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Alleged Chinese police stations still open in Quebec, despite minister’s claims

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:00:10 GMT

MONTREAL — Two Montreal-area community groups under investigation for allegedly hosting secret Chinese government police stations say they are operating normally.Their comments contradict claims made last week by federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, who told a parliamentary committee that the RCMP had closed all the alleged secret police stations in the country.The RCMP say their investigation into the suspected police stations in Montreal and its South Shore suburb Brossard, Que., is ongoing.But the two Chinese groups — Service à la Famille Chinoise du Grand Montréal and Centre Sino-Québec de la Rive-Sud — say they haven’t been asked to close by the federal police force.The said Friday in a joint statement that they have co-operated with the investigation but that communication between them and the RCMP had ceased. The alleged police stations are described as overseas outposts that harass people on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party, but the  Chinese government ...

Vancouver port traffic dips in 2022, hinting at economic slowdown to come

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:00:10 GMT

MONTREAL — Cargo volumes at Canada’s largest port fell by three per cent last year as the global economy began to show signs of a slowdown.Though grain and fertilizer exports surged in the second half of 2022, the gains were not enough to offset a sputtering start to the year caused by a weak 2021 harvest and lingering supply chain problems, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority said Monday.After more than a year of rising container traffic, imports also fell by four per cent amid softer consumer demand and overstocked inventories, port authority CEO Robin Silvester said in a phone interview.Despite the decrease, he stressed that more capacity is “desperately needed” due to rising trade and population forecasts down the line. A new container terminal that would boost that capacity by nearly 50 per cent, dubbed the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project, received federal cabinet approval last month — a critical step — but still requires various permits to proceed.A green lig...

Fox says documentary about Canadian ‘tyranny’ won’t air after Tucker Carlson’s exit

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:00:10 GMT

OTTAWA — Does Tucker Carlson really think the United States should invade its northern neighbour to free it from the tyranny of Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government?A Fox News documentary focused on that question was set to be released today, but Canadians may not get a chance to find out the answer.The trailer for the program featured People’s Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier and prominent members of the “Freedom Convoy” movement talking about the country’s COVID-19 restrictions.  But Carlson’s abrupt departure from Fox News last week derailed its release plans.A spokesperson for Fox says the documentary will not air — and a former U.S. ambassador to Canada says that’s a good thing.Bruce Heyman says Carlson’s presence in the media landscape was dangerous for American democracy. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 1, 2023.The Canadian Press

US Speaker McCarthy: Russia must pull out of Ukraine

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:00:10 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy emphatically stressed his support for military aid to Ukraine on Monday, blistering Russia’s “killing of the children” and distancing himself from some in his party who oppose additional major U.S. aid to stave off the Russian invasion.In Israel on his first trip abroad as speaker, McCarthy flatly rejected a suggestion at a news conference that he does not support sending military and financial aid to Ukraine — and he amplified his positions on other issues back home, including his demand for debt limit negotiations with President Joe Biden.“I vote for aid for Ukraine. I support aid for Ukraine,” McCarthy said, responding to a question from a Russian reporter. “I do not support what your country has done to Ukraine, I do not support your killing of the children either.”“You should pull out,” McCarthy told the Russian reporter. “We will continue to support — because the rest of the world sees it just as it is.”McCarthy touche...

Conservative MP says feds did not brief him on alleged threats to his family in China

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:00:10 GMT

OTTAWA — Conservative member of Parliament Michael Chong says Ottawa should have informed him about potential threats to his family made by China’s government.Chong released a statement after the Globe and Mail reported, citing a top-secret document and an anonymous national security source, that China’s intelligence service sought to target the MP and his family.The former cabinet minister currently serves as the Tories’ foreign-affairs critic and routinely criticizes the regime in Beijing for its human-rights record and its alleged attempts to meddle in Canada’s affairs.Chong says in a statement today that like other Canadians, he has family overseas — and any attempts to threaten them in an attempt to intimidate or coerce people in Canada constitutes a national threat.Chong says the Canadian Security Intelligence Service never briefed him about any threats made against him or his family, adding he believes that is because Prime Minister Justin Trudeau̵...

