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BCAug 22, 2023

'Wildfire smoke is toxic, may cause health issues': Expert

Experts say that the smoke spread in Metro Vancouver due to forest fires is toxic and can cause many health problems.Burnaby's Dr. Susan Kwan says the air is full of toxins that will make it difficult for people to breathe, whether they have health problems or not.She said that air contains nitric oxide and aromatic hydrocarbons, and such elements are toxic to the body.This can cause skin irritation, eye irritation, itching, pain or irritation in the nose.Dr. Kwan says that to avoid these problems, limit your outdoor time and drink plenty of water.The smoke is expected to persist for the next
meta-responds-to-trudeau-eby-on-row-over-blocking-canadian-news
CanadaAug 22, 2023

Meta responds to Trudeau & Eby on row over blocking Canadian news

Social media conglomerate Meta has responded to criticism from both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and B-C Premier David Eby on its decision to continue its ban on Canadian news content on Facebook and Instagram.Meta says in a statement that the company has been clear since February about the federal Online News Act and its effect on Canadian news content on its platforms.The statement also says Canadians can still access news by going directly to news outlets' websites and mobile apps, while Facebook continues to carry emergency information through crisis-response pages for both Kelowna and Ye
canada-considering-foreign-student-visa-cap-to-address-housing-shortage
CanadaAug 22, 2023

Canada considering foreign student visa cap to address housing shortage

The Canadian government is considering putting a cap on international student visas to deal with the housing crisis.Former Immigration Minister Sean Fraser gave this information while talking to journalists.Speaking to reporters in Charlottetown on Monday, he said capping the number of international students to ease pressure on the housing market is one of the options he should consider.It is worth noting that Canada is a popular choice for international students because it is easier to get a work permit compared to other countries.According to official data, 800,000 foreign students came to C
too-early-to-estimate-insured-losses-from-the-fires-the-insurance-bureau-of-canada
BCAug 22, 2023

'Too early to estimate insured losses from the fires' : The Insurance Bureau of Canada

The Insurance Bureau of Canada says it may not be possible to estimate insured losses from the fires currently burning in British Columbia, however, experts say that one should start processing the insurance claims as soon as possible. .Daniel Ivans of Rates dot ca says that when filing a claim, not every detail of the damage needs to be provided right now, and relevant information can be added later.The Insurance Bureau of Canada says all standard homeowners and tenant insurance policies cover fire damage, and also provide coverage to help with mass evacuation costs.
justin-trudeau-slams-meta-for-blocking-news-during-wildfires-in-canada
CanadaAug 21, 2023

Justin Trudeau slams Meta for blocking news during wildfires in Canada

In the wake of the devastating wildfires in Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has condemned Meta's decision to block news on its platforms in Canada.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Prince Edward Island for a cabinet retreat, where he commented on Meta that people in Canada are neither sharing nor receiving news on Facebook and Instagram.In fact, since the federal government passed its Online News Act Bill C-18 in June, Meta has blocked news on its platforms in Canada.It is worth noting that due to the wildfires, the pressure to remove the news ban on Meta is increasing.On the other han
at-least-50-buildings-lost-to-wildfire-in-west-kelowna-b-c-officials
BCAug 21, 2023

'At least 50 buildings lost to wildfire in West Kelowna' : B.C. officials

The West Kelowna fire chief says at least 50 structures have been destroyed by the McDougal Creek fire on both sides of Okanagan Lake.Jason Brolund says the damage assessment is not complete and the status of more buildings is likely to be confirmed in the coming days.Officials, however, have said that the crew has made good progress in the last few days and no casualties have been reported in the last 24 hours.The fire is still spreading in about 11,000 hectares.Evacuation orders and alerts continue for various communities in Kelowna and West Kelowna.
feds-demand-meta-to-lift-ban-from-wildfires-news
CanadaAug 18, 2023

Feds demand Meta to lift ban from wildfires news

A Canadian government minister on Friday demanded that Meta remove a ban on domestic news from its platform so that the country's people can get information about wildfires in the West.Meta began blocking news on its Facebook and Instagram platforms for all users in Canada this month.Transport Minister Pablo Rodríguez said that what Meta is doing now is completely unacceptable, and that it is very wrong not to get such information to the public.They demanded that Meta withdraw the decision.A Meta spokesperson, on the other hand, said the company has activated a "Safety Check" feature on Faceb
airspace-over-kelowna-international-airport-closed-to-accommodate-crews-battle-wildfires
BCAug 18, 2023

