Canada

Minister Rajan Sawhney Meets Treaty 8 First Nations Leadership, Commits to Stronger Partnership

Minister Rajan Sawhney Meets Treaty 8 First Nations Leadership, Commits to Stronger Partnership

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s Minister of Indigenous Relations, Rajan Sawhney, met with Treaty 8 First Nations leadership today, marking what she described as a “significant step forward” in strengthening government-to-government relations. The meeting brought together Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi, Deputy Grand Chief Ramona Horseman, and several other community leaders. Sawhney acknowledged the importance of such discussions, noting that while they can be challenging, they are essential for building trust and advancing meaningful progress. “We reaffirmed our commitment to ensuring First Nations voices are not only heard but also reflected in the decisions impacting their communities,” Sawhney said after the meeting.…
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Commemoration of Indian Independence Day in Airdrie

Commemoration of Indian Independence Day in Airdrie

Airdrie (Rajeev Sharma): The Indian Society of Airdrie commemorated Indian Independence Day on August 15, 2025, at Nose Creek Park in Airdrie. A temporary flagpole was erected for the occasion, and the Tiranga (Indian Flag) ceremony was conducted by Maulik Shah and his team, accompanied by the Indian National Anthem. A large number of attendees enjoyed patriotic songs and were emotionally moved. The management team of Calgary Marathi Association, led by President Swati and management team members, attended the event, shared greetings, and delivered a speech on Independence Day. Swati emphasized the significance of unity and mutual respect. The event…
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Alberta Minister Raises Concerns Over Federal Immigration Policy and Provincial Pressures

Alberta Minister Raises Concerns Over Federal Immigration Policy and Provincial Pressures

Edmonton, August 15, 2025 – Alberta’s Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration, Joseph Schow, has voiced concerns about the federal government’s handling of immigration, saying provinces are bearing the brunt of population growth without sufficient input in national target-setting.In a statement released Friday, Schow said Canada is on pace to welcome more than one million new temporary and permanent immigrants in 2025, in addition to nearly three million temporary residents already in the country. He argued that federal immigration targets are often determined without fully considering the needs of provinces, which are responsible for services such as health care,…
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PM Mark Carney Yet to Open Nepean Constituency Office, Security Requirements Delay Setup

PM Mark Carney Yet to Open Nepean Constituency Office, Security Requirements Delay Setup

Ottawa, August 15, 2025 – More than 100 days after the spring election, Prime Minister Mark Carney has yet to establish a constituency office in his Nepean riding, with his office citing ongoing efforts to secure a location that meets safety standards.“The process to confirm an office that meets all security requirements and is conveniently located and accessible for constituents is well underway,” said Emily Williams, director of media relations for the Prime Minister’s Office, in an emailed statement.Until the Nepean office is finalized, residents can seek federal services through Defence Minister David McGuinty’s office in neighbouring Ottawa South. Carney’s…
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Unprecedented Wildfire Near Port Alberni Forces Evacuations and Declares States of Emergency

Unprecedented Wildfire Near Port Alberni Forces Evacuations and Declares States of Emergency

PORT ALBERNI, B.C (Richa Walia): A fast-moving wildfire south of Port Alberni is exhibiting “unusual” and highly aggressive behaviour for Vancouver Island, prompting multiple evacuation orders and states of local emergency. The fire, discovered Monday evening around 6:30 p.m., exploded to 600 hectares within hours and has since expanded to more than 20 square kilometres. According to B.C. Wildfire Service information officer Karley Desrosiers, such rapid growth is rare not only for the Island but across the province. “This kind of escalation in such a short time frame is significant,” Desrosiers said Wednesday, noting that a combination of drought conditions…
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Alberta Sets Sights on Leading Canada’s Wellness Tourism Boom

Alberta Sets Sights on Leading Canada’s Wellness Tourism Boom

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta is carving out a name for itself as Canada’s premier destination for wellness travel, blending luxury, nature, and cultural experiences to attract visitors from across the globe. From serene spa resorts tucked deep in the Rocky Mountains to immersive retreats that highlight Indigenous heritage and traditions, the province offers a rich mix for travelers seeking to relax and recharge. The surge is backed by impressive numbers — in 2024, visitors spent a record $14 billion in Alberta, and multiple large-scale wellness projects are already in the pipeline. The provincial government is fueling this momentum through Travel…
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Alberta Launches Public Consultations on New Disability Assistance Program

Alberta Launches Public Consultations on New Disability Assistance Program

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The Alberta government is calling on residents to share their thoughts on a new initiative designed to better support people with disabilities. The proposed Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) aims to replace the current one-size-fits-all model under the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program with a more flexible approach tailored to individual needs. Unveiled in January 2025, ADAP is intended to complement AISH rather than replace it, offering participants greater earning potential without losing crucial benefits. Under the plan, Albertans with disabilities will be able to earn higher incomes while continuing to receive financial and…
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Air Canada Serves 72-Hour Lockout Notice to CUPE, Begins Wind-Down of Operations

Air Canada Serves 72-Hour Lockout Notice to CUPE, Begins Wind-Down of Operations

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma) : Air Canada has issued a statutory 72-hour lockout notice to the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge. The move follows CUPE’s notice of intent to strike as early as August 16. To provide passengers with certainty, the airline will begin a phased wind-down of most operations over the next three days and has requested government directed arbitration to resolve the impasse. Despite eight months of negotiations with federal conciliators, Air Canada says no tentative agreement could be reached, even after its August 11 proposal offering…
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B.C. Supreme Court Dismisses Appeal by Doctor Fired for Refusing COVID-19 Vaccine

B.C. Supreme Court Dismisses Appeal by Doctor Fired for Refusing COVID-19 Vaccine

British Columbia (Richa Walia)— The B.C. Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal of Dr. Theresa Szezepaniak, a physician whose hospital privileges were revoked after she refused the COVID-19 vaccine in 2021.Dr. Szezepaniak, a long-serving hospitalist at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, had challenged a 2023 ruling by the B.C. Hospital Appeal Board (HAB) that largely upheld Interior Health’s decision to suspend her privileges. The HAB had concluded that her refusal to comply with the provincial vaccine mandate amounted to neglect of her professional obligations.In her appeal, Szezepaniak argued that the decision breached her rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights…
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Alberta Agriculture Hit Hard as China Imposes New Tariffs on Canola Imports

Alberta Agriculture Hit Hard as China Imposes New Tariffs on Canola Imports

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s agriculture sector faces fresh uncertainty after China announced preliminary anti-dumping duties of 75.8% on additional Canadian canola products. The new measure, which comes on top of existing 100% tariffs on canola oil, canola oil cake, and peas, could severely restrict one of the province’s most important export markets. In a statement responding to the move, Alberta Agriculture Minister Sigurdson warned that the decision could effectively push local producers out of China — a market worth $2.4 billion in 2024, with canola, peas, and pork accounting for $1.7 billion of that trade. Nearly 70% of Alberta’s canola…
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