Canada Archives - Page 129 of 171

19 Jul

Mounting Complaints Against BLS International: The Sole Provider of Indian Consular Services in Canada Faces Scrutiny

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingBLS International, Canada

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): BLS International, the only agency authorized by the Indian consulate to handle visa, passport, and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) services in Canada, is under fire for alleged unethical practices, overcharging, and customer mistreatment. For many, like Prashant Vashista, BLS represents more than bureaucracy — it’s a painful memory. Two years ago, following his mother’s death, Vashista rushed to BLS’s Brampton centre seeking emergency visas for himself and his family. Despite collecting the documents in person, he says he was forced to pay $135 in courier charges — a service he never requested. “I was in dire…

18 Jul

High Commission of India in Ottawa Issues Advisory Against Scam Calls Targeting Indian Nationals in Canada

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingCanada

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): The High Commission of India in Ottawa has issued a public advisory warning Indian nationals and individuals of Indian origin in Canada about a surge in scam and spoofed telephone calls, emails, and communications impersonating Indian diplomatic officials. According to the advisory, these fraudulent communications often claim to involve issues related to Canadian visas, immigration status, job offers, or alleged criminal activities. The scammers demand payments or repayments of application fees and sometimes threaten individuals with legal action. Shockingly, some impostors have falsely presented themselves as officials from the High Commission of India, or from the Consulates…

18 Jul

Canada to begin issuing invitations for Parents and Grandparents Program from July 28

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingCanada

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Starting July 28, 2025, IRCC will invite 17,860 potential sponsors from the 2020 intake for the Parents and Grandparents Program, aiming to accept 10,000 complete applications. This program enables eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residency. Those not selected can consider the Super Visa, which allows extended stays in Canada.The Canadian government will begin issuing invitations to sponsor under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) starting July 28, 2025, according to an official statement by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This move will allow Canadian citizens and permanent…

18 Jul

Calgary Police Investigate Early Morning Shooting in Redstone Neighborhood

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingCalgary, Canada

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The Calgary Police Service (CPS) is presently investigating an early morning shooting in the Redstone neighborhood of northeast Calgary. Multiple gunshots were reported in the early hours of Thursday. According to CPS, officers responded to the 100 block of Red Sky Green N.E. at approximately 3:04 a.m. following reports of gunfire. Preliminary investigation indicates that several shots were fired at a parked vehicle, fortunately resulting in no reported injuries. Police have confirmed that there is no ongoing risk to public safety.Throughout the morning, officers remained at the scene, gathering evidence and speaking with potential witnesses. Investigators have…

17 Jul

Proposed Copper Mine Could Nearly Double Clearwater’s Population, Stirring Debate on Jobs and Environment

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaClearwater B.C., copper mine, Taseko Mines, Yellowhead Project

Clearwater, B.C., Braces for Growth as Taseko Mines' Yellowhead Project Enters Environmental Review Clearwater, B.C., July 17, 2025 — A massive open-pit copper mine proposed by Taseko Mines could dramatically transform the small mountain town of Clearwater, potentially doubling its population in the next decade. The Yellowhead Project, located about 150 kilometres northeast of Kamloops, is expected to generate around 2,000 jobs during its construction phase alone. With just 2,500 residents, Clearwater stands at the heart of this proposed boom. Taseko says the mine could produce nearly 180 million pounds of copper annually for 25 years, offering long-term economic promise…

17 Jul

Canada Imposes New Tariffs to Shield Domestic Steel Industry from Global Pressure

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingCanada, Mark Carney

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): In a bold move to protect Canada’s domestic steel sector from global trade disruptions and unfair pricing practices, Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday announced a sweeping series of tariffs and trade safeguards, signaling a more aggressive stance on imports. The centrepiece of the new strategy is a tariff rate quota targeting countries with which Canada has free trade agreements, excluding the United States. Imports from these countries that exceed 2024 volume levels will be hit with a 50% tariff, a measure designed to deter trade diversion and stabilize domestic production. In addition, steel imports containing material…

17 Jul

PM Mark Carney to Address First Nations at Bill C-5 Summit Amid Mounting Concerns Over Major Projects Law

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingCanada, Mark Carney

Gatineau, Quebec (Rajeev Sharma): Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to meet with First Nations leaders Thursday during a critical summit in Gatineau, Quebec, where he will face growing scrutiny over the recently passed Bill C-5 — legislation that enables expedited approval for infrastructure projects deemed nationally significant, including pipelines, mines, and ports. The two-day summit, held at the Canadian Museum of History, began on Wednesday and is intended to ease tensions and clarify the federal government’s position on Indigenous consultation in major project development. However, First Nations leaders have voiced strong objections, claiming that their constitutional rights are being…

16 Jul

Dozens of Independents Join Crowded Field as Poilievre Eyes Comeback in Battle River—Crowfoot Byelection

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaBattle River—Crowfoot byelection, Longest Ballot Committee, Pierre Poilievre

Battle River Crowfoot, Alberta, July 16, 2025: The Alberta riding of Battle River Crowfoot is preparing for a remarkable byelection, with dozens of independent candidates already registered in a race that could see Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre return to the House of Commons.The surge of independent hopefuls comes from the efforts of the Longest Ballot Committee, an electoral reform advocacy group determined to set records by registering hundreds of candidates. The group says its goal is to draw attention to the flaws of Canada’s first-past-the-post voting system.While most candidates are running as independents, others have filed nominations under banners such…

16 Jul

Alberta investing $10 million to make it easier for landowners to conserve natural areas while keeping people working

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s government is launching two new and improved private land conservation programs to better meet the needs of landowners, conserve more land, and prioritize the needs of Albertans. With $10 million in funding now available, the enhanced Private Land Conservation Program and the new Ecosystem Services Grant Program will better protect natural areas across the province while still enabling landowners to use their land for farming, ranching and other work. Private landowners across Alberta strongly support conservation, with more than 142,000 acres conserved since 2019. However, decisions made today may not make sense 50 years from now,…

16 Jul

Calgary police officer charged with two counts of second-degree murder

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingCalgary

Calgary (National Times): On May 29, 2023, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) was directed to investigate a police shooting in Calgary. Earlier that day, a Calgary Police Service officer shot at occupants of a van on Memorial Drive following a slow speed pursuit. Two of the occupants were struck and later pronounced deceased. The evidence gathered during ASIRT’s investigation provided reasonable grounds to believe that offences had been committed. As is required by the Police Act, the investigation was forwarded to the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service (ACPS) to determine whether the evidence met the standard for prosecution. Following…