Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said his country "will not accept a bad deal" simply to reach a trade agreement with the US, as a deadline of 1 August looms before US President Donald Trump begins to impose new tariffs.
"Our objective is not to reach a deal whatever it costs," Carney told reporters in
The average Canadian family spent 42.3 per cent on income taxes in 2024, according to a new study published by the Fraser Institute.
The tax bill, which includes visible and hidden taxes, totals more than the 35.5 per cent for housing, food and clothing combined. “At a time when the cost of living is top of mind across
Ontario. "We are pursuing a deal that will be in the best interest of Canadians."
US importers buying in goods from Canada will face a 35% tax if no deal is reached before the deadline.
The neighbours are among each other's largest trading partners, but have been in a standoff after Trump returned to the White House earlier this year and unleashed a sweeping programme of tariffs.
He has argued that these will boost American manufacturing and protect jobs. But the move has disrupted the global economy, and prompted warnings from critics that products could become more expensive for US consumers.
Continued on Page 6...
The South Asian Studies Institute (SASI) at University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford is partnering with the Royal BC Museum and BC Archives on the preservation of more than three million historical photos by photojournalist Chandravadan “Chandra” Bodalia. SASI director Satwinder Bains is partnering with museum to sort, preserve and digitize the photos. Continued on Page 7...
the country, taxes remain the largest household expense for Canadian families,” said Jake Fuss, director of fiscal studies at the Fraser Institute.
“While Canadians can decide for themselves whether or not they get good value for their tax dollars, they should understand how much they pay in taxes each year.” Continued on Page 7...
Police arrest 3rd South Asian suspect in BC in connection with deadly Mississauga parking lot shooting
Police have arrested a third man from B.C. in connection with a deadly shooting at a Mississauga parking lot in May.
The incident happened just before noon on May 14 in the vicinity of Tranmere Drive and Telford Way, which is north of Derry Road East between Bramalea and Dixie roads. Police have previously said that 51-yearold Brampton resident Harjeet Dhadda was approached by a suspect in the parking lot and shot “multiple times.” He was rushed to hospital but later died from his injuries.
Multiple suspects fled the scene in a stolen 2018
Black Dodge Challenger, police said at the time.
That vehicle was located a short time later but the suspects had vanished. About two weeks later, on May 28, police located and arrested two of the suspects in British Columbia with the assistance of local authorities.
Aman and Digvijay Digvijay, both of Delta, B.C., were charged with first-degree murder at the time. The accused has been identified by police as 22-year-old Shaheel, of Delta, B.C. He is also charged with first-degree murder.
World Leaders in
The data for this visualization comes from Morning Consult. It tracks world leader approval ratings based on public polling data across respective countries.
Ratings were collected from July 4-10, 2025, and reflect a trailing seven-day simple moving average of views among adults surveyed.
Modi Maintains Dominance
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi comes out on top with a remarkable 75% approval rating. His recent re-election in 2024 reaffirmed domestic confidence, buoyed by strong economic indicators and assertive foreign policy.
Only 18% of Indians disapprove of his leadership, reflecting sustained popularity over a decade in power (Modi’s premiership began on May 26, 2014). Continued on Page 6...
www.gabaautodetaling.com
Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia has acquitted all five players involved in the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial.
Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote had all pleaded not guilty to sexual assault in an encounter that took place in a London, Ont., hotel room in the early hours of June 19, 2018.
The NHL says the five players acquitted of sexual assault are ineligible to play in the league while it reviews the judge’s findings.
The NHL said in a statement the allegations in the case were disturbing, even if not determined criminal. The league also called the behaviour at issue “unacceptable.” London police Chief Thai Truong issued a statement Thursday following the judge’s decision, saying the trial “generated important conversations at both national and international levels about sexual violence, accountability, and systemic issues within institutions, including sport.” “We see this as an opportunity to reflect, learn, and enhance our approach to investigating sexual violence, strengthening our training, and deepening partnerships with community organizations,” he wrote. Truong also commended E.M. for her “outstanding courage and strength in coming forward,” and that London Police Services “remain committed to ensuring that survivors of sexual violence feel supported and safe” when coming forward with allegations.
E.M. is very disappointed with the judge’s verdict and assessment of her honesty and reliability, her lawyer Karen Bellehumeur said in a post-verdict statement in front of the media.
“She knew there were no guarantees for guilty verdict, and that if she had decided not to testify, that decision would have been accepted. But she felt that it was important to see the process through to the end, even if it meant opening herself up to intense scrutiny and unjustified criticism,” Bellehumeur said.
She adds that E.M.’s treatment during crossexamination was at times, insulting, unfair, mocking and disrespectful.
“There was nothing more she could have done,” E.M.’s lawyer said. “That said – the justice system must do better.” Speaking with reporters outside the London, Ont. courthouse on Thursday, Megan Savard, the lawyer for Carter Hart, called the sexual assault case against the five Hockey Canada players “distressing and unnecessary.”
Savard says the result – all five players acquitted by Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia – came as no surprise to people with knowledge of the investigation. She added that Hart, who last played an NHL game Jan. 20, 2024, has learned from the experience and will share what he’s learned with those in his life.
Julianna Greenspan, the lawyer for Calan Foote, said her client has a “wonderful future” ahead of him and never lost faith in the final decision, despite “external pressures” outside the courthouse. Daniel Brown, the lawyer for Alex Formenton, said the judge reached “a just and correct verdict that must be respected,” adding that his client had a promising hockey career ahead of him before the accusations, and his client was “condemned and felt banished from society.”
A Surrey teacher has been suspended for a second time in less than two years after a series of inappropriate behaviour inside and outside of the school.
According to a decision from the British Columbia Commissioner for Teacher Regulation, School District No. 36 in Surrey submitted reports about Hussan Ali Riasat regarding two separate matters to the Commissioner under Section 16 of the School Act.
The decision states that Riasat holds a valid Professional Certificate of Qualification and was employed as a high school teacher in the Surrey district.
During the 2021/2022 school year, there were notable instances of inappropriate behaviour. The consent resolution agreement by the Commissioner states that the first matter arose when Riasat told two students that an unnamed
Three miners remain trapped underground Thursday at a mine in northwestern B.C.
