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Tag: Canada

  • Bayern Munich blames Canada Soccer for negligence in dealing with Alphonso Davies’ injury

    Bayern Munich blames Canada Soccer for negligence in dealing with Alphonso Davies’ injury

    Bayern Munich have accused Canada Soccer of negligence after Alphonso Davies returned from international duty with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

    Defender Davies went off injured 12 minutes into Canada’s 2-1 win against the United States in a Concacaf Nations League third-place play-off on Sunday.

    Canada Soccer initially gave the 24-year-old the all clear, but an examination on his return to Munich revealed the injury. The full-back is expected to be out for at least six months.

    During a press conference on Friday, Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund said Canada Soccer’s decision to send Davies on a 12-hour flight to Germany before a thorough medical examination was conducted was “borderline” and “negligent”.

    He added: “The way things went down was incorrect. We are the employer and also pay the players, so we will investigate.”

    In an interview with German tabloid newspaper Bild, Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said the club wanted a “complete clarification of the events”, accusing Canada Soccer of “gross negligence” and saying “we reserve the right to take legal action”.

    He continued: “Sending an obviously injured player with a damaged knee on a twelve-hour intercontinental flight without a thorough medical assessment is, in our view, grossly negligent and a clear breach of medical duty of care.

    “Phonzy (Davies) is not at fault, he’s the captain and he wants to take responsibility. Canada as host nation of the 2026 World Cup has already qualified, you can’t take risks with a player like him.”

    Davies signed a new five-year contract with the club in February to end speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid.
    Bayern also lost French centre-back Dayot Upamecano to a long-term leg injury during the international break and remain without captain Manuel Neuer.

  • Mark Carney becomes Canada’s next PM, vows to win trade war against US

    Mark Carney becomes Canada’s next PM, vows to win trade war against US

    Mark Carney has been elected as Canada’s next Prime Minister, pledging to take a tough stance against US President Donald Trump in an ongoing trade dispute.

    Speaking to a crowd of supporters after securing a decisive victory in the leadership race, Carney, a former governor of the Bank of England and Bank of Canada, made it clear that his administration would not back down in the face of US trade policies.

    “Americans should make no mistake: in trade, as in hockey, Canada will win,” he declared.

    Carney, 59, will be sworn into office in the coming days and has already outlined plans to impose retaliatory tariffs on US goods. He insists these measures will remain in place “until Americans show us respect.”

    Despite never having held elected office, Carney won the leadership race with an overwhelming 86% of the vote. He is expected to call a general election soon, though polls indicate a narrowing lead for his party over the Conservative opposition.

    His victory comes after Justin Trudeau stepped down in January, ending a nine-year tenure as Prime Minister.

    Who is Mark Carney?

    Born in the Northwest Territories and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Carney is an economist with a track record of navigating financial crises. He previously served as governor of the Bank of Canada, helping the country weather the Great Recession, before being recruited to lead the Bank of England in 2013—becoming the first non-British person to hold the role in its three-century history.

    Most recently, Carney worked as a special economics adviser to Justin Trudeau, helping shape Canada’s fiscal policies. Now, as Prime Minister, he faces one of his biggest challenges yet—leading Canada through an escalating trade standoff with its largest trading partner.

    “In a situation like this, you need experience in terms of crisis management, you need negotiating skills,” he said during a leadership debate last month.

    As he takes office, all eyes will be on how he handles tensions with Washington and whether his economic expertise can translate into political success.

  • Canada, Ghana secure landmark air transport deal, allowing 14 weekly passenger flights

    Canada, Ghana secure landmark air transport deal, allowing 14 weekly passenger flights

    Canada and Ghana have signed their first-ever air transport agreement, a move expected to boost travel, tourism, and trade between the two countries.

    According to a news release by the Canadian government, the deal allows airlines from both nations to operate regular flights, increasing connectivity and economic opportunities.

    “The new agreement with Ghana includes:The right for Canada and Ghana to designate multiple airlines to operate scheduled air services between the two countries. The right for those airlines to serve any points in the two countries. A capacity of 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly all-cargo flights for the airlines of each country. Airlines can offer services under this new agreement immediately,” the news release read.

    While announcing the development, Canada’s Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, Anita Anand, emphasized emphasized that Ghana is a growing market for Canada, thus, he is pleased to see this first agreement open the door to new opportunities for travellers and businesses in both countries.

    Adding that this agreement will connect more passengers and strengthen our cultural and commercial ties.

    Canada’s Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, Mary Ng, also highlighted the economic impact of the deal.

    “This agreement will enhance connectivity, promote tourism, and drive economic growth. It provides critical support for our exporters, giving them access to the dynamic West African market,” she stated.

    The agreement comes at a time when trade between Canada and Ghana is on the rise. In 2023, Canada’s exports to Ghana reached $281 million, while imports from Ghana totaled $99.8 million. The new air transport deal is expected to further boost economic ties by making it easier for businesses to transport goods and services between the two nations.

    This agreement is part of Canada’s Blue Sky policy, which promotes competition in the aviation sector and helps develop international air services. Canada now has air transport agreements with more than 125 countries worldwide.

    With this deal now in effect, airlines can immediately begin operating flights under the new terms, offering more travel options for passengers and creating new opportunities for businesses in both Canada and Ghana.

  • 2,712 Ghanaian students who obtained Canadian visa failed to enroll in universities – Report

    2,712 Ghanaian students who obtained Canadian visa failed to enroll in universities – Report

    A report from Canada’s Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship (IRCC) has disclosed that 2,712 Ghanaian students who entered the country on study visas did not register at their respective institutions.

    The findings, released in January 2025, raise concerns over the growing number of foreign students unaccounted for after arriving in Canada.

    The data indicates that over 50,000 students failed to enroll, with India leading at 19,582 cases, followed by China with 4,279, Nigeria with 3,902, and Ghana placing fourth among the top 20 countries affected.

    The assessment, conducted between March and April 2023, is based on mandatory biannual submissions from Canadian colleges and universities, which report to immigration authorities on whether international students are fulfilling their enrollment obligations, according to The Globe and Mail.

    These reports help track compliance with visa conditions, including active participation in coursework.

    On the other hand, 5,881 Ghanaian students have adhered to their academic commitments, accounting for 67.4% of those expected to be in school. Other African nations with missing students include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Algeria, and Cameroon.

    The situation has sparked debate over potential exploitation of Canada’s education system and visa policies. Some immigration analysts have proposed requiring foreign students to settle their tuition fees in advance before traveling, arguing that this would close loopholes that allow individuals to misuse study permits for other purposes.

  • Ghanaian doctor based in Canada charged with sexually assaulting a female patient

    Ghanaian doctor based in Canada charged with sexually assaulting a female patient

    A Ghanaian doctor practicing in Canada, Dr. Clarence Clottey, has been charged with sexually assaulting a female patient during a visit to his clinic in Oakville, Ontario.

    The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) confirmed that the 64-year-old doctor, who was working at Bristol Family Physicians on Bristol Circle, was arrested after an adult woman reported the assault.

    Dr. Clottey was charged with one count of sexual assault and has been released from custody pending a court appearance in Milton. Police have released his photograph, as they believe there may be additional victims.

    This is not the first time Dr. Clottey has faced such allegations. In January 2020, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) placed restrictions on his medical practice following previous allegations of misconduct and separate sexual assault charges.

    Dr. Clottey was first arrested in 2016, when he was charged with six counts of sexual assault. During his trial, six patients testified, accusing him of inappropriate touching during medical examinations. However, in 2018, Clottey was acquitted on all charges.

    A year later, the HRPS again arrested him for allegedly sexually assaulting a female patient in 2014. Following that incident, the CPSO imposed a practice restriction requiring Clottey to avoid examining any female patient’s breast, pelvic, or rectal area. He was also required to refer any female patient needing such examinations to another physician. Additionally, the CPSO suspended Clottey for a year in 2017.

    Investigators continue to appeal for information, believing there may be more victims who have yet to come forward.

  • 8-month pregnant Ghanaian student in Canada homeless, seeks assistance

    8-month pregnant Ghanaian student in Canada homeless, seeks assistance

    A Ghanaian woman who travelled to Canada for studies now finds herself eight months pregnant and homeless, seeking help from fellow Ghanaians in Toronto.

    The woman’s desperate situation was shared by Maame Pokuah, a Ghanaian resident in the city, who revealed that the woman had been staying with members of a local church until her pregnancy was discovered.

    According to the account, the woman concealed her pregnancy for several months while living with the church members. However, once the pregnancy came to light, she was evicted from their home, leaving her stranded and forced to live on the streets. With nowhere to turn, the woman has faced immense hardship, leading her to contemplate suicide as she struggles to survive the streets while expecting a child.

    In her current state, the woman is appealing to fellow Ghanaians, particularly those living in Canada, for temporary accommodation. She hopes to find shelter where she can safely deliver her baby before returning to Ghana.

  • NIA cites ‘brain drain’ concerns as it shifts to virtual training for staff

    NIA cites ‘brain drain’ concerns as it shifts to virtual training for staff

    National Identification Authority (NIA) is opting for virtual training and pilot registration abroad to avoid losing staff to countries like Canada. 

    This shift comes as part of a broader strategy to extend its registration services to Ghanaians living overseas and improve the skills of its personnel.

    Executive Secretary of the NIA, Professor Kenneth Attafuah, revealed this decision during a session with the Governance and Assurance Committee of Parliament on August 28, 2024. 

    He explained that the authority’s choice of virtual training stems from fears that employees sent to Euro-American countries might choose to remain there rather than return to Ghana.

    “This was part of the rationale of the background that informed the framers of NIA law to require that it should be Ghanaian missionary staff who should undertake the registration of Ghanaians abroad. We don’t want to take people abroad and suffer casualties.

    Abroad includes Togo, La Côte d’Ivoire, and Mali, and I doubt that we would be losing Ghanaians if we take them there. The risk is those places that we all know of the Euro-American countries,” he said.

    Professor Kenneth emphasised, “Mr Chairman, we intend to be truthful to this country and to help this country to retain its human resource base.”

    This move comes against a backdrop of increasing “brain drain,” where Ghanaians sent abroad for government-sponsored assignments or studies have opted to stay in those countries for better opportunities.

    Recently, a video surfaced of a Ghanaian nurse en route to Barbados, expressing her intent to remain abroad, citing dissatisfaction with conditions back home.

  • Olympics 2024: CAS throws out Canada’s appeal in drone spying case

    Olympics 2024: CAS throws out Canada’s appeal in drone spying case

    Canada’s appeal against the points deduction for their soccer team at the Paris Games, related to a drone spying incident, was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Wednesday.

    A panel of three CAS judges dismissed Canada’s appeal, upholding the six-point penalty that FIFA had imposed on Saturday.

    The controversy arose when two assistant coaches used drones to spy on New Zealand’s training sessions before their opening match.

    Consequently, Canada was docked six points, and head coach Bev Priestman, along with officials Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander, received a one-year ban from all soccer-related activities after New Zealand reported the drone surveillance to FIFA.

    “The application filed by the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canada Soccer in relation to the six-point deduction imposed on the Canadian women’s soccer team for the football tournament at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 has been dismissed,” CAS said in a statement.

    The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) delivered its urgent verdict less than eight hours before defending Olympic champion Canada faced Colombia in Nice for their final Group A match.

    Despite having won both of their previous games against New Zealand and France, Canada remains in third place with zero points. A victory on Wednesday could still see them progress to the quarterfinals.

    The unprecedented six-point deduction for breaching FIFA rules during the tournament has no recent precedent in modern soccer.

    For comparison, a three-point penalty is currently applied to Ecuador in the qualifying campaign for the men’s 2026 World Cup due to fielding an ineligible player with falsified documents during their 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

    In response to the ruling, the Canada Olympic Committee and Canada Soccer issued a joint statement expressing their gratitude to CAS for the swift hearing.

