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india-resuming-visa-services-at-high-commission-consulates-in-canada
CanadaOct 25, 2023

India resuming visa services at high commission, consulates in Canada

India's high commission in Canada says the country's officials will resume processing some types of visa applications in Ottawa and at consulates in Toronto and Vancouver.The decision comes a month after New Delhi suspended the services in Canada and for Canadian citizens worldwide.The high commission says it is resuming business, medical and conference visas, as well as entry for people with family ties in India, but did not include information about other types of visas.The Canadian Press confirmed the authenticity of social-media posts about the decision, and has sought information about wh
bank-of-canada-holds-key-interest-rate-at-5-for-second-time
CanadaOct 25, 2023

Bank of Canada holds key interest rate at 5% for second time

The Bank of Canada held its key interest rate steady at five per cent today, noting there are clearer signs of the economy cooling and inflation easing.However, it warns that it is prepared to increase rates further if necessary.The central bank says it's still concerned that price growth is easing too slowly and that the inflation rate has been volatile in recent months.Forecasters widely expected the rate hold as economic data suggests high interest rates are already causing an economic pullback.New economic projections released by the central bank suggest economic growth will continue to be
macklem-warned-premiers-about-dangers-of-putting-bocs-independence-at-risk
CanadaOct 24, 2023

Macklem warned premiers about dangers of putting BoC's independence at risk

Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem warned premiers who publicly asked the central bank to not raise interest rates last month that their requests could undermine the institution's independence.The premiers of Ontario, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador wrote to Macklem ahead of the Bank of Canada's Sept. 6 rate decision, outlining concerns about the effects of higher rates on their residents and asking the central bank not to raise its key rate further.In a Sept. 13 letter, Macklem warned that instructions or requests from elected officials could give the impression that the Bank
spamouflage-campaign-targeting-trudeau-mps-linked-to-china-global-affairs-canada
CanadaOct 23, 2023

'Spamouflage' campaign targeting Trudeau, MPs linked to China: Global Affairs Canada

Global Affairs Canada says there's a social media campaign connected to the People's Republic of China is targeting dozens of MPs with spam.The department says a bot network known as "Spamouflage" began spreading propaganda and disinformation messages across Facebook and X in early August.Global Affairs says the bot network left thousands of comments in English and French on the accounts of MPs claiming a critic of the Chinese Communist Party in Canada accused the various MPs of criminal and ethical violations.It says the messages appeared across the political spectrum, even appearing on the a
CanadaOct 20, 2023

Saskatchewan legislature passes pronoun bill in special sitting

A controversial bill on the use of pronouns in schools has received final approval in the Saskatchewan legislature.The new law will prevent children under 16 from changing their names or pronouns at school without receiving parental consent.It uses the notwithstanding clause to override sections of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Saskatchewan's Human Rights Code.Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill says he expects all school divisions to abide by the legislation.The Opposition New Democrats opposed the bill, saying it strips rights from vulnerable people.The Saskatchewan Party government
canada-has-pulled-most-envoys-out-of-india-due-to-diplomatic-immunity-threats-joly
CanadaOct 20, 2023

Canada has pulled most envoys out of India due to diplomatic immunity threats: Joly

Canada has removed most of its diplomatic presence from India after New Delhi threatened to strip diplomatic immunities from them and their families, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said Thursday. Officials said the move would slow down the processing of immigration applications, and Canada has issued a travel advisory for regions of India where it says it's been forced to reduce consular staffing. Relations with New Delhi have hit a deep freeze since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a month ago that Canadian intelligence services were investigating ``a potential link'' between In
sixth-canadian-killed-in-israel-hamas-war-two-missing-foreign-minister
CanadaOct 17, 2023

Sixth Canadian killed in Israel-Hamas war, two missing: Foreign Minister

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says an Israeli with ties to Canada who had been missing is now confirmed dead, amid the continued fallout from Hamas's recent surprise attacks on Israel.Joly is offering condolences to the family of Tiferet Lapidot, who she said was one of three Canadians reported missing after Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,400 people and setting off a war that has left more than 4,000 dead on both sides.The minister says that during her recent trip to Israel, she met with Lapidot's Canadian father in Tel Aviv, as well as Lapidot's uncle,
fifth-canadian-killed-in-israel-hamas-war-global-affairs-canada
CanadaOct 16, 2023

