The Bank of Canada cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point. Interest rates are being cut for the second time in a row due to inflation and a weak economy. With this, the base interest rate has become 4.50. In June, the interest rate was reduced by a quarter of a percentage point from five percent to 4.75 percent.

Meanwhile, Governor Tiff McClem has indicated that more rate-cutting decisions can be expected if inflation continues. The unemployment rate was 6.4 percent in June due to the recession. The annual inflation rate eased to 2.7 percent in June after rising again in May.

News Desk, International Youth Canada

Peterborough: The participants of water safety awareness session organized by the International Youth Canada came up with a recommendation for colleges to include mandatory water safety awareness in their orientation programs and ensure accessible support services for students. They also demanded to  designate staff members to assist families in accessing death benefits for victims.

 International Youth Canada organized the water safety awareness session at the Sadlier House in Peterborough  on July 13, 2024. The session was prompted by recent tragic incidents involving newcomers in Peterborough waters. The event garnered support from various local entities including the Peterborough Police, the New Canadian Centre, and student leaders from Fleming College.

 Key discussions at the session focused on the risks associated with water safety and explored collaborative strategies to prevent future tragedies. Participants highlighted the importance of implementing preventative measures at personal, college, community, and governmental levels.

The session facilitated networking, resource-sharing, and community building among attendees. It concluded by encouraging participants to join a city-organized water safety awareness session scheduled for July 24, 2024, at Beverment Beach.

 International Youth Canada reaffirmed its commitment to enhance safety and supporting the international student community. For more information,  contact info@internationalyouth.ca

 

The migration of Canadian citizens to the Maritimes in search of lower housing costs and a better quality of life has reportedly been declining in recent years. During the pandemic there was an influx of people from Ontario to the Atlantic coast. This increased the population of the provinces. Migration from other provinces to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island increased as remote work began and a more cost-effective lifestyle became available. Interprovincial migration in 2021 was 40 percent higher than in the period 2016 to 2020. But after 2021, TD Canada reports that population growth in Atlantic Canada will slow, unlike the rest of the country.

Nova Scotia has a goal of reaching 2 million people by 2060. But the current growth rate is slow and it will take more time to achieve this goal, the report said. Inflows of interprovincial migrants declined from more than 5,000 in 2021 and 2022 to a thousand in early 2024.

 

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a nationwide recall of Baby Gourmet Foods Co.'s Organic Whole Grain Baby Cereal, Banana Raisin Oatmeal, after the presence of potentially harmful bacteria. The product was immediately recalled from all in-store and online retailers due to possible contamination with Cronobacter bacteria.

Once the bacteria enter the body, they have been found to cause serious infections in the bloodstream, central nervous system, and intestines. Baby Gourmet Foods is a Calgary-based company. At the same time, the company has stated that no complaint has been raised regarding the product and if anyone has purchased the product, they should destroy it immediately.

 

Sealed tattoo bottles and permanent makeup inks marked sterile contain millions of dangerous bacteria, according to a new research report by the US Food and Drug Administration. A research report says that there are millions of microorganisms in the ink used for tattooing. Seong Jae Kim, a microbiologist at the FDA's National Center for Toxicological Research, said the report underscores the importance of continued monitoring of such products. The study report is published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

When tattooed on the skin, bacteria enter the body through the ink and grow. It can cause serious infections, skin diseases and other health problems, according to the FDA. The FDA said it had issued strong warnings in previous years about the serious infection risks from potentially fatal ink products.

 

The liberal government's decision to lift visa requirements for Mexican nationals has strained relations with the Biden administration and increased the number of migrants on both sides of the border, according to new documents. On February 29, 2024, Immigration Minister Mark Miller announced visa waivers for Mexican citizens. The move was meant to curb the surge in refugee claims that was straining Canada's refugee system and the provinces' resources. At the same time, Canada's decision also drew the ire of US officials. There was also pressure on the federal government to reinstate the visa requirement.

The United States has shared concerns that Mexican passport holders are abusing visa-free travel. Canada has also indicated that it is considering these concerns, the documents said.

Mexico is Canada's third largest trading partner. In 2016, Justin Trudeau lifted the visa requirement. Then there was the influx of Mexican refugees in Canada. In addition, immigrant travel across the US-Canada border has increased. In 2023, the number of refugees reached a record 24,000. According to reports, the largest number of people arrived in Quebec. About 60 percent of claims are denied, withdrawn or abandoned, according to the federal immigration department.

