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weighing-our-options-ottawa-open-to-further-pause-to-expand-assisted-dying-rules
CanadaDec 15, 2023

'Weighing our options': Ottawa open to further pause to expand assisted dying rules

The federal government is considering whether to pause its original plan to broaden the rules that govern medically assisted dying so they include patients whose only underlying condition is a mental disorder. "We're weighing our options," Justice Minister Arif Virani said Thursday. It would be the second time the federal Liberals have hit pause on the plan. The first came in February, when the government decided to impose a one-year delay amid widespread public and political concern. That decision established a new deadline of March 2024, one that now appears in jeopardy. Cabinet will consid
speaker-greg-fergus-apologizes-in-house-of-commons-again-for-partisan-video
CanadaDec 15, 2023

Speaker Greg Fergus apologizes in House of Commons again for partisan video

The Speaker of the House of Commons has once again apologized for filming a video played at a partisan event, after a parliamentary committee called on him to show more contrition. Speaker Greg Fergus says he made a "serious mistake" in recording a video in tribute to the outgoing interim leader of the Ontario Liberals. He was wearing his ceremonial robes in the video, which was shot in his Parliament Hill office and played at the provincial party's recent leadership convention. The procedure and House affairs committee said in a report released Thursday that there should be clearer guidelines
online-news-act-funding-capped-for-private-broadcasters-cbc-report
CanadaDec 15, 2023

Online News Act funding capped for private broadcasters, CBC: Report

The final regulations for the Online News Act show the amount of funding both private broadcasters and the CBC will get through Ottawa's 100-million-deal with Google will be limited. The regulation shows private broadcasters will receive at most 30-million-dollars from the fund, while CBC/Radio-Canada will see no more than 7 million dollars. The rest of the money is earmarked for other qualifying news outlets like newspapers and digital platforms Last month Google agreed to contribute 100-million-dollars a year to Canadian news publishers, indexed to inflation, leaving it exempt from havin
senate-passes-liberal-bill-that-enshrines-handgun-freeze-targets-ghost-guns
CanadaDec 15, 2023

Senate passes Liberal bill that enshrines handgun freeze, targets ghost guns

Senators have passed a government bill that cements restrictions on handguns, increases penalties for firearm trafficking and aims to curb homemade ghost guns. The legislation also includes a ban on assault-style firearms that fall under a new technical definition. Senators voted 60 to 24 in favour of the bill at third reading today. Upon introducing the bill last year, the Liberals announced a plan to implement a freeze on importing, buying, selling or otherwise transferring handguns to help reduce firearm-related violence. Federal regulations aimed at capping the number of handguns in Cana
death-toll-among-b-c-s-homeless-rising-hits-342-people-last-year-coroners-report
BCDec 15, 2023

Death toll among BC's homeless rising, hits 342 people last year: Coroner's report

British Columbia's Coroners Service says there's been a sharp increase in deaths among people experiencing homelessness. A statement from the coroners service says the deaths of 342 people experiencing homelessness were reported last year, an increase of almost 140 over the past two years. The coroners service says there were 1,464 deaths of people who were homeless in B.C. in the period between 2015 and 2022, averaging about 183 deaths per year. Most of those deaths were in Vancouver, Victoria and Surrey, BC, and 82 per cent of them were male. However, the coroners service says the number of
BCDec 14, 2023

World Health Organization calls for ALL flavored vapes to be banned worldwide

The World Health Organization has advocated a ban on all flavored vapes. The World Health Organization has urged governments to ban e-cigarettes on the same lines as tobacco.The United Nations agency said that the time has come to take necessary steps to control them. The World Health Organization cited the study as saying that there is little evidence that vapes have released cigarette butts. The agency said flavored vapes pose a risk to non-smokers, particularly as they may increase nicotine addiction among children and youth. According to the agency, children aged 13 to 15 are using it more
canadian-home-sales-down-in-november-average-price-up-from-year-ago-crea
BCDec 14, 2023

Canadian home sales down in November, average price up from year ago: CREA

The Canadian Real Estate Association says home sales fell in November as the average price of a home sold inched highercompared with a year ago. The association says November home sales fell 0.9 per cent compared with the same month last year. On a seasonally adjusted basis, November home sales were also down 0.9 per cent compared with October this year. The number of newly listed homes fell 1.8 per cent on a month-over-month basis in November. CREA says with new listings down more than sales in November, the national sales-to-new listings ratio rose for the first time since April to come in
trucker-who-caused-broncos-crash-loses-latest-bid-to-stay-in-canada
CanadaDec 14, 2023

