Canada

Mark Carney will ask Governor General to dissolve Parliament Sunday and call election

Mark Carney will ask Governor General to dissolve Parliament Sunday and call election

Alberta ( Rajeev Sharma): Prime Minister Mark Carney will ask the Governor General to dissolve Parliament and call a federal election this Sunday, Radio-Canada has learned. The election campaign will kick off barely a week after Carney was sworn in as prime minister and appointed his cabinet. Carney's trip to Rideau Hall to speak to Gov. Gen. Mary Simon will come a day before MPs were scheduled to return after Parliament was prorogued on Jan. 6.  An election campaign is expected to last between 36 and 50 days. Election day remains to be confirmed, but voters are expected to cast…
Read More
Poilievre Defends Decision to Block Journalists from Campaign Plane

Poilievre Defends Decision to Block Journalists from Campaign Plane

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has defended his party’s decision to bar national political reporters from traveling on the campaign plane, saying it will allow for greater engagement with local journalists instead. The Conservative Party’s move, announced earlier this week, breaks with long-standing election campaign traditions, where national reporters typically accompany party leaders. Instead, Poilievre’s campaign will rely on regional media to cover his events and news conferences. Speaking in Jonquière, Quebec, Poilievre dismissed concerns that the decision would limit media access, particularly for francophone journalists. He assured that his campaign would maintain open access across the country…
Read More
Alberta Premier Denielle Smith Issues Strong Demands to Ottawa in Meeting with PM Mark Carney

Alberta Premier Denielle Smith Issues Strong Demands to Ottawa in Meeting with PM Mark Carney

Calgary ( Rajeev Sharma) : Alberta Premier Denielle Smith met with Prime Minister Mark Carney today in what she described as a “very frank discussion” about Alberta’s ongoing grievances with federal policies. The Premier outlined a series of demands she said must be addressed within the first six months of the next federal government’s term to prevent what she called an “unprecedented national unity crisis.” Among the key demands: • Guaranteed access to oil and gas corridors in all directions • Repeal of Bill C-69 (the “no new pipelines act”) • Lifting of the BC coastal tanker ban • Elimination…
Read More
Child Poverty on the Rise in Canada After Years of Decline

Child Poverty on the Rise in Canada After Years of Decline

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): After years of steady decline, child poverty in Canada is once again on the rise. Recent data reveals that nearly 1.4 million children were living in poverty in 2022, marking a troubling reversal of progress made between 2015 and 2022. During that period, government initiatives such as the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) played a key role in reducing child poverty rates. However, economic pressures—including inflation, rising living costs, and the expiration of pandemic-era financial support programs—have led to an increase in financial hardship for many families. Advocacy groups are calling for stronger action to address the issue,…
Read More
Calgary Marathi Association Hosts International Women’s Day Celebration

Calgary Marathi Association Hosts International Women’s Day Celebration

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The Calgary Marathi Association (CMA) recently celebrated International Women’s Day at the Phoenix Room of the Dalhousie Community Association. The inaugural event, organized by CMA’s all-female management committee, aimed to celebrate the strength, achievements, and contributions of women. The event featured inspiring sessions where female entrepreneurs shared their success stories and the challenges they faced along their journeys. These narratives motivated other women to pursue their dreams, even those that had been put aside due to family obligations. Attendees also enjoyed informative sessions, such as “Winter Essentials,” and participated in engaging activities designed to foster connection and…
Read More
Alberta Investing nearly $5B in North

Alberta Investing nearly $5B in North

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Through Budget 2025, if passed, Alberta’s government is investing $4.9 billion in 2025-26 to strengthen Alberta’s northern communities. Alberta’s government is committed to supporting and strengthening the vital communities across the province’s north with strategic investments that ensure long-term prosperity. In the province’s latest budget, $4.4 billion is being allocated in operating expenses and $475 million for capital expenses to Alberta’s north region. Alberta’s northern communities are vital to the province’s identity, prosperity and success. There is no question, Alberta’s northern communities face unique opportunities and challenges that must be addressed today. Budget 2025, if passed, is…
Read More
Alberta introduces legislation to help grow and diversify agriculture, supporting emerging biogas industry

Alberta introduces legislation to help grow and diversify agriculture, supporting emerging biogas industry

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Updates to the Agricultural Operation Practices Act, if passed, would help reduce waste, allow farmers to supplement fertilizer with organic materials and help the province attract job-creating investment. The act and its regulations provide rules and standards for all agricultural operations that handle manure and organic materials. Biodigesters are already operating in the province, and this change will provide certainty for those who store and use biogas production byproducts as a nutrient source to grow crops and encourage investment in biodigester facilities. “Alberta farmers and ranchers work hard to put good food on tables here at home and…
Read More
Alberta providing over $85 million to build strong communities across province

Alberta providing over $85 million to build strong communities across province

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Each year, Alberta’s government provides support to hundreds of non-profit projects and programs to continue delivering vital services to communities across the province. This includes investing in initiatives like Alberta’s Crowdfunding platform, capital grant funding, and funding for community grant programs.If passed, Budget 2025 will continue to build strong and vibrant communities by supporting community grant programs, including $64 million for the Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) and Community Initiative Program (CIP) grants that stimulate economic growth, enhance gathering places and provide opportunities for Albertans to build community and connect with one another.  “I am proud that…
Read More
Canada Reconsiders F-35 Fighter Jet Deal with US, PM Mark Carney Explores ‘Other Options’

Canada Reconsiders F-35 Fighter Jet Deal with US, PM Mark Carney Explores ‘Other Options’

Calgary (National Times): In a significant policy move, Canada’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has instructed Defence Minister Bill Blair to review the country's planned purchase of America’s F-35 fighter jets. The directive comes with a call to explore alternative options “given the changing environment,” according to Blair’s spokesperson on Saturday. Canada’s Original F-35 Purchase Plan Two years ago, Canada agreed to acquire 88 F-35 jets, legally committing funds for the first 16 aircraft as part of its long-term defense strategy. The planned acquisition was set to be the largest investment in the Royal Canadian Air Force in over…
Read More
Premier Danielle Smith calls for federal election

Premier Danielle Smith calls for federal election

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): In a major development, Premier Danielle Smith issued the following statement on the swearing-in of Canada’s 24th Prime Minister and his new federal cabinet. “Now that Prime Minister Mark Carney has been officially sworn in, his first item of business should be to call a general election. “I am extremely concerned that this cabinet includes most of same ministers responsible for the most damaging government policies levelled by Ottawa against Alberta in our over 100-year history. We are gravely concerned that plans to significantly increase the industrial carbon tax will be just as damaging to Alberta’s economy…
Read More