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sean-fraser-takes-over-federal-housing-file
CanadaJul 26, 2023

Sean Fraser takes over federal housing file

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is handing over the federal housing file to Sean Fraser, who was previously Immigration minister.Trudeau is shuffling his cabinet today in a bid to present a fresh team to lead the Liberals into the next election.Ahmed Hussen, who was Housing minister since 2021, has faced criticism for his handling of the file as the housing crisis worsened across the country.Hussen is staying in cabinet as minister of International Development.The federal government is facing considerable pressure to address the lack of affordable housing, which experts say is the result of a ho
amber-alert-kids-taken-off-grid-after-preplanned-abduction-by-b-c-mom-rcmp
BCJul 25, 2023

Amber Alert kids taken off grid after 'preplanned' abduction by B.C. mom: RCMP

Police say they have credible information that two children who are the subject of an Amber Alert have been taken 'off the grid' in an alleged preplanned abduction by their mother.Surrey RCMP say they believe Verity Bolton, along with her father Robert and boyfriend Abraxus Glazov, are living in trailers in a rural area after the woman failed to return the children to their father earlier this month.Police say they've received 180 tips on the case, but the whereabouts of 8-year-old Aurora and 10-year-old Joshuah Bolton remain unknown, with the last confirmed sighting at a Merritt, B.C. gas sta
ottawa-buys-nine-airbus-planes-to-replace-air-force-polaris-fleet-that-transports-pm
CanadaJul 25, 2023

Ottawa buys nine Airbus planes to replace Air Force Polaris fleet that transports PM

The federal government says it has signed a contract with European aviation company Airbus to replace its aging Polaris fleet at a cost of $3.6 billion.The Royal Canadian Air Force uses the Polaris planes for transporting high-ranking government officials, including the prime minister and Governor General, as well as for air-to-air refuelling and transport.The new fleet, which will be named the CC-330 Husky, includes four new and five used aircraft that are being outfitted to feature the same capabilities.The government bought the used planes from a company in Kuwait, and two of them are expec
b-c-overhauling-policing-standards-for-sexual-assault-investigations
BCJul 24, 2023

B.C. overhauling policing standards for sexual assault investigations

Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth has announced new programs and policing standards to support sexual assault survivors.A statement from the ministry says stable funding for programs, plus new policing standards for responding to sexual assaults, will support survivors while ensuring more effective investigations.Farnworth says the annual funding is immediately available for 68 new sexual assault programs across the province.The new police standards due to start next year will include police and victim-services working together to consider a person's unique needs when
edmonton-man-appears-in-u-k-court-after-terrorism-investigation
CanadaJul 24, 2023

Edmonton man appears in U.K. court after terrorism investigation

An Edmonton man arrested in a terrorism investigation in the United Kingdom appeared in a London court today.Khaled Hussein, who is 28, was charged under the Terrorism Act for allegedly being a member of a proscribed organization in the U.K.He was arrested at London's Heathrow Airport last week.Hussein is charged alongside a 56-year-old British preacher, Anjem Choudary, who was allegedly directing a terrorist organization and addressing meetings to encourage support for a radical group since June 2022.Prosecutors say the Edmontonian worked online with Choudary to provide a platform for the vie
mental-health-minister-puts-156m-toward-launch-of-988-crisis-hotline-in-november
CanadaJul 24, 2023

Mental health minister puts $156M toward launch of 988 crisis hotline in November

Mental Health Minister Carolyn Bennett says the government is putting $156 million over three years toward a new three-digit suicide-prevention hotline.Starting on Nov. 30, people in crisis will be able to dial 988 anywhere in Canada to be connected with trained responders 24 hours a day by phone or text message.The free service will be offered in English and French.The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health will receive the money to launch and operate the hotline.The minister is also giving the organization $21 million to bolster the capacity of distress centres as they prepare for the increa
worksafe-b-c-reminds-employers-to-keep-workers-safe-from-heat-stress
BCJul 21, 2023

WorkSafe B.C. reminds employers to keep workers safe from heat stress

WorkSafe B.C. says heat warnings issued by Environment Canada should be a wake-up call to employers to protect employees working indoors and outside. WorkSafe say employers need to take steps to protect employees, especially farm workers, construction workers and those in restaurant kitchens. It says the number of claims related to heat stress has been increasing in recent years. Environment Canada says temperatures in the B.C. interior today and tomorrow will reach the mid 30s and is warning people of the dangers of heat-related illnesses.
retired-rcmp-officer-charged-with-helping-beijing-intimidation-campaign
CanadaJul 21, 2023