A look at Alberta elections and governments over the last two decades

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:00:10 GMT

EDMONTON — Alberta’s next provincial election has been called for May 29. The Conservatives held power in the province for more than 40 years before an upset in 2015 led to changes in the political landscape. Here’s a look at Alberta elections over the past two decades:Progressive Conservatives, 2004The PC party, in power since 1971, returns to government under Ralph Klein. Klein, who has been premier since 1992, resigns after a leadership review in 2006. Ed Stelmach becomes party leader and premier.Progressive Conservatives, 2008The PCs are elected under Stelmach. In 2011, Stelmach announces he is not seeking re-election and the party votes in Alison Redford as leader and premier.Progressive Conservatives, 2012The party wins under Redford. The Liberals, who have been the official Opposition since 1993, are replaced by the Wildrose Alliance Party. In 2014, Redford steps down after declining support and a controversy over spending. She is replaced by Dave Hancock on an in...

Economy, crime, health care: A look at top issues in the Alberta election campaign

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:00:10 GMT

EDMONTON — The Alberta election kicked off Monday with voting day set for May 29, but the two main political parties have already been campaigning for several weeks. Here’s a look at what are expected to be key issues for voters and what leaders have been promising.EconomyThe governing United Conservative Party is surfing into the campaign with a petro-fuelled $2.4-billion surplus, which has allowed for spending hikes virtually across the board, particularly in health and education. The UCP is promising no personal or business tax hikes without a referendum, as well as changes to ensure more surplus dollars are committed to long-term savings.The NDP is adopting recommendations from an economist to use fixed formulas and rules to keep future spending in check while committing more money to long-term savings.  Health Care The NDP is promising the largest health-care recruitment inand the creation of family health teams with physicians and related specialists, including nurses an...

Who will become Alberta’s next premier? A look at Danielle Smith and Rachel Notley

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:00:10 GMT

EDMONTON — Alberta’s provincial election has been called for May 29. Here’s a look at the leaders of the province’s two main parties:Danielle Smith, UCP Leader Age: 52. Born April 1, 1971.Pre-Politics: English and economics degrees from the University of Calgary. Columnist with the Calgary Herald and show host at Global TV. Politics: Elected leader of the Wildrose Party in 2009. Elected to the Alberta legislature as the member for Highwood, becoming leader of the official Opposition to the governing Progressive Conservatives in 2012. Led a mass Wildrose floor crossing to the PCs in 2014. Lost the PC nomination in Highwood in 2015. Won leadership of the United Conservative Party to become premier in October 2022. Won the byelection in Brooks-Medicine Hat in November 2022. Personal: Second of five children. Worked as radio talk-show host before winning the UCP leadership. Married to David Moretta with a stepson. Quote: “This election is about whether we want to keep ...

Montana Rep. Zooey Zephyr sues over removal from House floor

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:00:10 GMT

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana state Rep. Zooey Zephyr asked a court Monday to allow for her return to the House floor after she was silenced and barred for chiding her Republican colleagues over legislation to restrict gender-affirming health care and for encouraging protesters.Attorneys for the first-term lawmaker sued in state district court in Helena on behalf of Zephyr, a transgender Democrat who represents a liberal district in the college town of Missoula, and several constituents who the attorneys said were being denied their right to adequate representation.Zephyr, whose comments in the Montana Legislature have made her a prominent figure in transgender rights and in conversations about the muffling of dissent in statehouses, said in a statement Monday that she and her constituents were targeted “because I dared to give voice to the values and needs of transgender people like myself.”The legal challenge against House Speaker Matt Regier and statehouse Sergeant-at-Arms Bradley...

I-55 closed for 28 miles due to multiple crashes

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:00:10 GMT

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) - Illinois State Police have reported that all southbound and northbound lanes on Interstate 55 are closed due to multiple crashes with injuries south of Springfield.Police said that Troopers from Troop 6 and 8 responded to multiple crashes on I-55 near milepost 78 just after 11:00 a.m. ISP is reporting blackout conditions due to wind blowing dirt in the area. Officials said that I-55 is currently shut down in both directions from milepost 63 near Farmersville, to milepost 80 near Divernon. Traffic is being diverted onto the frontage road. According to a Facebook post from Springfield Fire Fighters Local 37, hazmat workers have been dispatched to the scene. They say more than 20 cars are involved in the crash. One dead after US Rte. 150 crash near St. Joseph: Police, Champaign Co. Coroner Drivers are urged to take an alternative route.  To reunify family members involved in the crash, Divernon City Hall is being used as a reunification point. ISP s...