The Quebec government has announced it will reduce its annual target for new permanent residents to 45,000, marking a significant shift from the roughly 61,000 people expected to settle in the province this year. The revised plan outlines a more moderate approach than earlier proposals that would have lowered the figure to as few as 25,000 newcomers annually. The government’s new immigration framework emphasizes language integration, setting a goal for nearly 80 per cent of new immigrants to achieve at least intermediate-level French by 2029. In 2019, that figure was 50 per cent. Officials s

BC Highway Patrol officers issued close to 8,000 speeding tickets across the province in October, highlighting ongoing concerns about driver behaviour as winter conditions set in. The enforcement effort was part of the Drive Relative to Conditions and Pedestrian Awareness campaign, aimed at encouraging motorists to adjust their driving for changing weather and visibility. According to BC Highway Patrol data, the highest number of tickets were issued in the South Coast region, including Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, where 2,167 drivers were cited. Vancouver Island followed with 1,598 t

The Surrey Police Service and the City of Surrey are reminding residents to stay alert as reports of distraction thefts continue to target seniors across the city. The awareness campaign coincides with National Seniors Safety Week, running from November 6 to 12, and focuses on helping older residents recognize and prevent these crimes. Police say 54 distraction thefts have been reported in Surrey so far this year, with many victims being seniors. Investigators note that suspects often approach their targets under friendly pretenses, such as asking for directions, complimenting jewellery, or of

The general manager of Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge has received global recognition for his leadership during last year’s wildfire that threatened the landmark mountain resort. Garrett Turta was named Hotelier of the Year by Historic Hotels Worldwide, an international organization that recognizes excellence and leadership in the hospitality industry. The group described the award as its highest individual honour. Turta said he was shocked to learn he had been selected. He was overseeing operations in late July 2024 when the wildfire advanced toward the property. As about 2,500 guests and staff

Premier Danielle Smith says her government has no current plans to change Alberta’s recall legislation, even as two petitions to remove sitting United Conservative Party members have been approved by Elections Alberta. Speaking to reporters, Smith said she is concerned that some recall efforts may be politically motivated rather than genuine attempts to hold elected officials accountable. She suggested the process may be used to undermine her government rather than serve its intended democratic purpose. The premier confirmed that no legislative amendments are being considered “at the momen

The Supreme Court of Canada has refused to hear an appeal from the owners of a British Columbia ostrich farm challenging a federal order to destroy hundreds of their birds following an avian flu outbreak. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) directed the cull on December 31, 2024, after detecting the virus on the property near Edgewood in B.C.’s southern Interior. The farm owners sought to overturn the order, arguing that the surviving ostriches showed no symptoms of infection and should not be euthanized. Federal officials maintained that even apparently healthy birds can carry and tr

The fate of more than 300 ostriches in British Columbia’s southern Interior could be decided within days, as the Supreme Court of Canada prepares to rule on whether it will hear a final appeal from Universal Ostrich Farms. The Edgewood-based operation has spent nearly a year fighting a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) order to cull its flock following an avian influenza outbreak last December. The farm has already lost two earlier legal battles in Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal. In September, the Supreme Court temporarily halted the cull while it considered whether to he

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has reportedly received a death threat from gangster Harvinder Singh Rinda, believed to be operating from Pakistan. Sources say the threat surfaced following Warring’s remarks about former Union home minister Buta Singh. According to police officials, the message warned Warring to stay away from political campaigning until November 11 – the date of polling for the Tarn Taran assembly by-election. A similar threat was also received by Congress leader Rajvir Singh Bhullar. Police have registered a case and enhanced security arrangements

A heated exchange took place in the Punjab and Haryana High Court today during the hearing of former minister Bikram Singh Majithia’s bail petition. The Punjab Advocate General, appearing for the state government, sought two days’ time to file a response, but the court made it clear that the matter would be heard the same day. Majithia’s counsel argued that since the charge sheet has already been filed, there was no justification for the government to continue opposing bail. The defence pointed out that the Supreme Court had earlier dismissed an investigation report in a related NDPS mat