    “While disappointed in the outcome of our appeal, we commend the players for their incredible resilience and grit over the course of this tournament, and look forward to cheering them on in today’s match against Colombia,” the statement said.

    On Monday, Sport Canada said it was withholding funding allocated for the salaries of Priestman and the two other suspended team officials, calling the drone scandal that has rocked the Paris Olympic soccer tournament an embarrassment to all Canadians.

  • Canadian soccer assistant coach, analyst sacked over drone usage

    Canadian soccer assistant coach, analyst sacked over drone usage

    Canadian women’s soccer team assistant coach and an analyst have been kicked out of the Olympic squad after New Zealand said their team had their training session disrupted by a drone flown by a staff member of their Group A opponents, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) said Wednesday.

    Head coach Bev Priestman has also removed herself from coaching the team against New Zealand in Group A on Thursday, the COC added.

    “Joseph Lombardi, an unaccredited analyst with Canada Soccer, is being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and will be sent home immediately,” COC said in a statement.

    “Jasmine Mander, an assistant coach to whom Mr. Lombardi reports to, is being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and will be sent home immediately.”


    “On behalf of our entire team, I first and foremost want to apologize to the players and staff at New Zealand Football and to the players on Team Canada,” she said.

    “This does not represent the values that our team stands for. I am ultimately responsible for conduct in our program.

    “Accordingly, to emphasize our team’s commitment to integrity, I have decided to voluntarily withdraw from coaching the match on Thursday. In the spirit of accountability, I do this with the interests of both teams in mind and to ensure everyone feels that the sportsmanship of this game is upheld.”

    The drone was flown on Monday and the incident was reported by the NZOC to the police and to the International Olympic Committee’s integrity unit.

    “The NZOC and New Zealand Football are committed to upholding the integrity and fairness of the Olympic Games and are deeply shocked and disappointed by this incident, which occurred just three days before the sides are due to face each other in their opening game of Paris 2024,” NZOC said in a statement.

    “At this time the NZOC’s main priority is to support the New Zealand women’s football athletes and wider team as they start their campaign.”

  • Gomoa: Man tries to sell niece to acquire Canadian visa

    Gomoa: Man tries to sell niece to acquire Canadian visa

    A 30-year-old man identified as Nana Kofi Amofa, also known as Kofi Yesu, has been arrested by the Central East Regional Police Intelligence Unit for attempting to sell his 6-year-old niece in exchange for GHC150,000 and a Canadian visa.

    The arrest took place on the evening of Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at Gomoa Buduburam near Obolo Estate in the Central region.

    According to the police, they received a tip-off that Amofa had expressed a desire to sell the young girl, whose name has been withheld for her protection, in order to fund his travel to Canada.

    Acting on this information, officers from the Police Intelligence Unit posed as potential buyers to apprehend the suspect during the transaction. Amofa allegedly demanded GHC150,000 for the child.

    Upon his arrest, Amofa confessed that the girl was the daughter of his elder brother, Kwadwo Brako, who currently resides in Nyamebekyere, a village near Akyem Ayirebi in the Eastern Region.

    Amofa had lured his niece to stay with him under the guise of providing her with better educational opportunities, but his true intention was to exploit her for financial gain.

    Following the arrest, both Amofa and the child were handed over to the Kasoa Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) for further investigation.

    The police are continuing to look into the case to ensure that justice is served and the safety of the young girl is secured.

  • Prove vehicle ownership or forfeit in 21 days – EOCO warns owners

    Prove vehicle ownership or forfeit in 21 days – EOCO warns owners

    The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has issued a directive concerning eight luxurious vehicles, warning their owners to provide proof of ownership within 21 days or face forfeiture.

    These vehicles were seized in operations over recent years, part of efforts to combat criminal syndicates trafficking stolen cars.

    In a statement reference number DP/145/145V.1/13, it reads “The under-listed vehicles were seized by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (BOCO) following a series of operations over the years. The Office entreats owners of the published vehicles to come forward with proof of ownership to claim their vehicles. The Office will dispose of the vehicles in 21 days”

    Last year, over 40 vehicles stolen from Canada were traced to Ghana, highlighting international efforts between the FBI and EOCO to address this issue.

    The syndicates often sell these stolen vehicles in Ghana, sometimes leaving original documents intact, which has sparked concerns in Canada over the scale of auto theft and its exportation by organized crime.

    “Auto theft considered a ‘national crisis’ in Canada, with nearly all stolen cars exported by organised crime,” the report said.

    In one intriguing incident of car theft, “a car was stolen from a Toronto driveway in less than five minutes. Months later, CBC News journalists called the owner with the stunning news that they had found this car in Ghana.

  • Drake loses $300,000 bet after Canada lose to Argentina in Copa America semi-final clash

    Drake loses $300,000 bet after Canada lose to Argentina in Copa America semi-final clash

    Canadian superstar Drake has suffered a $300,000 loss after Canada was defeated 2-0 by Argentina in the Copa America semifinal.

    With total odds of 9.60, Drake stood to win an estimated $2.88 million had Canada emerged victorious over the reigning world champions, Argentina.

    Drake shared his bet slip on Instagram, playfully captioning it with: “This could get Messi @stake.” This marks Drake’s second betting loss this year, following a $565,000 loss in May when Tyson Fury was defeated by Oleksandr Usyk.

    Lionel Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, and Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez scored the goals that secured Argentina’s victory at New York’s MetLife Stadium.

    Argentina will face the winner of the semifinal clash between Uruguay and Colombia, which will take place on Wednesday, July 10.

    The highly anticipated final is set for Sunday, July 14, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

    Meanwhile, Canada will compete for third place against the loser of the Uruguay vs. Colombia match.

  • $11 billion to be spent by Canada on training military planes

    $11 billion to be spent by Canada on training military planes

    Canada is going to spend $112 billion to make the military training better. They will buy 70 new training planes for the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program.

    Defense Minister Bill Blair said the words at a big meeting for defense companies in Ottawa. The Department of National Defence said that the training aircraft will be separated into different groups, including two-seat turboprop training and aerobatic low-wing planes, helicopters, and Dash-8s.

    Blair said we want to give our military the best equipment and skills. He said this in a speech at the CANSEC breakfast.

    The agreement has training in the classroom, in a simulator, and in an actual plane. It also has extra help for people who want to be RCAF Pilots or Air Combat Systems Officers.

    This means that Canada is planning to spend 176 percent of its national income on defense by 2029-30, using money that has already been set aside by the government.

  • Toronto’s proposal to decriminalise ordinary drug possession denied by Canadians

    Toronto’s proposal to decriminalise ordinary drug possession denied by Canadians

    The Canadian government has said no to Toronto’s request to make having small amounts of drugs not a crime because they don’t think it will keep people safe and healthy.

    “Minister Saks said she has concerns about whether the police can make the new plan work, if it will keep young people safe, and if important people in the government of Ontario will support it. ”

    Ottawa decided to change its mind the day after the Ontario government asked the city to stop the request. The Ontario government thinks the request is a bad idea.

    Health Minister Sylvia Jones and the province’s Solicitor General Michael Kerzner wrote a letter to Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s medical officer of health, saying that the province will not support the request made to Health Canada in early 2022 for an exception to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

    Premier Doug Ford said again that his government will not support the request. He wrote a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday, asking Ottawa to stop approving new safe supply sites.

    “We told Toronto Public Health that we don’t and will never support their request to make illegal drugs legal,” Ford said. “We officially confirm to the government that we completely disagree with their proposal. ”

    Ford and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre both said they don’t think the prime minister should agree to Toronto’s request.

    Toronto’s request to decriminalize drugs gained attention again after British Columbia requested to make the use of certain drugs illegal in public spaces, because there were problems with a previous exemption order.

    Drde Villa said on Friday that since decriminalization is not an option anymore, it’s important to invest in other evidence-based solutions.

    She said the province needs to provide more money and make it easier for people to get different kinds of treatments to help with the drug problem.

    De Villa told CP24 that her request is based on the best medical advice for the health of the public. “By the end of the day, I’ll keep working as a doctor to offer advice, but it’s up to the elected officials to make the decisions,” she said.

    On Friday, she said she supports Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow’s idea to work together with all levels of government to tackle the “complicated problem. ”

    Toronto Public Health is ready and wants to work with others to find ways to help with this important and urgent health problem, de Villa stated.

    Before the government made a decision on Friday, Chow wrote a letter asking all levels of government to work together to fight the opioid crisis.

    She said they should have a Crisis Centre open all the time, more treatment options for substance use, homes for people with many needs, and more things to help.

    “I think that by offering more treatment choices, we can greatly lessen the harmful effects of drug toxicity in Toronto and Ontario,” Chow wrote.

    She also said, “We all believe that it is very important to get more treatment. ”

    Chow said that the debate about decriminalization doesn’t matter unless people struggling with drug addiction have the right housing and treatment they need.

  • Russia sanctioned by Canada for allegedly supplying North Korea with weaponry to Ukraine

    Russia sanctioned by Canada for allegedly supplying North Korea with weaponry to Ukraine

    Canada has once again punished Russians and companies that it says are helping Moscow invade Ukraine.

    The penalties are for two men and six shipping companies that Canada says helped move weapons, like ballistic missiles, from North Korea to Russia illegally.

    Global Affairs Canada says that these groups bought weapons from North Korea and used them in Ukraine this year and last year, which goes against international sanctions.

    Ottawa says the companies are connected to the Russian military and help move weapons. They can’t do business with Canadians.

    Canada has punished over 3,000 people and groups in Eastern Europe who are involved with Russia invading Ukraine in 2014 and invading again in 2022.

    A report from the Senate says it’s hard to know if Canada’s restrictions on people are being followed, and if Ottawa has clearly explained why they are imposing the restrictions.

    The police updated their information on money that’s been frozen and transactions that have been blocked because of sanctions. There wasn’t much change since last September.

    Sanctions against Russians in Canada have stopped $140 million of their money, increased from $136 million last year.

    Canada stopped $317 million transactions, which is more than the previous $305 million.

    New information shows that $116,000 belonging to people from Belarus has been stopped from being used. Last September, no money had been frozen.

  • Canada’s Information Commissioner Warns of Critical $700K Funding Shortfall

    Canada’s Information Commissioner Warns of Critical $700K Funding Shortfall

    Caroline Maynard, Canada’s Information Commissioner, recently sounded the alarm in Parliament, highlighting a pressing concern: her office faces a staggering $700,000 funding deficit. This shortfall, amounting to five percent of her office’s budget, poses a severe threat to investigating complaints regarding government transparency and accountability.

    Maynard, addressing Parliament’s standing committee on access to information, privacy, and ethics, emphasized the dire consequences of this funding gap. She expressed concern that delays in processing complaints and accessing government information could significantly hamper her office’s efficacy, particularly during a time of heightened scrutiny on access to information systems.

    The commissioner attributed this “unacceptable predicament” to funding calculations by Canada’s Treasury Board Secretariat. In a letter dated May 14, Maynard underscored the gravity of the situation, stressing that even a minor reduction in personnel could strain operational capacity significantly.

    As the guardian of Canada’s freedom of information laws, Maynard plays a vital role in upholding transparency standards. However, the current funding crisis raises questions about the government’s commitment to this essential mandate. Critics argue that underfunding the Information Commissioner’s office fosters a culture of secrecy within government institutions, undermining the effectiveness of access to information laws.

    Matt Malone, a legal expert and advocate for transparency, warned that inadequate funding could render access to information laws toothless. He emphasized the need for an independent funding model to ensure the Information Commissioner’s autonomy in holding the government accountable.

    While the Treasury Board Secretariat defends its funding formula, stating an increase in the Information Commissioner‘s budget for the upcoming fiscal year, Maynard and advocates like Malone continue to push for reforms. Maynard advocates for a more independent funding model that would insulate her office from government control, ensuring its ability to fulfill its critical mandate without hindrance.

    The ongoing funding crisis underscores broader challenges in maintaining transparency and public trust in government institutions, signaling a pivotal moment for Canada’s access to information framework.

