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Claims of India interference, new children’s hospital on B.C. election campaign

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VANCOUVER – There was no holiday for British Columbia’s party leaders as the Oct. 19 election draws near with talk of foreign interference and vehicle insurance rates from the NDP and a promise of a new Children’s Hospital in Surrey.

In Surrey on Monday, where there are 10 ridings both major parties want to win, B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad announced that if elected, his government would build a new children’s hospital in the fast-growing city.

Rustad says the new hospital would feature a pediatric emergency room and intensive care unit, a maternity ward and women’s health centre, and would be built near the planned Bakerview SkyTrain station along the Surrey-Langley expansion line.

He said the new hospital’s cost is unknown and would be figured out “at a later date,” although Rustad is expected to release his party’s election platform Tuesday with a costing of promises.

NDP Leader David Eby says British Columbia has the some of the lowest car insurance rates in the country, and the B.C. Conservatives promise to allow the big insurance companies, a move he says would see rates potentially double.

Both election events were overshadowed by revelations from the RCMP, alleging the Indian government’s involvement in murders, violence, election interference and acts of intimidation on Canadian soil, “specifically” targeting members of the separatist Khalistan movement.

Eby said Monday that he’s “profoundly concerned” about the safety of the Sikh community after the RCMP’s announcement, though the interference allegations didn’t address the upcoming B.C. election.

“I have not been made aware of any specific concerns about this election aside from obviously today’s announcement from the RCMP,” Eby said on Monday. “They have credible information that the Indian government is attempting to interfere in democratic processes in Canada.”

Rustad said there should be an immediate and thorough investigation into foreign interference following the announcement from the RCMP.

The B.C. Conservatives said in a statement that the Sikh community “deserves to live in safety without fear of intimidation or harassment by foreign governments.”

“This is a violation of Canada’s sovereignty and a threat to the rights and freedoms of every citizen,” the statement said.

Rustad said at a news conference in Surrey that he was “quite disturbed” by the RCMP’s announcement, and said people and their families should feel safe “regardless of their faith.”

The B.C. Conservative Leader also faced more questions about social media posts of candidate Brent Chapman, who posted about mass shootings in the United States and in Quebec, questioning whether anyone actually died.

Rustad said he found the comments “offensive” and not reflective of the party’s values, and Chapman himself posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he would not comment further on old social media posts after getting legal advice.

The NDP said on Sunday that it was responsible for a parody social media post that has B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad promising to bring back McDonald’s McRib sandwiches.

The post appeared as an NDP news release under a Conservative Party of B.C. logo with the headline, “John Rustad Unveils Plan to Bring Back the McRib.”

An NDP spokesman who declined to be publicly named said in a statement, “This news release is a joke to make fun of John Rustad repeatedly announcing things he cannot do, with no plan and no opportunity for media to ask questions.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 14, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.



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End of Manitoba legislature session includes replacement-worker ban, machete rules

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WINNIPEG – Manitoba politicians are expected to pass several bills into law before the likely end of legislature session this evening.

The NDP government, with a solid majority of seats, is getting its omnibus budget bill through.

It enacts tax changes outlined in the spring budget, but also includes unrelated items, such as a ban on replacement workers during labour disputes.

The bill would also make it easier for workers to unionize, and would boost rebates for political campaign expenses.

Another bill expected to pass this evening would place new restrictions on the sale of machetes, in an attempt to crack down on crime.

Among the bills that are not expected to pass this session is one making it harder for landlords to raise rents above the inflation rate.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2024

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.



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Father charged with second-degree murder in infant’s death: police

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A Richmond Hill, Ont., man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his seven-week-old infant earlier this year.

York Regional Police say they were contacted by the York Children’s Aid Society about a child who had been taken to a hospital in Toronto on Jan. 15.

They say the baby had “significant injuries” that could not be explained by the parents.

The infant died three days later.

Police say the baby’s father, 30, was charged with second-degree murder on Oct. 23.

Anyone with more information on the case is urged to contact investigators.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.



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Ontario fast-tracking several bills with little or no debate

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TORONTO – Ontario is pushing through several bills with little or no debate, which the government house leader says is due to a short legislative sitting.

The government has significantly reduced debate and committee time on the proposed law that would force municipalities to seek permission to install bike lanes when they would remove a car lane.

It also passed the fall economic statement that contains legislation to send out $200 cheques to taxpayers with reduced debating time.

The province tabled a bill Wednesday afternoon that would extend the per-vote subsidy program, which funnels money to political parties, until 2027.

That bill passed third reading Thursday morning with no debate and is awaiting royal assent.

Government House Leader Steve Clark did not answer a question about whether the province is speeding up passage of the bills in order to have an election in the spring, which Premier Doug Ford has not ruled out.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.



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