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Canada Removes 41 Diplomats From India After New Delhi Threatens To Revoke Their Immunity

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Toronto: Canada has recalled 41 of its diplomats from India, the foreign minister of Canada announced on Thursday. The Indian government had threatened to revoke these individuals’ diplomatic immunity, which escalated a dispute concerning the murder of a Sikh separatist in Canada.

The actions are in response to Canada’s accusations that India might have been implicated in the June homicide of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian national, in a Vancouver suburb. Although Canada has been accused of harboring separatists and “terrorists,” the accusation of its involvement in the killing has been denied as “absurd,” and diplomatic measures have been taken to convey India’s outrage at the claim.

Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly announced Thursday that 41 Canadian diplomats and their dependents stationed in India have been expelled. Joly stated that 21 Canadian diplomats have been granted exceptions and will remain in India.

“The personal safety of forty-one Canadian diplomats and their forty-two dependents was at risk if their immunity was revoked at an arbitrary date,” Joly explained. “Diplomats and their families have departed at this time.”

Joly stated that withdrawing diplomatic immunity is an unprecedented action and a violation of international law; consequently, Canada would not threaten to do the same with Indian diplomats.

“A unilateral revocation of diplomatic privileges and immunity constitutes a clear violation of the Geneva Convention on Diplomatic Relations and a violation of international law.” “Making such a threat is irrational and escalatory,” Joly declared.

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Canada Removes 41 Diplomats From India After New Delhi Threatens To Revoke Their Immunity.

Due to India’s decision, Joly stated that both nations’ citizens will experience reduced service quality. She stated that Canada has suspended face-to-face operations in Bangalore, Mumbai, and Chandigarh.

Arindam Bagchi, a spokesman for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, had previously advocated for downsizing the Canadian diplomatic presence in India, asserting that their personnel exceeded that of India’s presence in Canada.

Last month, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that “credible allegations” suggested Indian involvement in the June slaying in Surrey, British Columbia, of Nijjar, a 45-year-old Sikh leader, by masked gunmen. Najjar was slain in June.

India had asserted for years that Nijjar, a Canadian-born Indian national, had ties to terrorism; Nijjar denied this allegation.

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Canada Removes 41 Diplomats From India After New Delhi Threatens To Revoke Their Immunity.

Visa cancellations for Canadian nationals by India have not prompted any retaliation from Canada. Following Canada’s expulsion of a senior Indian diplomat, India had previously expelled a senior Canadian diplomat.

Previously, Trudeau attempted to defuse the diplomatic dispute by assuring reporters that Canada had no intention of inciting or exacerbating the situation.

A separate Canadian official previously told The Associated Press that the surveillance of Indian diplomats in Canada and intelligence supplied by a significant ally contributed to the allegation of India’s involvement in the killing.

The spokesperson stated that Indian diplomats and officials in Canada were involved in the communications and that a member of the “Five Eyes” intelligence-sharing alliance—consisting of Canada, the United States, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand—contributed a portion of the intelligence. The official requested anonymity to maintain their position, as they lacked the authority to publicly address the subject.

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Canada Removes 41 Diplomats From India After New Delhi Threatens To Revoke Their Immunity.

As a result of India’s most recent expulsions, tensions have increased between the two nations. A few days after Trudeau and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had tense encounters at the recent Group of 20 meeting in New Delhi, Canada canceled an autumn trade mission to India.

Amid the simmering dispute, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken conferred with the foreign minister of India. According to a U.S. official, the subject was brought up. Although U.S. officials have recognized that the repercussions of the allegations could affect relations with India, they have avoided assigning responsibility for Nijjar’s death.

Najjar, a plumber, was also a prominent figure in the waning Khalistan movement, an attempt to establish an autonomous Sikh homeland. During the 1970s and 1980s, north India was besieged by a decade-long Sikh insurgency that was suppressed by a government crackdown that claimed the lives of thousands of individuals, including prominent Sikh leaders.