Trucker who caused Broncos crash loses latest bid to stay in Canada

Truck driver who caused deadly Broncos crash loses latest bid to stay in Canada A judge has dismissed applications from the truck driver who caused the deadly Humboldt Broncos bus crash in Saskatchewan and was fighting deportation back to India. Jaskirat Singh Sidhu was sentenced to eight years for causing the 2018 crash that killed 16 people and injured 13 others. He was granted parole earlier this year, but the Canada Border Services Agency had recommended he be deported Sidhu's lawyer argued before the Federal Court in September that border services officials didn't consider Sidhu's previou
israel-claimed-to-have-arrested-dozens-of-hamas-fighters-from-the-hospital-in-gaza
CanadaDec 14, 2023

Israel claimed to have arrested dozens of Hamas fighters from the hospital in Gaza

The Israeli military has claimed to have arrested dozens of Hamas fighters at a hospital in northern Gaza. Army has declared more than 70 people arrested from Kamal Advan Hospital as terrorists and seized dozens of weapons from the hospital. Israel says Hamas fighters at the hospital surrendered with their weapons. Meanwhile, the Hamas-run Health Ministry alleged that the Israeli army tried to stop the care of 10 patients, resulting in two deaths.Meanwhile, internet and phone services have been disrupted in Gaza. Hamas' health ministry says more than 18,700 of its people have been killed in Ga

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fifa-world-cup-opener-in-vancouver-sets-public-transit-ridership-record
CanadaJun 15, 2026

FIFA World Cup opener in Vancouver sets public transit ridership record

The first FIFA World Cup 2026 match in Vancouver drove public transit use to record levels, with TransLink reporting the busiest stadium-event day on its network since the 2010 Winter Olympics. According to TransLink, more than 1.03 million boardings were recorded across the region on June 13, representing a 14 per cent increase compared with a typical Saturday in June. The agency also reported approximately 648,200 total trips, up 18 per cent from normal demand levels. Thousands of soccer fans travelled to BC Place and the FIFA Fan Festival to attend the match between Australia and Türkiye.
BCJun 15, 2026

Motorcyclist Killed in Maple Ridge Collision; Investigation Ongoing

One person has died following a collision involving a motorcycle and a truck in Maple Ridge on Saturday night. The crash occurred at approximately 8:45 p.m. at the intersection of Lougheed Highway and 287 Street. According to information provided by authorities, the collision caused significant damage to the motorcycle, while the truck's airbags deployed. Paramedics responded to the scene and provided emergency medical treatment to two people before transporting them to hospital in stable condition. Authorities later confirmed that one person died as a result of the crash. The collision prompt
CanadaJun 15, 2026

Canada reports second consecutive annual decline in opioid overdose deaths

Canada recorded a second straight year-over-year decline in opioid overdose deaths, according to the latest federal report on substance-related harms. Health Canada reported that 5,630 people died from opioid overdoses in 2025, down from previous years following an earlier decline recorded in 2024. Despite the reduction, officials said the crisis continues to pose a significant public health challenge across the country. According to the federal report, opioid-related deaths averaged about 15 per day last year. The report also found a 23 per cent decrease in the national death rate linked to o
CanadaJun 15, 2026

Metro Vancouver outside workers begin full strike after 17 months without contract

Approximately 700 Metro Vancouver outside workers have begun a full strike after working for the past 17 months without a collective agreement. According to the Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees' Union, workers launched the job action after contract negotiations failed to produce an agreement. Union president Jesse Medeiros said management has continued to ignore concerns raised by frontline employees who provide essential services across the region. The union said its key demands include improved worker safety measures, limits on contracting out work to private companies, and stro
b-c-premier-calls-for-stronger-ai-chatbot-reporting-requirements-in-federal-online-harms-bill
BCJun 15, 2026

B.C. premier calls for stronger AI chatbot reporting requirements in federal online harms bill

British Columbia Premier David Eby says the federal government's proposed online harms legislation does not go far enough in addressing risks associated with artificial intelligence chatbots. Eby criticized the bill for not requiring technology companies to report dangerous or suspicious user activity to police. He said companies should be obligated to notify law enforcement if a user is believed to be using an AI chatbot to plan a violent crime. The premier pointed to the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting, stating that the suspect's chatbot account had been flagged before the attack. According to E