Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

08 Jan

Toronto Unveils 2026 Budget with Focus on Affordability, TTC Fare Freeze and Modest Tax Hike

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsOntarioproperty tax increase, Toronto 2026 budget, TTC fare freeze

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): The City of Toronto is set to present its 2026 budget at city hall on Wednesday, with affordability emerging as the central theme amid ongoing economic uncertainty. City officials confirmed that the proposed budget includes a freeze on Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) fares along with the introduction of a monthly price cap for riders, measures aimed at easing daily commuting costs for residents. The budget also proposes a 2.2 per cent increase in property taxes, marking a significant slowdown compared to the steep hikes imposed over the previous two years. Speaking to CP24 ahead of the budget…

08 Jan

Ottawa Mother Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Daughter’s Death During Pandemic

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadachild neglect, manslaughter sentence, Ottawa court

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): A former Ottawa woman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for manslaughter in the death of her five-year-old daughter, bringing to a close a brief and deeply tragic case that unfolded during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ada Guan, 33, was sentenced on Wednesday by Superior Court Justice Anne London-Weinstein for failing to seek medical help for her daughter, Chloe Guan-Branch, who died on May 15, 2020. The sentence will be reduced by credit for time Guan has already spent in custody. The ruling comes nearly 17 months after Guan pleaded guilty to…

08 Jan

Canada Posts Narrower Trade Deficit in October as Imports Outpace Exports

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada trade deficit, imports and exports, Statistics Canada, U.S.-Canada trade

Ottawa, January 8, 2026: Canada reported a smaller-than-expected trade deficit of C$583 million in October, as imports grew faster than exports, according to official data released by Statistics Canada on Thursday. Analysts had forecast a significantly wider deficit of C$1.36 billion. Data for September were also revised, with the country’s trade balance adjusted to a surplus of C$243 million from an earlier estimate of C$153 million. October marked Canada’s eighth trade deficit in the past nine months of 2025, a year shaped by global trade uncertainty after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on several Canadian imports. During the same…

08 Jan

Mechanical Failure of Zamboni Blamed for Taber Recreation Centre Explosion

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingZamboni

TABER, Alta. (Rajeev Sharma)— A mechanical fault in a Zamboni ice resurfacer has been identified as the cause of last month’s explosion at Taber’s community recreation centre, officials confirmed Wednesday. A third-party investigation concluded that the blast, which destroyed several interior walls and damaged two hockey rinks, was not the result of human error or procedural mistakes. “The cause was failure of the component within the fuel system of the ice resurfacer,” Taber Fire Chief Steven Munshaw said. The malfunction led to a propane leak, creating a gas cloud across the ice surfaces. When the gas came into contact with…

08 Jan

Alberta Launches Information Platform for Proposed Northwest Coast Oil Pipeline to B.C.

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Alberta (Rajeev Sharma): The Government of Alberta has unveiled a dedicated website to provide the public with updates and information on its proposed Northwest Coast Oil Pipeline, a project designed to transport crude oil from Alberta refineries to British Columbia’s northwest coast for export. The initiative is part of Alberta’s broader strategy to expand energy production and access global markets. Brian Jean, Alberta’s Minister of Energy and Minerals, said the website will serve as a central hub for project details, timelines, and progress updates. “We are committed to transparency and open dialogue at every stage of development,” Jean said. He…

08 Jan

Prime Minister Carney’s China Trip Could Open New Opportunities for B.C. Industries

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingCarney

British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): As Prime Minister Mark Carney prepares for a trade mission to China from January 13 to 17, officials in British Columbia are optimistic that the visit could create fresh opportunities for the province’s industries. Carney is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss trade, energy, agriculture, and international security, according to an announcement from the Prime Minister’s Office. B.C. Energy Minister Adrian Dix highlighted the potential benefits for the province’s energy sector. “We’re hopeful that the prime minister will make the case for British Columbia LNG, British Columbia mining, ports, and other projects,” Dix…

08 Jan

BC Premier David Eby Leads Trade Mission to India, Strengthening Economic Ties with Punjab and Other States

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingDavid Eby

British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): British Columbia (BC) Premier David Eby will head a high-level trade delegation to India from January 12 to 17, 2026, as part of the province’s “Look West: Jobs and Prosperity” strategy aimed at expanding trade beyond U.S. markets and creating good-paying jobs for British Columbians. Chandigarh has been identified as a key stop on the mission, highlighting BC’s focus on North India as a strategic partner. Accompanying Premier Eby will be Ravi Kahlon, BC Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. The delegation plans to engage with government officials, industry leaders, and business communities in New Delhi,…

08 Jan

Ontario announces underwater electricity transmission line expansion for Toronto

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, OntarioOntario

Ontario (Rajeev Sharma): Ontario is looking to the future and has approved a plan to expand Toronto’s electricity transmission line, according to an announcement made on Wednesday. The estimated $1.5-billion project will build a new underwater transmission line — the first of its kind in Ontario — to deliver 900 megawatts of clean energy from the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station to Toronto’s downtown and eastern sectors. Energy Minister Stephen Lecce said the city’s current electricity system is expected to reach capacity in the 2030s and that the province needs to act now to meet future demand. “If we do not…

07 Jan

Nova Scotia Teen Dies After Bicycle Attack by Three Dogs, Community Grieves Loss

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadabicycle accident, dog attack, Nova Scotia, teenage death

Welshtown, N.S.: A community in Nova Scotia is in mourning after a 13-year-old boy lost his life following a vicious attack by three dogs while riding his bicycle. The victim, identified as Drew Nickerson, was attacked shortly after 5 p.m. on Saturday on Upper Sandy Cove Road in Welshtown, around 12 kilometres north of Shelburne, according to police. Emergency services rushed to the scene, and Drew was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to a hospital in Halifax, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Police said the dogs involved in the incident were three large-breed animals. Following the attack, the dogs…

07 Jan

British Columbia Premier to Lead Business Delegation to India Amid Renewed Economic Outreach

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingBritish Columbia

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): British Columbia Premier David Eby is set to lead a high-level trade mission to India next week, signalling a renewed push by Canada’s western province to deepen commercial ties with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Announcing the initiative in Vancouver, Eby said the delegation will include BC’s Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth, Ravi Kahlon, along with business and industry representatives. The mission is scheduled to run from January 12 to January 17 and will take the team to New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Chandigarh. The visit comes at a sensitive moment in India–Canada relations, which…