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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
poilievre-calls-on-ottawa-to-block-rbcs-13-5b-takeover-of-hsbc-canada
CanadaOct 20, 2023

Poilievre calls on Ottawa to block RBC's $13.5B takeover of HSBC Canada

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is calling for the federal government to block Royal Bank of Canada's $13.5-billion takeover of HSBC Canada as a way to help with housing affordability.Poilievre says in a statement that Canada's banking sector is overly concentrated, and that Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland should stop the deal to improve competition in areas such as mortgage rates.RBC spokesman Andrew McGrath says in a statement that the takeover is in the best interest of HSBC Canada clients and that the Competition Bureau's review did not identify Competition Act concerns with the de
canada-firm-and-steadfast-in-call-for-two-state-solution-for-israel-palestinians
CanadaOct 20, 2023

Canada 'firm and steadfast' in call for two-state solution for Israel, Palestinians

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada remains "firm and steadfast" in its commitment to a two-state solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict.He says the Middle East, and the world, needs both a Palestinian state and Israel to exist alongside each other in peace, safety and prosperity.Canada has long called for a negotiated two-state solution in the region, and considers the West Bank and East Jerusalem to be occupied territories.Trudeau is reiterating this position in the context of the latest Israel-Hamas war, which began after militants from Hamas, which Canada considers a terrorist organiz
canada-has-pulled-most-envoys-out-of-india-due-to-diplomatic-immunity-threats-joly
CanadaOct 20, 2023

Canada has pulled most envoys out of India due to diplomatic immunity threats: Joly

Canada has removed most of its diplomatic presence from India after New Delhi threatened to strip diplomatic immunities from them and their families, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said Thursday. Officials said the move would slow down the processing of immigration applications, and Canada has issued a travel advisory for regions of India where it says it's been forced to reduce consular staffing. Relations with New Delhi have hit a deep freeze since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a month ago that Canadian intelligence services were investigating ``a potential link'' between In
trudeau-writes-open-letter-to-danielle-smith-calls-for-cpp-to-be-preserved
CanadaOct 18, 2023

Trudeau writes open letter to Danielle Smith, calls for CPP to be preserved

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the Liberal government would fight any actions that threaten the stability of the Canada Pension Plan.Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative government has launched a provincial debate on quitting the CPP and creating an Alberta-only pension plan.Smith says Albertans are paying in more than they're getting out the federal plan and a report the province commissioned says Alberta is entitled to more than half the assets of the $575-billion fund.Trudeau's comments in a letter to Smith come a day after the Canada Pension Plan's board asserted Albert
quebec-labour-unions-in-health-care-education-vote-95-per-cent-for-strike-mandate
CanadaOct 17, 2023

Quebec labour unions in health care, education vote 95 per cent for strike mandate

A common front of four major Quebec labour unions has voted 95 per cent for an unlimited general strike mandate.The unions are negotiating as one and represent 420,000 public sector workers in health care, education and social services.Éric Gingras, president of the CSQ union, says the strong mandate announced today shows members are fed up and want better working conditions.François Énault, vice-president of the Confederation of National Trade Unions, says if workers choose to strike, it likely won't happen before November.The unions are seeking a three-year contract with annual increases
sixth-canadian-killed-in-israel-hamas-war-two-missing-foreign-minister
CanadaOct 17, 2023

Sixth Canadian killed in Israel-Hamas war, two missing: Foreign Minister

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says an Israeli with ties to Canada who had been missing is now confirmed dead, amid the continued fallout from Hamas's recent surprise attacks on Israel.Joly is offering condolences to the family of Tiferet Lapidot, who she said was one of three Canadians reported missing after Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,400 people and setting off a war that has left more than 4,000 dead on both sides.The minister says that during her recent trip to Israel, she met with Lapidot's Canadian father in Tel Aviv, as well as Lapidot's uncle,
digital-services-tax-would-rate-7-2-billion-in-federal-revenues-over-five-years-pbo
CanadaOct 17, 2023

