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grocers-called-back-to-parliament-to-testify-about-plans-to-stabilize-prices
CanadaOct 24, 2023

Grocers called back to Parliament to testify about plans to stabilize prices

A House of Commons committee is asking the heads of Canada's major grocery chains to explain their plans to stabilize food prices.The committee passed an NDP motion on Thursday to invite the grocery executives, and summon them if necessary, to testify about the measures their companies are taking to address food inflation.This comes after Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne announced the companies have presented plans to the government to tackle rising prices, which he says include discounts, price freezes and price-matching campaigns.However, most grocers have not confirmed details
macklem-warned-premiers-about-dangers-of-putting-bocs-independence-at-risk
CanadaOct 24, 2023

Macklem warned premiers about dangers of putting BoC's independence at risk

Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem warned premiers who publicly asked the central bank to not raise interest rates last month that their requests could undermine the institution's independence.The premiers of Ontario, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador wrote to Macklem ahead of the Bank of Canada's Sept. 6 rate decision, outlining concerns about the effects of higher rates on their residents and asking the central bank not to raise its key rate further.In a Sept. 13 letter, Macklem warned that instructions or requests from elected officials could give the impression that the Bank
hamas-is-a-threat-to-the-world-it-must-be-eliminated-bill-blair
CanadaOct 24, 2023

Hamas is a threat to the world, it must be eliminated: Bill Blair

Defence Minister Bill Blair says Hamas is a terrorist organization that is a threat to the whole world and must be "eliminated." Blair also says he has no expectation that Hamas would respect international law, including any agreement on a ceasefire. His comments are the furthest any Canadian minister has gone in explaining why Canada does not support calls for a ceasefire. The defence minister also appeared unwilling to back more recent calls for a "humanitarian pause," but says there are talks underway to get more aid into the Gaza Strip. More than one million Palestinians have been displace
five-people-including-shooter-dead-after-shootings-in-ontarios-sault-ste-marie
CanadaOct 24, 2023

Five people, including shooter, dead after shootings in Ontario's Sault Ste. Marie

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service says officers first discovered the body of a 41-year-old around 10:20 p.m. Monday after someone called to report a break-and-enter at a home.They say the shooter appeared to have fled and about 10 minutes later, police received another call for someone with a weapon at a home about three kilometres north from the previous residence.Police say they found three children aged six, seven and twelve dead in that second home and a 45-year-old who was injured with a gunshot wound.They say officers also found the 44-year-old shooter, who appeared to have died after
spamouflage-campaign-targeting-trudeau-mps-linked-to-china-global-affairs-canada
CanadaOct 23, 2023

'Spamouflage' campaign targeting Trudeau, MPs linked to China: Global Affairs Canada

Global Affairs Canada says there's a social media campaign connected to the People's Republic of China is targeting dozens of MPs with spam.The department says a bot network known as "Spamouflage" began spreading propaganda and disinformation messages across Facebook and X in early August.Global Affairs says the bot network left thousands of comments in English and French on the accounts of MPs claiming a critic of the Chinese Communist Party in Canada accused the various MPs of criminal and ethical violations.It says the messages appeared across the political spectrum, even appearing on the a
canadian-in-gaza-shares-details-about-israel-hamas-war-situation-gets-more-dangerous
CanadaOct 23, 2023

Canadian in Gaza shares details about Israel-Hamas war, situation gets more dangerous

A Canadian man in Gaza says Israeli airstrikes that were previously heard roughly every hour can now be heard every few minutes as the Israel-Hamas war escalates.Mansour Shouman says Israel's bombardment of Gaza has grown relentless recently, and even locations where civilians were previously advised to take refuge are not safe.The sounds of explosions can be heard in the background as Shouman says he narrowly escaped an airstrike near the southern Gaza hospital complex where he has been taking shelter.He also says that small shipments of aid that were twice allowed into Gaza over the weekend
india-sets-condition-to-restart-visa-services-for-canada
CanadaOct 23, 2023

India sets condition to restart visa services for Canada

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said that if India sees progress in the security of its diplomats in Canada, then they can soon start visa services for Canadians.He said that India was concerned about the safety of Indian diplomats in Canada.He added that Canada was unable to provide a safe environment for diplomats, in violation of the Vienna Convention, which led to the temporary suspension of visa services.He said that if India sees progress in the security of its diplomats working there, then India will resume issuing visas.It is worth noting that relations between India and Ca
premier-doug-ford-writes-to-bank-of-canada-to-pause-interest-rate-increase
CanadaOct 23, 2023

