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BCDec 21, 2023

Federal government’s ban on single-use plastic goes into effect

Shoppers should expect to see no single use plastic bags, straws or utensils in stores and restaurants starting tomorrow, as newfederal single-use plastics rules take effect. Cities like Vancouver and Victoria have already have their own rules in place. The BC government says food service providers will no longer be able to offer single-use plastic utensils, lids and other items like plastic sushi grass. It says such items can only be given out if a customer asks for them. federal rules will mean businesses are banned from giving out, manufacturing, and importing for sale checkout bags, cutle
quebec-to-continue-detaining-migrants-for-cbsa-into-2024
CanadaDec 21, 2023

Quebec to continue detaining migrants for CBSA into 2024

The Quebec government has extended for six months the permission for the Canada Border Services Agency to detain immigrants in the province's jails at the request of the federal government. Earlier, the controversial agreement with the state Border Services Agency was due to expire on December 31, 2023. Now its new deadline has been fixed as 30 June 2024. The Ministry of Public Security of Quebec gave this information in a statement. Let it be known that the Border Services Agency can keep any such foreign national in jail regarding whom it feels that his identity is not clear or he may be a
untitledno-charges-in-b-c-2022-christmas-eve-bus-crash-that-left-4-dead
BCDec 20, 2023

No charges in BC 2022 Christmas Eve bus crash that left 4 dead

The British Columbia Prosecution Service says there will be no charges stemming from a bus crash on an icy highway in the province's Interior last Christmas Eve that killed four people. Service spokesman Dan McLaughlin says it reached the decision after the Crown counsel assessing the allegations concluded that the standard for charges had not been met. The prosecution service guideline says in order for charges to be approved, there must be a "substantial likelihood of conviction" based on the strength of the evidence as well as the public interest being served in a prosecution. The crash of
quebec-labour-unions-threaten-unlimited-strike-in-new-year-if-no-deal-is-reac
CanadaDec 20, 2023

Quebec labour unions threaten unlimited strike in new year if no deal is reac

Four Quebec public sector unions representing hundreds of thousands of workers say they will launch an unlimited strike early in the new year if they don't reach a deal with the government.The four unions, which are negotiating together and calling themselves the "common front," say it's still possible to settle before the end of 2023 but add that negotiations need to intensify for that to happen.Common front leaders told reporters today they have not set a date for an unlimited general strike in 2024.The unions, which represent 420,000 public sector workers, including teachers, education supp
record-shattering-2023-wildfires-voted-canadian-news-story-of-the-year
BCDec 20, 2023

Record-shattering 2023 wildfires voted Canadian news story of the year

The wildfires that disrupted the lives of thousands of Canadians and shattered records for the amount of forest burned have been voted 'The Canadian Press story of the year'. An unusually mild and dry winter in much of the country set the stage for an unprecedented season that led to 200,000 people fleeing their homes. The fires consumed an area three times the size of Nova Scotia, more than doubling the previous record set in 1995. From Halifax to British Columbia to Yellowknife, Canadians were forced from their homes as the fires burned, and the resulting smoke made for hazardous air conditi
b-c-losing-people-to-alberta-amid-high-interprovincial-migration-statcan
BCDec 20, 2023

BC losing people to Alberta amid high interprovincial migration: StatCan

British Columbia is experiencing interprovincial migration and has recently experienced record increases. Since July 2022, approximately 12,800 people have left BC and moved to another Canadian province.This is the first time in a decade that there have been more people leaving the province than people coming in for 15 consecutive months, according to Statistics Canada. From July to September 2023, 4,634 people moved to other provinces and the majority to Alberta.Despite this, 1,51,437 people from outside Canada have come to the province, bringing the population of the province to 5.6 million
mcgill-announces-3k-award-to-offset-tuition-hike-for-most-out-of-province-students-2
CanadaDec 20, 2023

McGill announces $3K award to offset tuition hike for most out-of-province students

McGill University says it will offer a $3,000 annual award to new undergraduate students from other provinces to offset a tuition hike imposed by the provincial government.The university says roughly 80 per cent of Canadian undergraduate students who apply to the university would be eligible for the award, beginning in the 2024-2025 school year.The new Canada Award will be guaranteed for up to four years of study as the university tries to maintain enrollment in the face of the province's plan to increase tuition for out-of-province students to $12,000 per year from from $8,992.McGill Universi
india-will-investigate-the-allegations-made-by-the-us-about-the-conspiracy-to-kill-the-sikh-leader-modi
CanadaDec 20, 2023

