Canada Must Focus on Value-Added Products Instead of Raw Materials: EDC

A new report commissioned by the Alberta government estimates that the cost of separating Alberta from Canada could reach $170 billion during the first five years. The report, prepared by the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy, estimates the transition could cost at least $50 billion, with the upper-end estimate reaching $170 billion. The costs would include building new infrastructure, hiring and transitioning staff, and covering Alberta’s share of the federal debt. The report examines two possible scenarios for separation. One assumes a relatively smooth and cooperative tra

Thousands of Safeway workers in Alberta could go on strike after UFCW Local 401 issued a strike notice to parent company Sobeys. The union says workers could walk off the job at midnight on October 7 if no agreement is reached through negotiations. The proposed strike date falls just before the Thanksgiving weekend. The move comes after nearly a year of negotiations between the union and the company. Workers are seeking better wages, improved benefits, job security and safer stores. UFCW Local 401 president Thomas Hesse said workers do not want a strike but want a fair agreement. He warned tha

Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has linked the UCP’s defeat in the Calgary-Shaw byelection to the upcoming separation referendum, saying the debate over Alberta leaving Canada is turning away Conservative voters who also feel strongly about the country. Kenney said the separation issue is pushing some nationalist supporters toward opposition parties such as the NDP. He believes the October 19 referendum is having a negative impact on Conservative support. In the Calgary-Shaw byelection, Alberta NDP candidate Kyle Campbell defeated UCP candidate Mike Derry by 582 votes. Campbell received

A 31-year-old Calgary man has been charged with allegedly making a death threat against Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The RCMP’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) launched an investigation after receiving information about a threat against Carney from a YouTube account. Working with Calgary police, INSET arrested Jamie Dacosta and charged him with uttering threats against the Prime Minister. Dacosta is scheduled to appear in Alberta Court of Justice today.

A landfill linked to a Calgary-based company has been burning for several days, with smoke causing concerns and disruption for residents in surrounding areas. The court has now taken a strong stance in the matter. Court of King’s Bench Justice James Eamon said the local company operating the landfill had deliberately refused to comply with municipal bylaws and orders. The judge also noted that the company’s past conduct showed a continued disregard for regulatory requirements. The court has granted the City of Calgary’s request for an injunction, ordering the company to immediately stop

Alberta NDP candidate Kyle Campbell has won the Calgary-Shaw byelection, defeating UCP candidate Mike Dery by 582 votes. Campbell will now serve as the MLA for the riding. Campbell received 7,461 votes, compared with 6,879 for Dery. Progressive Conservative candidate Kyle Joseph received 978 votes, Liberal candidate John Roggeveen received 602, while the Independent candidate secured 82 votes. NDP leader Naheed Nenshi called the victory a “political earthquake” for the party and said the NDP would build on its momentum in the coming days. The result is being seen as a significant shift in

A 36-year-old man has died after Edmonton police officers opened fire during an incident in west Edmonton on Sunday morning. Alberta’s police watchdog, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT), has been notified and will investigate the shooting. Edmonton police say officers were called to a home following reports that a woman and an infant had been shot. When officers arrived, they encountered a man with a firearm who opened the front door. Police say the man was given verbal directions but did not comply. Three officers then discharged their firearms. The man was arrested but die

Calgary voters are heading to the polls today for a provincial byelection in Calgary-Shaw, a longtime United Conservative stronghold that has been without a legislature member since former cabinet minister Rebecca Schulz resigned in May. Five candidates are contesting the seat, including Mike Derry of Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party and Kyle Campbell of Naheed Nenshi’s NDP. Derry has focused his campaign on affordability, education, health care and government transparency, while Campbell has made health care a key issue. The other candidates are teacher Kyle Joseph of th

Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, is travelling to India and the Philippines this week to advance new trade agreements and create new opportunities for Canadian businesses. During his visit to India, Sidhu will lead high-level trade discussions focused on opening new opportunities for Canadian aerospace, artificial intelligence, clean energy and critical minerals sectors. He is also expected to meet with leading Indian business leaders and investors and encourage them to invest in Canada. Sidhu said another key objective of the trip is to advance free trade agreement

A 60-year-old man has been arrested by Vancouver police for allegedly crashing into multiple vehicles and fleeing the scene. According to police, the incidents occurred around 9 a.m. Tuesday in southeast Vancouver, near East 49th Avenue and Elliott Street. Officers said people were inside the vehicles when they were struck. Police said several vehicles were damaged, but no injuries were reported. After the collisions, the suspect allegedly abandoned his vehicle and fled the scene on foot. Police later arrested the suspect, identified as Wayne Tran. He is facing charges related to dangerous dri

