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canadian-family-stuck-in-lebanon-anxiously-awaits-flight-options-amid-israeli-strikes
CanadaOct 04, 2024

Canadian families trapped in Lebanon plead for evacuation as violence escalates; concern grows among Lebanese and Arab diaspora in Canada

A Canadian citizen stranded in Lebanon with his family is pleading for evacuation as Israeli airstrikes continue to hit areas near Beirut, deepening fears among thousands of Canadians with roots in the region. Jalal Tabaja, a father of four Canadian children, said he has relocated his family to a hotel in a quieter area north of Beirut, but nowhere feels safe as explosions echo across the capital. Tabaja, who lost both parents last week when their car was struck by an Israeli bomb, said he has been told that his family could get seats on a government-arranged evacuation flight on Sunday but is
ndp-house-leader-says-house-dysfunction-will-be-a-factor-in-future-confidence-votes
CanadaOct 04, 2024

NDP warns parliamentary gridlock could shape confidence votes as Conservative–Liberal standoff deepens

NDP House Leader Peter Julian says his party wants to advance key legislation before the next federal election, but warns that the current parliamentary dysfunction is becoming a serious concern - one that could influence how New Democrats vote in future confidence motions. In the past three weeks, two Conservative non-confidence motions have failed to topple the Liberal minority government. The Opposition, however, has vowed to continue pressing for more such votes, arguing that the government no longer has the moral authority to govern. Julian accused the Conservatives of acting as “agents
supreme-court-upholds-rules-on-passenger-compensation-in-victory-for-air-travellers
CanadaOct 04, 2024

Supreme Court upholds stronger compensation rules for Canadian air passengers on international flights

In a major victory for Canadian travellers, the Supreme Court of Canada has upheld federal regulations that strengthen compensation rights for passengers facing flight delays, cancellations, or damaged luggage on international flights. The country’s top court unanimously dismissed an appeal by Air Canada, Porter Airlines, and 16 other carriers that had challenged the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) introduced in 2019. The airlines had argued that the rules violated international aviation standards under the Montreal Convention and exceeded the authority of the Canadian Transporta
injuries-reported-after-fire-sweeps-through-century-old-building-in-old-montreal
CanadaOct 04, 2024

Suspicious fire in historic Old Montreal building sends one to hospital, investigation underway

Montreal police are investigating a major fire that broke out early Friday morning in a century-old building in the city’s Old Montreal district, leaving one person hospitalized with burns and another treated for shock. Authorities said the fire began around 2:40 a.m. on the ground floor of a building on Notre-Dame Street East, which houses a restaurant, while the upper floors were used for short-term rentals. The cause of the fire remains unknown, but police have taken over the case because it is considered suspicious. About 125 firefighters were called to the scene, working for several hou
westjet-limits-flight-service-to-lethbridge
CanadaOct 04, 2024

WestJet cuts Lethbridge flights to one per day, raising travel concerns for southern Alberta communities

Despite millions spent on recent renovations at Lethbridge Airport, the city’s only commercial carrier, WestJet, has reduced its service to just one daily flight, a move that has raised concerns for southern Alberta residents who rely on air links to Edmonton and Calgary for business, family travel, and medical appointments. WestJet had planned to scale back operations to a single flight starting October 3, but the change took effect slightly earlier. “We’ve got a schedule change that’s kind of started a little bit early, as of Oct. 1,” said Jared Mikoch-Gerke, WestJet’s director o
strike-vote-looms-for-alberta-nurses-union-as-informal-mediation-talks-unsuccessful
CanadaOct 03, 2024

Alberta nurses inch closer to strike as talks with province stall over pay and staffing issues

Tensions between the United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) and the provincial government are escalating after another round of negotiations failed to produce a new collective agreement, raising the prospect of a province-wide strike that could impact hospitals across Alberta. David Harrigan, labour relations director for the UNA, said that while last month’s informal mediation meetings were “productive,” the gap between the two sides remains too wide to bridge. The union is demanding a 30 per cent wage increase over two years, citing inflation and the rising cost of living, while the Alberta go
manitoba-man-acquitted-50-years-after-murder-conviction
CanadaOct 03, 2024

Manitoba man acquitted after 50 years in wrongful murder conviction tied to systemic discrimination

