The Auditor General has released information about frauds involving city employees in Toronto. The report details serious frauds, including stealing parcels from city mailrooms, selling off security equipment, and taking fake leave to take a second job. A major electricity fraud that could have cost the city nearly $2.5 million was stopped through an investigation.

A contracting company embezzled an additional $1.1 million by falsifying subcontractors’ price lists. The company has been banned from city work for five years. More than 20 parcels worth $21,100 have gone missing from city mailrooms over the past two years. The employee who was responsible for the incident has been fired. The employee who took paid leave to take another job has been arrested. He was forced to pay back the $3,200 he received and resign from his job.

An employee who sold masks and gloves provided by the municipality online was suspended. In addition, an employee who fraudulently purchased $53,000 in gift cards under the pretext of giving them to deserving people was fired and the money was recovered. Another employee who tried to extort money by making 85 false medical claims without seeking treatment also resigned. An investigation conducted based on various complaints received in 2025 estimated that the municipality lost $4.5 million last year alone. A large part of this was related to the subsidy management department.

Calgary, one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities, is expected to surpass 2 million in the next four to five years, Mayor Jeremy Farkas said. The city is expected to reach this milestone by the end of his first term in office in 2029-30. He noted that this growing population will put a lot of pressure on the city’s infrastructure, transportation and emergency services. The mayor has made it clear during his election campaign and in subsequent interviews that this is a great opportunity if we proceed with the right planning, but it can become a crisis if we don’t.

Calgary has been experiencing unprecedented population growth in the past few years. It took Calgary more than 120 years to reach its first million population, which was incorporated as a city in 1884. But the fact that that number will double in the next 25-30 years indicates the city’s rapid growth. More than 1.7 million new people arrived in Calgary in 2023-24 alone. Calgary is preparing to become Canada's most important economic hub, welcoming immigrants, students and professionals, Farkas added.

Public anger is rising over the dire health crisis in Alberta. More than 24,000 people have sent emails to Premier Daniel Smith demanding that the province immediately declare a 'health emergency'. Tens of thousands of people have come out against the government after three weeks of the stateofemergency.ca campaign launched by CUPE Alberta.

Thousands of people have shared their experiences of medical errors and negligence in hospitals. More than 8,000 complaints were received about delays in treatment and overcrowding in hospitals alone. A mother said in anguish that her son had to wait three months for cancer surgery. But his son died two weeks before he was scheduled to see a doctor.

Elaine Bonfield, a woman who arrived at a Calgary emergency room with severe chest pain, had to wait more than eight hours for treatment. She was in a state of unconsciousness on the hospital floor from the pain. She also witnessed another patient having a seizure in the waiting room. She accused the current health care system of being unsafe and a form of humiliation for patients.

CUPE Alberta President Raj Uppal said there is a major health crisis across the province. Trying to privatize or change the health care sector will not solve it. She also called on the public to put more pressure on leaders to protect public health.

PP Cherian

A shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia, Canada, left 10 people dead, including the shooter, on Tuesday. The tragedy that shocked the international community took place.

Six people were killed inside the school and one person was killed on the way to the hospital. Two other bodies were found at a location linked to the shooter.

The suspect was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Two people were airlifted to hospital with serious injuries. About 25 others are being treated for minor injuries.

British Columbia Premier David Eby called it an "unthinkable tragedy."

The remaining students and staff were safely evacuated. A recent spike in gun violence in Canada has fueled calls for stricter gun control laws.

New studies indicate that the ice cover in Canada's major river basins is shrinking significantly as global warming increases. The findings in Canada come amid fears that reduced snowfall in the northern regions of the United States could lead to water shortages and wildfires in the summer.

According to a study by researchers at Concordia University in Montreal, there has been a significant decline in snow cover in Western Canada between 2000 and 2019. This is affecting 14 of Canada's 25 major drainage basins and could negatively affect the drinking water supply for millions of people, the researchers warn.

