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AlbertaSep 22, 2026

Alberta Government Suspends Fuel Tax Until Year-End

The Alberta government is suspending the province’s fuel tax for the rest of the year. Premier Danielle Smith made the announcement Tuesday while addressing business leaders in Calgary. Smith said the average price of Western Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was $90.54 per barrel last month, triggering a full suspension of the 13-cent-per-litre provincial fuel tax for the quarter beginning October 1. The province had previously suspended its fuel relief program during the last quarter. However, Smith said Albertans had told the government they would prefer to receive the savings directly at th
b-c-premier-david-eby-calls-early-provincial-election
BCSep 22, 2026

B.C. Premier David Eby Calls Early Provincial Election

B.C. Premier David Eby has formally called a provincial election after meeting with Lieutenant Governor Wendy Cocchia and requesting the dissolution of the legislature. The election is being held two years ahead of schedule. The next provincial election had originally been set for October 21, 2028. The announcement also cancels the Abbotsford-Mission byelection scheduled for September 26, as the riding will now be contested as part of the provincewide general election. The seat had been vacated by B.C. Conservative MLA Rian Gaspar to allow former party leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay to run in the
BCSep 22, 2026

B.C. MLA Brent Chapman Leaves Conservatives, Joins OneBC Party

Party-switching intensifies in B.C. as Surrey South MLA Brent Chapman leaves the B.C. Conservatives and joins the OneBC Party. Chapman, who is the husband of former B.C. Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay, had been facing continued pressure within the party over controversial social media comments from his past. In a statement, Chapman said he had been a loyal party member for the past 15 years, but recent internal divisions, publicly exposed disagreements and what he described as a decline in the party’s principles had made it difficult for him to remain with the B.C. Conservatives. On
b-c-premier-david-eby-meets-lieutenant-governor-wendy-cocchia
BCSep 22, 2026

B.C. Premier David Eby Meets Lieutenant Governor Wendy Cocchia

B.C. Premier David Eby has met with Lieutenant Governor Wendy Cocchia. Eby is scheduled to hold a press conference at 12:15 p.m. at Government House in Victoria, where he is expected to formally announce a provincial election. The election is being called with about two years remaining in the current term of the B.C. NDP government. Eby had indicated that he was considering an early election amid recent turmoil within the opposition Conservative Party, a change in leadership and the NDP government's narrow one-seat majority in the legislature. According to Elections B.C.'s anticipated electio
CanadaSep 22, 2026

Canada’s NDP Opposes Federal Plan to Allow Private Investment in Major Airports

Canada’s federal NDP is opposing the federal government’s plan to allow private investment in the country’s airports. NDP Leader Avi Lewis has described the Carney government’s proposal as privatization, arguing that calling it anything else is misleading to the public. Speaking outside the House of Commons alongside party members and labour union leaders, Lewis warned that handing over the operations of Canada’s four largest airports in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver to private investors could lead to higher passenger fees. Lewis said the plan amounts to privatization beca
belleville-synagogue-shooting-29-year-old-suspect-dies-in-hospital
CanadaSep 22, 2026

Belleville Synagogue Shooting: 29-Year-Old Suspect Dies in Hospital

A 29-year-old suspect, identified as Sean Ward, has died in hospital following a shooting outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ont. The incident happened Sunday evening as members of the Jewish community gathered inside the synagogue for prayers marking Yom Kippur. At around 7:10 p.m., the suspect allegedly opened fire with a shotgun at a police officer stationed outside the synagogue. The suspect was critically injured during an exchange of gunfire and was taken to hospital in serious condition. Police said approximately 20 to 30 rounds were fired during the confrontation, with
BCSep 22, 2026

Surrey councillor calls for province-wide e-scooter regulations

A Surrey councillor is calling for province-wide regulations governing the use of e-scooters in British Columbia. Coun. Rob Stutt proposed developing a regulatory framework for e-scooter use during Monday’s council meeting. Citing safety concerns, he asked city staff to prepare a letter that will be sent by the mayor to the incoming provincial government. Under current rules, e-scooters are prohibited on Surrey roads, parks and sidewalks. However, their use continues to grow in communities. Stutt argued that instead of simply banning e-scooters, the province should provide municipalities wit
canada-moves-to-extend-gas-and-diesel-tax-relief-until-january-2027
CanadaSep 22, 2026

