Canada
6 provinces in Canada report new daily highs for coronavirus
Coronavirus infections set new one-day highs in six Canadian provinces Wednesday, prompting several provinces to impose more restrictions in hopes of containing the spread of the omicron variant.
The biggest jumps were in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia, which are the country’s most populous provinces. Quebec reported more than 13,000 new cases in the previous 24 hours, Ontario had 10,436 and British Columbia listed 2,944.
Manitoba, Alberta, and Newfoundland and Labrador also set new records. Manitoba reported 947 new infections, which broke the previous high of 825 set just a day earlier. Alberta said it had 2,775 and Newfoundland and Labrador reported 312.
Read: 31st at Cox’s Bazar: Strict ban on outdoor events, but hotels buzzing
British Columbia announced it is delaying the full return to classrooms after the Christmas break to give school staff time to implement enhanced health measures. Staff and students whose parents are health workers will return to schools Jan. 3 or 4 as planned. All other students return Jan. 10.
Officials in Newfoundland and Labrador said its schools would shift to remote learning after the holiday break.
Read: Coronavirus cases surge across Australia as omicron spreads
Nunavut territory extended its ``circuit-breaker″ lockdown to Jan. 17 as a rise in infections strains its health care system. The rule put in place before Christmas bans indoor gatherings, closes libraries, gyms, arenas and churches, limits restaurants to takeout service.
How life has changed for Murad in just one week
Barely a week back, Murad Hassan was a powerful State Minister for Information and Broadcasting. But today he finds nowhere to hide his face.
Murad has lost his cabinet portfolio, party post and political clouts by the time for his offensive remarks against women that came from his vanity as political analysts believe.
Though he has lost the cabinet portfolio and party post, Murad is still an MP.
Murad had left the country in his desperate bid to hide amid widespread criticism at home, but his attempt to stay abroad went in vain as he had to get back home on Sunday having failed to enter Canada and the UAE.
An official at Hazrat Shahajalal International Airport immigration police, wishing anonymity, told UNB that Murad returned home by an Emirates flight (EK 586) around 5pm and got out of the airport around 6 pm through the domestic terminal hiding his face with his jacket hoodie and mask to avoid the media.
As he had no valid visa to enter Dubai, he got back home, the airport official said, adding, “Murad was supposed to get back home in an Emirates flight at 8:20am today but he could not as he had to undergo Covid test in Dubai, delaying his departure schedule.”
Since he was deported, the Emirates authorities handed him over to the immigration at the airport in Dhaka as part of a procedure, he added.
The airport official said the airlines' authorities usually hand over ‘refused’ passengers to immigration along with their passports. “He (Murad) was handed over to us.”
According to him, Murad's mobile phone is found on since he arrived at the airport, but he is not receiving calls.
Murad Hassan had left the country for Canada in an Emirates flight around 1:20am on Thursday night.
According to Toronto-based Bangla news portal thebengalitimes.com, Murad reached Toronto Pearson International Airport at 1.31am (Canadian time) on Friday.
Canadian immigration officials questioned the former Bangladesh’s junior minister about various allegations, including harassing, humiliating and torturing women, against him in Bangladesh.
They also showed him various videos, photos and news released and published on him, and wanted to know his version, the news portal said.
Canada finds 4th body after British Columbia mudslide
The British Columbia Coroners Service has confirmed the discovery of three more bodies near the village of Pemberton, bringing to four the number of people who died in a landslide caused by heavy rains that swept vehicles off the road.
The search continues for a fifth body, chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said in a statement Saturday.
The mudslide occurred Monday when a wave of rock and debris covered a section of the highway between Lillooet and Pemberton.
Read:10 bodies, 9 hanging from overpass, found in central Mexico
The body of a woman was recovered Monday.
Lapointe said another body was recovered Wednesday and two additional bodies were found on Thursday.
“Efforts continued Friday to locate a fifth person reported as missing, but unfortunately those attempts were unsuccessful,” she said.
The British Columbia government announced Friday it is limiting the amount of fuel people can purchase at gas stations in some parts of the province and is restricting nonessential travel as highways begin to reopen following the storms.
Read:State of emergency in British Columbia; more deaths expected
Provincial Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said nonessential vehicles will be limited to about eight gallons (30 liters) per trip to the gas station. The order is expected to last until Dec. 1.
Environment Canada says 24 B.C. communities received close to 4 inches (100 millimeters) of rain from Saturday to Monday.
The precautionary closure of the Trans Mountain Pipeline during the flooding has raised concerns about a fuel shortage in province’s Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.