Scientists describe mountain snowpacks as natural 'water towers'. This snow, stored in winter, melts in summer to provide water for agriculture and other needs on time. But the decline in snowpack will affect urban water supply systems, agriculture, and shipping alike.

In addition, the lack of moisture from melting snow and the lack of it reaching the soil increases the risk of wildfires in forests. The impact of climate change is illustrated by the fact that NASA's Terra satellite has now recorded the lowest snowfall since it began observing in 2001.

P P Cherian

Former Indian-origin state senator Neeraj Antani has withdrawn from the race for Ohio state treasurer. He has made it clear that he will not run for any other position in the 2026 election.

Neeraj Antani was a member of the Ohio General Assembly from 2014 to 2020. He is the first Indian-origin person to become an Ohio state senator. He also has the distinction of being the youngest member of the house.

Antani pointed out that the personal wealth of candidates has a big impact in elections. One of his opponents has already given $ 1.5 million (about Rs 12 crore) from his own funds to his election campaign. He said that it is not appropriate to ask his supporters for funds to contest against those who spend such a large amount.

He recalled that a similar situation occurred in the 2024 Congressional elections. He stated that although he had raised more money than all the other candidates that day, he lost to a millionaire who had spent a lot of his own money.

Anthani announced that although he was stepping down from the race for the time being, he would remain active in public service.

Police have charged three foreign nationals in connection with a shooting in British Columbia. They were arrested by the RCMP’s new ‘Extortion Response Team’. This special unit was formed to deal with the increasing number of extortion cases in the province.

Investigators said the current shooting is linked to money laundering activities. The arrests were made during a police operation targeting violent gangs. The suspects are facing multiple charges, including weapons laws. Police believe the arrested individuals may have ties to other criminal gangs. The RCMP said the arrests are a major step forward in the fight against organized crime. The investigation is ongoing to determine if more people were involved in the incident.

The Extortion Response Team became active in British Columbia in late 2025. Authorities have advised that if you notice any threats or suspicious activity, you should immediately report it to the police. The case will proceed in court as more evidence is collected.

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Three junior hockey players from the Southern Alberta Mustangs team in Alberta have died in a car accident. The accident occurred while they were on their way to practice. Their car collided with a gravel truck in Staveley, about 100 kilometres south of Calgary. Teammates, families and the hockey world are in mourning for this tragic loss.

The two 18-year-olds from Kamloops and a 17-year-old from Alabama were killed. The players were identified as JJ Wright, Cameron Casorzo and Caden Fine. The 40-year-old truck driver from Staveley suffered minor injuries. The team confirmed the deaths in a social media post. Alberta Premier Daniel Smith described the incident as an "unimaginable loss." They added that the entire hockey family in Alberta shares in the grief of the Mustangs. Police are still investigating the cause of the accident.

Doctors and health experts have warned that the long wait times for heart and cancer surgeries in Alberta are worrying. New figures show that the current situation is worse than two years ago.

According to figures from October 2025, only 11 per cent of heart bypass surgeries were performed on time. But six years ago, this was 60 per cent. Many patients have to wait months for bypass surgeries that should normally be done within two weeks.

Cancer surgeries are no different. Only 51 per cent of the five major types of cancer surgeries, including bladder, breast and lung, were performed on time in 2025. This was down from 65 per cent in 2019. Doctors say that delaying surgery can lead to the spread of the disease and complications in treatment.

The Alberta government claims to have achieved a record achievement of performing more than 300,000 surgeries last year. Although the government is planning to use private facilities to reduce waiting lists, critics say this will strain resources at government hospitals. Experts are calling for urgent action before patients' lives are put at risk.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has officially announced the ‘Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit’, an innovative program designed by the Liberal government to reduce the financial burden of ordinary Canadians. According to the announcement made at the start of the winter session of Parliament, the country’s GST credit will be increased by 25 per cent over the next five years. The primary objective of this measure is to provide relief to low-income earners from rising food prices. With the approval of the legislature, an eligible family of four will receive financial assistance of up to $1,890 this year, and individuals up to $950. The Prime Minister stated that more than 12 million Canadian citizens will directly benefit from this program.

