Canada

India and Canada to resume high-level trade talks as relations thaw

India and Canada to resume high-level trade talks as relations thaw

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): India and Canada are set to reconvene their Joint Commission on Trade in late May or early June, marking a significant step toward finalizing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by the end of 2024. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced on Thursday that India will send its "largest-ever business delegation" to Canada to accompany the commission. This strategic move follows a successful meeting between Goyal and his Canadian counterpart, Maninder Sidhu, on the sidelines of the WTO Ministerial Meeting in Yaounde, Cameroon, where both nations agreed to fast-track trade negotiations. The upcoming summit…
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Alberta Tightens Rules on Weed Control at Oil and Gas Sites to Protect Farmland

Alberta Tightens Rules on Weed Control at Oil and Gas Sites to Protect Farmland

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The Government of Alberta has introduced new regulatory measures to tackle the growing issue of weeds and agricultural pests on oil and gas sites, aiming to safeguard farmland and support rural landowners. Under updated provisions in the Oil and Gas Conservation Regulation, enforced through the Oil and Gas Conservation Act, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has been granted expanded powers to ensure companies take responsibility for maintaining their sites. The move comes as part of broader efforts to balance industrial activity with agricultural sustainability. Stronger Enforcement Powers The revised rules allow the AER to direct oil and…
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Alberta Moves Ahead with Budget 2026 Reforms to Strengthen Economy, Insurance and Social Support

Alberta Moves Ahead with Budget 2026 Reforms to Strengthen Economy, Insurance and Social Support

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The Government of Alberta has introduced a series of legislative measures under Budget 2026 aimed at improving public spending efficiency, strengthening key sectors and supporting vulnerable groups across the province. The proposed amendments, part of the Financial Statutes Amendment Act, 2026, are designed to direct resources where they are most needed, while also enhancing investment opportunities and modernising regulatory frameworks. Officials say the changes will play a crucial role in preparing Alberta for future economic and social demands. New Direction for Auto Insurance A central focus of the reforms is the transition to a “care-first” auto insurance…
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Sister Shares Emotional Clip of Slain YouTuber, Reveals Her Last Known Moments Before Tragic Killing

Sister Shares Emotional Clip of Slain YouTuber, Reveals Her Last Known Moments Before Tragic Killing

Jalandhar/Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma/Gurpreet Singh): A haunting video capturing the final moments of Punjabi-origin YouTuber Nancy Grewal has surfaced online, offering a glimpse into her routine just hours before her death in Canada. The clip, posted by her sister Alisha Grewal, has stirred grief and concern among followers and the wider community. The footage shows Nancy leaving her residence on the afternoon of March 4, calmly walking toward her car with a bag in hand. According to details shared by the family, the video was recorded shortly after 3 PM. She appears composed and focused, seemingly heading to work—unaware that it…
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TSX inched higher on Wednesday as Iran de-escalation hopes offset March losses

TSX inched higher on Wednesday as Iran de-escalation hopes offset March losses

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): Canada’s main stock index, the S&P/TSX Composite, opened higher on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, as investors reacted to signals from Washington suggesting a potential end to the conflict in Iran. The move followed a bruising month for global markets; while the TSX ended the first quarter up 3.3%, it slumped by 4.6% in March as the Middle East war intensified and disrupted global energy routes. The early gains were largely driven by a stabilizing risk sentiment. U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters that U.S. forces could potentially withdraw from the region within two to three weeks, hinting…
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Canadian Finance Minister travels to Beijing for high-stakes economic dialogue

Canadian Finance Minister travels to Beijing for high-stakes economic dialogue

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): In a significant diplomatic move aimed at stabilizing trade relations, Canada’s Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne is set to conduct an official visit to China from April 1 to April 4, 2026. The announcement, made by China’s Ministry of Finance, marks a pivotal moment for bilateral engagement between the two nations following a period of prolonged geopolitical strain. The four-day mission is expected to focus on critical economic issues, including market access, supply chain resilience, and potential collaboration on global financial stability. The visit comes at a time when global markets are navigating extreme volatility due to the…
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Alberta Tables Bill to Keep Classrooms ‘Neutral’, Focus on Core Learning and Safety

Alberta Tables Bill to Keep Classrooms ‘Neutral’, Focus on Core Learning and Safety

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The government of Alberta has introduced new legislation aimed at reinforcing neutrality in classrooms, enhancing school safety and tightening accountability across the education system. The proposed “Bill 25: An Act to Remove Politics and Ideology from Classrooms and Amend the Education Act, 2026” seeks to ensure that schools remain focused on academic fundamentals such as reading, mathematics and science, while maintaining a respectful learning environment for students. Education and Childcare Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said the initiative is designed to meet parental expectations for safe and balanced classrooms. He emphasized that schools should encourage diverse viewpoints without promoting…
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Prime Minister Mark Carney unveils $3.8 billion “A Force of Nature” strategy to hit 2030 conservation targets

Prime Minister Mark Carney unveils $3.8 billion “A Force of Nature” strategy to hit 2030 conservation targets

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Prime Minister Mark Carney has launched a sweeping new environmental initiative titled A Force of Nature: Canada’s Strategy to Protect Nature, backed by a $3.8 billion federal investment. The strategy aims to fulfill Canada's international commitment to protect 30% of its land and waters by 2030, a goal established during the 2022 United Nations Biodiversity Conference. Addressing the growing threats of climate change, habitat loss, and destructive wildfires, the Prime Minister framed the preservation of Canada’s natural heritage as both a moral obligation and a central pillar of the country's long-term economic stability. The ambitious plan outlines…
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Air Canada employee facing charges following alleged cannabis smuggling operation at Pearson

Air Canada employee facing charges following alleged cannabis smuggling operation at Pearson

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): An Air Canada employee has been arrested and charged after authorities uncovered a sophisticated scheme to smuggle cannabis through Toronto Pearson International Airport. The investigation, led by the Peel Regional Police in collaboration with federal border agents, focused on the illegal movement of large quantities of the controlled substance within the airport's secure zones. Investigators allege that the staff member utilized their internal access and knowledge of airline logistics to bypass standard security protocols, facilitating the transport of illicit goods. The bust occurred after a series of intercepted shipments raised red flags with the Canada Border Services…
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New COVID-19 variant BA.3.2 detected in Ontario following global spread

New COVID-19 variant BA.3.2 detected in Ontario following global spread

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): A new subvariant of COVID-19, identified as BA.3.2, has officially been recorded in Ontario after surfacing in nearly two dozen countries and half of the United States. Public Health Ontario’s latest epidemiological data confirmed 21 cases of the variant between mid-January and mid-February 2026. First discovered in South Africa in late 2024 and later identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control through traveller surveillance, the strain has since been tracked through wastewater samples across 25 American states. Despite its rapid geographical expansion, health officials in Canada are monitoring the situation without immediate alarm. Infectious disease specialist…
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