Retired RCMP officer charged with helping Beijing intimidation campaign

The RCMP says it has charged one of its former members in a case of alleged foreign interference.William Majcher is accused of helping the Chinese government identify and intimidate a person.Police say he is from Hong Kong and used his network of Canadian contacts to get intelligence or services that benefited the People's Republic of China.They say a national security investigation into Majcher's suspicious activities began in the fall of 2021.The 60-year-old retired officer is charged with conspiracy and preparatory acts for the benefit of a foreign entity.Police have not said who was the ta
with-increased-bc-family-benefit-more-than-285-000-families-to-see-payments-in-bank-accounts
BCJul 20, 2023

With increased BC Family Benefit, more than 285,000 families to see payments in bank accounts

With increased BC Family Benefit, more than 285,000 families throughout B.C. will see bigger payments in their bank accounts starting this month."Global inflation and higher interest rates continue to be hard on many families right now," said Grace Lore, Minister of State for Child Care. "The BC Family Benefit is one way we're helping families provide the food, clothes and opportunities their kids need to have the best start possible."The BC Family Benefit is a regular monthly payment from the provincial government. Eligibility is based on income and number of children.The benefit reaches fami

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ottawa-approves-gradual-increase-in-direct-passenger-cargo-flights-with-china
CanadaApr 20, 2026

Ottawa approves gradual increase in direct passenger, cargo flights with China

The federal government says it will allow a gradual increase in direct air travel between Canada and China, expanding both passenger and cargo flight capacity after years of reduced service. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said the change will permit Canadian and Chinese airlines to increase direct passenger flights and operate up to 20 cargo flights per week, with reciprocal access to destinations in both countries. The announcement follows outreach by Prime Minister Mark Carney during a visit to Beijing in January. According to a federal statement, the adjustment is intended to support t
alberta-government-meets-grocers-on-food-prices-as-affordability-concerns-grow
AlbertaApr 20, 2026

Alberta government meets grocers on food prices as affordability concerns grow

The Alberta government says it is meeting with major grocery retailers as part of an effort to address rising food costs, according to a statement from Service Alberta. Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally said food prices have increased across Canada and globally, and the province is engaging with grocery operators to explore ways to reduce costs for Albertans. The statement did not outline specific measures under consideration or a timeline for potential changes. Premier Danielle Smith also addressed the issue during her provincewide radio show on Saturday, saying many residents are frustrate
canadian-armed-forces-exceed-recruitment-targets-for-second-straight-year-defence-minister-says
CanadaApr 20, 2026

Canadian Armed Forces exceed recruitment targets for second straight year, defence minister says

Canada’s military has surpassed its annual recruitment targets for a second consecutive year, according to Defence Minister David McGuinty, signalling renewed interest among younger Canadians in joining the armed forces. McGuinty said more than 7,300 people enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces over the past year. According to the Department of National Defence, the recruitment goal for 2025–26 was 6,957 new members, which has now been exceeded. The previous year also saw higher-than-expected intake, with 6,706 recruits joining against a target of 6,496. The federal government attributes t
IndiaApr 20, 2026

Bus crash in Indian-administered Kashmir kills 21, dozens injured

At least 21 people were killed and about 45 others injured after a passenger bus veered off a mountainous highway and plunged down a steep slope in Indian-administered Kashmir on Monday, according to local authorities. Civil administrator Prem Singh said the 42-seat bus was carrying more than 60 passengers from Ramnagar to Udhampur when it collided with an auto-rickshaw at a sharp curve. The impact caused the bus to lose control and fall approximately 30 metres onto a lower road. Officials said 19 people died at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries after being transported to
7-4-magnitude-earthquake-off-northern-japan-prompts-tsunami-alert
WorldApr 20, 2026

7.4-magnitude earthquake off northern Japan prompts tsunami alert

A powerful offshore earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.4 struck near Japan’s northern coast on Monday afternoon, prompting a tsunami alert for parts of the region. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake occurred at approximately 4:53 p.m. local time off the Sanriku coast, at a depth of about 10 kilometres beneath the seabed. Authorities issued a tsunami alert shortly after the tremor, warning of potentially hazardous sea-level changes along affected coastal areas. Public broadcaster NHK reported that waves of up to three metres could reach parts of the northeastern