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voters-head-to-polls-for-toronto-byelection-all-eyes-on-whether-liberals-hold-seat
CanadaJun 24, 2024

Voters head to polls for Toronto byelection, all eyes on whether Liberals hold seat

Residents of TorontoSt Paul's will head to the polls today to vote for a new member of parliament for their riding, with observers watching to see if the Liberals can hang on to the seat they've held for the last 10 elections. The byelection was prompted by the resignation of former Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett, who held the seat for more than 25 years and was recently appointed ambassador to Denmark. As the Conservatives maintain a double-digit lead over the Liberals in national polls, political watchers will have a close eye on today's race, which appears to be tighter than expected for a Libe
canada-lays-more-sanctions-on-haiti-gang-leaders-as-violence-surges
CanadaJun 21, 2024

Canada lays more sanctions on Haiti gang leaders as violence surges

Canada is imposing economic sanctions on three more people for their involvement in worsening violence in Haiti. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly made the announcement Friday, saying Ottawa won't remain idle as gangs terrorize vulnerable people. Global Affairs Canada says gang leaders Luckson Elan, Gabriel Jean-Pierre and Ferdens Tilus have undermined the peace, security and stability of Haiti. To date, the Canadian government has provided some $400 million in assistance and sanctioned 31 Haitian citizens, barring them from having any economic dealings with Canadians. A United Nations re
actor-donald-sutherland-dies-aged-88
CanadaJun 20, 2024

Actor Donald Sutherland dies aged 88

New Brunswick-born acting legend Donald Sutherland has died at age 88. His son Kiefer Sutherland announced the news in a social media post. The elder Sutherland's career spanned more than 50 years and ranged from the snarky surgeon Hawkeye Pierce in the film version of "M.A.S.H.'' to the fascist dictator President Snow in "The Hunger Games'' franchise. Sutherland also starred in the 1978 remake of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers'' and the 2005 version of "Pride & Prejudice.'' Though he was in over 100 films, Sutherland was never nominated for an Academy Award. He did, however, receive a
senators-approve-bill-to-fight-foreign-interference-after-voting-down-amendment
CanadaJun 20, 2024

Senators approve bill to fight foreign interference after voting down amendment

The Senate has passed a government bill intended to help deter, investigate and punish foreign interference. Senators approved the legislation late Wednesday after voting down a proposed amendment aimed at ensuring innocent people are not swept up in its net. The legislation, which awaits royal assent, will introduce criminal provisions against deceptive or surreptitious acts, allow for the sharing of sensitive information with businesses and establish a foreign influence transparency registry. The bill recognizes that states and other foreign entities that engage in meddling to advance politi
canada-lists-irans-islamic-revolutionary-guard-corps-as-terror-group
CanadaJun 19, 2024

Canada lists Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as terror group

Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc says Canada has listed Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity, following months of mounting political pressure to do so. Members of Parliament voted unanimously in May to list the IRGC, a branch of Iran's Armed Forces, as a terrorist entity. The Liberals have said in the past that doing so could affect a number of people who had no choice but to be drafted into the organization. The federal government had already barred tens of thousands of prominent Iranian government officials from entering Canada, including top IRGC members. Can
health-minister-says-he-aims-to-launch-national-pharmacare-program-by-next-april
CanadaJun 19, 2024

Health minister says he aims to launch national pharmacare program by next April

Health Minister Mark Holland says he hopes to launch a national pharmacare program by April 1, 2025. A pharmacare bill drafted by the Liberals and the NDP has made its way through the House of Commons, but still needs to be studied by the Senate. The idea is to make birth control and diabetes medication available to anyone with a health card as part of a universal, single-payer program. The Liberals budgeted $1.5 billion for the program over five years. Once the bill receives royal assent, Holland can start negotiating deals with provinces and territories to administer the program. But he says
canadas-population-grew-to-top-41-million-in-the-first-quarter-statcan
CanadaJun 19, 2024

Canada's population grew to top 41 million in the first quarter: StatCan

Statistics Canada says the country's population topped 41 million people in the first quarter of this year as it grew by 0.6 per cent. The agency says the population reached 41,012,563 on April 1, a gain of 242,673 people in the first three months of the year. Statistics Canada said the increase came as the country welcomed 121,758 immigrants in the first quarter. Net emigration amounted to 12,613 people for the quarter. Canada also added 131,810 non-permanent residents to the population. Statistics Canada noted that for temporary immigration, most of the growth happened before an announcement
mcgill-university-ending-negotiations-with-pro-palestinian-encampment-on-its-campus
CanadaJun 18, 2024

