20.2 C
Cañada
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Subscribe
Home Blog

Wakeham Rewards Loyal MHAs with Leaner NL Cabinet

James
-
0
Wakeham Rewards Loyal MHAs with Leaner NL Cabinet

Premier Tony Wakeham names 14 ministers from 21 PC MHAs, rewarding long-serving members and streamlining cabinet leadership.

Wakeham Forms New Cabinet

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham has unveiled his first cabinet, rewarding longtime Progressive Conservative (PC) members with senior roles. The new lineup includes 14 ministers, down from 17 under the previous Liberal government, reflecting Wakeham’s promise of a leaner, more efficient administration.

Experienced Faces Take Key Roles

Wakeham’s selections emphasize experience and loyalty within the caucus. Of the 21 PC MHAs, most appointees are veteran legislators. Notably, all three women elected to the PC caucus now hold cabinet positions.

“I’m very proud that we have three women elected to our caucus and three women who will now represent this province in our cabinet,” Wakeham said during Wednesday’s news conference.

Women Lead Justice, Health, and Tourism

Former justice critic Helen Conway-Ottenheimer becomes Minister of Justice.
Lela Evans, longtime MHA for Torngat Mountains, takes over as Minister of Health, making her the first health minister from Labrador. Newly elected Andrea Barbour will oversee Tourism as the MHA for St. Barbe-L’Anse aux Meadows.

Wakeham said Evans’s appointment reflects her health-care advocacy and regional leadership:

“I am clearly sending a message to the people of Labrador that they are part of this. She will do an outstanding job.”

Fiscal Recovery Tops Priority List

With the province facing billions in debt, Wakeham named Craig Pardy, a former educator, as Minister of Finance. The premier said stabilizing Newfoundland and Labrador’s finances will be his government’s top goal.

“Nobody works harder than Craig Pardy. I am confident that he will bring our province to the fiscal stability it needs,” Wakeham said.

Meanwhile, Lin Paddock, the former finance critic, moves to a new portfolio overseeing Jobs, Growth, Rural Development, Immigration, and Francophone Affairs. Loyola O’Driscoll becomes the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, fulfilling a campaign pledge to create a separate fisheries portfolio.

Opposition Voices Concern

Reaction from opposition parties was swift. NDP Leader Jim Dinn said his caucus will press the PCs to deliver on health-care and social-equity promises.

“It’s about addressing the social determinants of health as laid out in the Health Accord,” Dinn said.

Liberal Leader John Hogan criticized the number of combined portfolios, warning that key issues such as affordability and technology could lose focus.

“I don’t think they’re off to a very good start,” Hogan remarked, adding that voters expected more targeted representation.

Next Steps for the New Government

Wakeham said his cabinet members were briefed on Wednesday and that the remaining MHAs will be sworn in on Monday. The premier emphasized that the streamlined cabinet aims to improve accountability and accelerate decision-making.

“Our focus is on results — fiscal responsibility, health-care reform, and opportunity for all regions,” Wakeham said.

Stay connected with Canada’s latest headlines — follow Maple News Wire on Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn.

Hockey P.E.I. Restores Equal Format for Girls’ Teams

James
-
0
Hockey P.E.I. Restores Equal Format for Girls’ Teams

Hockey P.E.I. reverses its 2025 girls’ tournament format after backlash, restoring equal game guarantees for the 2026 provincial championships.

Hockey P.E.I. Reinstates Round-Robin Format for 2026

Community Reaction Drives Change

After public criticism over last season’s tournament structure, Hockey P.E.I. has announced it will return to the traditional round-robin format for the 2026 provincial championships. The decision follows complaints from players and parents who said the new system gave girls’ A-division teams fewer opportunities to compete.

Unequal Play Sparked 2025 Controversy

The 2025 girls’ A-division championships introduced an elimination-style format that left some teams playing only one game. Meanwhile, boys’ teams at the same level played multiple matches under a round-robin system. The change quickly drew accusations of unfairness and gender inequity in provincial competition.

