Category: Canada

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-Top News Canada China

China excludes Canada from list of approved group tour destinations

China’s latest move could have a significant impact on Canada’s tourism industry…reports Asian Lite News

China has lifted restrictions on group tours to multiple countries, including the US and UK, but excluded Canada from the list of nations, suggesting in a deterioration of ties after Ottawa recently accused Beijing of meddled in its internal politics, the media reported on Thursday

Last week, China added 78 countries to its list of approved destinations for group tours, excluding Canada, while adding other major G20 countries like the US, Germany, Australia, and South Korea, reports the BBC.

There are currently 138 countries on the list.

In a statement, China’s embassy in Ottawa said it was concerned that “the Canadian side has repeatedly hyped up the so-called ‘Chinese interference'”.

Beijing is focused on “protecting the safety and legitimate rights of overseas Chinese citizens and wishes they can travel in a safe and friendly environment”, the statement said.

China’s latest move could have a significant impact on Canada’s tourism industry.

Destination Canada, which promotes tourism in the country, told broadcaster CBC that China accounts for the largest source of tourist arrivals from the Asia-Pacific region.

It is also its second-largest long-haul market after the UK.

Chinese tourists were estimated to have injected over C$1 billion ($740 million) into the Canadian economy annually in years prior to the Covid pandemic.

More than 700,000 Chinese tourists travelled to Canada in 2018, with each visitor spending an average of C$2,600.

Group tours from China to Canada were first approved in 2010, and it boosted air travel and tourism between the two countries, reports the BBC.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries deteriorated rapidly earlier this year amid a series of leaks to Canadian media of reports from domestic intelligence agencies that laid out accusations that China meddled in recent federal elections.

Canada has also accused Beijing of trying to intimidate Conservative member of parliament Michael Chong and waging a disinformation campaign against him on the popular Chinese messaging app WeChat.

Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei was expelled from Canada in May over some of the allegations.

In a tit-for-tat move, China expelled Jennifer Lynn Lalonde, Canada’s diplomat in its Shanghai consulate, the BBC reported.

In 2018, bilateral relations had suffered a set back when Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was detained in Canada at the request of the US.

Two Canadians were arrested in China not long after, in a move viewed by Canada and its allies as “hostage diplomacy”.

Meng and the two men were released after the Huawei executive came to a deal with US prosecutors.

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-Top News Canada

Canadian army rescues hundreds amid unprecedented wildfires

The declaration allows the city to take pre-emptive steps to respond and to prepare residents to leave at a moment’s notice…reports Asian Lite News

The Canadian army has airlifted hundreds of people to safety amid raging wildfires in the country’s Northwest Territories, the media reported.

Canada is currently witnessing its worst wildfire season on record, with nearly 1,100 active fires across the country as of Tuesday, the BBC reported.

A total of 13.2m hectaresof land have burned so far — roughly the size of Greece.

As a result of the raging wildfires, the Canadian government has deployed its military to the Northwest Territories to help fight the fires and coordinate evacuations.

On Monday night, Yellowknife — the territorial capital — has declared a local state of emergency due to the “imminent threat” of wildfires.

The declaration allows the city to take pre-emptive steps to respond and to prepare residents to leave at a moment’s notice.

The Northwest Territories witnessed its hottest temperature on record this July, reaching 37.4 degrees Celsius in the  community of Fort Good Hope.

Wildfires are also burning in British Columbia, where several heat warnings are in effect this week due to record-high temperatures.

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-Top News Canada India News

Indo-Canadian among 14 named to Order of British Columbia

Thind is one of British Columbia’s first Indo-Canadian developers to build high rises….reports Asian Lite News

An Indo-Canadian real-estate mogul is among the 14 people who have been named to the Order of British Columbia, the province’s highest form of recognition and an official part of the Canadian Honours System.

Daljit Thind of Thind Properties is one of Vancouver’s premier real-estate developers and collaborates with the cities and non-profit organisations to offer low-cost rental apartments, thereby addressing a crucial housing shortage.

“This honour is a mark of excellence, reflected in the service and achievements of these incredible British Columbians. Their accomplishments have left an indelible mark on their communities, and ensuing legacies will impact our province to the benefit of future generations,” said Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.

Born and raised at Rachian village in Ludhiana, Thind moved to Burnaby in 1990.

