Vancouver Archives - National Times

20 Mar

Air India Vancouver Flight Turns Back After Seven Hours Due to Aircraft Approval Lapse

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, World NewsAir India, aircraft approval, Boeing 777, Delhi Airport, flight return, operational lapse, Vancouver

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): A major administrative oversight forced a Vancouver-bound Air India flight to return to New Delhi on Thursday evening after being airborne for more than seven hours. The Boeing 777-200 LR (registration VT-AEI) was flying through Chinese airspace when it was discovered that the specific aircraft model was not approved for this particular route under Canadian aviation requirements. Sources indicate that a failure to update the list of operational requirements for Canada led to the deployment of the wrong aircraft type. According to industry insiders, the Delhi-Vancouver service was specifically cleared to be operated using a Boeing 777-300…

15 Mar

Fear Grips Punjabi Construction Community in Vancouver Amid Rising Extortion Threats

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingVancouver

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): Growing extortion threats targeting South Asian entrepreneurs have now reached Vancouver, where several Punjabi builders say they are being forced to alter business practices out of concern for their safety. The problem, which previously emerged in Surrey and Brampton, has begun affecting Vancouver’s construction sector. Developers from the Punjabi community report receiving threatening phone calls demanding money, prompting many to remove signboards from project sites and reduce their public visibility. Reports by OMNI News suggest that some builders have even asked municipal authorities to remove their contact information and development details from publicly accessible city records, fearing…

18 Jan

Dense Fog Prompts Safety Advisory Across Parts of Metro Vancouver

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingVancouver

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): Motorists in southwestern Metro Vancouver have been urged to exercise caution as thick fog continues to blanket parts of the region, significantly reducing visibility on roads and bridges. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a fog advisory on Saturday afternoon, warning that conditions could deteriorate to near-zero visibility in areas including Richmond, Delta and Tsawwassen. The advisory is expected to remain in effect through Sunday afternoon. According to the weather agency, visibility may drop suddenly in some locations, creating hazardous driving conditions. Drivers have been advised to switch on their headlights, reduce speed and leave extra space…

02 Jan

Air India Pilot Removed from Duty After Alcohol Breach at Vancouver Airport

nishuthapar10 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingAir India, Vancouver

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): Air Canada’s transport regulator has asked Air India to conduct a thorough investigation after a pilot reportedly arrived for duty under the influence of alcohol, failing two breathalyzer tests at Vancouver International Airport. The incident caused a last-minute delay to a Vancouver–Delhi flight on December 23. The pilot was asked to leave the aircraft, and Canadian authorities performed breath tests that the pilot did not pass, a source familiar with the matter said, requesting anonymity. Transport Canada described the episode as “serious” in a letter to the airline and indicated that enforcement actions could follow depending on…

01 Dec

Indian High Commissioner Strengthens Engagement with Diaspora During First Official Visit to Vancouver

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingIndian High Commissioner, Surrey, Vancouver

Surrey (Rajeev Sharma): High Commissioner of India to Canada Shri Dinesh K. Patnaik, accompanied by Mrs. Poonam Patnaik and Shri Masakui Rungsung, Consul General of India, undertook a series of community outreach engagements during his inaugural visit to Vancouver, reinforcing India’s commitment to its diaspora in Canada. The delegation commenced the visit by paying obeisance at the Laxmi Narayan Temple in Surrey, where they were received with a traditional welcome by the temple management. In his remarks, High Commissioner Patnaik acknowledged the Indian diaspora’s valuable contributions to Canadian society and to India–Canada relations. He urged community members to continue serving…

17 Sep

SFJ Issues Fresh Threat, Plans ‘Siege’ at Indian Consulate in Vancouver

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingCanada, Vancouver

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): Pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has once again escalated its campaign, declaring that it will “occupy” the Indian Consulate in Vancouver on Thursday. The group, which operates from the United States, appealed to members of the Indo-Canadian community to avoid visiting the consulate on that day. Alongside its announcement, SFJ circulated a poster portraying India’s new High Commissioner, Dinesh Patnaik, with a target mark on his image. The group alleged that Indian diplomatic offices in Canada were functioning as intelligence hubs, keeping tabs on supporters of the Khalistan Referendum. SFJ tied its latest move to Canadian…

10 Aug

Site C Dam in Northern B.C. Now Fully Operational, Set to Power Half a Million Homes

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingBritish Columbia, Vancouver

Vancouver (Richa Walia): BC Hydro has announced that the Site C dam, located along the Peace River near Fort St. John, is now fully operational following the activation of its sixth and final turbine. In a statement issued Saturday, the Crown corporation confirmed that the completion of this final stage allows the dam to generate up to 1,100 megawatts of electricity — enough to supply power to approximately 500,000 homes each year. Adrian Dix, B.C.’s Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, hailed the milestone as a significant step toward energy security in the province. “Generations of British Columbians will benefit…

07 Jul

Indians in Canada Face Steep Housing Costs in Top Cities

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaBrampton, Calgary, Edmonton, housing prices, Indian diaspora, Toronto, Vancouver

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Canada’s vibrant Indian diaspora continues to grow across major cities, but soaring housing prices are posing significant challenges for families hoping to own a home.According to recent figures, Toronto remains the city with the highest Indian population, exceeding 650,000 residents. However, the average home price in Toronto has climbed to $1.1 million, requiring a family income of at least $250,000 to afford a property comfortably.Vancouver, which hosts more than 260,000 people of Indian origin, tops the chart with the highest average house price among the five cities at $1.24 million. Families there would need to earn around…

30 May

No Attestation Required for Apostilled Canadian Documents: Indian Consulate in Vancouver

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaVancouver

Vancouver (National Times): In a significant development aimed at streamlining documentation processes for Indian nationals in Canada, the Consulate General of India in Vancouver has announced that Canadian documents bearing an apostille do not require further attestation for use in India. The update comes as both India and Canada are signatories to the Hague Convention of 1961, which abolished the need for legalisation of foreign public documents between member countries. Under this agreement, apostilled documents from Canada are now recognized as fully legalized in India, eliminating the need for additional certification by Indian consulates. According to the notice, the types…

23 May

Steve Rai Becomes First Punjabi Sikh Chief of Vancouver Police

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada, Steve Rai, Vancouver

Vancouver (National Times): The Vancouver Police Department has appointed Steve Rai as its new Chief Constable, making history as the first Punjabi Sikh to assume the role in the department’s more than 130-year history. Rai, a respected figure within the force, brings over three decades of policing experience to the position. Known for his dedication to community safety and progressive leadership, Rai’s career began after serving in the Canadian Armed Reserves during his university years—a background that shaped his disciplined and service-driven approach to policing. “This appointment reflects the evolving face of our city and our commitment to inclusive leadership,”…