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alberta-government-shuts-down-edmonton-daycare-over-safety-concerns-for-children
CanadaOct 11, 2024

Alberta government shuts down second Edmonton daycare over child safety concerns

The Alberta government has revoked the licence of an Edmonton daycare over what it described as serious risks to the health and safety of children, marking the second such closure in the city this week. In a statement, the province confirmed that the Waverley Day Care, which had been operating under a probationary licence set to expire on October 31, was ordered to close immediately due to “conditions posing significant danger to children.” Specific details of the violations were not disclosed. The closure affects 56 licensed child care spaces. Officials say affected families are being con
statistics-canada-to-release-september-labour-force-survey-today
CanadaOct 11, 2024

Canada’s September jobs data expected to show slight rise in unemployment amid slowing economy

Statistics Canada will release its latest labour force survey this morning, providing a clearer picture of how Canada’s job market performed in September. Economists surveyed by Reuters predict the country added about 27,000 jobs last month, while the national unemployment rate is expected to edge up to 6.7 per cent from 6.6 per cent in August. In August, the economy added 22,000 jobs, marking continued but modest growth in employment. The new data will be closely watched as the Bank of Canada also prepares to publish its business outlook survey and consumer expectations report later today -
trudeau-touts-real-progress-on-pharmacar-calls-on-premiers-to-start-cutting-deals
CanadaOct 11, 2024

Trudeau urges provinces to begin pharmacare talks; B.C. first to sign coverage agreement

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling on Canada’s provinces and territories to begin pharmacare negotiations immediately, following the recent passage of federal legislation that lays the foundation for a national drug coverage program. Speaking to reporters in Laos, where he attended the ASEAN Summit, Trudeau said the passage of the pharmacare bill by the Senate represents “real progress for Canadians,” emphasizing that the next step now lies with provinces to implement it. The pharmacare legislation, a key element of the confidence-and-supply agreement between the Liberals and the N
alberta-company-fined-after-worker-severely-burned-in-2021-oil-and-gas-site-fire
CanadaOct 11, 2024

Alberta oilfield company fined $90,000 after worker severely burned in 2021 fire near Valleyview

O’Reilly Oilfield Services Ltd. has been fined $90,000 after pleading guilty to failing to protect the health and safety of workers under its supervision, following a 2021 oilfield fire that left one worker with severe burn injuries in northwest Alberta. According to the Alberta government, the incident occurred in July 2021 at an oil and gas site near Valleyview, when liquid from a decommissioned pipeline ignited and overflowed from a portable flare stack, sparking a fire that seriously injured a worker. As part of the sentencing, Crown prosecutors withdrew five other charges against O’Re
trudeau-applauds-thailand-for-legalizing-gay-marriage-during-meeting-at-asean-summit
CanadaOct 10, 2024

Trudeau applauds Thailand for legalizing gay marriage during meeting at ASEAN summit

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Thailand’s new prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, on her country’s decision to legalize same-sex marriage, calling it a remarkable step forward for human rights in Asia. Trudeau made the remarks during a bilateral meeting with Shinawatra while attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Vientiane, Laos. He said Thailand’s progress stands out “at a time when rights are backsliding around the world,” describing Shinawatra’s leadership on marriage equality as “exceptional.” Thailand’s landmark marriage e
quebec-government-tables-legislation-to-limit-number-of-international-students
CanadaOct 10, 2024

Quebec government tables legislation to limit number of international students

The Quebec government has introduced new legislation that would give it the authority to cap the number of international students studying in the province, part of a broader effort to reduce the rapidly growing number of non-permanent residents. Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge said the number of foreign students in Quebec reached 120,000 last year, up sharply from 50,000 in 2014. Over the past two years, the province’s total non-permanent resident population has doubled - from about 300,000 to 600,000 - prompting the government to take what it calls “necessary corrective action
alberta-ucp-welcomes-mla-who-compared-transgender-kids-to-feces-back-into-caucus
CanadaOct 10, 2024

Alberta UCP welcomes MLA who compared transgender kids to feces back into caucus

An Alberta MLA who was expelled from the United Conservative Party caucus last year for comparing transgender children to feces has been reinstated after issuing a public apology and pledging to support inclusivity. Lacombe–Ponoka MLA Jennifer Johnson said she has grown “personally and professionally” since being removed from caucus 17 months ago. “Now, I am eager to apply what I have learned to benefit everyone who calls this province home,” Johnson said in a statement released Friday. Johnson was removed from the UCP in 2023 after a 2022 recording surfaced in which she compared tra
joly-mendicino-to-appear-at-foreign-interference-inquiry-today
CanadaOct 10, 2024