However, he was unable to get credentialled to pursue his desired career as a pharmacist and needed financial assistance to support his family.

A Canadian friend helped him secure employment as a tile layer, which allowed him to learn about the construction industry.

“Today, he is responsible for over $4 billion in development and more than 1,000 jobs throughout Greater Vancouver,” a British Columbia government statement read.

According to his website profile, Thind is one of British Columbia’s first Indo-Canadian developers to build high rises.

“His buyers come from all walks of life and symbolise the aspirations of the diverse residents in the neighbourhood. He continues to strive for equitable access to real estate, especially for newcomers, by advocating for increased housing density,” the award statement read.

Thind will also be honoured for his philanthropic works in areas that include mental health, education, housing, sport and women’s rights.

“He is a strong proponent of providing aid to the less fortunate and has contributed millions toward initiatives, such as supporting refugee families, providing meals for underprivileged children and preserving Indigenous culture, as well as aiding in programs to combat domestic violence and to help newcomers get settled,” the statement said.

Apart from Thind, ‘Deadpool’ and ‘Free Guy’ actor Ryan Reynolds, who was born in Vancouver, will also receive the honour.

The Order of British Columbia investiture ceremony will be held at Government House in Victoria in the late fall.

Established in 1989 by statute, the Order of British Columbia represents the highest form of recognition the province can extend to its citizens. Since its inception, 503 British Columbians have been appointed to the order.

British Columbia has received more than 6,600 public nominations for the honour over the past 34 years, and this year, 224 British Columbians were nominated for the same.

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-Top News Canada India News

Ahead of Independence Day, another Hindu temple vandalised in Canada

The posters were found pasted on the front and rear walls of the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey the early hours of Saturday…reports Asian Lite News

Just ahead of India’s 76th Independence Day, another prominent Hindu temple was vandalised in the Canadian province of British Columbia with its walls defaced with anti-India and pro-Khalistan posters, according to reports.

The posters were found pasted on the front and rear walls of the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey the early hours of Saturday, and were removed after they were discovered by the temple authorities.

Displaying photos of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the poster was shared by ‘The Australia Today’ on its twitter handle and read: “Canada investigates India’s role in June 18th assassination”.

The CCTV footage of the incident, which was shared on social media, showed two masked men pasting posters and taking pictures before leaving the temple premises.

Despite New Delhi registering strong protests, an anti-India campaign continues in Canada with pro-Khalistani graffiti and posters targeting Indian diplomats and temples across the country.

An uptick in Khalistani poster campaign has been noted after Nijjar, chief of the separatist organisation Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was killed by two unidentified men on the premises of the gurdwara on June 18 evening.

On August 1, a poster saying “wanted” and “kill India” was put up near the entrance to the building housing the consulate in Vancouver.

In April this year, the premises of the BAPS Swaminarayan temple in Windsor was spray-painted with pro-Khalistan graffiti.

Similarly, in January, the Gauri Shankar Mandir was targeted with anti-India graffiti in Brampton, with leaders in Canada and India asking the Ottawa government to take the matter ‘seriously’.

In June, a tableau depicting former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination by Sikh bodyguards was showcased in a parade in the country’s Punjab-dominated Brampton.

The tableau, part of a Sikh parade in Brampton on June 4, depicted Khalistan flags with a poster that said “revenge”.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had raised the issue of security of Indian diplomats with his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly on the sidelines of ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting in Jakarta last month.

Jaishankar had earlier said that Canada giving space to separatist elements was probably driven by “votebank politics”.

ALSO READ: Canada vows to get tough on Khalistanis, reassures safety of Indian diplomats

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Canada COVID-19 Punjab

Innovative startup donates 10,000 masks to schools amidst pandemic

New Delhi, Feb 24 (ANI): Indian students return from Ukraine following advisories from the Indian embassy amid growing tension between Russia and Ukraine, at Indira Gandhi International Airport, in New Delhi on Thursday. (ANI Photo/ Amit Sharma)

Harmanjot Singh, an optimistic student from Kapurthala who had applied for a two-year business diploma at Northern College, conveyed his dismay…reports Anatariksh Singh/ Khalsavox

Canada’s Northern College, Scarborough campus, has thrown a wrench into the plans of numerous Indian students, primarily from Punjab, leading to widespread disappointment and uncertainty. Just a month prior to the eagerly awaited September term, the college unexpectedly revoked admission offers, sending students into a state of chaos. These hopeful individuals had painstakingly organized their Canadian venture, arranging accommodations, purchasing flight tickets, and readying themselves for an exciting new phase of life. The official reason cited for this disruptive action was an unexpectedly overwhelming influx of applications received by the institution.