Decision Effective for 2026 Championships

Hockey P.E.I. confirmed that beginning with the 2026 tournament, all girls’ A-division teams will once again be guaranteed three games. The move restores the structure used in previous years, ensuring parity between male and female divisions at the same level of play.

Reasons Behind the Reversal

“It was clear the change in format was not well received,” said Tami Lewis, executive director of Hockey P.E.I., in an emailed statement. “This prompted the decision to return to the original round-robin format used in previous years.” The organization said the shift reflects its commitment to fairness and equal development opportunities.

How the Original Change Came About

The elimination format introduced in 2025 was proposed by Hockey P.E.I.’s female council, which aimed to host all female teams at one venue to celebrate women’s hockey. While that initiative received some support, the limited playtime led many associations to question whether it truly benefited the female game.

Next Steps for Female Hockey

Hockey P.E.I. said the idea of holding all female divisions in a single venue remains under review and could return depending on host interest. Elimination formats will continue for leagues that have traditionally used them, including major, AAA, girls’ AA, and U18 boys’ AA divisions.

Stay connected with Canada’s latest headlines — follow Maple News Wire on Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn.

Blue Jays ambush Dodgers, near World Series crown

James
-
0
Blue Jays ambush Dodgers, near World Series crown

Toronto Blue Jays crush Dodgers 6–1 in Game 5 behind rookie Trey Yesavage’s record outing and early home runs, moving one win from World Series glory.

Blue Jays Ambush Dodgers, Near World Series Crown

The Toronto Blue Jays stunned the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–1 on Wednesday night, moving within a single victory of their first World Series title in 32 years.

Early Power Sets the Tone

It took just three pitches to turn Dodger Stadium silent. Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. opened the game with back-to-back home runs off Dodgers starter Blake Snell, giving Toronto a 2–0 lead before many fans had sat down.

Schneider, starting for the first time since Game 1, jumped on Snell’s first fastball. Guerrero followed two pitches later with a towering blast of his own. “You have to be ready when he comes over the plate,” said manager John Schneider. “They both were.”

Rookie Star Delivers Historic Performance (Who Stood Out)

While the bats started the fireworks, rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage delivered a performance for the ages. The 22-year-old threw seven dominant innings, allowing just one run on three hits and no walks while striking out 12 — a new World Series record for a rookie.

“Hollywood couldn’t have made it this good,” Yesavage said, reflecting on his rapid rise from single-A to the biggest stage in baseball. His splitter and slider carved through the Dodgers lineup, leaving stars like Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman visibly frustrated.

Manager Schneider praised his young ace: “Historic stuff. He was calm, confident, and completely in control.”

Dodgers Falter Under Pressure

The Dodgers’ defence faltered just when they needed steadiness. In the fourth inning, former Blue Jay Teoscar Hernández misplayed a fly ball that turned Daulton Varsho’s single into a triple. Varsho later scored on an Ernie Clement sacrifice fly.

Toronto added insurance runs in the seventh thanks to three wild pitches, three walks, and a clutch RBI from Bo Bichette, who returned from injury in time for the championship push. Clement’s single extended his postseason hitting streak to 11 games, one shy of the franchise record.

Defining the Moment

The Game 5 win gave Toronto a 3–2 lead in the best-of-seven series, setting up a potential championship clincher at Rogers Centre on Friday. A win would deliver the franchise its first World Series crown since 1993 — and its first in a generation of Canadian fans.

“It means everything,” said Bichette. “To have this opportunity, I can’t even put it into words.”

All Eyes on Toronto

The Blue Jays return home to a city ready to erupt. The Rogers Centre is expected to be packed and deafening on Friday night as Canada’s team seeks its long-awaited title.

“I can’t wait to see what the place looks and sounds like,” said manager Schneider. “We’ve got one more job to finish.”

Stay connected with Canada’s latest headlines — follow Maple News Wire on Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn.

Canadian Families Make Halloween More Accessible

James
-
0
Canadian Families Make Halloween More Accessible

Across Canada, families join the Treat Accessibly movement to make Halloween inclusive for children with disabilities and sensory challenges.