  • Middle East travel planned by Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly

    Middle East travel planned by Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly

    Canada’s foreign affairs minister is going on a five-day trip to the Middle East and the Mediterranean. She will mainly focus on helping to keep peace and giving aid.

    The government of Canada says that Melanie Joly is going to leave today. She will visit Cyprus, Lebanon, Turkey, and Greece, where she will meet with other government officials and people in similar positions.

    In a statement, Joly says that things are changing quickly in the Middle East and Caucasus, and it is affecting Canada.

    She wants to talk to officials and see how Canada can keep helping.

    She is going on a trip to mark 60 years of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus and to talk about how to send more help to Gaza.

    She will also talk about keeping the Middle East and South Caucasus safe and stable.

  • Canada abstains from supporting Palestinian UN membership

    Canada abstains from supporting Palestinian UN membership

    Canada didn’t vote for or against Palestine joining the United Nations, along with 24 other countries.

    On Friday, most countries in the UN agreed to let Palestine become a full member of the UN. Out of 193 countries, 143 said yes to the resolution.

    Other countries like the UK and Switzerland also chose not to vote with Canada. The United States and Israel were two of nine countries that said no to the proposal.

    Canada always supports a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. This has always been our stance. “Canada has chosen not to vote on the General Assembly resolution about stopping the two-state solution. ”

    The statement said that both the leaders of Israel and Gaza are making it hard to reach a two-state solution, and that the chances for a lasting peace are not looking good.

    Global Affairs Canada said the Netanyahu government has shown it doesn’t want a two-state solution. “At the same time, Hamas is in charge of some parts of Gaza, which is an important area for the future State of Palestine. ” Hamas still has hostages and has not stopped using weapons or fighting against Israel’s existence.

    The issue will be discussed by the 15-member UN Security Council, but it is likely that the US will vote against it. The US said no to a resolution that was like this one in April.

    Starting in September 2024, Palestinians will be able to sit with other UN members in the assembly hall. However, they won’t be allowed to vote. Even if the Security Council says no, Palestinians will still be allowed to sit in the assembly hall.

    Palestinians have been allowed to attend and observe UN General Assembly meetings as a non-voting member since 2012. They are governed by the Palestinian Authority, which has some control over the West Bank. The Palestinian Authority used to control Gaza until 2007. That’s when Hamas took over after winning an election. Hamas started a violent attack on Israel on Oct 7, which led to the ongoing and destructive war in Gaza.

    Global Affairs Canada thinks that Palestinians should keep working towards being able to make their own decisions. “All Palestinians should have a government that is fair and represents them, and not run by a group that uses violence. ”

    Israel took control of the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem after a war with its Arab neighbors in 1967. The UN has always supported the idea of a Palestinian state and Israel both having safe and acknowledged borders.

    Global Affairs Canada said that we need to quickly make a plan to achieve the two-state solution. This plan should give both Palestinians and Israelis hope that they can live together peacefully, safely, and with respect. Canada is ready to acknowledge Palestine as a state when it is best for lasting peace, even if it’s not the final step.

  • Six Canadian kids brought home after being held captive in Syria

    Six Canadian kids brought home after being held captive in Syria

    Six kids from Canada have been brought back home from being held in northeastern Syria, but it’s still not known where their mom is.

    Global Affairs Canada said they are now focused on keeping the children’s information private and making sure they get the help they need to start a new life.

    Lawyer Lawrence Greenspon got a message from Global Affairs on Tuesday saying that the children are safe in Montreal and are getting help from a special clinic.

    He recently said that the mother of the children, who is from Quebec, was not allowed to come back to Canada because of security reasons.

    Greenspon said the woman left al-Roj detention camp, but no one knows where she went.

    The Canadians were in a place where they were being kept with other people from different countries after the fighting in the area was over and the militant group ISIS was removed.

    The Global Affairs statement thanked the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria for working together despite difficult security conditions.

    We are thankful to the United States for helping bring Canadians back home and for their support during this time.

    In the past, Ottawa helped bring back Canadian women and children from Syria detention.

    But, many Canadian kids and their mothers who are not from Canada are still living in very bad situations. Some Canadian men are also being held in custody.

    A group of people from civil society went to Syrian prison camps last August. They want the Canadian government to help Canadian prisoners in the camps and bring them back to Canada quickly if they want to come back. Delegation members, such as Sen. (Simplify) Delegation members, like Sen. (Simplified) Kim Pate and Alex Neve, who used to work for Amnesty International Canada, asked the government to give temporary permits to allow non-Canadian moms and siblings of Canadian kids to come to Canada.

    The group said Canada is involved in a global human-rights problem by keeping thousands of foreign people in detention, and many of them are kids.

    Neve said on Tuesday that the six new people who came to Canada are safe now. But it’s terrible that their kids had to be separated from their mom.

    Neve, now a senior fellow at the University of Ottawa’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, said the government’s claim that her views are too extreme to allow her to come back home is really worrisome. It doesn’t follow the law or human rights standards.

    He said that the group of people helping others met with a family in Syria, and it was clear that they are all very close to each other- the children with their mother and each other- and they depend on each other for support.

  • Canadian property utilised for a chopper airlift – Haitians

    Canadian property utilised for a chopper airlift – Haitians

    The Canadian government used a Haitian leader’s property to evacuate its citizens by helicopter when things got dangerous in Haiti last month. But at the same time, they didn’t take him off the list of people they won’t do business with, according to a court request.

    In December 2022, the Canadian government punished Reynold Deeb and two other important rich people in Haiti, according to Global Affairs Canada.

    In a recent court application, Deeb is asking to be taken off the list of people with sanctions. He says he’s not involved in gang violence and is very involved in helping the community.

    Deeb said in the paper that he was asked by the RCMP and Canada’s ambassador to use his property for police training and helicopter rescues of Canadian citizens. He thought it showed he is reliable.

    He says he was “glad to agree” to help. But even though the Canadian government asked for his help during a difficult time, they still wouldn’t remove the sanctions against him, he says.

    The Canadian government was asking Mr. Smith at the same time. Deeb is confused about why he can’t use his property and why there are sanctions against him, his legal request says.

    Deeb says it’s a mistake that he’s on Canada’s sanctions list, and people who are on the list suffer a lot. They have a bad reputation, can’t get financial help or jobs, and can’t travel freely.

    Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said in 2022 that they put sanctions on Haitian elites because they were helping armed gangs with money and operations.

    The Canadian government said Deeb, Gilbert Bigio and Sherif Abdallah helped criminal gangs by hiding their money and doing other illegal things.

    Deeb asked the Federal Court of Canada to make the minister decide on his request to be taken off the sanctions list.

    Deeb filed another Federal Court application saying that the minister did not explain why she denied his removal request.

    The paper says he is a respected businessman and works as a purchasing manager for the Deka Group. The Deka Group is a collection of companies that are the top importers of consumer goods in Haiti.

    The ambassador of Canada asked for help on the same day that the foreign affairs minister refused to take him off the sanctions list, according to his application.

    The paper says the minister made his decision using information that is available to the public, about his suspected bribery, avoiding taxes and supporting criminal groups.

    He is said to be very close to former president Michel Martelly and supported politician Gary Bodeau.

    Deeb says the minister used the wrong information to make the decision to impose sanctions on him, and this was not fair.

    During an interview, Deeb’s lawyers said that he has emails from the Canadian embassy thanking him for letting them use his property for helicopter evacuations and police training.

    Hall thinks that the emails are very interesting. They show that Canadian embassy officials and the RCMP were grateful and said nice things about Deeb for letting them use his property. This is against the law because Canadians are not supposed to use property from people who are not allowed by the government.

    Boscariol and Hall said their client feels like he has been treated unfairly by being put on Canada’s sanctions list. They believe that Deeb has been a friend to Canada.

    Hall said that it seems like the government searched the Internet for rumors and that is a problem.

    Deeb has not been punished by the US, the European Union or the United Kingdom, but being punished by Canada has a big impact on his reputation.

    “He said the Canadian government doesn’t seem to think carefully about their decisions. ” “The government didn’t do enough research or show proof for some of the claims they’re making. ”

    Global Affairs Canada did not give an answer to Deeb’s claims by the time it was due.

    A report from a group of experts at the United Nations Security Council in September 2023 said they had proof that Deeb helped fund a gang while working as the chief operating officer of the Deka Group.

    The report said that in 2017, Deeb gave money to a gang leader to help his business. He also used gang members to threaten customs officers at the port so they wouldn’t check his containers.

    In late 2019, Haiti had a lot of problems with its economy and politics. The president, Jovenel Moise, was getting a lot of pressure, and some people say that a man named Deeb took advantage of the situation. They say he gave money to members of the government, who then paid gang leaders to stop protests and let his goods into the country.

    Deeb’s lawyers say he completely denies the report’s claim that he financed a gang.

    “Mr William’s presentation was very informative and insightful. ” “Mr William gave a good talk and I learned a lot. ” “Boscariol said Deeb is greatly affected by much of this. ” “He brings in a lot of goods to sell in stores all over Haiti, but the gang also causes problems for him. ”

    Deeb is one of 11 people from Haiti that Canada punished for breaking rules about international peace and safety.

    Thirteen people are on the list for doing very bad things, and four are on the list for treating people very badly.

  • Interference by China did not affect Canada’s overall results of the 2019 election – Report

    Interference by China did not affect Canada’s overall results of the 2019 election – Report

    China trying to get involved did not change the outcome of the 2019 and 2021 elections that Justin Trudeau’s Liberals won, according to a government investigation.

    In a report on Friday, commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue said that some election results in a few areas may have been influenced, but it’s not certain.

    Hogue listened to a lot of information and looked at secret papers. He found that nobody, not even Beijing, affected Canada’s voting system during the two national elections.

    “Our system is still strong,” said Hogue after her report was released. People voted and their votes were counted properly. There is no evidence of any interference.

    She said that trying to influence the government didn’t make a difference in the last two elections.

    However, Hogue found in her report that outside influence made people in Canada have less trust in their democracy. “This is the biggest damage Canada has faced because of other countries getting involved. ”

    The investigation recently finished 10 days of public meetings to look into claims of China, India, Russia, and other countries influencing the last two elections.

    “I found out that other countries trying to influence us is a common thing, not only in Canada but everywhere. ” Hogue said he also learned that the government tries to respond to the problem, whether or not there is an election happening.

    “Foreign interference is similar to a crime. ” It is always there. Its ways change over time. Although the government can try to find solutions, it may not be possible to completely get rid of it. With that being said, we should stop it and lessen its impact.

    The Liberals started a new rule in 2019. If a group of government officials decides that something might affect Canada’s ability to have a fair election, they will tell the public about it.

    There was no announcement about the 2019 or 2021 elections. The Liberals won the election with less than half the votes and the Conservatives became the main opposing party.

    Hogue said she can’t rule out the chance that foreign interference could have affected the results in some specific ridings. “In my opinion, only a few ridings are affected and we don’t know for sure how much foreign interference will ultimately impact the situation. ”

    Hogue mentioned two examples that were talked about a lot in the public meetings.

    She examined the competition for the Liberal nomination in the Toronto area of Don Valley North in 2019, and Han Dong was chosen as the candidate.

    The Canadian security agency found a possible plan involving a bus of Chinese students with fake papers, but Hogue said there was not enough proof to know what really happened.

    She said that in the 2021 election in British Columbia’s Steveston-Richmond East, there is a good chance that Chinese interference hurt Conservative candidate Kenny Chiu’s chances of winning the seat.

    In general, Hogue found that foreign meddling probably affected some votes in the 2019 and 2021 elections, and also hurt the rights of voters to have a fair and free election without outside pressure or secret influence.

    “This has probably not been a big problem so far, but it might get worse in the future. ”

    Politicians might change what they say and do because of foreign interference. This might happen more if we don’t protect against it, Hogue said.

