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CanadaNov 29, 2024

Liberals, NDP pass GST bill in House of Commons

The Liberals' GST holiday bill is one step closer to becoming law after it was passed by a majority of the House of Commons late Thursday night.The two-month tax break covers dozens of items, including children's clothes and toys, video games and consoles, Christmas trees, restaurant and catered meals, wine, beer, candy and snacks. It would take effect on Dec. 14 and run until Feb. 15, 2025. The government announced the plan as a way to ease affordability concerns during the holiday period. At the time, they also pledged to send $250 rebates to working Canadians in the spring, but that partic
canadas-house-of-commons-approves-liberals-bill-c-78-on-first-reading
CanadaNov 28, 2024

Canada's House of Commons Approves Liberal’s Bill C-78 on First Reading

Canada's House of Commons has approved the Liberal government's Bill C-78 on first reading. Under this bill, Canadians will receive a two-month GST exemption on a variety of items, including restaurant meals, beverages, snacks, children's clothing, and toys. This temporary relief will apply from December 14 to February 15. In the House of Commons, the NDP voted in favor of the Liberals' Bill C-78, while the Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois voted against it. According to the government, the proposed tax exemption will save Canadians approximately $1.6 billion. The government states that
canada-increases-border-security-funding-in-response-to-us-tariff-threats
CanadaNov 28, 2024

Canada Increases Border Security Funding in Response to US Tariff Threats

Canada has decided to increase funding for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the RCMP to strengthen border security in response to US President Donald Trump's threat of tariffs. This funding will allow both agencies to further expand their personnel and resources at the border. The announcement followed an emergency meeting between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and provincial premiers across Canada on Wednesday evening to discuss Trump's proposed tariffs and the future of Canada-US relations. The meeting lasted about 90 minutes online, after which federal Public Safety Minister Domi
poilievre-targets-trudeau-over-border-security
CanadaNov 28, 2024

Poilievre Targets Trudeau Over Border Security

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has launched a major attack on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over border security. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Poilievre stated that Trudeau is fully responsible for the current situation. Poilievre claimed that, under Trudeau, there were no illegal crossings prior to his tenure. He accused the Prime Minister of leaving the borders open, which led to a dramatic increase in asylum seekers — from 10,000 to 200,000. He further emphasized that it is now the provinces' responsibility to secure the borders. Poilievre asserted that Trudeau has failed to fu
conservative-party-to-vote-against-liberal-gst-exemption-bill
CanadaNov 28, 2024

Conservative Party to Vote Against Liberal GST Exemption Bill

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and his party will vote against the Liberal government's proposed GST exemption bill. Poilievre has called it irresponsible and inflationary. He stated that this is not a tax cut but rather an inflationary move, one that would be used as a trick for two months. Poilievre emphasized the need for tax relief that truly benefits the economy by encouraging the production of goods purchased with cash. It is worth noting that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised a two-month GST exemption starting next month. A vote on the bill will be held today. With the su
surrey-school-board-gets-new-chair-after-7-years
CanadaNov 28, 2024

Surrey School Board Gets New Chair After 7 Years

The Surrey School Board has a new chair after seven years. The Surrey Board meeting held on November 20, saw the election of a new chair. Former Vice Chair Gary Tymoschuk was elected Chair, and Trustee Terry Allen was elected Vice Chair. Tymoschuk thanked everyone for electing him and promised to do a good job. Allen served as Vice Chair from 2017 to 2022 and was re-elected to the Board in the recent municipal election.
bail-denied-for-woman-accused-in-childs-drowning-death-at-alberta-lake
CanadaNov 28, 2024

Bail denied for woman accused in child's drowning death at Alberta lake

An Alberta woman charged in the drowning death of a five-year-old girl has been denied bail while she awaits trial. Justice Rosanna Saccomani said there is a concern the accused, Mary Quinn, poses a significant risk to public safety. Saccomani issued the decision in provincial court in Stony Plain. Quinn, who is 35, was charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life after the girl drowned Oct. 13 at Wabamun Lake, west of Edmonton. The girl cannot be identified under a court-ordered publication ban.
liberals-gst-break-expected-to-pass-today
CanadaNov 28, 2024

