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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
google-set-to-remove-news-links-in-canada-meta-ends-contract-for-journalism-fellowship
CanadaJun 29, 2023

Google set to remove news links in Canada, Meta ends contract for journalism fellowship

Google says it will remove news links in Canada because of a new law that will force digital giants to compensate media outlets for content they share or otherwise repurpose online.Digital giant Meta is terminating the contract for a fellowship program that supports the hiring of a limited number of emerging journalists at newswire service The Canadian Press.The move comes amid fallout from the federal government's Online News Act, formerly known as Bill C-18, which became law last week.The law requires tech companies such as Facebook parent Meta and Google to negotiate deals compensating medi

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new-westminster-police-officers-help-rescue-15-residents-from-apartment-fire
BCJul 31, 2026

New Westminster police officers help rescue 15 residents from apartment fire

New Westminster Police Department officers helped rescue 15 residents from a burning apartment building Thursday evening after spotting smoke while working nearby, according to the police department. Police said officers were in the 800 block of 5th Avenue at about 6 p.m. when they became aware of the fire. As they approached the building, they saw several older adults leaning out of windows to avoid the smoke. According to a New Westminster Police Department news release, officers entered the building alongside crews from New Westminster Fire and Rescue Service and assisted 15 residents to sa
BCJul 31, 2026

Coquitlam man faces six firearms charges following Surrey and Coquitlam searches

A 35-year-old Coquitlam man is facing six firearms-related charges after a joint investigation by B.C.'s anti-gang police and the Surrey RCMP Provincial Operations Support Unit. According to the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC), the investigation began in June. On July 16, officers executed search warrants at two residences in the 11500 block of 141A Street in Surrey and the 4300 block of Quarry Road in Coquitlam. Police said investigators seized several firearms during the searches, including two Beretta handguns. Officers arrested Sadiq Azimali Daya at
man-dies-after-fleeing-surrey-traffic-stop-struck-by-vehicle-on-highway-10
BCJul 31, 2026

Man dies after fleeing Surrey traffic stop, struck by vehicle on Highway 10

A man died after being struck by a vehicle while fleeing on foot following a traffic stop in Surrey late Thursday night, according to the Surrey Police Service. Police said an officer stopped a westbound vehicle for a traffic enforcement check at about 11 p.m. in the 15600 block of 56 Avenue, along Highway 10. The driver then exited the vehicle and fled on foot. According to the Surrey Police Service, the man was crossing the roadway when he was struck by an eastbound vehicle. Surrey police officers, Surrey Fire Service crews and BC Emergency Health Services paramedics attempted life-saving me
suspect-arrested-after-firearm-reported-at-new-westminster-shopping-centre
BCJul 31, 2026

Suspect arrested after firearm reported at New Westminster shopping centre

A suspect is facing potential charges after allegedly brandishing a firearm at a patron outside a coffee shop in New Westminster on Wednesday morning, according to the New Westminster Police Department. Police said officers responded to a 9-1-1 call at about 6 a.m. on July 30 after receiving reports that a person had pointed a firearm at someone seated on the patio of a business in the Columbia Square shopping centre. Investigators determined the suspect fled across Columbia Street, passed through a hole in a fence and crossed nearby railway tracks. Officers searched the area with assistance f
b-c-supreme-court-strikes-down-parts-of-mental-health-act-allowing-treatment-without-consent
BCJul 31, 2026

B.C. Supreme Court strikes down parts of Mental Health Act allowing treatment without consent

The B.C. Supreme Court has ruled that portions of the province's Mental Health Act that allow patients to receive psychiatric treatment without their consent are unconstitutional, giving the provincial government six months to amend the legislation. Justice Lauren Blake found that British Columbia was the only province in Canada where patients could be subjected to psychiatric treatment without an assessment of their decision-making capacity. The court concluded that the provisions violate constitutional protections. The ruling comes as the B.C. government is pursuing plans to expand involunta