Canada

Calgary Council Reviews 2026 Budget Adjustments, Property Tax Hike Set to Continue

Calgary Council Reviews 2026 Budget Adjustments, Property Tax Hike Set to Continue

Calgary, (Rajeev Sharma): Calgary City Council has presented the 2026 budget adjustments, confirming plans to maintain previously approved property tax increases despite ongoing concerns about rising living costs. The proposed adjustments aim to balance city operations and fund essential services amid inflationary pressures and a rapidly growing population.According to city documents, the overall tax revenue increase for 2026 is projected at 3.6 per cent, translating to an average 5.4 per cent rise for residential homeowners and 1.3 per cent for non-residential properties. The City of Calgary says the increase is necessary to maintain services, invest in infrastructure, and support public…
Read More
Alberta Government Solicits Public Feedback on Proposal to Increase Highway Speed Limits to 120 km/h

Alberta Government Solicits Public Feedback on Proposal to Increase Highway Speed Limits to 120 km/h

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): The Alberta government is contemplating a speed limit increase on select rural divided highways from 110 km/h to 120 km/h, aligning them with modern road design standards. Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devin Dreeshen has announced an online survey, open until December 12, 2025, inviting Albertans to provide input on which highways should be affected and whether large commercial trucks should be restricted from using the left lane on highways with three or more lanes. “The objective is to enable Albertans to drive at speeds that align with the design of our highways, while maintaining safety and…
Read More
Canada Expels Trio Linked to B.C. Extortion Network Preying on Punjabi Business Community

Canada Expels Trio Linked to B.C. Extortion Network Preying on Punjabi Business Community

British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): Canadian immigration officials have removed three foreign nationals believed to be connected to a violent extortion ring that has been targeting Punjabi-owned businesses across British Columbia. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced the deportations this week, describing them as part of a wider crackdown by the B.C. Extortion Task Force—a joint initiative involving the CBSA, RCMP, and regional police forces. Authorities say the expulsions follow extensive intelligence work tracing links between several transnational crime networks and a surge in intimidation and arson incidents directed at South Asian business owners. “These actions demonstrate that we are…
Read More
Naiya Gill Crowned Mrs. Elite International Canada World 2025 (Audience Choice); From Lawyer to Pageant Winner, a Story of Destiny

Naiya Gill Crowned Mrs. Elite International Canada World 2025 (Audience Choice); From Lawyer to Pageant Winner, a Story of Destiny

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma) : In a remarkable twist of fate, Canadian lawyer Naiya Gill has been crowned Mrs. Elite International Canada World 2025 (Audience Choice), thereby fulfilling a dream she had set aside over three decades ago.Whille talking with National Times Media , Naiya revealed that at the age of 16, she had received a modeling offer but was unable to pursue it due to her parents’ wishes. “My mother was totally against it and wanted me to become a lawyer. I was deeply hurt but didn’t want to go against their wishes,” she recalled.Respecting her parents’ decision, Naiya completed…
Read More
Canada Charts New Course with PM Mark Carney’s First Federal Budget

Canada Charts New Course with PM Mark Carney’s First Federal Budget

OTTAWA (Rajeev Sharma): Prime Minister Mark Carney has tabled his first federal budget, unveiling a far-reaching economic plan that seeks to redefine Canada’s role in the world and rejuvenate its economy amid shifting global tides. The blueprint outlines bold spending, sharp reforms, and a vision to position Canada as a leader in clean energy, innovation, and global trade. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, who presented the budget in Parliament, called it a “decisive response to a time of profound transition,” stressing that the government must adapt swiftly to emerging global and domestic challenges. Here’s a closer look at six key highlights…
Read More
Indian Students Face Record Visa Rejections as Canada Tightens Immigration Rules

Indian Students Face Record Visa Rejections as Canada Tightens Immigration Rules

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Canada’s sweeping crackdown on fraudulent student visa applications has resulted in an unprecedented spike in rejection rates for Indian students, drastically reducing their presence across Canadian campuses and straining academic ties between the two nations. Latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shows that as of August 2025, 74 percent of student visa requests from India were turned down — a sharp increase from 32 percent just two years ago. Globally, the refusal rate averaged around 40 percent, while China’s stood much lower at 24 percent. Sharp Fall in Indian Applications The surge in rejections…
Read More
Haryana Diwas and Diwali to Be Celebrated with Grandeur in Calgary

Haryana Diwas and Diwali to Be Celebrated with Grandeur in Calgary

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma) :- The essence of Haryana’s cultural heritage and the festive spirit of Diwali will converge in Calgary on November 1, 2025, as the community comes together to commemorate Haryana Diwas and Diwali at the Magnolia Banquet Hall. The festivities will commence at 6:00 PM, promising an evening replete with cultural extravaganzas, melodious music, and joyous celebrations. The event, organized by the Haryanvi Society of Canada will feature an array of appetizers and dinner, captivating cultural performances, an energetic DJ, and a bar for guests to enjoy. Families are encouraged to participate and celebrate the rich cultural legacy…
Read More
Premier Smith Embarks on Middle East Mission to Promote Alberta’s Energy and Investment Strengths

Premier Smith Embarks on Middle East Mission to Promote Alberta’s Energy and Investment Strengths

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has departed on a 10-day trade and investment mission to the Middle East, where she will highlight Alberta’s leadership in responsible energy production, technology, agriculture, and manufacturing. The trip, spanning Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from October 27 to November 5, aims to position Alberta as a top destination for global investment and collaboration. Strengthening Global Energy and Investment Partnerships While in Saudi Arabia, Premier Smith will hold meetings with government officials, energy executives, and sovereign wealth fund managers, including representatives from Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil company. Discussions…
Read More
Alberta Tables ‘Back to School Act’ to End Teachers’ Strike and Restore Classroom Stability

Alberta Tables ‘Back to School Act’ to End Teachers’ Strike and Restore Classroom Stability

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s government has introduced Bill 2, the Back to School Act, a sweeping measure aimed at ending the province-wide teachers’ strike and restoring normalcy to classrooms disrupted for weeks by stalled negotiations. The proposed legislation seeks to legislate a new collective agreement and ensure that students can return to school without further loss of instructional time. Premier Danielle Smith said the province could no longer allow the strike to continue, emphasizing that the prolonged shutdown was harming students’ academic progress and emotional well-being. “This strike has gone on long enough,” Smith said in a statement Monday. “It’s…
Read More
Alberta Launches Task Force to Tackle Growing Classroom Complexity and Aggression

Alberta Launches Task Force to Tackle Growing Classroom Complexity and Aggression

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): With teachers across Alberta reporting rising classroom challenges — from increasingly diverse learning needs to a surge in aggressive behaviour — the provincial government is taking new action to ensure safer, more supportive learning environments. Premier Danielle Smith announced the creation of a Class Size and Complexity Task Force, a move aimed at addressing the mounting concerns raised by educators about classroom safety and student support. The initiative follows the work of the recently established Aggression and Complexity in Schools Action Team, which was tasked with identifying practical, classroom-focused solutions. The action team’s draft final report has…
Read More