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Tag: canada

  • Canada shuts parliament over coronavirus

    Canada shuts parliament over coronavirus

    Canada’s House of Commons, in a rare display of unity, put aside partisan wrangling and voted unanimously on Friday to suspend its session until April 20.

    The suspension of session was in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

    “It’s important to mention that we did this together and it’s the right thing to do,” Government House Leader Pablo Rodrigues told reporters in Ottawa at a joint news conference with opposition party leaders.

    In the course of a normal day, the 338 members of parliament shake thousands of hands while meeting with constituents and members of the public, and then congregate together on Parliament Hill, Rodrigues said.

    “Now, we’re avoiding that. These are not normal times,’’ Rodrigues said.

    Green Party Leader Elizabeth May welcomed the unanimous motion, telling the House of Commons that history would not look kindly at Canadian legislators if it emerged that they had become vectors for the coronavirus spread.

    The vote in the House of Commons came hours after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that he was going into self-isolation after his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, tested positive for Covid-19 following a trip to London.

    Trudeau’s communications director, Cameron Ahmad, said Thursday evening she was feeling very well and only had mild symptoms.

    Trudeau was in good health with no symptoms and would not be tested on the advice of doctors,” but would remain in isolation for 14 days, Ahmad said.

    In a phone interview with French language public broadcaster Radio-Canada on Friday, Trudeau urged people to stay home if sick.

  • Two Canadian rappers Bvlly, Why-S killed hours apart

    Two Canadian rappers, Bvlly and Why-S have been shot dead in Canada, hours from each other.

    Bvlly was killed at around 3am Tuesday morning, while Why-S died in a shooting in South Surrey, British Colombia, late on Monday night.

    Twenty four-year old Bvlly, real name Jahquar Stewart, 24, was reportedly shot outside of a townhouse, according to police. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

    Why-S also killed

    Just as the city was reeling from Bvlly’s death, news came that another rising Toronto star, Why-S, died in a separate shooting in South Surrey, British Colombia, late on Monday night.

    Canadian media reported: “Homicide investigators were called to South Surrey Tuesday morning where he was found dead in a home.

    “Surrey RCMP was called to 152 Street near 22nd Avenue just before 9.30pm on Monday.”

    No arrest about the two fatal shootings has been made yet.

    Bvlly released his popular Made In Austria project in September, and more recently featured on the 6ixBuzz playlist NorthernSound.

    He also featured on big records with 3MFrench including the 5ive Beatz-produced hit 7am in London.

    Earlier this month he released the video for his new single Jungle, featuring Mack Dizzle.

    Why-S also featured on the 6ixBuzz playlist and had two big videos this year with John Wick and Swag Mine.

    One Twitter user said: “That’s so f****d up. They killed Bvlly and Why-S the same night.”

    Another tweeted: “Please let there be peace in hip hop.”

    While a third wrote: “RIP Bvlly he would’ve blown up soon.”

  • Manitoba Legislature: Nigeria’s Uzoma breaks 150-year-old record in Canada

    Manitoba Legislature: Nigeria’s Uzoma breaks 150-year-old record in Canada

    Nigeria’s Uzoma Asagwara has become one of the three blacks to have ever been elected to the Manitoba Legislature in the 150-year history of the province in Canada.

    Uzoma Asagwara won the Union Station seat for the NDP, Jamie Moses took the St. Vital seat for the party and Audrey Gordon won Southdale for the Progressive Conservatives.

    None of the political scientists contacted, nor the parties themselves, could recall a black MLA ever being elected in Manitoba.

    The NDP has historically done well in Winnipeg’s core, where Asagwara won Union Station, becoming the first queer black person to win a seat.

    “Our elected officials in our Manitoba Legislature should absolutely reflect the constituencies … and communities that are in Manitoba,” Asagwara told CBC News as results came in Tuesday night.

    “So making sure that our elected officials look like the communities we serve [is] fundamental in making sure that all voices and all communities are served well in Manitoba.”

    Asagwara, a first-generation Canadian whose parents are Nigerian, has worked as a psychiatric nurse and is a longtime community activist in Winnipeg’s core.