Liberals' GST break expected to pass today

Legislation to create a two-month-long GST holiday is expected to pass today. Liberals, NDP expected to pass GST holiday in House of Commons today The bill was introduced on behalf of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland in the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon, with the help of the NDP to at least temporarily stop debate on a Conservative filibuster. The NDP only agreed to support the bill after Freeland separated the GST break from a promise to also send $250 to most working Canadians in the spring. The NDP wants that benefit expanded to also go to non-working seniors and people with di
quebec-premier-says-hes-open-to-possibility-of-quebec-constitution-by-2026
CanadaNov 27, 2024

Quebec premier says he's 'open' to possibility of Quebec constitution by 2026

A committee appointed by the Quebec government has recommended the province adopt its own constitution and take other steps to boost its autonomy. Premier François Legault says he’s open to the possibility of a Quebec constitution before the next provincial election in 2026, but he won't make promises. The committee's report includes 42 recommendations, including that Quebec modernize its laws to remove references to the monarchy and that the province negotiate an agreement with the federal government on asylum seekers. The Opposition Liberals passed a motion in favour of a Quebec constitut

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pq-leader-calls-for-renewed-sovereignty-debate-following-legault-resignation
CanadaJan 16, 2026

PQ leader calls for renewed sovereignty debate following Legault resignation

The leader of the Parti Québécois says Premier François Legault’s decision to step down has reopened the question of Quebec sovereignty and created an opportunity to reset the province’s political direction. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said Legault’s tenure demonstrates the limits of seeking greater autonomy within Canada, arguing that Quebec has failed to achieve meaningful gains in key areas such as immigration control and health care after more than seven years under Coalition Avenir Québec rule. Legault founded the CAQ on the idea of moving beyond the long-standing divide between fe
AlbertaJan 16, 2026

Crown seeks 16-year prison term for Calgary man convicted of ISIS involvement

Federal prosecutors are asking a judge to impose a 16-year prison sentence on a Calgary man convicted of participating in the activities of the Islamic State group after travelling to Syria more than a decade ago. Jamal Borhot, now 35, was found guilty in December of three counts related to involvement with a listed terrorist organization. The court heard Borhot travelled to Syria in 2013 and knowingly assisted ISIS while the group was carrying out widespread violence across the region. During sentencing submissions, the Crown said Borhot was not a passive supporter. Prosecutors told the court
four-prominent-punjab-leaders-join-bjp-ahead-of-2027-assembly-elections
IndiaJan 16, 2026

Four prominent Punjab leaders join BJP ahead of 2027 Assembly elections

Political activity in Punjab has intensified as parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 state Assembly elections. In this context, the Bharatiya Janata Party has taken another step to strengthen its organisational base in the state. On Friday, former Congress Member of Parliament Jagmeet Brar formally joined the BJP in the presence of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini. He was joined by Omkar Sidhu, former officer on special duty to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Charanjit Brar, and Jagmeet Brar’s brother Ripjeet Singh Brar. BJP leaders
south-korean-court-sentences-former-president-yoon-suk-yeol-to-five-years-in-prison
WorldJan 16, 2026

South Korean court sentences former president Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison

A South Korean court has sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison in connection with criminal charges linked to his controversial declaration of martial law in late 2024. The ruling, delivered Friday by the Seoul Central District Court, marks the first verdict among eight separate criminal trials Yoon is facing related to the decree and other alleged misconduct. The court convicted Yoon on charges including defying authorities during attempts to detain him and fabricating official documents. Prosecutors had argued that Yoon obstructed law enforcement and abused presiden
BCJan 16, 2026

Abbotsford hotel death under investigation by IHIT

Abbotsford police have turned over an investigation into a death at a local hotel to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team. Police say officers were called to a report of suspicious circumstances at a hotel along Marshall Road near Clearbrook Road. When patrol members arrived, they located a deceased person inside one of the hotel rooms. Investigators believe the incident was isolated to that room and say there is no ongoing risk to the public. Police have also stated there is no connection between this case and recent extortion related incidents reported elsewhere in the Fraser Valley. O