21.08°C Vancouver

News

westjet-pilots-airline-reach-tentative-deal-ahead-of-strike-union
CanadaMay 19, 2023

WestJet pilots, airline reach tentative deal ahead of strike: Union

A tentative agreement was reached this morning between WestJet and the union representing WestJet pilots.The airline is preparing to resume its operations but the airline says that since many flights have already been cancelled, it will take some time to fully restore operations.Passengers are advised to check the timing and status of their flight in advance.It may be mentioned that yesterday when the talks between the two parties did not reach any result, at that time flights within Canada, between Canada and the US and some oversees flights were also cancelled.
justice-minister-introduces-legislation-to-reform-canadas-bail-system
CanadaMay 16, 2023

Justice Minister introduces legislation to reform Canada’s bail system

Justice Minister David Lametti introduced a bill in the House of Commons today to change Canada's bail system.The bill has been named C-48, and will change the bail system of the Criminal Code.The bill tightens bail for repeat violent offenders with firearms, knives, beer spray and weapons.5 specific changes have been proposed in the Criminal Code through the Bill.The bill states that bail conditions will be tightened for people charged with serious violent crimes involving firearms who were convicted of a similar crime within the past five years.The court will need to take into account the ac
westjet-pilots-issue-friday-strike-notice-as-thousands-plan-for-long-weekend-travel
CanadaMay 16, 2023

WestJet pilots issue Friday strike notice as thousands plan for long-weekend travel

The union representing WestJet pilots has given a 72-hour strike notice to the company and the government on Monday night.Pilots may go on strike before the May long-weekend.A lockout notice has also been issued by the WestJet Group.WestJet said that the disruption in operations may start from 3 am on Friday.WestJet said that the affected passengers will be refunded or given other facilities as per the availability.About 1,850 unionized WestJet pilots are preparing to strike.Better wages, job security and scheduling are key issues, according to the union.The company's CEO Alexis von Hoensbroec
ng-announces-india-trade-mission-pledges-a-limited-deal-within-months
CanadaMay 12, 2023

Ng announces India trade mission, pledges a limited deal within months

Trade Minister Mary Ng says it is "not going to be years" before Canada and India sign some form of trade agreement, more than a decade after negotiations began.Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal visited Ottawa and Toronto this week, where he told media that New Delhi wants to vastly increase its trade with Canada.The two countries are negotiating a possible agreement that is limited to certain sectors, instead of a comprehensive deal that covers most of the economy.Industry groups have been urging Canada to push for a deal to be signed this year, but a former Canadian envoy to India, Nadir
indian-authorities-aim-to-have-canadians-sent-to-face-charges-in-border-deaths
CanadaMay 11, 2023

Indian authorities aim to have Canadians sent to face charges in border deaths

Indian authorities have started the process to have two Canadians extradited to face charges after four members of the same family froze to death in southern Manitoba while trying to cross into the United States, says a police officer.Chaitanya Mandlik, deputy commissioner of police for Ahmedabad's crime branch in the state of Gujarat, said authorities are looking to send Vancouver residents Fenil Patel and Bitta Singh, who also goes by Bittu Paji, to face charges in India."We need to interview them and we need to get some more information," he told The Canadian Press.A spokesperson for the De
canada-unveils-new-passport-with-updated-features-designs
CanadaMay 10, 2023

Canada unveils new passport with updated features, designs

Canadians will now get a passport in a new look.The government has changed its design and its first look was released by the government today.Immigration Minister Sean Fraser and Families Minister Karina Gould previewed the new passports at Ottawa International Airport.Cover to cover security features have been added in the new passport.According to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, the redesign of the passport was started in 2013 to add more modern security features and prevent fake passports.Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said that printing of the new Canadian passport will be
federally-regulated-workplaces-will-soon-provide-menstrual-products-for-free
CanadaMay 10, 2023

Federally regulated workplaces will soon provide menstrual products for free

Federally regulated workplaces are expected to begin offering free menstrual products to workers starting in mid-December.Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan has announced changes to the Canada Labour Code that would ensure access to such products beginning Dec. 15.The Liberals promised in their 2021 election campaign to make free tampons and pads available in federally regulated workplaces, and set up a fund to make menstrual products available to vulnerable people.The 2022 federal budget allocated $25 million to establish a national pilot for the menstrual equity fund, which aims to help make me
china-expels-canadian-diplomat-in-retaliatory-move
CanadaMay 09, 2023

