Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

31 Jan

Exploits River Flooding Forces Evacuation in Newfoundland’s Badger

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaBadger flooding, Exploits River, ice jam, Newfoundland evacuation

Badger, N.L. (Rajeev Sharma): Residents of the town of Badger in central Newfoundland were forced to leave their homes late Thursday after rising water from the Exploits River overflowed its banks, flooding parts of the community. Local resident Melissa Mercer said the river, which she often describes as being “in her backyard,” had quite literally reached her property by Thursday night. Town officials ordered Mercer and dozens of others to evacuate as floodwaters advanced into residential areas. She has since taken shelter in a hotel in nearby Grand Falls-Windsor along with her two dogs. Badger, a community of about 685…

31 Jan

B.C. Introduces Competitive Power Allocation for AI and Data Centres

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingBritish Columbia

British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): The British Columbia government has announced a new competitive system to allocate electricity to artificial intelligence firms and data centre developments, a move aimed at managing rapidly rising demand for power while prioritising projects with long-term benefits for the province. Under the new framework, companies will compete for access to a fixed pool of 400 megawatts of electricity over the next two years. Energy Minister Adrian Dix said the approach is designed to ensure that limited power resources are directed toward projects that deliver strong economic returns, environmental responsibility, community benefits and data sovereignty for B.C.…

31 Jan

Alberta Invests $5.3 Million to Rebuild Wetlands and Strengthen Climate Resilience

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta, Calgary

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta is stepping up efforts to protect communities from flooding and drought with a fresh investment aimed at restoring wetlands across the province. The provincial government has committed $5.3 million to create 67 hectares of new wetlands in central and southern Alberta, reinforcing natural water systems while supporting wildlife and local ecosystems. Funded through the Wetland Replacement Program, the initiative covers seven projects that will convert degraded or altered landscapes into fully functioning wetlands. Officials say the restored areas — together spanning roughly five times the size of West Edmonton Mall — will play a critical role…

31 Jan

Alberta Expands High-Speed Internet Reach to Hundreds of Rural Communities

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta is set to bring high-speed internet to hundreds of additional rural and remote communities as part of its ongoing push to close the digital gap across the province. With the latest round of broadband funding, connectivity will soon be extended to 759 more communities, benefiting tens of thousands of households. Provincial officials said the new phase of projects, supported through the Universal Broadband Fund, will provide reliable high-speed internet access to about 83,000 additional homes. The expansion marks a significant step toward ensuring that residents outside major cities are no longer left behind in an increasingly…

31 Jan

Alberta Tops National Rankings for Cutting Bureaucratic Burden

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta has reinforced its reputation as Canada’s most business-friendly province after once again emerging as the national leader in reducing regulatory red tape, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). During Red Tape Reduction Week, the CFIB reaffirmed Alberta’s top position, awarding the province the Golden Scissors Award — the highest national recognition for eliminating unnecessary regulations. Alberta also secured an ‘A’ grade for the fourth year in a row, reflecting sustained efforts to simplify rules and improve the overall business climate. Since 2019, the provincial government has removed close to 220,000 regulatory requirements, a…

31 Jan

Mysterious Deaths of Punjabi Couple in Calgary Under Police Investigation, Community in Shock

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingCalgary

CALGARY (Rajeev Sharma): Shock and grief have swept through the Punjabi community in Calgary after a married couple, Ekamveer Singh and his wife Jasmine Kaur, were found dead under suspicious circumstances in the Redstone neighbourhood of northeast Calgary. The couple originally belonged to Chaukiman village near Jagraon in Punjab and had been living in Calgary for some time. Police were called to their residence late at night following a report of a disturbance in the area. Upon arrival, officers found both individuals seriously injured inside the home. One of them was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other later…

30 Jan

Poilievre Faces Pivotal Leadership Test at Conservative Convention in Calgary

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCalgary convention, Canadian politics, Conservative Party of Canada, leadership review, Pierre Poilievre

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is set to deliver a high-stakes speech Friday evening as he seeks to secure his position during a crucial leadership review at the party’s national convention in Calgary. The address, scheduled to begin around 8:30 p.m. ET, is expected to centre on core themes Poilievre has emphasized throughout his leadership, including reducing immigration levels, strengthening public safety measures and addressing affordability and cost-of-living pressures. He is also anticipated to speak directly to western delegates amid growing concerns about regional alienation and renewed talk of Alberta separatism, including the possibility of a future provincial…

30 Jan

Supreme Court Sides With Insurer in Ottawa River Flood Insurance Dispute

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadainsurance dispute, Ottawa River flooding, Supreme Court of Canada, Trillium Mutual Insurance

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled in favour of Trillium Mutual Insurance Co. in a dispute over insurance coverage for an Ottawa-area family whose home was declared a total loss after severe flooding. The case involved Stephen and Claudette Emond, whose house along the Ottawa River was destroyed during spring flooding in April 2019. Trillium Mutual acknowledged that the loss of the home was covered under the couple’s homeowners’ insurance policy. However, a disagreement arose when the Emonds sought to rebuild. The dispute centred on whether the policy covered the added costs of construction work required…

30 Jan

Stepfather of Missing Nova Scotia Children Charged With Sexual Assault and Forcible Confinement

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaDaniel Martell, Jack Sullivan, Lilly Sullivan, missing children, Nova Scotia, RCMP, sexual assault charges

Nova Scotia (Rajeev Sharma): Daniel Martell, the stepfather of two Nova Scotia children who vanished nearly nine months ago, has been charged with sexual assault, assault and forcible confinement, CBC News has confirmed. Nova Scotia RCMP said Martell, 34, was arrested on Monday and now faces three charges related to an adult complainant. Police emphasized that the charges do not involve a child. Martell is scheduled to appear in Pictou provincial court on March 2. At the time of the children’s disappearance in May last year, Martell was living with Lilly and Jack Sullivan and their mother in the rural…

30 Jan

Ottawa Introduces Co-Payments for Refugees Under Interim Federal Health Program Starting May 1

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaasylum seekers, health-care co-payments, IFHP, Interim Federal Health Program, IRCC, refugees

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): The federal government is changing how the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) operates, requiring refugees and asylum seekers to contribute toward the cost of certain supplemental health services. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced Tuesday that beginning May 1, people covered under the program will be required to pay a $4 co-payment for each eligible prescription medication filled or refilled. The federal department says the move is aimed at improving the long-term sustainability of the program as demand and costs continue to rise. In addition to prescription co-pays, beneficiaries will also be required to cover 30…