Canada

Premier Doug Ford Proposes Live-Streaming Bail Hearings to Fix “Broken” Justice System

Premier Doug Ford Proposes Live-Streaming Bail Hearings to Fix “Broken” Justice System

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma)— Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced on Monday, March 16, 2026, that his government is exploring the possibility of live-streaming bail hearings as part of a broader push to reform a justice system he describes as "broken." Speaking at a news conference, Ford argued that making these hearings accessible to the public rather than just those who can attend in person would foster transparency and restore public confidence in the province's legal processes. Currently, the evidence presented during bail hearings is typically subject to strict publication bans to protect the integrity of future trials. While Ford did not…
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19-Year-Old Vaughan Native Killed in Northern Ontario Snowmobile Collision

19-Year-Old Vaughan Native Killed in Northern Ontario Snowmobile Collision

Cochrane, Ontario (Rajeev Sharma)— A 19-year-old man from Vaughan lost his life on Saturday morning, March 14, 2026, after his snowmobile collided with a commercial motor vehicle in Cochrane. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) James Bay detachment, along with emergency medical services, responded to the incident at the intersection of OFSC Trail A and 2nd Street at approximately 9:00 AM. The young driver was rushed to a local hospital but was tragically pronounced deceased shortly after arrival. To facilitate a thorough investigation, the OPP closed OFSC Trail A and a portion of 2nd Street (Highway 579) for most of the…
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Moga Native Shot Dead in North Battleford, Canada; Police Launch Homicide Probe

Moga Native Shot Dead in North Battleford, Canada; Police Launch Homicide Probe

Moga/ North Battleford (Gurpreet Singh/Rajeev Sharma) — A 30-year-old Punjabi man, Devinder Singh, was shot dead in a parking lot in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, on Friday morning, March 13, 2026. The victim, a native of Daulatpura Neewan village in Moga district, was working as a cab driver when he was caught in the crossfire of a violent altercation. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have officially classified the death as a homicide. Investigators were called to a parking lot near a highway at approximately 7:45 AM, where emergency medical services declared Devinder dead at the scene. Details of the Tragic…
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Canada and Nordic Nations Forge “Middle-Power” Alliance for Arctic Defense and Procurement

Canada and Nordic Nations Forge “Middle-Power” Alliance for Arctic Defense and Procurement

Oslo, Norway (Rajeev Sharma)— In a strategic pivot aimed at securing the increasingly volatile High North, Canada and its Nordic allies have launched a new "Middle-Power Defense Initiative" to coordinate military procurement and Arctic security. The meeting, involving leaders from Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland, focuses on building a unified front to protect shared interests in the Arctic Circle as global tensions and melting ice reshape the region's geopolitics. The dialogue comes as Prime Minister Mark Carney seeks to transition Canada from what he described as "piecemeal" defense spending to a robust, integrated northern strategy. By aligning with…
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Fear Grips Punjabi Construction Community in Vancouver Amid Rising Extortion Threats

Fear Grips Punjabi Construction Community in Vancouver Amid Rising Extortion Threats

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): Growing extortion threats targeting South Asian entrepreneurs have now reached Vancouver, where several Punjabi builders say they are being forced to alter business practices out of concern for their safety. The problem, which previously emerged in Surrey and Brampton, has begun affecting Vancouver’s construction sector. Developers from the Punjabi community report receiving threatening phone calls demanding money, prompting many to remove signboards from project sites and reduce their public visibility. Reports by OMNI News suggest that some builders have even asked municipal authorities to remove their contact information and development details from publicly accessible city records, fearing…
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Canada to Contribute 23.6 Million Barrels to Record IEA Oil Release

Canada to Contribute 23.6 Million Barrels to Record IEA Oil Release

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma) — Canada has officially committed to supplying 23.6 million barrels of oil as part of a historic, coordinated effort by the International Energy Agency (IEA) to stabilize global energy markets. Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson announced the move, following the IEA’s decision to release a total of 400 million barrels from strategic stockpiles worldwide. This represents the largest emergency oil release in the agency's history, more than doubling the previous record set during the 2022 Ukraine crisis. The IEA’s emergency measure is a direct response to the "unprecedented" volatility caused by the ongoing U.S.-Iran war,…
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Canada’s Middle East Evacuation Efforts: 8,500 Return Home Amid U.S.-Iran War

Canada’s Middle East Evacuation Efforts: 8,500 Return Home Amid U.S.-Iran War

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Following the outbreak of hostilities between the U.S. and Iran on February 28, 2026, the Canadian government has orchestrated a massive logistical effort to assist citizens and permanent residents in leaving the conflict zone. As of Friday, March 13, 2026, nearly 8,500 Canadians have successfully returned to Canada, while over 1,000 others have been relocated to safe third countries. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has designated the "secure egress" of Canadians as her department's top priority, though Global Affairs Canada (GAC) maintains there is no legal obligation to evacuate citizens—rather, it is a high-stakes service provided during…
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Carney Government Unveils $35B Arctic Defense and Infrastructure Blitz

Carney Government Unveils $35B Arctic Defense and Infrastructure Blitz

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma) — In a move to transition from "piecemeal" investments to a robust, connected northern network, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a comprehensive $35-billion plan to overhaul Canada’s military and civilian footprint in the Far North. Speaking from the Canadian military’s joint northern headquarters, Carney emphasized that the initiative is designed to "secure every corner" of the Arctic while unlocking its vast economic potential. The plan leverages approximately $32 billion originally set aside for NORAD modernization, with total spending likely to be revised upward as threats and construction costs evolve. Military Expansion: A New Arctic Shield The centerpiece…
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Canada Sheds 84,000 Jobs in February; Unemployment Rises to 6.7%

Canada Sheds 84,000 Jobs in February; Unemployment Rises to 6.7%

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma) — Canada’s labour market suffered a major setback in February 2026 as the economy unexpectedly lost 84,000 jobs, driving the national unemployment rate up to 6.7%. According to the latest Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada, the decline was far more severe than economists had predicted, marking one of the worst monthly job losses since the COVID-19 pandemic. The report comes at a sensitive time for the Canadian economy, which is currently grappling with trade uncertainty, new U.S. tariff investigations, and the ripple effects of the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Key Figures: A "Brutal" Month for…
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Premier Danielle Smith Applauds National Times’ International Women’s Month Initiative

Premier Danielle Smith Applauds National Times’ International Women’s Month Initiative

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): In a special message marking International Women’s Day, Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta, extended her warm greetings and appreciation as National Times Media Group celebrates and highlights inspiring women throughout the month of March. On behalf of the Government of Alberta, Premier Danielle Smith acknowledged the remarkable contributions women continue to make in communities across the province, throughout Canada, and around the world. She emphasized that women play a vital role in shaping society by building successful businesses, strengthening families and communities, leading organizations, and contributing to fields such as education, healthcare, and social development. She noted…
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