China expels Canadian diplomat in retaliatory move

After Canada expelled the Chinese diplomat from Toronto, China also issued an order to the Canadian diplomat in Shanghai to go out of the country.According to a statement issued by China's Foreign Ministry, Canadian diplomat Jennifer Lynn has been ordered to leave the country before May 13.Along with this, he also warned that China may react further.It is to be noted that Canada had announced yesterday to expel the Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei who was accused of being involved in a conspiracy to send threats to the family of Canada's Conservative MP Michael Chong in Hong Kong.Foreign Affairs Mini
pilot-program-for-temporary-agricultural-workers-extended
CanadaMay 08, 2023

Pilot program for temporary agricultural workers extended

Immigration Minister Sean Fraser says the government will expand a pilot project to attract more temporary foreign workers to jobs in Canada's agricultural industry for another two years.The government launched the program three years ago to offer temporary workers in the agriculture and food sector a pathway to permanent residency in Canada.It was due to end later this month but Fraser says it's going to continue until 2025.He says the pilot experienced some challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the government wants more time to test it out.The minister also says the family members of

Just In

BCJul 15, 2026

Elderly woman distracted and robbed of gold necklace in Vancouver, police seek suspects

A 76-year-old woman was allegedly robbed of her gold necklace after being distracted by an unknown woman in Vancouver's East 11th Avenue and Victoria Drive area on Tuesday, according to the Vancouver Police Department. Police said the incident occurred at about 12:30 p.m. while the senior was waiting for family members. An unidentified woman approached her and claimed she looked like her mother, whose birthday she said it was. The suspect then hugged the victim and, during the interaction, allegedly removed the woman's gold necklace and replaced it with a fake one. The victim reportedly discov
AlbertaJul 15, 2026

Alberta launches online bike lane complaint form ahead of planned legislation

The Alberta government has launched an online public feedback form inviting residents to report concerns about bike lanes as it prepares legislation expected this fall. According to the Alberta government, Albertans can use the online form to share concerns about bike lanes in their communities, including whether they believe a lane is underused, has reduced on-street parking, contributed to traffic congestion, affected local businesses, or delayed emergency response times. The province says the feedback will help inform future transportation policy decisions. Transportation Minister Devin Dre
canada-pauses-new-parent-and-grandparent-sponsorship-applications-for-2026
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Canada pauses new parent and grandparent sponsorship applications for 2026

The federal government says it will not accept any new applications this year under Canada's Parents and Grandparents Program as it works to reduce processing times and manage a large backlog of existing files. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), approximately 60,500 sponsorship applications are currently being processed. The department said it expects to approve about 15,000 parents and grandparents each year over the next two years from applications already in the system. IRCC said the temporary pause is intended to improve processing efficiency. The department
federal-government-names-new-members-to-independent-senate-appointments-advisory-board
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Federal government names new members to independent Senate appointments advisory board

The federal government has announced new appointments to the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, one week after Prime Minister Mark Carney named four new senators to the upper chamber. According to a federal government news release, the advisory board will continue to provide non-binding recommendations to the prime minister on Senate appointments. The board was established in 2016 to support a merit-based and independent appointments process. The government said the board will continue to include three federal members, including a chair, along with two additional members from
BCJul 15, 2026

Surrey man sentenced to nearly five years in prison in extortion-related shooting and arson case

A Surrey Provincial Court judge has sentenced Abhijeet Kingra to nearly five years in prison for his role in a 2024 extortion-related shooting and arson targeting a Surrey home. According to court records, Kingra pleaded guilty on July 6 to charges of discharging a firearm at a residence and committing arson. The offences stem from an Aug. 10, 2024 incident in which a home belonging to a person who had reportedly received extortion threats was shot at and set on fire. The court imposed a two-year sentence for arson and a sentence of four years, 10 months and 19 days for the shooting offence. T