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canadian-family-stuck-in-lebanon-anxiously-awaits-flight-options-amid-israeli-strikes
CanadaOct 04, 2024

Canadian families trapped in Lebanon plead for evacuation as violence escalates; concern grows among Lebanese and Arab diaspora in Canada

A Canadian citizen stranded in Lebanon with his family is pleading for evacuation as Israeli airstrikes continue to hit areas near Beirut, deepening fears among thousands of Canadians with roots in the region. Jalal Tabaja, a father of four Canadian children, said he has relocated his family to a hotel in a quieter area north of Beirut, but nowhere feels safe as explosions echo across the capital. Tabaja, who lost both parents last week when their car was struck by an Israeli bomb, said he has been told that his family could get seats on a government-arranged evacuation flight on Sunday but is
ndp-house-leader-says-house-dysfunction-will-be-a-factor-in-future-confidence-votes
CanadaOct 04, 2024

NDP warns parliamentary gridlock could shape confidence votes as Conservative–Liberal standoff deepens

NDP House Leader Peter Julian says his party wants to advance key legislation before the next federal election, but warns that the current parliamentary dysfunction is becoming a serious concern - one that could influence how New Democrats vote in future confidence motions. In the past three weeks, two Conservative non-confidence motions have failed to topple the Liberal minority government. The Opposition, however, has vowed to continue pressing for more such votes, arguing that the government no longer has the moral authority to govern. Julian accused the Conservatives of acting as “agents
supreme-court-upholds-rules-on-passenger-compensation-in-victory-for-air-travellers
CanadaOct 04, 2024

Supreme Court upholds stronger compensation rules for Canadian air passengers on international flights

In a major victory for Canadian travellers, the Supreme Court of Canada has upheld federal regulations that strengthen compensation rights for passengers facing flight delays, cancellations, or damaged luggage on international flights. The country’s top court unanimously dismissed an appeal by Air Canada, Porter Airlines, and 16 other carriers that had challenged the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) introduced in 2019. The airlines had argued that the rules violated international aviation standards under the Montreal Convention and exceeded the authority of the Canadian Transporta
injuries-reported-after-fire-sweeps-through-century-old-building-in-old-montreal
CanadaOct 04, 2024

Suspicious fire in historic Old Montreal building sends one to hospital, investigation underway

Montreal police are investigating a major fire that broke out early Friday morning in a century-old building in the city’s Old Montreal district, leaving one person hospitalized with burns and another treated for shock. Authorities said the fire began around 2:40 a.m. on the ground floor of a building on Notre-Dame Street East, which houses a restaurant, while the upper floors were used for short-term rentals. The cause of the fire remains unknown, but police have taken over the case because it is considered suspicious. About 125 firefighters were called to the scene, working for several hou
westjet-limits-flight-service-to-lethbridge
CanadaOct 04, 2024

WestJet cuts Lethbridge flights to one per day, raising travel concerns for southern Alberta communities

Despite millions spent on recent renovations at Lethbridge Airport, the city’s only commercial carrier, WestJet, has reduced its service to just one daily flight, a move that has raised concerns for southern Alberta residents who rely on air links to Edmonton and Calgary for business, family travel, and medical appointments. WestJet had planned to scale back operations to a single flight starting October 3, but the change took effect slightly earlier. “We’ve got a schedule change that’s kind of started a little bit early, as of Oct. 1,” said Jared Mikoch-Gerke, WestJet’s director o
strike-vote-looms-for-alberta-nurses-union-as-informal-mediation-talks-unsuccessful
CanadaOct 03, 2024

Alberta nurses inch closer to strike as talks with province stall over pay and staffing issues

Tensions between the United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) and the provincial government are escalating after another round of negotiations failed to produce a new collective agreement, raising the prospect of a province-wide strike that could impact hospitals across Alberta. David Harrigan, labour relations director for the UNA, said that while last month’s informal mediation meetings were “productive,” the gap between the two sides remains too wide to bridge. The union is demanding a 30 per cent wage increase over two years, citing inflation and the rising cost of living, while the Alberta go
manitoba-man-acquitted-50-years-after-murder-conviction
CanadaOct 03, 2024

Manitoba man acquitted after 50 years in wrongful murder conviction tied to systemic discrimination

