23.37°C Vancouver

News

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
boissonnault-appointed-to-lead-federal-governments-effort-to-rebuild-jasper
CanadaOct 09, 2024

Boissonnault appointed to lead federal government's effort to rebuild Jasper

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has appointed Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault to oversee the federal government’s role in helping rebuild Jasper, Alberta, following this summer’s devastating wildfire. The July fire destroyed roughly one-third of the Rocky Mountain community, displacing about 2,000 residents and causing extensive damage to homes, businesses, and local infrastructure. Boissonnault, who represents Edmonton Centre in Parliament, will coordinate federal support alongside the Alberta government, the Municipality of Jasper, and Indigenous partners. “This role that the prim
foreign-affairs-minister-urges-canadians-to-leave-florida-ahead-of-devastating-storm
CanadaOct 09, 2024

Foreign affairs minister urges Canadians to leave Florida ahead of devastating storm

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is urging Canadians currently in Florida to leave immediately and warning others to postpone travel plans as Hurricane Milton moves toward the state’s west coast. The storm, downgraded early Thursday to Category 4 strength, is still expected to bring deadly storm surge, torrential rain and destructive winds. Milton is forecast to make landfall later today in the Tampa Bay region — home to more than 3.3 million people — before moving east through Sarasota, Orlando and Daytona Beach. Millions of residents have been ordered to evacuate as emergency cre
premier-danielle-smiths-key-strategist-on-alberta-addiction-recovery-policy-to-exit-role
CanadaOct 09, 2024

Premier Danielle Smith’s key strategist on Alberta addiction recovery policy to exit role

One of Premier Danielle Smith’s closest advisers and a key figure in shaping Alberta’s addiction recovery model is leaving the provincial government. The premier confirmed that her chief of staff, Marshall Smith, will retire from public service at the end of October. Marshall Smith has played a central role in developing Alberta’s recovery-oriented approach to the drug crisis, which emphasizes treatment and rehabilitation over harm-reduction measures such as supervised consumption sites. The strategy has been both praised for expanding treatment capacity and criticized by public health e

Just In

canada-u-s-trade-talks-intensify-as-50-tariff-deadline-nears
CanadaAug 14, 2026

Canada-U.S. Trade Talks Intensify as 50% Tariff Deadline Nears

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc is set to brief the federal trade cabinet and Prime Minister Mark Carney’s advisory committee today on the ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, as the August 19 deadline for a new 50 per cent tariff on Canadian goods rapidly approaches. Following a series of meetings in Washington with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Canadian officials are working on a common trade framework that could be presented to U.S. President Donald Trump for approval as early as next week. LeBlanc and Canada’s chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette
AlbertaAug 14, 2026

Alberta plans 100-year study of province’s water security

The Alberta government has issued a request for proposals for a $400,000 study examining the long-term security of the province’s water supply. Environment Minister Grant Hunter says the study will look 100 years into the future and explore new ways Alberta should invest in and build water infrastructure, while also helping guide future water-management policies. Hunter says Alberta’s population, industrial sector and agricultural industry are all expanding, making reliable access to water essential to sustaining economic and population growth. The study will also examine major water infra
CanadaAug 14, 2026

Saskatchewan sees 40% drop in U.S. alcohol and wine sales

Saskatchewan recorded a 40% decline in sales of American alcohol and wine during 2025-26, with California wines among the hardest hit. The decline comes a year after the provincial government decided to return American alcohol to liquor stores despite the ongoing tariff dispute. However, consumers appear to have voluntarily distanced themselves from U.S. brands. At the same time, sales of locally produced Saskatchewan alcohol increased by 5%, suggesting that some consumers are choosing domestic alternatives. Retailers say demand for popular American bourbon brands such as Jack Daniel’s and J
b-c-finance-minister-brenda-bailey-reveals-early-stage-cancer-diagnosis
BCAug 14, 2026

B.C. Finance Minister Brenda Bailey reveals early-stage cancer diagnosis

British Columbia Finance Minister Brenda Bailey has revealed that she has been diagnosed with early-stage cancer, saying doctors expect her to make a full recovery. Bailey said in a social media post that she learned about the diagnosis several weeks ago. She said she will undergo treatment this summer and expects to return to work in time for the fall legislative session. Bailey also said she is working with Premier David Eby to ensure government operations continue while she receives treatment. Eby described Bailey as a capable and important cabinet minister and wished her a speedy recovery.
groups-urge-canada-to-block-rss-chief-mohan-bhagwats-entry
CanadaAug 13, 2026

Groups Urge Canada to Block RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s Entry

Leaders of several Sikh, Muslim and human rights organizations in Canada are urging the federal government to prevent RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat from entering the country. During a press conference in Ottawa, representatives of the National Council of Canadian Muslims, World Sikh Organization of Canada, Hindus for Human Rights and Justice for All Canada called on Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree to declare Bhagwat inadmissible to Canada. New Democratic Party MP Heather McPherson also supported the demand, saying the Canadian government is moving in the wrong direction by allegedly givin