    The first black Winnipeg city councillor said he was happy for the thousands of immigrants and refugees who may feel like they now see themselves represented in the Manitoba Legislature.

    “It’s an opportunity for newcomers to see themselves in government,”​ ​​said Markus Chambers, who was elected as city councillor for St. Norbert-Seine River last fall.

    Moses, a corporate leader with a degree in agribusiness from the University of Manitoba, reclaimed St. Vital for the NDP.

    “I’m truly humbled and honoured,” said Moses, who ousted the incumbent PC cabinet minister Colleen Mayer.

    Moses said the addition of more diverse elected representatives is a positive change.

    “I’m not sure why it took so long but I’m ecstatic that it’s happening now. I think that this is part of a sign that representation is important in the legislature,” he said.

    In Southdale, Gordon became the third black MLA elected Tuesday night, in a race that was close until the final votes were tallied. She was born in Jamaica and has spent most of her life in Winnipeg.

    Tuesday’s provincial election saw a more diverse set of candidates than past years, with the PCs and NDP nominating the largest number of Indigenous candidates in recent history and all three of the largest parties nominating Indo-Canadian candidates in two northwest Winnipeg ridings.

    Among the candidates for the province’s 57 seats, the Liberals ran 14 people of colour this year, the NDP 18 and the Tories six. The Green Party of Manitoba told CBC it does not track demographics.

    All three major parties also ran Indo-Canadian candidates in the Winnipeg ridings of Burrows and The Maples — believed to be another first in Manitoba provincial politics.

    The New Democrats ran 10 Indigenous candidates, while the PCs and Liberals each nominated seven Indigenous candidates.

  • 2019 FIFA WWC: Sweden sink Canada to set up Germany clash

    2019 FIFA WWC: Sweden sink Canada to set up Germany clash

    Sweden’s Stina Blackstenius struck in the second half on Monday in Paris as they won 1-0 against Canada at the FIFA Women’s World Cup to set up a quarter-final against Germany.

    But it was a day of misfortune for the North Americans, who missed a penalty kick in the Round of 16 Match.

    In sweltering conditions at the Parc des Princes, the two teams struggled to register any shots on target in the first half in spite of Canada dominating possession.

    That all changed after the break when the Swedes stepped up a level and they were finally rewarded in the 55th minute when the Canadians lost possession of the ball in midfield.

    Kosovare Asllani played an inch-perfect diagonal ball to striker Blackstenius, who prodded the ball past onrushing goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe.

    It was her first goal of the tournament and it freed the Swedish team, which almost added a second with a thunderous drive from Fridolina Rolfo in the 61st minute.

    Canada had a chance to get back into the game after 68 minutes, when they were awarded a penalty kick following a lengthy VAR review ruling that Asllani had handled the ball.

    However, veteran Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl dived to her right to tip Janine Beckie’s spot kick away.

    “If they doubted I could make any penalty saves, that proved them wrong,” Lindahl told reporters. “I had to stretch fully and it worked. It was pure joy. We got a lot more energy because of that.”

    The save appeared to suck the spirit out of the Canadians who struggled to create much beyond a few half chances.

    Asslani almost scored for Sweden five minutes from time as she volleyed in from a corner kick, but her shot was cleared off the line.

    It was the first time Canada had failed to score in a World Cup knockout match and coach Kenneth Heiner-Moller said his young squad would learn from the experience.

    “We have a lot of players with a bright future. They didn’t get their chance, but it’s given them a thicker skin. The way we develop players is important. We have the third youngest squad. So, it’s looking bright,” he said.

    Sweden will now face two-times champions Germany on Saturday in Rennes in a repeat of the 2003 final.

    The Swedes have not beaten the Germans since 1995.

    “What’s happened years ago isn’t interesting. We have to look at how Germany played the last three matches,” Swedish coach Peter Gerhardsson told a news conference.

    “I don’t think it’s relevant to the players, but it will be nice to break that trend.”

  • Friendly: Canada come from behind to beat Super Falcons 2-1

    Canada’s national senior women football team came from behind to beat Nigeria’s Super Falcons 2-1 in a pre–World Cup friendly encounter at the Pinatar Arena in Murcia on Monday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Canada, who are ranked fifth in the world, dominated the opening exchanges.

