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CanadaJul 20, 2026

Canada Child Benefit payments increase takes effect today, millions of families to receive higher amounts

Higher Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payments began rolling out today following the federal government's annual benefit adjustment. According to the Government of Canada, the increase is expected to benefit approximately 3.6 million families and about 6 million children across the country. Under the updated benefit rates, eligible families can receive up to $8,157 annually for each child under the age of six, an increase of $160 from the previous benefit year. For children aged six to 17, the maximum annual payment has increased to $6,883, up $135 from last year. According to the Canada Revenue A
CanadaJul 20, 2026

Wildfire destroys seasonal camp at Whitewater Lake First Nation in northwestern Ontario

A wildfire has destroyed much of the seasonal camp at Whitewater Lake First Nation, located about 250 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, marking the second First Nation community in Ontario to suffer significant wildfire damage in less than a week. According to Chief Pauline Drake, the fire destroyed multiple buildings, personal belongings and critical infrastructure at the site. Whitewater Lake First Nation is used primarily as a seasonal camp and has no permanent residents. The community is accessible only by floatplane for about six months of the year. The latest damage follows wildfire destr
canadas-annual-inflation-rate-eases-to-2-8-in-june-as-gasoline-prices-fall
CanadaJul 20, 2026

Canada’s annual inflation rate eases to 2.8% in June as gasoline prices fall

Canada’s annual inflation rate slowed to 2.8 per cent in June, down from 3.2 per cent in May, largely because of lower gasoline prices, according to Statistics Canada. The federal agency said a decline in fuel prices helped ease overall inflation pressures. Grocery prices also continued to rise, but at a slower pace, increasing 3.9 per cent year over year in June compared with 4.3 per cent in May. Despite the slowdown, grocery inflation remained above the overall inflation rate for a 17th consecutive month, highlighting the continued impact of higher food costs on Canadian households. The Ba
CanadaJul 17, 2026

Brampton man identified as homicide victim after body found in Stoney Creek

Hamilton Police have identified a man whose body was found in a Stoney Creek creek on Wednesday morning as 29-year-old Taranpreet Singh Sidhu of Brampton. Investigators have confirmed the case is being treated as a homicide. According to Hamilton Police, Sidhu's body was discovered in a creek near Fruitland Road North and Harbour Drive after a passerby spotted him partially submerged in the water on nearby rocks. Emergency responders attended the scene and confirmed he had died. Detective Sergeant Robert Delaney said Sidhu came to Canada from India in 2022 and had worked as a truck driver whil
CanadaJul 16, 2026

Meta introduces new Instagram AI safety features for minors as Canada advances online safety legislation

Meta has announced new safety features for minors using its Instagram AI chatbot, introducing parental alerts for conversations involving self-harm or suicide. The update comes as the Canadian government moves forward with proposed online safety legislation aimed at strengthening protections for young users. According to Meta, the new features became available Thursday in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. If a minor discusses self-harm or suicide while interacting with Instagram AI, parents who have enabled the platform's Parental Supervision tools will receive an im
federal-government-to-acquire-190-armoured-vehicles-in-2b-deal-to-strengthen-canadian-army
CanadaJul 16, 2026

Federal government to acquire 190 armoured vehicles in $2B deal to strengthen Canadian Army

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a $2 billion investment to purchase 190 new armoured vehicles for the Canadian Army as part of a four-year procurement plan aimed at strengthening the military's operational capabilities and supporting Canada's domestic defence industry. Carney confirmed the agreement during a visit Thursday to the General Dynamics Land Systems–Canada facility in London, Ont. According to the federal government, the new vehicles will increase the Army's armoured fleet to 550. The Prime Minister said all 190 vehicles will be manufactured at the company's Ontario facili
poilievre-criticizes-liberals-over-canada-post-executive-bonuses-amid-record-losses
CanadaJul 16, 2026

Poilievre criticizes Liberals over Canada Post executive bonuses amid record losses

