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CanadaAug 31, 2023

Greenbelt Controversy: Housing minister Clark apologetic; refuses to resign

The opposition has been constantly demanding the resignation of Ontario's Housing Minister Steve Clarke.In the meantime, Minister Clark has refused to resign while issuing the latest statement in Toronto.In fact, on August 9, a new report by the Auditor General of Ontario revealed how thousands of hectares of greenbelt land was opened for housing development.A 95-page report released by Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk reviewed how the state government chose to exclude 810,000 hectares of farmland, forest and wetlands from Niagara Falls to Peterborough from the Greenbelt.Ontario's Integrity Commis
quebecs-transport-minister-apologized-for-not-wearing-a-seat-belt
CanadaAug 30, 2023

Quebec's Transport Minister apologized for not wearing a seat belt

Quebec Transport Minister Genevieve Guilbault is apologizing after photos emerged of her not wearing her seatbelt while on the road.The photos, published by the Journal de Montreal today, were taken over a three-year span and posted to her social media accounts, both while Guilbault was driving or a passenger in a vehicle.Guilbault, who is also the deputy premier, apologized for the lapse in judgment as she headed into a cabinet meeting.She said the moments where she forgot to buckle up were rare exceptions rather than the rule, but were unacceptable nonetheless and violations of the provincia
trudeau-to-visit-indonesia-singapore-and-india-next-week-to-seek-trade-deals
CanadaAug 30, 2023

Trudeau to visit Indonesia, Singapore and India next week to seek trade deals

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is headed to Asia next week for a whirlwind tour of Indonesia, Singapore and India.The trip involves the G20 leaders' summit in New Delhi, and a focus on economic ties in booming regions of Southeast Asia, as Canada seeks alternatives to a rising China.In Jakarta, Trudeau will attend a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, where the group of 10 countries that will ratify a strategic-partnership agreement with Canada.The next stop in Singapore will involve meeting with the city-state's head of government and business leaders to promote investment i
first-case-of-ba-2-86-variant-of-covid-found-in-british-columbia
BCAug 30, 2023

First case of BA.2.86 variant of Covid found in British Columbia

The first case of the BA.2.86 variant of Covid has been reported in Canada.This is the first case found in British Columbia.B.C. health officials have confirmed this variant.B.C.'s Centers for Disease Control confirmed that the variant was found in a person in the Fraser Health Region, east of Vancouver, who has not traveled outside the province.Medical Director of Vancouver Infectious Disease Control Dr. Brian Conway says the new BA.2.86 variant has not yet been shown to cause more severe disease.Conway says the first case being recorded here in B.C. is a reminder that COVID never truly went
CanadaAug 30, 2023

Canada's Wheat production likely to fall, second lowest in the 8 years

Canada, the world's fourth largest wheat exporter, is set to face a decline in wheat production this year due to drought. According to a government report, in parts of the Prairie Provinces, namely Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan wheat and canola production expected to decline. Canada is also among the world's largest shippers for canola, from which vegetable oil is produced. According to Statistics Canada, the production of wheat this time is likely to be 29.5 million metric tons, which is the second lowest in the last 8 years and 14 percent down compared to last year. At the same time, t
global-affairs-canada-issues-lgbtq-travel-advisory-for-u-s
CanadaAug 29, 2023

Global Affairs Canada issues LGBTQ+ travel advisory for U.S.

Global Affairs Canada has updated its travel advisory for the United States, warning LGBTQ people that some state laws may affect their travel.The post shared Tuesday morning said some states have enacted laws and policies that may affect 2SLGBTQI+ individuals.This advisory is issued to travelers to stay aware of laws that criminalize same sex activities and relationships.The updated advisory does not mention any specific law or state policy, nor does it suggest avoiding any particular state.On Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland supported the decision to update the travel advisor
n-w-t-postpones-elections-over-wildfires-will-go-to-polls-on-nov-14
CanadaAug 29, 2023

N.W.T. postpones elections over wildfires; will go to polls on Nov. 14

The North West Territories were supposed to go to polls on October 3 but now the regional elections will be held on November 14.MLAs have voted in favor of bringing the polls forward by six weeks.Votes have been postponed due to forest fires.The Chief Electoral Officer of the North West Territories had suggested that the elections be brought forward.The current firefighting budget for the Northwest Territories is approximately $22 million.Members of the regional legislature made the decision in a special session held at the town hall in Inuvik instead of the regional capital of Yellowknife.Mos
12-new-charges-laid-against-ontario-man-for-selling-sodium-nitrite
CanadaAug 29, 2023