Canadian Families Make Halloween More Accessible

Inclusive Traditions Take Root in Ontario Neighborhoods

This Halloween, families across Canada are reimagining trick-or-treating to make it more inclusive for every child. In Hamilton, Ont., residents like Mercedes Palermo are serving treats from the curb rather than the doorstep — part of a growing national movement known as Treat Accessibly, which aims to remove barriers for children with disabilities and neurodivergent trick-or-treaters.

A Family’s Effort to Make Halloween Enjoyable for All

For Palermo, the initiative is deeply personal. Her six-year-old daughter Camila is autistic, and sensory sensitivities often make Halloween overwhelming. By creating a calmer, more predictable environment, Palermo hopes to make the holiday something Camila — and others like her — can truly enjoy. “Let people enjoy the night,” Palermo said, encouraging others to drop expectations about costumes or verbal greetings.

Tips for an Accessible Halloween Experience

Treat Accessibly encourages families to hand out candy from a driveway, garage, or vehicle trunk to eliminate stairs and provide ground-level access. It also suggests non-edible treat options and discourages bright lights or sudden noises. These simple adjustments can transform Halloween into a celebration everyone can join without stress or exclusion.

From a Single Sign to a National Movement

The Treat Accessibly initiative began in Oakville, Ont., in 2017, when founder Rich Padulo and his daughter Siena realized that a child using a wheelchair couldn’t access their home. That realization sparked an idea — a sign announcing their home as “accessible.” The next week, they handed out candy from their driveway. The idea spread quickly through the community. This year, Padulo says the group expects to distribute over 300,000 signs nationwide.

National Support and Growing Recognition

The movement has caught national attention — including a mention in the House of Commons by Carleton MP Bruce Fanjoy, who praised it as “a reminder that inclusion is not a barrier but an opportunity.” Corporate partners like Pet Valu and Kinder have also joined the cause, helping distribute signs and raise awareness through their networks.

Building Communities Through Accessible Villages

Since 2021, Treat Accessibly has hosted “villages” — accessible trick-or-treating block parties — in cities across Canada. This year’s events took place in Surrey, St. Albert, Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, and Hamilton. Palermo, who attended the Hamilton event, called it “remarkable,” noting how daytime hours and predictable setups make it easier for her daughter to participate fully.

Inclusion That Lasts Beyond Halloween

As the Treat Accessibly signs become a common sight across Canadian neighborhoods, Palermo says the movement has already made a difference. “To be able to enjoy holidays and things like Halloween without feeling judgment or pressure — it really does mean everything,” she said.

Stay connected with Canada’s latest headlines — follow Maple News Wire on Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn.

Program Helps Waterloo Men End Cycle of Abuse

James
-
0
Program Helps Waterloo Men End Cycle of Abuse

Free program in Waterloo Region helps men stop abusive behaviour and prevent gender-based violence through counselling and accountability.

Turning Focus to Change

A unique initiative in Waterloo Region is confronting domestic abuse from a different angle — by engaging the men who cause it. The Engaging Men program, launched in 2023 by Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region (WCSWR), invites men who have used violence against their partners to take responsibility and learn new ways to act. The program is free, voluntary, and designed to stop the cycle of abuse before it continues.

How the Program Works

Participants complete eight counselling sessions led by trained facilitators, including counsellor Jude Oudshoorn. The course helps men recognize harmful behaviours and develop non-violent communication. Many are referred by police or community partners who see potential for change.
“We’re trying to put the responsibility where it lies, on the person causing the problem,” Oudshoorn said. “We can’t arrest our way out of intimate-partner violence.”

When and Where It Started

Since its launch in early 2023, more than 80 men have gone through the program in the Waterloo Region. The sessions take place in confidential community settings, ensuring participants can reflect and learn in a supportive but accountable environment.

Why It Matters

Intimate-partner violence remains a serious issue across Canada. In Waterloo Region, police and crisis workers see recurring cases involving the same individuals. The Engaging Men program fills a long-standing gap by targeting the root causes — behaviour and mindset.
Detective Constable Andrea Gilker, from the Waterloo Regional Police Service’s intimate-partner violence unit, said, “There’s really no downside to supporting men. When we help them, we help their partners. It’s good for everybody.”

