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AlbertaDec 02, 2025

Alberta launches single police review body aimed at improving transparency

Alberta has consolidated its police oversight system under a new Police Review Commission, a move the provincial government says will simplify how the public files concerns about police conduct. Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis announced the start of operations on Monday, saying the province wanted a clearer and more consistent process for handling complaints. The new commission replaces a mix of police service units and external agencies that previously managed different parts of the disciplinary process. The province says the centralized model is intended to reduce confusion for residents a
imran-khans-sister-reports-meeting-at-adiala-jail-as-rumours-over-former-pms-health-intensify
WorldDec 02, 2025

Imran Khan’s Sister Reports Meeting at Adiala Jail as Rumours Over Former PM’s Health Intensify

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder and former prime minister Imran Khan received a rare family visit at Adiala Jail today, following weeks of speculation over his condition. His sister Uzma Khanum met him for about 30 minutes and later said he appeared physically stable, while alleging that he has been subjected to psychological pressure during custody. The visit came after supporters of the party continued to voice concern about Khan’s isolation and lack of access to family. Uzma said the former prime minister has been kept confined to his cell for most of the day with limited communication,
farm-groups-plan-statewide-railway-blockade-in-punjab-on-december-5
IndiaDec 02, 2025

Farm Groups Plan Statewide Railway Blockade in Punjab on December 5

Farmer unions in Punjab say they will stage a statewide railway blockade on December 5 to highlight what they describe as unresolved demands related to minimum support price legislation and other pending issues. The action has been announced by the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Morcha, which has been leading several recent mobilizations in the state. Union representative Sarwan Singh Pandher said the protest will be symbolic and peaceful, adding that its purpose is to draw the attention of both the central and Punjab governments to long-standing commitments farmers believe remain unaddressed. He not
police-identify-victim-in-surreys-sixth-homicide-of-2025
BCDec 02, 2025

Police identify victim in Surrey’s sixth homicide of 2025

Investigators with the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team have released the name of the man fatally shot in Surrey late Friday night, hoping the disclosure will generate new leads in the case. Police identified the victim as 26-year-old Jaskaran Birring of Chilliwack, noting he had previous police contacts and was believed to have ties to the drug trade. Officers were called to a residential area shortly before midnight, where they found Birring suffering from critical injuries. Despite emergency medical efforts at the scene, police say he did not survive. IHIT says early evidence indicate
AlbertaDec 02, 2025

Petition urging Alberta to stay in Canada reaches required signature threshold

A provincewide petition asserting that Alberta should remain within Canada has met the legal threshold and has been formally validated by Elections Alberta. The petition, launched by former deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk, gathered more than 400,000 verified signatures, surpassing the minimum needed to trigger a legislative review. Under provincial law, the successful verification sends the matter to an all-party committee of the Alberta legislature, which will determine whether a provincewide referendum on national unity should move ahead. The process is part of Alberta’s citizen-initiative
smith-reiterates-ucps-commitment-to-remaining-in-canada-as-party-debates-direction
AlbertaDec 02, 2025

Smith reiterates UCP’s commitment to remaining in Canada as party debates direction

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is stressing that the United Conservative Party remains committed to working within Canada, even as internal divisions over the province’s future surfaced at the party’s weekend convention. The gathering came one week after Alberta and the federal government announced a major energy agreement, a deal that drew a mixed response from grassroots members and prompted renewed questions about the party’s stance on Confederation. During the convention, several figures associated with the party’s pro-independence movement received strong support, including standi
police-boost-patrols-after-unspecified-threat-targets-three-nanaimo-high-schools
BCDec 02, 2025

Police boost patrols after unspecified threat targets three Nanaimo high schools

Police in Nanaimo say officers will be stationed throughout the day at three secondary schools after an unspecified threat prompted a precautionary response from local RCMP. The increased presence affects Dover Bay Secondary, Wellington Secondary and Nanaimo District Secondary. According to RCMP, the schools will remain open and classes are expected to continue as scheduled. Officers say the additional patrols are intended to reassure students, staff and families while the nature of the threat continues to be assessed. The Mounties say school liaison officers will be visible on campus througho
CanadaDec 01, 2025

Algoma Steel announces 1,000 layoffs as U.S. tariffs force early transition to new production model