12 new charges laid against Ontario man for selling sodium nitrite

Police have laid a dozen new charges against an Ontario man.The police have framed 12 charges against the accused who sold deadly substances to people who wanted to harm themselves.Peel Regional Police has revealed that a week ago, British police revealed they were investigating the deaths of 88 people in the UK who bought products from Canada-based websites.These products were deadly to people.Police across the state assisted in the investigation of the matter.The investigation begun when a Canadian man named Kenneth Law was arrested.Law is accused of selling sodium nitrite using various webs
election-date-in-n-w-t-may-be-postponed-due-to-wildfires
CanadaAug 29, 2023

Election date in N.W.T may be postponed due to wildfires

The Northwest Territories legislature is to meet later today to discuss delaying a territorial election set for October because of wildfires.The territory is scheduled to go to the polls on Oct. 3.But because of massive evacuations in several communities and general safety concerns, the N.W.T.'s chief electoral officer has suggested that be pushed until November.Some members of the territory's legislature say there's clear support for delay.The territory operates by a consensus system without political parties, in which elected members choose the premier from among themselves.Over the weekend,

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CanadaSep 17, 2026

Canada Must Focus on Value-Added Products Instead of Raw Materials: EDC

Amid the federal government’s efforts to open up new markets, Export Development Canada (EDC) said in a report released Thursday that Canada needs to invest in processing raw materials domestically and turning them into higher-value products instead of exporting them in their raw form. EDC CEO Alison Nankivell said such investments could add nearly $100 billion to Canada’s GDP over the next decade. The report used yellow peas as an example. While exporting raw peas may generate about $30 per tonne, processing them into flour can raise the value to $300 per tonne. Turning them into products
16-arrested-in-abbotsford-retail-theft-operation-project-pumpkin-spice
BCSep 17, 2026

16 Arrested in Abbotsford Retail Theft Operation ‘Project Pumpkin Spice’

Abbotsford Police have arrested 16 people accused of shoplifting as part of Project Pumpkin Spice, a retail crime enforcement operation conducted on Sept. 11 as part of a nationwide campaign. According to police, 11 officers from the Abbotsford Police Department’s Street Outreach Response Team worked with 20 local businesses during the 10-hour operation. Sgt. Paul Walker said several of those arrested had previous criminal records and outstanding warrants. Police recovered more than $1,600 worth of stolen merchandise during the operation. A vehicle allegedly used in the offences was also sei
b-c-municipalities-urge-eby-to-hold-provincial-election-after-local-vote
BCSep 17, 2026

B.C. Municipalities Urge Eby to Hold Provincial Election After Local Vote

British Columbia’s political scene is heating up amid signals from Premier David Eby that an early provincial election could be called. Amid the uncertainty, Union of B.C. Municipalities president Cory Ramsay is calling for any potential mid-term provincial election to be held only after the municipal elections are completed. Ramsay noted that local elections are scheduled for Oct. 17, with campaigning beginning Sept. 19 across 188 communities. He warned that calling a provincial election during the municipal campaign could distract more than 3,500 local candidates and residents from key iss
police-take-major-action-in-burnaby-hospital-fire-case-after-six-year-investigation
BCSep 17, 2026

Police Take Major Action in Burnaby Hospital Fire Case After Six-Year Investigation

Police have charged a 29-year-old Alberta man in connection with a fire at Burnaby Hospital in 2020, following an investigation that lasted nearly six years. Burnaby RCMP said the B.C. Prosecution Service approved charges against Yu Yun Wang on September 8, including arson and endangering human life. The fire broke out on November 15, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the hospital’s mental health services wing. The blaze caused millions of dollars in damage, forced the emergency department to close and led to the evacuation of patients. Police said the suspect was identified in 2023 aft
AlbertaSep 17, 2026

Alberta Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Sexual Assaults on Vulnerable Women

An Alberta man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of sexual assaults against vulnerable women at a rural property near Calgary. Richard Robert Mantha, 62, was convicted of six offences, including drugging one of his victims, in incidents that occurred between 2019 and 2023. He was also found guilty of uttering threats against another woman. The court heard that most of the victims worked in the sex trade. Justice Judith Shriar said Mantha showed “callous disrespect” when he laughed as one terrified victim fled his rural property, fearing for her life. Mantha received cre