Canada

Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2024 Murder of Brother of Lapu-Lapu Day Attack Accused

Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2024 Murder of Brother of Lapu-Lapu Day Attack Accused

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced a Vancouver man to life imprisonment, with no possibility of parole for 11 years, for the 2024 killing of Alexander Lo, the brother of Kai-Ji Adam Lo, who is accused in the Lapu-Lapu Day car-ramming attack that claimed 11 lives. Forty-one-year-old Dwight Kematch pleaded guilty in July to second-degree murder. During sentencing proceedings on Friday, Kematch acknowledged the “ripple effect” his actions had on Alexander Lo’s family, including his brother, who is currently in a forensic hospital facing separate criminal proceedings. Crown prosecutor Mark Myhre told the court that…
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Canada Sets March 31 Deadline for Gun Buyback Declarations as National Program Enters Next Phase

Canada Sets March 31 Deadline for Gun Buyback Declarations as National Program Enters Next Phase

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): The Canadian federal government has announced the next phase of its national gun buyback program, giving firearm owners roughly two months to declare their intent to participate in order to receive compensation for turning in prohibited weapons. Under the program, which was first announced in 2020, the government has banned approximately 2,500 makes and models of what it classifies as “assault-style” firearms, arguing these weapons are designed for combat rather than hunting or sport shooting. Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said participation in the compensation scheme is optional, but compliance…
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Dense Fog Prompts Safety Advisory Across Parts of Metro Vancouver

Dense Fog Prompts Safety Advisory Across Parts of Metro Vancouver

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): Motorists in southwestern Metro Vancouver have been urged to exercise caution as thick fog continues to blanket parts of the region, significantly reducing visibility on roads and bridges. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a fog advisory on Saturday afternoon, warning that conditions could deteriorate to near-zero visibility in areas including Richmond, Delta and Tsawwassen. The advisory is expected to remain in effect through Sunday afternoon. According to the weather agency, visibility may drop suddenly in some locations, creating hazardous driving conditions. Drivers have been advised to switch on their headlights, reduce speed and leave extra space…
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Police Seek Suspect After Vehicle Shooting in Southeast Calgary

Police Seek Suspect After Vehicle Shooting in Southeast Calgary

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Calgary police are investigating a shooting involving two vehicles in southeast Calgary on the evening of Friday, January 16, 2026. The incident occurred between 7:45 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. in the 2500 block of 2nd Avenue S.E., near the Manchester Industrial area. According to the Calgary Police Service, a dispute between the occupants of two vehicles escalated, during which one driver allegedly discharged a firearm at the other vehicle. No injuries were reported, and no victims required medical attention. The suspect vehicle fled the scene and remains outstanding. Investigators are actively reviewing CCTV footage and dash-cam videos…
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Crowds Gather in Edmonton as Alberta Independence Petition Draws Strong Turnout

Crowds Gather in Edmonton as Alberta Independence Petition Draws Strong Turnout

Alberta (Rajeev Sharma): A petition drive calling for a public vote on Alberta’s future within Canada drew large crowds in Edmonton on Saturday, with long queues forming at Rundle Park as residents waited to add their names. The event was organised by Stay Free Alberta, the group leading the campaign to seek a referendum on whether the province should pursue separation from Canada. The organisation has been holding signature collection and awareness campaigns across Alberta since receiving approval from Elections Alberta earlier this month. By early afternoon, organisers estimated that hundreds of people had already signed the petition at the…
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More Than 2.1 Million Temporary Residents Face Permit Uncertainty Across Canada

More Than 2.1 Million Temporary Residents Face Permit Uncertainty Across Canada

Toronto ( Rajeev Sharma): More than 2.1 million temporary residents across Canada are currently dealing with expired or soon-to-expire work and study permits, creating widespread uncertainty for individuals, employers, and communities nationwide. Experts warn against the assumption that most temporary residents will simply leave the country, noting that many have already established deep roots in Canadian cities such as Toronto through long-term employment, higher education, tax contributions, and ongoing applications for permanent residency. CBC recently highlighted the case of Abhishek Parmar, who arrived in Canada as an international student, later secured employment in the auto industry, and applied for permanent…
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Canadian Sikh Youth Federation Urges Ontario Government to Avoid Political Use of Gurdwaras Amid OINP Protest

Canadian Sikh Youth Federation Urges Ontario Government to Avoid Political Use of Gurdwaras Amid OINP Protest

Toronto (Gaganjot): The Canadian Sikh Youth Federation (CSYF) has formally urged the Ontario government to refrain from using Sikh religious stages for political engagement until the ongoing Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) protest is resolved in a fair and transparent manner. In a letter addressed to Premier Doug Ford, Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development Minister David Piccini, Transportation Minister Prabhmeet Sarkaria, and MPP Hardeep Grewal and MPP Amarjot Sandhu, the organization expressed deep concern over what it described as prolonged inaction and unfulfilled assurances regarding the OINP issue. The federation emphasized that Sikh Gurdwaras are sacred and apolitical institutions,…
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Haryana and British Columbia Explore Strategic Cooperation in Clean Energy, Trade and Technology

Haryana and British Columbia Explore Strategic Cooperation in Clean Energy, Trade and Technology

Chandigarh (Rajeev Sharma/Balwinder Singh): Underscoring Haryana’s growing global engagement and its commitment to forging meaningful international partnerships, Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini on Friday held a meeting with a high-level delegation from British Columbia, Canada, led by the Premier Mr. David Eby. The interaction focused on exploring opportunities for collaboration across key sectors and strengthening State–Province level cooperation between Haryana and British Columbia. During this Chief Principal Secretary to CM Sh. Rajesh Khullar, Commissioner and Secretary, Foreign Cooperation Department Smt. Amneet P. Kumar also remained present. Welcoming the delegation, the Chief Minister said that the Government of Haryana attaches…
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Canada Seals Major Trade Understanding With China, Eyes Broader Export Reach

Canada Seals Major Trade Understanding With China, Eyes Broader Export Reach

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Canada has finalised a fresh trade understanding with China that is expected to unlock export opportunities worth over USD 7 billion, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Saturday, signalling a recalibration of Ottawa’s global trade strategy. The Prime Minister said the agreement would help Canadian companies expand their footprint in overseas markets while supporting jobs at home. In a message shared on social media, Carney described the deal as a step toward strengthening Canada’s economic resilience at a time of global uncertainty. An official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said the government is moving quickly to…
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Poonam Patnaik Donates $1,000 to Support Ottawa Food Bank

Ottawa ( Rajeev Sharma ): Mrs. Poonam Patnaik, wife of Mr. Dinesh Patnaik, High Commissioner of India to Canada, has generously donated CAD 1,000 to support the Ottawa Food Bank, reaffirming her strong commitment to community service and social responsibility. The donation was raised through a Christmas Bazaar, an initiative that not only supported a vital local charity but also promoted Indian artisans and their craftsmanship, reflecting Mrs. Patnaik’s belief in empowering communities while celebrating culture and tradition. Mrs. Patnaik expressed her appreciation for the impactful work of the Centre de ressources communautaires Rideau-Rockcliffe / Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre (CRC),…
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