Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

19 Feb

32 Foreign Nationals Ordered Out of Canada, 10 Already Deported in Extortion-Linked Crackdown

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaB.C. Extortion Task Force, Canada Border Services Agency, CBSA deportations, foreign nationals removal

Ottawa: (Rajeev Sharma): The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has confirmed that 32 foreign nationals have been issued removal orders after being found inadmissible under Canadian immigration law, with 10 already deported from the country, following reviews tied to police investigations into organized extortion networks. The cases were referred to immigration authorities by law-enforcement agencies, including the B.C. Extortion Task Force, as part of a wider probe into threats and violence targeting business owners and community members in cities such as Surrey, Vancouver and other parts of Western Canada. CBSA officers are currently examining 296 people flagged as “persons of…

19 Feb

Marner’s Overtime Heroics Send Canada to Olympic Hockey Semifinals

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness

Milan (Rajeev Sharma): Mitch Marner scored a dramatic overtime winner to lift Canada to a thrilling 4-3 victory over Czechia in the men’s hockey quarterfinals at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics on Wednesday, keeping the country’s gold-medal hopes alive. The Thornhill, Ontario native sealed the win just 1:22 into three-on-three overtime, skating through the Czech defence before firing a backhand shot past goaltender Lukas Dostal. Head coach Jon Cooper praised the forward’s clutch performance. “There’s never a doubt when Mitch Marner is on the ice. He always finds a way to deliver when it matters,” he said. Canada had earlier…

19 Feb

Canada Introduces New Express Entry Categories to Attract Skilled Workers, Military Talent

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): Canada has announced new immigration priority categories aimed at attracting highly skilled professionals in critical sectors, including research, health care, aviation and defence, as part of a broader effort to reshape its immigration system. The changes, unveiled on Wednesday, align with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s strategy to reduce overall immigration levels while focusing on candidates who can address labour shortages and support key national priorities. Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab said the updates to the Express Entry system for 2026 are designed to bring in individuals who can “contribute from day one” as Canada faces workforce gaps…

18 Feb

Carney Launches Canada’s First Defence Industrial Strategy to Boost Domestic Production

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCAE Montreal, Canada defence strategy, Canadian Armed Forces, Defence Investment Agency, Mark Carney

Montreal (Rajeev Sharma): Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday unveiled Canada’s first-ever defence industrial strategy, aimed at strengthening domestic manufacturing and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers to equip the Canadian Armed Forces. The announcement was made during a visit to simulation technology firm CAE in Montreal, where industry leaders welcomed the move as a major step toward building a stronger national defence sector. CAE president and CEO Matthew Bromberg said the strategy signals a clear commitment to developing a robust defence industrial base in Canada. About half of the company’s contracts are now tied to military work, with 90 per…

18 Feb

Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux Joins Liberals, Becomes Third Floor-Crosser in Three Months

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada Politics, Conservative Party, floor crossing, Liberal Party, Mark Carney, Matt Jeneroux

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux has crossed the floor to join the Liberal caucus, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Wednesday, marking the third defection from the Conservatives in the past three months. In a post on social media, Carney welcomed Jeneroux and said that building a stronger and more resilient Canada requires “ambition, collaboration and, at times, sacrifice.” He also thanked the Edmonton Riverbend MP and his family for their continued public service. Jeneroux confirmed his decision separately, stating that after consulting with his family, constituents and colleagues, he chose to remain in Parliament and work with the…

18 Feb

Poilievre Vows to Defend ‘United Canada’ Amid Alberta Separatist Push

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, CanadaConservative federalist caucus, Pierre Poilievre Alberta separatism, Stay Free Alberta referendum, united Canada stance

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Pierre Poilievre says the Conservative Party remains firmly committed to a united Canada as a separatist movement in Alberta campaigns for a referendum on independence. Responding to questions from reporters on Tuesday, Poilievre stated that the Conservatives are “entirely a federalist caucus,” adding that no member of his parliamentary team has expressed support for Alberta separatism. The group Stay Free Alberta is currently seeking to trigger a provincial referendum on Alberta becoming an independent country. Organizers have until May to gather nearly 178,000 signatures required to move the proposal forward. Under Canadian law, provinces cannot unilaterally separate…

18 Feb

B.C. Budget Plans 15,000 Public Sector Job Cuts, Projects $13.3B Deficit

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, CanadaBC budget 2026, Brenda Bailey finance minister, British Columbia deficit $13.3B, public sector job cuts, workforce reduction plan

Victoria (Rajeev Sharma): The Government of British Columbia has unveiled a budget that includes plans to eliminate 15,000 full time equivalent public sector jobs by the end of the 2028/29 fiscal year as part of efforts to “right-size” government operations. The reductions are expected to generate savings of $2.85 billion over three years. According to the province, the cuts will not target front-line services, and hiring in key areas such as education and health care will continue. An estimated 2,500 positions will be cut from the B.C. Public Service, which staffs core government ministries and offices. The remaining 12,500 roles…

18 Feb

Delhi Police arrest Lawrence Bishnoi’s key aide, Booby Kabutar linked to Sidhu Moosewala’s recce

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaMurder case, Sidhu Moosewala

New Delhi, Rajeev Sharma :- The Counter-Intelligence Unit of the Special Cell of Delhi Police has arrested a key member of Lawrence Bishnoi gang, who had been absconding for seven years, officials said. The accused has been identified as Bobby Kabutar, who is reportedly a close associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and was actively involved in the syndicate's criminal activities. He was allegedly evading arrest for several years and is wanted in multiple cases. According to the investigation, he was involved in carrying out recce prior to the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu MooseWala. Police said his role included ground-level…

18 Feb

India AI Impact Summit 2026 extended by one day, to conclude on February 21

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAi Impact Summit 2026, India

New Delhi, Rajeev Sharma :- The government on Wednesday announced extention of India AI Impact Summit 2026 by one more day, till February 21 due to the overwhelming response of visitors and exhibitors. Earlier the event was slated to conclude on February 20. The timings for the summit have also been extended till 8 pm in order to provide comfortable experience to the people. Meanwhile, the summit will remain closed for the public on February 19 in view of the restricted events. Information and Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said over three lakh people had registered for the summit, which highlights…

18 Feb

Seniors Targeted by Thieves at Surrey Gurdwaras, Police Issue Urgent Warning

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada

Surrey ( Rajeev Sharma): The Surrey Police Service has issued a strong public warning after multiple reports of distraction thefts targeting senior citizens at gurdwaras in Surrey. Police say suspects are deliberately approaching elderly worshippers in parking lots and near temple entrances, engaging them in conversation under the pretext of offering help or asking for directions. While distracting the victims, the suspects allegedly remove valuables such as gold chains, rings, wallets, and cash. Investigators confirmed that several incidents have been reported in recent weeks, mostly during peak prayer hours when crowds are larger and seniors are more vulnerable. In many…