Day in Photos: Unrest in South Africa, NATO Exercise, and NYC Transit’s Annual Pop-Up Sale
A glimpse into the world through the lens of photography.
BC Election Campaigns Promise Support for Doctors, Seniors
British Columbia NDP Leader David Eby is making election campaign pledges of a new training program for international medical graduates and discounted tuition or loan forgiveness for health-care workers willing to move to rural communities. Eby spent Friday in Surrey, at a campaign stop at the site for a new medical school, while B.C. Conservative interim leader Lorne Doerkson was in Coquitlam laying out his promises for seniors, which include giving those waiting for long-term care beds “portable public funding” so they can pick where they want to be, including in non-government facilities. Eby said if the New Democrats are elected on Oct. 24, the new medical school at Simon Fraser University will offer a first-of-its-kind “bridging to practice” training for qualified foreign graduates already living in the province but who are unable to practice family medicine because of a lack of residency spots.
Canada Backs International Criminal Court After US Imposes Sanctions
Canada signed a joint statement in support of the International Criminal Court after the United States moved to sanction the organization today. The statement says the signatories strongly disagree with the sanctions and reaffirm their “continued and unwavering” support for the court. Canada issued the statement jointly with Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The sanctions cut the court off from U.S.-based financial services, technology companies and U.S. currency, and are part of a campaign to dismantle the tribunal over investigations into the United States and its allies, including Israel. The United States announced the sanctions today, after the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to South African jurist Navi Pillay.
Higher Electricity Rates May Not Deter Data Centres, Consultant Says
Higher electricity prices may not discourage companies from building new data centres as demand for power continues to grow, a consultant hired by Hydro-Québec told the province’s energy regulator on Friday. The comments came as the first phase of hearings into the utility’s proposal to nearly double electricity rates for large data centres wrapped up in Montreal, with lawyers representing Google and an environmental coalition questioning consultants about their study of electricity markets across North America. Hydro-Québec is asking the province’s energy regulator, the Régie de l’énergie, to approve a new rate averaging 13 cents per kilowatt hour for data centres requiring more than five megawatts of power, nearly double the average 6.82 cents currently paid by major industrial electricity users.
Targeting Taiwan’s Political Circles Arms Beijing’s Annexation Drive: Analysts
The California woman accused of spying on Taiwan president’s son acted ‘at the direction of Chinese government officials,’ U.S. prosecutors said.
Tories Press Minister on Trans Athletes in Female Sports
Conservative MPs on the Heritage Committee questioned Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden over the issue of transgender athletes in women’s sports on Oct. 8. Tory MP Rachael Thomas told the committee there appeared to be a desire in Canada and in many other countries to “figure out how we include trans athletes […]
Pentagon Awards Raytheon $6.3 Billion Missile Interceptor Contract
The award comes as the Department of War looks to meet the growing demand for air and missile defense systems and replenish stockpiles.
How Ottawa’s Home Heat Pump Rebate Program Will Work
Ottawa is earmarking $2 billion for a nationwide rebate program designed to accelerate heat pump adoption in residential properties over the coming years. The National Heat Pump Rebate Program was announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney this week as an eight-year program, which he says will save Canadians money on their monthly energy bills. Here’s [...]
Quebec Court Overturns Ruling Upholding Firing of Public Servant Over Political Role
Quebec’s Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy fired Stephan Fogaing in March 2023 after he refused to give up his role as a Parti Québécois spokesperson.
Eswatini King Reaffirms Taiwan Ties, Backs UN Participation During State Visit
King Mswati III’s 20th visit to Taiwan comes months after Taipei accused Beijing of disrupting President Lai’s planned flight to the African ally.
