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ottawa-gives-212m-funding-boost-for-housing-asylum-seekers
CanadaJul 18, 2023

Ottawa gives $212M funding boost for housing asylum seekers

The federal government is announcing $212 million more in funding for interim housing for people claiming asylum in Canada, including about $97 million for Toronto.The city has been seeing asylum seekers and refugee claimants sleeping on the sidewalks, unable to get a space in Toronto's overwhelmed shelter system.A church in Toronto is now reportedly housing them temporarily.Officials have said that the number of asylum seekers in Toronto's shelter system grew by 500 per cent in 20 months and the city has had to turn them away from at-capacity shelters toward federal programs.Mayor Olivia Chow
scientific-adviser-resigns-from-health-canada-calls-for-overhaul-of-pesticide-rules
CanadaJul 17, 2023

Scientific adviser resigns from Health Canada, calls for overhaul of pesticide rules

An independent scientific adviser has resigned from a Health Canada committee on pesticide management over concerns about a lack of transparency and scientific oversight.Dr. Bruce Lanphear, a health sciences professor at Simon Fraser University, stepped down as the co-chair of the Health Canada scientific advisory committee on pest control products on June 27.In his three-page resignation letter, he says he has little or no confidence that the committee can help the pesticide branch of Health Canada become more transparent or assure that Canadians are protected from toxic pesticides.The commit
emergency-visa-applications-for-ukrainians-fleeing-war-to-end-saturday
CanadaJul 14, 2023

Emergency visa applications for Ukrainians fleeing war to end Saturday

Canada is expected to close applications for temporary emergency visas offered to Ukrainians fleeing Russian aggression Saturday but hasn't announced whether it plans to offer long-term refuge.Canada launched the emergency visa after the Russian invasion of Ukraine last year as millions of people fled the embattled country.The visa is available to an unlimited number of Ukrainians and allows them to work and study in Canada for three years while they figure out their next steps. Those who've come to Canada using the emergency visa aren't given refugee status in Canada, and instead are consider
feds-doing-broader-review-of-social-media-after-banning-tiktok-from-work-devices
CanadaJul 13, 2023

Feds doing 'broader review' of social media after banning TikTok from work devices

The government is taking a look at possible threats from other social-media applications, after banishing TikTok from the mobile devices of federal public servants for privacy and security reasons.Martin Potvin, a spokesman for the Treasury Board Secretariat, says the government is conducting a wider review of social-media applications on work devices and will share the results when they are available.Potvin says the government is working to improve cybersecurity in Canada by identifying threats and vulnerabilities, including from social-media platforms, to ensure the protection of systems and
canadas-premiers-urge-ottawa-to-advance-infrastructure-to-boost-economic-growth
CanadaJul 12, 2023

Canada's premiers urge Ottawa to advance infrastructure to boost economic growth

Canada's premiers have ended their annual three-day conference in Winnipeg with a request that Ottawa boost economic growth and trade.Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson, who hosted the meeting, says the premiers have asked for a dedicated meeting with the prime minister to discuss infrastructure priorities.Stefanson says partnerships are needed to keep Canada competitive, but Ottawa must respect the unique jurisdictions of each province.She says the provinces are united in their goal of advancing infrastructure in communities and between jurisdictions, including economic trade corridors.The pr
canadian-unemployment-rate-rose-to-5-4-in-june
CanadaJul 07, 2023

Canadian unemployment rate rose to 5.4% in June

Unemployment in Canada climbed in June and numbers from Statistics Canada show B.C. followed the trend.Stats Can says the national jobless rate edged up three basis points to 5.4 per cent last month, while the number of people looking for work in this province climbed to 5.6 per cent from five per cent in May.Analysts say 60,000 positions were added to the national economy in June, but the growing population and boost in jobseekers overshadowed the gain.The Bank of Canada has blamed low unemployment for fuelling inflation and it could consider the consecutive monthly hikes in the jobless rate
canadian-government-suspends-advertising-on-facebook-instagram
CanadaJul 05, 2023

Canadian government suspends advertising on Facebook, Instagram

The Canadian government has given a severe blow to Meta which is opposing the Online News Act.Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez said the federal government is going to suspend all its ads on Facebook and Instagram.The Trudeau government minister said that Meta's threat to block Canadian news on its platforms in defiance of the Online News Act was irresponsible and unacceptable.He said that the government wants the two platforms to negotiate and pay Canadian media instead of local news while working on the regulatory process.The government said that the talks with Google are going in the right
joly-concerned-for-safety-of-indias-diplomats-calls-protest-poster-unacceptable
CanadaJul 04, 2023