Specialized drones have now been deployed at the Red Chris gold and copper mine to assess the geotechnical conditions underground.
The miners, who are Hy-Tech drilling employees, are in a refuge area with food, water and air that can accommodate up to 16 people, according to Newmont, the company that owns and operates the mine.Hy-Tech confirmed on Thursday that the men were operating a diamond drill rig at the mine.
The drillers became trapped on Tuesday after two sections of the underground area caved in.
They were working more than 500 metres beyond the first cave-in, Newmont said, and were asked to relocate to the refuge station before a second cave-in blocked the access way.
Newmont said staff at the mine were able to communicate with the miners after the first cave-in
student had engaged in self-harm, and that he was upset that the school counsellor did not get him involved.
The decision goes on to explain a second incident where Riasat attempted to help a group of Grade 10 students settle a conflict within their friend group. Two of the students, Student B and C, had requested his help as he was their English teacher at the time.
“When attempting to mediate issues between this friend group in May and June 2021, Riasat failed to maintain appropriate boundaries between himself and the students, which included sharing details about his personal life with them,” said the Commissioner in the report. This included writing what the Commissioner described as overly familiar and inappropriate messages, as well as leaving an inappropriate voice message for the two students.
to make sure they made it to the refuge area before the second cave-in cut off all communication.
On Thursday, Newmont said the debris blocking access to the underground area is estimated to be approximately 20 to 30 metres long and seven to eight metres high. The area of the refuge chambers is not in the same area as the fall of ground and is understood to be stable and well-ventilated.
A remote control scoop, transported from the nearby Brucejack site, has begun removing debris, Newmont confirmed.
Teams are also restoring the specialized communication system in an attempt to reestablish communication with the workers.
B.C. Premier David Eby originally said that two of the miners are from B.C. and one is from Ontario. However, Hy-Tech clarified on Thursday that one of the workers is from B.C., one is from Manitoba and one is from Ontario.
CBC responds to leaked audio of disciplinary discussion between former host Travis Dhanraj and senior staff
Earlier this month, Dhanraj, who was the host of CBC’s CANADA TONIGHT, announced his resignation from the company after being on leave since February.
The journalist made his debut as the host of daily show CANADA TONIGHT in 2024, succeeding Ginella Massa. The time slot for the show has now been replaced by “Hanomansing Tonight,” led by Ian Hanomansing.
In a post on X, the reporter accused the broadcaster of forcing him out of the job after he questioned some of its editorial processes. He also promised to speak out on the company’s internal issues.
“By now, many of you know I’m no longer at CBC. What you may not know is what it cost me — and why I had no real choice but to walk away,” he said. “When the time is right, I’ll pull the curtain back, I’ll share everything.”
At the time, CBC denied that Dhanraj was forced to resign. Now, audio leaked by the National Post reveals part of a disciplinary meeting between Dhanraj, a union representative and a CBC senior staff member, identified as Director of Digital Publishing and Streaming Andree Lau, on April 19, 2024.
The meeting allegedly addressed an X post by Dhanraj revealing he had been denied an interview with CBC’s President and CEO Catherine Tait over new budget funding and priorities within the company.
“At a time when the public broadcaster is under increasing scrutiny and when transparency is needed, #CanadaTonight requested an [interview with] @PresidentCBCRC Catherine Tait…Our request was declined. This is unfortunate,” he wrote. The audio begins with Dhanraj defending his post, saying that since the budget issues had already been extensively covered by other outlets, his comments didn’t have any “insider information.”
To that, Lau responded by suggesting that given the reporter was still a CBC employee at the time, the post could be a conflict of interest, which goes against journalistic standards. Although part of the audio is unclear, Lau also appears to reference other journalistic principles that could be involved in the issue, including “the principle of integrity and the perception of who has a stake in the matter,” emphasizing the fact that Dhanraj was still an employee at CBC.
The lawyer has also been encouraging other CBC employees or former employees to speak out about the company.
“My inbox is overflowing with messages from current and former CBC employees—echoing stories of exclusion, retaliation, and being silenced. This isn’t a oneoff. It’s systemic,” she said on X.
Why Canada’s supply management is a sticking point for Trump in trade talks
The target date for a new trade deal between Canada and the United States is a little over a week away, but one issue continues to be a sticking point between both nations: Canada’s supply management.
Supply management, which Canada uses in the dairy, poultry and egg sectors, has been a frequent target of criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump throughout his threats of tariffs and claims that Canada is “ripping us off.”
Last month, while demanding Canada repeal its digital services tax, Trump said Canada was “a very difficult Country to TRADE with,” claiming on his social media platform Truth Social that the country charges “tariffs” of up to 400 per cent on dairy products.
Canada uses a quota system that allows a set amount of some foreign dairy products into the country, and high tariffs only apply if countries try to exceed that allowed quota coming into Canada.
Canada’s supply management system, which dates back to the 1970s, has restricted foreign access to the Canadian dairy market in order to protect domestic producers and set quality standards for products.
Prime Minister Mark Carney vowed in the Liberal election platform that he will “keep Canada’s supply management off the table in any negotiations with the U.S.”
So how does it work?
What is supply management?
production quotas for Canadian farmers, guarantee minimum prices, and maintain import and quality controls.
“Producers have a licence to produce that’s determined by their quota. Producers will only produce as much as the quota says they are allowed to produce or in fact to sell,” said Sven Anders, a resource economist at the University of Alberta. Under CUSMA, the U.S. gets access to less than five per cent of the market.
But the U.S. has launched multiple disputes claiming Canada is intentionally bottlenecking those U.S. imports through tariff rate quotas, which put limits on how many exporters qualify for the cheaper duties. The issue of supply management for farmers might end up being an issue both sides are unwilling to move on. For
one, most Canadian politicians are staunchly in support of the policy.
The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) — which Trump re-negotiated to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) during his first term — narrowly expanded U.S. access to Canada’s dairy market, which is protected under supply management rules.
