B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson has announced a proposed $1,000 annual provincial income-tax cut for low- and middle-income families. Speaking at a grocery store in Surrey, Doerkson said that if elected premier, his government would raise the provincial basic personal income-tax exemption to $32,000. He said this would mean British Columbians would pay no provincial income tax on their first $32,000 of income. Doerkson said a two-income household could save up to $2,000 a year under the proposal, with the money remaining in families’ pockets rather than going to the government. He al

Canada’s House of Commons is set to vote today on the federal government’s controversial Bill C-39, which aims to fast-track approvals for major projects. The bill has drawn criticism over a provision that would amend Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, giving the Labour Minister the power to intervene in an ongoing strike by citing the national interest. NDP parliamentary leader Don Davies has called the bill an attack on workers’ and Indigenous rights, as well as environmental protections. He said he is concerned about a growing trend of power being concentrated in the hands of cabi

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a new $2-billion national heat pump rebate program on Thursday to help Canadians install energy-efficient heating systems and reduce carbon emissions. The federal government says the program will also help lower electricity and heating costs. The funding is expected to provide rebates to around 820,000 homeowners over the next eight years. According to the government, households that switch to new energy-efficient heat pump systems could save an average of up to $1,400 annually on heating bills. The rebate amount will depend on household income. Lo

Canada’s ban on foreign homebuyers is nearing its expiry, with the federal government considering various options for what comes next. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said the government is looking at all aspects of the issue, including the current state of the housing market and how it has changed over the past few years. The ban was first introduced in 2023 as part of efforts to curb housing prices and was later extended for another two years. It is currently set to remain in effect until January 1, 2027. Reports suggest that higher interest rates following the COVID-19 pande

Elon Musk has made his latest comments on Canadian sovereignty, appearing to encourage separatist movements in three provinces. Musk, who studied at Queen’s University in Ontario and has described himself as half Canadian, wrote on his social media platform X that Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan should separate from Canada. He said he supports people who want to make their provinces independent. Musk’s comments came after the separatist Parti Québécois formed a minority government in Quebec following elections, with a promise to hold a third referendum on independence. In Alberta, resid

A Conservative motion calling for additional federal tax relief on diesel has been defeated in the House of Commons. The motion called for all federal taxes on diesel to be fully suspended until July 1, 2027. It also sought tax incentives to increase domestic diesel production in Canada. The federal government has already extended a temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax on diesel until Jan. 31, 2027. The Conservatives argued that further reducing diesel costs could help Canadians save at gas stations and grocery stores because diesel is an important part of the transportation and

A man facing charges for allegedly threatening the life of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and making threats against him could face a lengthy prison sentence. Prosecutors say that beyond the threats against the prime minister, the accused is also facing serious charges including extortion, which could result in an even longer prison term. Thirty-one-year-old Jamie Da Costa appeared in court by CCTV on Wednesday, while his lawyer was present in person. His lawyer requested until October 13 to review the case. Da Costa is currently being held at the Calgary Remand Centre. He is accused of t

The Canada Super Sixty tournament’s final was played last night at BC Place Stadium, where the Toronto Sixers defeated the Vancouver Anchors with a six off the final ball to clinch the title in the league’s second season. While the match produced plenty of excitement on the field, a historic moment was also witnessed in the commentary box. Legendary Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram, who has taken more than 900 wickets in Test and ODI cricket, made his Punjabi commentary debut. Connect 91.5 FM was the official radio broadcast partner of Canada Super Sixty. During the Vancouver Anchors’ inn

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s international affairs adviser, David Morrison, visited India from October 5 to 7 at the invitation of Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, with discussions focused on strengthening security ties between the two countries. According to the Canadian government, the meeting in New Delhi focused on increasing cooperation on serious issues including transnational organized crime, terrorism, extortion, drug trafficking and the extradition of individuals accused of such offences, including cybercrime-related cases. Morrison and Doval also agreed to launch new di