    “This would really hurt our democracy because it goes against the idea that politicians should be able to share their opinions and the opinions of the people they represent without being influenced by another country in secret. ”

    The investigation will now focus on bigger problems with government policies, like how good they are at stopping foreign interference.

    “Trying to interfere in Canadian matters has been happening for a long time. By the 1980s, there were clear warnings that Beijing was trying to influence and take advantage of the Chinese community in Canada. ”

    Last February, the Globe and Mail reported that China tried to help the Liberal party win the 2021 election and prevent Conservative politicians who were not friendly to China from winning.

    Next month, the government said that someone independent would check for foreign interference in the elections. This is one way they are trying to stop meddling and make people feel more confident about the elections.

    David Johnston, a person in charge of a big job, said in a report in May 2023 that there are big problems in the way information is shared and understood between security agencies and the government.

    However, he did not find any instances of ministers, the prime minister, or their offices purposefully or carelessly ignoring intelligence, advice, or recommendations.

    Johnston said that some information got out and was not understood correctly by some media because they didn’t have enough context.

    In the end, he advised not to have a public investigation because a commissioner would face the same problems with keeping things secret as he did.

    In September, the government said Hogue would lead a public inquiry, even though there were more leaks to the media and pressure from other political parties.

  • Canada to give $65 million to Lebanon for economic growth and humanitarian aid

    Canada to give $65 million to Lebanon for economic growth and humanitarian aid

    Canada will give Lebanon $65 million to help with development and humanitarian aid, said Minister Ahmed Hussen.

    The money package includes $38 million for making things better and another $27 million to help people in need.

    “This $27 million will really help the people who need it,” he said in an interview.

    Lebanon has had more and more money problems in the last few years, Hussen said. This is because of the explosion in the port of Beirut in 2020 and millions of refugees leaving nearby countries because of war.

    “We must help Lebanese people who are in need and also the refugees. ”

    The help will be used to give people food, water, and medical care.

    Funding for economic development will go to groups like UN Women, which are part of the United Nations. Global Affairs Canada wants to give money to help local farmers, businesses run by women, and women involved in politics.

    Hussen said that women around the world do not have enough money to start or expand their businesses.

    “Helping women to be more powerful is the best way to fight poverty and make sure the economy grows for everyone. ”

    Canada is giving money to help Lebanon’s economy as part of the government’s plan for the Middle East. According to Hussen, Canada has given over $500 million to Lebanon since 2016.

  • Canada donates millions to support Ukraine by producing drones and munitions

    Canada donates millions to support Ukraine by producing drones and munitions

    The Canadian government is giving $3 million to make drones in Ukraine to help Kyiv fight against Russia’s invasion.

    According to report, the Defence Minister Bill Blair is working with the United Kingdom to provide financial help.

    In a meeting with defense leaders, Blair said the Czech Republic will get $13 million to help Ukraine with ammunition.

    The announcements give out money that was promised last year when the Liberal government said they would give $500 million in military support.

    Blair also gave information on donations that were mentioned before.

    He said the first batch of tanks and 10 small military boats will be sent to Ukraine this summer.

    This news story is still being updated. Come back later for more information.

  • Canada imposes sanctions on Iran’s Minister of Defence

    Canada imposes sanctions on Iran’s Minister of Defence

    Canada is taking action against Iran’s defense minister by putting new restrictions on them, because Iran attacked Israel and now Canada is responding.

    The penalties impact two organizations and two military leaders. They happen a week after Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said Canada would focus on more Iranians.

    Iran’s Defense Minister Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani and top military leaders have been put on sanctions along with the US and the UK.

    The punishments come after Iran fired missiles and drones at Israel on April 13, which was its first direct attack on the country.

    Israel is believed to be responsible for an airstrike on Iran’s embassy in Syria.

    The sanctions prevent certain people and groups from coming to Canada or doing business with Canadians.

    “Iran is causing a lot of worry with its actions, and it could make the situation in the region even more dangerous,” Joly said in a statement.

    Joly’s department says that Iran’s military group called the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was behind the attack on Israel. The Conservatives have asked Ottawa many times to label the group as a terrorist organization.

    A part of the IRGC is already on the list, and Liberals are thinking about putting the whole organization on the list.

    However, they have always said that if they do this, it will impact a lot of people who have no option but to join the organization, even in non-fighting jobs.

  • LGBTQ2S+ protests scheduled to take in Canada on May 16

    LGBTQ2S+ protests scheduled to take in Canada on May 16

    Groups all over the Canadian country are getting ready for what they say will be the biggest LGBTQ2S+ movement since the effort for same-sex marriage rights.

    Fae Johnstone, who leads the Society of Queer Momentum, says there will be protests in different parts of Canada in May.

    The group wants the government to provide money for programs that help LGBTQ2S+ people, and they are working with other organizations to make this happen.

    The team has named the campaign the Rainbow Week of Action.

    There will be rallies in Toronto on May 16, and in other cities like Calgary, Edmonton, and Ottawa on May 17. More activities are planned for other towns and neighborhoods.

    Johnstone believes their message is very important right now because some groups and politicians are sharing false information about the LGBTQ2S+ community to make people angry and cause division.

    “It’s time for us to change things. ” It’s time to speak up and ask for a Canada where everyone’s family is treated fairly and has freedom.

    Rallies will happen in twelve big cities and towns, Johnstone said, and smaller communities are planning to have shared meals and pizza parties.

    “Local event planners and LGBTQ+ groups from each province will bring what their community needs. ” “Soon, there will be rallies in Alberta, New Brunswick, and Saskatchewan to make sure the government is taking action to protect the rights and freedoms of transgender kids,” she said.

    Alberta Premier Danielle Smith wants to make it harder for young people to get gender-affjsonrming care. She wants to make a law that says teachers have to ask parents for permission before they start calling a child by a different name or pronouns if they’re under 16 years old. If students are 16 or 17, teachers can make decisions without asking the parents, but they have to tell the parents about it.

    Last year, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick made a rule that says parents must agree if kids 16 and under want to change their names or how they are called. Protests and legal battles happened after that.

    Saskatchewan used a special clause to ignore some rights in order to make the policy a law.

    Johnstone said that the rallies also send a message to areas that have been more accepting of trans rights.

    “In other provinces where the government is willing to listen, we will continue to work towards our goal and encourage them to invest in what they say they support. “

  • Canada and G7 call on ‘parties’ to defuse growing situation in Middle East

    Canada and G7 call on ‘parties’ to defuse growing situation in Middle East

    Canada urged all parties to de-escalate the rising tensions in the Middle East following reports of Israel’s drone attack on Iran.

    Foreign ministers from the G7 countries, including Canada’s, and the High Representative for the European Union, made a public statement on Friday morning. The G7 countries criticized Iran for launching a direct and unusual attack on April 13. More than 100 drones carrying bombs were intercepted by Western allies as they were heading towards Israel.

    Before the Iranian attack, another airstrike, which many think was done by Israel, destroyed Iran’s office in Syria. It killed 12 people, including two top Iranian generals.

    “I agree with my G7 colleagues in asking everyone to try to stop things from getting worse,” said Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly in a post on X on Friday.

    The group said they completely support Israel and think that Iran attacking Israel is a bad move that makes the region more unstable. It also asked Iran to stop supporting Hamas, Lebanese Hezbollah, and other violent groups.

    “We will make sure the Iranian government faces consequences for its bad and disruptive actions, and we are ready to impose more sanctions or do other things,” the statement said.

    It did not clearly say what other things the G7 is thinking about.

  • 14 people arrested over grandparent scam prey on seniors cross Canada

    14 people arrested over grandparent scam prey on seniors cross Canada

    The police in Ontario have caught 14 people who were involved in a scam that targeted seniors in Canada.

    Information about the investigation, called Project Sharp, was announced at a news conference in Scarborough on Thursday morning.

    The police in Montreal have arrested all the suspects and have charged them with 56 offenses.

    The police found that since January, 126 people were tricked and lost a total of $739,000.

    The people who were hurt are between 46 and 95 years old and they all had landline phones, according to the police. Many older people in Ontario were the main victims of the fraud, according to the police.

    Detective Inspector from the OPP. Sean Chatland said the police started investigating a group they think is involved in fraud in September 2022.

    In February 2023, Chatland announced that the investigation became an official joint forces operation led by the OPP, with police services from Ontario and Quebec working together.

    “This crime group carefully and deliberately took advantage of victims,” Chatland said in a press conference in Scarborough on Thursday morning.

    “They pretended to be police, judges, lawyers, and family members in order to trick grandparents who thought they were helping their relatives in trouble. “

  • Canada’s intelligence agency accused of negligence and slander in lawsuit worth $5.5 million

    Canada’s intelligence agency accused of negligence and slander in lawsuit worth $5.5 million

    A police officer and a detective are suing Canada’s spy agency because they think the agency made a mistake and wrongly connected them to another police officer who is accused of working for China.

    Paul McNamara and Peter Merrifield say that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service gave wrong information, which made them lose their security clearances for their jobs.

    “I’m really mad that they’re saying I’m a threat to national security,” McNamara said in an interview with the media. I will test you here. “I will go to my grave to show that I am not a danger to the country’s security. ”

    McNamara used to work as a detective in the Vancouver Police Department. After he stopped working, he got a job as the person in charge of security programs at a company called VXL Enterprises. He was responsible for the security of the US Embassy and its consulates in Canada. He lost his permission to work and his job in 2021, and has not been able to find work since then.

    Before Merrifield became the vice-president of the RCMP union, he was in charge of protecting the prime minister. When he was in that job, Merrifield says he was one of just a few Canadians who had “higher than top secret clearance. ” Merrifield’s clearance was stopped for almost a year between 2022 and 2023.

    Merrifield said that the main difference between intelligence and evidence is the amount of proof needed. “Intelligence is not being held responsible for its actions. ”

    They have filed a lawsuit in federal court, claiming that they were defamed and accusing that the investigation was not done properly.

    “McNamara and Merrifield claim that CSIS had a political agenda to act tough on Chinese interference and targeted many people connected to Chinese businesses, including them. ”

    “Instead of checking real information, CSIS made wrong claims about the Plaintiffs and gave them to their employers, knowing it would cause harm. ”

    The two are asking for over $5. 5 million because they believe their income has been affected, they are upset and their reputation has been harmed. This happened because CSIS identified them in regular security checks.

    McNamara said that if our intelligence service is not strong and well-managed, it can hurt Canadians more than foreign state actors. “China hasn’t done anything to harm me, but my own country’s security service has. ”

    CSIS did not want to say anything about the lawsuit.

    A CSIS spokesperson said they can’t talk about court cases.

    The lawsuit is happening after two weeks of meetings at the public investigation into foreign meddling. During the testimony, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his cabinet and his staff kept saying that “intelligence wasn’t evidence,” as they disagreed with CSIS intelligence about Beijing’s involvement in the last two elections.

    On Thursday, Trudeau talked to reporters and said that he has a lot of confidence in the people working in Canada’s security organizations. He thinks they are amazing.

    “This job is very important and it keeps getting harder every day. ” But leaders and governments should not just wait for information to come to them, they should take action.

    “We need to ask questions, think carefully, and encourage more research on sources and finding contradictions. ” This is something we all need to do to make sure Canadians stay safe.

    McNamara and Merrifield say they have problems because they talked to William Majcher, a former Mountie who is now facing charges for interfering in foreign affairs. Merrifield says he was interviewed by CSIS agents for six hours, and they spent more than three hours asking about Majcher.

    McNamara and Merrifield say they were not involved in Majcher’s work in China.

    Majcher was a secret police officer who looked into illegal money activities for the RCMP before he stopped working in 2007. He moved to Hong Kong and started a business that helped recover stolen money that was being hidden in other countries. This business worked with Chinese investment banks and law firms.

    Security experts say that this might have included official efforts to fight corruption, like Operation Fox Hunt. The Chinese government has used this program to send back suspects and fugitives without their agreement. The rights group Safeguard Defenders says that these programs also go after people who disagree with the government.


