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three-arrested-after-early-morning-shooting-tied-to-extortion-concerns-in-surrey
CanadaFeb 02, 2026

Three arrested after early-morning shooting tied to extortion concerns in Surrey

Surrey police say three men were taken into custody early Sunday after a shooting outside a home in the Crescent Beach area, an incident investigators believe may be connected to ongoing extortion activity in the city. Officers on patrol shortly before 4 a.m. were alerted to reports of gunfire and a small fire near 132 Street and Crescent Road. Police say the suspects were initially linked to a vehicle at the scene but fled on foot before being arrested nearby after entering a ride-share vehicle. The Surrey Police Service says a brief fire outside the residence was quickly extinguished by Surr
gst-credit-boost-and-one-time-payment-to-cost-ottawa-12-4-billion-budget-watchdog-says
CanadaFeb 02, 2026

GST credit boost and one-time payment to cost Ottawa $12.4 billion, budget watchdog says

Ottawa’s plan to temporarily boost the federal GST credit and issue a one-time payment to Canadians is expected to cost $12.4 billion over five years, according to new estimates from the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer. The budget watchdog says the proposed one-time payment, expected this spring, would cost the federal government just over $3 billion in the current fiscal year. Ongoing increases to the GST credit are projected to add between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion per year through 2031. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the measures last week as part of the federal gover
federal-court-of-appeal-set-to-rule-on-ottawas-single-use-plastics-ban
CanadaJan 30, 2026

Federal Court of Appeal upholds Ottawa’s authority to maintain single-use plastic b

Canada’s Federal Court of Appeal has ruled that the federal government acted within its authority when it classified certain plastic products as toxic, clearing the way for Ottawa to maintain its ban on several single-use plastic items. In a unanimous decision released Friday, a three-judge panel overturned a 2023 lower court ruling that had found the federal government overreached by broadly labeling plastic manufactured items as toxic under environmental legislation. That earlier decision had cast uncertainty over the future of the single-use plastics ban. The appeal court concluded the go
mistissini-cree-nation-placed-under-lockdown-following-fatal-shooting
CanadaJan 29, 2026

Mistissini Cree Nation placed under lockdown following fatal shooting

The Cree Nation of Mistissini in northern Quebec was placed under lockdown after a shooting that left multiple people dead, according to the community’s chief. Chief Michael Petawabano said residents were instructed to remain inside their homes and secure their doors while police continue their investigation. Travel into and out of the community has been restricted, and all public buildings and facilities have been closed until further notice. In a written statement, Petawabano said the lockdown will remain in effect until law enforcement confirms there is no ongoing risk to public safety. H
trump-announces-plan-to-raise-tariffs-on-south-korean-goods-to-25
WorldJan 27, 2026

Trump announces plan to raise tariffs on South Korean goods to 25%

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to increase tariffs on goods imported from South Korea, raising the rate from the current 15 per cent to 25 per cent. The proposed increase would apply to a range of products, including automobiles, lumber, pharmaceuticals and other manufactured goods. Speaking about the decision, Trump accused South Korea of failing to properly implement a trade agreement reached last year. He said the tariff increase is intended to address what his administration describes as unfair trade practices and ongoing concerns about market access for U.S. companies. So
prime-minister-mark-carney-may-visit-india-in-early-march-as-canada-looks-to-expand-trade-ties
CanadaJan 26, 2026

Prime Minister Mark Carney may visit India in early March as Canada looks to expand trade ties

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to visit India during the first week of March, as part of Canada’s broader effort to strengthen economic partnerships beyond the United States. Government sources indicate discussions during the visit could focus on cooperation in uranium, energy, critical minerals and artificial intelligence. The proposed trip is seen as a key step in Ottawa’s strategy to diversify trade and reduce reliance on the U.S. market. India’s growing economy and demand for energy and advanced technology make it a strategic partner for Canada, particularly as global supply
japan-pm-takaichi-calls-snap-election-months-after-taking-office
WorldJan 23, 2026

Japan PM Takaichi calls snap election months after taking office

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has dissolved the country’s lower house of Parliament, triggering a snap federal election scheduled for Feb. 8, just three months after she took office. The decision is widely seen as an effort to take advantage of early public support for Takaichi and to help the long-governing Liberal Democratic Party recover from significant electoral losses suffered in recent years. Analysts say the move carries political risk but could strengthen the government’s mandate if voters respond positively. The snap election, however, will delay parliamentary debate on
u-s-commerce-secretary-dismisses-carney-davos-speech-warns-canada-on-china-ties
CanadaJan 22, 2026

U.S. commerce secretary dismisses Carney Davos speech, warns Canada on China ties

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has brushed aside Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent remarks at the World Economic Forum, calling them “political noise” and cautioning that Canada’s growing trade engagement with China could complicate future negotiations with Washington. In an interview with Bloomberg TV, Lutnick said Canada already holds “the second-best deal in the world” under existing North American trade arrangements and suggested Carney was unfairly criticizing the United States. Lutnick also warned that Ottawa’s recent agreement with China could disrupt the upcomin
canada-looks-to-restart-trade-momentum-with-india-as-talks-near-launch
CanadaJan 21, 2026

Canada looks to restart trade momentum with India as talks near launch

Canada’s international trade minister says rebuilding and expanding economic ties with India will be a key focus of the federal government’s trade diversification strategy in the months ahead. International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu said it is important for Canada to engage India on expanding trade opportunities, particularly in sectors such as agriculture and energy, as Ottawa looks to reduce reliance on traditional markets and strengthen links in the Indo-Pacific region. Sidhu confirmed that formal negotiations toward a new economic agreement between the two countries are expected to

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BCJul 15, 2026

Elderly woman distracted and robbed of gold necklace in Vancouver, police seek suspects

A 76-year-old woman was allegedly robbed of her gold necklace after being distracted by an unknown woman in Vancouver's East 11th Avenue and Victoria Drive area on Tuesday, according to the Vancouver Police Department. Police said the incident occurred at about 12:30 p.m. while the senior was waiting for family members. An unidentified woman approached her and claimed she looked like her mother, whose birthday she said it was. The suspect then hugged the victim and, during the interaction, allegedly removed the woman's gold necklace and replaced it with a fake one. The victim reportedly discov
AlbertaJul 15, 2026

Alberta launches online bike lane complaint form ahead of planned legislation

The Alberta government has launched an online public feedback form inviting residents to report concerns about bike lanes as it prepares legislation expected this fall. According to the Alberta government, Albertans can use the online form to share concerns about bike lanes in their communities, including whether they believe a lane is underused, has reduced on-street parking, contributed to traffic congestion, affected local businesses, or delayed emergency response times. The province says the feedback will help inform future transportation policy decisions. Transportation Minister Devin Dre
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
BCJul 15, 2026

Surrey man sentenced to nearly five years in prison in extortion-related shooting and arson case

A Surrey Provincial Court judge has sentenced Abhijeet Kingra to nearly five years in prison for his role in a 2024 extortion-related shooting and arson targeting a Surrey home. According to court records, Kingra pleaded guilty on July 6 to charges of discharging a firearm at a residence and committing arson. The offences stem from an Aug. 10, 2024 incident in which a home belonging to a person who had reportedly received extortion threats was shot at and set on fire. The court imposed a two-year sentence for arson and a sentence of four years, 10 months and 19 days for the shooting offence. T