 

Social media platform TikTok to open new office in downtown Vancouver The company has announced a new project that marks the growth of TikTok in Canada. The company has reportedly leased the entire 22nd floor of the Three Bentall Center office tower at 595 Burrard Street.

TikTok is aiming to grow by setting up offices in the US, Canada and Australia as part of the company's global expansion. Vancouver is a well-known global hub for tech companies to house major research and development units. The company stated that jobs based in machine learning, software engineering, data science and product management will be held in Vancouver.

Headquartered in Los Angeles and Singapore. The company has offices in New York City, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul and Tokyo.

 

Authorities have banned swimming at all beaches in Toronto after high levels of E. coli bacteria were found in seawater. The warning came after high levels of bacteria were found following heavy rains that caused severe flooding. The warning will be in effect at all 10 beaches in the city.

Due to the presence of E.coli bacteria in dangerous levels for humans, city officials said it is not safe to swim within 48 hours of the rain. Those who swim or bathe in water with high levels of E. coli are at increased risk of infections, including ear, eye, nose, throat, and skin infections. Young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk, the warning said.

Every year from June to September, water samples are collected and tested daily by the Division of Forestry and Recreation, Toronto, to test for E. coli bacteria from Toronto's beaches.

 

The police issued a warning after the increase in road accidents during summer. There have been many accidents on the highways within a month. The BC Highway Patrol (BCHP) has urged all drivers to exercise caution and slow down on the roads to prevent accidents. So far in July, around 20 people have died in road accidents on the highways. Officials told the media that speeding was the cause of all the accidents.

Between July 8 and July 15, Highway Patrol officers in the Central Okanagan area caught about 40 speeding drivers. The police said that their speed was more than 50 km per hour over the prescribed speed limit.

Drivers listed for speeding have their vehicle impounded for seven days. They were fined between $368 and $483, police said.

 

Calgary is the most expensive city in Alberta to rent, according to a report released by Dowler. The rising cost of living and skyrocketing rents in Calgary are putting renters in a bind. The report found that rents for a two-bedroom unit in the city will increase by 7.3 percent from 2023. One-bedroom rents in major cities across Canada were up 0.5 per cent on the national average, and two-bedroom rents were up 0.3 per cent. A two-bedroom apartment in Calgary costs around $2,200 per month. Winnipeg, Edmonton and Kelowna also posted higher annual rent growth.

Vancouver remains the most expensive city in the country. A one-bedroom apartment costs an average of $2,700 per month.

 

Calgary is back under a heat warning after a brief respite from the sweltering heat. Meteorologists said the heat warning will last for another week. Environment Canada has issued a severe heat warning and said the extreme heat is expected to last up to ten days. Northern Alberta and much of Southern Alberta, including Calgary, are being warned that temperatures will reach 36 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, air quality warnings have been issued in northern Alberta as wildfire smoke spreads.

Environment Canada said the warning is likely to spread to other areas of the province as temperatures rise. Day temperature will be between 28 degree Celsius and 36 degree Celsius. But the night temperature will be around 20 degree Celsius.

Health should be protected as the heat increases. Environment Canada said symptoms such as high body temperature, lack of sweating, fainting and heat stroke should be monitored and a health provider should be sought.

 

The number of immigrants taking Canadian citizenship is reportedly on the decline. The 2016 and 2021 Census Survey reports that very few immigrants in Canada are taking up Canadian citizenship. According to new data released by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC), the proportion of people who become citizens within 10 years of arriving in Canada has dropped by 40 per cent. ICC CEO Daniel Bernard said that in recent years, people have become less interested in becoming Canadian citizens.

The figures suggest a decline in citizenship adoption among highly educated economic migrants. Bernard says this is because they re-examine their options before taking the oath. Canada's high cost of living crisis continues to worsen. Also, the skills and experience of immigrants are not recognized in the country's workforce. Most people may be disappointed by this. He also pointed out that, therefore, there is a possibility of them withdrawing from accepting Canadian citizenship.

Affordability is already having a major impact on citizenship adoption. The ICC calls on the federal government to give people more opportunity to celebrate and appreciate the value of citizenship, and to limit virtual citizenship ceremonies that hold immigrants back from acquiring citizenship.

 

Restrictions on single-use plastic bags in British Columbia came into effect on Monday, July 15. With this, all plastic shopping bags will be banned from stores across the province. Also, oxo-degradable plastic packaging and other single-use items will not be allowed to be sold in the province.

