Canada Archives - Page 30 of 38

10 Jun

Canada Closes Work Permit Loophole Exploited by Foreign Workers, Including Many Indians

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Canada has officially closed a loophole in its immigration system that allowed thousands of temporary foreign workers, including a large number from India, to extend their stay through so-called “dummy” work permit extension applications. In a significant policy shift announced in the June 2025 update by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the government has tightened rules around "maintained status", which previously allowed temporary residents to remain in Canada legally while their extension applications were being processed, even when those applications lacked genuine employment backing. What Were Dummy Extension Applications? Dummy applications were essentially placeholders, work or…

08 Jun

Alberta Resumes Procurement of US Alcohol and Gaming Machines following Tariff Protest Pause

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta, Canada

Calgary(Rajeev Sharma): The province of Alberta has reinstated the purchase of U.S.-manufactured alcohol and video lottery terminals, merely three months after Premier Danielle Smith implemented restrictions in response to American tariffs on Canadian goods.Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally confirmed the reversal, stating that the move reflects a "renewed commitment to open and fair trade" with the United States. In March, Premier Smith announced that Alberta would cease purchasing American alcohol and gaming equipment and suspend new contracts with U.S. companies. Although liquor stores in Alberta are privately operated, all products must be procured through the provincial government's supply chain.The initial…

07 Jun

G7 Summit Invitation Signals New Era in India-Canada Ties, Says Mark Carney

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, IndiaCanada, India

Ottawa/New Delhi (National Times): Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has revealed the rationale behind inviting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the upcoming G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, despite India not being a formal member of the group. Carney, who recently assumed office after a sweeping electoral victory, said India’s global stature made its participation essential. "India is the fifth-largest economy in the world and the most populous country. Its presence is necessary, especially in view of the emerging world order," Carney said, underscoring New Delhi’s growing influence on the global stage. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Carney…

06 Jun

Canada Introduces Bill C-3 to Expand Citizenship Rights and Restore Status to “Lost Canadians”

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada

Ottawa, Canada (National Times): In a historic move aimed at making Canadian citizenship more inclusive and equitable, the federal government has tabled Bill C-3: An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act (2025). The legislation is designed to reverse the effects of the controversial “first-generation limit” on citizenship by descent, which has long impacted families of Canadians born abroad. The bill was announced by The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, who described it as a necessary step to remove unfair barriers that have denied citizenship to children of Canadians living outside the country. The Problem: First-Generation…

04 Jun

Mass Shooting in Toronto’s Lawrence Heights Leaves One Dead, Five Injured

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada, Toronto

Toronto (National Times): A mass shooting rocked Toronto's Lawrence Heights neighbourhood on Tuesday evening, leaving one person dead and five others injured, according to police reports. The incident took place around 8:30 PM near the intersection of Flemington and Zachary Road, close to Ranee Avenue and Allen Road. Emergency services rushed to the scene following multiple reports of gunfire in the area. Toronto Police confirmed that one individual was pronounced dead at the scene, while five others were transported to local hospitals with varying degrees of injuries. The identities and conditions of the victims have not yet been released. Authorities…

01 Jun

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

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada, climate change, Lyme disease, tick-borne disease

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,…

31 May

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

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada, Immigration

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…

31 May

Alberta Government Extends Timeline for Independent Investigation Into Procurement Practices

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta, Calgary, Canada

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…

31 May

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

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta, Canada

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).…

31 May

Alberta Delegation to Showcase Responsible Energy Leadership in Washington DC

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCalgary, Canada, 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…