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quebec-will-require-economic-immigrants-to-speak-french-before-arriving-legault
CanadaMay 25, 2023

Quebec will require economic immigrants to speak French before arriving: Legault

Quebec Premier François Legault says the province will require that the vast majority of economic immigrants to Quebec speak French before they arrive.Sixty-five per cent of immigrants to Quebec come through the economic immigration stream, which is controlled by the province.Legault says his government is also considering increasing the number of immigrants it accepts every year to 60,000 people from 50,000 people, by 2027.He says the rise in immigration would come from people arriving through the economic stream, adding that his government is not considering increasing the number of people
canadian-mps-ask-trudeau-to-condemn-pakistan-arrest-of-ex-pm-imran-khan
CanadaMay 24, 2023

Canadian MPs ask Trudeau to condemn Pakistan arrest of ex-PM Imran Khan

More than a dozen MPs in the Canada-Pakistan friendship group are urging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to call out Pakistan's arrest of its former prime minister.Imran Khan, who is now the opposition leader in Pakistan, was arrested earlier this month on corruption and terrorism charges triggering violent protests.The country's supreme court ordered Khan released saying the arrest was illegal.Khan was ousted as prime minister last year in a non-confidence vote he claims without proof was part of an illegal plot orchestrated by Washington and his successor, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.Sixteen
trudeau-leaves-door-open-for-independent-mp-han-dong-to-come-back-to-liberal-caucus
CanadaMay 24, 2023

Trudeau leaves door open for Independent MP Han Dong to come back to Liberal caucus

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is leaving the door open should Independent MP Han Dong decide he wants to rejoin the Liberals.The Toronto MP resigned from the government caucus earlier this year, saying he wanted to clear his name following allegations published in media reports.Global News reported, citing unnamed national security sources, that Dong told a Chinese diplomat in February 2021 that releasing Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor would benefit the Conservatives.David Johnston, whom Trudeau appointed to investigate the government's response to foreign interference, said that allegation
johnston-says-no-to-public-inquiry-on-foreign-interference
CanadaMay 23, 2023

Johnston says no to public inquiry on foreign interference

Former governor general David Johnston says there's no need for a formal inquiry into allegations of foreign meddling in the past two federal elections.While he says that could not be done transparently because of the sensitivity of the intelligence involved, he does believe public hearings should be held.Johnston says there are serious shortcomings in the way intelligence is communicated and processed from security agencies through to government.Based on access to classified documents and security agencies, he has concluded that specific accusations of interference were less concerning than m
johnstons-advice-on-public-inquiry-about-foreign-interference-expected-tuesday
CanadaMay 19, 2023

Johnston's advice on public inquiry about foreign interference expected Tuesday

Special rapporteur David Johnston is expected to release his decision next Tuesday on whether the federal Liberals should hold a public inquiry on foreign interference.The recommendation is anticipated to be included in an initial report about how the government should proceed with allegations that Canada's last two federal elections were subject to meddling by other countries.Opposition parties' calls for a public inquiry into Chinese meddling have grown louder throughout the year amid a series of media reports shedding light on Beijing's alleged attempts to influence the 2019 and 2021 electi
westjet-pilots-airline-reach-tentative-deal-ahead-of-strike-union
CanadaMay 19, 2023

WestJet pilots, airline reach tentative deal ahead of strike: Union

A tentative agreement was reached this morning between WestJet and the union representing WestJet pilots.The airline is preparing to resume its operations but the airline says that since many flights have already been cancelled, it will take some time to fully restore operations.Passengers are advised to check the timing and status of their flight in advance.It may be mentioned that yesterday when the talks between the two parties did not reach any result, at that time flights within Canada, between Canada and the US and some oversees flights were also cancelled.
justice-minister-introduces-legislation-to-reform-canadas-bail-system
CanadaMay 16, 2023

Justice Minister introduces legislation to reform Canada’s bail system

Justice Minister David Lametti introduced a bill in the House of Commons today to change Canada's bail system.The bill has been named C-48, and will change the bail system of the Criminal Code.The bill tightens bail for repeat violent offenders with firearms, knives, beer spray and weapons.5 specific changes have been proposed in the Criminal Code through the Bill.The bill states that bail conditions will be tightened for people charged with serious violent crimes involving firearms who were convicted of a similar crime within the past five years.The court will need to take into account the ac
westjet-pilots-issue-friday-strike-notice-as-thousands-plan-for-long-weekend-travel
CanadaMay 16, 2023

WestJet pilots issue Friday strike notice as thousands plan for long-weekend travel

The union representing WestJet pilots has given a 72-hour strike notice to the company and the government on Monday night.Pilots may go on strike before the May long-weekend.A lockout notice has also been issued by the WestJet Group.WestJet said that the disruption in operations may start from 3 am on Friday.WestJet said that the affected passengers will be refunded or given other facilities as per the availability.About 1,850 unionized WestJet pilots are preparing to strike.Better wages, job security and scheduling are key issues, according to the union.The company's CEO Alexis von Hoensbroec
ng-announces-india-trade-mission-pledges-a-limited-deal-within-months
CanadaMay 12, 2023

Ng announces India trade mission, pledges a limited deal within months

Trade Minister Mary Ng says it is "not going to be years" before Canada and India sign some form of trade agreement, more than a decade after negotiations began.Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal visited Ottawa and Toronto this week, where he told media that New Delhi wants to vastly increase its trade with Canada.The two countries are negotiating a possible agreement that is limited to certain sectors, instead of a comprehensive deal that covers most of the economy.Industry groups have been urging Canada to push for a deal to be signed this year, but a former Canadian envoy to India, Nadir

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vancouver-police-seek-witnesses-after-suspicious-death-in-downtown-eastside
BCMar 25, 2026

Vancouver police seek witnesses after suspicious death in Downtown Eastside

The Vancouver Police Department says its homicide unit is investigating a suspicious death in the city’s Downtown Eastside and is asking witnesses to come forward. According to a Vancouver Police Department news release, paramedics with BC Emergency Health Services responded to a call at about 7:40 a.m. on March 20 in the south lane of the 100-block of East Hastings Street for a man in medical distress. Despite life-saving efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said paramedics notified officers after observing injuries considered suspicious. The case has since been taken o
b-c-police-watchdog-launches-systemic-probe-into-handling-of-sexual-misconduct-cases
BCMar 25, 2026

B.C. police watchdog launches systemic probe into handling of sexual misconduct cases

British Columbia’s police watchdog has launched a provincewide review into how municipal departments handle sexual misconduct allegations involving officers, citing concerns about recurring patterns and oversight. Prabhu Rajan, head of the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner, said the investigation will examine internal processes used when departments investigate their own members. He said sexual misconduct in policing workplaces can undermine operational effectiveness and public trust. According to a statement from the commissioner’s office, the probe is the first “systemic inve
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