Despite losing much of its political influence, the Khalistan movement continues to enjoy support in the Indian state of Punjab and among the substantial Sikh diaspora abroad. Although the active insurgency ceased several years ago, the Indian government has consistently issued warnings regarding the potential resurgence of Sikh separatists.

Marc Miller, the Canadian minister of immigration, stated that India ranked first among permanent residents, temporary foreign laborers, and international students in Canada in 2022. Miller stated that the Canadian immigration department will considerably reduce the number of adin India due to India’s decision to revoke immunity. Miller stated that the reduced personnel will impede the issuing visas and permits.

Political scientist Nelson Wiseman of the University of Toronto stated that Canada would have no reason to retaliate against India’s most recent action.

Wiseman stated, “The Indians’ thin skin is exposed by the expulsions of Canadian diplomats; it suggests they are aware that they are complicit in the murder of a Canadian in Canada.” “Their intention is to divert focus away from their inadequate collaboration with Canada in the inquiry into the homicide.”

SOURCE – (AP)

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Girl, 6, Dies After Eating McDonald’s Cheese Burger

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Angelica Vazquez is being remembered as always being happy and smiling- Photo Samantha Ocasio

A 6-year-old girl in Massachusetts died of E. coli, and her mother alleges the poisoning came from a tainted McDonald’s cheeseburger.

“It was quick. Samantha Ocasio said of her daughter’s unexpected death, “It was really fast,” adding that she does not want it to happen to anybody else’s children, according to The New York Post.

Based in Springfield, Ocasio stated that her daughter, Angelica Vazquez, ate the food before trick-or-treating on Halloween and became ill the following evening.

As she began throwing up, Ocasio asked if she wanted to see a doctor, but the youngster answered, “No, my belly just hurts.”

At first, the mother of seven thought the illness was merely a stomach virus, so she gave her daughter Gatorade and instructed her to rest.

According to masslive.com, things spiralled out of control on November 2 when the girl passed out and suffered cardiac arrest during a bubble bath.

She was taken to Baystate Medical Centre and died 12 hours later. “I love you” was the last thing her daughter said, according to Ocasio.

According to health experts, the E. coli outbreak has been connected to onions served on some McDonald’s cheeseburgers after more than 100 people in 13 states were ill in recent weeks.

However, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported no verified instances of the E. coli strain at McDonald’s in Massachusetts. “My main concern is, ‘OK, if it wasn’t McDonald’s, what is it?’… My daughter was pleased. “She was healthy,” Ocasio stated.

She said that Angelica Vazquez was the only person in her family to eat a McDonald’s cheeseburger, while her siblings preferred chicken nuggets.

McDonald’s stated that the epidemic was linked to slivered onions provided on Quarter Pounders, which differ from the chopped onions used on the smaller cheeseburger the girl ate. Following the outbreak, the restaurant chain announced that it had ceased serving the burgers and was locating a replacement slivered onion supplier for 900 locations.

“We are heartbroken for this family’s loss and express our sincere condolences. “We take any reports of potential food safety issues seriously,” the statement said.

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Canada to Strengthen Border Security After Trumps Threat

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Canada's Public Safety Minister has announced plans to increase its spending on border security

Canada’s Public Safety Minister has announced plans to increase its spending on border security after President-elect Donald Trump promised to levy heavy tariffs because of illegal immigration across the US-Canada border.

Following the meeting with Trudeau, Canada’s public safety minister, Dominic LeBlanc, told reporters, “We believe there is a circumstance where we can make additional investments to ensure that all of the necessary measures are in place and will continue to be in place.” Of course, he declined to disclose how much additional federal government funding would make available.

Canada’s provincial governments have blasted Justin Trudeau for failing to emphasize border security.

On Wednesday, Ontario leader Doug Ford hoped the meeting with Trudeau would be “the start of a more proactive approach from the federal government” and would show it “takes the security of our border seriously . . or risk the economic chaos of Trump tariffs”.

