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truck-driver-harvinder-singh-sentenced-to-11-years-in-cocaine-smuggling-case
CanadaNov 21, 2023

Truck driver Harvinder Singh sentenced to 11 years in cocaine smuggling case

Brampton truck driver Harvinder Singh has been sentenced to 11 years in prison by a Sarnia court for smuggling $3.5 million worth of cocaine. Harvinder Singh has been sentenced for smuggling cocaine into Canada through the Blue Water Bridge near Sarnia. Canada Border Services Agency officials arrested him on March 31, 2021 at Edward, the crossing point connected to Port Huron.Harvinder Singh was 25 years old at that time. During a search of his truck trailer, officers found approximately 62 kilograms of cocaine in two suitcases. Continuing the investigation on this, RCMP.He was charged with br
the-trudeau-government-will-present-the-mini-budget-today
CanadaNov 21, 2023

Trudeau government will present the mini budget today

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaking to reporters about the mini budget to be presented today by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, said that the fall economic statement focuses on the things that are causing Canadians to go through tough times right now. He said that it will include measures like jobs related to housing, grocery prices and green industrial strategy. It's also expected to include new housing measures aimed at boosting the construction of housing across Canada. One senior government official says the federal government is set to announce 15-billion dollars in low-cost loan
mayor-of-surrey-b-c-announces-constitutional-challenge-over-policing
BCNov 20, 2023

Mayor of Surrey, B.C., announces constitutional challenge over policing

The mayor of Surrey, B.C., says the city will mount a constitutional challenge to the province's appointment of an administrator to take over the police board and oversee the transition to a municipal police force.Brenda Locke, who opposes the transition, says an amended court petition will be filed today, after the city already requested a judicial review of the province's directive to proceed with the switch away from the RCMP.Locke says the city will not approve any transition if it is unaffordable to taxpayers and the province has no right to run "roughshod" over any municipal government "
feds-to-appeal-court-ruling-that-struck-down-cabinet-order-labelling-plastics-toxic
CanadaNov 20, 2023

Feds to appeal court ruling that struck down cabinet order labelling plastics toxic

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says the federal government will appeal a recent Federal Court ruling that struck down a cabinet order underlying Ottawa's ban of some single-use plastics.The decision on Nov. 16 said Ottawa had overstepped by labelling all "plastic manufactured items" as toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.The toxic designation is required for the government to regulate the use of substances in Canada.Without it, the ban on six single-use plastic items, including straws, grocery bags and cutlery, won't be able to stand.The court's ruling did not suggest
government-of-canada-will-present-mini-budget-tomorrow
CanadaNov 20, 2023

Government of Canada will present mini budget tomorrow

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is set to table the fall economic statement on Tuesday, and she has already signalled that both issues will be front and centre.On housing, Freeland has previously indicated the government is looking at making more public land available and trying to address the strain short-term rentals are putting on supply.But she's remained relatively tight-lipped on other specifics expected in the update, and has indicated the government "won't be able to do everything" due to limited funds. According to sources, the new measures will include a $15 billion loan over 10 y
economists-expect-inflation-slowed-again-in-october-as-high-interest-rates-take-hold
CanadaNov 20, 2023

Economists expect inflation slowed again in October as high interest rates take hold

Forecasters anticipate Canada's inflation rate took another dip in October as gasoline prices fell from the previous month and grocery prices rise more slowly.Statistics Canada is set to release its consumer price index report tomorrow, coinciding with the federal government's fall economic statement. BMO expects the annual rate to come in at 3.2 per cent for October, while RBC is forecasting the rate fell to 3.1 per cent. Canada's inflation rate came in at 3.8 per cent in September. A further slowdown would be welcome news for the Bank of Canada as it looks for evidence of a sustained slowdo
quebec-to-appoint-conciliator-as-labour-unions-prepare-for-major-strikes-this-week
CanadaNov 20, 2023

Quebec to appoint conciliator as labour unions prepare for major strikes this week

The province says it will appoint a conciliator to help bridge the gap in stalled contract negotiations with public sector unions ahead of major strikes this week.The conciliator's recommendations, however, won't be binding.A labour group representing about 420,000 public sector workers in education, health, and social services asked for a conciliator to help talks advance.The group, which calls itself the "common front" will hold a three-day strike starting Tuesday.The common front has rejected Quebec's latest contract offer — a 10.3 per cent salary increase over five years and a one-time
no-word-on-status-of-135-canadians-cleared-to-leave-gaza-strip-over-weekend
CanadaNov 20, 2023

