Canada

Greater Victoria Expands Weather Shelters as Temperatures Drop Below Freezing

Greater Victoria Expands Weather Shelters as Temperatures Drop Below Freezing

British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): With temperatures in Greater Victoria dipping below zero, local authorities are opening additional Extreme Weather Response (EWR) shelters tonight, while firefighters will conduct wellness checks and distribute warming kits to those in need. The Victoria Native Friendship Centre (VNFC) in Saanich will offer up to 50 beds, including 25 temporary winter shelter spots and 25 permanent spaces. Meanwhile, Broadview United Church, recently approved as an EWR shelter, will open for the second consecutive night, providing room for up to 20 people and allowing pets. Sleeping mats, blankets, clothing, toiletries, meals, and warm beverages will be available…
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ISKCON Calgary to Host New Year’s Eve Kirtan Fest and Auspicious New Year Celebration

ISKCON Calgary to Host New Year’s Eve Kirtan Fest and Auspicious New Year Celebration

Calgary ( Rajeev Sharma ) : ISKCON Calgary and Shri Radha Madhav society has announced a vibrant two day spiritual celebration to welcome the New Year with devotion, music, and joy at the ISKCON Calgary Temple. The festivities begin with the New Year’s Eve Kirtan Fest on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 12:00 midnight. Devotees and visitors can look forward to an evening filled with ecstatic live kirtan, dancing till midnight, and performances by talented local kirtaniyas, including a special kirtan by HG Sanatana Dharma Das. The program will also feature volunteer appreciation, a drama by CVA…
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Freezing Rain Warning Issued for Ottawa-Gatineau Area Sunday Night

Freezing Rain Warning Issued for Ottawa-Gatineau Area Sunday Night

Ontario (Rajeev Sharma): Residents of Ottawa and Gatineau have been warned of potentially hazardous weather as Environment Canada predicts a significant bout of freezing rain starting Sunday evening. The agency has issued an orange-level warning for the region, covering most of eastern Ontario and western Quebec. According to Environment Canada, the freezing rain is expected to begin Sunday night and persist into Monday morning, with ice accumulation estimated between 15 and 20 millimetres. Authorities cautioned that travel could become treacherous and power outages may be prolonged, urging people to postpone non-essential trips. The warning also includes surrounding communities such as…
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Mission Memorial Hospital to Close Emergency Department Overnight as Staffing Pressures Continue

Mission Memorial Hospital to Close Emergency Department Overnight as Staffing Pressures Continue

Vancouver ( Rajeev Sharma): Mission Memorial Hospital in Metro Vancouver will temporarily close its emergency department overnight for more than a week as Fraser Health works to manage staffing shortages and broader system pressures across the region. The emergency department will operate only between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. from December 29 through January 6, with full 24-hour service expected to resume on January 7.Fraser Health says the decision was made to ensure patient safety and provide more stable, predictable care during a period when there are not enough emergency physicians available to staff overnight shifts. Health officials have acknowledged…
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Indian Consulate in Toronto Launches One Stop Centre to Support Distressed Women Nationals

Indian Consulate in Toronto Launches One Stop Centre to Support Distressed Women Nationals

Toronto, Dec 27, 2025 — The Consulate General of India in Toronto has set up a dedicated ‘One Stop Centre for Women’ to provide structured support to Indian women nationals facing distress in Canada. The Centre has been launched to assist Indian passport holders dealing with situations such as domestic violence, abuse, family disputes, abandonment, exploitation and legal difficulties. Alongside the facility, the Consulate has also activated a 24x7 helpline to ensure immediate access to help. According to the Indian mission, the One Stop Centre for Women will function as a coordinated, beneficiary-focused support system. It will connect affected women…
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Warrant Issued for Burnaby Teen Following Targeted Shooting

Warrant Issued for Burnaby Teen Following Targeted Shooting

Burnaby, B.C. (Rajeev Sharma)—Authorities are on the lookout for an 18-year-old suspect linked to a shooting incident last week that left a local man hospitalized. Burnaby RCMP responded to a call near Phillips Avenue and Woodbrook Place on the evening of December 19, where they found the victim injured. The man was promptly transported to a hospital and treated for his injuries. Police have described the shooting as targeted. Charges have now been formally approved against Ronin Tajali, a Burnaby resident. On Christmas Day, authorities authorized charges including discharging a firearm with intent, aggravated assault, and possession of a loaded…
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Alberta Probes Grey Nuns Hospital Death Amid Staffing and Health Funding Concerns

Alberta Probes Grey Nuns Hospital Death Amid Staffing and Health Funding Concerns

Edmonton ( Rajeev Sharma): Alberta has launched a joint investigation into the death of Prashant Sreekumar, a 44-year-old father of three, who died on December 22, 2025, after reportedly waiting more than eight hours in Grey Nuns Hospital’s emergency department with severe chest pain. Matt Jones, Minister of Health For Hospitals & Surgical Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services, Matt Jones, said the review, conducted with Acute Care Alberta and Covenant Health, will examine both the immediate circumstances and broader system pressures. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is also investigating. Sara Hoffman, NDP, Shadow Minister of Health…
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Ontario Colleges Face Uncertain Future as Federal International Student Cap Triggers Cuts and Layoffs

Ontario Colleges Face Uncertain Future as Federal International Student Cap Triggers Cuts and Layoffs

Ontario (Rajeev Sharma): Ontario’s college sector is grappling with significant upheaval as federal restrictions on international students force program suspensions, service reductions, and staff layoffs, leaving both students and faculty uncertain about the coming academic year. The federal government recently announced it will issue up to 408,000 study permits in 2026, down from 437,000 in 2025 and 485,000 in 2024, continuing a policy aimed at limiting Canada’s temporary population. Colleges across Ontario, which heavily rely on international student tuition to fund programs and services, are feeling the impact. Several institutions have already suspended dozens of courses, including popular hospitality programs…
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Canada Records Coldest Temperatures in 50 Years as Mercury Plunges to –50°C

Canada Records Coldest Temperatures in 50 Years as Mercury Plunges to –50°C

Calgary  (Rajeev Sharma): Canada is currently experiencing one of its most severe cold snaps in half a century, with temperatures dipping to as low as –50°C in several regions. This extreme cold is affecting communities nationwide, making it the harshest winter in decades. From coast to coast, all provinces are shrouded in frigid Arctic air: • Western Canada: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba report subzero temperatures, with Prairies facing dangerous wind chills and icy conditions. • Central Canada: Ontario and Quebec are seeing prolonged bitter cold, impacting transportation and increasing energy demands. • Atlantic Canada: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia,…
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Weekly Food Drive Serving 200+ People in Airdrie Shut Down, Organizers Speak Out

Weekly Food Drive Serving 200+ People in Airdrie Shut Down, Organizers Speak Out

Airdire (Rajeev Sharma): Maulik Shah announced with regret that a long-running weekly food drive in Airdrie has been shut down, citing actions by what he described as politically motivated individuals. For a long time, the initiative had been operating through consistent volunteer efforts, distributing groceries each Saturday to more than 200 plus  people in need. The program was supported by over 50 dedicated volunteers and had become a vital source of assistance for vulnerable members of the community. Speaking to National Times, Shah said his team would not stop doing social work due to any political pressure. He emphasized that…
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