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opening-the-greenbelt-was-a-mistake-i-regret-for-breaking-the-promise-doug-ford
CanadaSep 21, 2023

Opening the Greenbelt was a mistake, I regret for breaking the promise : Doug Ford

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is reversing his government's controversial plan to open up the greenbelt and called it a mistake.Ford announced at a press conference Thursday that he promised the people of Ontario not to touch the greenbelt and that promise has been broken.Ford said it was a mistake to open the process and that they deeply regretted it.A few weeks ago, Steve Clark, who has been Ontario's housing minister since 2018, resigned from his position after a report by the Integrity Commissioner found that he had violated ethical rules, after which Paul Calandra was appointed as Ontario's n
trudeau-avoided-questions-about-suspension-of-visa-services-by-canada
CanadaSep 21, 2023

Trudeau avoided questions about suspension of visa services by Canada

India's visa processing center in Canada has suspended its services.Speaking in New York on Thursday, Trudeau deflected questions about visa processing and reiterated his call for the Indian government to do more to get to the bottom of the matter."We ask the Indian government to work with us, take these allegations seriously and let the law take its course," Trudeau said.In fact, after the statement made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week that the Indian government was behind the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the relationship between the two countries has turned bitter.Prime Ministe
lasting-solution-to-haitis-crisis-will-have-to-come-from-within-the-country-pm-trudeau
CanadaSep 21, 2023

Lasting solution to Haiti's crisis will have to come from within the country : PM Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says a lasting solution to the crisis in Haiti will have to come from within the crisis-racked country.Trudeau made the comments on his final day at the UN as he sat down with Ariel Henry, Haiti's embattled acting prime minister. Trudeau announced an additional $80 million in humanitarian aid and security help for the overmatched Haitian national police.Canada is also imposing fresh sanctions against three more members of Haiti's corruption-riven business community, bringing the total to 29 to date. Trudeau and Bob Rae, Canada's ambassador to the UN, also presided
freeland-introduces-bill-to-remove-gst-off-rental-developments
CanadaSep 21, 2023

Freeland introduces bill to remove GST off rental developments

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland introduced legislation this morning that would remove GST charges from new rental developments and update the country's competition law.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised the new legislation earlier this month to address the housing crisis and affordability crunch.Experts have called on the federal government to remove GST charges off new purpose-built rentals to help spur construction of these kinds of homes.The bill is also supposed to strengthen the Competition Bureau by giving it the power to compel information from companies to conduct studies, tight
ottawa-gives-food-banks-canada-17-9m-for-pilot-to-provide-menstrual-products
CanadaSep 21, 2023

Ottawa gives Food Banks Canada $17.9M for pilot to provide menstrual products

The federal government has tasked Food Banks Canada with handing out free menstrual products to members of marginalized low-income communities.Gender Equality Minister Marci Ien announced the pilot program Thursday.She says the government is injecting $17.9 million into the initiative.Through the project, Food Banks Canada will distribute free period products to community organizations across Canada.It is also going to partner with existing organizations that deal in period education to scale up their operations.The Menstrual Equity project is part of a broader push from the government to redu
india-has-suspended-indian-visa-services-for-canadians
CanadaSep 21, 2023

India suspends visa services in Canada

Due to the tension between India and Canada over the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Indian government has taken a big decision.External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that Canadians will not get visas for now.He cited security as the reason behind this.Indian visa processing services have been suspended from September 21 until further notice, the BLS Indian Visa Application Center said in a statement.80,000 Canadian tourists visited India in 2021, making them the fourth largest group according to the Immigration Bureau of India.Meanwhile, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesp
nijjar-death-case-vancouver-police-boost-security-at-indian-consulate-since-trudeau-remarks
BCSep 20, 2023

Nijjar death case: Vancouver police boost security at Indian Consulate since Trudeau remarks

The Vancouver Police Department says it's beefing up security outside India's Consulate after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said this week there was credible intelligence about a potential link between India's government and the killing of a Sikh community leader in B.C.Const. Tania Visintin, the department's media relations officer, says police are "closely monitoring the situation" since Trudeau's announcement about the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a vocal supporter of an independent Sikh homeland, who was shot dead in Surrey in June.She says Vancouver police aren't aware of any specific
illegal-tobacco-growth-costing-three-provinces-2-47-billion-in-taxes-retail-report
BCSep 20, 2023

