Canada

PM Mark Carney Criticizes Israeli Military Escalation in Gaza, Calls for Immediate Ceasefire

PM Mark Carney Criticizes Israeli Military Escalation in Gaza, Calls for Immediate Ceasefire

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Prime Minister Mark Carney has sharply criticized the Israeli government’s latest decision to expand military operations across Gaza, warning that the move will only deepen the crisis without bringing peace or security to the region. In a statement issued Saturday, Carney said the escalation would not end the “humanitarian horror” unfolding in Gaza nor ease the suffering of Israeli hostages and Palestinian civilians. “Canada calls for an immediate ceasefire,” the Prime Minister emphasized, adding that Hamas must release all hostages taken during the October 7 attack, lay down its arms, and allow a significant and sustained increase…
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B.C. Mountain Biker Survives Close Encounter with Cougar Near Garibaldi Park

B.C. Mountain Biker Survives Close Encounter with Cougar Near Garibaldi Park

Squamish, B.C. (Richa Walia): A British Columbia mountain biker had a harrowing experience after being stalked by a cougar for nearly 20 minutes in alpine terrain near Garibaldi Provincial Park, the province’s Conservation Officer Service (COS) confirmed. According to officials, the incident took place earlier this week when the man was riding along a remote mountain trail. The cougar reportedly chased him, made physical contact, and then continued to shadow him as he tried to retreat from the area. In a quick-thinking move, the biker began walking backwards while using his bike as a barrier. He hurled rocks at the…
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Man Arrested in Stray Bullet Killing of Indian Student in Canada

Man Arrested in Stray Bullet Killing of Indian Student in Canada

Hamilton, Canada (Rajeev Sharma)— Police in Ontario have arrested a man in connection with the tragic death of 21-year-old Indian student Harsimrat Randhawa, who was killed by a stray bullet earlier this year.Hamilton Police said 32-year-old Jerdaine Foster was taken into custody at Niagara Falls on Tuesday and charged with first-degree murder, along with three counts of attempted murder. Foster, who has prior police records and connections to multiple regions in Ontario, was reportedly living in short-term rental properties at the time.Randhawa, a second-year physiotherapy student at Mohawk College, was struck on April 17 while standing near a bus stop…
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Rain Offers Brief Relief in B.C. Wildfire Battle, but Heightened Risk Looms Ahead

Rain Offers Brief Relief in B.C. Wildfire Battle, but Heightened Risk Looms Ahead

British Columbia (Richa Walia): Light rainfall and increased humidity have offered a short-lived break in British Columbia’s battle against wildfires, but provincial officials warn that more difficult days are likely ahead as temperatures are expected to rise again. According to Cliff Chapman, Director of Wildfire Operations at the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS), while the recent change in weather has helped slow fire activity in some areas, it has not been enough to significantly alter the overall wildfire risk. “The southern half of B.C. is expected to heat up again starting this weekend,” Chapman said during a media briefing on Wednesday.…
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PM Mark Carney engages Métis leadership on the Building Canada Act

PM Mark Carney engages Métis leadership on the Building Canada Act

Ontario (Rajeev Sharma): Canada’s new government is ready to get our country building major infrastructure projects again, in partnership with Indigenous Peoples. To that end, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, convened the Métis Major Projects Summit in Ottawa to discuss the Building Canada Act and hear from Métis leaders on how best to work together. During the Summit, the Prime Minister and Métis leadership discussed how the Building Canada Act will enable Canada’s new government to build big things that will connect and transform the national economy – driving greater prosperity for Métis through equity ownership and resource management projects. They focused on how the Government of Canada and Métis…
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Amazon’s Challenge to B.C. Labour Board Union Ruling Dismissed Again

Amazon’s Challenge to B.C. Labour Board Union Ruling Dismissed Again

Delta, B.C (Richa Walia): In a significant development for labour rights in Canada, the British Columbia Labour Relations Board has dismissed Amazon’s attempt to reverse a decision certifying a workers' union at its Delta facility. The ruling, issued on Tuesday, upholds an earlier decision from July that found the company acted to undermine union efforts through targeted hiring practices. The Labour Board panel supported the conclusion that Amazon deliberately expanded its workforce during the union’s membership drive to reduce the percentage of union supporters, a move the board deemed an intentional effort to obstruct certification. Evidence submitted by Unifor, the…
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Alberta Renews Commitment to Youth in Care with Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarship

Alberta Renews Commitment to Youth in Care with Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarship

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s Minister of Children and Family Services, Searle Turton, reaffirmed the province’s dedication to empowering young adults formerly in government care by officially launching this year’s round of applications for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarship. Originally established to honor the 2011 royal visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Alberta, the scholarship recognizes outstanding academic performance by participants of the province’s Advancing Futures program—an initiative that supports youth as they transition from government care into adulthood. “We are investing in the future of Alberta’s youth,” Minister Turton stated. “This scholarship is about recognizing…
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‘Republic of Khalistan’ Embassy Set Up in Canada Amid Rising Tensions Over Extremism

‘Republic of Khalistan’ Embassy Set Up in Canada Amid Rising Tensions Over Extremism

Surrey (Rajeev Sharma) — In a provocative move likely to escalate diplomatic tensions, a self-styled ‘Embassy of the Republic of Khalistan’ has been set up on the premises of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia the same site once led by slain Khalistan supporter Hardeep Singh Nijjar.The act, orchestrated by the banned separatist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), comes just as India and Canada are attempting to revive diplomatic ties following the fallout from Nijjar’s assassination in 2023. The symbolic embassy prominently displays support for Nijjar and aligns with the group’s plans for a fresh Khalistan referendum…
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ASIRT Probes Officer-Involved Shooting at Strathcona County RCMP Detachment

ASIRT Probes Officer-Involved Shooting at Strathcona County RCMP Detachment

Strathcona County, Alberta (Rajeev Sharma): The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has launched an investigation into a police-involved shooting that occurred on the morning of July 28 at the Strathcona County RCMP detachment. According to initial reports, the incident began around 10:30 a.m., when an RCMP officer spotted a man inside the detachment’s secure parking area. The officer reportedly believed the individual was armed and relayed the information to other members over police radio. In response, multiple officers arrived on scene and issued verbal commands to the man. A confrontation followed, during which four officers discharged their firearms, striking…
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Mark Carney’s $1.2 Billion Forestry Support Plan Welcomed in B.C., but Industry Calls for U.S. Trade Deal

Mark Carney’s $1.2 Billion Forestry Support Plan Welcomed in B.C., but Industry Calls for U.S. Trade Deal

British Columbia (Richa Walia): The federal government’s $1.2 billion relief package for Canada’s struggling forestry sector has received a cautious welcome in British Columbia, where industry leaders stress that long-term solutions must include a new trade agreement with the United States. The announcement, made by Prime Minister Mark Carney in West Kelowna on Tuesday, comes as American import duties on Canadian softwood lumber continue to rise. Under the plan, $700 million will be allocated for loan guarantees to help companies stabilize operations, while $500 million will fund the development of new products and markets. An additional $500 million will support…
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