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federal-privacy-watchdog-probes-sexualized-deepfakes-on-x-platform
CanadaJan 15, 2026

Federal privacy watchdog probes sexualized deepfakes on X platform

Canada’s federal privacy commissioner has launched an investigation into sexualized deepfakes circulating on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. Philippe Dufresne, who oversees federal private sector privacy compliance, has expanded an existing probe into X and opened a separate inquiry into xAI, the company behind Grok, the artificial intelligence tool used to generate the content. The office of the privacy commissioner said the investigations will determine whether X and xAI collected, used, or disclosed personal information without valid consent in the creation of deep
surrey-police-probe-overnight-shooting-in-panorama-ridge-no-injuries-reported
CanadaJan 15, 2026

Surrey police probe overnight shooting in Panorama Ridge, no injuries reported

Surrey Police Service is investigating a shooting that damaged a home and vehicle in the Panorama Ridge neighbourhood early Thursday morning, part of what police believe may be an ongoing pattern of extortion-related violence in the city. Officers were called to the 13400 block of 56 Avenue shortly before 1 am after reports of gunfire. Police say they found evidence of shots fired at a residence and a nearby vehicle. No injuries were reported. The SPS Frontline Investigative Support Team attended the scene, and the Major Crime Section has now taken over the investigation. Police say the case r
canada-confirms-death-of-canadian-citizen-amid-iran-protests-condemns-state-violence
CanadaJan 15, 2026

Canada confirms death of Canadian citizen amid Iran protests, condemns state violence

Canada’s foreign affairs department has confirmed the death of a Canadian citizen in Iran as widespread anti-government protests continue across the country. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said the federal government has received information indicating the individual died at the hands of Iranian authorities. Anand said Canada strongly condemns the use of violence by the Iranian government against protesters and civilians, and is calling for an immediate end to the crackdown. The confirmation comes amid heightened international concern over arrests, injuries, and deaths linked to demons
surrey-police-investigate-early-morning-shooting-at-newton-business
CanadaJan 14, 2026

Surrey police investigate early-morning shooting at Newton business

Surrey Police Service officers are investigating an overnight shooting that damaged a business in the Newton neighbourhood, marking the latest incident amid a series of extortion-related crimes reported in the city. Police say officers were called to the 8000 block of King George Boulevard at around 2:10 am after reports of gunfire. When officers arrived, they found a business property that had been damaged by the shooting. No injuries were reported. The Surrey Police Service Frontline Investigative Support Team attended the scene, and the Major Crime Section has assumed conduct of the investi
quebec-premier-françois-legault-announces-resignation-ahead-of-fall-provincial-election
CanadaJan 14, 2026

Quebec Premier François Legault announces resignation ahead of fall provincial election

Quebec Premier François Legault says he will step down as leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec, confirming he will not take the party into the provincial election scheduled for this fall. Legault told reporters in Quebec City that he intends to remain premier until a new CAQ leader is selected, setting off a leadership race with only months remaining before voters head to the polls on October 5. The announcement comes as the governing party faces declining public support. Recent polling places the CAQ well behind both the Parti Québécois and the Quebec Liberal Party, marking a significant
statistics-canada-plans-workforce-reduction-affecting-about-850-employees
CanadaJan 13, 2026

Statistics Canada plans workforce reduction affecting about 850 employees

Statistics Canada says it will cut approximately 850 positions as part of a broader effort to adjust its operations, along with a reduction of about 12 per cent of its executive team. Carter Mann, a spokesperson for the national statistical agency, said affected employees are expected to be notified within the next two weeks. He added that the agency remains focused on meeting its mandate to provide reliable data for Canadians while adapting to internal changes. According to data from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Statistics Canada employed 7,274 people as of March 31, 2025. Of tha
prime-minister-carney-departs-for-china-on-high-stakes-trade-and-diplomacy-visit
CanadaJan 13, 2026

Prime Minister Carney departs for China on high-stakes trade and diplomacy visit

Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to depart this evening on a five-day official visit to China, a trip being closely watched for its potential impact on trade, agriculture, and Canada’s broader foreign policy direction. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe will accompany the prime minister as part of the delegation, highlighting the importance of agricultural trade to Western Canada. Saskatchewan farmers have been particularly affected by Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola, a key export for the province and a major source of farm income. During the visit, Carney is expected to meet with Chinese Pr
carney-to-meet-coastal-first-nations-in-prince-rupert-on-major-projects-marine-protection
CanadaJan 12, 2026

Carney to meet Coastal First Nations in Prince Rupert on major projects, marine protection

Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to meet with leaders of Coastal First Nations in Prince Rupert on Tuesday, with discussions expected to focus on major resource projects and marine conservation along British Columbia’s coastline. Carney will be joined by Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson, whose early dealings with the alliance have drawn criticism. Hodgson faced backlash after failing to consult Coastal First Nations before the federal government signed an agreement with Alberta that could advance a new pipeline to the B.C. coast. The minister later apologized for remarks made du
police-fire-crews-investigate-fatal-house-fire-in-surrey
CanadaJan 12, 2026

Police, Fire Crews Investigate Fatal House Fire in Surrey

Surrey police and firefighters are investigating an early morning house fire that left one man dead in a residential neighbourhood of the city’s Newton area. The incident has prompted a joint investigation involving police, fire officials, and the BC Coroners Service. Surrey Police Service officers were called shortly after 7:00 a.m. to assist Surrey Fire Service crews at a blaze in the 12700 block of 56 Avenue. The home was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived, and road closures were put in place as crews worked to control the fire. While searching the residence, firefighters located th

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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
maninder-sidhu-to-lead-trade-talks-in-india-philippines
BCSep 17, 2026

Maninder Sidhu to Lead Trade Talks in India, Philippines

Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, is travelling to India and the Philippines this week to advance new trade agreements and create new opportunities for Canadian businesses. During his visit to India, Sidhu will lead high-level trade discussions focused on opening new opportunities for Canadian aerospace, artificial intelligence, clean energy and critical minerals sectors. He is also expected to meet with leading Indian business leaders and investors and encourage them to invest in Canada. Sidhu said another key objective of the trip is to advance free trade agreement
60-year-old-man-arrested-after-fleeing-scene-following-multiple-vehicle-collisions-in-vancouver
BCSep 17, 2026

60-Year-Old Man Arrested After Fleeing Scene Following Multiple Vehicle Collisions in Vancouver

A 60-year-old man has been arrested by Vancouver police for allegedly crashing into multiple vehicles and fleeing the scene. According to police, the incidents occurred around 9 a.m. Tuesday in southeast Vancouver, near East 49th Avenue and Elliott Street. Officers said people were inside the vehicles when they were struck. Police said several vehicles were damaged, but no injuries were reported. After the collisions, the suspect allegedly abandoned his vehicle and fled the scene on foot. Police later arrested the suspect, identified as Wayne Tran. He is facing charges related to dangerous dri