Who It Helps

Referrals primarily come from police officers familiar with an individual’s case history. Officers look for men ready to change — often after repeated police involvement.
Gilker said many accept help willingly. “We get feedback from frustrated men who admit nobody’s ever offered them help like this before. A lot of them are happy to accept that assistance.”

Measurable Impact

Program evaluations show strong results. According to WCSWR, 93 percent of participants reported overall satisfaction, 96 percent said they would recommend it, and 89 percent learned healthier ways to handle conflict.
Trish Sabourin, director of programs and services at WCSWR, said participants often express gratitude for finally being offered meaningful help.

A Broader Vision

Counsellor Oudshoorn has worked with abusive men in both community and prison settings and believes early intervention is key. “Many men say, ‘I wish I’d asked for help sooner,’” he noted. “We hold the bar really low in our communities around expectations of men.”
Gilker agrees that programs like this extend beyond individual benefit: “It’s helping partners, children, and the whole community. Moving forward, most police services will need ways to support men directly.”

Looking Ahead

The Engaging Men program continues to grow as more officers and agencies refer participants. Organizers hope the model will expand across Ontario and eventually Canada, shifting the national approach to domestic violence from punishment to prevention.

Stay connected with Canada’s latest headlines — follow Maple News Wire on Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn.

Virden faces arsenic warning after tapping old aquifer

James
-
0
Virden faces arsenic warning after tapping old aquifer

Manitoba’s town of Virden turns to an old aquifer amid a water shortage, triggering arsenic warnings and public concern over drinking water safety.

Amid Shortage, Virden Turns to Old Water Source

The town of Virden, Manitoba, population about 3,000, is under a drinking water advisory after officials were forced to reactivate an old aquifer known to have high arsenic levels.
The advisory, issued October 19, followed an emergency switch when the town’s primary aquifer—developed in 2021—reached critically low levels earlier in the month.

Aquifer Levels Drop, Triggering Emergency Measures

On October 10, the municipality asked residents to conserve water as supply from the 2021 aquifer fell to “seriously low” levels.
With storage nearly depleted, town engineers brought two older wells back online. However, historic testing showed that this aquifer previously exceeded Health Canada’s drinking water guideline for arsenic—0.01 milligrams per litre.

Public Health Concerns and Advisory Details

Tests are ongoing to determine whether the town’s reverse osmosis and greensand filtration systems can bring arsenic levels below safety limits.
The advisory warns that long-term exposure to arsenic above the guideline may increase the risk of certain cancers.
Residents have been urged to use bottled water for drinking, cooking, and baby formula preparation. Officials also emphasized that boiling water may increase arsenic concentration, making it unsafe for consumption.

Residents Voice Frustration and Fear

Local resident Kathy Heaman said many are “frustrated and looking for answers,” noting that bottled water shelves have emptied quickly.
Another resident, Jennifer Ritchie, said she’s buying bottled water for her son, citing family cancer history.
Meanwhile, John Hipwell, whose private well ran dry after the town tapped into the 2021 aquifer, believes the municipality “ignored warnings about sustainability.” He said his property’s groundwater dropped nearly a metre in three months and eventually ran dry, costing him $40,000 to dig a new well.

Provincial Agencies Coordinate Response

A Manitoba Water Services Board spokesperson said provincial experts are working with the town to identify a safe and sustainable alternative.
For now, one pre-existing well is being used while a replacement well is drilled. Oversight comes from Environment and Climate Change Manitoba and Manitoba Health, which continue testing treated water samples before any advisory changes.

Officials stated the town’s water team is “well trained” in municipal operations but lacks expertise in groundwater and aquifer management, prompting the need for provincial guidance.

Transparency and Accountability Moving Forward

Nursery school operator Frances Lansing commended the town’s communication efforts but said she has long relied on bottled water for children in her care.
Some residents argue that earlier water restrictions could have slowed the depletion. Hipwell said the town “should have banned sprinklers and car washing months ago.”