Poilievre to Campaign for Canadian Unity in Alberta Next Week Ahead of Referendum
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Friday he will be in Alberta next week to deliver a speech on Canadian unity ahead of the province’s referendum on separation. The House of Commons will be on a break next week after MPs head back to their ridings for the Thanksgiving weekend. Poilievre told a press conference in Burlington, Ont., on Friday he will be doing “additional campaigning on the ground” in Alberta. “We encourage all Canadians of all parties to join in uniting all Canadians to make ourselves safe, affordable, and fully independent here at home,” Poilievre said. When asked about tech industrialist Elon Musk saying recently that Alberta, Saskatchewan and Quebec should separate, Poilievre said “Canadians control their own destiny.”...
CAQ Minister Apologizes, Is Booted From Caucus After Attending PQ Election Party
Quebec’s former culture minister is apologizing for attending a Parti Québécois election night gathering as his own party suffered a crushing defeat. The Coalition Avenir Québec expelled Mathieu Lacombe from the party after La Presse reported Thursday that he’d attended the PQ gathering in Montreal. Outgoing Premier Christine Fréchette also removed Lacombe from her cabinet. […]
Poilievre Unveils Five-Point Steel Plan, Urges Ottawa to Sue Stelco’s US Owner
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is calling on Ottawa to sue Stelco’s American owner as soon as Monday as part of a five-point plan aimed at protecting Canada’s struggling steel industry. Poilievre announced the plan Friday in Burlington, Ont., overlooking Stelco’s Hamilton operations across the harbour, where layoffs began this week after the Cleveland-Cliffs-owned steelmaker announced up to 500 workers could be laid off.
What the Latest G7 Oil and Diesel Release Means for Prices at the Pump
The G7's latest release of emergency oil reserves could provide temporary relief from high diesel prices, but energy experts say continuing shortages of refined fuels threaten to keep transportation costs and inflation elevated. With oil prices above US$100 a barrel, the G7's Oct. 2 announcement that member countries would release 100 million barrels of oil [...]
US Seizes 7 Domains Used by China-Linked Hackers to Target Critical Infrastructure
U.S. and allied agencies warned that hackers enabled by a Chinese regime contractor targeted organizations worldwide to steal sensitive information.
Alberta Government Directs Edmonton to Repeal Infill Bylaw Changes Following Resident Complaints
The City of Edmonton adopted a new zoning bylaw on Jan. 1, 2024, reducing its residential zones from 16 to six, and expanding housing types citywide.
Local Elections and the Spirit of Liberty
We pay less attention than we should to local elections. Democracy, however, thrives at the local level.
Absurd Ideologies Have Lost the Public Square but Still Control Canadian Institutions
Commentary Social media is less censored than it was a few years ago, corporations are more hesitant to take divisive political stances, and the public is more emboldened to voice unorthodox views. Yet key institutions such as schools and government bureaucracies are still controlled by adherents of fringe views which claim that society is fundamentally racist and sexist, that race should be woven into policy, and that discrimination is justified in the pursuit of “equity.” Many Canadian universities continue to instill a brittle conformity with this worldview rather than an open-ended search for truth. The same is also true for Canadian public schools, where unfounded ideologies continue to play a part in the formation of young minds....
Celine Dion Stumbles and Falls Mid-Set During Paris Residency Show
Canadian superstar Celine Dion took a tumble on stage during the latest show of her comeback residency in Paris but barely missed a note despite the mishap. A viral social media video captured the performer’s fall after seemingly snagging her trousers on her shoe heel during her Oct. 7 show. The 58-year-old singer was bouncing on one foot while singing “Dans un autre monde” when she slipped. She broke the fall with one hand and quickly got back to her feet, mic still in hand, and gave the crowd a thumb’s up as she carried on with the song....
BC Woman Who Married ISIS Member Pleads Guilty to Terrorism Offence
A B.C. woman who travelled to Syria in 2015 after meeting an ISIS militant online and marrying him has pleaded guilty to a terrorism-related offence, weeks before her scheduled trial. Kimberly Polman, 54, of Squamish, B.C., pleaded guilty on Oct. 8 in B.C. Supreme Court to leaving Canada to participate in the activities of a terrorist group.
