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india-resuming-visa-services-at-high-commission-consulates-in-canada
CanadaOct 25, 2023

India resuming visa services at high commission, consulates in Canada

India's high commission in Canada says the country's officials will resume processing some types of visa applications in Ottawa and at consulates in Toronto and Vancouver.The decision comes a month after New Delhi suspended the services in Canada and for Canadian citizens worldwide.The high commission says it is resuming business, medical and conference visas, as well as entry for people with family ties in India, but did not include information about other types of visas.The Canadian Press confirmed the authenticity of social-media posts about the decision, and has sought information about wh
bank-of-canada-holds-key-interest-rate-at-5-for-second-time
CanadaOct 25, 2023

Bank of Canada holds key interest rate at 5% for second time

The Bank of Canada held its key interest rate steady at five per cent today, noting there are clearer signs of the economy cooling and inflation easing.However, it warns that it is prepared to increase rates further if necessary.The central bank says it's still concerned that price growth is easing too slowly and that the inflation rate has been volatile in recent months.Forecasters widely expected the rate hold as economic data suggests high interest rates are already causing an economic pullback.New economic projections released by the central bank suggest economic growth will continue to be
federal-court-approves-23b-first-nations-child-welfare-settlement
CanadaOct 24, 2023

Federal Court approves $23B First Nations child-welfare settlement

Federal Court verbally approved $23B First Nations child-welfare settlement.The funding will help offset chronic underfunding of on-reserve child-welfare services by the federal government to more than 300,000 First Nations children and their families.The Assembly of First Nations and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society first filed this complaint with Human Rights in 2007.In September 2019, the Canada Human Rights Tribunal ruled that the federal government did not adequately fund Child and Family Services, which inadvertently and negligently discriminated against First Nations ch
six-hospitals-closed-due-to-lack-of-fuel-in-gaza
CanadaOct 24, 2023

Six hospitals closed due to lack of fuel in Gaza

The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas has entered its 19th day.World Health Organization has said that 6 hospitals in Gaza had to be closed due to lack of fuel.Of these, 1,000 people are on dialysis, while 130 are premature children.If the condition does not improve, the patients may die in the ICU.So far, a total of 54 trucks have reached Gaza with relief materials.The problem is that none of them had fuel, but water has been sent along with medicines and food items.Another 250 trucks will arrive this week, but it is not clear whether petrol and diesel will be sent in them.Ministry of Heal
grocers-called-back-to-parliament-to-testify-about-plans-to-stabilize-prices
CanadaOct 24, 2023

Grocers called back to Parliament to testify about plans to stabilize prices

A House of Commons committee is asking the heads of Canada's major grocery chains to explain their plans to stabilize food prices.The committee passed an NDP motion on Thursday to invite the grocery executives, and summon them if necessary, to testify about the measures their companies are taking to address food inflation.This comes after Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne announced the companies have presented plans to the government to tackle rising prices, which he says include discounts, price freezes and price-matching campaigns.However, most grocers have not confirmed details
macklem-warned-premiers-about-dangers-of-putting-bocs-independence-at-risk
CanadaOct 24, 2023

Macklem warned premiers about dangers of putting BoC's independence at risk

Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem warned premiers who publicly asked the central bank to not raise interest rates last month that their requests could undermine the institution's independence.The premiers of Ontario, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador wrote to Macklem ahead of the Bank of Canada's Sept. 6 rate decision, outlining concerns about the effects of higher rates on their residents and asking the central bank not to raise its key rate further.In a Sept. 13 letter, Macklem warned that instructions or requests from elected officials could give the impression that the Bank
hamas-is-a-threat-to-the-world-it-must-be-eliminated-bill-blair
CanadaOct 24, 2023

Hamas is a threat to the world, it must be eliminated: Bill Blair

Defence Minister Bill Blair says Hamas is a terrorist organization that is a threat to the whole world and must be "eliminated." Blair also says he has no expectation that Hamas would respect international law, including any agreement on a ceasefire. His comments are the furthest any Canadian minister has gone in explaining why Canada does not support calls for a ceasefire. The defence minister also appeared unwilling to back more recent calls for a "humanitarian pause," but says there are talks underway to get more aid into the Gaza Strip. More than one million Palestinians have been displace
five-people-including-shooter-dead-after-shootings-in-ontarios-sault-ste-marie
CanadaOct 24, 2023