Digital services tax would rate $7.2 billion in federal revenues over five years: PBO

The parliamentary budget officer says the implementation of a digital services tax would raise $7.2 billion over five years.The Liberals' spring budget confirmed their intention to implement the tax, which is designed to ensure that tech giants pay their fair share of taxes in countries where they earn revenue without having a physical presence.The tax would apply to businesses with annual worldwide revenues of 750,000 euros and more, as well as annual Canadian digital services revenue of more than $20 million.The policy, which has been met with pushback from the U.S., is supposed to come into

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former-punjab-minister-laljit-singh-bhullar-remanded-for-three-more-days-in-suicide-case-probe
IndiaMar 30, 2026

Former Punjab minister Laljit Singh Bhullar remanded for three more days in suicide case probe

A court in Punjab has extended the police remand of former Aam Aadmi Party minister Laljit Singh Bhullar by three days after his initial five-day custody period ended. He was produced in court following the expiry of the earlier remand. According to police, investigators have not yet recovered key evidence, including a mobile phone, during questioning. Authorities told the court that further custodial interrogation is required as part of the ongoing investigation. Bhullar was arrested in connection with the death of Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, a district manager with the Punjab Warehousing Corpo
b-c-union-calls-for-expanded-work-from-home-policy-amid-rising-fuel-costs
BCMar 30, 2026

B.C. union calls for expanded work-from-home policy amid rising fuel costs

The B.C. General Employees’ Union is urging the provincial government to allow full-time remote work for provincially regulated employees as fuel prices rise, citing financial pressure on workers. In a statement, the union – which represents about 35,000 public service workers among more than 95,000 members – said a temporary work-from-home policy would help offset costs linked to higher gasoline prices. The increase is tied to global supply concerns amid the ongoing Iran conflict, according to the union. The union also called on the province to consider additional relief measures for em
b-c-conservative-leadership-candidate-fulmer-signs-electoral-pact-with-onebcs-brodie
BCMar 30, 2026

B.C. Conservative leadership candidate Fulmer signs electoral pact with OneBC’s Brodie

B.C. Conservative leadership candidate Yuri Fulmer has entered into a “unite the right” agreement with former Conservative MLA Dallas Brodie, aimed at preventing vote-splitting if Fulmer becomes leader of the Opposition. According to a joint statement released by the two camps, Brodie’s OneBC party would refrain from running candidates in 88 of British Columbia’s 93 ridings. In exchange, the Conservatives would not field candidates in five unspecified ridings. Brodie, who was removed from the Conservative caucus last year by then-leader John Rustad, said she is offering her “full sup
authorities-warn-of-world-cup-related-fraud-schemes-as-tournament-approaches
CanadaMar 30, 2026

Authorities warn of World Cup-related fraud schemes as tournament approaches

Canadian authorities are warning residents and international visitors to be alert to fraud schemes linked to the upcoming FIFA World Cup, as demand grows for tickets, travel and accommodations. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, along with policing partners in host cities Toronto and Vancouver, issued the advisory, saying fraudsters may attempt to exploit interest in the tournament, which Canada is co-hosting with the United States and Mexico. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, investigators are tracking several types of suspected scams, including fake ticket sales, fraudulent short-ter
police-reported-hate-crimes-level-off-in-2024-after-multi-year-rise-statistics-canada-says
CanadaMar 30, 2026

Police-reported hate crimes level off in 2024 after multi-year rise, Statistics Canada says

The number of police-reported hate crimes in Canada remained largely unchanged in 2024 following several years of sharp increases, according to new data released by Statistics Canada. The agency reported 4,882 hate crimes in 2024, marking a one per cent increase over the previous year. The latest figures follow a 34 per cent rise between 2022 and 2023, and a broader trend that has seen reported incidents more than double since 2018, according to the federal data agency. Statistics Canada said incidents targeting race or ethnicity increased by eight per cent in 2024. At the same time, police-re