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senate-passes-controversial-bill-to-fast-track-major-projects
CanadaJun 27, 2025

Senate passes controversial bill to fast-track major projects

Parliament has passed controversial major projects legislation that Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada needs to shore up its economy in the face of a trade war with the United States. Bill C-5 gives the federal government sweeping new powers to speed up permitting for what the Liberals call "nation-building projects." The legislation's opponents have attacked the legislation as a massive power grab. Here's what's C-5 does and what people are saying about it.
senate-could-vote-on-controversial-major-projects-bill-today
CanadaJun 26, 2025

Senate could vote on controversial major projects bill today

The Senate could vote today on Prime Minister Mark Carney's controversial major projects bill — legislation that would give the federal government the power to fast-track projects it hopes will bolster the economy. The bill, which moved swiftly through the House of Commons, is subject to a programming motion in the Senate — meaning it has to be voted on by tomorrow. Bill C-5 has faced heavy opposition over the speed of its passage through Parliament and the sweeping new powers it would give the government. Carney has said the bill is needed to fast-track "nation-building projects" in the f
canada-over-half-of-study-permits-going-to-international-students-already-here
CanadaJun 26, 2025

Canada: Over half of study permits going to international students already here

New international students coming to study in Canada may struggle to obtain study permits.According to reports, the number of study permits approved by Canada for 2025 is expected to drop by 50 per cent from last year as a large number of study permits are being issued to international students who are already in Canada and are changing schools or programs or planning to study in Canada. According to a recent analysis by the Apply Board, the decline in new international students could spell trouble for the post-secondary education sector and enrollment will continue to decline for at least
canada-brings-seven-citizens-out-of-israel-west-bank-as-most-find-their-own-way-out
CanadaJun 26, 2025

Canada brings seven citizens out of Israel, West Bank as most find their own way out

Global Affairs Canada says it brought just seven Canadians out of Israel and the West Bank to Jordan on buses offered Wednesday. Ottawa started offering evacuations from both regions later than some of its allies, and has taken note of low uptick from Canadians. A chartered flight from Jordan left Tuesday for Athens with Canadians filling just 95 of the 265 seats Ottawa had arranged. Consular officials continue to be stationed at countries bordering Iran, where Canada has no diplomatic presence, to help people find commercial routes home. The department says it is aware of 800 Canadians leavin
bodies-of-three-people-missing-after-airmedic-helicopter-crash-in-quebec-recovered
CanadaJun 26, 2025

Bodies of three people missing after Airmedic helicopter crash in Quebec recovered

The search for three people who were unaccounted for after a medical transport helicopter crashed on Quebec's North Shore came to an end late Wednesday night after police divers located their bodies in a lake. Montreal-area company Airmedicsays Quebec's provincial police have found the bodies of its two missing crew members, along with a patient, in Lake Watshishou, located 1,000 kilometres northeast of Montreal. "This confirmation has deeply moved our team," Airmedic said in a statement at around 10 p.m. Wednesday. "A time of remembrance begins for the Airmedic family. We will take the time t
canada-sees-continued-decline-in-both-us-and-foreign-visitors-statistics-canada
CanadaJun 25, 2025

Canada sees continued decline in both US and foreign visitors: Statistics Canada

Canada is seeing a continued decline in both US and foreign visitors, with the latest report from Statistics Canada showing that in April, travel to Canada by US residents fell 8.9 per cent year-on-year, while travel to Canada by other foreign residents fell 0.6 per cent. This is the third consecutive month that travel to Canada by US residents has declined and the seventh consecutive month that travel by other foreign nationals has declined. According to Statistics Canada, the decline in foreign visitors to Canada was driven by a decline in people coming from Asia, who were down 12.6 per
statement-from-the-mayor-urging-federal-government-to-designate-extortion-gangs-as-terrorist-organizations
CanadaJun 25, 2025

Surrey Mayor urging federal government to designate extortion...