No word on status of 135 Canadians cleared to leave Gaza Strip over weekend

Canadians with loved ones trapped in the embattled Gaza Strip are still waiting to learn whether the 135 people cleared to leave the territory on Sunday were able to make the journey.A daily list from Gaza's General Authority for Crossings and Borders, which contains the names of foreign passport holders cleared to cross into Egypt via the Rafah land crossing, expanded to include 135 people with ties to Canada on Sunday.But Global Affairs Canada did not provide any details on Sunday as to how many of those people were able to leave the war-torn enclave.The agency's last update, provided on Fri
canadian-mps-spent-14-6m-on-travel-in-first-half-of-2023
CanadaNov 20, 2023

Canadian MPs spent $14.6M on travel in first half of 2023

Canadian Members of Parliament spent more than $14.6 million of taxpayer dollars on travel in the first six months of 2023, up nearly 10 percent from the previous six months. This amount works out to about $80,000 per day. This taxpayer money is spent on commercial airfare,, ground transportation, accommodation and meals for Members of Parliament and their families and staff. According to the report, from January 1 to June 30, 338 MPs spent an average of $43,000, or more than $7,200 per month, on work and constituency-related travel.Among them were the travel bills of Canada's two main opposit

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CanadaSep 17, 2026

Canada Must Focus on Value-Added Products Instead of Raw Materials: EDC

Amid the federal government’s efforts to open up new markets, Export Development Canada (EDC) said in a report released Thursday that Canada needs to invest in processing raw materials domestically and turning them into higher-value products instead of exporting them in their raw form. EDC CEO Alison Nankivell said such investments could add nearly $100 billion to Canada’s GDP over the next decade. The report used yellow peas as an example. While exporting raw peas may generate about $30 per tonne, processing them into flour can raise the value to $300 per tonne. Turning them into products
16-arrested-in-abbotsford-retail-theft-operation-project-pumpkin-spice
BCSep 17, 2026

16 Arrested in Abbotsford Retail Theft Operation ‘Project Pumpkin Spice’

Abbotsford Police have arrested 16 people accused of shoplifting as part of Project Pumpkin Spice, a retail crime enforcement operation conducted on Sept. 11 as part of a nationwide campaign. According to police, 11 officers from the Abbotsford Police Department’s Street Outreach Response Team worked with 20 local businesses during the 10-hour operation. Sgt. Paul Walker said several of those arrested had previous criminal records and outstanding warrants. Police recovered more than $1,600 worth of stolen merchandise during the operation. A vehicle allegedly used in the offences was also sei
b-c-municipalities-urge-eby-to-hold-provincial-election-after-local-vote
BCSep 17, 2026

B.C. Municipalities Urge Eby to Hold Provincial Election After Local Vote

British Columbia’s political scene is heating up amid signals from Premier David Eby that an early provincial election could be called. Amid the uncertainty, Union of B.C. Municipalities president Cory Ramsay is calling for any potential mid-term provincial election to be held only after the municipal elections are completed. Ramsay noted that local elections are scheduled for Oct. 17, with campaigning beginning Sept. 19 across 188 communities. He warned that calling a provincial election during the municipal campaign could distract more than 3,500 local candidates and residents from key iss
police-take-major-action-in-burnaby-hospital-fire-case-after-six-year-investigation
BCSep 17, 2026

Police Take Major Action in Burnaby Hospital Fire Case After Six-Year Investigation

Police have charged a 29-year-old Alberta man in connection with a fire at Burnaby Hospital in 2020, following an investigation that lasted nearly six years. Burnaby RCMP said the B.C. Prosecution Service approved charges against Yu Yun Wang on September 8, including arson and endangering human life. The fire broke out on November 15, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the hospital’s mental health services wing. The blaze caused millions of dollars in damage, forced the emergency department to close and led to the evacuation of patients. Police said the suspect was identified in 2023 aft
AlbertaSep 17, 2026

Alberta Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Sexual Assaults on Vulnerable Women

An Alberta man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of sexual assaults against vulnerable women at a rural property near Calgary. Richard Robert Mantha, 62, was convicted of six offences, including drugging one of his victims, in incidents that occurred between 2019 and 2023. He was also found guilty of uttering threats against another woman. The court heard that most of the victims worked in the sex trade. Justice Judith Shriar said Mantha showed “callous disrespect” when he laughed as one terrified victim fled his rural property, fearing for her life. Mantha received cre