In addition to this program, which is expected to cost $11.7 billion over six years, the government will also impose strict regulations aimed at preventing unfair price increases in the market. The unit price labeling system will be mandatory to end shrinkflation, a practice that keeps prices low by reducing the quantity of products. In addition, $650 million in financial assistance has been allocated to the business sector to address supply chain disruptions, and a special fund of $20 million for local food storage centers. Through this comprehensive package, the government aims to overcome the challenges created by global trade crises and climate change in the domestic market and ensure the financial security of consumers.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to embark on an extensive foreign tour to strengthen Canada's trade ties. He has set a goal of doubling Canada's exports to countries other than the United States over the next 10 years. Mark Carney believes that expanding trade globally is essential for the country's long-term prosperity.

Carney believes that building new partnerships will help grow Canada's economy and reduce its over-reliance on the US market. As part of this, he visited France, China, Qatar and Switzerland in January. During his visit to Switzerland, he also attended the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Official sources indicate that he will visit India in February for more trade talks. He aims to attract international investors to Canada and open up more opportunities for Canadian businesses abroad.

Observers are calling this move to transform Canada into a global power a "bold step." Experts say the trips are evidence that Canada is serious about building stronger ties with countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. However, critics warn that excessive foreign travel could distract attention from domestic issues.

A heavy snowstorm that hit the Greater Toronto Area last weekend completely affected the region. Strong winds and heavy snowfall were felt throughout the region. Roads became extremely slippery due to the snowstorm, making driving extremely dangerous. After several accidents were reported, police advised people not to take to the roads except for essential activities.

Many public transportation systems were delayed and some services were canceled. Several flights from Pearson International Airport were also affected by the bad weather. City crews are working around the clock to clear snow from major roads. Authorities have advised residents to clear sidewalks in front of their homes and check on their neighbors to make sure they are safe.

Meteorologists estimate that this is the heaviest snowfall of the season. They also warn that severe cold and snowfall are likely to continue in the coming days. Although the snowfall has severely affected people's lives, everyone is working cautiously for safety.

Alberta made a big leap in the housing sector in 2025 compared to other provinces in Canada. According to figures released by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), while housing construction increased by 5.6 per cent nationally, Alberta's growth was 14 per cent. The government said that construction of 53,000 new homes began in the province last year.

Housing Minister Jason Nixon said that Alberta, which has less than 12 per cent of Canada's total population, is responsible for a quarter of the country's total housing construction. The increase in rental housing construction was mainly driven by this achievement.

Meanwhile, the opposition NDP demanded that the government focus more on building affordable housing for low-income people. The NDP also criticized the need for permanent support to address the problems of homelessness.

The report also notes that the average rent in Alberta is about $400 lower than the national average. While major cities like Toronto and Vancouver saw a decline in housing construction, strong performance in Montreal, Ottawa, Edmonton and Calgary helped to lift the national average. The provincial government is now moving towards a goal of providing 25,000 additional homes by 2031.

A rare 'planetary parade' in which six planets will appear in a single line will be visible in the sky of Canada starting next Wednesday. NASA announced that the planets Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune will be seen in a single arc in the western sky shortly after sunset. Professor Raymond Karlberg of the University of Toronto described it as a beautiful sight that illustrates the structure of the solar system.

The phenomenon can be seen more clearly from places with less light pollution in urban areas. Those in northern and rural areas of Ontario, Canada, have the opportunity to see this sight better. While all six planets can be seen in other Canadian provinces such as Manitoba, three planets - Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus - will be visible in Saskatchewan. Meteorologists point out that this is the best time to see the planets with the naked eye, as the moon is currently dim. The best time to observe the sky is one hour after sunset.