Mayor Tina Williams was unavailable for comment but previously confirmed that the new wells “may not be a permanent fix.”

Sustainability Questions Remain

A 2020 study by W.L. Gibbons and Associates warned of limited recharge capacity in Virden’s groundwater system—an issue that appears to have materialized sooner than expected.
Experts say the town’s experience highlights a broader challenge across rural Manitoba: balancing water security with contamination risks in aging aquifer systems.

Until test results confirm the treated water meets safety standards, Virden’s precautionary advisory will remain in effect, leaving residents to rely on bottled water and uncertainty about their town’s long-term water future.

Stay connected with Canada’s latest headlines — follow Maple News Wire on Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn.

Canada questions speed cameras as Europe embraces them

James
-
0
Canada questions speed cameras as Europe embraces them

With Europe seeing major declines in traffic deaths thanks to speed cameras — why is Canada still treating them as a “cash grab”?

European countries show strong backing for enforcement

In much of Europe, automated speed-enforcement systems are broadly accepted and supported by the public. For example, in Italy — which operates over 10,000 speed cameras — a 2018 survey found nearly 70 per cent of Italians supported stricter speeding rules, even as about half admitted to speeding in the previous month.
This suggests that enforcement by speed cameras is not viewed purely as revenue generation but as a public-safety measure.

Canada’s political friction surrounding automated cameras

In Ontario, the issue remains contentious. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, recently labelled speed-camera programs a “cash grab” and threatened their outright ban.
This marks a sharp contrast to the European attitude of treating cameras as safety tools rather than revenue machines.

Campaigns and implementation in France and Italy

France launched a national campaign in 2002 after a spate of high-profile traffic fatalities; it now operates more than 2,400 speed cameras. A key factor in France’s approach was political commitment, say experts, enabling a system capable of levying fines nationally.
In Italy, the extensive camera network has been paired with public awareness and acceptance — although opposition remains in pockets.

Why Europe sees results, and Canada might benefit

Studies across Europe attribute reductions in average speeds by about 10 km/h or more, with crash rates falling between 20–70 per cent. Traffic-safety expert Laurent Carnis estimates that in France alone, “some 1,000 lives, and many more injuries, were avoided.”
In Canada, municipalities report local speed reductions of 20 km/h or more when cameras are installed — indicating a similar potential impact.

Key factors behind acceptance — and cautionary lessons

Experts argue that success depends on credible speed limits and transparent enforcement. “You have to make sure… the speed limit is meaningful,” Carnis remarks, pointing to wide lanes and design standards in Canada that may encourage higher speeds.
Moreover, targeting high-risk offenders rather than chasing small over-limit infractions helps maintain public trust. Enforcement perceived as unfair or indiscriminate tends to prompt backlash, as seen in parts of France where cameras have been vandalised.

What this could mean for Canada’s road-safety strategy

For Canadian policymakers, the contrast is clear: Europe’s system pairs visible enforcement with public acceptance and measurable safety gains. If Canada wants similar results, the path may require building political commitment, designing sensible speed limits, and communicating the safety rationale clearly.
Without these components, speed-camera programs risk being dismissed as revenue tools — rather than life-saving interventions.

Stay connected with Canada’s latest headlines — follow Maple News Wire on Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn.

ARC Raiders Global Launch Times Revealed for Every Region

Henry
-
0
ARC Raiders Global Launch Times Revealed for Every Region

ARC Raiders Release: The Wait Is Finally Over

The countdown is almost done — ARC Raiders officially launches worldwide on Thursday, October 30, and fans everywhere are gearing up to jump in. After months of anticipation and several successful public tests, Embark Studios’ sci-fi extraction shooter is finally ready for its global debut.

If you’ve been waiting to play from the very first second, we’ve got the exact ARC Raiders launch times for your region below.

Pre-Load Details and Epic Games Delay

Players on most platforms can pre-load ARC Raiders right now, ensuring they’re ready to drop in the moment servers go live. However, there’s one small hiccup — due to a technical issue, Epic Games Store users will need to wait a bit longer to pre-load. Embark confirmed this delay just yesterday but promised a fix is on the way.

