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1-dead-and-6-missing-after-luxury-superyacht-sinks-in-storm-off-sicily
CanadaAug 19, 2024

1 dead and 6 missing after luxury superyacht sinks in storm off Sicily

A luxury superyacht carrying foreign tourists capsized and sank off Sicily in bad weather early Monday. One body was found, six people remain missing and 15 people were rescued, authorities said. The ship had overturned around 5 a.m. off the port of Porticello, where it was apparently anchored. It had a crew of 10 people and 12 passengers, including British, American and Canadian nationalities, the Italian coast guard said. Local media said a sudden fierce storm, including tornados over water known as waterspouts, had battered the area overnight but skies were clear and seas calm by Monday mor
days-before-school-year-begins-more-than-5-700-teaching-positions-unfilled-in-quebec
CanadaAug 16, 2024

Days before school year begins, more than 5,700 teaching positions unfilled in Quebec

Quebec Education Minister Bernard Drainville says there are still 5,704 teaching positions to be filled in the province's schools, weeks before the new school year begins. But Drainville says that number represents 2,800 fewer vacancies compared with this time last year. He says the school system faces a serious challenge to find enough teachers because there are about 20,000 more students enrolled than there were last year. Of the 5,704 unfilled teaching spots, 1,406 are for permanent, full-time positions, and the rest are contract jobs. Drainville says the improvement over last year is due i
geyser-in-montreal-after-major-water-main-break-floods-streets-and-homes
CanadaAug 16, 2024

'Geyser' in Montreal after major water main break floods streets and homes

A break in a major underground water main near Montreal's Jacques Cartier Bridge sent water gushing down streets and inside homes on Friday morning, forcing the evacuation of nearby buildings. Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said many residents east of downtown woke up around 6 a.m. to firefighters urging them to vacate their homes because of flooding risks from the "geyser" that erupted at the corner of René-Lévesque Boulevard and de Lorimier Avenue. Images broadcast by media showed water gushing from the intersection in the densely populated neighbourhood near the bridge, and witnesses said
cbsa-to-use-facial-recognition-app-for-people-facing-deportation-documents
CanadaAug 16, 2024

CBSA to use facial recognition app for people facing deportation: documents

The Canada Border Services Agency plans to implement an app that uses facial recognition technology to keep track of people who have been ordered to be deported from the country. The mobile reporting app would use biometrics to confirm a person's identity and record their location data when they use the app to check in. Documents obtained through access-to-information indicate that the CBSA has proposed such an app as far back as 2021. A spokesperson confirmed that an app called ReportIn will be launched this fall. Experts are flagging numerous concerns, questioning the validity of user consen
manitoba-government-follows-other-provinces-in-restricting-cellphone-use-in-schools
CanadaAug 15, 2024

Manitoba government follows other provinces in restricting cellphone use in schools

The Manitoba government is following other provinces in restricting the use of cellphones in classrooms beginning this school year. There is to be a ban for students in kindergarten to Grade 8, while those in high school will be restricted from using their devices during class time but are free to use them during breaks and lunch. The province says exemptions are to be made for medical or accessibility reasons. The bans are designed to reduce distractions and help students focus in class. Some Manitoba school divisions already had their own bans in place. Saskatchewan announced its decision la
canada-must-respond-to-mpox-crisis-in-africa-to-prevent-spread-here-experts-say
CanadaAug 14, 2024

Canada must respond to mpox crisis in Africa to prevent spread here, experts say

The World Health Organization has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern and experts say it's critical for Canada to respond. The WHO declaration comes as mpox formerly known as monkeypox has spread between several African countries and there are concerns it could spread further. McGill University global health researcher Dr. Madhukar Pai says the current risk to Canadians is low, but it's important to provide funding and resources to help African nations get the outbreak under control. He says it's the way to prevent the virus from travelling and becoming a bigger th
trade-minister-criticizes-higher-u-s-softwood-lumber-duties-as-unfair-unwarranted
CanadaAug 14, 2024

Trade minister criticizes higher U.S. softwood lumber duties as unfair, unwarranted

Canada's international trade minister is criticizing the U.S. Department of Commerce for nearly doubling duties on softwood lumber, saying the move is unfair and unwarranted. Minister Mary Ng says the U.S. has significantly increased duties on softwood lumber from Canada, from 8.05 per cent to 14.54 per cent. It's the latest salvo in a bilateral back-and-forth that Ottawa has described as a drag on efforts to improve the cost and supply of housing. Ng says the increase will harm consumers and producers on both sides of the border and called for a lasting resolution to this long-standing disput
quebec-to-authorize-early-requests-for-maid-wont-wait-for-ottawa-to-change-law
CanadaAug 14, 2024

