Canada

Alberta Opens Vote-by-Mail Registration for October 2026 Referendum

Alberta Opens Vote-by-Mail Registration for October 2026 Referendum

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Albertans eligible to vote in the October 19, 2026 Referendum can now apply for Vote by Mail, with Elections Alberta officially opening online applications for Special Ballots. The initiative is intended to provide voters with greater flexibility ahead of polling day, particularly those who may be unable to cast their vote in person. According to Elections Alberta, every eligible elector can request a Special Ballot without having to provide any specific reason. Officials say the option allows voters to complete their ballot at a convenient time and location, giving them adequate opportunity to review the referendum questions…
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Indian Society Airdrie to Celebrate India’s 79th Independence Day with Community Spirit and Volunteer Recognition

Indian Society Airdrie to Celebrate India’s 79th Independence Day with Community Spirit and Volunteer Recognition

Airdrie / Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The Indian Society Airdrie is set to celebrate India’s 79th Independence Day on Friday, August 15, with a vibrant community gathering at Nose Creek Park (Temporary Flagpole), Airdrie, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The free public event is expected to attract a large number of families and community members, continuing a tradition that has grown stronger every year. Sharing details with National Times Media, Maulik Shah said this year’s celebration will feature the ceremonial Indian flag hoisting, cultural performances, free refreshments, and complimentary Indian flags and tricolor tattoos for children. A special highlight of…
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Portage College Graduates in Alberta Face PGWP Crisis, Students Seek Ottawa Intervention

Portage College Graduates in Alberta Face PGWP Crisis, Students Seek Ottawa Intervention

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Hundreds of international graduates from Alberta’s Portage College are facing uncertainty after receiving refusals for their Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) applications. The affected students say they invested thousands of dollars, completed their studies, and planned their future in Canada based on the understanding that their programs would support their eligibility for post-graduation work opportunities. The issue involves graduates of certain continuing education programs offered through Portage College’s Calgary partner campuses. Students say they enrolled in 2024 after receiving information that their programs would provide a pathway toward PGWP eligibility. However, after graduation, many received refusal letters from…
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Massive Search Continues for Missing 11-Year-Old Parker Wells; Calgary Police Lead Coordinated Effort to Bring Him Home

Massive Search Continues for Missing 11-Year-Old Parker Wells; Calgary Police Lead Coordinated Effort to Bring Him Home

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma ): The Calgary Police Service (CPS), supported by the RCMP, specialized search teams, partner agencies and hundreds of volunteers, continues an extensive search operation to locate 11-year-old Parker Wells, who was reported missing after wandering away from a day home in the northwest Calgary community of Cambrian Heights on Thursday, July 16, 2026. As search efforts continue around the clock, Acting Staff Sgt. Scott Guterson provided a video update to the media, highlighting the ongoing search operation and thanking Calgarians for their overwhelming support and cooperation. He emphasized that officers and partner agencies remain fully committed to…
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Alberta Dentist Credited with Saving Patient’s Life After Recognizing Heart Attack Symptoms During Routine Dental Visit

Alberta Dentist Credited with Saving Patient’s Life After Recognizing Heart Attack Symptoms During Routine Dental Visit

Banff/Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): What began as a routine dental appointment for a painful tooth turned into a life-saving medical intervention after an Alberta dentist recognized that his patient’s symptoms pointed to a heart attack rather than a dental problem. In the summer of 2021, Banff resident Melvin Mott visited Dr. Anand Choubal at Rocky Mountain Dental in Banff, believing he simply needed treatment for a painful molar. During the examination, however, Dr. Choubal identified symptoms that raised concerns about a possible cardiac emergency. While reviewing Mott’s medical history, Dr. Choubal learned that he had recently suffered a stroke. As the…
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Nenshi’s Calgary Comeback: Alberta NDP Leader to Contest Calgary Seat in 2027 Election

Nenshi’s Calgary Comeback: Alberta NDP Leader to Contest Calgary Seat in 2027 Election

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi has announced that he will seek election from a Calgary riding in the next provincial general election, choosing not to run again in his current constituency of Edmonton-Strathcona. Nenshi, who served as Calgary’s mayor for 11 years from 2010 to 2021, made the announcement through a message to constituents, saying he remains grateful to the people of Edmonton-Strathcona, where he won a 2025 byelection with a strong majority. The NDP leader said Calgary holds a special place in his political journey and argued that the party needs to strengthen its presence in…
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Alberta Launches Regional Primary Care Bodies to Improve Healthcare Access Across Communities

Alberta Launches Regional Primary Care Bodies to Improve Healthcare Access Across Communities

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The Alberta government has announced a major overhaul of its primary healthcare system with the creation of seven regional primary care corridor health corporations aimed at improving access to family doctors and community-based medical services, particularly in rural areas. The newly established organizations will function under Primary Care Alberta and will be responsible for planning, coordinating and overseeing primary healthcare services within their respective regions. The initiative is designed to ensure healthcare planning is tailored to local community needs while reducing the administrative workload on frontline medical professionals. Provincial officials said the move follows recommendations from the…
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Canada Freezes Parent Sponsorship Route, Leaving Thousands of Punjabi Families in Limbo

Canada Freezes Parent Sponsorship Route, Leaving Thousands of Punjabi Families in Limbo

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Thousands of Punjabi families hoping to reunite with their parents in Canada have received a significant setback after the Canadian government suspended fresh applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), closing one of the most popular pathways for permanent family reunification. The restriction came into effect on July 15, 2026, with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announcing that it will no longer accept new "Interest to Sponsor" applications until further notice. Officials clarified that only applications submitted before the deadline will continue to be processed. The decision is expected to have a major impact on…
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Culture Chats BC Unites Community Through Free Health & Mental Wellness Events

Culture Chats BC Unites Community Through Free Health & Mental Wellness Events

Surrey (Richa Walia): Demonstrating its commitment to community well being, Culture Chats BC Association organized two successful back-to-back free public events promoting mental health, healthy living, and preventive wellness. The volunteer led initiatives brought together healthcare professionals, community organizations, and residents to encourage meaningful conversations, practical learning, and stronger community partnerships. The first event, a Mental Health Forum, was held on June 28, 2026, at Surrey City Hall. The forum addressed growing mental health concerns, particularly within the South Asian community where cultural stigma often discourages open discussion. Speakers explored important topics including children’s and youth mental health, women’s mental…
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Environment Ministers Push Faster Project Approvals While Reaffirming Commitment to Environmental Protection

Environment Ministers Push Faster Project Approvals While Reaffirming Commitment to Environmental Protection

Calgary, Alberta (Rajeev Sharma): Environment ministers from the federal, provincial and territorial governments gathered in Calgary for the annual Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) meeting, where discussions centred on balancing environmental protection with economic growth by streamlining regulatory processes and accelerating project approvals. The meeting focused on improving environmental permitting systems without compromising standards designed to safeguard air, water, land and public health. Ministers explored ways to reduce unnecessary regulatory overlap, make approval processes more predictable and encourage investment that supports employment and long-term economic development. Alberta's Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, Grant Hunter, who hosted…
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