A 27-year-old man has been arrested in Canada for stalking a family on social media for about a year. The man has been identified as Imran Yusuf, a Calgary resident. He had been making threats against three members of an Okatoks family since February of last year through fake accounts.

He had also slashed the tires of their vehicle several times since last August. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said the suspect was not known to the family. The suspect was identified after a scientific investigation focused on social media accounts. He has been charged with several serious charges, including making threats to kill, harassing, destroying public property, and threatening to harm animals.

The RCMP and Calgary police are jointly investigating the case. More information about the suspect was obtained and the arrest was expedited when another person received threatening messages from the same accounts.

The latest figures released by Statistics Canada show that food prices in Canada have reached their highest level in the past two years. As of December, the country's inflation rate rose to 2.4 percent. The end of the Tax Holiday announced by the federal government is being cited as the main reason for the sharp increase in prices.

This is higher than the 2.2 percent expected by economists. With this, Canada has topped the G7 countries in food inflation. Reports indicate that the price of food items from stores has increased significantly, mainly for meat, fish and vegetables. While the price of coffee increased by more than 30 percent in December, the price of beef increased by 16.8 percent. The price of food in restaurants has also increased by 8.5 percent. Experts believe that the withdrawal of tax breaks and changes in contracts between suppliers and retailers are also causing large price fluctuations in the market.

A 19-year-old Canadian woman was killed after being mauled by wild dogs on Kegari (Fraser Island), a popular tourist destination in Australia. The woman's body was found surrounded by wild animals on Monday morning. They had come to visit this island in Queensland.

The incident came to light at around 6:30 am on Monday. The initial conclusion of the police is that the woman was attacked while she was swimming in the sea at around 5 am. The woman was attacked by 'dingos', a wild dog native to Australia. The search team reached the scene to find them standing around the body in a horrified state.

Dingoes are given special protection on Kegari Island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although they do not usually attack humans, authorities point out that such attacks, which do occur rarely, are extremely deadly. The police and the wildlife department have launched a joint investigation into the incident.

Authorities have strictly advised tourists and locals to be extremely careful and avoid close contact with dingoes. The Canadian government, which received information, has promised all necessary assistance to the woman's family.

Statistics Canada has released the latest figures on mortality and life expectancy in Canada for 2024. The report indicates that deaths due to respiratory diseases such as pneumonia and influenza are increasing at an alarming rate in the country. Despite being ranked sixth on the list of causes of death, deaths due to respiratory diseases have increased by 20 per cent compared to last year. The fact that 52 per cent of the deaths in this category were over the age of 85 raises big question marks over the health security of the country's senior citizens.

As has been the case since the 1990s, cancer remains the leading cause of death this time too. Heart disease, accidents and strokes are other major causes on the list. At the same time, deaths due to dementia, a dementia disease, are also rising steadily. In 2024, an estimated 28,000 people died from dementia.
Despite health concerns, the country's average life expectancy has increased, which is encouraging news. The average life expectancy in Canada is currently 81.68 years. This is the same as the pre-COVID (2019) level. Women's life expectancy is 84.29 years and men's life expectancy is 80.03 years.
The greatest improvements in life expectancy have been recorded in the western provinces, such as Alberta and British Columbia.

Lab-grown diamonds are gaining popularity because they are cheaper than natural diamonds, experts say. However, experts say that there is a huge difference in the price of such lab-grown diamonds and caution should be exercised when buying. The report was released by CBC News.

To check the difference in the price of lab-grown diamonds, CBC purchased two identical diamonds through the online marketplace. Both stones were of the same size, color and quality. The diamond purchased from a company called 'Blue Nile' cost about $1,639 including tax. However, the same quality diamond purchased from 'Alibaba' cost only $229. Experts certified that both diamonds are the same in quality.

Experts estimate that each stone could be worth between $900 and $1,900. Such a large price difference suggests that some dealers are charging too much. Observers warn that this could affect the credibility of the lab-grown diamond market. Dealers argue that their brand value and quality testing methods are the reason for the high prices. Experts advise consumers to check the market and accurately determine the value when buying diamonds. As production costs decrease, lab-grown diamonds are likely to fall further in the future.