Joly, Mendicino to appear at foreign interference inquiry today

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly and former public safety minister Marco Mendicino are set to appear today before the federal commission of inquiry examining foreign interference in Canada’s democratic and institutional affairs. The latest phase of the inquiry is focusing on how well federal agencies detect, assess, and respond to attempts by foreign actors to influence Canadian politics, policy, and society. Officials from Global Affairs Canada, Joly’s department, testified late last week about the challenges of monitoring and countering international interference efforts. Commissio
hospital-system-apologizes-after-brampton-sikh-mans-beard-shaved
CanadaOct 10, 2024

Hospital system apologizes after Brampton Sikh man's beard shaved

The William Osler Health System in Brampton has issued a public apology after hospital staff shaved the beard of an 85-year-old Sikh man without his consent, an act that violated his religious beliefs. In a joint statement released Wednesday, Dr. Frank Martino, president and CEO of the William Osler Health System, and board chair Pardeep Singh Gill admitted the hospital “failed to uphold religious and cultural care practices.” They said the incident, which occurred in August, was done without medical necessity. “We take full responsibility for this incident and have extended our deepest

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two-men-charged-after-abbotsford-bank-robbery-on-sumas-way
BCMar 12, 2026

Two men charged after Abbotsford bank robbery on Sumas Way

Two men have been charged following a bank robbery investigation in Abbotsford last month, according to the Abbotsford Police Department. Police say officers responded around 5:23 p.m. on Feb. 6 to a report of a robbery at a bank in the 2100 block of Sumas Way. Investigators say a man entered the bank, demanded money, and left with cash before fleeing in a waiting truck. No injuries were reported. The department’s Major Crime Unit took over the investigation and gathered evidence over several weeks that led detectives across the Lower Mainland, police said in a news release. On March 10, inv
vancouver-lapu-lapu-day-festival-to-return-april-19-with-new-safety-measures-after-2025-attack
BCMar 12, 2026

Vancouver Lapu Lapu Day festival to return April 19 with new safety measures after 2025 attack

Organizers say Vancouver’s annual Lapu Lapu Day festival will return April 19, nearly a year after a vehicle ramming attack at last year’s event killed 11 people. Filipino BC announced the gathering will be held at the Italian Cultural Centre rather than on surrounding community streets, saying the venue change is intended to prioritize safety while allowing the Filipino community to come together for reflection. According to a statement from the organization, this year’s event will be called the “Lapu Lapu Day of Togetherness,” focusing on shared reflection and healing following the
rcmp-seize-large-quantities-of-drugs-firearms-in-southeast-district-trafficking-investigation
BCMar 12, 2026

RCMP seize large quantities of drugs, firearms in Southeast District trafficking investigation

A drug trafficking investigation led by the RCMP Federal Policing Pacific Region’s Drugs and Organized Crime Team in Kelowna has resulted in the seizure of large quantities of illicit drugs, firearms and cash following coordinated searches in Kelowna and Penticton. According to an RCMP statement, investigators began the probe in 2024 into suspected drug trafficking activity in the Southeast District. On Dec. 17, 2025, officers executed search warrants on two vehicles and three residences in Kelowna and Penticton with assistance from the Kelowna, West Kelowna and Penticton RCMP detachments, a
police-investigate-early-morning-shots-fired-in-surreys-cloverdale-neighbourhood
CanadaMar 12, 2026

Police investigate early-morning shots fired in Surrey’s Cloverdale neighbourhood

Surrey Police Service and the RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit are investigating a report of shots fired early Thursday morning in the Cloverdale area of Surrey. Police said officers responded at about 4:35 a.m. to reports of gunfire in the 19500 block of 65 Avenue. According to a police release, officers arriving at the scene located multiple shell casings in the area. Investigators also found damage to a nearby residence that may be connected to the shooting. Police said no injuries have been reported. The RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit General Investigation Uni
chilliwack-rcmp-seek-witnesses-dash-cam-footage-after-assault-victim-dies-in-hospital
BCMar 12, 2026

Chilliwack RCMP seek witnesses, dash cam footage after assault victim dies in hospital

The Chilliwack RCMP Serious Crime Unit is asking the public for information as investigators examine whether an earlier assault contributed to the death of a 49-year-old man. Police said officers were notified on March 7 that the man, who had been assaulted on Feb. 21, died in hospital. According to an RCMP news release, investigators believe the assault may have been a contributing factor in the death and the Serious Crime Unit has taken over the investigation. The incident is believed to have occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 along Railway Avenue near Young Road. Police say the victim an