Fifth Canadian killed in Israel-Hamas war: Global Affairs Canada

Global Affairs Canada has confirmed the death of a fifth Canadian in Israel after a series of attacks by Hamas militants, while Canadians in the besieged Gaza Strip still have no way to get out.Three other Canadians who were in Israel when the attacks happened Oct. 7 are still missing, officials said Sunday.Global Affairs did not provide details of the fifth person who died or those who are missing, citing privacy reasons.More than 6,800 Canadians are registered in Israel, and more than 450 in the West Bank and Gaza.Canada is currently assisting about 3,300 permanent residents, Canadians and t
city-of-surrey-moves-to-court-to-block-police-transfer
BCOct 13, 2023

City of Surrey moves to court to block police transfer

The City of Surrey says it is filing a petition in the B.C. Supreme Court challenging the province's order to convert the RCMP into a municipal police force.The move, announced in a statement on Friday, has been a long-running dispute."My team and I were elected to stop the proposed police change," Mayor Brenda Locke said in a statement.It is worth mentioning that on July 19, B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth directed the City of Surrey to replace its existing RCMP force with the Surrey Police Service.Farnworth said everyone has a right to be safe in their community and all British Co

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rustad-backs-alberta-pipeline-project-criticizes-b-c-governments-opposition
BCJun 26, 2026

Rustad Backs Alberta Pipeline Project, Criticizes B.C. Government's Opposition

Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad has thrown his support behind Alberta's proposed pipeline project, which is expected to submit its application by July 1. He said the British Columbia government should support the project instead of standing in its way. Criticizing Premier David Eby, Rustad argued that the pipeline is not just an Alberta project but one that would benefit all of Canada and could help address British Columbia's economic challenges. According to Rustad, the project would create real jobs, particularly in northern B.C., where the forestry sector has been struggling in
rcmp-investigating-stabbing-near-port-place-mall-in-nanaimo
BCJun 26, 2026

RCMP Investigating Stabbing Near Port Place Mall in Nanaimo

The Nanaimo RCMP are investigating a stabbing that occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at a bus stop near Port Place Mall. Police, firefighters and BC Emergency Health Services responded to the scene. Upon arrival, officers found an adult male suffering from a stab wound to his arm. Bystanders and frontline officers provided emergency first aid before the victim was transported to hospital for treatment. Investigators have determined that the incident took place near a row of benches on the south side of Port Place Mall, across from the downtown bus exchange on Fro
CanadaJun 26, 2026

Ontario Announces Major Changes to Immigrant Nominee Program

The Ontario government has announced major reforms to its Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Under the new changes, the existing eight immigration streams will be consolidated into four, making the process clearer and easier for both applicants and employers. The first new pathway, the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream, is being launched to provide eligible foreign workers with a new route to permanent residency (PR). A key feature of the new stream is greater flexibility for applicants to work in related occupations. For example, a nurse will be able to work as a Personal Support Worke
indo-pacific-key-to-canadas-trade-diversification-strategy-maninder-sidhu
CanadaJun 26, 2026

Indo-Pacific Key to Canada's Trade Diversification Strategy: Maninder Sidhu

Canada's International Trade Minister, Maninder Sidhu, says the Indo-Pacific region is critical to the country's efforts to increase exports beyond the United States and diversify its trade markets. Sidhu recently led a 300-member business delegation on a four-day visit to Japan, marking Canada's largest-ever trade mission to the Indo-Pacific region. The Indo-Pacific is home to Canada's three largest trading partners in the region-China, Japan and South Korea. However, Canada's efforts to expand trade and investment ties there have not always achieved the desired results. Sidhu noted that pre
japanese-prime-minister-sanae-takaichi-to-visit-india-from-july-1-to-3
IndiaJun 26, 2026

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to Visit India from July 1 to 3

At the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will pay an official visit to New Delhi from July 1 to July 3. During the visit, she and Prime Minister Modi will jointly chair the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit. This will be Prime Minister Takaichi's first official visit to India and is being seen as an important step in further strengthening ties between the two countries. The meeting comes at a significant time, amid indications of possible changes in the U.S. administration's policy toward the Indo-Pacific region. According to India's Minist