Today, I am joining calls for the federal government to declare the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and any other groups involved in extortion and violence targeting Canadians of South Asian descent as terrorist organizations under Canadian law. Whether these groups operate locally or internationally, this designation is a critical step in equipping law enforcement with the necessary tools to dismantle these dangerous networks and protect our residents and businesses. The violence and intimidation our community faces are unacceptable. We have seen a disturbing rise in extortions, threats of violence, an
carney-says-canada-to-spend-5-of-gdp-on-defence-by-2035
CanadaJun 25, 2025

Carney says Canada to spend 5% of GDP on defence by 2035

NATO allies, including Canada, have agreed to increase defense spending to five percent of GDP over the next 10 years. This means that Western countries, including Ottawa, are going to invest heavily in defense by 2035. The new target was approved during a NATO summit in the Netherlands today, a significant policy victory for President Donald Trump. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte opened the meeting by praising Trump for increasing defense spending. The five percent target is divided into two parts, with the first 3.5 percent focusing on core defense needs, including fighter jets and weapo
calgary-stampede-rodeo-safety-to-include-shaded-pens-heart-monitors-for-horses
CanadaJun 25, 2025

Calgary Stampede rodeo safety to include shaded pens, heart monitors for horses

Tents are being set up to provide shade for bulls and broncs, and some chuckwagon horses are to be fitted with tiny electrocardiograms at the upcoming Calgary Stampede. Ed Pajor (PAY'-jor) is a professor of animal behaviour and welfare in the University of Calgary's faculty of veterinary medicine. The university is working with the Stampede to study some of the animals this year. Pajor says based on the scorching heat during the Stampede last summer, the animals could use a break. Pajor says tents will be provided to some of the bulls and broncos to see if it makes a difference. Researc

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two-men-charged-after-abbotsford-bank-robbery-on-sumas-way
BCMar 12, 2026

Two men charged after Abbotsford bank robbery on Sumas Way

Two men have been charged following a bank robbery investigation in Abbotsford last month, according to the Abbotsford Police Department. Police say officers responded around 5:23 p.m. on Feb. 6 to a report of a robbery at a bank in the 2100 block of Sumas Way. Investigators say a man entered the bank, demanded money, and left with cash before fleeing in a waiting truck. No injuries were reported. The department’s Major Crime Unit took over the investigation and gathered evidence over several weeks that led detectives across the Lower Mainland, police said in a news release. On March 10, inv
vancouver-lapu-lapu-day-festival-to-return-april-19-with-new-safety-measures-after-2025-attack
BCMar 12, 2026

Vancouver Lapu Lapu Day festival to return April 19 with new safety measures after 2025 attack

Organizers say Vancouver’s annual Lapu Lapu Day festival will return April 19, nearly a year after a vehicle ramming attack at last year’s event killed 11 people. Filipino BC announced the gathering will be held at the Italian Cultural Centre rather than on surrounding community streets, saying the venue change is intended to prioritize safety while allowing the Filipino community to come together for reflection. According to a statement from the organization, this year’s event will be called the “Lapu Lapu Day of Togetherness,” focusing on shared reflection and healing following the
rcmp-seize-large-quantities-of-drugs-firearms-in-southeast-district-trafficking-investigation
BCMar 12, 2026

RCMP seize large quantities of drugs, firearms in Southeast District trafficking investigation

A drug trafficking investigation led by the RCMP Federal Policing Pacific Region’s Drugs and Organized Crime Team in Kelowna has resulted in the seizure of large quantities of illicit drugs, firearms and cash following coordinated searches in Kelowna and Penticton. According to an RCMP statement, investigators began the probe in 2024 into suspected drug trafficking activity in the Southeast District. On Dec. 17, 2025, officers executed search warrants on two vehicles and three residences in Kelowna and Penticton with assistance from the Kelowna, West Kelowna and Penticton RCMP detachments, a
police-investigate-early-morning-shots-fired-in-surreys-cloverdale-neighbourhood
CanadaMar 12, 2026

Police investigate early-morning shots fired in Surrey’s Cloverdale neighbourhood

Surrey Police Service and the RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit are investigating a report of shots fired early Thursday morning in the Cloverdale area of Surrey. Police said officers responded at about 4:35 a.m. to reports of gunfire in the 19500 block of 65 Avenue. According to a police release, officers arriving at the scene located multiple shell casings in the area. Investigators also found damage to a nearby residence that may be connected to the shooting. Police said no injuries have been reported. The RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit General Investigation Uni
chilliwack-rcmp-seek-witnesses-dash-cam-footage-after-assault-victim-dies-in-hospital
BCMar 12, 2026

Chilliwack RCMP seek witnesses, dash cam footage after assault victim dies in hospital

The Chilliwack RCMP Serious Crime Unit is asking the public for information as investigators examine whether an earlier assault contributed to the death of a 49-year-old man. Police said officers were notified on March 7 that the man, who had been assaulted on Feb. 21, died in hospital. According to an RCMP news release, investigators believe the assault may have been a contributing factor in the death and the Serious Crime Unit has taken over the investigation. The incident is believed to have occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 along Railway Avenue near Young Road. Police say the victim an