Canada Archives - National Times

09 Oct

Sturko Demands Clarity From Lorne Doerkson Over ICBC Reform Plans and Insurance Costs

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingLorne Doerkson

SURREY, B.C. (Richa Walia): CentreBC Leader Elenore Sturko is demanding greater transparency from B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson over his proposed changes to the province’s public auto insurance system, warning that British Columbians need to understand how the plans could affect their premiums and support for injured motorists. In a statement issued October 8, Sturko questioned the apparent difference between Doerkson’s written commitments regarding insurance reform and his subsequent public comments denying that he had made promises. According to Sturko, a letter dated September 29 outlined plans to replace ICBC’s existing no-fault insurance system with a hybrid model, while also…

09 Oct

Alberta Launches Studies to Assess Future Water Shortages and Infrastructure Needs

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s government is seeking proposals for two studies aimed at identifying potential future water shortages and establishing clearer priorities for water infrastructure investments across the province. The initiative comes as population growth, economic expansion and increasing demand from the agricultural sector place greater importance on securing reliable water supplies. The studies will examine water availability in different river basins and help determine where additional storage and infrastructure may be needed. According to the provincial government, the assessments are intended to strengthen long-term water planning, improve the evaluation of major infrastructure projects and provide a consistent basis for…

09 Oct

Alberta Moves to Tighten Infill Rules in Edmonton and Calgary

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s government is introducing new restrictions on high-density infill development in Edmonton and directing Calgary to restore zoning protections for certain residential areas, citing concerns about neighbourhood character, parking and infrastructure capacity. Under the provincial measures announced October 8, Edmonton must revise its zoning bylaw to reinstate rules governing housing types, density and building heights that existed before the city’s 2024 zoning changes. The city must also bring back minimum on-site parking requirements that were in place before 2020. Edmonton has three months from October 8 to make the required bylaw amendments. The temporary rules will remain…

09 Oct

Fort Saskatchewan Hospital to Expand Surgical Capacity by Nearly 50%

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingSaskatchewan Hospital

FORT SASKATCHEWAN, Alberta (Rajeev Sharma): Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital is set to expand its surgical services following a $12.5-million investment from Alberta’s government aimed at increasing the number of procedures performed each year. Announced on October 8, the funding will support renovations and infrastructure upgrades designed to boost the hospital’s surgical capacity by nearly 50 per cent. Once completed, the improvements are expected to enable more than 3,000 additional procedures annually, giving more patients access to treatment closer to home. Construction is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks, with the upgraded facilities expected to become fully operational by 2029.…

09 Oct

ASIRT Probes Death of 54-Year-Old Man After Edmonton Police Arrest

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingEdmonton

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s police oversight agency has launched an investigation into the death of a 54-year-old man who died three days after being arrested by Edmonton police in northwest Edmonton. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) confirmed the investigation on October 8, saying the man died on September 19 after being taken to hospital in serious condition following the September 16 incident. According to the preliminary information released by investigators, Edmonton Police Service (EPS) officers received several calls shortly after 7:30 p.m. on September 16 about a man behaving erratically near Rapperswill Drive and 173A Avenue. Callers alleged…

08 Oct

Surrey Chhath Puja to Draw 1,000+ Devotees: Nutan Thakur

nishuthapar10 CommentsCanada

Surrey (Richa Walia): More than 1,000 devotees and visitors are expected for Chhath Puja 2026, organized by the BAJA Cultural Association BC on November 14–15, 2026, at Durga Bhameshwari Temple, 7984 123 Street, Surrey, BC V3W 3V4. Nutan Thakur, Media Director of BAJA Cultural Association BC, shared details of the celebration with National Times, which is the media partner for the event.Families and community members from across Metro Vancouver are expected to attend. The gathering will also provide an opportunity for younger generations to learn about and participate in Chhath’s religious and cultural traditions.

08 Oct

Alberta Commits $2 Million to Expand Youth Suicide Prevention Programs

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

EDMONTON (RAJEEV SHARMA): Alberta is directing $2 million toward community organizations working to prevent youth suicide and strengthen mental health supports for young people across the province. The funding will be distributed among 14 community-based projects through the province’s Youth Suicide Prevention Grant Program. The initiatives are designed to help young people build stronger connections, develop coping and life skills, and access support that reflects the circumstances of their individual communities. The latest investment forms part of Alberta’s wider approach to addressing mental health challenges among children and youth through prevention and early intervention. Programs operating in schools, communities and…

08 Oct

Alberta to Become Key Defence Hub as Ottawa Announces $8 Billion Military Investment

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

EDMONTON (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta is set to receive a major boost to its defence infrastructure as the federal government commits approximately $8 billion to projects across the province, strengthening the role of Alberta-based military facilities in Canada's national security plans. Premier Danielle Smith and Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration Minister Joseph Schow welcomed the investment, saying the funding will modernize military infrastructure while creating new economic opportunities across the province. One of the largest components is an estimated $550 million investment that will establish Alberta as the Western Main Operating Base for the Royal Canadian Air Force's CC-330 Husky fleet.…

08 Oct

Chhath Puja 2026 Celebrations in Metro Vancouver

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingMetro Vancouver

Surrey (Richa Walia): The BAJA Cultural Association BC is set to host Chhath Puja Celebration 2026 on November 14 and 15 in Metro Vancouver, bringing more than 1,000 expected devotees and visitors together for a major celebration of the traditional Hindu festival dedicated to Surya, the Sun God, and Chhathi Maiya. National Times is the media partner for this event. The celebration will take place at Durga Bhameshwari Temple, 7984 123 Street, Surrey, BC V3W 3V4, with devotees observing the traditional rituals associated with the four-day Chhath Puja. The festival highlights devotion, discipline, purity, gratitude for nature and the Sun,…

07 Oct

Himachal Student’s Drone Project Gets ₹3.5 Crore Defence Ministry Approval for High-Altitude Surveillance

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada

Hamirpur (Rajeev Sharma): A fifth-semester computer engineering student from Himachal Pradesh has secured ₹3.5 crore in approved financial support from the Union Ministry of Defence to develop a drone for surveillance in high-altitude border areas. Sarvesh Sharma, a student at Government Polytechnic, Hamirpur (Baru), is developing the Rudra Edge T-1 (Spectra) under the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) and Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative. The project focuses on developing drone technology for challenging mountainous and high-altitude environments, where difficult terrain can make surveillance operations more demanding. Sharma’s journey into the project began with the Open Cardboard Drone Competition, organised by…