Five people, including shooter, dead after shootings in Ontario's Sault Ste. Marie

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service says officers first discovered the body of a 41-year-old around 10:20 p.m. Monday after someone called to report a break-and-enter at a home.They say the shooter appeared to have fled and about 10 minutes later, police received another call for someone with a weapon at a home about three kilometres north from the previous residence.Police say they found three children aged six, seven and twelve dead in that second home and a 45-year-old who was injured with a gunshot wound.They say officers also found the 44-year-old shooter, who appeared to have died after
spamouflage-campaign-targeting-trudeau-mps-linked-to-china-global-affairs-canada
CanadaOct 23, 2023

'Spamouflage' campaign targeting Trudeau, MPs linked to China: Global Affairs Canada

Global Affairs Canada says there's a social media campaign connected to the People's Republic of China is targeting dozens of MPs with spam.The department says a bot network known as "Spamouflage" began spreading propaganda and disinformation messages across Facebook and X in early August.Global Affairs says the bot network left thousands of comments in English and French on the accounts of MPs claiming a critic of the Chinese Communist Party in Canada accused the various MPs of criminal and ethical violations.It says the messages appeared across the political spectrum, even appearing on the a

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BCSep 23, 2026

BC Green Leader Emily Lowan to Run in Saanich North After Rob Botterell Retires

BC Green Party MLA Rob Botterell has announced his retirement from politics, opening the door for party leader Emily Lowan to contest the Saanich North and the Islands riding in the upcoming provincial election. Botterell confirmed his decision during a joint news conference with Lowan in Victoria. Lowan will now seek the seat, which has been held by the Greens since Adam Olsen won it in 2017 and was retained by Botterell in the 2024 election. Elections BC records show Botterell was elected with the Green Party in 2024. The riding is considered significant for the BC Greens, given the party’
CanadaSep 23, 2026

Ontario Launches Canada’s First Medical Drone Pilot Program

Canada’s first medical drone pilot program of its kind has been launched by Peel Regional Paramedic Service in Ontario, allowing life-saving medical supplies to reach patients before an ambulance arrives during emergencies. The pilot project is currently operating in the Bolton area. Under the program, when a 911 call is received, a drone can be dispatched alongside an ambulance to the scene. The drone can deliver an automated external defibrillator (AED) for cardiac emergencies, naloxone for opioid overdoses and medical kits designed to control severe bleeding, particularly in rural and rem
one-charged-second-suspect-sought-in-granville-street-face-slashing
BCSep 23, 2026

One Charged, Second Suspect Sought in Granville Street Face-Slashing

Crown Counsel has approved charges after a 19-year-old man was allegedly slashed in the face with a blade during an early-morning robbery on Vancouver’s Granville Street last month. Vancouver Police are also asking the public to help identify a second suspect. The incident happened around 3:20 a.m. on August 8 in the 900-block of Granville Street. Police say two men approached the victim and his friends, removed a chain necklace from the victim’s neck and slashed him. The victim suffered a five-inch cut stretching from the tip of his nose, beneath his eye and ending near his eyebrow. On Se
canadas-population-growth-hits-slowest-pace-since-wwii
CanadaSep 23, 2026

Canada’s Population Growth Hits Slowest Pace Since WWII

Canada’s population grew by 0.5 per cent between July 2025 and July 2026, marking the slowest annual growth rate recorded since the end of the Second World War. According to Statistics Canada, the pace of population growth was even lower than during the period when border restrictions were imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19. As of July 1, 2026, Canada’s population was estimated at 41.8 million. The report says the slowdown was mainly driven by federal government measures and policy changes aimed at limiting the number of temporary residents. Statistics Canada said Ontario, Quebec and B
b-c-election-advance-voting-set-for-october-16-21
BCSep 23, 2026

B.C. Election: Advance Voting Set for October 16–21

Election activity is intensifying in British Columbia, with Elections B.C. announcing that advance voting will be held from October 16 to 21. Voters will be able to cast their ballots from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the advance voting period. Political parties and independent candidates will have until October 3 to enter the race and complete their registration. The 2024 provincial election cost approximately $91 million to conduct. For this election, Elections B.C. has initially requested a budget of $50 million, although the final cost will only be known after the voting process is completed. V