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speaker-greg-fergus-apologizes-to-committee-for-video-shown-at-political-convention
CanadaDec 11, 2023

Speaker Greg Fergus apologizes to committee for video shown at political convention

House Speaker Greg Fergus apologized to a committee of MPs this morning for a video he made that was shown at a recent Ontario Liberal Party convention. Fergus was called to speak to the committee on procedure and House affairs, which is examining whether the non-partisan Speaker should be punished for appearing in the video in his ceremonial robes. The committee has scheduled five hours of hearings on this today, with witnesses that also include House clerks and John Fraser, the Ontario member of the provincial parliament who was the subject of Fergus's video. Fergus says a member of Frase
CanadaDec 08, 2023

Feds recover $40M from defunct Quebec vaccine developer Medicago

The federal government says it has recovered $40 million from the now-defunct Quebec-based vaccine developer Medicago, and the intellectual property will remain in Canada under a new firm. The government provided Medicago a $173-million advance in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic to develop and produce a plant-based vaccine in Quebec City. The company's Japanese parent company, Mitsubishi Chemical Group, shut down Medicago's operations in February as global demand for vaccinations plummeted. Though Medicago's vaccine was approved for use in Canada, it was not approved by the World Healt
1-in-9-canadian-adults-have-had-long-term-symptoms-from-covid-infection-statcan-says
CanadaDec 08, 2023

1 in 9 Canadian adults have had long-term symptoms from COVID infection, StatCan says

Statistics Canada says about one in nine Canadian adults have had long-term symptoms from COVID-19 infection.The report released today says that amounts to 3.5 million Canadians. Symptoms are defined as long-term if they persist for three months or longer after a COVID-19 infection and they can't be explained by anything else. Almost 80 per cent of people with long-term symptoms have them for six months or more. StatCan says more than half of those who ever had long-term symptoms still had them as of June 2023. Two-thirds of Canadian adults who have tried to get health-care services for their
more-than-200-crashes-reported-as-wintry-weather-returns-to-calgary
CanadaDec 08, 2023

More than 200 crashes reported as wintry weather returns to Calgary

More than 200 crashes have occurred from last night to this morning due to Thursday night's snow fall in Calgary. Due to the storm, the drivers had to face a lot of trouble. According to the police, people have been injured in 13 out of 200 crashes.They said that 6 crashes took place this morning, out of which injuries were reported during one of the accidents. Due to slippery roads, control over vehicles is reduced. According to city officials, they have ordered more crews and 60 trucks to remove snow from the roads. Snow removal is being done with the help of roller coaster.People are warned
salmonella-spread-by-eating-malichita-brand-melons-in-canada-5-people-died
BCDec 08, 2023

Salmonella spread by eating Malichita brand melons in Canada, 5 people died

The Public Health Agency of Canada says the death toll has risen to five in a salmonella outbreak linked to Malichita and Rudy brand cantaloupes. It says 129 people have been confirmed with salmonella linked to the outbreak, almost double the number at the last update on December 1st, when a single death had been recorded. There are also 17 cases in Ontario, 15 in British Columbia, and two each in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador. The agency issued food recall warnings three times in November for Malichita cantaloupes sold between October 11th and November 14
canada-implements-stricter-rules-for-international-students-may-limit-visas
CanadaDec 08, 2023

Canada implements stricter rules for international students, may ‘limit visas’

Immigration Minister Marc Miller says Ottawa will require foreigners applying to study in Canada to have double the amount of funds currently required. Miller says the change is among those meant to ensure international students aren't left vulnerable to sketchy employers and unable to afford life in Canada. He is also warning provinces that the Liberals might limit visas if colleges and universities don't adequately support students, but he tells reporters that governments need to have more conversations before such changes. The Liberals are also ramping down a policy that lengthened the
quebec-unions-representing-420-000-public-sector-workers-start-weeklong-strike
CanadaDec 08, 2023

Quebec unions representing 420,000 public sector workers start weeklong strike

Unions representing 420,000 Quebec public sector workers are beginning a weeklong strike today. The workers, including teachers, education support staff and lab technicians, are members of a group of unions that calls itself the "common front." The temporary strike comes after the common front rejected the government's most recent contract offer, which includes a salary increase of 12.7 per cent over five years. It is the group's third temporary strike since early November, and the unions say it will be the last before they launch an unlimited strike. Around 66,000 teachers who are members of
alberta-legislature-wraps-up-fall-sitting-passes-pension-exit-legislation
CanadaDec 08, 2023