    But it was the African champions who took the lead three minutes before the half-hour mark, courtesy of a fine strike by Desire Oparanozie.

    Talented winger Uchenna Kanu dribbled past two Canadian players before setting up Oparanozie who calmly slotted the ball into the net.

    The goal rattled the Canadians and they fought hard to get back into the game immediately, but they were unable to find a breakthrough in the remaining part of the first half.

    The North Americans however leveled scores three minutes after the break through Beckie Janine.

    Substitute Sophie Schmidt scored the winning goal for Canada in the 53rd minute with her well-placed header going past Tochukwu Oluehi to complete a hard-fought comeback.

    The Canadians are now unbeaten in their last six games.

    NAN also reports that the Super Falcons had defeated Icelandic Women’s top-flight side UMF Selfoss 6-1 in a friendly encounter on Friday.

    They will now focus their attention on the WAFU Women’s Tournament as they continue their build-up ahead of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

    The eight-nation WAFU B Women’s Tournament will hold from May 8 to May 18 at Abidjan in Cote d’Ivoire.

    It has as participants the senior women teams of hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Senegal, Togo, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic.

    The draw ceremony for the tournament has been scheduled for April 16.

    After the WAFU Cup tourney, the Super Falcons will move to the Avita Resort in Bad Tatzmannsdorf in Austria.

    It was the same facility that hosted the Super Eagles ahead of their flight to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals.

    From Austria, the Falcons will head to France, where they will take on Norway, Korea Republic and tournament hosts
    France in the Group A of the 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup.

    The World Cup finals will hold from June 7 to July 7.

  • Saturday poll: Go out, vote your choice candidates – Canada, U.K urge Nigerians

    Saturday poll: Go out, vote your choice candidates – Canada, U.K urge Nigerians

    The Canadian and British High Commissions have called on Nigerians to exercise their civil rights by going out to vote at the rescheduled February 23 presidential election.

    The Canadian Embassy via its Twitter handle @CanHCNigeria on Friday, said Nigerians would decide their future by coming out to vote on election day.

    The commission noted that the citizens of Nigeria deserve a free, fair, credible and peaceful

    It also said in Pidgin English that “it is time for Nigerians to put their money where their mouth is by voting”.

    ”Remember! We encourage all Nigerians to exercise their democratic rights to get out and vote tomorrow. you will decide Nigeria’s future and deserve a free, fair, credible and peaceful chance to do it. Time don reach make una put una vote where una mouth dey!”

    Meanwhile, the British High Commission In Abuja via its Twitter handle @UKinNigeria on Friday, acknowledged the efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible free and fair elections.

    The UK Embassy also called on the Nigerian citizens to come out and vote on election day.

    ”We welcome the regular updates from @inecnigeria on preparations for tomorrow’s elections. Important they are able to carry out their role free from intimidation. Calling on all eligible Nigerians to vote tomorrow – have your say on who runs your country!”

  • BREAKING: House fire kills seven children from same family

    A house fire killed seven children in Halifax of Canada on Tuesday, according to CBC.

    The tragedy happened in a house located in a newly built residential neighbourhood in Spryfield community of Halifax.

    The house was extensively damaged in the blaze.

    The occupants of the house are a family with seven children who came to Canada as Syrian refugees..

    The children ranged in ages from three months to 17 years.

    A man with life-threatening injuries and a woman with non-life-threatening injuries were taken to hospital.

  • Canada begs China for clemency to citizen sentenced to death for drug trafficking

    Canada begs China for clemency to citizen sentenced to death for drug trafficking

    Canada urged Beijing on Tuesday to grant clemency to a Canadian sentenced to death for drug trafficking after his sentence reignited a diplomatic dispute that began last month.

    Ottawa has warned its citizens about the risk of “arbitrary enforcement” of laws in China following a court’s sentencing of Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, 36, to death on Monday, increasing a previous 15-year prison term.

    The sentence came during a clash between Ottawa and Beijing over Canada’s arrest in December of Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of telecom giant Huawei, on a US extradition request related to Iran sanctions violations.