After nearly half a century, Clarence Woodhouse, a Manitoba man wrongfully convicted of murder in 1974, has been formally acquitted by the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench, marking the end of one of Canada’s longest-running miscarriages of justice. Woodhouse had been found guilty of fatally beating and stabbing a restaurant worker in downtown Winnipeg five decades ago. His lawyers argued that the confession attributed to him could not have been genuine, as it was recorded in fluent English, a language he did not primarily speak - his first language being Saulteaux, an Anishinaabe dialect. Th
foreign-interference-inquiry-to-hear-from-rcmp-commissioner-today
CanadaOct 03, 2024

RCMP Commissioner to testify again at foreign interference inquiry as diaspora concerns grow in Canada

RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme is set to appear today before the federal inquiry into foreign interference, where Canada’s national police force will face renewed questions about how it detects and counters attempts by foreign states to influence Canadian institutions - a topic closely watched in diverse communities such as Surrey and Edmonton. This marks Duheme’s second appearance before the inquiry, joined by senior RCMP officials as the hearings turn their focus to how federal agencies identify and respond to foreign meddling. The commission’s sessions, which continue through October 1
trudeau-headed-to-francophonie-summit-in-france
CanadaOct 03, 2024

Trudeau headed to Francophonie summit in France

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is travelling to France today to attend the Francophonie summit, where discussions on French-language cooperation are expected to share the stage with growing concerns about conflict in the Middle East. The two-day summit, taking place Thursday and Friday in Villers-Cotterêts and Paris, brings together leaders from French-speaking countries around the world. France will assume the presidency of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) from Tunisia during the event. Officials say this year’s theme: “Create, innovate and do business in French”

Just In

CanadaSep 17, 2026

Canada Must Focus on Value-Added Products Instead of Raw Materials: EDC

Amid the federal government’s efforts to open up new markets, Export Development Canada (EDC) said in a report released Thursday that Canada needs to invest in processing raw materials domestically and turning them into higher-value products instead of exporting them in their raw form. EDC CEO Alison Nankivell said such investments could add nearly $100 billion to Canada’s GDP over the next decade. The report used yellow peas as an example. While exporting raw peas may generate about $30 per tonne, processing them into flour can raise the value to $300 per tonne. Turning them into products
16-arrested-in-abbotsford-retail-theft-operation-project-pumpkin-spice
BCSep 17, 2026

16 Arrested in Abbotsford Retail Theft Operation ‘Project Pumpkin Spice’

Abbotsford Police have arrested 16 people accused of shoplifting as part of Project Pumpkin Spice, a retail crime enforcement operation conducted on Sept. 11 as part of a nationwide campaign. According to police, 11 officers from the Abbotsford Police Department’s Street Outreach Response Team worked with 20 local businesses during the 10-hour operation. Sgt. Paul Walker said several of those arrested had previous criminal records and outstanding warrants. Police recovered more than $1,600 worth of stolen merchandise during the operation. A vehicle allegedly used in the offences was also sei
b-c-municipalities-urge-eby-to-hold-provincial-election-after-local-vote
BCSep 17, 2026

B.C. Municipalities Urge Eby to Hold Provincial Election After Local Vote

British Columbia’s political scene is heating up amid signals from Premier David Eby that an early provincial election could be called. Amid the uncertainty, Union of B.C. Municipalities president Cory Ramsay is calling for any potential mid-term provincial election to be held only after the municipal elections are completed. Ramsay noted that local elections are scheduled for Oct. 17, with campaigning beginning Sept. 19 across 188 communities. He warned that calling a provincial election during the municipal campaign could distract more than 3,500 local candidates and residents from key iss
police-take-major-action-in-burnaby-hospital-fire-case-after-six-year-investigation
BCSep 17, 2026

Police Take Major Action in Burnaby Hospital Fire Case After Six-Year Investigation

Police have charged a 29-year-old Alberta man in connection with a fire at Burnaby Hospital in 2020, following an investigation that lasted nearly six years. Burnaby RCMP said the B.C. Prosecution Service approved charges against Yu Yun Wang on September 8, including arson and endangering human life. The fire broke out on November 15, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the hospital’s mental health services wing. The blaze caused millions of dollars in damage, forced the emergency department to close and led to the evacuation of patients. Police said the suspect was identified in 2023 aft
AlbertaSep 17, 2026

Alberta Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Sexual Assaults on Vulnerable Women

An Alberta man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of sexual assaults against vulnerable women at a rural property near Calgary. Richard Robert Mantha, 62, was convicted of six offences, including drugging one of his victims, in incidents that occurred between 2019 and 2023. He was also found guilty of uttering threats against another woman. The court heard that most of the victims worked in the sex trade. Justice Judith Shriar said Mantha showed “callous disrespect” when he laughed as one terrified victim fled his rural property, fearing for her life. Mantha received cre