Premier Doug Ford writes to Bank of Canada to pause interest rate increase

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has urged the Bank of Canada not to raise interest rates further.Doug Ford has already written a letter to Tiff Macklem.Doug Ford wrote a letter to Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem on Sunday saying that millions of people are struggling to make ends meet.He said that the previous interest rate hikes have put a lot of burden on families and businesses, so interest rates should not be increased further.It is worth noting that on Wednesday, the Bank of Canada will decide whether to increase interest rates or not, and two days before that, Ford wrote a letter to Mackl
CanadaOct 20, 2023

Saskatchewan legislature passes pronoun bill in special sitting

A controversial bill on the use of pronouns in schools has received final approval in the Saskatchewan legislature.The new law will prevent children under 16 from changing their names or pronouns at school without receiving parental consent.It uses the notwithstanding clause to override sections of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Saskatchewan's Human Rights Code.Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill says he expects all school divisions to abide by the legislation.The Opposition New Democrats opposed the bill, saying it strips rights from vulnerable people.The Saskatchewan Party government

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threat-prompts-brief-lockdown-at-nanaimo-high-school
BCDec 11, 2025

Threat prompts brief lockdown at Nanaimo high school

A Nanaimo high school was placed under a precautionary lockdown Wednesday afternoon after school staff were alerted to a threat directed at a student. The incident at Nanaimo District Secondary School began around 2:30 p.m., prompting administrators to activate established safety procedures. Nanaimo RCMP officers responded immediately and remained on site while classrooms were secured. Police and school officials said the lockdown lasted roughly 30 minutes, and students and staff were released shortly after 3 p.m. once officers determined there was no ongoing risk. The district says students w
vancouver-police-seize-loaded-rifle-and-drugs-during-downtown-eastside-arrest
BCDec 11, 2025

Vancouver Police seize loaded rifle and drugs during Downtown Eastside arrest

Vancouver Police say a loaded rifle and several other weapons were taken off the street this week after officers arrested a man suspected of trafficking drugs in the Downtown Eastside. The incident took place Tuesday afternoon near East Hastings and Columbia Street, an area where frontline police and community workers have long raised concerns about violence linked to the drug trade. According to the Vancouver Police Department, members of the Beat Enforcement Team were on routine patrol around 2:35 p.m. on December 9 when they arrested a 32-year-old Surrey resident outside a residential build
donald-trump-unveils-new-gold-card-immigration-program
WorldDec 11, 2025

Donald Trump unveils new ‘Gold Card’ immigration program

Former United States president Donald Trump announced on Thursday the launch of a new immigration initiative he calls the Gold Card, opening the application process for the program. Under the plan, individuals can apply for the Gold Card at a fee of US$1 million, while companies wishing to secure a card for executives or employees would pay US$2 million. Trump’s campaign says cardholders would receive a U.S. passport, full voting rights and the same benefits enjoyed by other American citizens. Trump framed the Gold Card as part of his broader “America First” policy agenda, asserting the
flooding-prompts-wider-evacuations-and-highway-closures-across-southern-b-c
BCDec 11, 2025

Flooding prompts wider evacuations and highway closures across southern B.C.

Communities across southern British Columbia are facing new evacuation orders and travel disruptions after heavy rainfall triggered flooding and landslides that severed key routes between the Lower Mainland and the Interior. Provincial officials say multiple highways, including the Coquihalla and Highways 1, 3, 5 and 11, remain shut as crews assess washouts and unstable slopes. The closure of Highway 11 has also halted access to the Sumas border crossing. In Abbotsford, 371 properties on the Sumas Prairie were ordered evacuated overnight as waters linked to the overflowing Nooksack River conti
cra-plans-major-hiring-push-to-boost-call-centre-capacity-ahead-of-tax-season
CanadaDec 11, 2025

CRA plans major hiring push to boost call centre capacity ahead of tax season

The Canada Revenue Agency says it plans to bring on roughly 1,700 additional call centre staff in the coming months as it prepares for a surge in taxpayer inquiries during the upcoming filing season. Agency officials say the goal is to expand the workforce to about 4,500 agents, citing internal forecasts that anticipate heavy call volumes. Melanie Serjak, an assistant commissioner with the CRA, told reporters that it is routine for the agency to scale up its operations for tax season, when daily call volumes can exceed 300,000. She said last year’s peak staffing level reached about 3,300 age