Canada

Tick-Borne Disease Expands Into New Parts of Canada, Raising Public Health Concerns

Tick-Borne Disease Expands Into New Parts of Canada, Raising Public Health Concerns

Toronto, June 1, 2025 — Tick-borne illnesses, particularly Lyme disease, are spreading into previously unaffected parts of Canada, triggering growing concern among public health experts. The increase is attributed to changing climate conditions, including warmer winters and longer tick activity seasons.Experts have confirmed a noticeable expansion of black-legged ticks (commonly known as deer ticks) into new areas such as parts of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and British Columbia. These regions were once considered low-risk but are now reporting increasing numbers of tick encounters and Lyme disease cases.According to recent health data, Ontario recorded 1,865 confirmed Lyme disease cases in 2023,…
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Canada Launches Major Crackdown on Illegal Immigrants, Sparks Panic Among Punjabi Youth

Canada Launches Major Crackdown on Illegal Immigrants, Sparks Panic Among Punjabi Youth

Ottawa/New Delhi (National Times): Following in the footsteps of the United States, Canada has intensified its crackdown on illegal immigrants, triggering widespread fear, particularly among the Punjabi community, which constitutes a large segment of the South Asian diaspora in the country. In a sweeping national effort to tighten immigration enforcement, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has launched a major deportation drive, issuing over 30,000 deportation warrants to individuals found in violation of immigration laws. Who is Being Targeted? CBSA officials say the focus of the crackdown is on three primary categories: Individuals whose asylum claims have been rejected Those…
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Alberta Government Extends Timeline for Independent Investigation Into Procurement Practices

Alberta Government Extends Timeline for Independent Investigation Into Procurement Practices

Edmonton (National Times): The Government of Alberta has extended the timeline for the ongoing independent investigation into its procurement and contracting practices, including those used by Alberta Health Services (AHS), citing the large volume of documents and witness interviews required. Christopher McPherson, Deputy Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration, issued the update on Friday, confirming that the new deadlines were approved in consultation with the investigation’s lead, Hon. Raymond E. Wyant, former Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Manitoba. Initially, Judge Wyant was expected to deliver an interim report by May 30, with a final report due by…
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Alberta Increases Funding to Support Survivors of Sexual Violence with Additional $1.5M Investment

Alberta Increases Funding to Support Survivors of Sexual Violence with Additional $1.5M Investment

Edmonton (National Times): The Government of Alberta is strengthening its commitment to survivors of sexual violence with an additional $1.5 million investment in sexual assault centres across the province. The funding will expand access to critical counselling and trauma-informed services for those impacted by sexual violence. This latest boost brings the province closer to its goal of increasing support to sexual assault centres by $10 million. It follows a similar $1.5 million allocation made in March 2025, and complements the $13.8 million Alberta already provides annually to 15 sexual assault centres and the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services (AASAS).…
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Alberta Delegation to Showcase Responsible Energy Leadership in Washington DC

Alberta Delegation to Showcase Responsible Energy Leadership in Washington DC

Edmonton (National Times): In a significant diplomatic move aimed at bolstering North American energy dominance and forging new global partnerships, Alberta will send a high-profile delegation to Washington, DC, from June 2 to 7, 2025. The team, led by Premier Danielle Smith and including Minister of Energy and Minerals Brian Jean, Minister of Affordability and Utilities Nathan Neudorf, along with Parliamentary Secretaries for Affordability and Utilities and Chantelle de Jonge, will highlight Alberta’s commitment to responsible energy development. The delegation will participate in a series of events, such as the US Energy Streams 10th Washington Energy Forum, the Energy Council’s…
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Canada Approves 834,010 New Temporary Resident Applications

Canada Approves 834,010 New Temporary Resident Applications

Calgary ( Rajeev Sharma): In the first three months of 2025, Canada approved 834,010 temporary resident applications and extensions, including study permits, work permits, and visitor visas. According to data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), this unprecedented influx reflects Canada’s ongoing commitment to welcoming international talent and visitors. However, the surge comes with a paradox, while new temporary residents are welcomed, some existing residents face longer processing times and removal notices, highlighting tensions in Canada’s immigration system. The new temporary public policy, effective May 27, 2025, allows temporary foreign workers in Canada with valid work authorization to start…
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Alberta providing $300,000 to Mount Royal University to explore how optometry training could be offered

Alberta providing $300,000 to Mount Royal University to explore how optometry training could be offered

Calgary (National Times): Right now, in Canada, students interested in becoming optometrists have limited options. There are only two optometry schools in the country, at the University of Waterloo and the Université de Montréal, and the programs are in high demand. Many prospective students leave the country to study, and often do not return to Canada to practice. Seeing this gap, Alberta’s government has signed a letter of commitment with Mount Royal University to support them in working with the University of Waterloo to explore the potential of offering optometry training in Alberta. “This is a great opportunity for Alberta.…
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Alberta providing $7 million in additional funding to Grande Prairie to help community transition to municipal police service

Alberta providing $7 million in additional funding to Grande Prairie to help community transition to municipal police service

Calgary (National Times): Alberta’s government is following through on a commitment to ensure that communities can pursue policing solutions that meet their needs and are supported in reaching their public safety goals. That’s why the province is supporting the City of Grande Prairie with an additional $7 million in funding as it transitions to a municipal police service, helping to advance a homegrown solution that meets the needs of the community. This new funding reinforces and builds on the province’s initial $9.7 million two-year commitment to help the City of Grande Prairie meet its policing and public safety needs, following…
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Writs Have Been Issued for Three Alberta Provincial By-Elections

Writs Have Been Issued for Three Alberta Provincial By-Elections

Calgary (National Times): Alberta’s Chief Electoral Officer, Gordon McClure, confirms writs were issued today to administer by-elections in Electoral Division 31 – Edmonton-Ellerslie, Electoral Division 44 – Edmonton-Strathcona, and Electoral Division 76 – Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills to elect members to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has the authority, under sections 9(1) and 47(1) of the Election Act, to appoint Returning Officers and Election Clerks. These officers play a vital role in the fair and impartial management of Provincial General Elections and by-elections. “Appointments have been made for the Returning Officers and Election Clerks in Edmonton-Ellerslie, Edmonton-Strathcona,…
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Enhancing Alberta’s veterinary diagnostic capacity

Enhancing Alberta’s veterinary diagnostic capacity

Calgary (National Times): Alberta’s government is increasing funding to UCalgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine’s Diagnostic Services Unit to support Alberta’s livestock producers and veterinarians. Alberta is famously a livestock province, renowned for producing some of the world’s best meat. Livestock is also a significant driver of Alberta’s economy, with livestock market receipts totalling almost $12 billion in 2024. For this essential industry to keep growing and thriving, it needs quick, affordable diagnostics and robust disease preparedness. Beginning with Budget 2025, Alberta’s government is providing the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM) with a total of $9.5 million over…
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