Canada

Premier Danielle Smith Responds to US Tariff Hike on Canadian Goods

Premier Danielle Smith Responds to US Tariff Hike on Canadian Goods

Edmonton: Following the United States’ decision to raise tariffs on Canadian goods to 35 per cent, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith issued a strong statement urging the federal government to take immediate action to strengthen Canada’s economy and trade relations. While welcoming the exemption of CUSMA-compliant goods, including Alberta’s key exports such as oil, gas, and agricultural products, Premier Smith expressed disappointment over the tariff increase on other Canadian goods. “These tariffs hurt both Canadian and American businesses and workers, and they weaken one of the most important trade and security alliances in the world,” Smith said. Call for Diplomacy and…
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Alberta Gears Up to Host Men’s U21 Pan American Cup

Alberta Gears Up to Host Men’s U21 Pan American Cup

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta is set to welcome some of the best young volleyball talent from across the Americas as the province prepares to host the Men’s U21 Pan American Cup from August 5–10. Teams from North, Central, South America, and the Caribbean will compete in this high-stakes tournament, which also serves as the final stop before the 2025 U21 World Championships. With its deep roots in the sport, being the first country outside the United States to play volleyball, Canada, and Alberta in particular, provide a fitting stage for the international event. Alberta’s Investment in Sports The Alberta government…
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B.C. Wildfires Double Overnight as Lightning Storms Ignite Emergency Response

B.C. Wildfires Double Overnight as Lightning Storms Ignite Emergency Response

British Columbia, Aug 1, 2025 (Richa Walia) — British Columbia is in the grip of a surging wildfire crisis as the number of active fires doubled from 60 to 120 within just 24 hours, fuelled by more than 13,000 lightning strikes, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS). Authorities warn more lightning could further escalate the situation.The fires, spread across various regions, have prompted evacuation orders and alerts, threatened communities, and stretched firefighting resources. Several of the major fires are believed to be human-caused, intensifying calls for public caution and accountability.Wesley Ridge Fire (Vancouver Island)The most concerning blaze is the…
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Toxic Drug Deaths in B.C. Fall Sharply, Down 40% from Peak Levels

Toxic Drug Deaths in B.C. Fall Sharply, Down 40% from Peak Levels

Victoria (Richa Walia): British Columbia has recorded a significant drop in toxic drug deaths, with fatalities in May and June down about 40 per cent from their peak levels, according to new data released by the BC Coroners Service. The province reported 145 deaths in May, compared to 181 in the same month last year, and 147 deaths in June, down from 185 in June 2024. This marks a steep decline from the record high of 243 deaths reported in December 2023, reflecting a downward trend that is also being seen across much of North America. The BC Coroners Service…
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Canada Responds to US Tariff Hike with Call for Unity and Economic Resilience

Canada Responds to US Tariff Hike with Call for Unity and Economic Resilience

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has issued a strong and measured response after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a sharp increase in tariffs on Canadian goods not covered by the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). The new 35% tariff, up from 25%, is set to take effect immediately, targeting a broad range of exports outside the trade deal. In an official statement released today, Prime Minister Carney expressed disappointment over the U.S. decision but reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to CUSMA, which he called “the world’s second-largest free trade agreement by trading volume.” Carney emphasized that while many Canadian exports…
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ASIRT Probes Fatal RCMP Shooting in Lac La Biche

ASIRT Probes Fatal RCMP Shooting in Lac La Biche

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is investigating a fatal RCMP-involved shooting in Lac La Biche that occurred on July 27. According to ASIRT, RCMP officers were dispatched at 11:47 a.m. after receiving a call for assistance from a local residence. When officers arrived, residents informed them that the man in question had left before their arrival. A short time later, police located the man in a nearby field armed with two knives. Officers ordered him to drop the weapons, and one officer deployed a conducted energy weapon. A physical struggle followed, during which the man…
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Alberta MLAs to Advocate for Barrier-Free Trade at U.S. Legislators’ Summit in Boston

Alberta MLAs to Advocate for Barrier-Free Trade at U.S. Legislators’ Summit in Boston

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta is set to push for deeper economic ties with the United States as three provincial MLAs prepare to attend the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) 50th annual summit in Boston, Massachusetts, from Aug. 2 to 7. MLAs Angela Pitt (Airdrie-East), Glenn Van Dijken (Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock), and Chelsae Petrovic (Livingstone-Macleod) will represent Alberta at the summit, which brings together lawmakers and government leaders from across the U.S. and beyond. Their mission: to advocate for barrier-free trade, promote Alberta as a secure energy and agriculture partner, and strengthen cross-border economic relations. Alberta’s Economic Priorities Over the course of…
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BC Puts Tsunami Preparedness to the Test After Massive Quake Near Russia

BC Puts Tsunami Preparedness to the Test After Massive Quake Near Russia

British Columbia (Richa Walia): The anticipated tsunami that reached Tofino, B.C., late Tuesday turned out to be far milder than feared, rising only about 15 centimetres, roughly half the height of a school ruler. Instead of panic, the gentle waves brought relief and even curiosity to about 300 onlookers gathered at Mackenzie Beach just before midnight. Hours earlier, J.J. Belanger, general manager of Crystal Cove Beach Resort, sprang into action after news broke of a powerful 8.8-magnitude undersea earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula — one of the strongest quakes ever recorded. With several hours before any waves could reach Canada’s…
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Alberta Invests $50M in New Modular Classrooms to Address Enrolment Growth

Alberta Invests $50M in New Modular Classrooms to Address Enrolment Growth

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): As the 2025-26 school year approaches, Alberta’s government has announced a $50-million investment to add 62 pre-made classrooms this fall, easing enrolment pressures in the province’s fastest-growing communities. This funding builds on previous Budget 2025 commitments, bringing the total investment to $100 million for 109 modular classrooms. These classrooms will create space for 2,725 students and relocate 575 more. “Alberta's government is moving quickly to build new schools and create more classroom spaces, so our students continue to have room to grow and thrive,” said Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education and Childcare. “This additional funding for modular…
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Alberta Invests $50M to Expand Wastewater Services in Airdrie

Alberta Invests $50M to Expand Wastewater Services in Airdrie

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The Alberta government has announced a $50-million investment to upgrade Airdrie’s wastewater system, a move aimed at meeting the infrastructure demands of one of the province’s fastest-growing cities. Since 2022, Airdrie’s population has surged by more than 25%, surpassing 90,000 residents. To accommodate this rapid growth, the project will include the construction of a new 7-kilometre wastewater pipeline connecting Airdrie to Calgary’s existing wastewater treatment system. This regional solution will reduce long-term costs and eliminate the need for a separate treatment facility. “Airdrie is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Alberta, and needs upgraded infrastructure to meet…
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