Alberta legislature wraps up fall sitting, passes pension-exit legislation

The Alberta legislature has wrapped up its fall sitting, passing nine bills this week that included legislation yesterday clearing the path for a referendum on the province quitting the Canada Pension Plan. To pass the bill, the U-C-P government's House Leader Joseph Schow put time limits on debate. He says he had no choice as the Opposition NDP signalled it would try to hold up the bill by endlessly debating it. New Democrats say the bill mandating a referendum be held before Alberta would leave the CPP contains a loophole that gives the government the option to ignore the results.
b-c-chief-coroner-lisa-lapointe-retiring-saddened-by-overdose-crisis-policy
BCDec 06, 2023

B.C. chief coroner Lisa Lapointe retiring, saddened by overdose crisis policy

British Columbia's Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe has announced she is leaving her post after 13 years, deeply saddened the province has been unable to reduce the "tragic impacts" of toxic drugs on thousands of people. Lapointe says in a statement today the coroners service has been forever altered by the public health emergency that continues to take the lives of people of all ages in communities throughout B.C., including more than 2,000 people so far this year. Lapointe says recommendations by coroners service death-review panels, including providing a safe supply of drugs without prescription

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taxpayers-group-urges-b-c-to-suspend-fuel-tax-amid-high-gas-prices
BCMar 25, 2026

Taxpayers group urges B.C. to suspend fuel tax amid high gas prices

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the Government of British Columbia to suspend its provincial motor fuels tax, arguing the move would reduce costs for drivers as gasoline prices remain elevated. In a statement, the group said drivers in regions including Metro Vancouver and the Capital Regional District are paying more than $2 per litre for fuel, while prices in other parts of the province are մոտ $1.80 per litre. “B.C. drivers pay the highest gas prices in the country because of the highest gas taxes from the province and regional districts,” said Carson Binda. He added
WorldMar 25, 2026

South Africa arrests 12 senior police officers in corruption probe tied to service contract

South African anti-corruption investigators have arrested 12 senior police officers on allegations of corruption and fraud, according to a statement released Wednesday by the National Prosecuting Authority’s investigative directorate. The officers appeared in court in Pretoria following their arrests. Authorities allege the case is linked to a contract involving the provision of health and wellbeing services to police personnel. A 13th individual, identified as a company director connected to the contract, was also taken into custody, the agency said. According to the prosecuting authority,
three-arrested-in-abbotsford-drug-trafficking-investigation-police-seize-cocaine-and-cash
BCMar 25, 2026

Three arrested in Abbotsford drug trafficking investigation; police seize cocaine and cash

Three people in their twenties were arrested Monday night in Abbotsford in connection with a suspected drug trafficking investigation, according to a police release. The Abbotsford Police Department said patrol officers responded shortly after 9 p.m. and located two men and one woman near the area of Gillis Avenue and McCallum Road. Police allege the individuals, who do not reside in Abbotsford, had come into the community to sell drugs. Officers seized approximately 73 grams of suspected cocaine and more than $4,500 in cash during the arrest. A 2014 Honda Civic was also seized as offence-rela
WorldMar 25, 2026

Australia to temporarily restrict Iranian tourist visa entries over overstay concerns

Australia’s federal government says it will temporarily bar Iranian nationals from entering the country on tourist visas, citing concerns about visa overstays. According to a government announcement, the measure takes effect Thursday and is expected to remain in place for about six months. Home Affairs officials say the restriction applies specifically to new arrivals on short-term visitor visas. The federal home affairs minister said the decision was made due to concerns that some travellers may remain in Australia after their visas expire. Authorities estimate about 7,000 Iranian nationals
AlbertaMar 25, 2026

Wetaskiwin residents raise concerns as mayor remains barred from city hall

Residents in Wetaskiwin, a city south of Edmonton, say frustration is growing over a lack of information surrounding restrictions placed on Mayor Joe Branco that have kept him out of city hall for more than two months. Branco has been attending council meetings virtually since mid-January. The city has said the decision relates to “confidential personnel matters,” but has not provided further details, citing privacy obligations. According to statements made during recent council discussions, the lack of public information has contributed to speculation in the community. Resident Maggie Tol