Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she has not signed any citizen petitions currently circulating in the province, including one calling for a referendum on Alberta separating from Canada. Speaking alongside Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides, Smith said the citizen initiative process is designed for members of the public and not elected officials. She added that her government is monitoring several petition efforts underway but is not directly participating in them. A group advocating for Alberta to become an independent country is working to gather the required signatures to trigger a

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party has won a clear majority in Bangladesh’s general election, marking a significant shift in the country’s political landscape after nearly two decades. According to preliminary results, the BNP-led alliance secured 212 of the 299 parliamentary seats contested nationwide. An 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami won 77 seats, positioning it as the main opposition bloc in the new parliament. The outcome paves the way for BNP president Tarique Rahman to assume the office of prime minister. Rahman contested from two constituencies and was declared elected in b

Canadians who receive the federal GST credit will see an additional one-time payment this spring after Parliament passed legislation accelerating changes to the benefit. The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit received royal assent after clearing the Senate, following earlier approval in the House of Commons. According to the federal Finance Department, the measure will deliver a top-up worth 50 per cent of a recipient’s regular GST credit. Officials say payments will be issued as early as possible this spring to eligible low and modest income households. In addition to the one-time boos

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to join community members in Tumbler Ridge today for a public vigil honouring the nine people killed in a mass shooting earlier this week. The prime minister accepted an invitation from the town’s mayor and extended an invitation to other federal party leaders to stand in solidarity with the community. Representatives for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, NDP interim leader Don Davies and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May have confirmed they will attend. The joint appearance follows statements delivere

India’s Defence Acquisition Council has approved a proposal to procure 114 Rafale fighter aircraft from France in a deal estimated at approximately ₹3.60 lakh crore, according to officials from the Ministry of Defence. The decision marks one of the largest defence procurement initiatives currently under consideration by the federal government. The council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, also cleared several additional proposals aimed at strengthening India’s military capabilities. These include the acquisition of advanced missile systems and modern satellite-based technologie

A 45-year-old woman has died after being struck by a vehicle in Surrey early Thursday morning, prompting a police investigation and extended road closures in the Whalley area. Surrey Police Service said officers responded at approximately 7:33 am to reports of a pedestrian-involved collision in the 10400 block of 132 Street, near 104 Avenue. Frontline officers attended along with Surrey Fire Services and BC Emergency Health Services. Despite life-saving efforts at the scene, the woman succumbed to her injuries. Police confirmed the driver remained at the location and is cooperating with invest

Prime Minister Mark Carney says he will travel to Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, in the coming days to meet with residents and local officials grieving after a deadly mass shooting that killed nine people, including several children and the attacker. His office said the details of the trip, including timing, are being coordinated with community leaders to ensure support aligns with local needs. The announcement follows one of the deadliest mass shootings in recent Canadian history. On Tuesday, an 18-year-old gunman opened fire in the town of about 2,400 people, killing relatives at a nearby

Metro Vancouver Transit Police are asking for the public’s help as they investigate a reported sexual assault in the parking area next to Scott Road SkyTrain Station in North Surrey. Police say the incident occurred on January 21 shortly after 4:00 p.m. at the Scott Road Park and Ride Lot A, near 110 Avenue and 126A Street. A woman was walking from the SkyTrain station to her vehicle, which was parked in a far corner of the lot, when she was approached from behind and assaulted. Investigators say the woman fought back and the suspect fled in the direction of the station. The suspect is descr

Calgary police are investigating what they describe as an organized crime related shooting that took place outside a restaurant in the city’s southeast late Wednesday night. Officers were called to a Cactus Club location along Macleod Trail Southeast after reports that a man had been shot while sitting inside his vehicle in the parking area. Emergency crews transported the victim to hospital in critical condition. Police later confirmed his condition had improved and he is now listed as stable. Investigators believe the shooting was targeted and say the victim was likely followed or approach