The ban will require retailers to charge at least 25 cents for a paper shopping bag and at least $2 for a reusable bag. Store-issued bags such as fruits, vegetables, bulk food and meat are exempted from the restrictions.

The changes came after the Canadian government decided to phase out single-use plastic shopping bags by December last year. BC also bans plastic containers and pre-packaged food service items at the same time.

 

Abuja: 22 students died after a school building collapsed in Nigeria. Around 130 students were injured in the accident. The accident happened on Friday in Central Plateau State, Nigeria. St Academy in Jos, the state capital, sank into the ground. Many people were trapped in the debris. The rescuers used excavators, hammers, bare hands and wires to get the children out.

The police have explained that 22 students died in the accident. Treatment has been provided to the children rescued from the rubble. More than a thousand students are studying in this school. Local residents are responding to the international media that the level of the accident is shocking. It is not yet clear what caused the building to collapse. It has been raining heavily in the region for the past three days. After this, the school building sank into the ground.

 

Calgary home prices are soaring as demand for homes outstrips supply, Royal Le Page reports. In the second quarter of 2024, the average price of a home in Calgary increased by 7.9 per cent to $694,000, the report said. The report pointed out that prices of single-family detached houses in the city are skyrocketing. An annual increase of 8.3 percent to $797,200. The median price of a condo apartment increased 8.6 percent to $273,600 during the same period.

Meanwhile, the total price of a home across the country rose 1.9 percent year-on-year to $824,300, Royal Le Page said in a report.

 

In a May report released by Interpol, Canada was among the top 10 countries with the most stolen vehicles this year. The report comes as the government, police and other organizations try to deal with Canada's auto theft crisis. The list was released by combining the RCMP's Canadian Police Information Center's stolen vehicle database with Interpol. According to the report, within three months of this year, vehicles stolen from Canada were found in different parts of the world.

And the RCMP's database contains details of nearly 150,000 stolen vehicles in Canada. In relation to theft, more than 200 vehicles are identified as stolen every week. Vehicles are identified during inspection as most vehicles are brought to ports for export to foreign countries.

Interpol pointed out that the proceeds from the sale of stolen vehicles are used by the accused to commit crimes and that car theft has become a source of income for organized crime. Interpol also stated that the global data sharing that is now being done will help in stronger inspection of vehicles at the borders, identification of vehicle smuggling routes and arrest of suspects.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada reports that 105,000 vehicles were stolen across Canada in 2022 alone. Auto theft also increases insurance rates. Toronto topped the rate with a 561 percent increase over the past five years. About $371 million in claims were reported. IBC vice president Liam McGuinty says that last year, auto theft claims totaled $1.5 billion nationally.

 

Temperatures are rising in most parts of Canada as summer heats up. A heat wave has also been reported, including in the provinces of Western Canada. Tuesday was the warmest day in Western Canada. It is reported that electricity consumption in Alberta was also at a record high that day.

The Alberta Electric Systems Operator (AESO) says people have been using air conditioners and fans more because of the heat. Alberta residents used 11,820 megawatts of electricity on Wednesday, AESO said. The previous summer record was 11,721 MW set on June 29, 2021.

 

Hurricane Beryl, which hit Texas, may also hit Canada this week, according to reports. Floods are likely in some parts of the country. By Wednesday, Beryl will become a normal low pressure over the Great Lakes. Beryl will affect southern Ontario, southwestern Quebec and parts of the Maritimes. Heavy rain is also forecast for New Brunswick. Meteorologists have predicted heavy rains and flooding in urban areas. Environment Canada has advised people in provinces and territories to exercise caution.

Environment Canada is predicting heavy rain in and around Toronto. A special weather warning has been issued in the city ahead of the cyclone. Environment Canada says 20 to 40 millimeters of rain per hour could fall on Wednesday. While the exact direction of Cyclone Beryl is not yet known, Environment Canada said in a warning that rainfall amounts of more than 50 millimeters are expected in some places and strong winds are possible at times.

Hurricane Beryl has caused heavy damage in Texas. Seven people died in the Greater Houston area. About 30 lakh houses and industrial establishments lost power due to strong winds. Hundreds of flights have been cancelled.

 

American ticket sales and distribution company Ticketmaster has confirmed that customer information was leaked following a cyber attack in April and May. The company said the personal information of customers in Canada was stolen. In a statement issued by Ticketmaster, it is clear that the unauthorized third party may have obtained personal information from the database of the third party data service provider. The incident took place between April 2 and May 18. Then the infamous hacking group ShinyHunters came forward, claiming to have stolen 1.3 terabytes of data containing the personal information of 560 million Ticketmaster customers.