    Majcher was accused in July of breaking the law about national security and spying.

    In July, the RCMP said that Majcher used what he knew and who he knew in Canada to get information or help for China. He is accused of helping the Chinese government find and scare someone in a way that is not allowed in Canada.

    In a special interview with the press while out on bail and waiting for trial, Majcher said he didn’t do what he’s accused of.

    “In March, Majcher said I love my country, not betray it. ” I will be in a courtroom. I will do a lie detector test and I dare anyone accusing me to do the same.

    Majcher thinks he became suspected when he was hired by a Chinese group to get information about how Canada handles extraditions. This was related to the case of Meng Wanzhou, who was held in Vancouver because the US wanted her to be extradited.

    “Most people are freelancing, unless they work for the government or a big company,” Majcher said. “Everyone is working hard to make money in their business. “

  • Canada to add Haiti evacuation flight in response to last-minute requests

    Canada to add Haiti evacuation flight in response to last-minute requests

    Canada plans to assist more individuals in departing Haiti as a result of a surge in last-minute requests for aid.

    Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said in a message on X that officials received many extra requests before the last planned government flight out of the country.

    “As we were finishing helping people leave Haiti, we started getting a lot of last-minute requests for assistance,” she posted on social media on Sunday. “If you missed today’s flight, don’t worry. We will have another flight next week. “

    The government arranged a flight on Sunday, which was likely the last one, to bring Canadians home from Haiti. This is because Haiti is dealing with a lot of gang violence and doesn’t have enough food and medicine.

    “The situation in Haiti is really tough. That’s why Canada has been helping the Haitian national police and working with other countries to bring stability to Haiti. We also help Canadians who are in Haiti and need support,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a per-budget announcement in Montreal.

    “Webegan moving people to safety several weeks ago and we will keep helping them as much as we can. “

    During the Montreal news conference, Joly said the extra flight would make everyone happy.

    Joly said on Friday that her department has been keeping a close eye on requests for help and has decided that no more flights are necessary.

    Last week, she said that Canada will use helicopters to take Canadians from Port-au-Prince to a secret place, and then fly them to Montreal on a special plane.

    One flight leaves on Wednesday, then another on Friday, and finally one on Sunday.

    Canada was using helicopters to bring people to the Dominican Republic, but only people with Canadian passports could go. People who were allowed to stay in a place for a longtime were not allowed to be part of something.

    People going to Montreal pay for their own plane ticket, just like they would for a regular flight. But Canadians who were in the Dominican Republic had to pay for their own place to stay and their flight back home. The government helped them if they needed it.

    Earlier this week, Global Affairs Canada said it helped over 250 Canadians and their close family members leave Haiti.

  • Israel supporters petition court to stop Canada’s funding of UNRWA

    Israel supporters petition court to stop Canada’s funding of UNRWA

    Those in favor of Israel are pushing for the Federal court to nullify the government’s decision to persist in funding the principal UN agency aiding Palestinians.

    The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is asking the Canadian government to stop giving money to UNRWA, as it is what people whose family members were killed in the Hamas attack want.

    A document says that if UNRWA workers were involved in the Hamas attack, it goes against Canada’s law on giving aid to other countries. This law says aid should be given in a way that follows Canadian beliefs.

    Canada stopped giving money to UNRWA in January because the agency is looking into whether some of its employees were involved in an attack. The United States is investigating 12 staff members.

    The Liberals gave back the money in March because they said the situation in the Gaza Strip was really bad and all the workers were being looked into.

    CIJA thinks it’s not fair to give back the money until the investigation is finished.

    The application also mentions that Israel says UNRWA has worked together with Hamas lately. But UNRWA denies this, and it says Canadian money is illegally helping a terrorist group.

    Lawrence Greenspon filed a request and believes that the government can give money to help Palestinians in need through different organizations.

    “He said to turn on the tap again, but use a different water fountain,” in an interview.

    The UNRWA helps Palestinian refugees in the Middle East, but it’s not the same as the UN agency that helps refugees around the world. Some Jewish groups and Conservatives have criticized UNRWA for a long time.

    They are saying that the agency’s staff’s social media posts are not neutral. Israel says that many workers are part of Hamas, but they have not shown the evidence to the public.

    The Canadian government stopped giving money to UNRWA in 2010 because they thought it was too connected to Hamas.

    Supporters of UNRWA believe it is the best organization for giving out help in Gaza and for keeping the refugee status for Palestinians who were forced to leave their homes when Israel was created and their children and grandchildren.

    Last November, Melanie Joly, who is a Minister for Foreign Affairs, said good things about UNRWA for helping the people in Gaza by giving them the things they need to live. She said UNRWA is the only group that can actually do this.

    The United Nations says that the recent fighting in Gaza has caused the deaths of over 175 of its aid workers. This is the highest number of aid workers killed in any conflict in the history of the UN.

  • One Canadian missing following earthquake in Taiwan – Global Affairs

    One Canadian missing following earthquake in Taiwan – Global Affairs

    Global Affairs Canada and Taiwan‘s top representative in Ottawa say a Canadian person is missing in Taiwan after the strong earthquake there this week.

    Global Affairs spokesperson Pierre Cuguen said that consular officials are helping the family and talking to local authorities.

    He can’t give more information because of privacy reasons.

    Harry Tseng, who is Taiwan’s spokesperson in Canada, said that one person from Canada is missing after a big earthquake on Wednesday. But two Canadian tourists were saved and are now safe from a national park.

    Tseng said he doesn’t know much about the person who is missing. The Canadians who were found were supposed to be hiking in Taroko Gorge and they are not badly hurt.

    He said they are hoping that the rescue teams can find the missing person by Thursday.

    Taiwan’s news agency reports that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says three Canadians were saved from the earthquake area, but one person is still not found.

    Taiwan’s fire department said on Facebook that two Canadians were stuck with others because of falling rocks at Taroko National Park. It’s a popular place for hiking.

    Taiwan’s emergency center said a big earthquake happened on Wednesday near Hualien County, 150 kilometers south of Taipei. 10 people died, 705 are stuck, 11 are missing, and 1,099 are hurt.

    It happened in the middle of Hualien County, which is 150 kilometers south of Taipei.

    The Central News Agency said that one person from India and two people from Australia are missing after the earthquake, and 71 people from other countries have been saved.

    Report in Chinese says that people from other countries in Taiwan said thank you to the rescue teams and Taiwan officials for their great help.

    Tseng said that Canadian officials have sent him many kind messages, which shows the strong friendship between Canada and Taiwan.

    He said, “the bad times are finished now. ”

    “People in Taiwan showed how strong and tough we are, and we hope that everyone who was affected can go back to their normal lives soon,” he said.

  • $6 billion housing infrastructure fund to be launched in Canada

    $6 billion housing infrastructure fund to be launched in Canada

    The Canadian government is launching a new $6 billion fund to finance the construction of homes.It will help make construction faster and improve things like water and waste systems.

    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday that the government will provide money for housing. He made the announcement in Dartmouth with Housing Minister Sean Fraser. Protesters were chanting in the background while the Liberals are traveling to talk about their spending plans before the budget.

    The Prime Minister’s Office plans to set aside $1 billion for important improvements to things like sewage, stormwater, and garbage systems.

    $5 billion will be saved for agreements with provinces and territories that have not been discussed yet.

    The national government needs provinces and territories to promise to do certain things to make more houses in Canada in order to get this money.

    Some of the things needed:

    Town and city governments have to permit more small homes like duplexes, triplexes, and townhouses.

    Municipalities with more than 300,000 people have to stop increasing development charges for three years.

    New rules are coming to the National Building Code to make it easier for people to find homes that are affordable, easy to access, and good for the environment. These new rules will have to be followed.

    Allowing construction that meets existing building and zoning rules for the federal housing design catalogue without needing special approval.

    The new funding deadline is January, so provinces have until then to apply for it. The federal government deal deadline is January 1, 2025, and for territories, it’s April 1, 2025.

    “If a province or territory doesn’t make a deal by their deadline, their money will go to the cities instead,” says the PMO’s statement with Trudeau’s announcement.

    In addition to the new fund, Trudeau is also promising to add $400 million to the current $4 billion “Housing Accelerator Fund. ” This will help more cities join the initiative to make it easier and faster to build new homes.

    So far, almost 180 agreements have been signed in Canada to quickly build over 750,000 new homes. The Liberals think that giving more money will help build 12,000 new homes faster in the next three years.

    “We will find a solution to the problem of not enough homes for Canadians. ” This is how we will make things more fair for young people who feel like they are struggling because houses are too expensive, Trudeau said. “We have been working hard to reduce the amount of paperwork and speed up the building of many homes. We want to keep making more progress. ”

    Trudeau told cities that they will need to build more houses in order to get money for public transportation in the future.

    This news story is still being updated. Come back later for more information.

  • Nationwide protests over carbon tax draw demonstrators to Parliament Hill in Canada

    Nationwide protests over carbon tax draw demonstrators to Parliament Hill in Canada

    People in Canada on Monday morning gathered to protest in front of Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The protesters were upset about the government raising the carbon tax, and similar protests are expected to happen in other parts of the country too.

    A few people protested near the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge that connects Ottawa and Gatineau on Monday morning. The protest did not cause any big traffic problems.

    The group called Nationwide Protest Against Carbon Tax planned to have a protest at the bridge at 8 a.m to 11 a.m in front of Parliament Hill.

    The Ontario police told people on social media to stay calm during protests and reminded protesters to follow the law, be peaceful, and stay safe.

    The OPP understands and agrees with the right to peacefully and safely share opinions, but there is no right to block or disrupt transportation. All people in Ontario have the right to move around freely in the province without any restrictions, the OPP said on X, previously known as Twitter.

    The Ottawa Police Service also warned people about traffic problems in downtown Ottawa because of the planned protests.

    Metcalfe Street going north is closed from Queen Street to Wellington Street because of protests, as shown on the City of Ottawa’s traffic map.

    The police are helping cars move in the right direction. We don’t know how long the road will be closed.

    The group picked the bridge as one of 17 places for their protests at the borders between Canadian provinces.

    The group wants to keep one lane open for traffic and keep the event going until they reach their goals, no matter how long it takes.

    The protests happened because the government increased the cost of carbon from $65 to $80 per tonne on April 1st.

    Conservatives and some premiers want Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to cancel the tax increase because they think it is a big problem.

  • Aid workers killed in Gaza included Canadian-American citizen – Hospital records

    Aid workers killed in Gaza included Canadian-American citizen – Hospital records

    A bombing by Israel killed seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen, causing the charity to stop giving food to the people in Gaza who really need it. This is happening because Israel is attacking Gaza, and many Palestinians don’t have enough food to eat.

    There was no way to verify where the fire started on Monday. The Israeli military said it was very sorry for the deaths, but did not admit that it was their fault.

    The video showed dead people, some wearing protective clothing with the charity’s symbol, at a hospital in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah. Hospital records show that three people from Britain, one from Australia, one from Poland, one from the United States and Canada, and one from Palestine were killed.

    The charity, started by famous chef José Andrés, helped open a new way to bring much-needed help to northern Gaza. The UN says many people there are close to starving because they are cut off from the rest of the area by Israeli forces.

    Andrés’ charity helps people in many countries that have had wars or natural disasters, like Israel after the Oct. The person who caused the conflict with the attack feels very sad about the deaths of his friends.

    The Israeli government must stop killing people without choosing who they are. He said on X, which used to be called Twitter, that they should stop blocking humanitarian help, stop hurting innocent people and aid workers, and stop using food as a weapon.

    The charity said the team was traveling in three cars, with two of them being armored vehicles, and they had planned their movements with the Israeli army.

    Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the top military spokesperson, said that they are looking into the incident very seriously. He also mentioned that they will begin an investigation to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.