PP Cherian

Pennsylvania: An 11-year-old boy shot and killed his father in Pennsylvania, USA, for asking him to sleep and stopping him from playing a game. The victim was 42-year-old Douglas Dietz. Police have arrested his son Clayton Dietz in the incident.

The tragic incident took place on the boy's birthday. After the birthday celebrations at night, his parents sent him to bed without allowing him to play games. Enraged by this, the boy took out a gun kept by his father and shot him in the head while he was sleeping.

The boy found the key to the safe in his father's drawer and loaded the gun inside it and carried out the crime.

The boy confessed to his mother and police that he had killed his father. He told the police that he had not thought about what would happen when he shot him and that he did it out of anger.

The boy, who is currently being held in the Perry County Jail, will be arraigned in court on January 22. Dietz and his wife adopted Clayton in 2018.

Warning labels are now mandatory on food products available in supermarkets in Canada. This came into effect on January 1. The change is to help people make healthy food choices. Accordingly, if the products are high in saturated fat, sodium (salt), and sugar, it must be clearly stated on the front of the package.

According to Health Canada's new directive, this black and white label must be provided on the top of the package in a way that consumers can identify at a glance. This new change is to prevent lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, stroke, obesity, and diabetes and to help people make healthy food choices. This new label on the front is in addition to the nutrition table currently on the back of the package. Generally, if a food contains more than 15 percent of the daily requirement, it is considered 'high'. This label is mandatory on packages containing these types of substances.

Nutritionists say that these labels would be of great benefit given the increasing obesity and related diseases among adults and children in Canada. This regulation would be stricter for junk foods and processed foods.

Alberta hospitals are facing a severe crisis this winter as a surge in respiratory illnesses has hit. Provincial authorities have reported a sharp increase in flu cases since mid-December. As of January 3, 653 people are being treated for the flu in hospitals. Of these, 51 patients are in intensive care units (ICUs). Doctors warn that hospitals are struggling to treat the additional patients.

Alberta's new chief medical officer, Dr. Vivian Sutter, has released new information assessing the situation. Dr. Vivian Sutter said that despite the severe strain on the health system, staff are doing their best to care for patients. The health ministry explains that the rapid increase in cases is the main reason for the congestion in hospitals. More beds and temporary facilities are being prepared in hospitals to cope with the crisis.

The opposition NDP has demanded that Premier Daniel Smith's government be prepared to acknowledge that the current situation is a 'crisis'. She also noted that more support is needed for health workers. New reports indicate that Alberta is going through its most severe flu season in years.

New studies have been released that clarify the changes that occur when you stop taking popular weight loss drugs. Researchers have found that many patients quickly regain their weight after stopping the drug. The study was conducted on drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, which are used to treat obesity. These drugs help in weight loss by controlling appetite and blood sugar levels.

When you stop using the drug, the body returns to old habits. It was found that most people regained a large part of the weight they lost within a year of stopping the drug. This study proves that obesity is not something that can be solved in a short time, but that it is a condition that needs to be taken care of for a long time. Doctors warn that if you stop taking the drug alone without making changes to your lifestyle, you may gain weight again. The best results will only be achieved if you eat a healthy diet, exercise, and get proper medical care. The study also shows that weight regain may affect blood pressure and the risk of diabetes.

Experts say that patients should be prepared for continued treatment or other methods. These findings underscore that maintaining a low weight after drug treatment is a major challenge.

Canada's highest-paid CEOs list out. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) has released its annual report on the top 100 CEOs in 2024. Shopify CEO Tobias Lutke tops the list with a net worth of $205.5 million.

Gregory L. Ebel, CEO of Calgary-based Enbridge Inc., is in seventh place with $23.7 million in 2024. He took over in June 2023. Suncor Energy CEO R.M. Kruger makes the list with $14.2 million. His rank, which was in third place last year, has dropped to 31 this time. The average salary of Canada's top 100 CEOs reached a record $16.2 million in 2024. Bell's Mirko Bibik and Loblaw's Per Bank are also prominent figures on the list.

