12.81°C Vancouver
connect fm logo

Jul 18, 2024 4:55 PM - The Canadian Press

New defence chief takes command, protective zones for MPs proposed

Share On
new-defence-chief-takes-command-protective-zones-for-mps-proposed
Health Canada rejected the application for exemption from drug laws, saying DULF's plan presented too many public health and safety risks but the group went ahead with it anyway, saying it would save lives.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed...

Carignan set to officially become defence chief

Lt.-Gen. Jennie Carignan is set to officially take over command of the Armed Forces this morning in a ceremony at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

Carignan will also be promoted to the rank of general during the change-of-command ceremony.

She was chosen by the federal government to become Canada's first female defence chief, and she's no stranger to firsts.

Carignan was also the first woman to command a combat unit in the Canadian military, and her career has included deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Syria.

Ex-safety minister wants buffers for MPs' offices

Former public safety minister Marco Mendicino is calling for the creation of "protective zones" around political constituency offices to shield members of Parliament and their staff from a rising tide of threatening behaviour.

Mendicino, a Toronto Liberal MP, said under the plan anyone who intimidated or otherwise harassed people within the buffer zone of perhaps 50 to 100 metres would be subject to harsher criminal penalties including jail time.

In an interview, Mendicino suggested spelling out such zones in regulations that will flow from the recently passed foreign interference bill, which contains new measures to protect essential infrastructure.


Latest news

See All
BCOct 20, 2026

B.C. Conservatives Announce Election Night Watch Party in Vancouver

The B.C. Conservative Party has announced details of its official election night event ahead of the provincial election results. According to a press release issued by the party, leader Lorne Doerkson will host an election night watch party with campaign staff and supporters at Vancouver’s Rocky Mountaineer Station after British Columbians cast their votes. The venue is the same location where Kerry-Lynne Findlay was declared the party’s leader during a leadership convention five months ago. Doerkson, who is in the race to become B.C.’s premier, is running in the Cariboo-Chilcotin riding
surrey-mayor-doug-mccallum-reacts-to-skytrain-extension-promises-for-newton
BCOct 20, 2026

Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum Reacts to SkyTrain Extension Promises for Newton

Newly elected Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum has strongly reacted to announcements by two major provincial parties regarding the proposed SkyTrain extension to the Newton area. In a statement issued by McCallum’s Safe Surrey Coalition, the party said the B.C. Conservatives have made a firm commitment to deliver the SkyTrain project to Newton Town Centre, while the B.C. NDP has offered only to hold another meeting on the issue. McCallum said the project is particularly important for Newton, Surrey’s largest community, which has a population larger than that of many cities but still lacks rapid
BCOct 20, 2026

Both NDP and Conservatives make same SkyTrain election promise for Surrey, B.C

Both the B.C. NDP and B.C. Conservative Party have promised to extend SkyTrain service to Surrey’s Newton Town Centre as part of their election campaigns. NDP Leader David Eby said that if his party returns to power, it will work with Surrey’s newly elected mayor, Doug McCallum, to extend SkyTrain along the King George Boulevard corridor to Newton. Eby said Surrey has received $12 billion in funding for major projects under the NDP government, more than any other community. He also accused the B.C. Conservatives of making unrealistic promises without a clear plan to deliver them. Meanwhile
air-canada-phone-bookings-get-more-expensive-with-an-extra-30-fee-per-passenger
CanadaOct 20, 2026

Air Canada Phone Bookings Get More Expensive, With an Extra $30 Fee Per Passenger

Air Canada has introduced a new non-refundable fee of $30 for each passenger when booking tickets through the airline’s telephone call centre. The charge is applied per passenger, meaning a family of four booking a flight through the call centre will have to pay an additional $120. However, the fee does not apply to bookings made through the airline’s website or mobile app. Air Canada said the move is intended to allow call centre agents to focus on passengers who need personalized assistance with reservations, travel disruptions or other travel-related issues. The airline clarified that t
harman-bhangu-expresses-disappointment-over-court-ruling-in-elderly-couples-murder-case
BCOct 20, 2026

Harman Bhangu Expresses Disappointment Over Court Ruling in Elderly Couple’s Murder Case

B.C. Conservative Leader Harman Bhangu has expressed disappointment over a B.C. Supreme Court ruling declaring unconstitutional a Criminal Code provision that prevents offenders from receiving parole earlier than otherwise permitted in connection with the murder of an elderly couple in his Abbotsford riding. Bhangu said 77-year-old Arnold De Jong and his 76-year-old wife, Joanne De Jong, were brutally murdered after being tied up and assaulted inside their own home. Three young men responsible for the crime have been convicted of first-degree murder. However, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Brenda

Related News

Air Canada Phone Bookings Get More Expensive, With an Extra $30 Fee Per Passenger

Air Canada Phone Bookings Get More Expensive, With an Extra $30 Fee Per Passenger

Air Canada has introduced a new non-refundable fee of $30 for each passenger when booking tickets through the airline’s telephone call centre. The charge is applied per passenger, meaning a family of four booking a flight through the call centre will have to pay an additional $120. However, the fee does not apply to bookings made through the airline’s website or mobile app. Air Canada said the move is intended to allow call centre agents to focus on passengers who need personalized assistance with reservations, travel disruptions or other travel-related issues. The airline clarified that t
Canada’s Economic Growth Forecast Cut Amid U.S. Tariffs, Budget Deficit Expected to Rise

Canada’s Economic Growth Forecast Cut Amid U.S. Tariffs, Budget Deficit Expected to Rise

Canada’s Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) has lowered its economic growth forecasts for 2026 and 2027, citing the impact of tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Canada’s retaliatory measures. According to the federal budget watchdog’s latest report, Canada’s real GDP is expected to grow by 0.9 per cent in 2026 and 1.5 per cent in 2027. The PBO had previously forecast growth of 1.1 per cent for 2026 and 1.6 per cent for 2027 in June. The report also projects an increase in Canada’s budget deficit following the breakdown of trade negotiations between Canada and the Unit
Canada Declares Two-Year Measles Outbreak Over After 6,417 Cases

Canada Declares Two-Year Measles Outbreak Over After 6,417 Cases

Canada’s two-year measles outbreak has officially been declared over, with the Public Health Agency of Canada confirming that no new cases of the virus have been reported in the past two months. The outbreak began in New Brunswick in October 2024 and quickly spread across 10 Canadian provinces and territories, infecting a total of 6,417 people. Ontario and Alberta were among the hardest-hit provinces. The outbreak also resulted in the deaths of two newborn babies who were infected during pregnancy. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, most people who contracted the disease were u
connect fm logo

Legals

Privacy policy
Journalism code of ethics
© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.
MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

About
Advertisers
Careers
Contact
Feedback
Accessibility Plan
Broadcasting Notice of Consultation
BC Children's Hospital
Android app linkApple app link