Canada

Metro Vancouver Governance Reform Moves Ahead as Committee Backs Board Size Cap

Metro Vancouver Governance Reform Moves Ahead as Committee Backs Board Size Cap

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): A proposal to reduce the size of Metro Vancouver’s Board of Directors has cleared a key hurdle after the regional district’s Governance Committee endorsed a recommendation to limit the number of directors each municipality can appoint. The proposal, initiated by Delta Councillor Dylan Kruger, will now be placed before the full Metro Vancouver Board for consideration. If adopted, municipalities would be restricted to appointing a maximum of three directors, while the existing weighted voting system based on population would remain unchanged. The recommendation is part of a broader governance reform effort launched last year, when Kruger introduced…
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Alberta Pledges $50 Million to Expand AI Leadership, Strengthen Public Services and Innovation

Alberta Pledges $50 Million to Expand AI Leadership, Strengthen Public Services and Innovation

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The Alberta government has announced a $50-million investment over the next five years in the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii), aiming to accelerate artificial intelligence adoption across government services, healthcare, education and industry while reinforcing the province’s position as a global AI hub. The funding will be used to advance AI-driven solutions in public services, support research and commercialization, help businesses integrate emerging technologies and prepare Albertans for careers in an increasingly AI-powered economy. Premier Danielle Smith said Alberta’s long-term investment in artificial intelligence research is now translating into practical benefits for residents and businesses. She noted…
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Alberta Fast-Tracks 41 School Projects to Create Over 39,000 Student Spaces

Alberta Fast-Tracks 41 School Projects to Create Over 39,000 Student Spaces

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The Alberta government has accelerated 41 public school infrastructure projects under its Schools Now initiative, a move aimed at expanding classroom capacity and reducing construction timelines as the province continues to witness record population growth. Officials said the latest round of approvals will deliver more than 39,000 new and upgraded student spaces across Alberta. Of the total projects, 19 have received construction funding, while 22 others have advanced into the design phase, allowing work to progress much earlier than originally planned. According to the provincial government, the accelerated process is expected to shave more than nine months…
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Nijjar Case Takes New Turn: Bishnoi Gang Angle Enters Spotlight

Nijjar Case Takes New Turn: Bishnoi Gang Angle Enters Spotlight

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The investigation into the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, has taken a new turn after U.S. authorities announced charges involving jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and Satinderjeet Singh, also known as Goldy Brar, in connection with alleged criminal activities linked to the case. The development has renewed debate around the circumstances of Nijjar’s assassination, which had triggered a major diplomatic dispute between Canada and India after allegations were raised in 2023 about a possible connection to Indian government agents claims India has strongly denied. The latest focus on the Bishnoi gang has shifted…
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Prime Minister Carney meets with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman

Prime Minister Carney meets with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman

National Times (Bureau): Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, met with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, during his first official visit to Saudi Arabia. This was the first visit by a Canadian Prime Minister to Saudi Arabia in 26 years. The Prime Minister thanked His Royal Highness for his hospitality, and the leaders recognised the growing cooperation between Canada and Saudi Arabia, including the recent Air Transport Agreement to increase air travel, and visits from Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of International Trade, Minister of Artificial Intelligence, and Parliamentary…
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Meta Announces $13-Billion Alberta Data Centre, Marking Largest Tech Investment in Canadian History

Meta Announces $13-Billion Alberta Data Centre, Marking Largest Tech Investment in Canadian History

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta has secured one of the biggest private-sector investments in Canada's history after technology giant Meta announced plans to establish its first Canadian data centre in the province. Valued at more than $13 billion, the project is expected to create thousands of jobs, strengthen Alberta's position in the artificial intelligence sector, and generate substantial long-term revenue for the provincial government. The proposed facility will be built in Sturgeon County and is projected to create over 3,000 construction jobs during development, along with around 300 permanent operational positions once the campus becomes functional. Provincial estimates suggest the project…
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ISRAELI AMBASSADOR HIGHLIGHTS CANADA–ISRAEL–INDIA COOPERATION DURING CALGARY VISIT, MEETS INDIAN DIASPORA LEADERS

ISRAELI AMBASSADOR HIGHLIGHTS CANADA–ISRAEL–INDIA COOPERATION DURING CALGARY VISIT, MEETS INDIAN DIASPORA LEADERS

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Israel’s Ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, met with members of Calgary’s Indian diaspora and representatives of the JAI HO Canada Council during his visit to the city, discussing opportunities to strengthen Canada–Israel relations, expand trade and investment partnerships, and enhance cooperation in areas including technology, innovation, agriculture, healthcare, cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship. The meeting brought together community leaders and representatives from Calgary’s multicultural community for an engaging discussion on international relations, economic collaboration, and the important role of diaspora communities in building stronger connections between nations. A key part of the conversation focused on the evolving situation in…
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ASIRT probes two fatal police shootings in Alberta; separate investigations underway

ASIRT probes two fatal police shootings in Alberta; separate investigations underway

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta's independent police oversight agency is examining two unrelated fatal police shootings involving law enforcement officers in Edmonton and near Cold Lake, with both incidents currently under active investigation. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT), acting on directions from the Police Review Commission, has launched Level 1 investigations into the incidents that occurred on June 25 and June 26. Such investigations are mandatory in cases involving deaths, serious injuries, or allegations of significant misconduct by police officers. The first incident unfolded in south Edmonton after police responded to reports of multiple vehicle collisions involving a black…
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Lethbridge Home Ordered Closed After Year-Long Probe Into Alleged Drug Activity

Lethbridge Home Ordered Closed After Year-Long Probe Into Alleged Drug Activity

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): A residential property in north Lethbridge has been shut down by Alberta Sheriffs after authorities linked it to ongoing suspected drug-related activity, following a lengthy investigation triggered by complaints from local residents. The action was taken under the province’s Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) program, which secured a court order requiring the home at 1226 13 Avenue North to remain closed for 90 days beginning July 7. The closure is scheduled to remain in effect until October 5, while additional conditions imposed by the court will continue through October 2028. The investigation began in March 2025 after…
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Foreign Crime Networks Face U.S. Crackdown as B.C. Communities Demand Stronger Action Against Extortion Gangs

Foreign Crime Networks Face U.S. Crackdown as B.C. Communities Demand Stronger Action Against Extortion Gangs

British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): A major law enforcement crackdown in the United States targeting alleged international organized crime networks has reignited concerns over the growing threat of extortion, intimidation and targeted violence affecting communities in British Columbia, especially in Surrey and the Lower Mainland. The latest action by U.S. authorities against individuals accused of involvement in transnational criminal activities has drawn strong reactions from B.C. opposition leaders, who say the move highlights the need for a more aggressive approach to organized crime investigations and prosecutions within the province. For years, South Asian communities and local business owners in parts of…
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