B.C. Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay has reportedly faced calls to resign amid growing internal turmoil within the party. An emergency caucus meeting was held in downtown Vancouver on Wednesday night, where at least two sitting MLAs reportedly questioned Findlay’s leadership and asked her to step down immediately. According to reports, the meeting was tense and ended at around 11:30 p.m. Findlay did not agree to step down and remains leader of the party. The latest development comes after nine MLAs left the B.C. Conservative caucus since Findlay took over as leader in May. The party

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has urged his MPs to put Canada’s national interest ahead of party interests during a Conservative caucus meeting in Penticton, B.C. Addressing his caucus, Poilievre said that in the current challenging period, including the impact of U.S. tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, Conservatives have a duty to put the country before the party. He said the Conservatives would support decisions by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government when they believe those decisions are in Canada’s interest, while opposing policies they disagree with. Poil

The B.C. RCMP’s Major Crime Unit is investigating the death of a 30-year-old woman in Fort St. James as suspicious. The woman has been identified as Dayna Monk, and investigators are appealing to the public for information that could assist with the case. According to Fort St. James RCMP, emergency health services were called to a home in the 400-block of Stuart Drive on May 31 following reports that a woman was experiencing cardiac arrest. Despite resuscitation efforts, the woman could not be saved. Initial investigations did not indicate any criminal involvement in her death. However, foll

British Columbia Premier David Eby says he has told NDP legislators to be “election ready” amid the disruption caused by the ongoing trade war with the United States. Eby said Cheryl Oates, his former acting chief of staff, will manage the NDP’s campaign for the next provincial election whenever it is called. However, he did not announce any date for the vote. The premier said he has informed both Elections B.C. and the NDP caucus that they need to be prepared for an election. His comments come as the Opposition B.C. Conservatives face internal changes, with nine members having left the

911 emergency services were temporarily disrupted across several Canadian provinces early Thursday morning, including Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Manitoba. The outage was reported in multiple areas, prompting police departments to advise residents to use non-emergency numbers or Wi-Fi calling to reach emergency services. Bell Canada confirmed that a technical issue occurred on its network at around 3:13 a.m., after which backup systems were activated to route calls to emergency services. By around 6 a.m., police departments in Toronto, Peel, York, Durham, Hamilton and Winni

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a memorandum directing his administration to examine steps that could restrict the purchase of Canadian-origin goods and services for the operations of the U.S. federal government. The memorandum assigns the Office of Management and Budget director and the U.S. Trade Representative to identify Canadian-origin goods and services covered by government procurement rules. They have also been directed to take legally available steps to remove or restrict those products from the federal procurement system. The Trump administration has described the move as a re

A 31-year-old Calgary man accused of making death threats against Prime Minister Mark Carney has been identified as Jamie Da Costa, who will remain in custody. During a court hearing, defence counsel said Da Costa was ordered to remain in custody earlier this month. As of Tuesday morning, he was being held at the Calgary Remand Centre. According to the RCMP, police were notified on July 28 that threats had been posted from a YouTube account. Court documents allege the incident occurred between July 25 and 26. In addition to the alleged death threat, Da Costa faces charges including extortion,

The United Kingdom could join Canada-led Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, with reports indicating that high-level discussions are underway between the two countries. The financial institution is designed to provide long-term, low-cost financing for defence projects in allied countries. Canada has so far brought eight countries into the institution — Albania, Belgium, Greece, Latvia, Luxembourg, Romania, Türkiye and Ukraine, which is facing Russia’s invasion. The UK would be the first other G7 country to join the initiative. According to reports, Finance Minister François-Philippe C

Former Canadian Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper has praised Prime Minister Mark Carney’s efforts to diversify Canada’s trade during his closing remarks at the two-day Canada Investment Summit in Toronto. Harper supported the federal government’s decisions in the energy sector and said Canada had little choice but to step back from trade negotiations with the United States. He said reducing Canada’s dependence on the U.S. and redirecting trade toward other countries would bring challenges, but expressed confidence that Canadians would be able to manage them. Harper also prais

Canada’s Official Opposition Conservative Party has begun a two-day parliamentary caucus meeting in Penticton, B.C., under the leadership of Pierre Poilievre. The meeting comes ahead of the parliamentary session starting September 21 and is expected to give Poilievre an opportunity to rally his MPs, as the Conservatives are currently trailing the Liberals by double digits in the polls. According to reports, several Conservative MPs who have returned from working in their ridings during the summer break are increasingly concerned about potentially losing their seats in the next election. Cont

