Category Archives: Social
Divert police funds to community groups, coalition says in decriminalization platform
OTTAWA — A group of organizations, including some that represent drug users and their families, are calling for money to be diverted from police to community agencies that promote safe supply and address mental health concerns. The coalition, which als...
Three NDP MPs sign petition criticizing B.C.’s NDP government over pipeline protests
OTTAWA — Three federal New Democrat MPs have signed a petition denouncing British Columbia's NDP government for its handling of an Indigenous protest at a pipeline work site and voicing distress at the federal NDP's response. The B.C. RCMP arrested sev...
Seniors advocate calls for reporting line for abuse and neglect amid rising reports
VICTORIA — British Columbia's needs a provincewide approach for reporting seniors abuse amid complaints that are "significantly rising," says the provincial advocate for seniors. Isobel Mackenzie says there is a clear five-year pattern of increasing ...
More than 800 serious events found at Saskatchewan group homes for disabled
REGINA — Saskatchewan's auditor says about half of adults with intellectual disabilities who are living in private group homes have experienced a serious event from physical and emotional abuse to mishandling of medicine Tara Clemett said such occurren...
Minister predicts two-year timeline to fulfil promise to get 40,000 Afghans to Canada
OTTAWA — Immigration Minister Sean Fraser predicts that it could take two years to fulfil the government's promise to bring 40,000 Afghan refugees to Canada. The minister said the government is facing challenges in Afghanistan and other countries where...
‘Does this save lives?’ Concerns raised about Alberta overdose response app
CALGARY — As concerns grow about a made-in-Alberta mobile app aimed at curbing drug overdose deaths, the government says it has full confidence in the platform and its developers. Questioning the tool are a Calgary-based app developer, harm reduction a...
Government launches second phase of skilled refugee pilot program
OTTAWA — The government has expanded a pilot that allows refugees to apply for permanent residency through conventional economic immigration streams by removing some of the barriers that would traditionally have precluded them. The minister hopes to se...
Senate gives speedy passage to bill banning conversion therapy
OTTAWA — The Senate gave speedy approval Tuesday to legislation banning conversion therapy in Canada. After minimal debate, senators agreed to fast-track Bill C-4 through all stages of the legislative process and deem it passed. The move was proposed b...
Military’s former head of human resources charged with sexual assault, indecent acts
OTTAWA — Military police have laid criminal charges against the Canadian Armed Forces’ former head of human resources despite the Liberal government having said it would transfer the investigation and prosecution of sexual misconduct cases to civilian ...
Indigenous papal visit postponed to 2022 over concerns about Omicron COVID-19 variant
OTTAWA — Indigenous leaders and residential school survivors will not travel to the Vatican as planned this month to meet with Pope Francis because of the latest threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Archbishop Richard Smith, who was part of the
