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rcmp-investigating-two-alleged-clandestine-chinese-police-stations-in-quebec
CanadaMar 09, 2023

RCMP investigating two alleged clandestine Chinese police stations in Quebec

The Quebec RCMP say they are investigating two alleged secret police stations operated by Chinese authorities in the province.In a statement, the federal police force says its Integrated National Security Team has opened investigations into the suspected police stations in Montreal and Brossard, a suburb just south of the city.Sgt. Charles Poirier says Canadians of Chinese origin were victims of activities carried out by the stations, adding that any type of intimidation, harassment or targeting of diaspora communities will not be tolerated.Poirier says the RCMP are carrying out actions aimed
ottawa-to-fast-track-purchase-of-weapons-for-canadian-troops-in-europe-minister
CanadaMar 09, 2023

Ottawa to fast-track purchase of weapons for Canadian troops in Europe: Minister

Defence Minister Anita Anand says Ottawa will fast-track the purchase of anti-tank, anti-aircraft and anti-drone weapons for the Canadian military with a mechanism last used during the war in Afghanistan.Anand announced the plan in a keynote speech to the defence community this morning, saying the new weapons are needed now for Canadian troops in Latvia and other parts of Europe.The defence minister also emphasized the need to update Canada's long-term plan for the military.The Liberal government released a defence policy in 2017, at a time when the threat posed by terrorist organizations such
liberal-mp-former-cabinet-minister-marc-garneau-is-leaving-the-house-of-commons
CanadaMar 08, 2023

Liberal MP, former cabinet minister Marc Garneau is leaving the House of Commons

Liberal MP and former cabinet Marc Garneau is resigning after 15 years in politics.He did not answer questions this morning about why he's stepping down, telling reporters he wanted to speak to colleagues at the party's caucus meeting first.Garneau, who was federal transport minister for about five years before serving as foreign affairs minister in 2021, says he will make a speech in the House of Commons later today.He represents the Montreal constituency of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Westmount and was first elected to the House of Commons in 2008.Garneau was one of the first six Canadian astronau
ransomware-attack-hits-engineering-company-working-on-military-bases-power-plants
CanadaMar 08, 2023

Ransomware attack hits engineering company working on military bases, power plants

A Canadian engineering giant whose work includes critical military, power and transportation infrastructure across the country has been hit with a ransomware attack.The Department of National Defence says Black & McDonald reported the attack last month, but the company has refused to publicly confirm the incident.The Defence Department and Ontario Power Generation, which also confirmed the attack, say there is no evidence that it compromised sensitive or secret information about their sites and operations.But cybersecurity expert Terry Cutler says the attack is worrying since any secret da
canadas-immigration-minister-in-d-c-for-meeting-with-u-s-homeland-security-boss
CanadaMar 07, 2023

Canada's immigration minister in D.C. for meeting with U.S. Homeland Security boss

Migration in both directions across the Canada-U.S. border is likely on the agenda today as Immigration Minister Sean Fraser visits Washington, D.C.Fraser's office says he is scheduled to meet with his American counterpart, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.The federal Liberal government is under mounting pressure, particularly from Quebec, to do something about the flow of undocumented migrants into Canada from the U.S.Some Republican lawmakers, meanwhile, have been actively trying to make a political issue out of the number of migrants moving in the opposite direction.Prime Mini
immigration-department-has-more-than-enough-staff-to-meet-processing-goals-pbo
CanadaMar 07, 2023

Immigration department has 'more than enough' staff to meet processing goals: PBO

The parliamentary budget officer says the federal government has more than enough staff to process applications for economic immigrants on time.In a report released today, Yves Giroux analyzed the cost of processing applications for economic immigrants through the express entry system for five fiscal years.The report says Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has 65 per cent more staff than needed to process the 2022-23 applications on time, and has more staff than needed for all years assessed.The federal government's goal is to process 80 per cent of those applications within six mon
ukraine-war-two-montreal-companies-sanctioned-by-u-s-for-alleged-ties-to-russia
CanadaMar 07, 2023

Ukraine war: Two Montreal companies sanctioned by U.S. for alleged ties to Russia

Canada Border Services Agency says it helped put two Montreal-based companies with alleged ties to the Russian military on a United States sanctions list.The U.S. Department of Commerce last month added CPUNTO Inc. and Electronic Network Inc. to a list of entities subject to export controls.Both companies are headquartered in the Montreal borough of St-Laurent and describe themselves online as sellers of electronic components.The export controls bar them from exporting almost any item manufactured in the U.S., including intellectual property.Canada's border services says they are working close
montreal-primary-school-teacher-pleads-guilty-to-sex-crimes-involving-five-girls
CanadaMar 07, 2023