Quebec’s premier, François Legault, an ardent critic of border security, said late Wednesday: “It is critical to secure the borders in both directions.”

We do not want a new wave of immigrants, but Mr. Trudeau must present a plan to comfort Mr. Trump.”

Canada US border

The US-Canada border is the longest in the world.

The US-Canada border is the world’s longest, spanning approximately 9,000 kilometres on land and ocean. Land security is modest; few walls or fences are sometimes denoted with simple stone markers along residential streets.

While major road crossings have checkpoints, the border is mostly managed by mobile patrols, making it vulnerable to smugglers of migrants, drugs, and firearms.

Tom Homan, Trump’s new border Tsar, stated in a recent TV interview that Canada cannot be a route for terrorists into the US. “It’s an extreme national security vulnerability on the northern border, and it’s one of the things I’ll tackle,” according to him.

According to Homan, the number of migrants apprehended attempting to cross from Canada into the United States increased by about 600 percent, from 27,180 in 2021 to 198,929 in 2024.

The Canadian side of the border is manned by 8,500 frontline Canada Border Services Agency employees, who monitor the nearly C$3.6 billion (US$2.6 billion) in products and services and the over 400,000 persons who cross each day.

However, their union believes an additional 2,000-3,000 border officers are required. “The union has been vocal about the lack of staff at the border for years,” Customs and Immigration Union president Mark Weber stated.

President-elect Donald Trump has promised to deport millions of undocumented migrants once he takes office early next year, and Canadian officials are concerned that many would flee to Canada to escape being apprehended by US immigration agents.

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Canada Post Begins Laying off Striking Postal Workers

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Canada Post Laying Off Striking Postal Workers
Striking postal workers in Lacombe, Alberta huddle to keep warm - Photo by Cory Knutt.

Canada Post has recently been criticized for temporarily laying off striking postal workers. This move has aroused much controversy as the labour strike approaches its two-week milestone.

Canada Post recently announced layoffs aimed at individuals involved in the strike. According to accounts, these layoffs are temporary. However, the decision has exacerbated tensions between the corporation and the union.

Unfortunately, due to the continued national labour disruption caused by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and its severe impact on the company, we have adjusted our operations under the Canada Labour Code,” said Canada Post spokesperson Phil Rogers.

Exact figures are still unknown, but a major chunk of the 55,000 unionized workers is expected to be affected. The layoffs are mostly concentrated in areas where the strike severely affects services.

For many employees, this measure adds financial stress to a difficult situation. Striking workers lose pay during labour disputes, and layoffs exacerbate their capacity to make ends meet.

Canada Post Scare Tactic

The CUPW has slammed the layoffs as a “scare tactic.” They believe this action is intended to pressure workers to return before their demands are addressed. Meanwhile, Canada Post claims it’s an essential precaution to keep operations running throughout the strike.

According to labour and employment expert Deborah Hudson, Canada Post’s layoffs are unusual and will almost certainly face legal challenges from the union.

According to the Canada Post, its company suffered severely during the strike. It was previously stated that the labour interruption has affected approximately 10 million parcels since the job strike began on November 15.

Negotiations between the two sides are currently at a deadlock. The union continues to advocate for its demands, while Canada Post maintains its stance.

The postal strike has no end in sight. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said Wednesday that an Ottawa-appointed mediator was going nowhere because the sides were too far apart on fundamental topics. The mediation negotiations were temporarily postponed, and the administration has no plans to intervene.

Back to Work Legislation

In a statement Thursday, spokesman Rogers stated that Canada Post is “considering its options to move negotiations forward with greater urgency and remains committed to negotiating new collective agreements.”

Meanwhile, union president Jan Simpson stated Wednesday that the CUPW is battling to keep good full-time positions.

If the issue persists, the federal government may interfere. During previous labour disputes, Ottawa enforced back-to-work laws to restore mail services. Whether that happens this time depends on how long and disruptive the strike is.

The Labour Minister says the special mediator will re-engage with both parties once productive bargaining can resume.

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