    “We have already spoken with China’s ambassador to Canada and requested clemency” for Schellenberg, Canada’s Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland told reporters in Sainte-Hyacinthe, Quebec.

    Freeland recalled Canada’s long-standing opposition to capital punishment.

    “We believe it is inhumane and inappropriate, and wherever the death penalty is considered with regard to a Canadian we speak out against it,” she said.

    Asked if Beijing would consider the clemency request, the foreign ministry said China is a rule of law country.

    Citing the Chinese constitution, ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters on Wednesday that the court and procuratorate “exercise independent judicial authority and prosecutorial power according to the law and will not be interfered with by other administrative organs”.

    Human rights groups say Chinese courts are not independent and can be influenced by the Communist Party.

    Beijing had earlier said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had made “irresponsible remarks” for saying China chose to “arbitrarily apply” death penalties.

    In a move observers see as retaliation over the Huawei case, Chinese authorities detained two other Canadian citizens — a former diplomat and a business consultant — on suspicion of endangering national security.

    The timing and swiftness of Schellenberg’s sentence, and the inclusion of new evidence raised suspicion among observers.

    Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth said China was “playing hostage politics.”

    In response to Canada’s travel advisory on China, Beijing issued a similar response, urging its nationals to “travel cautiously.”

    China executes one or two foreigners every year — nearly all for drug offences, according to John Kamm, director of the US-based Dui Hua Foundation rights group.

  • Payette urges more Nigerian students to show interest in STEM

    Governor-General of Canada, Ms Julie Payette urged Nigerian students to develop interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
    Payette gave the advice when she addressed students from various Secondary Schools in Abuja at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) on Monday.
    She said that with determination, hard work and right plan, the students could excel in any of their chosen careers in STEM.
    She said that Canada would strengthen its relationship with the Federal Government, especially in the area of space technology.
    “Canada has gone far in space research and the feat has added value to the country.
    “Nigeria will definitely benefit from our space knowledge, “ she said.
    Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, the Minister of Science and Technology, said the Federal Government was ready to partner Canada to fasten the pace of technology and other Canadian technologies that could fast tract development in Nigeria.
    Onu said that Payette was a great achiever before becoming general governor of Canada.
    “Before becoming Governor General, Julie was an astronaut, engineer, scientific broadcaster and corporate director.
    “From 1992 to 2013, Ms Payette worked as an astronaut and flew two time mission in space.
    “She also served many years as Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) at NASA’s Mission Control Centre in Houston, Texas, and Chief Astronaut for Canadian Space Agency,’’ he said.
    NASRDA Director-General, Seidu Mohammed, said that Payette was well respected for her work in developing policies to promote science and technology.
    Payette also visited Africa University of Science and Technology to (AUST), where she urged Masters and the PhD students in be proactive in innovation and creativity.
    The Governor-General of Canada, is also expected to inaugurate the Lagos State Bio-security Laboratory located at the Mainland Hospital in Yaba on Tuesday.
     

  • Canadian Governor-General to interact with CodeLagos students

    The Governor-General of Canada, Julie Payette, is scheduled to interact with students taking part in CodeLagos programme at Dahunsi Memorial Senior High School, Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports CodeLagos programme is an initiative of the Lagos State Government aimed at educating one million residents by teaching them how to write codes and creatively solve problems.
    The Canadian Governor-General arrived Lagos Tuesday morning to inaugurate the Lagos State Biosecurity Laboratory located at the Mainland Hospital in Yaba.
    Payette and her entourage landed at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos at 8.47 a.m amid tight security.
    She was received by the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, Canadian Consular officials as well as security chiefs.
    The governor-general is scheduled to inaugurate the Lagos State Biosecurity laboratory, located at the Mainland Hospital in Yaba, where the isolation unit used by the state government to contain the 2014 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak was located.
    The Laboratory, funded by Canada in partnership with the state government, would serve as a single repository for all high-concentration pathogens in the state.
    It would also help the state mitigate post-EVD threats and build capacity for prevention, detection and response to future outbreaks in Nigeria and West Africa.
    Payette, on Monday arrived in Abuja, where she was received by President Muhammadu Buhari.
    She also delivered a lecture at the National Space Research and Development Agency, Abuja.