Munshi woos Canadian entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, now in Canada, has said ample opportunities are there for Canadian entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh.
The commerce minister came up with the remakes during a meeting with Trade and Export Development Minister of Canada’s Saskatchewan province Jeremy Harrison and Agriculture Minister David Marit on Thursday. Tipu Munshi is now on an official visit to Canada.
Read: Remittance inflow to become normal in 2-3 months: Finance Minister
He termed Canada a good friend of Bangladesh and urged Canadian entrepreneurs to invest in different economic zones of Bangladesh availing of various investment facilities now on offer.
Bangladesh is providing package facilities to foreign investors while investment formalities have been simplified, he told the Canadian ministers.
The government works to set up 100 special economic zones in important places of investment both for domestic and foreign investors.
“Many countries of the world have already invested in these economic zones while many others are coming forward to invest,” Munshi said.
Read: Govt to procure 9.5 lakh mts foodgrains this fiscal year: Minister
He said there are very good opportunities to increase trade and commerce between the two countries through increased Canadian investment and technology transfer.
A good number of Bangladeshi students are studying in Canada and there are huge potentials to expand education and technical cooperation, the minister said.
In response, the Canadian ministers praised Bangladesh's development, saying Bangladesh's investment policy and environment are quite good.
BCBS, Canada offers scholarships for Bangladeshi students
Bangabandhu Centre for Bangladesh Studies in Canada (BCBS) has announced five scholarships to be awarded to Bangladeshi students studying in Canadian universities at the graduate and post-graduate levels in any session during the scholastic year 2021-2022.
High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Canada and the Chief Patron of the Bangabandhu Centre Dr Khalilur Rahman made the announcement seeking applications for the scholarships.
Read: EU’s Erasmus + scholarship 2021-2022 for 139 Bangladeshis
Applicants must be Bangladeshi citizens accepted as international students in any university within Canada for the winter term 2021-2022 in graduate or post-graduate studies in Canada.
The scholarships were announced in honour of the memories of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangamata Fazilatun Nessa Mujib and Shaheed Captain Sheikh Kamal and on the twin historic occasions of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu and the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh.
Read: Bangladesh, Hungary sign MoU over scholarships
The thematic areas of the scholarships are Bangabandhu’s “Peace Philosophy” and its Role and Significance in building World Peace, Bangladesh as a Role Model for Development: Marching forward for realizing Bangabandhu’s Unfinished Dream of Sonar Bangla (The Golden Bengal), Bangabandhu’s “Health Philosophy” and its role in achieving today’s progress in health sector in Bangladesh, Bangamata Fazilatun Nessa Mujib’s contribution to politics and its significance in women’s increasing participation in contemporary politics in Bangladesh and Shaheed Captain Sheikh Kamal: The Architect of Modern Sports in Bangladesh.
Trudeau's Liberals win Canada election, but miss majority
Canadians gave Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party a victory in Monday's parliamentary elections, but his gamble to win a majority of seats failed and nearly mirrored the result of two years ago.
The Liberals won the most seats of any party. The 49-year-old Trudeau channeled the star power of his father, the Liberal icon and late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, when he first won election in 2015 and has led his party to the top finish in two elections since.
Trudeau’s Liberals were leading or elected in 156 seats — one less than they won 2019, and 14 short of the 170 needed for a majority in the House of Commons.
The Conservatives were leading or elected in 121 seats, the same number they won in 2019. The leftist New Democrats were leading or elected in 27, a gain of three seats, while the Quebec-based Bloc Québécois remained unchanged with 32 seats and the Greens were down to two.
“You are sending us back to work with a clear mandate to get Canada through this pandemic,” Trudeau said.
Read: Trudeau criticized for calling Canadian election in 4th wave
“I hear you when you say you just want to get back to the things you love and not worry about this pandemic or an election."
Trudeau entered the election leading a stable minority government that wasn’t under threat of being toppled.
The opposition was relentless in accusing Trudeau of calling an unnecessary early vote — two years before the deadline — for his own personal ambition.
“Trudeau lost his gamble to get a majority so I would say this is a bittersweet victory for him,” said Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal.
“Basically we are back to square one, as the new minority parliament will look like the previous one. Trudeau and the Liberals saved their skin and will stay in power, but many Canadians who didn’t want this late summer, pandemic election are probably not amused about the whole situation,” he said.
Trudeau bet Canadians didn’t want a Conservative government during a pandemic. Canada is now among the most fully vaccinated countries in the world and Trudeau’s government spent hundreds of billions of dollars to prop up the economy amid lockdowns. Trudeau argued that the Conservatives’ approach, which has been skeptical of lockdowns and vaccine mandates, would be dangerous and says Canadians need a government that follows science.
