Alberta, Victoria withdrawals “devastating blow” for Commonwealth Games
Reuters The 2030 Commonwealth Games were tipped to be a glorious celebration of the competition’s centenary in Canada, the country which hosted the inaugural edition of the multi-sport quadrennial event a century ago. But the future of the Games was thrown into doubt on Thursday when the province of Alberta withdrew its support for a […]
As Canada’s wildfires intensify, recruiting firefighters is tougher
British Colombia, CanadaReuters Canada is wrestling with its worst-ever start to wildfire season, but recruiting firefighters is becoming increasingly difficult due to tight labor markets and the tough nature of the job, provincial officials say. Limited resources could threaten Canada’s ability to douse fires, which are expected to get bigger and fiercer in future as […]
Alberta wildfire fighters hope rain, cooling bring relief
Reuters Alberta authorities hope cooler temperatures and showers forecast for the coming week will help firefighters battling blazes in the oil-rich Canadian province, although storms could complicate efforts. Amid hot, dry conditions, forecasters were tracking a front likely to move into the province on Sunday that should bring much-needed relief, including humidity and even rain, […]
Canadian PM Trudeau visits Alberta as wildfires rage
Ottawa, Canada Reuters Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Alberta on Monday as raging wildfires prompted mass evacuations and reduced energy production in Canada’s main oil-producing province, where meteorologists expect virtually no rain for 10 days or so. In the provincial capital Edmonton, Trudeau received an update on firefighting efforts by Canadian soldiers sent to help […]
Thousands of Albertans evacuated in “unprecedented” wildfire situation
Toronto, CanadaReuters Tens of thousands of Albertans have been forced to evacuate their homes as “unprecedented” wildfires rage on in Alberta, Premier Danielle Smith, head of the ruling United Conservative Party, said at a press conference on Saturday. A smoke column rises from wildfire EWF-035 near Shining Bank, Alberta, Canada, on 5th May, 2023. PICTURE: […]
Updated: Canada’s Trudeau invokes emergency powers in bid to end protests
Updated: 10.30am (AEDT)Ottawa, CanadaReuters Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday he will activate rarely used emergency powers, including cutting off financing, to end protests that have shut some border crossings and paralysed parts of the capital. The government, saying the protests were damaging the economy and Canada’s reputation as a reliable trading partner, […]
Canada murder rate in 2020 hits 15-year high, pushed up by mass shooting
Reuters The murder rate in Canada last year rose to its highest level since 2005, pushed up in part by the country’s worst-ever mass shooting, in which 22 people died, Statistics Canada said on Thursday. Statscan also noted societal stresses it said had been caused by lockdowns linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. Royal Canadian Mounted […]
Snapshot: Moraine Lake, Canada
See JAMES WHEELER’s image…
Protesters rally to cause of “jailed” Canadian church as pastor awaits trial
RNS For months, GraceLife church, near Edmonton, Alberta, has ignored Alberta Health Services’ guidelines limiting religious gatherings. In February, the authorities pushed back, jailing the non-denominational church’s pastor, Rev James Coates, for 35 days. On 7th April, after the church continued to breach rules about mask wearing and limiting attendance to 15% capacity, health inspectors […]