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canada-pledges-5-7m-in-humanitarian-aid-for-ukraine-with-focus-on-children
CanadaAug 21, 2024

Canada pledges $5.7M in humanitarian aid for Ukraine, with focus on children

International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen says Canada will provide $5.7 million for Ukrainians to meet their basic needs. Ottawa says it's maintaining solidarity with Ukraine two-and-a-half years into Russia's full-scale invasion as Hussen visits Kyiv. The trip has a focus on children, with Hussen visiting the main children's hospital, which was damaged by a Russian missile in July. The funding includes $2 million for Save the Children Canada, which has helped Ukrainian kids with food, education and psychosocial support. Another $3.5 million will go toward medical and mental-health servi
legault-announces-six-month-freeze-on-some-temporary-foreign-workers-in-montreal
CanadaAug 20, 2024

Legault announces six-month freeze on some temporary foreign workers in Montreal

Quebec Premier François Legault is announcing a six-month freeze on certain temporary foreign worker applications in Montreal. The premier says the moratorium will apply to new applications and renewals, but nurses, teachers, construction workers, food transformation workers and those making at least $57,000 a year will be exempt. Legault says the total number of temporary immigrants across the province has doubled to 600,000 from 300,000 in just two years, putting a strain on housing as well as social services such as health and education. The premier said there are about 12,000 temporary fo
canadas-inflation-rate-fell-to-2-5-in-july-lowest-since-march-2021
CanadaAug 20, 2024

Canada’s inflation rate fell to 2.5% in July, lowest since March 2021

Canada’s annual inflation rate fell to 2.5 per cent last month, matching forecasters’ expectations as price pressures continue to retreat. Tuesday’s consumer price index report says prices for travel tours, passenger vehicles and electricity helped drive the headline figure lower. Meanwhile, shelter costs are still the main driver of inflation as Canadians face significantly higher rents and mortgage payments. The federal agency noted, however, that shelter price growth slowed last month to 5.7 per cent year-over-year, down from 6.2 per cent in June. July marked the slowest annual increa
cause-of-water-main-break-that-flooded-montreal-neighbourhood-remains-unclear-mayor
CanadaAug 19, 2024

Cause of water main break that flooded Montreal neighbourhood remains unclear: mayor

The mayor of Montreal says the cause of a major water main break Friday morning near the city's Jacques Cartier Bridge remains unknown. Valérie Plante says 50 buildings were flooded when millions of litres of water erupted onto city streets, and 16 households have asked the Red Cross for emergency housing. She says workers are now removing debris from roads in the area, but it will take time to get the parts to repair the two-metre-wide pipe. Plante says she's relieved the city didn't have to shut off the drinking water supply to any customers, although Montreal did issue a boil-water advisor
union-serves-72-hour-strike-notice-to-cpkc
CanadaAug 19, 2024

Union serves 72-hour strike notice to CPKC

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed... Union serves 72-hour strike notice to CPKC More than 9,000 workers at Canada's two major railways could be either on strike or locked out as of Thursday, disrupting supply chains relied upon by many industries. The union representing thousands of workers at Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. says it has served a 72-hour strike notice to the railway. The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference issued a news release saying unless the parties can reach a last-minute agreement, workers will be off the job as of 12:01
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

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quebec-premier-open-to-return-of-u-s-wines-if-trade-gains-are-made
CanadaAug 10, 2026

Quebec premier open to return of U.S. wines if trade gains are made

Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette says the province could allow U.S. wines to return to liquor store shelves, but only if there are gains for Quebec and Canada in ongoing trade discussions with the United States. Fréchette said she wants to see reductions in tariff barriers affecting key Quebec sectors, including forestry, aluminum and manufacturing, before considering a return of American wine products to provincial liquor stores. The Quebec government previously directed the province’s liquor board to stop selling U.S. products in response to tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald T
BCAug 10, 2026

Merritt closes hiking and biking trails amid wildfire risk

Merritt’s fire chief has ordered the immediate closure of all hiking and biking trails in forested areas under the city’s jurisdiction, citing the risk of human-caused wildfires. Fire Chief David A. Tomkinson said the restriction took effect Monday and will remain in place until Sept. 15. Members of the public are not permitted to enter the affected trails and forested areas during the closure. According to the city, the closure is authorized under its bylaw, which allows the administration to restrict access to areas when necessary to protect public safety and property. Tomkinson said the
BCAug 10, 2026

Overnight Highway 99 closures planned in Delta for bridge work

Drivers in Delta should expect overnight closures on Highway 99 as crews install new bridge girders for the 78th Street overpass. The closures are scheduled for Monday, Aug. 10, and Tuesday, Aug. 11. Work will begin with lane restrictions before the highway is fully closed in each direction. Southbound lane closures are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., with a full southbound closure at 8 p.m. Northbound lane closures will begin at 8 p.m., followed by a full northbound closure at 9 p.m. The closures will affect Highway 99 between the Highway 91 and Highway 17 interchanges. The highway is expected
BCAug 10, 2026

Canadian Armed Forces on standby as B.C. wildfires displace thousands in Okanagan

The Canadian Armed Forces have been placed on standby to assist communities affected by wildfires in British Columbia, as thousands of residents in the Okanagan region have been forced from their homes. Defence Minister David McGuinty said military assistance will be deployed once the B.C. government makes a formal request for troops to operate on the ground. McGuinty said the provincial government submitted a formal request over the weekend through Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski. Federal assistance has since been approved to help provide accommodation and temporary shelter fo
vancouver-police-seek-public-help-identifying-suspect-in-kitsilano-assault
BCAug 10, 2026

Vancouver police seek public help identifying suspect in Kitsilano assault

Vancouver police are asking the public to help identify a man accused of assaulting a 73-year-old man in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood on July 31. According to Vancouver Police Department, officers were called after the two men became involved in a verbal altercation. Police allege the suspect had been yelling at passersby before the victim approached him and asked him to stop and leave the area. Investigators allege the suspect then pushed the victim to the ground. The 73-year-old suffered head injuries in the incident, police said. Police describe the suspect as a Caucasian man with