Conservative leader Erin O’Toole didn’t require his party’s candidates to be vaccinated and would not say how many were unvaccinated. O’Toole described vaccination as a personal health decision, but a growing number of vaccinated Canadians are increasingly upset with those who refuse to get vaccinated.
“The debate on vaccination and Trudeau taking on the anti-vaccination crowd helped the Liberals to salvage a campaign that didn’t start well for the party,” Beland said.
Trudeau supports making vaccines mandatory for Canadians to travel by air or rail, something the Conservatives oppose. And Trudeau has pointed out that Alberta, run by a Conservative provincial government, is in crisis.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, an ally of O’Toole, said the province might run out of beds and staff for intensive care units within days. Kenney apologized for the dire situation and is now reluctantly introducing a vaccine passport and imposing a mandatory work-from-home order two months after lifting nearly all restrictions.
Read:Trudeau denounces truck attack that targeted Muslim family
“Hubris led Trudeau to call the election. He and the Liberals won the election but lost the prize they were seeking. This is only a great night for the Liberals because two weeks ago it appeared they would lose government outright something they could not fathom before they gambled on an election,” said Nelson Wiseman, a political science professor at the University of Toronto.
Wiseman said the Conservatives were hurt by the situation in Alberta. “The explosion of the pandemic in Alberta in the past 10 days undermined O’Toole’s compliments of the Alberta Conservatives on how they had handled the pandemic and reinforced Trudeau’s argument for mandatory vaccinations,” he said.
A Conservative win would have represented a rebuke of Trudeau against a politician with a fraction of his name recognition. O’Toole, 47, is a military veteran, former lawyer and a member of Parliament for nine years.
“Canadians did not give Mr. Trudeau the majority mandate he wanted,” O’Toole said.
O'Toole said he was more determined than ever to continue but his party might dump him after it dumped the previous leader who failed to beat Trudeau in 2019.
O’Toole advertised himself a year ago as a “true-blue Conservative.” He became Conservative Party leader with a pledge to “take back Canada,” but immediately started working to push the party toward the political center.
O’Toole’s strategy, which included disavowing positions held dear by his party’s base on issues such as climate change, guns and balanced budgets, was designed to appeal to a broader cross section of voters in a country that tends to be far more liberal than its southern neighbor.
The son of a long-time politician has faced criticism he will say and do anything to get elected.
Whether moderate Canadians believed O’Toole is the progressive conservative he claims to be and whether he alienated traditional Conservatives became central questions of the campaign.
Regina Adshade, a 28-year-old Vancouver software developer, said she was bothered that an election was called early, during a pandemic and with wildfires burning in British Columbia. But it didn’t stop her from voting Liberal because the party represents her values.
Read: Trudeau looks to Biden for help in dispute with China
“I don’t love there was an election right now but it wasn’t going to change my vote,” she said.
Trudeau’s legacy includes embracing immigration at a time when the U.S. and other countries closed their doors. He also legalized cannabis nationwide and brought in a carbon tax to fight climate change. And he preserved free trade deal with the U.S. and Mexico amid threats by former U.S. President Donald Trump to scrap the agreement.
Former U.S. President Barack Obama and ex-Democratic Party nominee Hillary Clinton tweeted support for Trudeau. There wasn’t a Trump endorsement of O’Toole. Conservative campaign co-chair Walied Soliman said there is no alignment whatsoever between O’Toole and Trumpism. Soliman said earlier in the day holding Trudeau to a minority government would be a win for O'Toole.
Liberals governed Canada for 69 years during the 20th century. Pierre Trudeau called for a “just society” and ran the country with a panache not seen before from a Canadian leader. He is responsible for Canada’s version of the bill of rights and is credited with opening the door wide to immigration.
Trudeau's Liberals dominated in Toronto, Canada's largest city and one of the most multicultural cities in the world.
Trudeau criticized for calling Canadian election in 4th wave
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended his decision to call an election during the pandemic in first debate of the campaign for this month’s election.
Trudeau is facing a tough re-election battle against his Conservative Party rival, Erin O’Toole. The vote is Sept. 20.
“Why did you trigger an election in the middle of a fourth wave?” O’Toole asked Trudeau at the French-language debate in Montreal.
Also read: Trudeau announces additional fund for medical research on COVID-19
Trudeau said he needs a mandate from voters.
“Almost 80 percent of Canadians have done the right thing, they got vaccinated, twice in fact,” said Trudeau, noting Canada is having a fourth wave because 20 percent are unvaccinated.
