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trudeau-touts-real-progress-on-pharmacar-calls-on-premiers-to-start-cutting-deals
CanadaOct 11, 2024

Trudeau urges provinces to begin pharmacare talks; B.C. first to sign coverage agreement

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling on Canada’s provinces and territories to begin pharmacare negotiations immediately, following the recent passage of federal legislation that lays the foundation for a national drug coverage program. Speaking to reporters in Laos, where he attended the ASEAN Summit, Trudeau said the passage of the pharmacare bill by the Senate represents “real progress for Canadians,” emphasizing that the next step now lies with provinces to implement it. The pharmacare legislation, a key element of the confidence-and-supply agreement between the Liberals and the N
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

Just In

BCOct 13, 2026

Surrey Municipal Elections See 30% Surge in First-Day Advance Voting

Voters showed strong enthusiasm on the first day of advance voting in Surrey’s municipal elections, with 10,618 people casting their ballots on Wednesday, October 7. The turnout was nearly 30% higher than the 8,159 votes recorded on the first day of advance voting during the 2022 municipal elections. According to election officials, five ballots were issued but were not deposited in the ballot boxes. Among the polling locations, Cloverdale Recreation Centre recorded the highest turnout, with 1,949 votes cast. Fleetwood Community Centre followed with 1,547 votes, while 1,370 people voted at S
77-year-old-woman-assaulted-in-vancouvers-fairview-neighbourhood
BCOct 13, 2026

77-Year-Old Woman Assaulted in Vancouver’s Fairview Neighbourhood

A 77-year-old woman was assaulted by a suspect in Vancouver’s Fairview neighbourhood on Monday evening, police said. The incident occurred at around 6:30 p.m. near Cambie Street and West Broadway. The woman was walking when a young man approaching from the opposite direction allegedly forcefully shoulder-checked her, knocking her to the ground. The suspect fled the scene following the assault. An eyewitness immediately called police and stayed with the victim until officers arrived. The woman suffered a cut to her head and was taken to hospital for treatment. According to police, the suspect
CanadaOct 13, 2026

Canadian Cybersecurity Expert Edward Dubrovsky Arrested by FBI Over Alleged ShinyHunters Ties

Canadian cybersecurity expert and ransomware negotiator Edward Dubrovsky has been arrested by the FBI over alleged links to a hacking group. The FBI alleges that 54-year-old Dubrovsky was involved with ShinyHunters, a hacking group accused of carrying out dozens of data thefts since 2019, including an alleged breach of the FBI’s database earlier this year. According to reports, Dubrovsky faces two serious charges. The first involves conspiracy to threaten damage to information with the intent to extort, while the second relates to interfering with commercial activities through threats. The c
CanadaOct 13, 2026

Canada, France, UK and Australia Urge Palestinian Authority to Reverse Election Delay

Canada, along with France, the United Kingdom and Australia, has expressed deep regret over Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s decision to postpone elections and called on the Palestinian Authority to reverse the move. Last year, the four countries recognized Palestine as a state, subject to several conditions, including holding elections. The elections were scheduled for November this year but have now been postponed until September 2027. In a joint statement, the four countries urged the Palestinian Authority to reconsider its decision. President Abbas cited security conditions in Israe
IndiaOct 13, 2026

Punjab Bandh Called for October 15 Over Killing of Anti-Drug Activist Parminder Singh

Punjab is witnessing widespread anger among the family members and supporters of anti-drug activist Parminder Singh, who was shot dead in broad daylight in Mansa on Tuesday. A Punjab bandh has been called for October 15 to protest the killing. The activist’s supporters have alleged a nexus between drug traffickers and the police in Punjab and demanded the resignations of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the state’s Director General of Police (DGP). Meanwhile, the Congress has accused AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal of running a drug nexus in Punjab, while the BJP has urged the Governor to orde