Sunil, a Canada student visa expert at Pyramid e-Services, an immigration agency in Jalandhar, disclosed that the college had been inundated with an unprecedented avalanche of responses. “The college had issued more offer letters than available spots, assuming that not all students would successfully secure embassy clearances and visas. However, the rejection rate turned out to be surprisingly low this time, leaving the college with no choice but to retract admissions,” he elucidated.

In an effort to mitigate the fallout, the college has promised a full refund of students’ fees. Additionally, they have provided students with the option to obtain offer letters from alternative educational institutions, allowing them to transfer the corresponding fees to their new choice.

Harmanjot Singh, an optimistic student from Kapurthala who had applied for a two-year business diploma at Northern College, conveyed his dismay. Having already committed substantial resources, including a non-refundable ticket worth Rs 1.12 lakh for an August 29 departure, he and his peers were taken aback by the college’s last-minute decision. The news was delivered via email, revealing the unfortunate lack of available seats at the college.

Beyond its immediate impact on the students, the sudden withdrawal of admissions has triggered significant concern within Canada’s Sikh community. Various advocacy groups, including the World Sikh Organisation of Canada, have joined forces to protest the college’s actions and demand a reconsideration of the decision.

Parents of the affected students have also voiced their grievances, highlighting the logistical and financial predicaments stemming from this abrupt change of plans.

With a mere month left before the anticipated September term, the college’s eleventh-hour cancellation of admissions has left students stranded in uncertainty. These young minds had already invested substantial funds into accommodations and airfare, all set for their imminent Canadian journey.

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-Top News Canada Education

Canadian College revokes admission offers, int’l students stranded

Indian students in US Univs increased by 19% in 2021-22: Report.

Northern College Ontario Withdraws Admission for 500 Foreign Students…reports Asian Lite News

Hundreds of international students, including Indians, have been left in limbo after a college in the Canadian province of Ontario revoked its admission offers for the coming academic year, according to a media report.

Some 500 foreign students recently received an email from Northern College in Ontario, telling them that their admission has been withdrawn, CBC News reported.

While a few of them have already landed in Canada, there are others like Ashley from India, who has already paid registration fees and booked her flight from Punjab to Toronto, costing her over $2,200.

“It was very heartbreaking for me… It was not a normal process for us as international students who have used all the savings that we have had,” Ashley, who quit her job in India to study in Canada, told CBC News.

She had booked herself at Scarborough’s Pures College of Technology, an affiliate of Northern College, to study healthcare administration, and had found herself a place to live in the Greater Toronto Area. Her admission acceptance letter came in February this year.

“I don’t know how to cope with this. I am in depression… I just want to have a valid solution for my situation,” she said.

In an emailed statement to CBC, Pures College said it was “ready, willing and able to accept all international students who received letters of admission”, but its affiliate, Northern College, decided against doing so.

Pures said that as a private college in a partnership with a public college, it is not the final decision-making authority in the admissions process.

Northern College said the problem was caused by Canada approving more visas for international students than expected.

CBC News cited David Francis, director of strategic initiatives for Northern College, as saying that it’s the responsibility of Northern College to estimate how many visas will be approved ahead of each semester.

This means the school gives out more acceptance letters than it can accommodate under the assumption that some of the applicants will have their visas denied.

Further, Francis said many students apply to multiple schools, and Northern College assumes some of the students they accept will choose to enrol in different institutions.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada told CBC News that it is “very disappointed” in how Northern College handled the situation, adding it doesn’t have authority to manage letters of acceptance for individual institutions.

While Pures College said it will continue to work with its counterpart and students to sort out the issue, Francis said that the students will be refunded or transferred to different schools.

“The college is willing to work with students on a case-by-case basis,” Francis told CBC News, adding that the students who had already arrived in Canada will be treated as priority cases.

International students are allowed to study in Canada based on their college acceptance letters, which they must present to the immigration authorities upon their arrival.