“And because of them we have to stop democracy from working? No,” Trudeau said.
He criticized O’Toole for not requiring his candidates to be vaccinated.
O’Toole said he believes the country can find reasonable accommodations for those who are unvaccinated, like rapid testing and social distancing.
Four provinces including Quebec and Ontario, Canada’s largest, are bringing in vaccine passports that require citizens to be vaccinated to enter places like restaurants and gyms.
Also read: Trudeau says Canada won't retaliate for US mask export ban
Trudeau called the election last month seeking to win the majority of seats in Parliament but polls show that is unlikely and that he might even lose power to O’Toole and the Conservative party.
Trudeau had wanted to capitalize on the fact that Canada is now one of the most fully vaccinated countries in the world, but the country is now in a fourth wave driven by the delta variant.
Daniel Beland, a politics professor at McGill University in Montreal, said Trudeau held his ground.
“His combative performance might help stop the bleeding for the Liberals or, at least, reassure his base that he still has fire in his belly,” Beland said.
The 49-year-old Trudeau, the son of the late Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, became the second youngest prime minister in Canadian history when he was first elected with a majority of seats in Parliament in 2015. He reasserted liberalism in 2015 after almost 10 years of Conservative Party government in Canada, but scandals combined with high expectations damaged his brand.
His father served as prime minister from 1968 to 1984 with a short interruption and remains one of the few Canadian politicians known in other countries.
Top 10 Best Affordable Universities in Canada for International Students in 2021
Canada has made significant strides in higher education in recent times. The North American country has been on the choice list of many prospective students looking to pursue their graduation and/or postgraduation in a foreign country. And it's rightly so. The country houses 28 of the top QS-ranked universities in the world. But the cost of studies and accommodation plays a huge factor in choosing a university. So, what are the best cheapest universities in Canada? And are they the right choice for you? Let’s find out.
Why choose Canada for higher studies?
According to the global index of the ‘Best Country’ to live in the world, Canada came first in 2021. The country had a good track record coming in at number 2 in 2020 and number 3 in 2019. The high standard of living combined with the security and warmth of the Canadian people easy makes it a top choice for aspiring immigrants.
In addition to its living standards, education is also top-notch in the country. Canada has some of the cheapest higher education costs among the developed countries. You’ll be surprised to know that education is much more affordable in Canada than in its neighboring country, the US. There are also ample job opportunities both as part times while studying and after graduation. Considering all these aspects, Canada easily ranks as a top choice for higher studies in a foreign country.
Read: How to Pick a College or University Abroad for Higher Education
Top 10 Best Affordable Universities in Canada for International Students in 2021
Simon Fraser University
Located in British Columbia, Simon Fraser University is a public research university founded in 1965. Since its inception, the university has focused on the development and patronage of science. It also happens to be the only research university accredited by the US Northwest commission.
The university offers undergraduate and post-graduate opportunities for foreign students. The application fee is $125. You will need a minimum of IELTS 7 with 6.5 in each of the bands. The TOEFL requirement is 93 and PTE is set at 65 with a minimum band score of 60. The tuition fee is also quite affordable at $5300 per year.
Simon Fraser University is situated in British Columbia which has the BC provincial nominee program. The program allows for easy PR with just over 2 years of work experience after graduation.
Read: Studying Abroad: Major Pros and Cons You Need to Consider
University of Saskatchewan
Founded in 1907, the University of Saskatchewan is a premier public university located in the Saskatchewan province. The university is known for its affordable tuition fees and a host of scholarship opportunities for international students.
The application fee for the university is $90. You will need a minimum of 6.5 in IELTS to be eligible for admission. This is also one of the lowest entry requirements among the top universities in Canada. The TOEFL requirement stands at 86 with a minimum of 19 in each band. The tuition fee is also reasonable at $6536 per year. On top of that, you will have access to different on-campus and provincial scholarships.
The living cost in Saskatchewan is a bit on the upper side. However, the province offers the easiest PR option in all of Canada. Fluency in English with a permanent job offer from a Saskatchewan employer will make you eligible for PR in just 6 months.
Read Pros and Cons of Reopening Educational Institutions during Pandemic
Carleton University
Ranked 19th in North America, Carleton University is one of the leading and first private universities in Canada. Even though the university is a private one, it still has an affordable tuition structure compared to its counterparts. The university also offers the highest range of computer sciences, social sciences, and mathematics disciplines.