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed opening talks on making Canada the European Union’s first associate member. The proposal was made Wednesday during von der Leyen’s annual address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in attendance. Addressing Carney, von der Leyen said the EU wants to take its relationship with Canada “to the highest level.” She said the partnership extends beyond trade and is based on shared values, including cooperation on artificial intelligence, climate change, the Arctic and geopolitical i

Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated that visa requirements for Canadians could be raised during his visit to Europe as Canada seeks to deepen its strategic and economic relationship with the European Union. Carney left Canada Tuesday for a three-day trip to Strasbourg, France, and Liverpool, UK. In Strasbourg, he is attending European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s annual State of the Union address and will address the European Parliament on Thursday. During the trip, Carney is also expected to meet UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Liverpool for discussions on defence, s

The ‘Rail Roko’ protest launched by the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha across Punjab on Thursday significantly disrupted rail services. Farmers blocked railway tracks at several locations over their various demands. At Devidaspura near Jandiala Guru in Amritsar, farmers staged a protest on the railway tracks, affecting the Amritsar-Delhi rail route. Several trains were diverted, while some services were cancelled. The protest was held at five locations in Punjab-Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Moga, Ferozepur and Sangrur. The farmers’ organisations are demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (M

Balwant Singh Rajoana, who is serving a death sentence in connection with the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Patiala Central Jail, urging the government to make a decision on his long-pending mercy petition. In the letter, Rajoana said that no final decision has been taken on his mercy petition for the past 15 years. He said he has been in prison for 31 years and has been waiting for a final decision regarding his death sentence for a long time. Rajoana stated that he had never concealed his actions before th

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has expelled former MLA Ravinder Singh Brahmpura from the party, citing alleged anti-party activities. Brahmpura, the son of late senior SAD leader Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, represents the Khadoor Sahib constituency and has reportedly been facing allegations of working against the party for some time. According to the party, written complaints were received from SAD workers in Khadoor Sahib. Local leaders also raised concerns about Brahmpura’s alleged activities against the party during the Punjab Bachao Rally held at Goindwal Sahib on Se

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal did not appear before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the 2015 Behbal Kalan firing case, despite being summoned to appear before the investigating team. However, Badal’s representatives, Parmbans Singh Romana and advocate Arshdeep Singh Kaler, met SIT officials at around 11 a.m. on Friday. In a written request, Badal cited health issues as the reason for not appearing before the SIT. He said he needed to visit a doctor for a medical check-up and was therefore unable to attend. Badal also referred to his busy schedule of public ra

An IndiGo flight from Lucknow to Dammam, Saudi Arabia, made an emergency landing at Ahmedabad airport on Thursday evening after receiving a bomb threat. Police said IndiGo flight 6E97 landed at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at around 5:45 p.m. local time. All 107 passengers and six crew members were safely evacuated, and no suspicious object was found on board. According to an airport police inspector, a crew member found a piece of paper with the word “bomb” written on it, prompting the emergency response.

Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has demanded a CBI probe into the alleged suicide of labourer Gulzar Singh in Sangrur district. He also sought the resignation and arrest of Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. Leading a delegation of Congress leaders, Channi met Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and accused the Aam Aadmi Party government of failing to maintain law and order in the state. Channi alleged that Gulzar Singh had raised his voice over his son’s drug addiction and was subsequently harassed and threatened by local AAP-linked office-bearers. He further c

A Chandigarh civil court has temporarily restrained retired Justice Ranjit Singh, Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia and Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira from publishing, circulating or disseminating any allegedly baseless or defamatory material on social media platforms or through any other medium concerning allegations that Punjab Chief Minister’s wife Gurpreet Kaur had demanded a bribe. Civil Judge (Junior Division) Dr. Parikshit passed the interim order on a suit filed by Gurpreet Kaur seeking damages and an injunction. The court has issued notices to the respondents re

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has once again summoned Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal in connection with the Behbal Kalan firing case. Badal has been asked to appear before the SIT in Chandigarh on September 11 for questioning. Badal had previously appeared before the SIT on July 20. The latest summons comes as the investigation into the 2015 firing incident continues. The Behbal Kalan firing took place in October 2015, when police opened fire on protesters in Behbal Kalan, Faridkot district. The protesters were demonstrating against incidents of sacrilege involving th

