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Nova Scotia Power wants to hike residential rates, premier says utility out of touch
A provincial energy board hearing on Nova Scotia Power’s application to raise residential electricity rates begins today. Political leaders have slammed the privately owned utility over the proposed hikes, with Premier Tim Houston calling on Nova Scotia Power to withdraw or “significantly reduce” its application. The province’s largest power utility has proposed rate increases of…
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How Canadian agencies are embracing AI tools to defend national security
The national spy watchdog is reviewing the use and governance of artificial intelligence by Canada’s security agencies. The National Security and Intelligence Review Agency has written to key federal ministers and organizations to inform them of the study. Here’s a look at how some federal organizations are putting AI tools to work to support national…
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Climate change is multiplying the risks for Canada’s food safety agency
From avian flu to diseases that kill off oysters and invasive pests decimating trees, Canada’s food safety agency is facing an ever-increasing list of challenges to its job performance that are multiplying with climate change. In a detailed statement to Canada’s National Observer, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) broke down exactly how climate change…
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WestJet hit with ‘cybersecurity incident,’ says operations running safely
WestJet says a “cybersecurity incident” is affecting access to some of its servers and software systems. The Calgary-based airline says its operations are nonetheless running safely, and they have not been affected by the incident. In a statement posted to its website, the company says it is working to figure out the impacts of the…
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PM Carney says he has no plans to tackle 24 Sussex question during his mandate
Almost a decade after 24 Sussex Drive was abandoned as the official residence of the Canadian prime minister, taxpayers are still shelling out tens of thousands of dollars a year to maintain the vacant property, and the new prime minister has signalled he’s in no rush to deal with the crumbling building. Prime Minister Mark…
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Fentanyl czar says government’s border bill will help in fight against lethal drug
Canada’s fentanyl czar says the fight against the deadly opioid would get a boost from proposed new tools for law enforcement in the Liberal government’s recently tabled border bill. Kevin Brosseau, the federal point person on fentanyl, welcomes provisions in the Strong Borders Act to increase inspection powers, give police easier access to information, crack…
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Illinois officials investigate license-plate data shared with police seeking woman who had abortion
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois secretary of state on Thursday asked for an investigation into a suburban Chicago police department after learning that it violated state law by sharing data from automatic license-plate readers with a Texas sheriff seeking a woman who had an abortion. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias asked the attorney general…
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When it comes to reporting on mass killings, some in Europe take a different approach from Americans
When a 21-year-old former student opened fire inside his school in Austria’s second-biggest city earlier this week, killing 10 people, it didn’t take long for the Alpine country’s press council to call on journalists to show restraint when reporting about the victims and their families. The appeal essentially reminded journalists covering the school shooting —…
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Some Newfoundland hydrogen companies behind in bills as industry hype ‘boils off’
Newfoundland and Labrador is owed millions of dollars in fees from green energy companies, underlining growing doubts about whether promises of major projects and multi-billion dollar investments will pan out. Six companies are vying to create new operations in the province that would use wind energy to produce hydrogen for exports overseas. Figures obtained by…
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Controversial Alberta private health centre helped behind the scenes by Airdrie mayor, documents reveal
Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown provided extensive behind the scenes help to a controversial private health care centre, according to emails obtained by the Investigative Journalism Foundation. The City of Airdrie has publicly claimed it did not help develop a proposal for the centre, which would be Alberta’s first urgent care centre not run by the…
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B.C. man gets 3 1/2 years for arson at Ukrainian pastor’s home
A man who set fire to a pastor’s family home attached to a Ukrainian church in Victoria has been sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison. Victoria police say Walter Machinski was sentenced after pleading guilty to one count of arson with disregard for human life after setting the fire in the early morning of…