Canada Archives - Page 8 of 135

15 Mar

Fear Grips Punjabi Construction Community in Vancouver Amid Rising Extortion Threats

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingVancouver

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…

14 Mar

Canada to Contribute 23.6 Million Barrels to Record IEA Oil Release

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada IEA Release, Global Oil Crisis, Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Tim Hodgson, U.S.-Iran War

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,…

14 Mar

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

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAnita Anand, Canada Evacuation, Global Affairs Canada, Middle East conflict, 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…

13 Mar

Carney Government Unveils $35B Arctic Defense and Infrastructure Blitz

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaArctic Defense, Canadian sovereignty, F-35, Mackenzie Valley Highway, Mark Carney, NORAD Modernization

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…

13 Mar

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

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaBank Of Canada, Canada Jobs Report, Economic News, StatCan, unemployment rate

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…

13 Mar

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

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta Premier, Calgary News, Danielle Smith, International Women’s Month, National Times media, Women’s Leadership

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…

12 Mar

Niagara Regional Chair Bob Gale Resigns Abruptly Following ‘Mein Kampf’ Controversy

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, OntarioAnti-Racism, Bob Gale, Mein Kampf, Niagara Region, Resignation

Niagara, Ontario (Rajeev Sharma) — In a sudden and dramatic exit from municipal politics, Niagara Regional Chair Bob Gale resigned his post late Wednesday, March 11, 2026, just hours after local anti-racism groups went public with evidence that he owned a signed copy of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf. The resignation was tendered to Ontario Municipal Affairs Minister Rob Flack, who accepted it effective immediately. The controversy was ignited by a joint statement from the Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association (NRARA) and Justice 4 Black Lives Niagara. The groups produced a 2010 invoice showing Gale purchased the book—inscribed by Hitler to "close…

12 Mar

Canada’s Trade Deficit Triples in January as Auto Exports Stall

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, CanadaAuto Exports, Canada trade, energy trade, StatCan, Trade Deficit

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma) — Canada’s merchandise trade deficit widened significantly to C$3.65 billion in January 2026, far exceeding the C$900 million gap analysts had forecasted. According to data released by Statistics Canada on Thursday, March 12, the deficit nearly tripled from December’s revised C$1.3 billion, marking the largest percentage decline in exports in nearly a year. The primary driver behind the widening gap was a sharp 21.2% plunge in the export of motor vehicles and parts, which hit its lowest level since September 2021. Officials attributed the decline to "prolonged seasonal production stoppages" as Canadian plants underwent extensive retooling for…

12 Mar

Wrong Turn at Peace Bridge Leads to Arrest of Three Canadians with Forged Passports

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaBorder Arrest, Passport Forgery, Peace Bridge, RCMP

Fort Erie, Ontario (Rajeev Sharma) — What started as a simple navigational error ended in a major criminal bust on Thursday, March 12, 2026, after three Quebec residents were intercepted at the Peace Bridge port of entry with a cache of forged documents and fraudulent financial tools. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reported that the suspects were caught after accidentally driving toward the U.S. border and being forced to turn back into Canada. Upon their return to the Canadian side, the suspects were referred for secondary screening by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers. The subsequent search of the…

11 Mar

Toronto Police Officer Charged with Sexual Assault Following Peel Special Victims Unit Investigation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, OntarioFarhan Ali, Markham, Peel Regional Police, Sexual Assault, Toronto Police

Brampton (Rajeev Sharma)— A 39-year-old Toronto police officer has been suspended from duty after being charged with multiple counts of sexual assault and physical assault following a targeted investigation by the Peel Regional Police. The Special Victims Unit (SVU) announced the charges on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, marking a significant legal development involving a member of the neighbouring jurisdiction's police force. The accused, identified as Farhan Ali of Markham, faces a total of ten criminal charges. According to the formal release from Peel police, Ali has been charged with three counts of sexual assault, three counts of assault, and four…