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has criticized the Liberal government after reports that Canada Post paid millions of dollars in bonuses to management despite recording significant financial losses. Poilievre alleged that the government is allowing well-connected officials to benefit from taxpayer money while many Canadians continue to face rising living costs. He said families are struggling to afford groceries because of inflation, while senior Canada Post executives received substantial bonus payments. According to publicly reported Canada Post financial information, the Crown corporat
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

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13-injured-in-multi-vehicle-crash-involving-semi-truck-and-double-decker-bus-in-surrey
BCOct 19, 2026

13 Injured in Multi-Vehicle Crash Involving Semi-Truck and Double-Decker Bus in Surrey

Thirteen people were injured in a multi-vehicle crash involving a semi-truck, a double-decker bus and several other vehicles on Highway 99 in Surrey on Friday evening. According to the Surrey Police Service, the collision occurred around 4:30 p.m. near the Highway 99 and Highway 91 interchange. A semi-truck first struck three cars travelling in the same direction before losing control, crossing the median and colliding with an oncoming double-decker bus and another car. Approximately 50 to 60 people were aboard the bus at the time of the crash. According to B.C. Emergency Health Services, two
BCOct 19, 2026

Eby Urges Green Party Voters to Back NDP as Emily Lowan Fires Back Ahead of B.C. Election

Political activity has intensified in the final week of British Columbia’s provincial election campaign, with NDP Leader David Eby urging Green Party supporters to vote for the NDP, prompting a sharp response from Green Party Leader Emily Lowan. On Sunday, Eby appealed to Green voters not to waste their votes on the Green Party, arguing that Lowan is unlikely to become premier. He warned that votes for the Greens could split the vote and benefit the B.C. Conservatives. Responding to Eby’s remarks, Lowan accused him of calling the election two years ahead of schedule for political gain. She
suspect-arrested-in-2022-double-homicide-in-burnaby
BCOct 19, 2026

Suspect Arrested in 2022 Double Homicide in Burnaby

Police have arrested a 27-year-old suspect following a lengthy investigation into a double homicide in Burnaby three years ago. Investigators said Mohammad Arif Ansari was taken into custody on Friday. Two counts of second-degree murder and one count of indignity to human remains have been approved against him. Burnaby RCMP said the bodies of 31-year-old Keesha Gary and 30-year-old Umair Qasim were found inside a vehicle on Alpha Avenue on October 17, 2022. Police believe the killings were targeted and that the victims and the accused knew each other. The victims, who lived in Coquitlam, were
10-arrested-in-gta-luxury-car-robbery-investigation-1-4m-in-stolen-vehicles-recovered
BCOct 19, 2026

10 Arrested in GTA Luxury Car Robbery Investigation, $1.4M in Stolen Vehicles Recovered

Peel Regional Police in Ontario have arrested 10 people, including two youths, in connection with a series of violent luxury vehicle robberies across the Greater Toronto Area. Police said 21 incidents occurred between June 2025 and April 2026. The suspects allegedly used knives and firearms to carry out the robberies, leaving some victims seriously injured. Those arrested include 20- to 24-year-olds Shaan Dhindsa of Brampton, Ekamveer Randhawa of Halton Hills, and Parth Sharma, Aryan Deol and Manavjot Dhaliwal of Brampton. A 37-year-old Brampton resident, Madhumeet Randhawa, was also arrested.
WorldOct 19, 2026

Landmine Blast, Gunfire Kill 15 in Nigeria, Including 10 Soldiers

At least 15 people, including 10 Nigerian soldiers, were killed in a landmine explosion and gunfire targeting a military convoy in Borno State, Nigeria. The victims also included five members of the Civilian Joint Task Force. Six soldiers were injured in the attack and were taken to hospital. According to reports, soldiers from a battalion in Gamboru were patrolling a road between Gamboru Ngala and neighbouring Cameroon on Saturday when a pickup truck struck a landmine suspected to have been planted by Boko Haram militants. Eight soldiers travelling in the vehicle were killed on the spot. The