The rules, established in the 1970s, set
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“We saw during the leaders’ debate that all of the leaders, specifically in French, said that supply management was a red line in any negotiations with the Trump administration over tariffs,” said Moshe Lander, an economist at Concordia University.
One consequence of supply management is that Canadians end up paying more for dairy products, Anders said.
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Taxes remain largest single expense for Canadian families
While policymakers in Canada face many issues, including Trump’s trade war, few issues are more important to Canadians than the rising cost of living. And while inflation and housing costs are important, there’s another even larger expense that makes it harder for families to make ends meet. Taxes.
As the saying goes, the two certainties in life are death and taxes. But while we all know we must pay taxes, it’s more difficult to know just how much in total we actually pay.
Canadians pay many different taxes to local, provincial and federal governments—income taxes, property taxes, sales taxes and payroll taxes, to name a few. And while some of these are quite visible (you can see how much personal income tax is taken off your paystub) others are more hidden.
According to a new study published by the Fraser Institute, in 2024 the average Canadian family (including single people) paid $48,306 in total taxes. Given the average family’s total cash income was $114,289 in 2024, this means families paid 42.3 per cent of their incomes in taxes levied by all levels of government.
This is much more than what families used to pay, even after adjusting for inflation. In fact, the average Canadian family paid just $17,166 in total taxes in 1961 (adjusted for inflation), which represented 33.5 per cent of its total income that year. In other words, from 1961 to 2024, the inflation-adjusted tax bill of the average Canadian family increased by more than 180 per cent.
How does the average family’s total tax bill compare with how much it spends on the basic necessities of food, shelter and clothing? In 2024, the average Canadian family spent $12,925 on food, $25,199 on shelter and $2,435 on clothing. Which means the average family spent a larger share of its income on taxes (42.3 per cent) than on basic necessities (35.5 per cent).
Simply put, taxes are the largest single expense for Canadian families.
Of course, Canadians receive some value from their tax dollars in the form of government services so the total tax bill is the price Canadians pay for government services. Therefore, it’s ultimately up to individuals and families to decide whether or not they get their money’s worth from government.
Police investigate assault, sexual harassment allegations at Victoria gym
Allegations of sexual misconduct are being levelled against the owner of a gym in downtown Victoria, B.C. – prompting a police investigation.
At least two women are accusing the head coach and owner of Zuma Martial Arts of assault and sexual harassment. CTV News is protecting the identities of both women, who are worried about retaliation. One of the women, who CTV News is calling Jane, said during her time at the gym she was subjected to comments about her appearance, unwanted touching, and invasive questions about her sex life. She said she reached her breaking point during a sparring session last summer.
“I remember having a really clear conversation saying, ‘I don’t want to roll with you. I don’t want to touch you.’ And he said, ‘Come on, you’re making me feel like I don’t have consent.’ And I said, ‘You don’t,’” Jane said. She’s alleging he pulled her in anyway, leading to a “violating” encounter.
“I could not have been any clearer that I didn’t want to shake his hand,” she said. “I certainly didn’t want him on top of me. I didn’t want him manipulating my hips. I didn’t want his head in my chest… All of which happened in those two minutes.”
New car sales tumble in Canada as trade war bites
Canadians bought less in May than they did in April, new data from Statistics Canada showed on Thursday — and one of the factors behind a drop in retail sales was a fall in motor vehicle sales.
Retail sales in Canada fell 1.1 per cent in May to $69.2 billion.
Core retail sales, which exclude gasoline stations, fuel vendors, motor vehicle and parts dealers, were relatively unchanged in May, the report said. The report said the drop in sales was, in part, due to “the effects of trade tensions between Canada and the United States on Canadian retail businesses.”
Canada’s auto industry seems to have taken the brunt of falling retail sales, with motor vehicles and parts dealers recording a drop of 3.6 per cent in retail sales in May. The drop was even starker when it came to new car dealerships, which saw sales fall by 4.6 per cent.
cent, being the only segment of the auto industry that saw higher sales in May.
Aside from food and beverage sales, core retail sales in Canada were relatively unchanged in May. Beverage sales in Canada fell 1.2 per cent, declining for the third month in a row.
Beer, wine and liquor retailers saw the biggest drop in this subsector within this sector, with sales falling 2.9 per cent. Supermarkets and grocery stores saw a decline of 0.6 per cent in sales.
As the weather warms up all over Canada, the largest increase in core retail sales in May came from building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers. This segment saw sales rise 1.9 per cent in May, followed by a 0.3 per cent decline in April.
New revelations about City of Richmond’s rampant spending on gift cards are prompting more concerns and questions.
Freedom of information (FOI) request results for 2019 through 2021 obtained by Global News show that while some cards were bought for longservice employees, others indicate otherwise.
Receipts contained in the more than one thousand pages have markings on them saying they’re for “prizes,” “goals and accomplishments,” “team building,” “no sick time taken,” “prizes for Halloween,” and “take our kids to work day volunteer appreciation.” Many indicated they were for “employee appreciation” and “staff recognition.” One receipt reads, “Gift cards for future staff appreciation.”
“It doesn’t seem any of these expenses are normal for municipal councils or staff, and it seems the financial controls were totally out of control, that someone was able to get away with it for so long, and it also seems like more than one person would have to be involved,” said Duff Conacher with Democracy Watch. Taxpayers bought cards for Lululemon, Cineplex, Netflix, Fairmont Hotels, Petro Canada, Indigo, restaurants, Visa, and Mastercard.
In an email, the city said some cards were for a United Way fundraising campaign.
The documents follow Global’s reporting on earlier FOI results for 2022 through 2024.
The City of Richmond initially denied there was a problem. In one email, it said there was no gift card budget in the City of Richmond. Later, the city admitted $295,000 worth of gift cards are unaccounted for.
So far, one person has been fired, while a forensic audit is going back 10 years and a criminal investigation is underway.
Not once over six years’ worth of documents does there appear to be a single email questioning the purchases.
This was the first time since February that Canada saw sales at new car dealerships decline, Statistics Canada said. Sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors declined for the third consecutive month, down 1.4 per cent in May. However, car accessories and tire retailers saw sales jump 1.7 per
Continued from Page 1...