Algoma Steel says it will lay off roughly 1,000 employees as the company accelerates a major shift in its operations to respond to steep U.S. trade tariffs. The Sault Ste. Marie–based producer confirmed the notices were issued Monday, with the cuts taking effect in March. Company representatives say the 50 per cent tariff imposed by the United States last year sharply reduced access to its largest export market. With about 2,700 employees, Algoma has been among the Canadian steelmakers most affected by the ongoing trade dispute, which replaced a previously integrated North American steel sup
snow-and-freezing-rain-to-hit-central-interior-as-pacific-system-moves-in
BCDec 01, 2025

Snow and Freezing Rain to Hit Central Interior as Pacific System Moves In

Residents across British Columbia’s central Interior are being advised to prepare for challenging weather as a strong Pacific system collides with cold Arctic air over the region. Environment Canada has issued multiple alerts, warning of heavy snowfall, pockets of freezing rain, and hazardous travel conditions lasting into Monday evening. Snowfall of up to 15 centimetres is expected in areas surrounding Williams Lake, with advisories also covering stretches of Highway 97 between Clinton and 100 Mile House. Emergency officials are urging motorists to allow extra travel time and be ready for r

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threat-prompts-brief-lockdown-at-nanaimo-high-school
BCDec 11, 2025

Threat prompts brief lockdown at Nanaimo high school

A Nanaimo high school was placed under a precautionary lockdown Wednesday afternoon after school staff were alerted to a threat directed at a student. The incident at Nanaimo District Secondary School began around 2:30 p.m., prompting administrators to activate established safety procedures. Nanaimo RCMP officers responded immediately and remained on site while classrooms were secured. Police and school officials said the lockdown lasted roughly 30 minutes, and students and staff were released shortly after 3 p.m. once officers determined there was no ongoing risk. The district says students w
vancouver-police-seize-loaded-rifle-and-drugs-during-downtown-eastside-arrest
BCDec 11, 2025

Vancouver Police seize loaded rifle and drugs during Downtown Eastside arrest

Vancouver Police say a loaded rifle and several other weapons were taken off the street this week after officers arrested a man suspected of trafficking drugs in the Downtown Eastside. The incident took place Tuesday afternoon near East Hastings and Columbia Street, an area where frontline police and community workers have long raised concerns about violence linked to the drug trade. According to the Vancouver Police Department, members of the Beat Enforcement Team were on routine patrol around 2:35 p.m. on December 9 when they arrested a 32-year-old Surrey resident outside a residential build
donald-trump-unveils-new-gold-card-immigration-program
WorldDec 11, 2025

Donald Trump unveils new ‘Gold Card’ immigration program

Former United States president Donald Trump announced on Thursday the launch of a new immigration initiative he calls the Gold Card, opening the application process for the program. Under the plan, individuals can apply for the Gold Card at a fee of US$1 million, while companies wishing to secure a card for executives or employees would pay US$2 million. Trump’s campaign says cardholders would receive a U.S. passport, full voting rights and the same benefits enjoyed by other American citizens. Trump framed the Gold Card as part of his broader “America First” policy agenda, asserting the
flooding-prompts-wider-evacuations-and-highway-closures-across-southern-b-c
BCDec 11, 2025

Flooding prompts wider evacuations and highway closures across southern B.C.

Communities across southern British Columbia are facing new evacuation orders and travel disruptions after heavy rainfall triggered flooding and landslides that severed key routes between the Lower Mainland and the Interior. Provincial officials say multiple highways, including the Coquihalla and Highways 1, 3, 5 and 11, remain shut as crews assess washouts and unstable slopes. The closure of Highway 11 has also halted access to the Sumas border crossing. In Abbotsford, 371 properties on the Sumas Prairie were ordered evacuated overnight as waters linked to the overflowing Nooksack River conti
cra-plans-major-hiring-push-to-boost-call-centre-capacity-ahead-of-tax-season
CanadaDec 11, 2025

CRA plans major hiring push to boost call centre capacity ahead of tax season

The Canada Revenue Agency says it plans to bring on roughly 1,700 additional call centre staff in the coming months as it prepares for a surge in taxpayer inquiries during the upcoming filing season. Agency officials say the goal is to expand the workforce to about 4,500 agents, citing internal forecasts that anticipate heavy call volumes. Melanie Serjak, an assistant commissioner with the CRA, told reporters that it is routine for the agency to scale up its operations for tax season, when daily call volumes can exceed 300,000. She said last year’s peak staffing level reached about 3,300 age