Airspace over Kelowna International Airport closed to accommodate crews battle wildfires

Kelowna International Airport closed its airspace on Friday morning and canceled most of the flights.Flights have been canceled to make room for aerial crews battling raging wildfires burning around the city in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley.According to the airport's website, most flights in and out of Kelowna have been canceled till Friday afternoon.It is worth mentioning that the city of Kelowna in British Columbia has also come under the grip of wild fire.A state of emergency has been declared in Kelowna city.Evacuation orders have been issued to people living in Clifton Road North, Ke
kwikwetlem-first-nation-mourns-death-of-stephanie-patterson
BCAug 18, 2023

Kwikwetlem First Nation mourns death of Stephanie Patterson

The chief of the Kwikwetlem First Nation says his entire community is grieving the sudden loss of one of its councillors.Police have said Stephanie Patterson was found dead in a rural area in Mission, B.C. on Tuesday.Chief Ron Giesbrecht says in a statement that Patterson was a keen learner who had been passionate about helping all members of their community.He says the nation is not commenting on the arrest and second-degree murder charge of 57-year-old David Hall in relation to Patterson's murder, and is asking for privacy for her family and the community.

Just In

danielle-smith-defends-proposal-to-redraw-alberta-electoral-boundaries
AlbertaNov 03, 2026

Danielle Smith Defends Proposal to Redraw Alberta Electoral Boundaries

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has strongly defended a proposal to redraw the province’s electoral boundaries, which the Opposition NDP has described as fraudulent. A report released Monday proposes splitting Lethbridge’s two existing ridings into four. Under the proposal, one riding would be entirely urban, while the other three would combine parts of the city with neighbouring rural communities. Smith said such hybrid ridings are already an accepted practice and are working well in other parts of the province. “I think Lethbridge will be very well served by having four representatives,
CanadaNov 03, 2026

Final Arguments Conclude in $22M Pearson Airport Gold Heist Trial

Final arguments have been completed in the trial of former Air Canada employee Parmpal Sidhu, who is accused of being involved in the largest gold heist in Canadian history at Toronto Pearson International Airport in 2023. The case is now in the hands of the judge, who is expected to deliver a verdict in late January 2027. Prosecutors argued in court that Sidhu played a key role in the alleged conspiracy by preparing fraudulent waybills to release more than $22 million worth of gold and currency. However, the defence lawyer rejected the allegations, arguing that Sidhu was framed by Simranpreet
CanadaNov 03, 2026

Canada’s Agriculture Minister Visits China to Strengthen Agricultural Trade Ties

Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Heath MacDonald, is currently visiting China, where he is meeting with Chinese government and industry officials to advance Canada’s agricultural trade interests. During the visit, MacDonald will attend the China International Import Expo, taking place in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. Notably, Canada has been named the Guest Country of Honour at this year’s event, providing an opportunity for Canadian businesses to expand their presence in the Chinese market and promote Canadian products. International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu and pr
trump-says-us-to-end-annual-military-aid-to-israel-after-2026
WorldNov 03, 2026

Trump Says US to End Annual Military Aid to Israel After 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he has reached an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end annual American military aid to Israel after this year, saying the country no longer needs the assistance. Trump said the United States currently provides Israel with $4 billion in military aid annually and that the two leaders had agreed several months ago to phase out the funding. He also accused some Democratic and left-wing leaders of using the issue of U.S. funding to criticize the Republican Party. However, Trump emphasized that the United States would still hel
CanadaNov 03, 2026

Crown Seeks 14-Year Prison Sentence for Winnipeg Truck Driver in $1M Cocaine Case

The Crown has requested a 14-year prison sentence for 36-year-old Winnipeg truck driver Harpreet Singh in connection with a cocaine seizure worth nearly $1 million at Ontario’s Ambassador Bridge in 2022. The sentencing request was made in a Windsor court. The incident dates back to August 1, 2022. At approximately 1:23 a.m., Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers stopped two truck drivers, Harpreet Singh and Narinder Singh, for inspection. The two drivers were transporting a shipment of hot tubs from Arizona to Hamilton under a job assigned by a Winnipeg-based transportation company.