Trump has already imposed a blanket 25% tariff on imports of certain Canadian goods, as well as a 50% tariff on aluminium and steel imports.
Speaking on Tuesday, Carney said he would consider taking action to protect aluminium and lumber companies, two of the country's key industries, and hinted at the possibility of other protectionist measures as the full effect of US tariffs kicked in. The prime minister previously announced counter-measures including higher tariffs on imports of steel to Canada.
"It will probably be the case in the next couple of months... we'll see other needs for support for the sectors that have been the most affected," the prime minister said at a gathering of Canadian province leaders.
Canada sells about three-quarters of its goods to the US. In addition to metals and lumber, Canada exports large quantities of oil, cars and car parts, other machinery, food and pharmaceuticals.
According to the Office of the US Trade Representative, in 2024 the US exported nearly $350bn (£258bn) in goods to Canada, and imported more than $412bn from its northern
Continued from Page 1... Polarizing Leaders
In contrast, U.S. President Donald Trump holds 44% approval, with a 50% disapproval rate. Since returning to office in 2024, he has faced criticism over economic volatility and divisive policy shifts.
neighbour. Trump has announced a large array of tariffs both on specific product categories and countries, alleging that the US has been treated unfairly by its foreign trading partners. He has also given other justifications for the tariffs, including that he is trying to exert pressure on his neighbours to curb illegal shipments of fentanyl into the US. According to data from the US Customs and Border Patrol, about 0.2% of all seizures of fentanyl coming into the US occur at the border with Canada, with almost all of the rest confiscated at the border with Mexico. Since unleashing a global programme of tariffs, Trump has announced a handful of dealsincluding with the UK, Japan and Indonesia - but those agreements have kept in place some higher tariff rates.
Even worse off is French President Emmanuel Macron, posting one of the lowest ratings at 18% approval and 74% disapproval. This is likely tied to ongoing labor unrest and unpopular pension reforms.
The Czech Republic’s Prime Minister, Petr Fiala, shares similar ratings as Macron. In June, his government survived a no-confidence vote triggered by a bitcoin donation scandal which saw Justice Minister Pavel Blažek resign.
Canada's trade team downplays chances of deal with Trump by Aug. 1
With the clock ticking on U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to boost tariffs on some Canadian exports to 35 per cent starting Aug. 1, Canada's top trade negotiators are downplaying the likelihood of reaching a deal by that deadline.
Dominic LeBlanc, minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade, and Canada's ambassador to the U.S., Kirsten Hillman, wrapped up two days of meetings with Republican senators. These included a brief sit-down between LeBlanc and Howard Lutnick, the U.S. secretary of commerce and Trump's point man on tariffs.
"We've made progress, but we have a lot of work in front of us," LeBlanc told reporters outside a Senate office building on Thursday. LeBlanc said he had a "productive, cordial discussion" with Lutnick and plans to return to Washington next week. He also added some caveats about the path to reaching a deal. "We're going to continue to work toward the Aug. 1 deadline,' he said. "But
all of these deadlines are with the understanding that we'll take the time necessary to get the best deal that we think is in the interest of the Canadian economy and Canadian workers."
Hillman, who was appointed Canada's chief negotiator with the U.S., also suggested an agreement with the Trump administration is not imminent. "It's important for us to recognize that there is a time when the deal is the right deal, and it's important for us to be in a position to continue negotiating until we get to that point," she said.
Their comments are the latest evidence that Prime Minister Mark Carney's government is not in a rush to sign a deal with the U.S.
Carney said Tuesday that his objective is "not to reach a deal whatever it costs."
Following Carney's meeting with Canada's premiers earlier this week, Nova Scotia's Tim Houston said the prime minister isn't dead set on
signing a deal by the deadline.
Other countries reach tariff deals with Trump This comes amid Trump's announcements this week of framework agreements on tariffs struck with Japan and Indonesia, and reports the U.S. is closing in on a deal with the European Union.
Canada may be less panicked than other trading partners about the Aug. 1 deadline because only a small portion of Canada's exports to the U.S. would be affected by Trump's threat of 35 per cent tariffs. That's because most goods enter the U.S. tariff-free under the Canada-U.S.Mexico Agreement, or CUSMA.
Officials say LeBlanc and Hillman met with five Republican senators in Washington: Kevin Cramer (North Dakota), Roger Marshall (Kansas), Shelley Moore Capito (West Virginia), Tim Scott (South Carolina) and Todd Young (Indiana).
Another Republican senator, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, told reporters in Washington on Thursday that the U.S. shares a lot of security and economic interests with Canada and shouldn't treat it as "just another country" when it comes to tariffs.
"I wish that I could say it feels good, that this is all going to be taken care of before the first of August, but I'm not sensing that," said Murkowski, who visited Ottawa on Monday to meet Carney and some of his cabinet ministers
Continued from Page 1...
Bodalia passed away in 2017, leaving his life’s work in the care of his family, who have entrusted the 400 carefully stored boxes to SASI.
The collection includes photos, invoices, business cards and event posters. Some are from organizations that disbanded years ago, and are the only photographic proof they existed at all.
The photos document hundreds of South Asian cultural events, political rallies, parties and weddings from 1980 on. Each photo fills a historical gap where the stories of over a million South Asian Canadians have previously gone untold.
“Our culture, religion, politics, contributions and practices don’t show up in the Canadian record,” Bains says.
“Chandra’s work is a national treasure. The photographs show that South Asians were everywhere. We’re not just arrived, we’re not temporary citizens, we were – and are – contributing partners in Canadian living.”
SASI has enlisted the help of UFV students to sort the large collection. “Now young people can say, ‘This is home,’” Bains says. “We’re always being told, 'Go back,' but this is Canada; this is our life. This is a record; this is evidence. We can say, ‘We were here.’”
Bains appears in the collection herself, smiling next to BC’s former Attorney General Wally Oppal in 2014.
“Although Chandra was a man of few words, he spoke through the photos,” says Thamilini Jothilingam, SASI’s digital asset archivist. “They are a beautiful way of seeing his inner world.”