Illegal tobacco growth costing three provinces $2.47 billion in taxes: Retail report

The governments of British Columbia, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador lost up to $2.47 billion in tax revenues over four years due to the growth in illegal tobacco sales, says a convenience industry report.The Convenience Industry Council of Canada report released Wednesday examined the downward trend in legal tobacco sales in the three provinces since 2019, compared with the rising growth in the underground contraband tobacco market."These cigarettes are illegally sold, tax and duty free, without any Health Canada regulations or inspections and retail for a fraction of legal tobacco pric
1-in-4-adolescents-have-been-cyberbullied-statcan
CanadaSep 20, 2023

1 in 4 adolescents have been cyberbullied : StatCan

A new StatCan report says one in four adolescents in Canada have been cyberbullied and it's taking a toll on their mental health.The study says youth who have been victimized online have a greater risk of depression, anxiety, eating disorder symptoms and thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts.The report says transgender and non-binary youth, as well as females attracted to other females, are at higher risk of being victimized online.Adolescents living with chronic health conditions such as asthma, epilepsy or learning disabilities are also at higher risk for cyberbullying, especially if they

Just In

overpass-strike-causes-lane-closure-and-delays-on-highway-1-in-surrey
BCJan 14, 2026

Overpass strike causes lane closure and delays on Highway 1 in Surrey

An overpass strike involving a commercial truck has partially shut down Highway 1 eastbound in Surrey, prompting an investigation by BC Highway Patrol and traffic delays for commuters. Police say the collision occurred near the 192 Street overpass when a flatdeck truck towing an excavator struck the structure, causing visible damage. The eastbound right lane of Highway 1 was closed immediately as a precaution while safety assessments began. BC Highway Patrol was called to the scene shortly before 9:30 a.m. after motorists reported witnessing the incident. Officers are now working with Commerci
BCJan 14, 2026

Vancouver man charged after alleged assault on fast-food worker over unpaid add-on

A Vancouver man is facing a criminal charge after police say a dispute over a burger order escalated into a violent assault at a downtown fast-food restaurant. According to Vancouver police, the incident happened around 7:05 p.m. on January 12 at a restaurant on Granville Street. Investigators allege a customer demanded free bacon on his burger and became aggressive when told he would have to pay for the extra item. Police say the suspect went behind the counter and into the kitchen area, where he allegedly punched a 23-year-old cook in the face. The worker suffered a serious facial injury and
search-underway-for-missing-surrey-teen
BCJan 14, 2026

Search Underway for Missing Surrey Teen

Authorities are asking for public help in locating a missing 16-year-old boy from Surrey. Chetan Binning has not been seen since yesterday. He is approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, with curly hair and a distinctive mark under his right eye. Chetan was last spotted around 4:30 p.m. in the Sullivan Heights area of Surrey. Police are urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact them immediately at 604-719-4442. A photo of Chetan Binning is available on the Connect FM website to assist with identification. Officials continue to search the area and appeal to the community for a
u-s-pauses-immigrant-visa-processing-from-75-countries-over-public-assistance-rules
WorldJan 14, 2026

U.S. pauses immigrant visa processing from 75 countries over public assistance rules

The United States has suspended the processing of immigrant visa applications for citizens of 75 countries, citing concerns that some applicants could require public assistance after settling in the country. The U.S. State Department confirmed Wednesday that consular officers have been directed to halt immigrant visa processing from the affected countries. The move follows a broader order issued in November that tightened eligibility standards for immigrants deemed likely to become a “public charge” under U.S. immigration law. Officials emphasized that the suspension applies only to immigr
surrey-police-investigate-early-morning-shooting-at-newton-business
CanadaJan 14, 2026

Surrey police investigate early-morning shooting at Newton business

Surrey Police Service officers are investigating an overnight shooting that damaged a business in the Newton neighbourhood, marking the latest incident amid a series of extortion-related crimes reported in the city. Police say officers were called to the 8000 block of King George Boulevard at around 2:10 am after reports of gunfire. When officers arrived, they found a business property that had been damaged by the shooting. No injuries were reported. The Surrey Police Service Frontline Investigative Support Team attended the scene, and the Major Crime Section has assumed conduct of the investi