The company said in a statement that an investigation following the data breach revealed that the personal information of customers who had booked tickets for events in North America had been leaked. The company points out that users' names, email, phone numbers, and credit and debit card information may have been leaked. But it is indicated that user accounts have not been affected.

Meanwhile, in an emailed statement, the company said it is committed to protecting customer data and deeply regrets the data breach caused by the cyber attack. This is the first expression of regret by Ticketmaster following the data breach that affected more than half a billion customers in various countries.

 

With the start of the summer season, extreme heat is increasing across Canada. Environment Canada has issued a severe heatwave warning for much of the country. A heat warning has also been issued in most places. The heat wave that has been in British Columbia since last week is forecast to continue until about the middle of this week.

Environment Canada is also predicting temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius in various cities across the province. But meteorologist Jennifer Smith says that this time there will not be an increase over the heat experienced in 2021. Jennifer Smith said that compared to the intensity of 2021, this year is less intense. Smith says the record won't be broken in 2021. Although the epicenter of the heat is Northern California, temperatures will rise only marginally this week, they said.

In Western Canada, severe heat is forecast for all provinces, including BC. The heat is expected to continue for more days along the coast of the province and on Vancouver Island. A heat warning has been issued for Alberta and central and northern Saskatchewan. The agency says temperatures will rise to at least 30 degrees Celsius in these two provinces.

 

Environment Canada has warned that the heat wave will intensify across Western Canada. Temperatures are expected to rise for most of BC and Alberta. Heat warnings are in place for many areas. Temperatures are expected to soar up to 40 degrees Celsius in the provinces this week. Officials informed that the high temperature will pose a risk to public health and hence necessary precautions should be taken. Temperatures are expected to rise in the northeastern areas of BC, including the low-lying areas of the province.

Officials are worried that high temperatures will pose a threat to people as events such as the Calgary Stampede become active. Misting stations are being prepared to be fully prepared as a precaution. Areas including Metro Vancouver will experience daytime temperatures in the low 30s.

Meanwhile, a heat warning has been issued for Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area as temperatures are forecast to reach 40 degrees Celsius over the next two days. Environment Canada said daytime highs are expected to reach 31 degrees Celsius starting Monday, with humidity levels of 35 to 38 degrees Celsius.

 

Canada tops countries with rising household debt, report says A new report by financial services group Desjardins says that most of the country is in debt. Canada ranks third in the list of countries with the highest household debt in the world. Canada's position is followed by Switzerland and Australia. A May 2023 report by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) found that Canada's household debt was the highest among the G7 countries.

Desjardins says the highest-income households carry more than half of all debt in Canada. The lowest-income households carry 45 percent of household debt. This group has been hit by rising mortgage debt since 2019, the report says.

Desjardins also notes that inequality between the wealthy and the non-wealthy has increased in Canada. Higher interest rates affect income distribution. The report also says that this benefits the rich.

 

Lacey, a hen from Gabriola Island, British Columbia, holds the world record. Unlike other chickens, Lacey is very intelligent and smart. Lacey can recognize different numbers, colors and letters. Lacey correctly identified six letters, numbers and colors to win the world record. Lacy took just one minute for this.

Lacey is owned by veterinarian Emily Carrington. Emily says chickens are really smart. Emily says she spent five years training chickens to recognize numbers, letters and colors. Emily said the chickens were choosing the exact numbers, letters and colors they were told to choose, and that was achieved through proper training.

All the chickens trained by Emily participated in the world record attempt. But in this, Lacey is the one who selected everything correctly and got a place in the world record.

 

PP Cherian, Dallas

Georgia: Two Georgia firefighters who went missing late last month have been found dead hundreds of miles away in Tennessee, authorities said. Reagan Anderson and Chandler Kuhbander, both of Cocke County, Tennessee, were found with Anderson's vehicle, Hinesville, Georgia police said in a statement Sunday, July 1. No further information has been released.

Police referred questions to the Cocke County Sheriff's Office or the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. A representative for the sheriff's office said Tuesday afternoon that the TBI is leading the investigation.

"TBI agents are working with the Cocke County Sheriff's Office to investigate the circumstances leading to the deaths of two people after their bodies were found inside a vehicle on Hollow Road in Cosby Sunday morning," the state agency said in a statement Tuesday.