Bodalia kept a meticulous log of every event he ever photographed, often travelling to multiple shoots in one day. He kept every receipt from the London Drugs on East Hastings in Vancouver, where he made all his prints.
Bodalia printed duplicates of every photo on his own dime, often giving them to his subjects for free. The overall cost would have been more than $500,000.
UFV partners with Royal BC Museum to preserve 3 million photos taken by Asian Star photographer Chandra Bodalia Average Canadian family spent 42.3 per cent of income on taxes in 2024
Continued from Page 1...
The average Canadian family, which the Fraser Institute says has an income of $114,289, paid $48,306 in total taxes to the federal, provincial, and local governments – including income taxes, payroll taxes and sales taxes.
“Taxes have grown much more rapidly than any other single expenditure for the average family,” according to a news release from the
Fraser Institute. The study points out that the average Canadian Family only spent 33.5 per cent of their income on taxes in 1961, with 56.5 per cent going to basic necessities.
The Fraser Institute says the average Canadian family’s total tax bill has “increased nominally” by 2,784 per cent since 1961. Comparatively, housing increased by 2,129 per cent, food by 927 per cent and clothing by 460 per cent.
B.C.'s crime rate drops 7 per cent, severity index drops 11 per cent
Statistics Canada's yearly report shows policereported crime is down — both in B.C. and in Canada as a whole.
Published Tuesday, July 22, the report shows the crime rate in B.C. decreased seven per cent, and the crime severity index decreased 11 per cent in 2024, compared to 2023. Over the past 10 years, B.C.'s crime rate is down eight per cent, but the severity index is up by three.
The crime rate represents the number of crimes per 100,000 people. The crime severity index adjusts the rate based on the severity of crimes.
Nina Krieger, B.C.'s public safety minister and solicitor general, called the results "encouraging"
for B.C. She credited the reduction to focused investments in policing, mental health and addiction supports, housing and crime-prevention initiatives.
“While these results are promising, we know we have more work to do and there are specific areas where we need to renew our focus," she said in a written statement. "If you are the victim of a theft or an attack, these statistics do not make you feel any safer." A criminology expert told Black Press Media that while it is good news to see things begin to go in the right direction, the increase in the crime severity rate over the past 10 years is the more meaningful statistic, and is worrying.
3 people dead in Maple Ridge following ‘neighbourhood dispute’
Three people are dead following an incident in Maple Ridge, B.C., overnight.
RCMP said that officers were called to reports of a neighbourhood dispute on 239th Street and 118A Avenue earlier on Wednesday, at approximately 6:40 p.m.
Police officers from the Ridge Meadows RCMP spoke with several people but no arrests were made, police confirmed.
Then, at approximately 10:51 p.m., the Maple Ridge Fire Department reported to police that a vehicle was on fire and a break-and-enter was in progress at a home in the same location.
Callers to 911 also reported that shots had been fired at that home.
When Ridge Meadows RCMP arrived back on the scene, police said they found two vehicles and the attached garage on fire, along with two people and a dog dead inside that home. They have been
identified as a man and a woman in their 60s.
The suspect was believed to be armed with a weapon inside a neighbouring home and police set up a containment zone, RCMP said.
The Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Response Team was called in and eventually gained entry to the second home where another person was reportedly found dead, police said. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) is investigating the death of the two people found inside the first home, police added.
BC landlords ordered to pay year's rent to tenant after social media posts surface
Two Metro Vancouver landlords’ attempt to overturn a Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) arbitrator’s decision in the B.C. Supreme Court has failed, leaving them owing a former tenant a huge sum of money.
Kristyna and Neil Bennett filed a petition for judicial review, asking the B.C. Supreme Court to set aside the earlier RTB decision made in December 2023 in a dispute resolution with Andrea Seto.
According to the Reasons for Judgment, the Bennetts claimed that the original decision by the arbitrator should be set aside because it was procedurally unfair, patently unreasonable, and rooted in bias. Seto lived at the Bennetts’ Coquitlam residential property from approximately February 2019 to Feb. 28, 2023, with a monthly rent of $1,000.
The landlords served their tenant a two-month
Mounties tried to get
notice in December 2022, with plans for Elia Zaurrini, Ms. Bennett’s mother, to move into the suite. Zaurrini is also identified as being partowner of the property, but doesn’t contribute to the registered mortgage. The Bennetts submitted rent cheques and e-transfer receipts, photographs of a vehicle parked at the property, and a written letter from Zaurrini’s social worker and clinical counsellor, Ms. F, among other pieces of evidence that Zaurrini had resided there throughout August. Justice Douglas ruled that the court did not agree that the petitioners were denied procedural fairness. Justice Douglas concluded that the landlords did not establish that the arbitrator was biased against them. The B.C. Supreme Court upheld the arbitrator’s decision, dismissed the petition, and awarded costs to Seto.
Kelowna driver to stop; the text message was more important
hose giant, illuminated, “slow down, police ahead” signs don’t stop some speeders. And apparently, neither do police in high-visibility vests with stop signs.
A Kelowna man ran afoul of an RCMP highway patrol officer after blowing past officers on Highway 97 near 83 Mile House last week, his grey BMW sedan getting clocked at 145 km/h in a 110 zone. One officer, wearing a neon-green vest and holding a stop sign, had to leap clear when the 27-year-old driver failed to stop. Conditions were clear, and there was no other traffic.
A second officer further down the highway managed to get the attention of the driver, and to the side of the road. The driver’s defence: He was on his phone. “A fully uniformed officer stepped onto the highway to stop the BMW driver. There should
have been plenty of time and distance to stop,” said highway patrol Cpl. Michael McLaughlin. “But it’s hard to see the police when you are reading a text message. That was the driver’s explanation.”
The man was issued fines totalling $708; speeding ($196), using an electronic device while driving ($368) and failure to stop for police when signalled ($144).
“RCMP officers are in the process of transitioning to body cameras, and when you drive by police, your actions will likely be recorded,” says McLaughlin. “We are grateful the driver eventually stopped.