After nearly half a century, Clarence Woodhouse, a Manitoba man wrongfully convicted of murder in 1974, has been formally acquitted by the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench, marking the end of one of Canada’s longest-running miscarriages of justice. Woodhouse had been found guilty of fatally beating and stabbing a restaurant worker in downtown Winnipeg five decades ago. His lawyers argued that the confession attributed to him could not have been genuine, as it was recorded in fluent English, a language he did not primarily speak - his first language being Saulteaux, an Anishinaabe dialect. Th
foreign-interference-inquiry-to-hear-from-rcmp-commissioner-today
CanadaOct 03, 2024

RCMP Commissioner to testify again at foreign interference inquiry as diaspora concerns grow in Canada

RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme is set to appear today before the federal inquiry into foreign interference, where Canada’s national police force will face renewed questions about how it detects and counters attempts by foreign states to influence Canadian institutions - a topic closely watched in diverse communities such as Surrey and Edmonton. This marks Duheme’s second appearance before the inquiry, joined by senior RCMP officials as the hearings turn their focus to how federal agencies identify and respond to foreign meddling. The commission’s sessions, which continue through October 1
trudeau-headed-to-francophonie-summit-in-france
CanadaOct 03, 2024

Trudeau headed to Francophonie summit in France

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is travelling to France today to attend the Francophonie summit, where discussions on French-language cooperation are expected to share the stage with growing concerns about conflict in the Middle East. The two-day summit, taking place Thursday and Friday in Villers-Cotterêts and Paris, brings together leaders from French-speaking countries around the world. France will assume the presidency of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) from Tunisia during the event. Officials say this year’s theme: “Create, innovate and do business in French”

Just In

city-of-surrey-seeking-feedback-asks-residents-to-share-what-matters
BCNov 06, 2025

City of Surrey seeking feedback, asks residents to share what matters

City of Surrey is asking people to share feedback and tell the city what matters. City of Surrey says, "As a Surrey resident, your input plays an important role in shaping the City’s 2026 budget priorities. Share your thoughts by completing our online survey or visit one of our open houses to learn more about the budget process, ask questions and provide feedback." Find full details on City of Surrey's website: https://engage.surrey.ca/budge...
blue-jays-playoff-run-drives-tourism-surge-and-business-gains-in-toronto
BCNov 06, 2025

Blue Jays’ playoff run drives tourism surge and business gains in Toronto

Toronto’s hospitality and tourism sectors saw a significant boost this fall, thanks to the Blue Jays’ extended post-season run and the World Series games held in the city. Destination Toronto reported that hotel demand during the four home games of the World Series rose by an average of 15 per cent compared to the same nights last year, adding more than 11,000 room nights. Across the team’s entire playoff run, hotel demand increased by an average of 11 per cent, accounting for over 20,000 additional room nights. Andrew Weir, President and CEO of Destination Toronto, said the surge in vis
BCNov 06, 2025

Audit finds gaps in B.C. livestock tracking system used for emergency response

British Columbia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food needs stronger measures to ensure it can quickly locate farm animals during disease outbreaks or natural disasters, according to a new report from the Office of the Auditor General. The audit reviewed the ministry’s Premises ID program, which was created to help emergency officials identify where poultry and livestock are kept and who owns them. Acting Auditor General Sheila Dodds said the system could play a vital role in protecting animals and food supply chains during crises such as bird flu outbreaks, wildfires, or floods. However, th
record-number-of-shelter-spaces-opening-before-winter
BCNov 06, 2025

Record number of shelter spaces opening before winter

British Columbia is opening a record number of shelter spaces this winter to help people experiencing homelessness find warmth and safety as temperatures drop. The Province, through BC Housing, is funding 6,486 shelter spaces across 58 communities — the highest total to date. The expanded network includes 4,158 permanent shelters operating year-round, 1,154 temporary seasonal spaces, 771 extreme-weather response (EWR) beds activated during severe conditions, and 403 new Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) spaces — nearly two and a half times more than last year.
CanadaNov 06, 2025

Ottawa man pleads guilty in mass stabbing that killed mother, four children, and family friend

A 20-year-old man has pleaded guilty to six counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in connection with a mass stabbing that shocked Ottawa last year. Febrio De-Zoysa entered guilty pleas today in an Ottawa courtroom to four charges of first-degree murder and two of second-degree murder, as well as one charge of attempted murder. The killings took place in 2024 at a rented townhouse in the Barrhaven area. The victims were 35-year-old Darshani Ekanayake, her four children aged between two months and seven years, and 40-year-old family friend Gamini Amarakoon. The children’s father,