Canada

Decade of Drug Deaths: Canada Faces Deepening Crisis as Punjab Battles Smaller but Persistent Challenge

Decade of Drug Deaths: Canada Faces Deepening Crisis as Punjab Battles Smaller but Persistent Challenge

Chandigarh/British Columbia (Gurpreet Singh/Rajeev Sharma): A decade-long comparison of overdose fatalities reveals a striking disparity between Canada and Punjab, with Canada confronting a far more extensive and deadly drug epidemic. Since 2016, when British Columbia declared a public health emergency over rising overdose deaths, the country has lost approximately 18,000 people to drug-related causes. The province continues to remain at the centre of the crisis, marking the 10-year milestone with remembrance events and renewed calls for stronger interventions. Community groups such as Moms Stop the Harm and Doctors for Safer Drug Policy have organised public gatherings, awareness drives, and discussions…
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Woman Dies After Arrest in Edmonton, Independent Probe Ordered

Woman Dies After Arrest in Edmonton, Independent Probe Ordered

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): An investigation has been launched into the death of a woman following her arrest by the Edmonton Police Service in Edmonton. The incident occurred on March 26, when police responded to reports of a disturbance at a restaurant in the Mill Woods area around 6:30 p.m. Witnesses told officers that the woman was behaving erratically, shouting and alarming customers. Upon spotting police, she reportedly ran to another nearby eatery and locked herself inside a washroom. Officers located and detained her before calling paramedics to assess her condition. However, officials said she did not cooperate with medical personnel…
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Alberta Moves to Fast-Track Mega Projects with Proposed 120-Day Approval Law

Alberta Moves to Fast-Track Mega Projects with Proposed 120-Day Approval Law

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The government of Alberta has introduced new legislation aimed at significantly reducing delays in approving large-scale industrial projects, in a bid to strengthen its position in the global investment landscape. The proposed Bill 30, titled the Expedited 120-Day Approvals Act, seeks to establish a fixed timeline of 120 days for regulatory decisions on projects deemed critical to the province’s economic growth. The move is intended to streamline procedures, cut bureaucratic hurdles, and attract fresh investments, particularly in the energy sector. Under the proposed framework, only projects meeting strict eligibility criteria will qualify for fast-track status. These include…
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Canadian Deportation Case Derails After Gang-Linked Convict Fails to Appear in Hearing

Canadian Deportation Case Derails After Gang-Linked Convict Fails to Appear in Hearing

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): A deportation hearing in Canada involving an accused linked to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s network was unexpectedly called off after officials were unable to confirm his presence during virtual proceedings, exposing gaps in coordination between agencies. The accused, Abjeet Kingra, had been scheduled to appear before the Immigration and Refugee Board in connection with his removal from the country. However, the session was cut short within minutes when authorities admitted they could not determine his exact location despite him being in custody. Breakdown in Coordination Officials later revealed that Kingra had been shifted between correctional facilities, but the…
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Hindu New Year 2083 & Hanuman Jayanti Celebrated with Devotion and Joy

Hindu New Year 2083 & Hanuman Jayanti Celebrated with Devotion and Joy

Calgary (Himani Sharma): A vibrant and spiritually uplifting event was organised by the Devi Hindu Women Association to celebrate Hindu New Year 2083 and Hanuman Jayanti.The event was beautifully organized by Shailley Saraswat, Nishtha Saraswat, Shilpi, along with their dedicated team, who ensured a memorable experience for all attendees. The celebration featured soulful devotional activities including bhajans, the recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa, and Hanuman Stuti, filling the atmosphere with devotion and positivity. Children also participated enthusiastically, presenting wonderful performances that added charm and joy to the occasion. In addition to the spiritual programs, the event hosted a variety of…
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Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade Draws Massive Crowds Under Heightened Security Measures

Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade Draws Massive Crowds Under Heightened Security Measures

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): One of Canada’s largest cultural gatherings, the annual Vaisakhi parade in Vancouver, returned on Saturday with a strong turnout, but under noticeably stricter security arrangements and a modified route aimed at ensuring public safety. Organised by the Vancouver Khalsa Diwan Society, the event attracted hundreds of thousands of attendees celebrating Vaisakhi — a festival marking the harvest season and the formation of the Khalsa in 1699, a pivotal moment in Sikh history. This year’s procession saw visible changes, including the deployment of heavy vehicles to block intersections, installation of protective barriers, extensive road closures, and a significant…
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Legal Turmoil Sparks Calls to Overhaul British Columbia’s Indigenous Reconciliation Framework

Legal Turmoil Sparks Calls to Overhaul British Columbia’s Indigenous Reconciliation Framework

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): Mounting legal and political challenges have prompted fresh calls for a major rethink of British Columbia’s reconciliation strategy, with critics arguing that the province’s landmark Indigenous rights legislation now risks creating more uncertainty than progress. At the centre of the debate is the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), introduced in 2019 to align provincial laws with the principles of the United Nations declaration on Indigenous rights. The law was initially hailed as a transformative step toward improving relations with First Nations communities and ensuring their voices are considered in decision-making. However, recent developments…
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Canada Prepares for New Security Era as Military Chief Warns of Major Conflict Risks

Canada Prepares for New Security Era as Military Chief Warns of Major Conflict Risks

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Canada’s top military commander, Jennie Carignan, has cautioned that the country must brace for the possibility of large-scale conventional conflicts, signalling a significant shift in defence priorities amid a rapidly evolving global security landscape. Speaking about the changing nature of threats, General Carignan said the world has entered a more volatile phase, requiring Canada to rethink its military capabilities and preparedness. She stressed that the armed forces must adapt to face more traditional, high-intensity conflicts, a departure from the counterinsurgency operations that dominated recent decades. To address these challenges, Canada is planning a major expansion of its…
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Alberta Launches Digital Hub to Streamline Trucking Rules Across Canada

Alberta Launches Digital Hub to Streamline Trucking Rules Across Canada

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): The Government of Alberta has introduced a new digital platform aimed at simplifying interprovincial trucking regulations, a move expected to improve efficiency and safety in the transportation sector nationwide. The newly unveiled Canadian Trucking Regulations Hub is designed as a one-stop resource for drivers and logistics operators, offering easy access to rules and requirements across provinces and territories. By consolidating key regulatory information, the platform seeks to eliminate confusion and reduce time spent navigating multiple sources. Transport Minister Devin Dreeshen said the initiative reflects Alberta’s leadership in supporting the trucking industry through practical solutions. The tool allows…
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Alberta Pushes Agri-Food Exports with High-Level Trade Mission to China

Alberta Pushes Agri-Food Exports with High-Level Trade Mission to China

Edmonton/Beijing (Rajeev Sharma): In a bid to expand global market access for its agriculture sector, the Government of Alberta has launched a focused trade outreach to China, aiming to deepen economic ties and unlock new investment avenues. Leading the initiative, Agriculture and Irrigation Minister RJ Sigurdson is on an official visit to China, marking the first such engagement by an Alberta elected representative in several years. The mission is centred on strengthening existing partnerships while identifying fresh opportunities for exporters, particularly in the agri-food segment. The visit underscores Alberta’s intent to position itself as a dependable supplier of premium agricultural…
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