Canada's national census operations will begin in May. Every household in Canada is required to fill out a census questionnaire. Survey to understand the country's population, people's lifestyle and the services they require. Statistics Canada conducts a census once every five years.

Most people receive a short form census asking for basic information like age, gender, language spoken. One-fourth of households will also receive a long form census covering more information such as employment, residence, income, culture etc. Census data is essential for planning schools, transportation, health programs. Statistics Canada employs approximately 32,000 employees across the country to conduct census operations.

'Numerators' who collect information, 'Crew Leaders' who lead teams are the main positions. Hourly wages range from $25.87 to $31.32.

Canada government moves forward with decision to cut immigration. Reports indicate that there will be a significant decrease in the number of newcomers entering the country in various categories by 2026.

As part of reducing the immigration rate, Canada will limit the number of permanent residents in 2026. Ottawa aims to reduce the number of permanent residents from 395,000 in 2025 to 380,000. This large decline is recorded in the position where 483,640 people were admitted in 2024. However, immigration lawyer Ravi Jain noted that immigrants are still necessary to support Canada's job sector. He also warned that the country's job growth depends largely on new arrivals.

Statistics Canada reported that population growth decreased by 0.2 per cent in the last half of 2025. The government is also planning to make big cuts to the number of student visas. It will drop from 437,000 in 2025 to just 155,000 in 2026. Temporary worker admissions will fall to 230,000. This is more than 135,000 fewer than last year. Refugee admissions will also fall slightly. They are expected to reach 56,200 in 2026. The new law, Bill C-12, will tighten refugee rules and give the government the power to cancel applications.

The situation is getting worse following a major failure in the water supply network in Calgary. The 'Bearspaw South Feeder Main', the main pipeline that supplies 60 percent of the city's water, broke on December 30. Mayor Jerome Farkas has asked city residents to immediately reduce their water use.

He warned that the city's water supply is dangerously low, which will affect the operations of the fire department and other emergency services. He stated on social media that the current situation is moving towards a point where it could even be life-threatening.

Although the authorities have withdrawn the 'use only boiled water' recommendation imposed in the areas around 16th Avenue where the failure occurred, water use is still not under control.

The government has issued strict instructions to the city's 1.6 million residents to reduce unnecessary water use. The municipality has released footage of the damaged pipes being removed. It is estimated that repairs will take at least two weeks to complete. Traffic restrictions are currently in place on major roads along the Trans Canada Highway.

As temperatures plummet in Northern Ontario, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has warned that moose are flocking onto highways in droves. They are mainly looking for road salt and to avoid driving through snow. Moose herds have been spotted on routes including Highway 527. Police said collisions with these animals, which weigh about 550 kilograms (1,200 pounds), can be extremely serious.

Police warn that such accidents are likely to increase at night due to poor visibility. Moose are difficult to spot from a distance at night due to their dark color. Footprints in the snow on the roadside, movement on the sides, or the sudden flashing of brake lights from vehicles in front should be considered signs that the animals are nearby. Authorities advised that if you see moose, do not try to scare them away by honking your horn, but rather park your vehicle safely and allow them to move away on their own.

Ontario Provincial Police are thanking two citizens who helped an on-duty police officer during a heavy snowfall on Highway 21 in Ontario on New Year’s Eve. On the Saugeen First Nation, a police officer was trying to arrest a man who was walking on a busy road when he noticed him. However, the suspect struggled with the officer to prevent the arrest, and the situation escalated.

In the dangerous situation, two passersby stopped their vehicles and came to the aid of the police officer. Their intervention helped subdue the suspect, said South Bruce OPP Constable Cody Lyons. They left the scene before the police officer could thank them. Police praised the bravery of these anonymous citizens on social media for their fearless action during a crisis.