This was a dangerous situation that could have ended much worse for both the police officers and the driver.” The driver isn’t the only one who missed an obvious police presence.
Police probe ‘suspicious’ death of care home patient transferred to Abbotsford hospital
Police are investigating after someone who was transferred to Abbotsford Regional Hospital from a local residential care facility died under “suspicious” circumstances.
The hospital alerted Abbotsford, B.C., police on July 6 after two patients were transferred from Menno Home, both experiencing medical emergencies “that raised concern due to their suspicious nature,” Sgt. Paul Walker said.
One of the patients subsequently died on July 10, prompting the Abbotsford police Major Crime Unit to pick up the case. The second person remains in hospital. Walker said the care home and other stakeholders are cooperating closely with the police investigation.
“An investigation like this is very complex; it is something the police don’t deal with very often and have to rely in medical experts to ascertain medical histories, look at different things that are administered through care,
while in care at hospital, and so on, so that is ongoing,” Wlaker said.
Menno Home, police said, has implemented extra safeguards to ensure the well-being of residents.
In a bulletin to family of residents, Menno Home said it was “deeply concerned” with the situation.
“We have been fully supporting the police in their process as the safety and well-being of our residents remains our top priority. Upon becoming aware of the situation, we immediately implemented additional safety measures to keep your loved one safe,” CEO Sujata Connors said.
The statement added that the facility was limited in what information it could share due to police involvement.
Walker said there were no ongoing public safety concerns about the care home.
Bail hearing starts for CAF members accused of terrorism in alleged Quebec extremist plot
A bail hearing is scheduled to begin Thursday for three men facing terrorism charges in an alleged anti-government plot to forcibly take over land in the Quebec City region.
The Crown is opposing bail for Simon Angers-Audet, 24, Raphaël Lagacé, 25, and Marc-Aurèle Chabot, 24.
They are among four people arrested in July for allegedly trying to start an anti-government “community” north of Quebec City, and using a private Instagram account to recruit members.
A fourth accused — Matthew Forbes, 33 — is facing weapons charges and was granted bail last week under a lengthy list of conditions that includes wearing a GPS tracking bracelet.
Angers-Audet, Lagacé and Chabot face charges of facilitating a terrorist activity, and other charges related to the illegal storage of firearms, and possession of explosives and prohibited devices.
Forbes, who is not charged with terrorism, and Chabot are active members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Man with replica rifle arrested on bus in New Westminster: police
A man carrying a replica rifle in a garbage bag was arrested on a bus in New Westminster Wednesday afternoon, according to authorities.
A concerned member of the public called 911 when they saw the man boarding the bus near Sixth and Carnarvon streets just before 4 p.m., a news release from the New Westminster Police Department said.
The man was arrested on the bus roughly 10 minutes after the 911 call came in, police said.
“After closer inspection, it was determined the firearm was a replica. Police urge people to
consider the risks before bringing replica firearms into public spaces. Officers must treat every firearm as real until proven otherwise,” NWPD’s statement said.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Crown seeks 12 years for B.C. spa operator convicted of sex assault
A former Burnaby spa employee who said he provided what were described as “vaginal tightening treatments” should spend a dozen years in prison, prosecutors argued on Wednesday.
A jury convicted Farshad Khojsteh-Kashani of seven counts of sexual assault involving seven different victims in April.
He was initially charged in 2022, after two women who received “highintensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) vaginal tightening services” at Fab Skin Care in Burnaby went to police.
Fraser Health subsequently advised anyone who had received the same procedure to be screened for sexually transmitted infections, because they were not provided by a registered health professional, and werent’ done with appropriate infection control measures.
my trust in the worst, violating way possible … He hurt me physically and psychologically,” one woman told the court
“I will never forget how vulnerable and violated I felt that day,” another said through tears. “Just driving past the location in Burnaby sends chills through my spine.” The 53-year-old, who described himself on his website as “Dr. Farshad,” is not a doctor, but a spa operator working in a “largely unregulated” industry, Crown prosecutor Jacinta Lawton said.
On Wednesday, the court heard impact statements from all seven victims, four of whom read them personally.
“I trusted Farshad…but instead he betrayed
“The lack of regulation resulted in a perfect environment for a sexual predator like Mr. Khojsteh-Kashani to operate,” she told the court.
Many of the victims had come to him seeking other treatments when he introduced them to the invasive vaginal procedure, which is performed with an 18-centimetre wand, she said. The harm caused was exacerbated by the degree of trust his victims put in him, Lawton told the court.
Labasa court jails repeat paedophile for 10 years
The Labasa High Court has jailed a 58-year-old man for 10 years after convicting him of raping a 5-year-old girl.The incident took place on Taveuni on April 29, 2025, when the man lured the girl into his house to TikTok.The court noted on March 7, 2014, the accused was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment for rape of a 11 year old child and had served 8 years before his release.
“Protection of the community is my overriding purpose in light of my concluded view that the offender is a committed paedophile,” said Justice Lee Burney in his July 18 ruling. “He re-offended within a few years of being released from a lengthy sentence
for rape of a young child.”
“I have less regard to deterrence and rehabilitation. The offender is a repeat sexual offender against young children. The lengthy term of imprisonment imposed on him in 2014 neither deterred his repeat offending nor rehabilitated him.”
“Rather, my principal focus in determining the just and proportionate sentence in this case is protection of the community.” “I also consider it important in cases such as this for the sentence imposed to adequately signify that the court and the community denounce the commission of sexual offending against children.”
Police investigate major drug find at Pacific Batteries in Lami
Police are currently carrying out investigations at Pacific Batteries in Lami after the discovery of a large amount of drugs believed to be methamphetamine. The matter was reported to Police early this morning. Sources state the drugs were found wrapped in clear white plastic
bags and hidden inside old vehicle batteries.
It is estimated the drugs found is close to 20 kilograms.
Forensic officers are currently at the factory and conducting more checks on batteries kept at the factory.
Fijian pair conquer Mt Kilimanjaro
Atop the highest mountain in Africa, Ragina Devi, 48, and Davinash Naicker, 50, braved the -23°C conditions — exhausted, freezing, but proudly waving Fiji’s noble banner blue.