Punjab Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Majithia have been served legal notices by Dr. Gurpreet Kaur, wife of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. In the notice, Dr. Gurpreet Kaur alleged that Khaira had published and circulated allegedly false, defamatory and objectionable content, including graphic posters and videos related to her, across social media platforms. Khaira has been given 24 hours to remove and withdraw the alleged content from his social media accounts. The notice also demands that he refrain from creating or circulating similar material i

At least 21 people, including eight children, were killed after a building damaged by bombardment collapsed in Gaza a day later. Rescue teams rescued 45 people alive from beneath the rubble, according to Palestinian officials. Rescue crews completed their search of the collapsed building on Thursday. Bulldozers are now being used to clear the debris and prepare space for tents to shelter displaced residents who had been living in the building. Gaza Civil Defence spokesperson Mahmoud Bassal said rescue teams managed to pull 45 people from the rubble and take them to hospitals despite a shortage

Russia on Monday welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s appeal for Ukraine to stop targeting Russian diesel production and fuel infrastructure. Trump on Sunday urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy not to target Russia’s diesel facilities, saying the attacks were contributing to fuel shortages and causing wider harm. Ukraine has carried out long-range drone attacks on Russian oil refineries and other energy infrastructure in recent months. The strikes have affected fuel production, with shortages of gasoline and other fuels reported in parts of Russia. Ukraine has said its attacks

U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that a trade deal between the United States and Canada could be reached soon, despite the ongoing trade war between the two countries. Speaking to reporters in Ireland over the weekend, Trump said relations with Mexico were expected to be very good and that relations with Canada were also good. However, he accused Ottawa of discriminating against the United States for the past 50 years. Trump also repeated his claim that the U.S. does not need Canadian goods, arguing that Canada’s business depends heavily on trade with the United States. Formal negot

The Israeli military on Friday claimed that a senior Hamas commander was killed in an airstrike in Gaza carried out on Thursday. Hamas’ armed wing also confirmed the death of Mohammed Abdul Salam al-Yazouri, saying he was killed in Thursday’s airstrike and had played a key role in planning the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. According to the Israeli military, two other Hamas commanders were also killed in the strike targeting Yazouri. Israel has continued carrying out airstrikes across Gaza. While Hamas confirmed Yazouri’s death, it did not immediately provide further comment on the

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has said that 275 Indian nationals remain missing following severe floods along the Nepal-Tibet border, while 166 others have been safely rescued. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said 1,907 Indian nationals have safely reached Nepal from China. According to Nepalese authorities, the death toll from the floods has risen to 1,295, while around 5,000 people remain missing. Emergency teams have so far rescued more than 12,000 people. India has sent nearly 95 tonnes of relief material to Nepal through seven aircraft to support relief operations. In addition,

The death toll from devastating floods and landslides in Nepal has crossed 1,000, nearly a week after a catastrophic disaster swept through parts of the Himalayan country. Rescue teams are continuing a massive search operation for thousands of people who remain missing, using heavy machinery, helicopters and excavators to reach remote and badly damaged areas. According to the latest official figures, the confirmed death toll has reached 1,003, while around 4,000 people remain missing. The missing include 590 foreign nationals from 39 countries, highlighting the international impact of the disa

The death toll from the devastating floods that hit Nepal and Tibet on August 26 has risen to 955. Nepal alone has reported 939 deaths, while the number of fatalities in Tibet has reached 16. More than 3,900 people are still missing. Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Ministry said its World Meteorological Centre had sent an email to Nepal 12 days before the floods, warning of heavy rainfall, landslides and flash floods. Nepal, however, has accused China of providing forecasts for heavy rainfall but failing to share information about snowfall, water levels, landslides and other major natural hazards

U.S. President Donald Trump’s attacks against Canada continue, with his latest remarks focusing on a major oil deal involving Venezuela. Trump has described the agreement, involving Venezuela’s massive oil reserves, as a direct warning to Ottawa and suggested that the United States may not need Canadian crude oil in the future. Experts say the deal could create increased competition for Canadian crude in the U.S. market in the coming years. Both Canada and Venezuela are major producers of heavy crude, which is used by refineries designed to process heavier grades of oil. Trump recently sha

Around 320 Indian nationals are missing following devastating floods along the Nepal-Tibet border, while nearly 400 Indians remain stranded on the Chinese side. India’s Ministry of External Affairs said it is ready to provide Kathmandu with all possible assistance in its rescue and relief operations. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said 96 Indian nationals stranded on the Chinese side have safely reached Nepal by road. He also said that 21 Indians who had reached Kathmandu from flood-affected areas of Nepal arrived in New Delhi a day later. According to the latest details shared by Nepalese