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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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canada-pauses-new-parent-and-grandparent-sponsorship-applications-for-2026
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Canada pauses new parent and grandparent sponsorship applications for 2026

The federal government says it will not accept any new applications this year under Canada's Parents and Grandparents Program as it works to reduce processing times and manage a large backlog of existing files. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), approximately 60,500 sponsorship applications are currently being processed. The department said it expects to approve about 15,000 parents and grandparents each year over the next two years from applications already in the system. IRCC said the temporary pause is intended to improve processing efficiency. The department
federal-government-names-new-members-to-independent-senate-appointments-advisory-board
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Federal government names new members to independent Senate appointments advisory board

The federal government has announced new appointments to the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, one week after Prime Minister Mark Carney named four new senators to the upper chamber. According to a federal government news release, the advisory board will continue to provide non-binding recommendations to the prime minister on Senate appointments. The board was established in 2016 to support a merit-based and independent appointments process. The government said the board will continue to include three federal members, including a chair, along with two additional members from
BCJul 15, 2026

Surrey man sentenced to nearly five years in prison in extortion-related shooting and arson case

A Surrey Provincial Court judge has sentenced Abhijeet Kingra to nearly five years in prison for his role in a 2024 extortion-related shooting and arson targeting a Surrey home. According to court records, Kingra pleaded guilty on July 6 to charges of discharging a firearm at a residence and committing arson. The offences stem from an Aug. 10, 2024 incident in which a home belonging to a person who had reportedly received extortion threats was shot at and set on fire. The court imposed a two-year sentence for arson and a sentence of four years, 10 months and 19 days for the shooting offence. T
westjet-flight-attendants-vote-99-4-in-favour-of-strike-as-august-long-weekend-travel-faces-disruption
CanadaJul 15, 2026

WestJet flight attendants vote 99.4% in favour of strike as August long weekend travel faces disruption

WestJet's flight attendants' union says 99.4 per cent of its members have voted in favour of strike action, clearing the way for a legal walkout as early as Aug. 2 if a new collective agreement is not reached. According to the union, about 4,400 flight attendants would be in a legal strike position beginning Aug. 2. Key issues in the contract dispute include wage increases that keep pace with inflation, improved working conditions and compensation for all hours spent on duty. WestJet President and CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said the airline remains committed to reaching a negotiated agreement
burnaby-rcmp-seek-publics-help-to-identify-suspect-in-sexual-assault-investigation
BCJul 15, 2026

Burnaby RCMP seek public's help to identify suspect in sexual assault investigation

Burnaby RCMP are asking for the public's help as they investigate a reported sexual assault that occurred in the city's Metrotown area last week. According to police, the incident happened at about 11:30 p.m. on July 9 near Royal Oak Avenue and Beresford Street. Investigators said the victim was walking alone when an unidentified man approached her from behind and sexually assaulted her. The suspect fled the area after the victim called 911. Officers searched the neighbourhood but were unable to locate him. Police said a second suspicious incident was reported about 30 minutes later near Beres