    Erin Gore, the head of the charity, said, “This is not just an attack on our organization, but on all groups trying to help in dangerous situations where food is being used as a weapon. ” “This is really wrong and can’t be forgiven. “

    UNRWA, the main UN agency in Gaza, reported that 173 of its workers have been killed in the area since the war started. This happened when militants led by Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages. Israel fought back with one of their most deadly and damaging attacks in a longtime.

    Several countries wanted to help the people in northern Gaza, where there is a big problem. They tried to open a new way to bring in more aid by using the sea. Right now, not enough supplies are getting in because Israel controls the land routes. The United States and other countries have dropped supplies from airplanes to help, but experts say it’s not enough to meet the growing needs.

    Israel stopped UNRWA from sending aid to the north, and other aid groups are saying it’s too risky to send truck convoys north because the military hasn’t made sure it’s safe.

    Three ships from Cyprus brought 400 tons of food and supplies to help people. The ships were organized by World Central Kitchen and the United Arab Emirates after a test run last month.

    The US has given important help to Israel’s attack. They are talking about using the sea to deliver aid and are going to build a floating dock. It will take a few weeks to build.

    Adrienne Watson, who speaks for the National Security Council, said that the US is very upset and worried about the strike. “Weask Israel to quickly look into what happened,” she wrote on X.

    Nael Eliyan, a Palestinian who had to leave his home, was in his tent about 100 meters away when he heard a big blast on Monday night. He quickly went to the place where it happened. “Their injuries were very bad, and they died fast,” he said, calling them “heroes, martyrs, and brave people. “

    The aid workers’ bodies were brought to a hospital in the southern city of Rafah near the Egyptian border, as reported by an Associated Press reporter at the hospital.

    The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, said that a person named Zomi Frankcom from Melbourne, who was 44yearsold, was killed. He also said that the Australian government has asked Israel for an explanation.

    “This person volunteered in another country to help people in need through a charity organization in Gaza who are going through a lot of hardship. ” “This is not okay at all,” Albanese told reporters.

    DavidCameron, the top official in charge of UK relations with other countries, said they are checking to see if reports about British people dying in the attack are true. He said it was very upsetting news.

    “It is important to keep humanitarian workers safe while they do their job,” he wrote on X, and also asked for an investigation.

    Poland’s Foreign Ministry expressed their deepest sympathy to the family of a volunteer who had been helping Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. They did not say how the volunteer had died. The Foreign Ministry wants to know why Israel did something and is asking them to explain.

    The mayor of Przemysl, Wojciech Bakun, said on Facebook that the victim’s name was Damian Soból and he was from the city in southeastern Poland.

    Over 32,916 people in Gaza have died in the war, and most of them were women and children. The Health Ministry in Gaza counts all the deaths, not just civilians. Israel says that the deaths of civilians are caused by Palestinian militants who fight in crowded neighborhoods. The army doesn’t usually talk about specific attacks.

    Late on Monday, it seems like Israel attacked Rafah and 12 Palestinians, including 5 children, were killed. Israel said they would keep fighting in that area even though there are a lot of Palestinians there who have run away from the fighting in other places.

  • Many Pakistani flight attendants disappear after arriving in Canada

    Many Pakistani flight attendants disappear after arriving in Canada

    Usually, flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) who come to Toronto stay in a hotel for the night, then meet up with their crew the next day and fly to their next destination.

    However, more and more frequently, PIA flight attendants are not showing up, according to the airline. PIA says that at least eight flight attendants have gone missing in the past year and a half.

    They left their jobs and are thought to have asked for protection in Canada, according to a spokesperson for the government airline.

    More often happening

    Abdullah Hafeez Khan said that at least eight flight attendants have disappeared after arriving at Pearson International Airport in Toronto. He said that these things have been happening for the past 10 years, but now they are happening more often.

    “From around October 2022, more and more people have been seeking asylum,” Khan said in a video interview with CTVNews. ca from Karachi, Pakistan, where the airline is located.

    None of the crew members who went missing in the past year and a half have returned. So they were allowed to stay in a new country for some reason, and that probably made other people want to do the same.

    Khan said that the employees who were not there were let go right away and they lost their company perks.

    Why did they run away.

    Khan said he could only guess why the flight attendants ran away.

    The Canadian government emphasized that Pakistan is a dangerous place to visit. They warned people about the high risk of terrorism, as well as civil unrest, sectarian violence, and kidnapping.

    “The security situation is not stable and can change unexpectedly,” says the Canadian travel advisory. “Events usually happen because of extreme beliefs, differences between ethnic groups, conflicts between religious groups, and disagreements between nearby countries like Afghanistan. ”

    Many people have been hurt or killed in bombings, shootings, and other terrorist attacks in many different places.

    Khan thinks that the missing employees went to Canada to find a better life because he hasn’t heard from them.

    “He said he thought they all got permission to live there because he didn’t think they were living there illegally. He also said they might have family in Canada who can help them. ”

    ‘PR crisis’

    Khan said that PIA is having a “PR crisis” because flight attendants are disappearing, and this is bad for business because there aren’t enough crew members.

    The airline is talking with Canadian and Pakistani authorities to find a way to prevent flight crew from trying to get asylum.

    Erin Kerbel, who speaks for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, said they couldn’t talk about the missing PIA flight attendants because of privacy laws.

    The CBSA spokesperson said they can’t confirm any information about PIA’s claim of discussions happening.

    Maria Ladouceur said the Canada Border Services Agency won’t say anything about specific people or any talks with airline companies because it’s private information protected by the Privacy Act.

    “Since the crew members went missing, Khan said the airline has done many things to stop that from happening again. ”

    For example, the airline is only having crew members who have family in Pakistan or have worked for the airline for a long time on flights to Toronto.

    The airline doesn’t want to send people who are single or don’t have family in Pakistan to Toronto, the man said.

    Khan said he and the airline can’t reach the flight attendants anymore because they found out that the flight attendants often change their phone numbers after disappearing in Toronto.

    Who went missing.

    The PIA flight attendants who went missing in Canada are experienced professionals in their late 30s or 40s. Some of them have been working for the airline for as long as 20 years, according to Khan.

    “He said they never showed any indication that they would look for something like that. ” “So, this is something that worries us because it’s unexpected when something happens with people who have been working with us for a long time. ”

    In February, the crew members were waiting for the bus to take them from the hotel in Toronto to the airport. But one of the flight attendants didn’t come. Khan said this happened in a recent case.

    The airline couldn’t get in touch with the flight attendant on her phone or hotel phone, so they asked the hotel to make sure she was alright.

    “Khan said when the crew went to the place, she left her uniform behind with a note that said, ‘Thank you PIA’. He thought it was a real thank you for her 15 years of working with PIA, not a joke. ”

    Khan said the missing crew members were good people with successful jobs in Pakistan.

    Laws about letting people seek safety in a new country.

    People can ask to be refugees in Canada when they arrive at the border or online if they are already in Canada.

    Canadian immigration or border officials will decide if the person can have a hearing with the Immigration and Refugee Board. The government says everyone who makes a claim needs to have their health and security checked.

    If you are allowed to ask for help in Canada as a refugee, you can get social support, go to school, get health care, find a place to stay in an emergency, and get a lawyer while waiting for the government to decide if you can stay in the country. Many people can get a work permit after a doctor’s appointment.

  • Two more Canadians killed while defending Ukraine in conflict with Russia – Global Affairs

    Two more Canadians killed while defending Ukraine in conflict with Russia – Global Affairs

    A group of soldiers from another country were secretly doing missions against Russia in the Ukrainian war. Their Canadian leader was killed in action. A person who studies wars in the former Soviet Union said this.

    Jean-François Ratelle, also known as Hrulf, was in charge of the Norman Brigade. He was one of two Canadians who died while fighting for Ukraine in the last month.

    A university professor in Ottawa, named Jean-François Ratelle, said that the Norman Brigade seems to have changed its job from defending to doing other things away from the fighting. Ratelle, who researches people who fight in other countries, is not related to the soldier with the same name who passed away.

    “According to Ratelle, the Norman Brigade’s job in the war is shifting. They are doing more secret missions behind enemy lines and less traditional combat in cities. ”

    “It seems like they became helpful for the Ukrainian military intelligence. ”

    Global Affairs Canada knows that two Canadians have died while fighting in Ukraine. This brings the total number of Canadians killed to 11 since Russia invaded in February 2022.

    Alain Derasp, 49, from Quebec, died in Ukraine on Feb. At 27 years old, he was a soldier in the Canadian Army and a dad to four kids, said a notice about his death.

    Derasp was teaching soldiers in Ukraine how to help others who are hurt. He got sick near the fighting and died. A person from the military told this but didn’t want their name known.

    Luc Fortier, who was in the same regiment as Derasp, said that Derasp was always happy and very committed to his job.

    The infantry is like a family, according to Fortier. He said it hurts a lot for the soldiers who knew Derasp to lose him so suddenly.

    Derasp was born in Campbellton, N. Band joined the Canadian Forces in 1992. He worked for 26 years, helping keep peace in the United Nations and NATO missions in Yugoslavia and Afghanistan.

    Derasp was a warrant officer when he retired. He lived in Chicoutimi, Quebec.

    Ratelle, who was from Joliette, Quebec, was killed in a fight, said a friend from Ukraine, Anna Filippova. In a letter, Filippova said she saw him not long after he got to Ukraine in March 2022.

    “He was a strong fighter, a very strong and unshakable leader and fighter,” she said. “He was brave and driven, with strong beliefs, and he didn’t let anything stop him from reaching his goal. ”

    The National Defence Department said they have records of a person named Jean-François Ratelle who was an artilleryman for three years. A friend told me he joined the French Foreign Legion later on. In pictures on social media after he died, he was wearing the uniform of the famous French military group. The French army did not give a comment when asked.

    Chris Ecklund, a business owner and kind person from Hamilton, has helped Canadians go to Ukraine to fight and has talked to Ratelle. He said Ratelle is a committed soldier.

    “He was answering the call like many other people from Canada and around the world,” Ecklund said in an interview. “He supported the cause and was just trying to lend a hand. ”

    Professor Ratelle mentioned that foreign fighters have been involved in the conflict, but mostly in supporting roles. They have taken part in big battles, but they are mostly used for holding the front lines, conducting raids across borders, and acting as distractions before Ukrainian troops launch their attacks.

    The Norman Brigade was started at the beginning of the war. Some people left because they couldn’t agree on what the unit should do. He said that the unit used social media to raise money online, but then became more secretive after a few months of the war. Russian propaganda said that there are far-right people in the unit, but Ratelle said he hasn’t seen evidence of that.

    The Russian government first reported the deaths of the two Canadians on social media. They shared photos and personal information about the men. On X platform, which used to be called Twitter, the Russian embassy in South Africa said that both men were “mercenaries” and that Ratelle was killed by a drone attack.

  • Greece is ‘definitely’ interested in acquiring LNG from Canada – Greek PM

    Greece is ‘definitely’ interested in acquiring LNG from Canada – Greek PM

    The Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, says that Greece would like to buy Canada‘s liquefied natural gas if it is possible for them to do so.

    Mitsotakis talked to Vassy Kapelos for an interview that will be shown on Sunday. This happened while the prime minister was visiting Canada.

    Canada is working on eight projects to make natural gas into a liquid. The first export place will start working next year and will send goods to some Asian countries.

    The question of whether Canada should sell its products to European countries in the future has been a long-standing political argument.

    The problem has become more urgent after Russia invaded Ukraine. Many Western countries are now trying to stop buying Russian oil.

    “We handle a lot of LNG and serve not only Greece, but also Balkan and Eastern Europe,” Mitsotakis said. “In theory, we could also give supplies to Ukraine. ”

    “We are very interested in getting LNG at good prices, he said. “We need a steady source of electricity, and in Greece, we don’t use nuclear power and are moving away from coal. So, for now, natural gas will continue to be an important source of energy for making electricity. ”

    When someone asked whether Canada could be a good partner, Mitsotakis said “yes, definitely. “

    “He said Canada and our country have similar beliefs and opinions on some big issues like Ukraine and Gaza. ”

    In August 2022, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he wasn’t sure if exporting LNG should be part of Canada’s long-term plan to provide clean energy to Europe.