Montreal primary school teacher pleads guilty to sex crimes involving five girls

A Montreal elementary school teacher has pleaded guilty to several sex-related crimes involving five young girls.Dominic Blanchette today entered guilty pleas on eight counts, including sexual interference, possession of child pornography, child luring and sexual exploitation.His crimes occurred between September 2017 and May 2022, when he was arrested.Court documents say that Blanchette, 28, who taught in the city's Montreal North borough, used his influence as a teacher and basketball coach to groom and exploit a total of five girls in grades 5 and 6.The case will return to court in July for
ottawa-will-pay-for-repairs-to-navys-new-arctic-ships-due-to-expired-warranty
CanadaMar 06, 2023

Ottawa will pay for repairs to Navy's new Arctic ships due to expired warranty

A senior defence official says Canadian taxpayers are on the hook when it comes to fixing at least two of the Royal Canadian Navy's new Arctic patrol vessels. Defence Department deputy minister Bill Matthews says that is because the one-year warranty on those two ships has expired. The federal government is planning to buy eight Arctic patrol vessels from Halifax-based Irving Shipbuilding, including six for the Navy and two for the Canadian Coast Guard. Three of the ships are finished, though Matthews told a parliamentary committee today that it will be up to Irving to fix the problems in the

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charges-approved-after-alleged-sexual-assault-in-downtown-vancouver
BCMar 27, 2026

Charges approved after alleged sexual assault in downtown Vancouver

A 47-year-old man has been charged following an alleged sexual assault in downtown Vancouver, according to a Vancouver Police Department release. Police said officers were called at approximately 7:20 p.m. on March 25 to Granville Street between Dunsmuir and Pender streets after a woman reported she had been groped by a stranger. Witnesses also told police the same suspect had allegedly assaulted other people in the area prior to officers arriving. The suspect was located at the scene and arrested without incident, police said. Derek Jason Sangris, 47, has been charged with one count of sexual
bolsonaro-moved-to-house-arrest-after-hospital-discharge-in-brazil
WorldMar 27, 2026

Bolsonaro moved to house arrest after hospital discharge in Brazil

Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro has been released from hospital in Brasília and will continue serving a 27-year sentence under house arrest, following a ruling by the country’s top court. According to a decision by the Supreme Federal Court earlier this week, Bolsonaro was granted permission to serve his sentence at home due to declining health. The court said the arrangement is subject to review within 90 days. Bolsonaro was discharged Friday morning from DF Star hospital in the capital. He then travelled to his residence in the Jardim Botânico neighbourhood, where he lives wit
punjab-and-haryana-high-court-orders-fresh-cross-examination-in-majithia-defamation-case
IndiaMar 27, 2026

Punjab and Haryana High Court orders fresh cross-examination in Majithia defamation case

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered a fresh cross-examination in a defamation case filed by Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia against Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh, reviving proceedings in a matter dating back to 2016. According to court proceedings, the High Court allowed a petition filed by Sanjay Singh and directed that the case be revisited for cross-examination. The defamation complaint was originally filed by Majithia in a Ludhiana court in January 2016. The case relates to allegations made during a political rally in Moga, where Singh is accused of referring t
abbotsford-police-issue-public-safety-notice-ahead-of-offenders-release
BCMar 27, 2026

Abbotsford police issue public safety notice ahead of offender’s release

The Abbotsford Police Department says a 46-year-old man with a history of violent sexual offences is scheduled to be released into the community later this month under strict conditions. According to an Abbotsford Police Department news release, Stephen Bradley Ewing is set to be released from William Head Institution on March 30 and is expected to reside in the Abbotsford area. Police say Ewing has prior convictions from 2021 and 2023, including sexual assault, sexual assault causing bodily harm, and overcoming resistance by choking. The release also states that at least one offence involved
AlbertaMar 27, 2026

Alberta man sentenced to 17 years in U.S. prison in Florida child exploitation sting

A Red Deer, Alta., man has been sentenced to 17 years in a United States federal prison after pleading guilty in a child exploitation sting tied to a planned trip to Walt Disney World in Florida. According to U.S. court documents, James Hjelmeland, 31, pleaded guilty in November to attempted enticement of a minor and possession of child sexual abuse material. The case stems from an undercover operation involving a Florida law enforcement officer. Court records state Hjelmeland began communicating online with a detective who was posing as the parent of a 12-year-old girl. The officer, acting in