Canada

Who is Dinesh K Patnaik? India’s New High Commissioner to Canada, Know All About Him

Who is Dinesh K Patnaik? India’s New High Commissioner to Canada, Know All About Him

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma)– The Government of India has named senior diplomat Dinesh K Patnaik as the next High Commissioner to Canada, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday.Patnaik, a 1990-batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service, is presently India’s Ambassador to Spain. His appointment comes at a critical moment for India-Canada relations, which have remained strained since 2023.Bilateral ties took a downturn after former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian national labeled a Khalistani extremist by New Delhi. India firmly denied the charge, but the controversy led…
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PM Mark Carney Joins Global Leaders in Virtual Talks on Security for Ukraine

PM Mark Carney Joins Global Leaders in Virtual Talks on Security for Ukraine

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Prime Minister Mark Carney took part in a high-level virtual meeting on Tuesday with international partners to discuss long-term security guarantees for Ukraine, reaffirming Canada’s commitment to supporting Kyiv against Russian aggression. The session was convened under the Coalition of the Willing and co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joining to outline his country’s immediate security concerns. During the meeting, coalition members explored frameworks for ensuring Ukraine’s defense and stability, including sustained military aid and economic support. Leaders also welcomed signals from the United States…
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Alberta Launches “Month of the Artist” to Celebrate Local Talent and Creativity

Alberta Launches “Month of the Artist” to Celebrate Local Talent and Creativity

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta has officially kicked off Month of the Artist, an annual celebration each September that shines a spotlight on the province’s thriving artistic community. Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women Tanya Fir marked the occasion by praising the work of painters, poets, dancers, musicians, filmmakers, and storytellers who, she said, not only bring joy and inspiration but also strengthen Alberta’s cultural identity and economy. “The arts connect communities, tell our stories, and showcase the beauty of Alberta,” Fir noted, highlighting that the sector contributes more than $1.3 billion annually to the province’s GDP and supports…
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Canada Sends Parliamentary Secretary Kody Blois to China in Push on Canola Trade Barriers

Canada Sends Parliamentary Secretary Kody Blois to China in Push on Canola Trade Barriers

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, Kody Blois, will be part of a trade mission to China from September 6 to 9, 2025, joining a Saskatchewan-led delegation headed by Premier Scott Moe. The visit comes at a time when Canadian canola producers continue to face steep challenges due to Chinese tariffs. The delegation will hold talks aimed at easing trade restrictions, with Blois representing the federal government’s pledge to defend farm families, agricultural workers, and exporters. “Canada’s new government is committed to standing with producers and working together across provinces…
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Carney Rules Out Scrapping Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Programme Amid Opposition Pressure

Carney Rules Out Scrapping Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Programme Amid Opposition Pressure

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma) — Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed on Wednesday that Canada will not abolish the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) programme, even as opposition parties intensify criticism over its rising numbers and alleged misuse. Speaking ahead of a Cabinet planning meeting in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Carney said the government is reviewing the immigration system but emphasized that the TFW scheme “still has a role.”“We can’t just erase this programme but we can definitely improve it,” Carney said, noting that Canadian businesses rank access to temporary workers as their second-biggest concern after U.S. tariffs imposed by President Donald…
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B.C. Breaks Canadian September Heat Records Amid Worsening Smoke Conditions

B.C. Breaks Canadian September Heat Records Amid Worsening Smoke Conditions

Vancouver (Richa Walia)— British Columbia recorded its highest-ever September temperatures for the second day in a row, as scorching heat and smoky skies gripped the province. Cache Creek set a new national September record on Wednesday at 40.8 C, surpassing the 40 C mark matched by Lytton a day earlier a record previously held by Manitoba. The village, located about 85 kilometres west of Kamloops, was among 16 communities that reported new daily highs. Environment Canada has issued six heat warnings, including for the Fraser Canyon, the Thompson region, Boundary and 100 Mile. At the same time, more than 30…
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Alberta Public Service Workers Ratify Four-Year Deal with Province

Alberta Public Service Workers Ratify Four-Year Deal with Province

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s government and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) have concluded a new collective agreement covering members of the Alberta Public Service (APS). The deal, which will run for four years, was endorsed by union members following the acceptance of a mediator’s recommendation. According to officials, the agreement provides stability for the public sector workforce while maintaining compensation levels that remain competitive across Canada. Treasury Board President and Finance Minister Nate Horner welcomed the outcome, noting the lengthy but productive discussions that led to the resolution. “This agreement reflects months of hard work and ensures both…
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Carney, Trump Hold Talks on Trade as Canada Prepares for Cabinet Retreat

Carney, Trump Hold Talks on Trade as Canada Prepares for Cabinet Retreat

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma) — Prime Minister Mark Carney revealed today that he spoke at length with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday evening, covering a wide range of issues with trade at the forefront.The Prime Minister’s Office did not disclose the call when it took place, but Carney confirmed the discussion as he arrived at a cabinet planning committee meeting this morning. He said Canada has senior bureaucrats stationed in Washington actively engaging with U.S. counterparts on trade matters, particularly those tied to tariffs.However, the prime minister cautioned against expecting a breakthrough in the near term. “No one should expect…
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B.C. Scorched by Record-Breaking Heat as Smoke Worsens Air Quality

B.C. Scorched by Record-Breaking Heat as Smoke Worsens Air Quality

VANCOUVER (Richa Walia) — Parts of British Columbia continue to swelter under heat warnings while wildfire smoke drives widespread air-quality advisories, after daily temperature records fell across the province.Lytton led the surge on Tuesday, reaching 40 C and surpassing its previous record of 39.6 C set in 2022. Cache Creek followed closely with 39.3 C, while Kelowna, Princeton, and Whistler also posted new daily highs. In total, a dozen communities recorded fresh records during the latest heat wave.Environment Canada has issued heat warnings for nine regions, including the Fraser Canyon, Boundary, North and South Thompson, and inland parts of the…
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Tensions Flare at Alberta Next Panel as Smith Faces Cheers, Criticism Over Ottawa Pushback and Immigration Plans

Tensions Flare at Alberta Next Panel as Smith Faces Cheers, Criticism Over Ottawa Pushback and Immigration Plans

National Times Bureau (Rajeev Sharma) — A crowd of nearly 400 filled the Cypress Centre on Tuesday night for the Alberta Next Panel town hall, where Premier Danielle Smith received both strong applause and sharp criticism as her government outlined proposals to wrest more control from Ottawa.The two-and-a-half-hour meeting focused on six hot-button issues: federal transfers and equalization, an Alberta Pension Plan, constitutional reform, a provincial police force, immigration, and provincial tax collection. The panel suggested shifting more tax revenues to align with provincial responsibilities, drawing comparisons to Quebec’s constitutional autonomy.While Smith and panelists drew strong support on matters like…
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