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Canada visa freeze clouds Indian tourism sector in peak season

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The Union government’s move to suspend visas for citizens of Canada – a huge source market for India – may affect peak tourism season, with in-bound travel operators bracing for large-scale cancellations and fearing a spillover effect on overall sentiment.

Statistics provided by the Ministry of Tourism show that December is the peak tourist season, while summer is lean. According to 2021 data by the ministry, over 24 per cent of total Canadian tourists who visited India came in December, while less than one per cent travelled here in May.

Rajiv Mehra, president of Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), said Canada is a huge source market for India. “We have tourists, people of Indian origin travelling to India to meet their friends and relatives and this was expected to be a normal year after 2019-20. So it has a huge impact.” In the wake of Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s remarks linking India to the murder, diplomatic relations between Canada and India have taken a hit. India also suspended visa services for Canadians last month.

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IATO predicts this will lead to a fall of 30-40 per cent from what they were expecting in this financial year. “Those who were planning to travel from December onwards will likely be impacted,” says Mehra, adding that all segments in the hospitality sector — be it hotels, event planners, marriage planners (Canadian citizens of origin often solemnise marriages here in India where they spend lavishly), luxury car rental companies will likely take a hit.

Ajay Prakash, Board Member of FAITH said, “The standoff with Canada has come just when the inbound season is starting. No authenticated figures are available at this point but if it continues, it will affect all segments. We hope the sentiment in other important markets will not be affected as that could have a disastrous cascading effect,” he said.

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RCMP arrest second suspect in deadly shooting east of Calgary

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EDMONTON – RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker.

Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation.

Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6.

Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck.

Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest.

RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed and dangerous.

Chief Supt. Roberta McKale, told a news conference in Edmonton that officers had received tips and information over the last few weeks.

“I don’t know of many members that when were stopped, fuelling up our vehicles, we weren’t keeping an eye out, looking for him,” she said.

But officers had been investigating other cases when they found Strawberry.

“Our investigators were in O’Chiese First Nation at a residence on another matter and the major crimes unit was there working another file and ended up locating him hiding in the residence,” McKale said.

While an investigation is still underway, RCMP say they’re confident both suspects in the case are in police custody.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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26-year-old son is accused of his father’s murder on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast

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RICHMOND, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 26-year-old son of a man found dead on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with his murder.

Police say 58-year-old Henry Doyle was found badly injured on a forest service road in Egmont last September and died of his injuries.

The homicide team took over when the BC Coroners Service said the man’s death was suspicious.

It says in a statement that the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the man’s son, Jackson Doyle.

Police say the accused will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.

The homicide team says investigators remained committed to solving the case with the help of the community of Egmont, the RCMP on the Sunshine Coast and in Richmond, and the Vancouver Police Department.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.



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Metro Vancouver’s HandyDART strike continues after talks break with no deal

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VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.

Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. Friday and made “some progress.”

However, he says the union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.

McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”

About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.

McCann asks HandyDART users to be “patient,” since they are trying to get not only a fair contract for workers but also a better service for customers.

He says it’s unclear when the talks will resume, but he hopes next week at the latest.

The employer, Transdev, didn’t reply to an interview request before publication.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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