Canada Moves to Extend Gas and Diesel Tax Relief Until January 2027

Canada’s Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne has introduced Bill C-38 in Parliament to extend the federal excise tax relief on gasoline and diesel until January 31, 2027. Under the proposed legislation, Canadians will continue to receive the full tax relief of 10 cents per litre on gasoline and 4 cents per litre on diesel until the end of January. According to Champagne, the measure will save drivers about $5 on every 50-litre tank of fuel. From February 1 to March 31, 2027, the tax relief will be reduced by half, with the federal fuel excise tax returning to its full rate on April
b-c-premier-david-eby-expected-to-call-snap-election-today
BCSep 22, 2026

B.C. Premier David Eby Expected to Call Snap Election Today

A major development is unfolding in British Columbia politics, with Premier David Eby expected to formally announce a provincial election during a news conference at the government buildings in Victoria on Tuesday afternoon. The announcement would bring an end to days of speculation over whether the NDP government would call an early election. Eby has already indicated that his caucus and Elections B.C. should be prepared for an election, while political developments within the B.C. Conservative Party have intensified speculation. The B.C. Conservatives also cancelled a news conference schedu

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three-dead-16-injured-in-calgary-bus-crash-and-explosion
AlbertaOct 16, 2026

Three Dead, 16 Injured in Calgary Bus Crash and Explosion

Three people have died and 16 others, including a police officer, were injured in a bus collision and fire in Calgary on Thursday. All three deceased were passengers on the same bus. Two of the victims have been identified, while the identity of the third is still being confirmed. According to police, the crash involved two transit buses and several other vehicles in the northeastern part of the city. A bus carrying compressed natural gas tanks caught fire, followed by a powerful explosion within seconds. One bus driver managed to escape unharmed, while the driver of the second bus was taken t
punjab-and-haryana-high-court-clears-bhagwant-manns-proposed-france-visit
IndiaOct 16, 2026

Punjab and Haryana High Court Clears Bhagwant Mann’s Proposed France Visit

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has overturned the Centre’s decision to deny political clearance for Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s proposed visit to France. According to reports, Mann may now leave for France tomorrow. The Union Ministry of External Affairs had refused permission, citing security concerns and the absence of a formal invitation from the French government. The Punjab government challenged the Centre’s decision in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The court’s ruling today has provided relief to the state government. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is scheduled to
burnaby-man-sentenced-to-3-5-years-in-prison-for-online-sextortion-of-teenage-girls
BCOct 16, 2026

Burnaby Man Sentenced to 3.5 Years in Prison for Online Sextortion of Teenage Girls

A 22-year-old man from Burnaby has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for online sextortion involving underage girls. The accused, Anwar Jelassi, obtained nude images from eight or nine girls aged 15 to 18 whom he met on social media between October 2022 and December 2023. The victims were from Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. He threatened to expose their images to extort money from them. According to reports, Jelassi sent an online message to a 17-year-old victim from Ontario who refused to pay him, threatening to ruin her life until her entire family had seen her nude images
eby-slams-b-c-conservatives-warns-their-promises-could-leave-5b-budget-hole
BCOct 16, 2026

Eby Slams B.C. Conservatives, Warns Their Promises Could Leave $5B Budget Hole

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby has launched a sharp attack on the B.C. Conservative Party during an election rally in Coquitlam, as the provincial election campaign enters its final stretch. Eby accused B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson of making promises that could create a massive $5 billion hole in the provincial budget, claiming the party has no clear roadmap to cover the shortfall. According to Eby, the consequences of the Conservatives’ proposals would be particularly damaging to the province’s education and health-care sectors. Outlining his own party’s plans, Eby said his govern
canada-updates-express-entry-rules-for-pr-offering-more-points-for-high-wage-jobs
CanadaOct 16, 2026

Canada Updates Express Entry Rules for PR, Offering More Points for High-Wage Jobs

Canada has introduced changes to its Express Entry system for permanent residency (PR), giving additional points to candidates with Canadian work experience or job offers in high-wage sectors such as engineering. According to an announcement made by Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab on Friday, candidates with Canadian work experience or qualifying high-wage job offers will receive additional points under the updated system. The government will define a high-wage job as one that pays at least 1.3 times the national median wage. Candidates with higher-paying job offers will be eligible for