Author: Silas Reed

By Staff The Canadian Press Posted December 20, 2024 6:17 pm Updated December 20, 2024 6:22 pm 1 min read Descrease article font size Increase article font size National Bank of Canada’s $5-billion takeover of Canadian Western Bank has cleared its final regulatory hurdle. The Montreal-based National Bank said Friday the federal finance minister has approved the deal, marking the last milestone in the takeover set to be completed on Feb. 3, 2025.“This is great news for Canadians and will allow our two complementary banks to unite and enhance services for our clients,” said Laurent Ferreira, president and CEO of…

The familiar smells of stuffing, potatoes, turkey and sweets mingle with soft choir carols, wafting on warm dining hall air. It’s a holiday experience most take for granted, but those at Siloam Mission’s Christmas lunch on Friday may not have experienced otherwise. A volunteer at Siloam Mission gets a plate of Christmas lunch from the kitchen to serve someone in need. Global News Tessa Blaikie Whitecloud, CEO of the organization, said more than 700 people were expected to come through Siloam’s doors to partake in the festive feast, meant to serve vulnerable people in the community. Story continues below advertisement…

Descrease article font size Increase article font size A B.C. charity is appealing for volunteers to take in animals and foster them while their owners navigate tough personal issues. Paws for Hope offers temporary animal foster care for people in times of crisis but they told Global News they are forced to consistently turn away people and their pets.“In the month of November, for example, we housed 14 pets but turned away 48 requests,” Kathy Powelson, executive director of the Paws for Hope Animal Foundation said.She said they are having to say no to people in vulnerable positions.“A couple weeks…

Blake Culbert is still shaken up two days after his car was stolen from the parkade of his Kelowna, B.C., condo building. That’s because this wasn’t a typical theft of a vehicle.In this case, the suspect gained entry into his home first and stole his keys.Culbert, who lives in a building near downtown Kelowna, woke up Wednesday morning to find his key rack near his front door empty.“I noticed that my keys weren’t where they typically are hanging up and then I panicked,” Culbert told Global News.He rushed downstairs to the building’s parkade where his worst fear was confirmed.“My car…

A worker at the Toronto supervised consumption site near where a mother was killed by a stray bullet in the summer of 2023 has pleaded guilty to being an accessory to the shooting after she helped to shelter one of the accused and became involved in a romantic relationship with him. That summer, Karolina Huebner-Makurat was walking in the Leslieville area beside the South Riverdale Health Centre — where a supervised consumption site was housed — when she was struck by a bullet and killed after a fight near a supervised consumption site in the area between two alleged drug…

Descrease article font size Increase article font size After a week of uncertainty over the future of the Statcare clinic in Montreal’s West Island, Global News has confirmed that it will cease operations by the end of the year. ELNA medical group, the health-care provider in charge of the clinic, says the Pointe-Claire location will close its doors on Dec. 31.ELNA spokesperson Jonathan Prunier said Friday that discussions are ongoing with the doctors from Statcare to transfer their walk-in practice to the Brunswick medical centre.Statcare, which is located next to the Lakeshore General Hospital, not only handles minor health emergencies,…

Descrease article font size Increase article font size The Stanley Park Bright Nights Train will remain derailed for the remainder of the 2024 season. The Vancouver Park Board said on Friday that following a safety incident last week, they have decided the train will not be able to return in time for the season.On Dec. 13, exhaust from one of the train’s locomotives caused a driver to become ill and require medical attention.Staff have not been able to find a solution that ensures staff are safe.“We are very sorry to be delivering such disappointing news to the thousands of customers…

As the holiday season kicks into full swing, raw oysters are often a favourite on festive menus. But after dozens of people in British Columbia recently fell ill after eating raw oysters, many may be wondering if they should skip the shellfish this year to keep safe.The BC Centre for Disease Control on Thursday posted a warning that between Nov. 1 and Dec. 18, 64 cases of a “norovirus-like” gastrointestinal illnesses were reported in the province, after people ate raw oysters from restaurants and local retailers.Some people went to emergency departments with symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, or stomach pain, but…

Descrease article font size Increase article font size Childcare facilities will be getting a funding boost from the federal and provincial governments as we head into the new year. Government officials announced Friday that regulated childcare facilities across Saskatchewan will now receive up to $3,200 per month for every child eligible under the Enhanced Accessibility (EA) Grant.The new total represents an increase of $1,200.The EA Grant assists regulated childcare facilities in covering the additional costs associated with offering services to children who have intensive needs across various areas of development.“We are listening to the sector and hearing their challenges on…

By Staff The Canadian Press Posted December 20, 2024 1:35 pm 1 min read Descrease article font size Increase article font size A preliminary inquiry has been scheduled in billionaire businessman Frank Stronach’s Toronto sexual assault case to determine whether two of the charges against him should proceed to trial. The inquiry has been set for five days next spring beginning April 11, ahead of a jury trial. Get daily National news Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. The founder of auto parts giant Magna is facing separate…