ARC Raiders Global Launch Schedule

Here are the official launch times for ARC Raiders across different regions. The rollout happens simultaneously worldwide, with only time zones creating the difference:

  • Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) – 2:30 AM, October 30

  • Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) – 3:30 AM, October 30

  • Central Daylight Time (CDT) – 4:30 AM, October 30

  • Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) – 5:30 AM, October 30

  • Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) – 9:30 AM, October 30

  • Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) – 9:30 AM, October 30

  • Central European Time (CET) – 10:30 AM, October 30

  • Indian Standard Time (IST) – 3:00 PM, October 30

  • China Standard Time (CST) – 5:30 PM, October 30

  • Japan Standard Time (JST) – 6:30 PM, October 30

  • Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) – 7:30 PM, October 30

For players in the Americas, that means you can wake up, grab your coffee, and dive straight into battle — assuming work or school doesn’t get in the way.

Prepare for a Busy Launch Day

With players around the globe logging in at once, it’s wise to expect some server congestion or short delays at launch. Massive online rollouts often face hiccups, and ARC Raiders’ open alpha test already proved how popular this game can get.

Just two weeks ago, the test phase hit 189,000 concurrent players on Steam, a huge milestone for an unreleased title. Now that it’s launching as a $40 paid release, the real question is how those numbers will hold up — or possibly even rise.

A Promising Start for a Competitive Genre

ARC Raiders has been one of Steam’s top pre-ordered games, and the buzz around its smooth gunplay, sci-fi setting, and team-based strategy remains strong. Early reviews from playtesters have praised its balance and style, raising hopes for a smooth global launch.

Still, the extraction shooter genre is competitive, with established hits like Escape from Tarkov leading the field. Whether ARC Raiders can carve out its place in that world will depend on how Embark supports the game beyond release.

The Final Countdown

So, check your time zone, clear some storage, and make sure your gear is ready. The ARC Raiders launch begins in just hours — and the first wave of players will soon discover if it lives up to the hype.

Stay tuned to Maple Wire Now for the latest gaming news, updates, and post-launch coverage of ARC Raiders. Next news coming up!

Afghan Refugee Pleads for Children’s Safety Outside Parliament

Henry
-
0
Afghan Refugee Pleads for Children’s Safety Outside Parliament

A Father’s Desperate Plea Reaches Parliament Hill

An Afghan refugee in Canada is making a heart-wrenching appeal to save his two children from deportation in Pakistan. Mohammad, a former university professor, spent 23 days outside Parliament Hill under pouring rain, hoping lawmakers would listen.

His story reflects the growing struggles of Afghan refugees torn apart by Canada’s immigration rules. As he fights to reunite his family, fear and frustration weigh heavily on him.

Family Divided by Immigration Barriers

Mohammad fled Afghanistan with his wife and five younger children after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Canada granted them visas in December 2023, offering a safe new beginning in Surrey, B.C.

However, his two eldest children — a 25-year-old daughter studying dentistry and a 23-year-old son in computer science — were left behind in Islamabad, Pakistan. Their applications to join the family were rejected because they exceeded the age limit set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Despite countless appeals, the answer remained the same.

Life in Limbo Amid Rising Deportations

Pakistan’s crackdown on undocumented Afghans has intensified. The government has begun deporting thousands under its Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan.

According to Amnesty International, more than one million Afghan refugees have already been forced to return. Many face persecution under Taliban rule. Mohammad fears his children could be next.

“I fear for their lives every day,” he said. “They are not safe in Pakistan, and going back to Afghanistan would be even worse.”

A Protest Fueled by Hope and Desperation

Determined to save his children, Mohammad traveled from Surrey to Ottawa, camping outside Parliament’s West Block. He sat quietly near the stairs, holding a laminated sign describing his children’s plight.

Most MPs walked by without stopping. But one day, former immigration minister Marc Miller noticed him and asked for details.

“I feel for him on a personal level,” Miller said. “We’re looking into his case, but there’s no quick fix.”