The New Zealand-based couple had just completed a 5895-metre ascent of Mt Kilimanjaro, fulfilling a challenge set by friends and potentially becoming the first Fijians to summit the mountain as husband and wife. The trek typically takes five to nine days, traversing five distinct climate zones: farmland, rainforest, moorland, alpine desert and arctic ice. Every year, about 30,000 to 50,000 people trek Mt Kilimanjaro, making it one of the most popular trekking destinations globally. For the Naickers, the journey demanded endurance and determination through some of the harshest terrain and weather they had ever faced.
“Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro was a very challenging but rewarding experience,” they said after reaching the summit on June 22, 2025.
“Summit night was the hardest — we started at 11pm and had to deal with fatigue, freezing temperatures, and low oxygen levels.” Considered the most physically and mentally demanding part of the trek, the summit push or night involved a steep overnight climb in extremely cold, windy conditions to reach the peak by sunrise, followed by a long and arduous descent.
Over the past eight years, the Naickers have tackled some of New Zealand’s toughest trails,
including the Tongariro Crossing, Routeburn, Kepler, and Mt Taranaki. Nothing, they said, came close to Kilimanjaro.
“There were steep inclines, rocky paths, and scrambling up the Barranco Wall.
“We had to watch for altitude sickness and cope with unpredictable weather.”
Despite the challenges, they reached the top — calling it a major personal milestone.
“It builds self-esteem and resilience. And the scenery was spectacular.”
The couple plan to continue hiking the country’s great walks with their family and are already eyeing their next adventure.
16 hotel projects underway
16 hotel projects are currently under construction, says Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism Viliame Gavoka.
Speaking at the recent AHICE Fiji Investment in Tourism Summit, Mr Gavoka said this would deliver more than 2,200 additional rooms.
“And there’s still room for more,” he said.
“We’ve also seen the impact of new ownership and upgrades, breathing new life into properties like Beachcomber Island.
“What was once a tired product is now being transformed into a four-star destination with new rooms and a renewed vision.
“That’s the kind of opportunity we want to encourage.
“We’re calling on under performing or closed accommodation providers to partner with whitelabel operators and asset managers who can help lift quality, tap into growing demand and deliver stronger returns- especially for landowners.
“The message is clear- the time to invest in Fiji is now.”
Meanwhile, Mr Gavoka said they were now experiencing one of the most exciting chapters in our tourism industry.
“Visitor arrivals are at record highs, spending has surged and investment across the sector is accelerating.
“We’re on track to welcome the completed Crowne Plaza Resort and the Westin Fiji by the end of this year- together adding over 600 rooms and new conference facilities.
SOUTH ASIA
Baloch families demand recovery of missing persons and end to enforced disappearances
Families of Baloch missing persons have been staging a sit-in protest in Islamabad for eight consecutive days, pressing for the recovery of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders and an end to enforced disappearances in Balochistan, as reported by The Balochistan Post (TBP).
Despite continuous rain and deteriorating weather conditions, the protesters, who include women, children, and the elderly, persist in their nonviolent demonstration. However, authorities have not yet allowed them to establish a proper protest camp in front of the National Press Club, leaving them vulnerable to the weather and facing significant hardships.
The protest is occurring near the National Press Club, where Islamabad police have sealed
off major roads in the vicinity. Moreover, additional routes surrounding the protest site have also been blocked, further limiting access and visibility, according to TBP.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee claims that state authorities are allegedly deploying buses to obstruct the view of the protest, effectively keeping it out of the public's sight. BYC asserts that this is a deliberate strategy to prevent Islamabad's residents from witnessing their peaceful quest for justice.
In a statement, BYC criticised the government's actions, characterising them as stemming from "fear, silence, and the oppression of marginalised voices." They denounced what they referred to as stark human rights violations and urged for nationwide attention to the matter.
Pakistani passport ranked among least powerful globally in 2025 Henley Index
Pakistan's travel document remains classified among the 'least powerful' globally, granting visa-free access to merely 32 locations, while the passports from other Asian nations have emerged as the strongest worldwide, as reported by Dawn.
According to the Henley Passport Index for 2025, Pakistan is currently ranked 96th on the list, placing it ahead of conflict-ridden countries such as Somalia, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. Although still relatively low, the nation's ranking has seen a slight improvement; in 2024, the Pakistani passport was tied with Yemen as the fourthworst globally for the fourth consecutive year.
The Henley Passport Index
assesses the visa-free privileges of 199 different passports across 227 travel destinations and ranks them based on the number of places their holders can visit without obtaining a visa in advance.
A score of 1 is given when no visa is necessary, along with instances where a visa on arrival (VOA), a visitor's permit, or an electronic travel authority (ETA) is available.
Conversely, a score of 0 is assigned when a visa is required, or when a passport holder must secure a government-approved electronic visa (e-Visa) prior to travel. This also applies to cases requiring pre-departure governmental clearance for a visa on arrival, as reported by Dawn.
Moga rains cause havoc
Heavy rainfall wreaked havoc across Moga, flooding major roads and low-lying areas on Wednesday. One of the most alarming incidents occurred in the evening when a family from Himmatpura village became trapped in their vehicle under eight-feet water beneath a railway underbridge.
The family, led by Prakash Singh, had come to Moga to get an MRI done for his sister. While passing through the flooded railway underbridge in their Maruti Ertiga, the vehicle stalled and quickly became submerged, with only the roof visible above the waterline.
Trapped inside were Prakash, his sister, and other family members. As water levels rose, the family struggled to open the car doors and eventually climbed onto the roof of the vehicle to avoid drowning. Local residents, witnessing the ordeal, immediately alerted the fire brigade. Moga Municipal Mayor Baljit Singh Channi also rushed
to the spot upon receiving the alert. Accompanied by members of a local social service society, the mayor personally entered the floodwaters and assisted in the rescue operation. In a dramatic display of resilience and community spirit, residents of Malleyana village in Moga district’s Nihal Singh Wala subdivision were forced to take extraordinary measures after torrential rains caused the village’s main access road to collapse.