    Speaking with the German Chancellor at a press meeting, Trudeau seemed to doubt if it makes sense to invest in LNG projects.

    “We’re trying to increase our energy production and might send LNG to Europe if it’s profitable,” Trudeau said.

    “But in the future, Canada can become a major energy supplier to the world in a net-zero economy. ” This means putting money into hydrogen and critical minerals, as well as other solutions.

    Mitsotakis is the first leader of Greece to come to Canada in over 40 years. He wants to tell everyone that Greece is ready to do business. Economists think the economy will grow steadily and prices will not go up as much in the next few years, after a long time of very bad economic problems.

    “Greece has made a really good recovery in the economy. I believe that we have moved past the crisis,” he said. “I think now is a good time for Canadian businesses to consider investing in Greece. ”

    Mitsotakis talked about how Canada needs to spend more money on its military, aiming to reach the NATO goal of spending two per cent of the country’s GDP on defence. He also talked about the war in Ukraine.

    “I know it can be tempting to not spend money on defense and use it for other things, but we never had that option,” he said. “We always put more than two percent of our money towards defense. ”

    “But since this is a goal for all NATO countries, it’s important for all of them to achieve it,” he said.

    Mitsotakis talked about the trade deal between Canada and the European Union, called CETA, and the problems in approving it. He said he will talk about this with Trudeau this weekend.

  • Canada applauds UN Security Council’s decision to end Gaza conflict

    Canada applauds UN Security Council’s decision to end Gaza conflict

    Canada is happy that the United Nations wants the fighting to stop between Israel and Hamas during Ramadan. This was said by Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly on Monday.

    Canada has been urging for a lasting peace agreement since December, she said at a media event in Ottawa.

    “We have said that the fighting needs to stop and the ceasefire should be connected to releasing hostages, Hamas giving up its weapons, and making sure that help can reach Gaza,” Joly said.

    “We want everyone to understand our decision and what we expect from them. ”

    The decision made on Monday says that hostages should be released, but it doesn’t have to happen before the ceasefire during Ramadan, which ends on April 9.

    This means the pause would only be for two weeks. The proposal says that a pause in the fighting should bring about a long-lasting peace.

    The United States chose not to vote on the resolution, which made the Israeli prime minister very upset.

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided not to go to Washington with a group of important people. He said the US is not standing by its principles.

    The Israeli group was supposed to tell White House officials about their ideas for sending troops into Rafah, a city in southern Gaza near Egypt. Over a million Palestinian people are living there to stay safe from the war.

    The decision was made 14-0 after the US chose not to stop it.

    John Kirby, a spokesman for national security at the White House, said the US has always supported a ceasefire as part of a hostage deal. Kirby said we didn’t vote because the resolution didn’t criticize Hamas.

    Hamas said it was happy that the Security Council voted, but they want the ceasefire to last forever.

    Over 32,000 people in Gaza have died in the fighting, says the Gaza Health Ministry. The agency counts all people who were killed, not just soldiers. It found that most of the people who were killed were women and children.

    Gaza is also dealing with a serious humanitarian crisis. A report from a global organization about hunger said on March 18 that a very serious food shortage could happen soon in northern Gaza. The report also said that if the fighting gets worse, half of the 2. 3 million people in Gaza could be in danger of not having enough food to eat.

    Joly has told Israel and other countries that she is worried about a possible military attack in Rafah.

    “Gaza is a really terrible place to live right now,” Joly said.

    “A military operation would be really bad because these people have no other place to go. “

  • Federal government of Canada reports $25.7 billion deficit from April to January

    Federal government of Canada reports $25.7 billion deficit from April to January

    The Canadian government spent $25. 7 billion more than it took in up to January for this year.

    The Finance Department reported in its monthly budget update that the deficit from April to January was smaller than the $6. 4 billion deficit from the previous year.

    The fiscal monitor gives a last look at how the government’s money is doing before the Finance Minister presents the budget on April 16.

    Freeland said the government will stick to the spending limits it promised in the fall, and will keep the deficit at around $40 billion for this year.

    The most recent numbers show that the government made $10. 5 billion more, which is a three percent increase. This was mainly because more people paid personal income tax and other taxes, and the government also received more money from sources other than taxes.

    At the same time, the amount of money spent on programs, not including losses from financial calculations, went up by $21. 2 billion, or 6. 7%This was because spending increased in all the main areas.

    The amount of money the government owes went up by $10. 3 billion, or 35.9 percent. This happened mostly because the interest rates went up.

    Net losses decreased by $1. 9 billion, or 23. 2 percent, from the previous year.

  • 56 additional Canadians added to sanctions list by Moscow – Ministry

    56 additional Canadians added to sanctions list by Moscow – Ministry

    Russia said on Friday that 56 Canadians are not allowed to visit their country.

    The government said that the people on the list were actively supporting the praise of Hitler’s helpers from the OUN-UPA and the Galicia Division. “CEOs and leaders of companies who provide weapons to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and those who are actively participating in Canada’s campaign against Russia. ”

    The OUN-UPA and the Galicia Division were groups of Ukrainian people who fought against the Soviet army during World War Two. The OUN-UPA fought during the German invasion of the Soviet Union and the Galicia Division was a group of Ukrainian volunteers recruited by the German Nazi party to fight the Soviet Red Army.

    The government says nearly 1,600 Canadians are not allowed to go to Russia.

    This news story is still being updated. Come back later for more information.

  • Over 10,000 cars recalled by Stellantis in Canada over malfunctioning airbags

    Over 10,000 cars recalled by Stellantis in Canada over malfunctioning airbags

    Stellantis is bringing back over 10,000 Dodge and Chrysler cars in Canada because their airbags are broken.

    The company is recalling about 10,285 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 cars from 2018 to 2021. Their side airbag inflator could explode too forcefully and throw pieces of metal at people in the car. They need to replace the inflator to fix the problem.

    The car company says that because of a problem when they made the parts, water might get in and make them rust and break. This could make the airbags blow up, even if there’s no accident, because it gets really hot inside the car.

    The company says they don’t know of anyone getting hurt or any accidents caused by the airbag.

    Stellantis has said that the problem affects less than 1% of the cars being called back, but they want all their customers to act on the recall notices.

    Around the world, 318,000 Dodge and Chrysler vehicles have been affected.

  • Canada’s Maude-Aimee Leblanc shoots 64 to lead LPGA Tour at Palos Verdes

    Canada’s Maude-Aimee Leblanc shoots 64 to lead LPGA Tour at Palos Verdes

    Canada’s Maude-Aimee Leblanc did really well in a golf tournament, scoring 7-under 64 and taking the lead after the first round in the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship.

    Leblanc, who is 35 years old, played the first nine holes at Palos Verdes Golf Club and finished by making three birdies in a row. She was the only one with a round that didn’t have any bogeys that day.

    “Today I felt like I hit the ball really well. Even when I missed the green, I was able to recover and score. ” Leblanc said “I made some great saves and kept the momentum going during the round. Also, my putting was good. ” These green plants can be really difficult. The signs were difficult to understand, but I think my caddie and I did well in understanding them today, so I’m happy about it.

    LPGA Tour newcomer Malia Nam came in second place after scoring a 65. She is one of seven ex-players from the University of Southern California playing in the competition.

    Nam said he played this course more than 100 times. “I’m really happy that we got to practice here. ”

    Alison Lee, who used to play for UCLA, had a score of 66, along with Yuka Saso, Lauren Hartlage, and Madelene Sagstrom.

    Seri Pak is hosting the tournament for the first time. Pak is a very important player in LPGA history. She was one of the first South Korean players to set an example for others to follow.

  • Canada drops from 13th to 15th position in yearly World Happiness Report

    Canada drops from 13th to 15th position in yearly World Happiness Report

    Canada is now ranked at 15th place in the yearly World Happiness Report.

    Canada is now ranked lower than Costa Rica, Kuwait, and Austria, dropping from 13th place last year.

    John Helliwell, a Canadian economist and founding editor of the World Happiness Report, said on Wednesday that in Canada and the United States, younger people are not as happy as they were 10 or 12 years ago.

    “The older people have not experienced many changes, and their life circumstances have stayed the same. This is causing them anxiety. ”

    The report looks at information from 140 countries and uses six important factors to understand how people feel about their lives: how much money they have, how much support they get from others, how long they are expected to live, how much freedom they have, how generous they are, and how they feel about corruption. The 2024 report was the first to rank people by age, showing big differences between young and old in some countries.

    Helliwell, a retired professor from the University of British Columbia, thinks that bad news in English media, especially on social media, is one reason why Canada is less happy now.

    “We looked and asked, ‘How does this work in Quebec. ‘ Because Quebec is more focused on French-language media,” Helliwell explained in simpler words. “In fact, the decrease in young people in Quebec is only half as much as the decrease in the rest of Canada. ”

    The top 20 list

    According to the 2024 World Happiness Report, the top 20 happiest countries in the world are:

    1. Finland;
    2. Denmark;
    3. Iceland;
    4. Sweden;
    5. Israel;
    6. Netherlands;
    7. Norway;
    8. Luxembourg
    9. Switzerland;
    10. Australia;
    11. New Zealand;
    12. Costa Rica;
    13. Kuwait;
    14. Austria;
    15. Canada;
    16. Belgium;
    17. Ireland;
    18. Czechia;
    19. Lithuania; and
    20. United Kingdom

    The World Happiness Report has once again ranked Finland as the happiest country for the third consecutive year.1 same spot for seven years in a row. The United States went down to 23rd place from 15th place. Afghanistan, Lebanon and Lesotho were at the end of the list.

    Helliwell thinks we can make Canada a happier place by changing how young people think.

    “Good news, people are more generous than you think,” Helliwell said. “Believe it and behave that way. ” Treat the person you don’t know in the street like a friend you haven’t met before. Give them a smile. Have a conversation with them. Build relationshipsAnd that’s the first thing we need to do to make our community happier.

    The report shows that prices for things are going up, which is making it harder for Canadians to afford things. Vance Foreman, 29, talked to CTV News in Fredericton, N. B, and believes that weather affects how people feel.

    “I know many social safety programs have been reduced. ” Saving money for a house, food, and other things is very difficult. “I can see that a lot of people are feeling sad,” said Vance. He said he just moved from the city, and it’s hard to afford gas.

    “I have been trying to save money for a long time, but I’m not making much progress. It’s happening very slowly,” he said. “It’s not the same as when my parents were young and trying to afford things. “

  • Canada rejects permit for arms export to Israel

    Canada rejects permit for arms export to Israel

    Canada has not given permission to sell weapons to Israel since January. “Ottawa has to make sure the weapons are used correctly before the freeze can end,” Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said on Wednesday.

    Export permissions that were given before January are no longer valid. 8 things are still happening, she said in an email.

    The minority Liberal government needs help from the left-leaning New Democrats to stay in power. The New Democrats want the government to take a stronger stand against Israel for the conflict in Gaza.

    “Canada has very strict rules for allowing products to be shipped out of the country. ” Joly said there are no permits to send dangerous things to Israel.

    From January onwards. The government has not allowed any new weapon exports to Israel. This will continue until we can make sure that they are following our rules for exports.

    The law in Canada does not allow the export of weapons if they could be used to hurt or harm women, children, or break international rules about how wars should be fought.

    Canada’s government agreed on Monday to stop selling weapons to Israel as a way to help with the conflict in Gaza.

    Canada, which doesn’t supply a lot of weapons to Israel, stopped sending non-lethal military equipment in January because of the quickly changing situation there.

    Earlier this month, some people who support Palestine and human rights filed a lawsuit to stop Ottawa from sending weapons and technology to Israel.

    After the serious Hamas attacks on Oct 7, Canada has given permission for at least $28. 5 million worth of new things to be done, which is more than what was allowed in the previous year.