Joly concerned for safety of India's diplomats, calls protest poster 'unacceptable'

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says she is concerned about the safety of India's diplomats following what she calls an "unacceptable" poster for an upcoming protest near Toronto.The protest is planned in memory of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar who was killed in a shooting in British Columbia in June.A poster for the protest circulating on social media includes photos of India's top two diplomats in Canada, calls them "killers in Toronto" and suggests it's time to "kill India."Niijar was a vocal opponent of India and supporter of an independent Sikh state but police say they have fou
hockey-canada-names-former-curling-canada-exec-katherine-henderson-as-president-ceo
CanadaJul 04, 2023

Hockey Canada names former Curling Canada exec Katherine Henderson as president, CEO

Hockey Canada is appointing Katherine Henderson as its next president and chief executive officer.She spent the last seven years as Curling Canada's CEO.Hockey Canada is coming off a scandal-filled year related to the national sport organization's handling of sexual assault allegations and settlement payouts.Federal and corporate funding was slashed as scandals mounted.Public faith in the organization took a significant hit.The board of directors resigned last October along with interim board chair Andrea Skinner.President and CEO Scott Smith also left the organization.Retired judge Hugh L. Fr

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langley-rcmp-investigating-fatal-single-vehicle-crash-on-48-avenue
BCMay 25, 2026

Langley RCMP investigating fatal single-vehicle crash on 48 Avenue

Langley RCMP say one person has died following a single-vehicle collision early Saturday in the Township of Langley. Police said officers responded at approximately 1:57 a.m. on May 24 to reports of a crash in the 20200 block of 48 Avenue. Emergency crews from the Township of Langley Fire Department, BC Emergency Health Services and Langley RCMP attended the scene. “Sadly, despite the rapid response and efforts of first responders, one individual was pronounced deceased at the scene,” Sgt. Zynal Sharoom said in a statement released Sunday. According to Langley RCMP, the circumstances surro
IndiaMay 25, 2026

Punjab civic elections Tuesday to cover 103 urban local bodies across state

Voting for Punjab’s urban local body elections will take place Tuesday across eight municipal corporations, 75 municipal councils and 20 nagar panchayats, according to the Punjab State Election Commission. The commission said 3,545,567 voters are eligible to cast ballots in the elections, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A total of 7,555 candidates are contesting the polls across the state. According to information released by the commission, 1,613 candidates are contesting municipal corporation seats, while 5,142 candidates are in the fray for municipal councils and 800 candidates a
prime-minister-mark-carney-to-visit-new-york-for-investment-and-trade-meetings
CanadaMay 25, 2026

Prime Minister Mark Carney to visit New York for investment and trade meetings

Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to New York City on Wednesday and Thursday for meetings focused on investment, trade and economic growth, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. The PMO said Carney is expected to meet with chief executive officers, business leaders and investors during the two-day visit. The meetings are aimed at promoting Canada as a stable and competitive destination for international investment. On Thursday, Carney is also scheduled to deliver an address at the Economic Club of New York. According to the PMO, the prime minister will outline Canada’s new economi
WorldMay 25, 2026

Blast on train carrying military families kills at least 20 in Pakistan’s Balochistan province

At least 20 people were killed and more than 70 injured after an explosion struck a train carrying military personnel and their families in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Sunday, according to local authorities. Railway officials said the shuttle service was transporting soldiers and their families travelling home to celebrate Eid. The Balochistan provincial government blamed the attack on the Balochistan Liberation Army and described the incident as a suicide attack. Witnesses told authorities that a vehicle loaded with explosives collided with the train before detonating, triggering a l
punjab-and-haryana-high-court-dismisses-partap-singh-bajwa-petition-imposes-rs-25-000-fine
IndiaMay 25, 2026

Punjab and Haryana High Court Dismisses Partap Singh Bajwa Petition, Imposes Rs. 25,000 Fine

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday dismissed a public interest litigation petition filed by senior Punjab Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa and imposed a fine of Rs. 25,000. In the petition, Bajwa had sought directions to the Punjab government and other authorities to initiate strict action against Aam Aadmi Party MLA Kulwant Singh Bazigar over alleged remarks related to capturing voting booths during a public gathering. During the hearing, the Punjab Advocate General argued that the petition was filed just ahead of voting and failed to disclose details of an FIR registered against B