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CanadaOct 20, 2023

Saskatchewan legislature passes pronoun bill in special sitting

A controversial bill on the use of pronouns in schools has received final approval in the Saskatchewan legislature.The new law will prevent children under 16 from changing their names or pronouns at school without receiving parental consent.It uses the notwithstanding clause to override sections of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Saskatchewan's Human Rights Code.Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill says he expects all school divisions to abide by the legislation.The Opposition New Democrats opposed the bill, saying it strips rights from vulnerable people.The Saskatchewan Party government
poilievre-calls-on-ottawa-to-block-rbcs-13-5b-takeover-of-hsbc-canada
CanadaOct 20, 2023

Poilievre calls on Ottawa to block RBC's $13.5B takeover of HSBC Canada

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is calling for the federal government to block Royal Bank of Canada's $13.5-billion takeover of HSBC Canada as a way to help with housing affordability.Poilievre says in a statement that Canada's banking sector is overly concentrated, and that Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland should stop the deal to improve competition in areas such as mortgage rates.RBC spokesman Andrew McGrath says in a statement that the takeover is in the best interest of HSBC Canada clients and that the Competition Bureau's review did not identify Competition Act concerns with the de
canada-firm-and-steadfast-in-call-for-two-state-solution-for-israel-palestinians
CanadaOct 20, 2023

Canada 'firm and steadfast' in call for two-state solution for Israel, Palestinians

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada remains "firm and steadfast" in its commitment to a two-state solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict.He says the Middle East, and the world, needs both a Palestinian state and Israel to exist alongside each other in peace, safety and prosperity.Canada has long called for a negotiated two-state solution in the region, and considers the West Bank and East Jerusalem to be occupied territories.Trudeau is reiterating this position in the context of the latest Israel-Hamas war, which began after militants from Hamas, which Canada considers a terrorist organiz
canada-has-pulled-most-envoys-out-of-india-due-to-diplomatic-immunity-threats-joly
CanadaOct 20, 2023

Canada has pulled most envoys out of India due to diplomatic immunity threats: Joly

Canada has removed most of its diplomatic presence from India after New Delhi threatened to strip diplomatic immunities from them and their families, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said Thursday. Officials said the move would slow down the processing of immigration applications, and Canada has issued a travel advisory for regions of India where it says it's been forced to reduce consular staffing. Relations with New Delhi have hit a deep freeze since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a month ago that Canadian intelligence services were investigating ``a potential link'' between In
trudeau-writes-open-letter-to-danielle-smith-calls-for-cpp-to-be-preserved
CanadaOct 18, 2023

Trudeau writes open letter to Danielle Smith, calls for CPP to be preserved

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the Liberal government would fight any actions that threaten the stability of the Canada Pension Plan.Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative government has launched a provincial debate on quitting the CPP and creating an Alberta-only pension plan.Smith says Albertans are paying in more than they're getting out the federal plan and a report the province commissioned says Alberta is entitled to more than half the assets of the $575-billion fund.Trudeau's comments in a letter to Smith come a day after the Canada Pension Plan's board asserted Albert
quebec-labour-unions-in-health-care-education-vote-95-per-cent-for-strike-mandate
CanadaOct 17, 2023

Quebec labour unions in health care, education vote 95 per cent for strike mandate

A common front of four major Quebec labour unions has voted 95 per cent for an unlimited general strike mandate.The unions are negotiating as one and represent 420,000 public sector workers in health care, education and social services.Éric Gingras, president of the CSQ union, says the strong mandate announced today shows members are fed up and want better working conditions.François Énault, vice-president of the Confederation of National Trade Unions, says if workers choose to strike, it likely won't happen before November.The unions are seeking a three-year contract with annual increases
sixth-canadian-killed-in-israel-hamas-war-two-missing-foreign-minister
CanadaOct 17, 2023

Sixth Canadian killed in Israel-Hamas war, two missing: Foreign Minister

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says an Israeli with ties to Canada who had been missing is now confirmed dead, amid the continued fallout from Hamas's recent surprise attacks on Israel.Joly is offering condolences to the family of Tiferet Lapidot, who she said was one of three Canadians reported missing after Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,400 people and setting off a war that has left more than 4,000 dead on both sides.The minister says that during her recent trip to Israel, she met with Lapidot's Canadian father in Tel Aviv, as well as Lapidot's uncle,
digital-services-tax-would-rate-7-2-billion-in-federal-revenues-over-five-years-pbo
CanadaOct 17, 2023