  • Alleged contractor fraud case referred to RCMP by Canadian federal government

    Alleged contractor fraud case referred to RCMP by Canadian federal government

    The government of Canada’s buying department found three cases of possible dishonest billing by IT subcontractors and reported them to the police.

    Jean-Yves Duclos, who is in charge of buying things for the government, found out that some people were doing tricks to cheat and get more money between 2018 and 2022.

    Duclos is saying that the department took away the security access of the contractors and is trying to get back around $5 million.

    The government is not telling us the names of the people involved to make sure the police investigation is not affected. Duclos also mentioned that the government is making a new office to make sure suppliers follow the rules.

    He also said the government will now make suppliers be completely honest about who they hire to do work and how much they charge.

    This news story is still being updated. Come back later for more information.

  • Deadly salmonella outbreak connected to snake and rodent contact – Canada’s public health agency

    Deadly salmonella outbreak connected to snake and rodent contact – Canada’s public health agency

    Canada’s public health agency is looking into a possible connection between a salmonella outbreak and being in contact with snakes and feeder rodents.

    As of March 19, the agency reported 70 people getting sick from salmonella in one outbreak.

    “Ten people have been taken to the hospital. ” One person has died from salmonella, according to public health officials. They sent this information to the media.

    The virus has been found in eight provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

    Officials said that many people who got sick had either touched or been near the animals before. Some people didn’t touch the snakes or mice, but they lived in the same houses where they were kept.

    “We don’t know where the snakes and feeder rodents came from,” the release said.

    This news story is still being updated. Come back later for more information.

  • Canada records poorer air quality than US in history

    Canada records poorer air quality than US in history

    New report trooping in indicates that Wildfires in Canada have made the air quality worse than in the U.S.

    The 6th Annual World Air Quality Report released on Tuesday, shows that for the first time, air in Canada is worse than air in the US. Out of the 15 cities with the most pollution in Canada and the United States, 14 were in Canada. The worst were Fort McMurray and Peace River in Alberta.

    The air in Northern America was very affected by big fires in Canada in 2023. The fires burned a really large area for many months. “In 2023, Canada had more pollution than the United States for the first time ever in this report’s history. “

    The report said that only seven countries have air that is clean enough according to the World Health Organization. Those countries are Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius and New Zealand.

    IQAir, a company from Switzerland,releases a report about the air quality around the world.

  • Commander of volunteer fighter force from Canada passes away in Ukraine

    Commander of volunteer fighter force from Canada passes away in Ukraine

    A leader from Canada who was in charge of a group of volunteer fighters in Ukraine, called the Norman Brigade, has passed away.

    The information was first spread online in chatrooms and social media posts and then shared by a Russian-owned news outlet called Sputnik.

    Canada’s government knows that a Canadian person has died in Ukraine, but they won’t say who it is or how they died.

    “We are thinking of his family and loved ones during this tough time,” said spokesperson Grantly Franklin. The officials are talking to the local authorities to get more information and are helping the family.

    More update on this story soon.

  • Families who saved loved ones from Gaza believe Canadian government has deceived them

    Families who saved loved ones from Gaza believe Canadian government has deceived them

    The young woman felt hopeful for the first time that she might survive the terrible situation in the Gaza Strip, on the same night she thought she and her family would be killed.

    Last year, Canada government said it would help bring more family members of its citizens out of the dangerous area. However, in the past month, the 20-year-old woman lost hope that the Canadian government would help her family leave due to the delays.

    As the weeks passed, she and her family endured frequent attacks. On some days, when they couldn’t find canned food, the grown-ups chose to go without eating so that the kids could still have food.

    In the middle of February, things got better for them. She and her family got permission to go into Egypt. Their names were on a list.

    The Canadian government was not involved.

    In a very desperate situation, the young woman’s family in Canada paid over $70,000 to a private company to talk with Egyptian and Israeli officials and leave the country.

    The news made her family so happy that they were jumping for joy that night.

    Shortly after, people in the Rafah area, which was thought to be one of the safest places, became very scared because it was bombed by Israel.

    The doors and windows were blown out of a small apartment where a young woman slept with 40 other women and children.

    They survived the night and as the sun came up, the family gathered their few belongings and carefully went to the border.

    She didn’t realize she was really leaving her life behind until she was on the bus. After that, they would all begin again in Canada, and her family would definitely get a visa since they had escaped. But that’s what she believed.

    “The young woman said in Arabic, using a translator, that we thought the only problem would be leaving Gaza, and then it would be simple. ” The Canadian Press promised not to say her name because they were worried about getting in trouble with the Egyptian or Canadian authorities.

    “She begged to go to Canada because that’s our only hope. ” But that hope is almost gone.

    She and her family have not heard from the Canadian government about visas, even though their legal status in Egypt is about to end soon.

    At the same time, the family can’t go to work or see a doctor. Their family overseas is giving them all the help they need, and they already paid a lot of money to keep them safe.

    The people in Canada feel tricked because they don’t know what will happen.

    “The woman’s aunt in Canada said they tricked us. She has been trying to bring her relatives to safety since the war started in October. ” The text cannot be “rewritten in simple words” as it is not complete. Can you please provide additional details or the full text for me to help you. The Canadian Press promised not to say the aunt’s name so that people wouldn’t know who the family is.

    She said the Immigration Department asked for money to apply for the program that Ottawa announced in December, but she hasn’t seen Canada doing much to help her family.

    “She said Canada isn’t putting in enough effort for this program, and it’s a big question. ”

    “They only come up with reasons. ”

    The government started a program in January to give short-term visas to about 1,000 people in the Gaza Strip. They can go to Canada if their family there agrees to help them.

    Immigration Minister Marc Miller is upset that Canada can’t help approved family members come to Egypt.

    He didn’t answer right away when asked about the problems people had escaping on their own.

    The government won’t tell us how many people have applied to the program that helps family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents stay in Canada temporarily. The husbands, wives, and kids of those other family members can also apply.

    As of March 4, we have accepted 986 applications for processing. Only 12 people were able to leave Gaza, complete the screening process, and get permission to come to Canada, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

    The war started when Hamas fighters attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7 airplanes crashed, killing around 1,200 people and taking about 240 hostages.

    Israel quickly attacked with planes and then sent soldiers to fight on the ground in a war that has killed over 30,000 Palestinians, as reported by the Health Ministry in Gaza, run by the group Hamas.

    The war made 80% of the 2. 3 million people in Gaza leave their homes, and a quarter of them don’t have enough food to eat, according to the United Nations.

    Immigration lawyer Debbie Rachlis from Toronto is helping about 50 Palestinians in Egypt who escaped on their own and are now waiting for a Canadian visa. She said she knows about 100 similar cases that other lawyers are working on.

    It’s sad because some people won’t be able to leave because their family doesn’t have the money or connections.

    She said that people who didn’t finish the Canadian application process are worried that they may not qualify anymore.

    Rani Hemaid gave a lot of money to a company to help his family leave Gaza and go to Cairo. Now they don’t have much money and are waiting to hear from the Canadian government.

    He said it’s not sure if they still meet the requirements because they came before Canada’s visa program started.

    In Gaza City, his sister, her husband and their five children are waiting too. They are in danger from military attacks and not having enough food to eat. Hemaid said this.

    His 10-year-old nephew, Yamin, has a broken leg that can’t be fixed because all the hospitals are gone, he said.

    Yamin said sorry to his mom for always being choosy about food, his uncle said.

    “I will eat whatever food you give me right now,” Hemaid said emotionally from his home in Hamilton, Ontario.

    Hemaid was a Palestinian Canadian who wanted to help bring the families of Canadians to safety.

    When the visa program started, people called him to say thank you for his help. They said their families would be safe now, he said.

    Now they are calling him to say that they wish it had never opened – the false hope has crushed them.

    “We, as Palestinian Canadians, feel that the Canadian government has tricked and deceived us,” he said. “They don’t care about us. ”

    He is afraid that Palestinians will remain in Gaza and may starve or die because they are unsure about the Canadian visa program.

    It’s not sure who will be approved, or how much time it will take. A lot of people in Cairo don’t have enough money to live day-to-day without knowing if they will have enough money to pay for a hotel or rent a room from Airbnb.

    I am really in need. “I feel very discouraged,” he said.

    The rules say that if extended family members want to apply for the program, they have to be in Gaza when they apply. Yaman Marwah, a lawyer who helps people with immigration in Ottawa, said this.

    Canada has not given any money or help with living to family members who are allowed to come to Canada, and they also did not reduce the cost of applying for a visa. The application fee is about $185 for each person.

    People who were applying for their families had to sign a paper saying they don’t get welfare and will pay for everything themselves.

    Marwah said he’s not sure if it’s better to give people hope and encourage them to fight for it, like Canada did, or to not give them any hope from the beginning and tell them we can’t help.

    The young woman in Egypt said she feels more fortunate than those who are still in Gaza.

    She said that simple things like taking a shower or having a bag of chips feel great, and she really just wants to go back to her normal life.

    She said the Canadian government has to make this hope happen.

  • Canada declares humanitarian situation in Gaza “catastrophic”

    Canada declares humanitarian situation in Gaza “catastrophic”

    Canada is giving money again to the United Nations to help Palestinian refugees in the Near East. Canada will also help send supplies to Gaza from the air.

    Ahmed Hussen, tasked with providing aid to other nations, stated on Friday that they had decided to help the Palestinian people in need.They want to act quickly to help them.
    Canada and other countries stopped giving money to UNRWA because they think some UNRWA workers helped Hamas attack Israel in October. On July 7, 2023.

    Hussen said that Canada has looked at the UN’s preliminary report and is happy with what it says. He also mentioned that UNRWA is working to improve how it oversees, is accountable, and is transparent.

    “Canada will help other countries and organizations to make sure that the suggestions from the OIOS investigation and independent review are followed through,” said a statement from Hussen’s office that came with the minister’s announcement.

    No payments were missed when the pause started in January. The Canadian government will send $25 million to the agency in April. Hussen said this is to make sure the organization doesn’t fail, because it’s really important for helping people in the area.

    “I was in Rafah just two weeks ago and met brave Canadian volunteers who were working hard to save lives in Gaza. ” I saw many trucks with important supplies stuck at the border,unable to go through.

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    Hussen said Canada will help the government of Jordan and the World Food Programme give important supplies to Gaza by dropping them from the air.

    The government is giving $100,000 to buy food, blankets, and warm clothes.

    The Canadian military will give the Royal Jordanian Air Force about 300 cargo parachutes from the Canadian Army Advanced Warfare Centre in Trenton, Ont. , to help with airdrops.

    The minister said these parachutes will help deliver 75 tons of supplies to Gaza, where there is a really bad humanitarian situation getting worse each hour.

    Hussen pointed out that Canada is the first G7 country to start giving money to UNRWA again.

    In an interview on CTV News, Canada’s UN Representative Bob Rae was asked why he thought it was necessary to resume funding.

    Rae explained that the humanitarian situation is terrible, and the government can’t wait any longer for the Israeli government to share information about the UNRWA probe because it’s taking too much time.

    He said that the information from Israel is coming slowly, and Israel has not met with the investigating team yet.

    Rae said we need to move. “We can’t let the investigation work stop us from helping people in need. I think we are doing the right thing. ” I believe it considers everyone’s opinions, but it puts the most focus on helping the people who need it the most.

    Rae also told CTV News that the pressure and protests in Canada about how politicians are dealing with the Israel-Gaza war did not affect the government’s decision in this case.

    The Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) said they are happy that Canada is starting to give money again. They mentioned that many people in society didn’t like the decision to stop the funding.

    However, CJPME also warned about the airdrop plans, mentioning that five people in Gaza were killed when an aid package parachute didn’t work properly.

    Earlier this week, Canada’s future funding for UNRWA was uncertain. NDP MP Heather McPherson said the Liberals were uncertain about what to do while people were dying. Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman called Friday’s decision “vile. “