You will need to score IELTS 6.5 to be eligible for admission. Other denomination includes a TOEFL 86 and PTE 60. The application fee is standard at $100. The tuition fee is a bit more compared to the public universities at $7397 per year. However, you will have access to various on-campus opportunities.
The living cost in Ontario can be covered with part-time jobs if you spend wisely. The province is the IT hub of Canada. So if you are majoring in computer sciences, you will have easy access to PR.
Dalhousie University
Situated in Nova Scotia, Dalhousie University is a leading public university in Canada. The university was ranked 279th in the world QS ranking due to its high infrastructure world-class teaching.
You will need a minimum IELTS of 7 to be eligible for admission. The TOEFL requirement is a bit higher at 92 and the PTE requirement is at 65 with 54 in each band. The tuition fee is $9192 per year.
The PR opportunity in Nova scotia is quite easy thanks to the Nova Scotia Express Entry Experience stream. You can expect to be eligible for PR within 12 months of work experience in the province.
Read Govt ready for any regional collaboration in fostering higher education: FM
Memorial University of Newfoundland
The Memorial University of Newfoundland is known for its high teaching standard and research opportunities. The university has several campuses across Canada and it happens to be the only university in the Newfoundland and Labrador province.
‘Want Bangabandhu's killers to be deported to Bangladesh’: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday vowed to bring back the self-confessed fugitive killers of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to execute the court verdict and sought support from people of the country living at home and abroad.
"A killer is a killer, no matter the lapse of time. We want Bangabandhu’s killers to be deported to Bangladesh," he told reporters, adding that things would have been different if voices were raised from the very beginning.
Read:Inspired to protect the values Bangabandhu stood for: India
Dr Momen pointed out the military governments led by Ziaur Rahman and HM Ershad; and BNP-Jamaat government headed by Khaleda Zia which patronized the killers and helped the killers get established.
"Anyway, past is past. We're trying to bring them back," he said after attending a programme at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, marking the National Mourning Day.
The five fugitive killers of Bangabandhu are Khandaker Abdur Rashid, Shariful Haque Dalim, Nur Chowdhury, Rashed Chowdhury and Moslehuddin Khan.
The Interpol issued a red notice regarding Noor Chowdhury on August 31, 2009, which was extended for five years on March 25, 2019.
A red notice was issued about Rashed Chowdhury on January 7, 2009, which was extended on July 26, 2018 for five years.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh has so far confirmed the current location of two killers.
They are sacked lieutenant colonel SHMB Noor Chowdhury and sacked lieutenant colonel Rashed Chowdhury who are taking shelter in Canada and the United States respectively, he said.
Read: Mourning Day: PM pays homage to Bangabandhu
The Foreign Minister said they do not know about three other killers but it is understood that they are moving from one country to another.
He urged the Bangladeshis living in these two countries to stage demonstration in front of the killers’ residences once in a month to mount community pressures on the authorities there for their deportation.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh Missions abroad have also been asked to work hard to that end saying Bangladesh will follow the path law for the killers deportation.
He said if any Bangladeshi can give accurate information about the killers, the information provider will be rewarded. "Share information with us. You will be rewarded if your information is correct."
On November 19, 2009, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court upheld the High Court verdict, confirming capital punishment of 12 killers of Bangabandhu and his family members.
Bangladesh made impressive progress: Canadian Minister
Canadian Minister of International Development Karina Gould has said she is impressed by the resilience and the remarkable progress taking place in Bangladesh.
"Canada has been a friend and development partner to Bangladesh for nearly 50 years," she said, adding that they are committed to continuing to tackle the challenges together, including to support the needs of refugees and people living in extreme poverty.
Read:Dhaka seeks preferential trade facilities from Canada till 2030
The minister said it was important for her, as Minister of International Development, to undertake this virtual visit at this particularly difficult moment marked by challenges ranging from public health, to the economy, climate change, and the continued Rohingya crisis.
On Thursday, Karina Gould ended a "successful" three-day virtual visit to Bangladesh.
All events and meetings were hosted on digital platforms in order to minimize health risks.
“This was my first visit to Bangladesh and, although it was virtual, it allowed me to hear first-hand people’s stories and the challenges they face," said the Canadian Minister.
Minister Gould announced contributions to two important projects in Bangladesh.
The first will see Canada join Brac’s Strategic Partnership Arrangement for the next five years (2021-2026), with a contribution of $45 million.
Read:Canada joins hands with Brac to support vulnerable people
The second provides $2 million in additional Canadian funding to Unicef for the ‘Strengthening Quality Education in Cox’s Bazar’ initiative, to support preparations for the reopening of schools and learning centres.