Digital services tax would rate $7.2 billion in federal revenues over five years: PBO

The parliamentary budget officer says the implementation of a digital services tax would raise $7.2 billion over five years.The Liberals' spring budget confirmed their intention to implement the tax, which is designed to ensure that tech giants pay their fair share of taxes in countries where they earn revenue without having a physical presence.The tax would apply to businesses with annual worldwide revenues of 750,000 euros and more, as well as annual Canadian digital services revenue of more than $20 million.The policy, which has been met with pushback from the U.S., is supposed to come into
canadas-inflation-rate-decreased-to-3-8-percent
CanadaOct 17, 2023

Canada's inflation rate decreased to 3.8 percent

Canada's inflation rate fell to 3.8 percent in September, down from 4 percent in August.This figure has been reported by Statistics Canada on Tuesday.The figures show a steeper fall in inflation than economists had expected.The data agency said that the decline in the cost of living was recorded due to decline in the prices of several goods and services, including travel, durable goods and some grocery items.Gasoline prices fell 1.3 percent during September, but were still 7.5 percent higher than last year, making fuel prices one of the biggest drivers of annual inflation.If gasoline were excl

Just In

CanadaOct 20, 2026

Canada’s Economic Growth Forecast Cut Amid U.S. Tariffs, Budget Deficit Expected to Rise

Canada’s Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) has lowered its economic growth forecasts for 2026 and 2027, citing the impact of tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Canada’s retaliatory measures. According to the federal budget watchdog’s latest report, Canada’s real GDP is expected to grow by 0.9 per cent in 2026 and 1.5 per cent in 2027. The PBO had previously forecast growth of 1.1 per cent for 2026 and 1.6 per cent for 2027 in June. The report also projects an increase in Canada’s budget deficit following the breakdown of trade negotiations between Canada and the Unit
bsf-arrests-gunman-of-former-punjab-mla-kulbir-singh-zira-with-opium
IndiaOct 20, 2026

BSF Arrests Gunman of Former Punjab MLA Kulbir Singh Zira With Opium

The Border Security Force (BSF) has reportedly arrested the gunman of former Punjab Congress MLA Kulbir Singh Zira with opium in Ferozepur district. Aam Aadmi Party leader Baltej Pannu shared the information on social media. However, the identity of the arrested individual, the quantity of opium seized, and further details about the case have not yet been disclosed.
alberta-referendum-majority-support-immigration-and-constitutional-reform-proposals
AlbertaOct 20, 2026

Alberta Referendum: Voters Back Several Government Proposals

Preliminary results from Alberta’s referendum on nine questions related to immigration and constitutional reforms show majority support for most of the provincial government’s proposals. About 58.6 per cent of voters supported giving Alberta greater control over immigration. Meanwhile, 57 per cent backed restricting access to services such as health care and education to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, while charging temporary residents fees for these services. A total of 58.4 per cent supported requiring temporary residents to live in Alberta for 12 months before qualifying for
alberta-voters-reject-separation-from-canada-76-vote-to-stay
AlbertaOct 20, 2026

Alberta Voters Reject Separation from Canada, 76% Vote to Stay

Alberta voters have overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to separate from Canada in a referendum, with preliminary results indicating that approximately 76 per cent voted to remain in the country, while only 24 per cent supported initiating the separation process. Following the historic vote, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith thanked Albertans, describing the result as a victory for a united and strong Canada. Carney said the strong support for remaining in Canada sent a clear message that Albertans had chosen unity, cooperation and standing together as a country. He
abbotsford-double-murder-sentencing-delayed-until-february-2027
BCOct 20, 2026

Abbotsford Double Murder Sentencing Delayed Until February 2027

The sentencing hearing for Abhijeet Singh, Gurkaran Singh and Khushveer Toor, convicted of the first-degree murders of 77-year-old Arnold De Jong and his 76-year-old wife, Joanne De Jong, has been postponed until February 2027. The couple were killed during a home invasion at their Abbotsford residence nearly four years ago. The three men were found guilty of first-degree murder in May, an offence that carries a mandatory life sentence with no parole eligibility for 25 years. However, the three convicted men have sought the right to apply for early parole under the Criminal Code’s “faint-h