Two more deaths and 35 new COVID-19 cases reported in Nova Scotia

A 20-year-old man has pleaded guilty to six counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in connection with a mass stabbing that shocked Ottawa last year. Febrio De-Zoysa entered guilty pleas today in an Ottawa courtroom to four charges of first-degree murder and two of second-degree murder, as well as one charge of attempted murder. The killings took place in 2024 at a rented townhouse in the Barrhaven area. The victims were 35-year-old Darshani Ekanayake, her four children aged between two months and seven years, and 40-year-old family friend Gamini Amarakoon. The children’s father,

The Quebec government has announced it will reduce its annual target for new permanent residents to 45,000, marking a significant shift from the roughly 61,000 people expected to settle in the province this year. The revised plan outlines a more moderate approach than earlier proposals that would have lowered the figure to as few as 25,000 newcomers annually. The government’s new immigration framework emphasizes language integration, setting a goal for nearly 80 per cent of new immigrants to achieve at least intermediate-level French by 2029. In 2019, that figure was 50 per cent. Officials s

BC Highway Patrol officers issued close to 8,000 speeding tickets across the province in October, highlighting ongoing concerns about driver behaviour as winter conditions set in. The enforcement effort was part of the Drive Relative to Conditions and Pedestrian Awareness campaign, aimed at encouraging motorists to adjust their driving for changing weather and visibility. According to BC Highway Patrol data, the highest number of tickets were issued in the South Coast region, including Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, where 2,167 drivers were cited. Vancouver Island followed with 1,598 t

The Surrey Police Service and the City of Surrey are reminding residents to stay alert as reports of distraction thefts continue to target seniors across the city. The awareness campaign coincides with National Seniors Safety Week, running from November 6 to 12, and focuses on helping older residents recognize and prevent these crimes. Police say 54 distraction thefts have been reported in Surrey so far this year, with many victims being seniors. Investigators note that suspects often approach their targets under friendly pretenses, such as asking for directions, complimenting jewellery, or of

The general manager of Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge has received global recognition for his leadership during last year’s wildfire that threatened the landmark mountain resort. Garrett Turta was named Hotelier of the Year by Historic Hotels Worldwide, an international organization that recognizes excellence and leadership in the hospitality industry. The group described the award as its highest individual honour. Turta said he was shocked to learn he had been selected. He was overseeing operations in late July 2024 when the wildfire advanced toward the property. As about 2,500 guests and staff