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sean-fraser-takes-over-federal-housing-file
CanadaJul 26, 2023

Sean Fraser takes over federal housing file

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is handing over the federal housing file to Sean Fraser, who was previously Immigration minister.Trudeau is shuffling his cabinet today in a bid to present a fresh team to lead the Liberals into the next election.Ahmed Hussen, who was Housing minister since 2021, has faced criticism for his handling of the file as the housing crisis worsened across the country.Hussen is staying in cabinet as minister of International Development.The federal government is facing considerable pressure to address the lack of affordable housing, which experts say is the result of a ho
ottawa-buys-nine-airbus-planes-to-replace-air-force-polaris-fleet-that-transports-pm
CanadaJul 25, 2023

Ottawa buys nine Airbus planes to replace Air Force Polaris fleet that transports PM

The federal government says it has signed a contract with European aviation company Airbus to replace its aging Polaris fleet at a cost of $3.6 billion.The Royal Canadian Air Force uses the Polaris planes for transporting high-ranking government officials, including the prime minister and Governor General, as well as for air-to-air refuelling and transport.The new fleet, which will be named the CC-330 Husky, includes four new and five used aircraft that are being outfitted to feature the same capabilities.The government bought the used planes from a company in Kuwait, and two of them are expec
edmonton-man-appears-in-u-k-court-after-terrorism-investigation
CanadaJul 24, 2023

Edmonton man appears in U.K. court after terrorism investigation

An Edmonton man arrested in a terrorism investigation in the United Kingdom appeared in a London court today.Khaled Hussein, who is 28, was charged under the Terrorism Act for allegedly being a member of a proscribed organization in the U.K.He was arrested at London's Heathrow Airport last week.Hussein is charged alongside a 56-year-old British preacher, Anjem Choudary, who was allegedly directing a terrorist organization and addressing meetings to encourage support for a radical group since June 2022.Prosecutors say the Edmontonian worked online with Choudary to provide a platform for the vie
mental-health-minister-puts-156m-toward-launch-of-988-crisis-hotline-in-november
CanadaJul 24, 2023

Mental health minister puts $156M toward launch of 988 crisis hotline in November

Mental Health Minister Carolyn Bennett says the government is putting $156 million over three years toward a new three-digit suicide-prevention hotline.Starting on Nov. 30, people in crisis will be able to dial 988 anywhere in Canada to be connected with trained responders 24 hours a day by phone or text message.The free service will be offered in English and French.The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health will receive the money to launch and operate the hotline.The minister is also giving the organization $21 million to bolster the capacity of distress centres as they prepare for the increa
retired-rcmp-officer-charged-with-helping-beijing-intimidation-campaign
CanadaJul 21, 2023

Retired RCMP officer charged with helping Beijing intimidation campaign

The RCMP says it has charged one of its former members in a case of alleged foreign interference.William Majcher is accused of helping the Chinese government identify and intimidate a person.Police say he is from Hong Kong and used his network of Canadian contacts to get intelligence or services that benefited the People's Republic of China.They say a national security investigation into Majcher's suspicious activities began in the fall of 2021.The 60-year-old retired officer is charged with conspiracy and preparatory acts for the benefit of a foreign entity.Police have not said who was the ta
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

Just In

BCJul 13, 2026

45-year-old man feared drowned in Okanagan Lake after falling from inflatable tube

A 45-year-old man is feared drowned after falling into Okanagan Lake while riding an inflatable tube being towed behind a boat, according to West Kelowna RCMP. Police said the incident happened Saturday afternoon when the man lost his balance and fell into the water. Investigators said he was not wearing a life jacket and struggled to stay afloat after entering the lake. According to RCMP, the boat operator jumped into the water in an attempt to rescue the man but was unable to reach him. The operator was later rescued by another boater who was passing through the area. A dive team has been de
calgary-landlord-charged-after-alleged-hidden-cameras-found-in-tenants-bedrooms-and-bathrooms
AlbertaJul 13, 2026

Calgary landlord charged after alleged hidden cameras found in tenants' bedrooms and bathrooms

Calgary police have charged a 41-year-old landlord after tenants allegedly discovered hidden cameras inside bedrooms and bathrooms at a southwest Calgary home. According to the Calgary Police Service, a tenant reported on June 7 finding a small camera concealed inside a surge protector in a bathroom and another camera attached to a smoke detector in a bedroom. After informing other tenants, they also located similar hidden cameras in their rooms and contacted police. Investigators executed a search warrant on June 12 at a home in the 200 block of Springborough Way S.W., where they seized sever
vancouver-police-seek-witnesses-after-unprovoked-assault-at-marpole-bus-stop
BCJul 13, 2026

Vancouver police seek witnesses after unprovoked assault at Marpole bus stop

Vancouver Police are asking the public for information after a man was allegedly assaulted without provocation while waiting at a bus stop in the Marpole neighbourhood last week. According to a Vancouver Police Department news release, the incident occurred at about 9:25 a.m. on July 7 near Southwest Marine Drive and Ash Street. Investigators say the victim was waiting for a bus when a man approached from behind, pushed him and pulled the headphones from his head. Police allege the suspect then struck the victim several times with a longboard-style skateboard. The victim was able to flee the a
nearly-150-residents-displaced-after-apartment-fire-in-new-westminster
BCJul 13, 2026

Nearly 150 residents displaced after apartment fire in New Westminster

Nearly 150 residents were displaced after a fire damaged an apartment building in New Westminster on Friday, with firefighters continuing suppression efforts through the weekend to extinguish remaining hot spots. According to New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services, crews responded to a fire at Pinecrest Manor, located at 905 Fourth Ave., at about 1:30 p.m. Firefighters used ladders to rescue several residents from their balconies as the blaze spread through the building. Officials said the roof above the main entrance was destroyed, and part of the structure collapsed. Mayor Patrick Johnston
alberta-ottawa-and-major-oil-producers-sign-mou-to-advance-pathways-carbon-capture-project
AlbertaJul 13, 2026

Alberta, Ottawa and major oil producers sign MOU to advance Pathways carbon capture project

The Alberta government, the federal government and five major oil producers have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance the multi-billion-dollar Pathways Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project, according to the governments involved. The agreement outlines a framework for collaboration on one of Canada's largest proposed carbon capture initiatives. According to the Alberta government, the MOU establishes shared objectives aimed at supporting Canada's economy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The project is designed to capture carbon dioxide from industrial operations and