Mohammad called the encounter “a moment of compassion” in an otherwise lonely struggle.

Mounting Challenges and Fading Options

The situation in Pakistan is worsening. The government has stopped renewing Afghan visas, and Mohammad can no longer send money to his children due to banking restrictions.

Last year, he managed to place them on a sponsorship waiting list through the Vancouver Unitarians. Yet that list is long, and the process could take years.

Canada’s private refugee sponsorship program has already exceeded its 23,000-person limit for 2024. IRCC has paused new applications from community sponsors until the end of 2025.

Political Voices Call for Urgent Reform

NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan said Mohammad’s case mirrors the struggles of many Afghan families separated by age rules and bureaucracy.

“The government must act urgently,” she said. “Flexibility is needed, especially for single young women and vulnerable dependents left behind.”

Her call adds pressure on Ottawa to address the gaps in its humanitarian program — and to uphold promises made to help Afghans at risk.

A Family Torn, But Not Broken

Back in Surrey, Mohammad’s wife and youngest son have fallen into depression. The separation, he said, has “broken their spirits.” Yet he refuses to give up hope.

“One rainy day, I thought of leaving,” he recalled. “But I told myself — if I go now, I may lose the only chance to save them.”

Despite the heartbreak, he says he found kindness in strangers who offered food, shelter, and comfort. “I’ll never forget the compassion I saw in Canada,” he said softly.

The Uncertain Road Ahead

Mohammad’s journey home to B.C. ended not in triumph, but in quiet endurance. The wait continues, and the stakes remain painfully high.

For now, his message is simple — he just wants his children safe.

Stay tuned to Maple Wire for more updates on Afghan refugee stories and Canada’s immigration challenges. Next news coming up.

Former Senator Don Meredith Found Not Guilty of Sexual Assault and Harassment Charges

Sarah
-
0
Former Senator Don Meredith Found Not Guilty of Sexual Assault and Harassment Charges

Former senator Don Meredith has been found not guilty of all charges in his sexual assault and criminal harassment trial, bringing an end to a years-long scandal that cast a shadow over the Canadian Senate.

Meredith, who faced three counts of sexual assault and one count of criminal harassment, was accused of inappropriate behaviour toward a former employee who alleged unwanted touching, kissing, and abuse of power during her time working for him.

The verdict, delivered Wednesday, closes a turbulent chapter for the upper chamber, which has struggled with the fallout from the case and the broader questions it raised about workplace safety and accountability within Parliament.

Meredith had resigned from the Senate in 2017 before he could be formally expelled following earlier allegations of a sexual relationship with a teenager — a controversy that deeply damaged the Senate’s public image.

The court’s decision marks the conclusion of one of the most high-profile misconduct cases involving a Canadian parliamentarian in recent history, though it leaves ongoing debate over ethics and oversight in the Senate.

123...361Page 1 of 361

Maple News Wire

Maple News Wire is an independent Canada-based digital news platform committed to delivering accurate, timely, and impartial reporting across a wide spectrum of topics.

Latest

Anne Murray honoured at Grand Ole Opry with all-star tribute concert featuring k.d. lang and Martina McBride

Blog 0
Anne Murray Honoured with All-Star Tribute in Nashville Canadian music...

PayPal Stock Jumps 4.5% After Ads Manager Launch

Blog 0
PayPal Stock Surges on Innovation and Expansion PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) stock...

Ontario Bans Speed Cameras: Safety & Public Response

Blog 0
Ontario bans speed cameras: Impact on road safety, driver...

Popular

Wakeham Rewards Loyal MHAs with Leaner NL Cabinet

Canadian Cities 0
Premier Tony Wakeham names 14 ministers from 21 PC...

Canadian Families Make Halloween More Accessible

Canadian Cities 0
Across Canada, families join the Treat Accessibly movement to...

Program Helps Waterloo Men End Cycle of Abuse

Canadian Cities 0
Free program in Waterloo Region helps men stop abusive...

Sitemap

Powered by ADGTech © 2025 Maple News Wire. All Rights Reserved. Canada’s independent voice for factual news and public interest stories.