The bodies have been sent for post-mortem for positive identification and to ascertain the cause and manner of death. The TBI said the investigation is ongoing.Liberty County Fire Chief Brian Darby said the department in Midway, Georgia is saddened by the news of two of its firefighters.

"These two extremely dedicated employees put their hearts and souls into protecting and serving the citizens of Liberty County," Darby said in a statement.

A Liberty County fire representative declined to comment Tuesday afternoon. Cocke County, Tennessee, is about 400 miles north of Midway, Georgia. Hinesville police posted information on Facebook last week about the two missing firefighters. The post also included a photo of Andersen's vehicle, a 2017 black Ford Focus.

Anderson was last seen on June 25 at Liberty County Fire Services Station #1. Authorities believe Kuhbander, who was reported missing in Liberty County, was with Anderson, NBC affiliate WBIR in Knoxville, Tennessee, reported.

Kuhbandar's vehicle was found in Savannah, Georgia, and Anderson's vehicle was found in Richmond Hill, Georgia, before being found in Tennessee, the station reported.

 

A Canadian tourist has died following an attack in the capital city of Ireland, Dublin. Neno Dolmagian (41), a native of Montreal, who was being treated at the hospital, died. Dolmagian was undergoing treatment at the Mater Hospital in the city. Dolmagian was attacked in the early hours of June 23 in O'Connell Street and Cathel Bruga Street in Dublin city centre.

Irish police said four people have been arrested so far in connection with the incident. Two of them were brought to court on criminal charges. They were remanded. Police said further investigation is underway into the incident.

 

The Ford government has given Ontario landlords permission to raise rents by up to 2.5 per cent starting next year. The government has issued guidelines in this regard. The rent has been increased at the same rate as in previous years. This is the lowest rate in the country. Rents were expected to rise by 3.1 per cent due to the rise in inflation.

Landlords can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) for a rent increase above 2.5 per cent. Tenants must be given at least 90 days' written notice of a rent increase. Further, the guidelines state that the rent should not be increased more than once in a year.

 

Durham Region Transit (DRT) has increased bus fares effective July 1. According to the agency, the increase in bus fare is aimed at improving service, switching to battery electric fleet and providing new facilities for passengers. Henceforth, the bus fare for those using Presso Fare Card or e-ticket has increased from $3.35 to $3.60. And the fare for adults paying by cash or open payments will increase from $4.35 to $4.60, a Durham Region Transit spokeswoman said.

A $9 increase in monthly Presto passes has also been implemented. This brings the monthly Presto Pass rate to $29.60. Meanwhile, free travel for children below 12 years will continue.

Visit the Durham Region Transit website for more information.

 

Fees for paper bags and reusable bags have been increased in Edmonton. From July 1, the price of paper bags has increased to at least 25 cents. New reusable bags cost at least $2. Under the city's Single-Use Item Reduction Bylaw, the fee was 15 cents per paper bag and $1 per reusable bag. The bye-law came into effect from 1 July 2023. The aim is to reduce waste by increasing the use of recyclables with a focus on switching completely from plastic to non-plastic products.

Single-use items include plastic, wood products, bamboo products and cardboard.

 

Canada's cost-of-living crisis is reportedly pushing Canadians further into debt. This pushed insolvency rates to their highest levels in previous years. This is stated in the Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals (CAIRP) report. Consumer insolvencies rose 11.3 percent in May from last year, according to the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy (OSB). The number of personal filings stood at 12,195. This is the highest monthly rate seen since October 2019, before the pandemic.

In the 12-month period ending May 2024, there was a 17.9 percent increase in consumer insolvency filings compared to the same period last year. Saskatchewan was the province with the highest insolvency rate in May 2024. 18.8 percent increase to 347 daily filings. Ontario and Quebec are in second place with rate increases of 16 per cent.

CAIRP says 530 Canadian business insolvencies were recorded in May. There was an increase of 41.7 percent over the same time last year.

 

Toronto police report that shooting attacks in Toronto have increased by 74 percent compared to last year. So far in 2024, 24 people have been shot to death, Deputy Chief Robert Johnson said. In 2023, nine people were shot dead. Investigators said 363 illegal firearms were seized and 494 people were arrested for using firearms in a citywide sweep.

There have been 24 tow truck-related shootings in Toronto and Greater Toronto Area in the past six months, according to the report. Robert Johnson also pointed out that the conflicts across the GTA were due to local disputes.