Quebec to authorize early requests for MAID, won't wait for Ottawa to change law

Quebec says that starting this fall it will authorize early requests for medical assistance in dying from certain patients before their condition renders them incapable of giving consent. The province has been calling on the federal government to modify the Criminal Code to allow people to make such requests, but Quebec says it won't wait any longer. Quebec adopted a law in June 2023 permitting people with serious and incurable illnesses, such as Alzheimer's disease, to ask for MAID while they have the capacity to provide consent, with the procedure being carried out after their condition has
immigration-minister-looking-into-revoking-terror-suspects-citizenship
CanadaAug 14, 2024

Immigration minister looking into revoking terror suspect's citizenship

Immigration Minister Marc Miller says he plans to look into whether the man accused of plotting a terror attack in Toronto should have his Canadian citizenship revoked. Ahmed Fouad Mostafa Eldidi, 62, and his son Mostafa Eldidi, 26, were arrested in Richmond Hill, Ont., and face nine terrorism charges including conspiracy to commit murder on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. When the RCMP announced the charges on July 31 they said the two men were "in the advanced stages of planning a serious, violent attack in Toronto." The elder Eldidi, who is a Canadian citizen, is also ch

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prime-minister-carney-announces-10b-investment-to-expand-port-of-vancouver-capacity
CanadaJul 30, 2026

Prime Minister Carney announces $10B investment to expand Port of Vancouver capacity

Prime Minister Mark Carney visited the Port of Vancouver in Delta on Thursday, where he announced a proposed $10 billion federal investment to expand the port's capacity and strengthen Canada's access to international markets beyond the United States. According to the Prime Minister, the expansion project is intended to increase Canadian exports to non-U.S. markets by 50 per cent, with a focus on agricultural products and other key commodities. The federal government says the investment is aimed at improving Canada's trade infrastructure and supporting long-term economic growth. Carney said th
BCJul 30, 2026

North York trio sentenced in $1.3M stolen liquor trafficking case in Ontario

Three North York residents have been sentenced for their roles in a stolen liquor trafficking operation involving more than $1.3 million worth of alcohol, according to Halton Regional Police. Police said 52-year-old Parminder Sidhu, 56-year-old Rajinder Kaur Sidhu and 25-year-old Navdeep Sidhu appeared in the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto on July 8. The court imposed sentences ranging from probation to nearly two years in custody. According to Halton Regional Police, the convictions followed a four-month joint investigation conducted by Halton Regional Police, the Toronto Police Service
BCJul 30, 2026

129 Wildfires Active Across B.C. as Brunswick Complex Fire Remains Out of Control

British Columbia's Minister of Forests and BC Wildfire Service, Ravi Parmar, says 129 wildfires are currently active across the province. According to the BC Wildfire Service, nine of those fires were discovered within the past 24 hours. Parmar said hot, dry conditions combined with strong winds continue to make firefighting efforts challenging. He said the weather is increasing the risk of new wildfire starts and could cause existing fires to grow. Fire crews are working to contain newly reported fires while continuing suppression efforts on incidents already burning. The minister said additi
supreme-court-allows-judicial-review-of-ethics-ruling-on-trudeaus-involvement-in-we-charity-decisions
CanadaJul 30, 2026

Supreme Court allows judicial review of ethics ruling on Trudeau's involvement in WE Charity decisions

The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that Democracy Watch can proceed with a judicial review of a federal ethics commissioner's decision that cleared former prime minister Justin Trudeau of wrongdoing in relation to decisions involving WE Charity. The case stems from a May 2021 report by then–Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion, who concluded Trudeau did not contravene the Conflict of Interest Act when he participated in government decisions concerning WE Charity, an organization that operated programs in Canada and internationally. Democracy Watch sought judicial review
illegal-firearm-smuggling-through-surrey-border-crossing-leads-to-jail-sentence
BCJul 30, 2026

Illegal firearm smuggling through Surrey border crossing leads to jail sentence

A man has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison and prohibited from possessing firearms for 10 years after admitting to smuggling a loaded handgun into Canada through the Surrey border area. According to RCMP Federal Policing Pacific Region Media Relations Officer Cpl. Parmbir Kahlon, the investigation began on Sept. 11, 2025, after the United States Border Patrol notified Canadian authorities that an individual had crossed illegally into Canada near 183 Street and 0 Avenue in Surrey. The RCMP's Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET) responded and arrested Jaskaran Banth under th