29, 2025

Doug Ford Targets Trump’s Tariffs in Ontario Legislative Election Campaign

The issue of Trump’s tariffs has begun to resonate in the Ontario legislative elections. Former Premier and Ontario Progressive Conservative Party leader Doug Ford made tariffs a focal point and also criticized Trump during his first rally in Windsor today. Ford told Ontarians that to confront Trump's threat, they need the strongest majority in Ontario's history. He emphasized that the bigger the mandate given to him, the better he will be able to protect the province. It is important to note that in Ontario, four major parties are contesting the elections, including Ford's Progressive Cons
mayor-brenda-locke-warns-of-potential-impact-of-tariffs-on-the-city
CanadaJan 29, 2025

Mayor Brenda Locke Warns of Potential Impact of Tariffs on the City

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke has warned of the potential impact tariffs could have on the city. According to the mayor, more than 20 percent of Surrey’s businesses engage in direct trade with the U.S., valued at approximately $2.8 billion annually. She stated that if President Donald Trump moves forward with a 25 percent tariff on Canada, hundreds of local jobs could be at risk, particularly in manufacturing, value-added sectors, and export-oriented businesses. Mayor Locke expressed concern that local truck drivers will be particularly affected, noting that the impact will be immediate, not ju

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charges-approved-after-alleged-sexual-assault-in-downtown-vancouver
BCMar 27, 2026

Charges approved after alleged sexual assault in downtown Vancouver

A 47-year-old man has been charged following an alleged sexual assault in downtown Vancouver, according to a Vancouver Police Department release. Police said officers were called at approximately 7:20 p.m. on March 25 to Granville Street between Dunsmuir and Pender streets after a woman reported she had been groped by a stranger. Witnesses also told police the same suspect had allegedly assaulted other people in the area prior to officers arriving. The suspect was located at the scene and arrested without incident, police said. Derek Jason Sangris, 47, has been charged with one count of sexual
bolsonaro-moved-to-house-arrest-after-hospital-discharge-in-brazil
WorldMar 27, 2026

Bolsonaro moved to house arrest after hospital discharge in Brazil

Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro has been released from hospital in Brasília and will continue serving a 27-year sentence under house arrest, following a ruling by the country’s top court. According to a decision by the Supreme Federal Court earlier this week, Bolsonaro was granted permission to serve his sentence at home due to declining health. The court said the arrangement is subject to review within 90 days. Bolsonaro was discharged Friday morning from DF Star hospital in the capital. He then travelled to his residence in the Jardim Botânico neighbourhood, where he lives wit
punjab-and-haryana-high-court-orders-fresh-cross-examination-in-majithia-defamation-case
IndiaMar 27, 2026

Punjab and Haryana High Court orders fresh cross-examination in Majithia defamation case

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered a fresh cross-examination in a defamation case filed by Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia against Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh, reviving proceedings in a matter dating back to 2016. According to court proceedings, the High Court allowed a petition filed by Sanjay Singh and directed that the case be revisited for cross-examination. The defamation complaint was originally filed by Majithia in a Ludhiana court in January 2016. The case relates to allegations made during a political rally in Moga, where Singh is accused of referring t
abbotsford-police-issue-public-safety-notice-ahead-of-offenders-release
BCMar 27, 2026

Abbotsford police issue public safety notice ahead of offender’s release

The Abbotsford Police Department says a 46-year-old man with a history of violent sexual offences is scheduled to be released into the community later this month under strict conditions. According to an Abbotsford Police Department news release, Stephen Bradley Ewing is set to be released from William Head Institution on March 30 and is expected to reside in the Abbotsford area. Police say Ewing has prior convictions from 2021 and 2023, including sexual assault, sexual assault causing bodily harm, and overcoming resistance by choking. The release also states that at least one offence involved
AlbertaMar 27, 2026

Alberta man sentenced to 17 years in U.S. prison in Florida child exploitation sting

A Red Deer, Alta., man has been sentenced to 17 years in a United States federal prison after pleading guilty in a child exploitation sting tied to a planned trip to Walt Disney World in Florida. According to U.S. court documents, James Hjelmeland, 31, pleaded guilty in November to attempted enticement of a minor and possession of child sexual abuse material. The case stems from an undercover operation involving a Florida law enforcement officer. Court records state Hjelmeland began communicating online with a detective who was posing as the parent of a 12-year-old girl. The officer, acting in