Rs 6-crore Faridkot bank fraud: Absconding clerk's wife arrested
In a financial fraud, a clerk at the State Bank of India (SBI) branch in Sadiq town, Faridkot, has allegedly siphoned off nearly Rs 6 crore from over 130 customer accounts and is now absconding. The incident has left scores of account holders devastated, many of whom lost their life savings.
The accused, Amit Dhingra, is alleged to have manipulated customer records to carry out unauthorised withdrawals, premature closures of fixed deposits and changes in nominee details. The fraud came to light on Wednesday when several customers approached the branch after noticing suspicious activity in their accounts.
Emotional scenes were witnessed outside the bank, with elderly customers and women breaking down as they realised their entire savings had vanished.
Following a preliminary investigation, police
after discovering that a significant portion of the defrauded money had been transferred to her bank account. “We have taken Roopinder Kaur into custody and are investigating further. Amit Dhingra remains absconding,” said DSP Tarlochan Singh.
Sources indicate that Dhingra had been manipulating records over a period of time without raising suspicion. Branch officials have begun reviewing affected accounts. SBI field officer Sushant Arora, who recently joined the branch, said, “I was made aware of the fraud only today when several customers approached me with complaints. We are working to ensure that all affected accounts are thoroughly reviewed and funds restored as per bank protocol.”
An internal inquiry is underway, and the police have launched a manhunt to trace Amit
Here’s what gets cheaper as India, UK ink trade deal: Cars, Scotch whisky, medical devices and more
India and the UK on Thursday inked a landmark free trade agreement that seeks to boost both the economies, slash tariff lines across 99 per cent of Indian exports, unlock thousands of jobs and cut tariffs on British whisky, cars and an array of other items.
The pact, officially named as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), was signed by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and British Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds in the presence of the Prime Ministers of India and the UK.
The mega deal was formalised shortly after British PM Keir Starmer hosted his Indian counterpart
Narendra Modi at Chequers, the countryside residence of the British PM that is located 50 km northwest of London.
The CETA, firmed up after three years of negotiations, is expected to ensure comprehensive market access for Indian goods across all sectors and India will gain from tariff elimination on about 99 per cent of tariff lines (product categories) covering almost 100 per cent of the trade values, officials said.
“I’m really pleased and privileged to welcome you here today on what I consider to be a historic day for both of our countries, and the delivery of the commitment that we made to each other,” said Starmer, as he greeted the Indian Prime Minister.
50 companies, 35 locations: ED raids Anil Ambani's Reliance Group in Rs 3,000 crore scam
The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday carried out a massive search operation across over 35 locations in connection with a money laundering investigation into Reliance Anil Ambani Group Companies (RAAGA Companies).
The search operation is being conducted under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), spanning over 50 companies and more than 25 individuals connected to the case.
According to a senior probe agency official, the money laundering probe stems from FIRs earlier registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and also information shared by other institutions like National Housing Bank, SEBI, National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA), and
Bank of Baroda.
According to ED, the investigation has uncovered a well-planned scheme involving illegal diversion of public money through fraudulent means, allegedly involving cheating of banks, shareholders, investors, and other financial institutions.
The agency is also probing allegations of bribery involving officials of Yes Bank, including its promoter. Preliminary findings suggest that loans amounting to approximately Rs 3,000 crore were illegally diverted from Yes Bank between 2017 and 2019.
The ED has found that just before these loans were sanctioned, entities linked to Yes Bank promoters received significant financial transfers, raising concerns of a quid pro quo arrangement.
Hindu temple defaced with racist graffiti
A Hindu temple, along with two Asian-run restaurants in Melbourne, was defaced with racist graffiti, raising concerns among the community members in Australia, a media report said on Thursday.
Shree Swaminarayan Temple on Wadhurst Drive, Melbourne's eastern suburb of Boronia, was defaced with red-painted racist slurs on Monday morning, the Australia Today web portal reported.
Two restaurants located further on Boronia Road were painted with the same slurs on the same day, it added.
Victoria Police confirmed the incident, saying, “There is absolutely no place at all in our society for hate-based and racist behaviour,” the report said.
in Australia
Shocked at the incident, president of the Hindu Council of Australia, Victoria chapter, Makrand Bhagwat, said it "feels like an attack on our identity, our right to worship and freedom of religion", the web portal reported.
Victoria's Premier Jacinta Allan, in a private message to the temple management, called the attack "hateful" and "racist", the report said.
“What happened this week was hateful, racist and deeply disturbing. It wasn't just vandalism – it was a deliberate act of hate, designed to intimidate, isolate and spread fear," the report quoted from Jacinta's message. Meanwhile, the Hindu community urged support from interfaith groups following the incident.
‘Those who misuse democratic freedoms must be held accountable’: PM Modi in UK
Forces with “extremist ideologies” must not be allowed to misuse democratic freedoms, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday after meeting his British counterpart Keir Starmer, in remarks that came amid increasing concern in India over activities of pro-Khalistani elements in the UK.
With Starmer by his side, Modi also said that both India and the UK are “united in our view that there can be no place for double standards in the fight against terrorism” as he thanked the British government for its “strong” condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack.
He made the remarks after Starmer hosted him at Chequers, the countryside residence of the British PM located 50 km northwest of London.
“We agree that forces with extremist ideologies must not be allowed to misuse democratic freedoms. Those who misuse democratic freedoms to undermine democracy itself must be held to account,” Modi said in his media statement.
There have been increasing concerns in India about the activities of pro-Khalistani elements in the UK, especially after an attack on the Indian High Commission in London in March 2023. India has been flagging its concerns to the UK over the activities of pro-Khalistan elements on British soil. It is learnt that the issue figured in the delegation-level talks. The PM also underlined the need to confront the challenge of terrorism with a firm approach.
“We thank Prime Minister Starmer and his government for their strong condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. We are united in our view that there can be no place for double standards in the fight against terrorism,” Modi said.
It is understood that India’s challenge of cross-border terrorism figured in the talks. The talks between Modi and Starmer largely focused on boosting bilateral ties in an array of areas, including trade, investment, defence and security, education and clean technology.