McGill University ending negotiations with pro-Palestinian encampment on its campus

McGill University says it is ending negotiations with pro-Palestinian activists who are occupying the lower field of its downtown Montreal campus. The university is also planning disciplinary action against people participating in the encampment, which began in late April. "Despite our ongoing efforts to discuss in good faith, the representatives of the encampment have maintained that their demands are non-negotiable while accusing the university of unwillingness to engage in fair discussions," McGill president Deep Saini said in a statement Tuesday. "As it has become clear that no fruitful ou
senate-passes-bill-to-ban-replacement-workers-in-federally-regulated-workplaces
CanadaJun 18, 2024

Senate passes bill to ban replacement workers in federally regulated workplaces

Federally regulated workplaces will soon be banned from bringing in replacement workers during a legal strike, after the Senate passed a government bill Monday that is now set to become law. The bill known as "anti-scab" legislation also sets a fine of up to $100,000 a day for employers who have replaced striking workers. The legislation was a key element of the Liberals' political pact with the New Democrats, and passed through the House of Commons with unanimous support. Union leaders have lauded the changes as a win for workers' protections and bargaining power. But the Canadian Chamber of

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threat-prompts-brief-lockdown-at-nanaimo-high-school
BCDec 11, 2025

Threat prompts brief lockdown at Nanaimo high school

A Nanaimo high school was placed under a precautionary lockdown Wednesday afternoon after school staff were alerted to a threat directed at a student. The incident at Nanaimo District Secondary School began around 2:30 p.m., prompting administrators to activate established safety procedures. Nanaimo RCMP officers responded immediately and remained on site while classrooms were secured. Police and school officials said the lockdown lasted roughly 30 minutes, and students and staff were released shortly after 3 p.m. once officers determined there was no ongoing risk. The district says students w
vancouver-police-seize-loaded-rifle-and-drugs-during-downtown-eastside-arrest
BCDec 11, 2025

Vancouver Police seize loaded rifle and drugs during Downtown Eastside arrest

Vancouver Police say a loaded rifle and several other weapons were taken off the street this week after officers arrested a man suspected of trafficking drugs in the Downtown Eastside. The incident took place Tuesday afternoon near East Hastings and Columbia Street, an area where frontline police and community workers have long raised concerns about violence linked to the drug trade. According to the Vancouver Police Department, members of the Beat Enforcement Team were on routine patrol around 2:35 p.m. on December 9 when they arrested a 32-year-old Surrey resident outside a residential build
donald-trump-unveils-new-gold-card-immigration-program
WorldDec 11, 2025

Donald Trump unveils new ‘Gold Card’ immigration program

Former United States president Donald Trump announced on Thursday the launch of a new immigration initiative he calls the Gold Card, opening the application process for the program. Under the plan, individuals can apply for the Gold Card at a fee of US$1 million, while companies wishing to secure a card for executives or employees would pay US$2 million. Trump’s campaign says cardholders would receive a U.S. passport, full voting rights and the same benefits enjoyed by other American citizens. Trump framed the Gold Card as part of his broader “America First” policy agenda, asserting the
flooding-prompts-wider-evacuations-and-highway-closures-across-southern-b-c
BCDec 11, 2025

Flooding prompts wider evacuations and highway closures across southern B.C.

Communities across southern British Columbia are facing new evacuation orders and travel disruptions after heavy rainfall triggered flooding and landslides that severed key routes between the Lower Mainland and the Interior. Provincial officials say multiple highways, including the Coquihalla and Highways 1, 3, 5 and 11, remain shut as crews assess washouts and unstable slopes. The closure of Highway 11 has also halted access to the Sumas border crossing. In Abbotsford, 371 properties on the Sumas Prairie were ordered evacuated overnight as waters linked to the overflowing Nooksack River conti
cra-plans-major-hiring-push-to-boost-call-centre-capacity-ahead-of-tax-season
CanadaDec 11, 2025

CRA plans major hiring push to boost call centre capacity ahead of tax season

The Canada Revenue Agency says it plans to bring on roughly 1,700 additional call centre staff in the coming months as it prepares for a surge in taxpayer inquiries during the upcoming filing season. Agency officials say the goal is to expand the workforce to about 4,500 agents, citing internal forecasts that anticipate heavy call volumes. Melanie Serjak, an assistant commissioner with the CRA, told reporters that it is routine for the agency to scale up its operations for tax season, when daily call volumes can exceed 300,000. She said last year’s peak staffing level reached about 3,300 age