ALSO READ: Canada vows to get tough on Khalistanis, reassures safety of Indian diplomats

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-Top News Canada India News

Canada vows to get tough on Khalistanis, reassures safety of Indian diplomats

Jaishankar had earlier said that Canada giving space to separatist elements was probably driven by “votebank politics”….reports Asian Lite News

Following the recent appearances of pro-Khalistani posters threatening Indian diplomats in Canada, authorities said law enforcement has been “engaged” to ensure their safety and security.

Despite New Delhi registering strong protests, an anti-India campaign continues in Canada with the latest poster, saying “wanted” and “kill India”, being put up near the entrance to the building housing the consulate in Vancouver.

As the poster, referring to Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was removed the same day on August 1, Canada’s internal security department, Public Safety Canada, said in a recent tweet that Ottawa will ensure the safety of all diplomats in the country. “There is no place in Canada for the incitement of violence.

Law enforcement has been engaged following the circulation of an online video in relation to threats against Indian diplomatic officials,” the tweet said.

“Canadian law enforcement and the Government continue to work to ensure the safety and security of all diplomatic representatives in Canada.”

The tweet didn’t specify much about the video threatening Indian diplomats.

But according to Global News, a July 21 clip posted on social media by pro-Khalistani Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) calls for people to “besiege” India’s diplomatic missions in Canada.

The video has been removed from YouTube for violating that platform’s terms of service, according to the news report.

Prior to this, similar posters were put up across the province of British Columbia threatening and holding High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma and consul generals in Vancouver and Toronto responsible for Nijjar’s death.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankarhad  raised the issue of security of Indian diplomats with his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly on the sidelines of ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting in Jakarta last month.

Jaishankar had earlier said that Canada giving space to separatist elements was probably driven by “votebank politics”.

“Actions of a few do not speak for an entire community or Canada,” Joly had said last month, adding that the country takes its obligations under the Vienna Conventions regarding the safety of diplomats very seriously.

ALSO READ: Canada PM Justin Trudeau and wife Sophie separate

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-Top News Canada

Canada PM Justin Trudeau and wife Sophie separate

The Trudeaus are asking Canadians to respect the family’s privacy at this time for the well-being of their children….reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau are separating after 18 years of marriage, Canadian broadcaster CTV reported on Wednesday.

CTV, is a Canadian English-language terrestrial television network. Justin and Sophie both took to their Instagram handles to issue a brief statement regarding their divorce.

“After many meaningful and difficult conversations, we have made the decision to separate,” the statement read.

“As always, we remain a close family with deep love and respect for each other and for everything we have built and will continue to build,” said Trudeau in his post, which was also shared by Sophie’s account.

The Trudeaus are asking Canadians to respect the family’s privacy at this time for the well-being of their children.

The Trudeaus have three children: Xavier (15), Ella-Grace (14), and Hadrien (9), as per CTV.

Meanwhile, the Canada Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in a separate statement confirmed that the pair has “signed a legal separation agreement.”

“They have worked to ensure that all legal and ethical steps with regards to their decision to separate have been taken, and will continue to do so moving forward,” said PMO spokesperson Alison Murphy in the statement.

Trudeau’s office said that the PM and Sophie are “focused on raising their kids in a safe, loving and collaborative environment,” and both will have “a constant presence in their children’s lives.”

Canadians can expect “to often see the family together, and they plan to be together on vacation, beginning next week,” the statement said.

The two, as a couple, has had a high public and international profile predating Trudeau’s time in elected office, according to CTV.

Justin Trudeau got married on May 28, 2005 in Montreal. After the marriage anniversary after last year, Sophie spoke about the pair navigating “sunny days, heavy storms, and everything in between.” In the social media post, she acknowledged that long-term relationships can be “challenging in so many ways,” as per CTV.

In May, earlier this year, PM Trudeau and his wife travelled together to London to attend the coronation of King Charles III, and hosted US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden’s official visit to Ottawa in March, CTV reported. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Canada wildfire carbon emissions exceed 1 bn tonnes

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Canada Environment

Canada wildfire carbon emissions exceed 1 bn tonnes

Smoke from wildfires in Canada has again drifted to the US, placing American cities among the most polluted in the world…reports Asian Lite News

The massive carbon dioxide emissions from the raging wildfires in Canada have exceeded one billion tonnes, according to a study by Chinese scientists.

Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide emitted by the wildfires in Canada have a noticeable impact on global warming and the wildfires have evolved into a global environmental event, said Liu Zhihua, a researcher from the Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences who led the study.

According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center (CIFFC), as of July 26 local time, there were 4,774 fires across the country, and the cumulative fire area has exceeded 121,000 square kilometers.

The researchers conducted a rapid assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from the wildfires based on remote sensing observations.

It is estimated that as of July 26 local time, the wildfires in Canada have directly emitted about one billion tonnes of carbon dioxide. The greenhouse effect of methane and nitrous oxide emissions is about 110 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, and the total greenhouse gas emissions are about 1.11 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

This number has exceeded Japan’s energy-related carbon dioxide emissions of 1.067 billion tonnes in 2021, according to data cited from the Global Carbon Project.

In addition to affecting the climate, the wildfires in Canada also released air pollutants such as PM2.5, PM10, organic aerosols, and black carbon, which harm human health.

In June, the air quality in New York, Chicago, and other places in the United States deteriorated significantly. These air pollutants are also transported over long distances worldwide under westerly circulation, affecting areas in Europe, North Africa, and Asia.

The wildfires have also wreaked havoc on forest ecosystems. The rapidly burning wildfires led to extensive vegetation destruction and biodiversity loss, depriving animals of habitats and food sources.

Smoke from wildfires in Canada has again drifted to the US, placing American cities among the most polluted in the world. Detroit, New York and Chicago have the worst air quality in the US, ranking 13th, 15th and 20th, respectively, among the world’s most polluted cities, according to real-time data from IQAir.

The National Weather Service has issued an air-quality alert for a large swath of the Upper Midwest and the Great Lakes region, with millions of people expected to be affected.

Smoke from Canada’s wildfires has filled U.S. skies with an unhealthy haze for weeks, becoming a hallmark of the 2023 summer. The smoke raises a number of questions, from why the fires have lasted so long to how smoke keeps ruining air quality for tens millions of people in the U.S.

For many people, the smoke is worse than any other time in recent memory. And there are concerns about whether this might simply be the new normal — if people in the central and eastern U.S. should simply get used to the idea that their summers will be marked by weeks of smoke rather than blue skies and clear sunshine.

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-Top News Canada India News

Indo-Canadian wins prestigious House of Commons seat

Majumdar 43 secured the seat for the Conservative Party with 15,803 votes…reports Asian Lite News

Indo-Canadian candidate Shuvaloy Majumdar has secured a seat in the House of Commons following a by-election victory in Calgary Heritage, a federal electoral district in Alberta province.

The prestigious seat, which was held by former Prime Minister Stephen Harper until his retirement, was left vacant after MP Bob Benzen quit last year.

Majumdar, 43, secured the seat for the Conservative Party with 15,803 votes, while Liberal candidate Elliot Weinstein came in second with 3,463 votes, the Global News reported.

After the results, Weinstein took to Twitter to congratulate Majumdar on his victory and said: “I know you will represent me and all the constituents of Calgary Heritage with honour and respect. I wish you good luck, and I look forward to working together for the betterment of our community”.

In response, Majumdar said that it was an honour to share ballot with Weinstein.

“Our democracy is enriched by the participation of strong candidates. Thank you @elliot4heritage for bringing forward your vision for Calgary Heritage in this by-election. It was an honour to share a ballot with you and I look forward to representing all of our great community.”

Majumdar is a former policy adviser to Harper and former Conservative Foreign Minister John Baird. He currently works with Harper’s international consulting firm.

After Conservative MPs Tim Uppal and Jasraj Singh Hallan, Majumdar has become the third Conservative MP of South Asian origin.

Born and raised in Calgary, Majumdar, son of Indian-origin immigrants, has served in leadership roles promoting democratic reform in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In 2002, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal for his impact in fighting human trafficking.

This year, he was conferred with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for his service in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for advancing Canadian interests abroad in a disrupted world.

According to his website, his experience led him to work with Harper in government and business over the last 12 years, and before that as foreign policy advisor to both him and Baird.

“He is determined to make Pierre the next Prime Minister of Canada, and serve as a strong voice for Calgarians and Albertans,” the website bio reads.

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