India will investigate the allegations made by the US about the conspiracy to kill the Sikh leader: Modi

After being accused of plotting the murder of Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannu in America, Indian Prime Minister Modi has given his statement for the first time. Prime Minister Modi said that if they get evidence, he will definitely look into it, but some incidents cannot affect the relationship between the US and India. In an interview to The Financial Times, Modi said, "If anyone gives us information, we will definitely investigate it. We have full commitment to the law." Meanwhile, Modi also expressed serious concern over the activities of some extremist groups in foreign coun
cra-has-fired-185-employees-for-inappropriately-claiming-covid-19-cerb-benefits
CanadaDec 20, 2023

CRA has fired 185 employees for 'inappropriately' claiming COVID-19 CERB benefits

The Canada Revenue Agency says 185 employees have been fired to date for claiming a federal COVID-19 benefit when they were not eligible for it. That's an increase of 65 since the CRA last updated the public on its review in September. The CRA is reviewing approximately 600 cases in which current employees received the Canada Emergency Response Benefit or CERB during the COVID-19 pandemic. The benefit was worth $2,000 a month to Canadians whose jobs were lost or downgraded as a result of public-health restrictions. The CRA says that just because someone was employed by the agency, that does

Just In

CanadaNov 10, 2026

Call to Ease Mortgage Rules for First-Time Homebuyers

Canada’s major banks and real estate developers are urging the federal government to ease mortgage rules and introduce down payment assistance programs for young, first-time homebuyers purchasing newly built homes. The group includes major financial institutions such as the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), BMO, TD, CIBC and Scotiabank, along with 10 major homebuilders, including Minto and Brookfield. They are recommending that the government make the mortgage stress test less restrictive and lower down payment requirements for young first-time buyers. The group says the ongoing slowdown in Canada
AlbertaNov 10, 2026

Calgary Proposes 15% Property Tax Hike for 2027, Homeowners to Pay Extra $37 Monthly

Calgary City Council has proposed a 15 per cent property tax increase for 2027, which is expected to cost the average homeowner approximately $37 more per month. Under the newly released four-year budget proposal, property taxes are also projected to increase by 10 per cent in 2028, 7.7 per cent in 2029 and six per cent in 2030. However, the proposed budget figures are not final. City Council is expected to hold final debates and vote on the proposal later this month. The proposal also includes a 3.8 per cent increase in Calgary Transit fares. Meanwhile, the city's debt is projected to rise fr
four-grizzly-bears-confirmed-in-fatal-attack-that-killed-mother-and-daughter-near-bella-coola
BCNov 10, 2026

Four Grizzly Bears Confirmed In Fatal Attack That Killed Mother And Daughter Near Bella Coola

Conservation officials in British Columbia have confirmed that four grizzly bears were involved in the fatal attack that killed a mother and her daughter near Bella Coola earlier this month. Officials said forensic and DNA testing confirmed that the four grizzly bears captured over the past several days were directly involved in the deadly incident. The bears included a female grizzly and her three cubs. All four bears have been euthanized to ensure public safety, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service said. The victims were identified as 48-year-old Jennifer Balcarras and her 20-year-old daugh
BCNov 10, 2026

B.C. Records 133 Suspected Drug Toxicity Deaths in September, 2026 Total Reaches 1,143

British Columbia recorded 133 suspected deaths linked to illicit drug toxicity in September, meaning nearly four people died every day across the province. The latest figures bring the total number of suspected drug-related deaths in 2026 so far to 1,143. According to a report from the BC Coroners Service, 76 per cent of those who died were men, while 70 per cent were between the ages of 30 and 59. By health authority, Fraser Health recorded the highest number of deaths this year at 311, followed by Vancouver Coastal Health with 298. Together, the two regions accounted for 53 per cent of all s
waris-punjab-de-seeks-amit-shahs-intervention-to-allow-amritpal-singh-to-attend-grandmothers-funeral
IndiaNov 10, 2026

Waris Punjab De Seeks Amit Shah’s Intervention to Allow Amritpal Singh to Attend Grandmother’s Funeral

Waris Punjab De has sought the intervention of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to facilitate the participation of Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh in the last rites of his grandmother, Charan Kaur. In a letter addressed to Amit Shah, the party urged him to coordinate with the governments of Punjab and Assam, along with the concerned authorities, to ensure that the necessary legal and administrative steps are taken without delay to allow Amritpal Singh to attend the funeral. The party has also written a similar letter to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann,